Earlier this month, I had the absolute pleasure of attending and presenting at the NBAA Maintenance Conference. It’s the premier event for business aviation maintenance professionals as well as industry suppliers and supporters.
Those who’ve attended this annual gathering can attest to the unmatched level of enthusiasm and energy in this community. The camaraderie could be felt from the pre-event golf tournament to the last presentation on the last day. It’s so invigorating and fun to assemble for a few days with like-minded industry peers.
The good news is that you don’t have to be an “insider” to attend. All are welcome, and the itinerary is jam-packed with content appropriate for technician levels.
There’s immense value for the seasoned maintenance leader, active maintainer, or even the maintenance-adjacent or maintenance-curious.
Along with Keynote speakers and education sessions, the conference also hosts a large area for vendor exhibits. You’ll find booths featuring our industry’s best suppliers of all the goods and services that keep our industry humming.
Here I’ll recap for you a few of the gems that made this year special.
Night 1: What We’re Here For – Spirit Aeronautics Lights the Torch
Whether you came from the James Sullivan Travel Fund Charity Golf Tournament or climbed out of a rideshare reeking of commercial air travel, you were ready for a reset.
Thankfully, the good folks at Spirit Aeronautics delivered. They treated us to fantastic drinks, BBQ, and networking at Whistle and Keg, a cool venue tucked next to Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Just a few minutes into the welcome happy hour, I was reminded of why this conference is consistently worth the time and investment. The positive energy was electric. We were all happily sipping, connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. You could tell by the vibe—this year the conference was going to be a banger.
Keynotes and Education Sessions
Tuesday kicked off with a warm welcome from NBAA’s President & CEO Ed Bolen, followed by a riveting keynote from Gregory Feith. He’s a former NTSB Air Safety Investigator who drew us in with a fascinating look at the evolution of aviation safety.
It was a powerful reminder of the responsibility we all share to steward the hard-earned legacy that was built on lessons learned from tragedy.
A cup of coffee later, and we were all rushing to our first sessions of the day. The itinerary was packed with breakout groups covering a wide range of topics.
There were highly technical sessions, but you could also find others with broader operational or leadership themes. There was truly something for everybody.
And throughout it all, you could absolutely feel the sense of community—authentic professionals sharing data and knowledge with industry peers and friends.
Extending the Ladder to Help Others Rise
As a recruiter, one of the greatest gifts is meeting young technicians or students who are just beginning the journey. Those first few years represent a shared experience. The thrills of the work, team dynamics, networking and the freedom to chart an individual A&P career path.
It’s inspiring to remember where we all started, and it’s an honor to introduce the next generation to a world of opportunities.
For YoPros, the Maintenance Conference is a great place to start building a strong network. It’s also a chance for tenured pros to celebrate rising talent.
One such inspiring YoPro is Antonique Greenslade, a recent Embry-Riddle grad with an associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Science. She also has a freshly minted A&P certificate.
Antonique attended the conference to represent ERAU and accept her NBAA Scholarship for a Pro Line Fusion Global 5000/6000 Avionics Course.
She’s just one of the many NBAA Maintenance Scholarship recipients recognized at the conference this year. It’s great to see the industry giving back in such a tangible way to help propel the crème de la crème as they rise to the top.
Here’s how Antonique summarized the conference:
“This experience was truly one of a kind. I felt deeply immersed in the future of business aviation and inspired by the endless possibilities for my own journey. It was a life-changing opportunity that brought me closer to the top industry professionals I hope to share a lifetime with.”
Antonique Greenslade, Scholarship Recipient
James Sullivan Aviation Scholarship
The most touching moment of the event came with the announcement of the new James Sullivan Aviation Scholarship. It’s named for a young man whose untimely passing a year ago shook this industry.
James Sullivan made such an impact on the Maintenance Committee that they created a scholarship to honor his legacy of passion and community.
His namesake scholarship will provide training funds for business aviation technicians for years to come.
James’s parents joined the stage for the announcement and shared his deep love for aviation and the bond he found in the maintenance community.
Jim Huntoon, a respected industry stalwart, mentor and maintenance ambassador, shared a special connection with James. He presented an emotional tribute, introducing the scholarship in his honor.
He describes James this way:
“Witnessing his growth and impact as he flourished in his career was inspiring. His spirit of giving back and supporting fellow aviators resonates deeply with many of us and his love of family, life and aviation was contagious. James exemplified the essence of why mentorship, scholarships, and fostering the next generation’s success is so important.”
Jim Huntoon on james sullivan’s industry impact
A Salute of Gratitude
That powerful scholarship announcement followed a different kind of celebration, the presentation of the FAA’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.
This award recognizes technicians who can demonstrate at least 50 years of service. This year, James John Popik received the award alongside his wife and children.
A ballroom full of maintenance professionals gave him an extended standing ovation, recognizing what 50 years of excellence truly means.
Together, these two presentations captured what makes the Maintenance Conference so special. This community shows deep love as we honor the legacies of those who have inspired us as peers, mentors and friends.
At the same time, we encourage new technicians and cheer them on as they climb toward their dreams.
This is such an awesome industry, and I’m grateful to be a part of it. I’m especially thankful for my colleagues and friends who make the NBAA Maintenance Conference a can’t–miss event every year.
If you haven’t been yet, I highly recommend it! For more information on the NBAA Maintenance Scholarships, visit NBAA.org.