The NBAA Owner Pilot Association Coalition (NBAA-OPAC) recently concluded its 2023 planning meeting focused on addressing top concerns for the owner-aviator community. Those priorities include the exploration of strategies to lower insurance for owner-operators, particularly for pilots over 70 years of age; the production of resources to enhance operator safety; ways to lower fuel costs; and addressing supply-chain difficulties. Coalition members also provided ideas for improving the owner/single-pilot pavilion at NBAA-BACE, which will be held in Las Vegas in October.
“I’ve felt our community has needed a coalition like this for some time,” said Tom Turner, executive director of the American Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation. “The ability to discuss important safety and operational issues and identify common best practices will strengthen our entire industry.”
Twin Cessna Flyer executive director Christian Pancake agreed: “While our respective associations may focus on different aircraft, we have much in common, including that most of our members fly single-pilot and often under IFR conditions. It’s important to have a forum like this to address the issues that impact flying for all of us.”