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Aviation History
1978
1978 - 2307.PDF
iHillistm Si 11 s|lp|SlIi!iiiPI« ill J & II! i$jfcteC* m The Great St Louis Meeting By HUGH FIELD and MIKE HIRST with photography by TOM HAMILL THE ANNUAL gathering of the US National Business Air craft Association has become synonymous with an exhibition of all that is new and good in business aviation. The visible hardware overshadows the associa tion's own activities as the number of exhibitors increases every year. Indeed, the sheer size of the exhibition is now seriously limiting the number of locations available to NBAA for its conventions. Cincinnatti, from which we reported in 1972, should have been the venue again this year but its convention centre can no longer provide enough floorspace. So St Louis, the "Gateway City," hosted the 1978 con vention in its massive Cervantes Centre. Rockwell's Sabre- liner division, St Louis resident, made its Lambert Field ramp available to some 70 display aircraft while transients were welcomed by Midcoast Aviation at both Lambert and downtown Bi-State airfields. The convention traditionally lasts three days, though the pressure is now on for another day to be added. NBAA in-house business is dealt with on the first day, including the chairman's report To the members and election of new officers. The second day usually sees a "state of the busi ness" forum and on the third day airframe and engine manufacturers lay their souls bare at maintenance and operations meetings. NBAA membership reached 1,766 by the end of August according to president John Winant, who stressed in his report that the association was not just for the big boys. At least 60 per cent of the voting membership, he said! was made up of companies which owned or operated just one aircraft. Most of the aircraft in the NBAA-member fleet were piston engined and weighed less than 12,5001b. Chairman Richard Hornbeck assured members that the NBAA was in good shape. A gross gain of 283 new mem bers in the year up to June 30 had been offset by a wastage of 81, which he felt was an acceptably low rate of attrition, He said that aircraft noise, particularly near airports. was a matter of top concern to NBAA, and added that the association was joining forces with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (Gam a) to oppose planned re strictions at Santa Monica Airport. A public hearing has been scheduled for January, and it has been suggested that the two organisations may have to share $200,000 legal costs. NBAA, however, to judge by its treasurer's report, will have little difficulty finding its share. A strong social programme has as its focal point the presentation of the NBAA Meritorious Service Award. This year's recipient was Dr Richard Whitcomb of Nasa —father of the supercritical wing. In a short address at the presentation banauet, Dr Whitcomb expressed his pleasure and surprise at witnessing leading aerodynamic Top Westwind climbs along the Mississipi from the Bi-State Airport, passing the Gateway Arch. Below Plenty of interest—and plenty of warmth—for conventioners in the exhibition hall
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