Annual conference lauds business & general aviation as a vital enabler
The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) will host its annual conference and AGM on March 12 in London. This vibrant sector has grown and evolved significantly over 50 years since BBGA was created, originally as the General Aviation Manufacturers’ and Traders’ Association (GAMTA) by Danny Forman. It had its own GA show back then – the Cranfield General Aviation Show – in a decade long collaboration with Flight International.
This once cottage industry defined by small airfields, piston-engined air taxis and the British-built BAE HS.125 ‘Instant Airliner,’ has elevated to flagship private terminals hosting near supersonic, long range business jets, dedicated MRO’s, adoption of SAF and flying the world’s first fully certificated electric aircraft (Pipistrel Velis) at our pilot training schools. Our principal cities, including London, are on the future departure boards for Advanced Air Mobility OEMs. Fittingly, this year’s conference theme is Reflections and Future Aspirations.
We will be celebrating business / on demand aviation as an enabler, heroes, future workforce, and the need to foster close relations with regulators – what do they want from BBGA members and vice versa – as we move into our sixth decade.
The vital role of emergency services unites Lisa Humphries, Business Development Director, Gama Aviation; Dr Lee Moody, Deputy Medical Director, MedAire; Charlotte Young, COO of children’s charity Lia’s Wings and Gareth Evans, Aeromedical Services Director, 24/7 Aviation, in a panel session moderated by Paul Eden, Editor of EVA International.
We will look at regional connectivity at a time when domestic air services (and scheduled operators) diminish. In January we saw established business aviation operator Air Charter Scotland pivot to take on the Wick-Aberdeen PSO route, initially with the King Air 200, then the Jetstream J32. Is this the start of wider collaboration between regional and bizav sectors?
What role for future flight AAM aircraft in the ecosystem? We will address this in our Permits, Planes and PSO’s session with UK CAA Head of Licensing David Kendrick, Aurigny CCO Philip Saunders, Jonathan Hinkles, MD of Skybus and Tomislav Lang, CEO of FlyVINI, which has revitalised abandoned air services in Germany. Joining them to discuss future flight/AAM lift is Jeremy Hartley, CEO of BEAT Aviation.
Are we prepared for AAM and Future Flight Training? will be addressed by British Army Lieutenant Colonels, Richard Evans and Paul Isitt. They will appraise managing military and civil licence pathways for engineering, along with Carl Christian, Airworthiness Manager, UK CAA and Dave Edwards, Chief Executive, Royal Aeronautical Society. Eric Schouten, CEO of Dyami Security Intelligence in conversation with James Hardie, Course Correction, will topically talk about assessing and managing security risk.
Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham MBE QCB is our motivational speaker with the brief – how can a Special Forces mindset empower business aviation leaders. Chief Instructor from Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, Billy is a decorated military leader of nearly 30 years. Transitioning from the military to offer high-level private security for celebrities, he will share lessons on resilience, leadership, and elite performance.
UK Civil Aviation Authority Chair Sir Stephen Hillier, will provide an update on the regulatory landscape, focusing on safety, innovation accomplishments.
“Our 50th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past, but a launchpad for the next half-century of innovation,” commented Aoife O’Sullivan, BBGA Chair. “From creating pathways for retiring military engineers, actively supporting the next generation, through to providing vital special mission solutions and supporting regional connectivity, business aviation is a broad church. As we will hear at conference, our role as the voice of business and general aviation in the UK is becoming even more important.”
Bookings close 1400hrs, March 11.
To register see: https://bbga.aero/civicrm/event/register/?reset=1&id=56
Celebrating 30 years: Luxaviation UK (London Executive Aviation) is one BBGA member company marking a big anniversary this year. LEA was co-founded by Patrick Margetson-Rushmore (left) and George Galanopoulos in 1996 at Stapleford Airport, Essex.
This Hawker Siddeley / BAE HS.125, seen here at London Biggin Hill Airport was built in 1978. Part of the one time BAE corporate jet family designed in Hatfield, Herts, it was originally developed by de Havilland and produced by Hawker Siddeley.
Photo credit please: Dave Haines
Pioneering electric: A Saxon Air all-electric Pipistrel Velis SW121A Explorer at Norwich Airport. Saxon Air Flight Training Centre is a low emission flight training centre, dedicated to promoting sustainability and accessibility within aviation. It reports a surge in training demand with the Pipistrel Explorer.
About BBGA
BBGA is the UK’s national trade body representing business and general aviation. Formerly known as GAMTA, its member companies span all facets of the business aviation sector. BBGA represents nearly 200 companies, including airports, corporate flight departments, operators, aviation services organisations and aircraft manufacturers.
Media contact:
The Emerald Network
Alison Chambers/Liz Danner
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