Past Events

Thank you to Gulfstream for their recent visit to Boise for our Fall 2011 luncheon held at the Boise Hotel and Conference Center. There were approximately 40 members in attendance along with 8 representatives from Gulfstream. Gulfstream put on a top-notch presentation about the current line of corporate jets and the future of the industry. They arrived the day before in a G150. Steering committee members were given a tour on the ramp at Jackson Jet Center.

The Boise Hotel and Conference Center worked great for the event.

The Idaho Business Aviation Association (IBAA) celebrated its second full year of operation with a visit from one of aviation’s most prominent leaders.

Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association, was the keynote speaker for the 2005 IBAA fall networking meeting held September 16. Mr. Bolen leads the 9,000 member NBAA, which serves the national business aviation community. Mr. Bolen gave a detailed update on the state of the industry as well as a synopsis of how his first year onthe job has progressed.

Mr. Bolen presented some of the challenges facing our industry, with FAA funding alternatives as the biggest hurdle. “As the big airlines face difficult times, they are more and more likely to attempt to pass on more of the FAA’s cost to business aviation”. Bolen said. He reminded the audience that business aviation has always been paying its fair share through fuel taxes. “FAA funding via fuel taxes is simple, inexpensive to collect and a fair approximation of the use of the system” reiterated Bolen. “A user fee system similar to what Europe and Canada utilize would generate confusing, expensive and time consuming costs to business aviation operators.”

Bolen, who resides in Washington D.C., emphasized that each one of us, whether we reside inside the beltway or in rural Idaho, needs to remain politically active. He pointed out that today it’s not the CEOs of large companies that have the ear of Congress, but rather groups such as AARP and NRA with their thousands of active members.

Other priorities for the NBAA since Bolen arrived as chief have been to generate a more positive and visible business aviation industry as well as a safer one. Recent high profile accidents have required NBAA to reinforce its commitment to remaining the nation’s safest mode of transportation.

As a guest of the IBAA, Bolen was treated to a backcountry scenic flight through the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, as well as breakfast at the Big Creek Lodge. A lot of uncontrolled airspace and a few grass runways was a nice change for the Washington D.C. resident. According to Western Aircraft Pilot Al Hoyt, Ed flew the PC-12 quite well from the co-pilot seat. “A very nice day, maybe one of my best days ever!” reported Bolen after the trip.

Former GAMA president and ICAO Ambassador Ed

Stimpson shows off the Idaho backcountry to Ed Bolen

The fall IBAA luncheon meeting was held September 16 at the Western Aircraft hangar in Boise. Western/ Pilatus sponsored the luncheon and provided an impressive display of a Pilatus PC-12.

In 2003 Celebrity Pilot Mike Smith of Boise spoke of his around the world flight in the PC-12. How Mike saved his passengers after ditching in the Sea of Japan was absolutely fascinating.

With the recent interest in Electronic Flight Bag technology, the IBAA welcomed industry leader Flight Deck Resources to Boise in 2004. Rick Baird, Sun Valley airport manager gave a valuable update on that airport’s future as well. IBAA members received an in-depth description of the aircraft’s EVS system as well as a demo ride.

In August, 2004 the IBAA held a social event at the

Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa. Over 75 people attended this dinner. The honorees at this event were some of Idaho’s business aviation pioneers. Most of them had begun operating or maintaining business aircraft as far back as 1950. It was an honor to visit with these distinguished gentlemen and their spouses.

CAE Simuflite presented “The future of Flight Training” in Feb. 2005.

Columbia Aircraft displayed the fastest production single engine aircraft in May, 2005. IBAA members also were briefed by Boise airport manager John Anderson and former ICAO Ambassador Ed Stimpson.

In September, 2005, the IBAA welcomed NBAA president Ed Bolen. After a four-ship fly in to the Big Creek lodge, Bolen briefed IBAA members on national issues. The group also received an in depth description of the PC-12 and its impressive capabilities.

The winter 2005 meeting of the Idaho Business Aviation Association was filled to capacity to hear the comments of former FAA Administrator Dave Hinson. Hinson, often described as our country’s finest FAA Administrators, spoke of the impressive safety record the industry has achieved. “We have seen an 80% decrease in accidents in the past five years, and are now enjoying the safest period in U.S. aviation history” reported Hinson.

Hinson reminded the audience that if the airline accident rate in 1960 were applied to today, the airline industry would be experiencing 232 accidents annually, with at least one fatality occurring every ten days.

When asked how such a record was achieved, Hinson praised the flight simulator as one of the most important factors. “Airlines can now train pilots with the simulator 100% of the time and often a pilot’s first flight in the actual aircraft is with passengers”

Although he spoke affectionately of our nation’s air traffic control system, Hinson believes that every major city in America should have a second major airport to relieve congestion. “Boston airport”, Hinson noted, “now handles more traffic than the entire country of Germany”.

IBAA members were treated to lunch at Murphy’s by meeting sponsor, Iviation. Iviation provides aircraft consulting, training and auditing for business aviation organizations.

GAMA President Pete Bunce visited IBAAmembers in *August 2006* to inform the group on industry trends and future expectations. A formerF-16 and A-10 pilot, Bunce enjoyed the left seat in an IBAA Cessna 182 while traveling to some of Idaho's local aircraft manufacturers.