The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) concluded “an electrifying week” Oct. 24 at its 2024 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), bringing together the industry’s top names, latest innovations, and biggest news, ushering in the next era of aviation, according to association officials.
“Business aviation is transforming with new technologies and bold ideas,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA-BACE celebrated all our industry is today and how we are shaping the future.”
Headline-making moments defined the show from the very start, NBAA officials said.
At the opening keynote, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker unveiled a long-awaited regulatory framework for electric air taxis and other advanced air mobility (AAM) operations.
Immediately after the keynote, Whitaker signed the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR ) surrounded by the CEOs and leaders of the top AAM companies, including BETA Technologies, Electra.aero, Joby, Textron eAviation, Wisk, Archer Aviation, Lilium, and Supernal.
Along with the FAA’s historic news, NBAA-BACE hosted a slate of major announcements, including Bombardier’s planned production of the all-new Global Express 8000 and Textron Aviation’s unveiling of its new line Gen3 of Cessna Citation M2, CJ3 and CJ4 aircraft. The upgraded CJ4 is equipped with the Garmin G3000 PRIME all-touchscreen flight deck, released in time for the show.
The exhibit hall was packed with more than 800 companies showcasing the latest aircraft, avionics, and propulsion technologies.
A record 450 volunteers joined the 10th annual YoPro Networking Reception & Helpy Hour, nearly double previous years’ participation.
The show provided a platform for the industry to meet face-to-face with top regulators from the FAA and Transportation Security Administration at the convention’s Meet the Regulators session.
Safety, the industry’s core value, took center stage, with sessions led by Dr. Susan Northrup, U.S. federal air surgeon at the FAA, and National Transportation Safety Board Member Todd Inman. The two were among the many officials part of the show’s National Safety Forum, Single-Pilot Safety Standdown and Small Operators Symposium.
Several congressional leaders joined the convention, including Reps. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) and Rick Larsen (D-2-WA), who spearheaded this year’s FAA reauthorization, as well as Reps. Dina Titus (D-1-NV) and Ron Estes (R-4-KS).
The show’s all-new Flight Deck on the exhibit floor drew crowds to hear from the industry’s top aircraft brokers, market experts, and entrepreneurs on the most timely issues, such as artificial intelligence in business aviation, security in a flight tracking age, and trends propelling aircraft sales and deliveries, NBAA officials said.
Leading off the week, a record-setting 350 people attended the NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference, officials added.
The full diversity of business aircraft was on display at Henderson Executive Airport (KHND), from piston-engine airplanes, to long-range, large-cabin business jets, to helicopters.
Excellence was recognized throughout the show week, according to NBAA officials.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame announced its 2025 Enshrinement class, including former NBAA board chair, decorated veteran and iconic aviator Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton.
The seventh class of NBAA’s 40 Under 40 emerging leaders were honored along with industry legends, and the National Aeronautic Association awarded the Clifford Henderson Trophy to MedAire founder Joan Sullivan Garrett and CEO Bill Dolny.
At a special luncheon, Bolen bestowed NBAA’s Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement to flight attendant Sydney Bosmans, whose professionalism and teamwork with passengers saved lives in the aftermath of a fatal business aircraft accident. Earlier, Bolen presented NBAA’s John P. “Jack” Doswell Award to Gray Stone Advisors Founder Jim Lara for his lifetime of service to business aviation.
The industry’s mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 was in sharp focus at NBAA-BACE. Three Las Vegas-area airports offered sustainable aviation fuel, which can reduce aircraft emissions by up to 80%. The fourth Business Aviation Sustainability Summit convened experts on thinking globally and acting locally. One of the Department of Energy’s top officials for renewables, Jeff Marootian, outlined what the federal government is doing to foster sustainable aviation.
NBAA-BACE also opened doors for a new generation of leaders, with a training course hosted by Bombardier for 80 students at the airport. Planned by Guinness World Record-breaking pilot and educator Barrington Irving, the special training gave students hands-on experience with a Bombardier aircraft and time to network with prospective employers.
The job-matching and educational opportunities continued with Collegiate Connect, the second annual Career Fair at NBAA-BACE, attended by hundreds students. A dozen scholarships were presented at the show, including NBAA’s inaugural Young Professionals in Business Aviation Scholarship.
“This NBAA-BACE offered a thrilling look at where our industry is headed,” Bolen said. “It was an incredible week where history was made and amazing technologies showcased an industry coming together to reach new heights.”
NBAA-BACE will return to Las Vegas next year from Oct. 14-16, 2025.
For more information: NBAA.org