NBAA Welcomes FAA Officials to NBAA-BACE Safety Events, Including the US Federal Air Surgeon

Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, [email protected]

Washington, DC, Oct. 18, 2024 - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is excited that Dr. Susan Northrup, U.S. federal air surgeon at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will take part in a panel discussion on mental health as part of the National Safety Forum at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).

The session - "Managing the Skies of Wellbeing" - takes place Oct. 23 and features a conversation with Northrup and other experts on the latest updates on mental health and medical certification policies, including groundbreaking initiatives and resources aimed at enhancing mental health support and improving access to care for business aviation professionals.

Additional sessions featuring FAA officials include:

• David Buczek, acting group manager, safety services for the FAA Air Traffic Organization, is presenting during the Single-Pilot Safety Standdown on Oct. 21. The session - "Surface Risk in the NAS" - examines the risk of runway incursions and other surface hazards. Attendees will learn strategies and methods for safe operations.

• Kawehi Lum, division manager, Safety Analysis & Promotion Division of the FAA Office of Safety Standards, is taking part in a session on Oct. 22 titled, "Ignite Your Safety Management System: Getting Off the Ground."

• Randa Hayes, acting vice president of flight program operations for the FAA Air Traffic Organization, along with Lum, will present during an Oct. 24 session titled, "Elevate Your SMS: Taking Your Safety Management System to Higher Flight Levels."

• John Walberg, branch manager, and Christopher Gomes, operational safety analyst, from the FAA Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention will present during the Oct. 23 session titled, "Moving Safely Forward Together: FAA ASIAS Stakeholder Meeting."

"NBAA is excited that so many FAA safety professionals, including Dr. Northrup, the FAA's top medical professional, will take part in the National Safety Forum," said Mark Larsen, CAM, director of safety and flight operations at NBAA. "Dr. Northrup's valuable insights into the importance of mental wellness and updates on the FAA's initiatives in this area, will be incredibly beneficial for attendees. Additionally, the association is very grateful to David Buczek, Kawehi Lum, Randa Hayes, John Walberg and Christopher Gomes for taking part in NBAA-BACE safety sessions. Their expertise in all areas of aviation safety make their sessions must-attend events for all attendees."

The NBAA-BACE National Safety Forum is one element of an overall convention safety focus that also includes a Single-Pilot Safety Standdown and a Small Operator Symposium. The spotlight on safety will culminate with the presentation of a top NBAA award for a heroic crew member whose safety training and professionalism saved lives. Learn more about the ways business aviation safety will be in focus as never before at NBAA-BACE.

Additional sessions featuring regulators include:

• At the show's opening keynote, Michael Whitaker, FAA administrator will be a featured speaker.
• On the new NBAA-BACE Flight Deck, a "Meet the Regulators" session will host five leading regulators guiding the future of aviation regulation.
• Reps. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) and Rick Larsen (D-2-WA), who were most responsible for shaping the FAA reauthorization bill enacted earlier this year, will participate in an invite-only Newsmakers Luncheon on Monday, Oct. 21.

NBAA-BACE, taking place Oct. 22-24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport (HND), is the world's most powerful business aviation event of the year. Learn more about NBAA-BACE.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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