Session Descriptions
Session Title and Description
Speakers
Sunday, September 12
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Track: Economic Development
Room: Grand Rivers
The Role of Airports in Economic Development – Part I
Airports are often questioned (and sometimes even wonder themselves) what role they play in non-aviation job retention and attraction. To address this topic, a panel of economic development experts and business site evaluators will be assembled. The goal of the panel discussion will be to help states better understand how they can best equip their airport system to support economic development initiatives. Airports are seldom the number one factor contributing to job retention and attraction, but they are nevertheless an important factor in the overall mix of all things considered. This session would help state directors set reasonable expectations for the role that their system airports (both commercial and general aviation) can play in helping each state achieve its goals for economic growth and diversification. Understanding how states rate for the factors noted above will frame more reasonable expectations.
Sunday, September 12
2:45 – 3:45 pm
Track: Economic Development
Room: Grand Rivers
The Role of Airports in Economic Development – Part II
Airports are often questioned (and sometimes even wonder themselves) what role they play in non-aviation job retention and attraction. To address this topic, a panel of economic development experts and business site evaluators will be assembled. The goal of the panel discussion will be to help states better understand how they can best equip their airport system to support economic development initiatives. Airports are seldom the number one factor contributing to job retention and attraction, but they are nevertheless an important factor in the overall mix of all things considered. This session would help state directors set reasonable expectations for the role that their system airports (both commercial and general aviation) can play in helping each state achieve its goals for economic growth and diversification. Understanding how states rate for the factors noted above will frame more reasonable expectations.
Sunday, September 12
3:45 – 4:45 pm
Track: Economic Development
Room: Grand Rivers
The Future of the Block Grant Program
This session will host a panel of three speakers consisting of the FAA, a Block Grant State Director, and a State Director who is considering joining the Block Grant Program. The session would allow the FAA to provide an update on current and future Block Grant Program issues ranging from the recent OIG Audit of the Program, relief funding programs, and the status of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will guide the future of the Program. The FAA would also discuss any enhancements that would help States consider participating in the Program. The State Director currently in the Program would discuss issues resulting from the OIG Audit, preparations states should make before entering the Block Grant Program SBGP, and issues states may want to highlight considering the MOA will be under final review at the time of the Conference. The speaker can also describe the reasons why his state is in the Block Grant Program and the advantages for airports in his state. The State Director that is considering the Program could discuss the evaluation his state has completed on the program and any impediments to joining or ideas to enhance the viability of the Program to new entrances. Providing this perspective would help the FAA understand some of the issues with states not applying for the program and why.
Monday, September 13
9:45 – 10:15 am
Room: Centennial Ballroom
General Session: Airline Industry Sustainability
Exciting new ways of sustainably powering aviation are being developed all around the world, providing opportunities for cleaner, lower-cost mobility for more people. From battery-electric to hybrid to hydrogen to sustainable aviation fuel, new technologies are evolving that will fundamentally change our aviation ecosystem. Come hear from industry leaders about how manufacturers, airports, air carriers, general aviation, states and others can prepare for the future of flight!
Monday, September 13
10:45 – 12:00 pm
Room: Centennial Room
General Session: Powering The Future of Aviation
During this session, we will hear from Pasha Saleh, Director of Flight Operations, Strategy and Innovation at Alaska Airlines. Mr. Saleh will describe Alaska Airline’s commitment to mitigating our environmental impact and outline their 5-part path to net zero emissions. He will also focus in particular on the role of emerging technology — both airframe related as well as software and technology that enhances operational efficiency.
Monday, September 13
12:00 – 1:30 pm
Room: Grand Rivers
Luncheon Speaker: Colonel (Ret.) John D. Manzi, USAF
Colonel Manzi will share a brief history of the SR-71, its notable accomplishments, interesting facts about the world’s fastest, highest-flying aircraft, and some personal anecdotes from his four-plus years flying as a Blackbird Reconnaissance Systems Officer.
Monday, September 13
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Room: Centennial
General Session: Update from Washington – A Conversation with FAA Associate Administrator Shannetta Griffin
Shannetta Griffin was appointed by President Biden to serve as the FAA’s Associate Administrator for Airports in June of this year. She joins us at our Annual Convention to engage in a conversation with NASAO on issues facing the Office of Airports and state aviation, and how we work together to meet those challenges.
