Three weeks in training, three weeks away from home, three weeks avoiding people in restaurants, and three weeks of mask wearing, hotel living consumed my September. But I wouldn’t change it for anything because I love learning new things, meeting new friends, and interacting with highly skilled aviation professionals. Anyone that has been through a new aircraft type rating know the marathon it can be trying to consume the vast amount of information, grasp the concepts incorporated in operating the plane, and apply all the past flying skills learned. The first week is exciting, the second week begins to drag, and by the end of the third week I was ready to be home. But overall the experience was great by spending time interacting with other pilots, listening to their stories, and hearing about the status of our industry.
One of the reasons I love participating in the Central Florida Business Aviation Association is the same, interacting with professionals from our industry. As I write this, I am sitting in a new Praetor watching Michael Almalfitano, CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, talk about comeback of business aviation and future developments. Please join us with our other speakers over the next couple of months as they share their visions and current operations. Come out to our first “in person” meet up on January 15th at Orlando Executive Airport which is being sponsored by Bombardier and plug into our monthly Happy Hours on the last Thursday of each month.
We invite you to join us share our message and build our membership for even better networking. One of our new initiatives this year is including more young professionals, and students, in the association. A new scholarship team is being organized and we have offered college students free membership to CFBAA while they attend school. Sharing what we have learned over the years with the next generations will ensure success for business aviation over many years.
After the three weeks of trying to sip water from a fire hose, we passed our check rides and sent home to apply our knowledge. Any pilot will know the true learning happens when you begin operating the airplane, and that is happening. A true aviation professional continues learning, is always curious, and embraces relationships. This describes our goal at CFBAA and thank you for your participation and support. Come walk with us as we share our industry with young and old in Florida.
David Keys, President