Monday, September 13
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Room: Centennial
Concurrent: How Do You Measure Success: A Look at Performance Measures Part I
This session will focus on a robust panel discussion of the various ways state aviation agencies are using performance measures to assist their agencies. An overview of the recently published ACRP Report 223 Performance Measures for State Aviation Agencies, which was a topic of interest of the NASAO membership when ACRP conducted their NASAO outreach for topics will start the session. This will include a review of the ACRP report and what agencies can take away from the guidebook – both research results, as well as how to use the contents of the guidebook. We’ll then dive into a lively discussion between our panel members, representing both different geographic regions as well as overall aviation system size, funding levels, and use of PMs. The five-panel members represent the five case study states that were highlighted in the ACRP report including Colorado, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas. The topic has so much to offer, we had to spread it across to sessions – Part II won’t be a repeat of Part 1 – we’ll just keep going after our break – be sure to catch this session to see what you may have been missing on performance measures.
Monday, September 13
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Room: Amphitheater
Concurrent: Promoting Airport Development After Section 163
Section 163 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 fundamentally changed the regulatory environment for airport development projects. For generations, virtually any airport development – aeronautical or non-aeronautical – required formal FAA review and approval. That process not only took considerable time but directly led to the need for federal environmental review since FAA action is usually subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This imposed additional requirements on any airport development proposal. With Section 163, Congress removed most non-airfield airport development projects from FAA review and approval. While the law is complex and its application is not particularly intuitive, the statute could substantially expedite airport development projects, add new flexibility and give airports a far more competitive process for encouraging real estate development. This session will explain the statute and FAA implementation guidance (issued late last year) and offer practical observations on how Section 163 can be used to facilitate revenue-producing development at airports. It will explore the options and benefits of designing an airport development project to take advantage of the new statute and the consequences of avoiding FAA approvals.
Monday, September 13
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Room: Centennial
Concurrent: How Do You Measure Success: A Look at Performance Measures Part II
This session will focus on a robust panel discussion of the various ways state aviation agencies are using performance measures to assist their agencies. An overview of the recently published ACRP Report 223 Performance Measures for State Aviation Agencies, which was a topic of interest of the NASAO membership when ACRP conducted their NASAO outreach for topics will start the session. This will include a review of the ACRP report and what agencies can take away from the guidebook – both research results, as well as how to use the contents of the guidebook. We’ll then dive into a lively discussion between our panel members, representing both different geographic regions as well as overall aviation system size, funding levels, and use of PMs. The five-panel members represent the five case study states that were highlighted in the ACRP report including Colorado, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas. The topic has so much to offer, we had to spread it across to sessions – Part II won’t be a repeat of Part 1 – we’ll just keep going after our break – be sure to catch this session to see what you may have been missing on performance measures.
Monday, September 13
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Room: Amphitheater
Concurrent: Airport Regional Value – A New Metric
The concept of Airport Regional Value (ARV) was developed as a metric for providing a concise and comprehensive measure of a community’s airport as a valuable asset to serve their air transportation needs and that of the State’s aviation system. It provides a methodology for objectively assessing specific characteristics of an airport by assigning a value to attributes common to all airports and scaled to align with its peers. Known as Value Rating Variables (VRV), these attributes are assigned a numeric value to provide a means to quantify elements commonly found in classic SWOT analyses. The ARV provides a tool to allow a comprehensive assessment of each airport’s assets and opportunities, and collectively, provides a much more meaningful evaluation of the system of airports. This presentation will discuss the ARV concept and how the VRVs are assigned.
Tuesday, September 14
8:30-9:30 am
Room: Centennial
General Session: Innovation of Aviation Post Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly and permanently altered the way aviation and airports operate. On this panel, airport leaders from facilities of all sizes will discuss the path forward, and how the lessons of the pandemic will share our industry into the future.
Tuesday, September 14
9:30-10:30 am
Room: Centennial
Concurrent: Leveraging the Use of Pavement Condition Data at the State Level: Four Case Studies
Most state aviation agencies have established airport pavement management programs. As part of these programs, they periodically assess pavement at the airports within a state, typically using the visual Pavement Condition Index (PCI) methodology. The collected PCI data is stored and analyzed using an Airport Pavement Management System (APMS). At the most basic level of analysis, the data are used to determine and report current pavement conditions and to track pavement conditions over time. However, the collected PCI data have the potential to be used in a myriad of ways beyond simple metric calculations. During this session, representatives from four different state agencies will share ways that they are using and leveraging their PCI data in hopes that other states may find some of these approaches have potential application in their states. This session will include case study presentations by Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Washington aviation agencies. Each state representative will highlight how their state is using its APMS. Examples include using pavement conditions to establish and run a state pavement maintenance program, using historical PCI data to evaluate the performance of different pavement repair strategies and materials, communicating the importance of pavement preservation to airport sponsors, collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to coordinate the expenditure of federal and state dollars allocated to pavements, and using an APMS to examine the impact of different funding levels to successfully lobby for increased pavement-related funding.
Tuesday, September 14
9:30-10:30 am
Room: Grand Rivers
Concurrent: Hiding in Plane Sight: How General Aviation Airport Hangars Generate Wealth
During this session we will examine General Aviation Airport Hangars. The session will feature Mike Ginter of AOPA and Daniel Findley of ITRE, discussing hangar demand, and quantity, as well as the tax revenue development of hangars.
Mike Ginter’s presentation will outline the ongoing AOPA Statewide GA Hangar surveys currently underway. Emerging results will be shared including hangar demand, hangar quantity, impediments to more GA hangar development, and impact to the GA fleet. Potential policy and funding solutions will be presented to inspire robust Q&A following the presentation.
Daniel Findley’s presentation will include a North Carolina perspective on hangars. He will share information about a study sponsored by the NCDOT Division of Aviation about hangar inventory and rates by hangar type, as well as information about the economic development and tax revenue potential of hangars. Additionally, some recommendations for actions and investments will be presented along with tools and data used in North Carolina to communicate the value of hangars and airports, such as data dashboards and visualizations.
Tuesday, September 14
11:00 – 12:00 pm
Room: Grand Rivers
Concurrent: Innovative Strategies for Airport Operations & Revenue
This session will focus on new technologies and strategies for airport economic development. The session will examine operation counts to access critical data at general airports. In addition, the session will also discuss innovative tools for pavement assets and utilizing drones for data collection and AI for airports.
Tuesday, September 14
11:00 – 12:00 pm
Room: Centennial
Concurrent: UAM Development: Opportunities and Challenges
This panel will address how UAM can change society for the good as well as the challenges that must first be overcome to do so, at the local level. Challenges include the big 3: community acceptance, infrastructure, and legal/regulatory/policy hurdles.
Tuesday, September 14
1:30 – 2:45 pm
Room: Grand Rivers
Concurrent: Advancing and Future-Proofing the Practice of State Aviation System Planning
State System Planning takes center stage in this session. The first part of the session will examine ACRP Project 01-36 and the intent of the guidebook to provide practical guidance for state aviation agencies embarking on a state aviation system plan. Many NASAO members have been involved in the research for this guidebook and will benefit from its implementation. State aeronautics agencies must often adapt to changes in organizational structure, political focus, financial priorities as well as near-constant industry change. The second half of the session presentation will explore how the Nebraska Department of Transportation needs to address sweeping changes that have resulted in a unique system planning approach that incorporates technology to manage the system including the statewide CIP, performance metrics, and grant management activities. Attendees will engage with presenters in an interactive session that tackles real challenges faced by those managing statewide aviation systems in an ever-changing environment.
Tuesday, September 14
1:30 – 2:45 pm
Room: Centennial
Concurrent: Remote Tower – Present & Future?
This session will discuss the present status of remote air traffic control towers in the United States and the anticipated future of remote tower technology as an alternative to legacy “sticks and brick” towers. Come learn about the benefits, challenges and path forward for remote towers in the United States.
Tuesday, September 14
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Room: Centennial
General Session: Changing Industry Perspectives – State Director Roundtable
While dealing with an industry that causes the need for constantly changing perspectives, this state director roundtable will focus on pre-pandemic perspectives, in-crisis response, and the new norm related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Panelists will share their experiences and strategies on how they dealt with and continue to manage their airport systems while utilizing valuable, strategic partnerships, adapting to the influx of new funding sources, and waiting on the possibility of a new Federal infrastructure package.
Wednesday, September 15
8:30 – 10:00 am
Room: Grand Rivers
Workforce Workshop: Innovations in STEM Aviation Education Engagement & Curriculum
NASAO will feature a workforce workshop focuses on innovations in STEM Education and Curriculum. This workshop will examine FAA efforts and educational projects with new innovative technologies to connect young adults to aviation programs. The session will also examine how STEM Curriculum such as AOPA Foundation’s High School Aviation Curriculum is preparing students to become the next generation of aviation professionals. We also look at exploring local partners such as Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and their Wings Aerospace Pathways program, as well as new STEM programs such as US Drone Soccer for high school engagement as well.
Wednesday, September 15
10:15 – 11:15 am
Room: Grand Rivers
Workforce Workshop: Innovations in STEM Aviation Education Engagement & Curriculum
States sit at a key intersection in preparing for the workforce of the future and nowhere is that more evident than in aviation and aerospace. Manufacturers are working with state education departments to develop school-to-work programs to meet their needs. Career & Technical Education (CT&E) and community colleges are being leveraged to prepare students for work already available in their area. These are valuable resources to build the workforce and compete for relocating companies. These trends reflect a sea change in strategies for higher education in which parents gravitate to CT&E for their children to prepare for good, high-value jobs while using corporate tuition programs to advance their children’s education. There is also a trend toward stackable credentials in which short courses are created for certification which could eventually make up a degree. We are entering an era in which continuing education, reskilling, and retraining will be an integral part of the job as workforces keep pace with technological changes.