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Nov. 16, 2010 - JPMorgan Chase Hosts Special Open House for WAA Members
On Tuesday, November 16, WAA members got an exclusive first look at HPN's new environmental showcase—the state-of-the-art JPMorgan Chase facility. The open house also kicked off the WAA's first Airport Informational Meeting.
The meetings will provide a forum where stakeholders, business organizations, neighborhood leaders and local government can periodically weigh in on issues facing the aviation community.
November's event touched on the airport's history, contributions and current operations. HPN manager Peter Scherrer was on hand to discuss safety, security, environmental and capacity programs, as well as strategies to address future challenges. Other speakers included WAA president Jeff Lee and Commissioner John Hsu from the Department of Public Works.
Following the talks, speakers opened the floor for discussion. Light refreshments and appetizers were served, and the event concluded with a tour of the new eco-friendly hangar.
The JPMorgan Chase facility is located at Westchester County Airport, Hangar E1.
Sept. 25, 2010 - Aviation Enthusiasts and Manufacturers Meet at GA Expo 2010
On Saturday, September 25, Panorama Flight Service, Inc. presented GA Expo 2010 at its Westchester County Airport FBO facility. The WAA-sponsored event promoted light General Aviation aircraft and educated the public on this growing segment of the industry.
A cross-section of industry leaders gave presentations on GA topics throughout the day. Attendees also met with representatives from aviation and avionics OEMs, including Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, Socata, Tecnam LSA, Remos LSA, Garmin and Avidyne.
The Expo featured LSAs, pistons, turbo props, VLJs and vintage aircraft from participating manufacturers. Helicopters were also on display with tour rides available for purchase. And as an event exclusive, Panorama offered free Discovery Flights, giving enthusiasts a hands-on opportunity to learn about flight training from a certified instructor.
Complimentary refreshments were served, followed by a free barbecue luncheon.
Guest speakers at GA Expo 2010:
Craig Fuller, President AOPA
Jon Scott, Anchor Fox News
Ralph Tamburro, FAA
Romero Iral, Deputy Administrator TSA
Dean Saucier, NBAA
Mac McClennon, former editor of Flying Magazine
Danny Bullard, Vice President USAIG Aviation Insurance
Lou Meiners, President Advocate Tax, Aviation Tax
Civil Air Patrol
Westchester County Aviation Unit Presentation
Corporate Angels, Northeast
Westchester County Airport - Noise Abatement Office
Sept. 16, 2010 - New HondaJet Mock-Up Featured at WAA
Special Event
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| HondaJet |
On September 16, 2010, the Honda Aircraft Company introduced the HondaJet—its first general aviation aircraft—at Panorama Flight Service, HPN. A full-scale interior mock-up of the new light business jet was available for viewing.
The afternoon event, held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., included a presentation by Honda's Nick Newby and a special technical program by Jeppensen's Craig Thighe. Mr. Thighe discussed the benefits of NexGen GPS and WAAS technologies, plus offered an in-depth look at the Jepp charts that support them. Afterward, Honda raffled off an iPad to one lucky attendee.
A private reception followed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The HondaJet display remained open to visitors throughout, providing an exciting opportunity to experience this innovative new aircraft up close.
May 20, 2010 - Former Nasa Astronaut “Hoot” Gibson Speaks at Westchester County Airport Event
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| Astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson |
The Westchester Aviation Association and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation sponsored the Westchester Business Takes Flight Luncheon on May 20th, 2010 at the Million Air facility at Westchester County Airport.
The theme of this year’s luncheon was “Aviation and the Environment”. The program featured former NASA Astronaut, Mr. Robert L. “Hoot” Gibson as the keynote speaker. Other speakers included Mr. Andrew Portnoy from the McGraw Hill Companies who spoke about environmental sustainability; Westchester County airport officials who spoke about their award winning environmental management system; and officials from Hawker Beechcraft who discussed environmental issues from a manufacturer’s perspective.
Hawker Beechcraft demonstrator aircraft were on display, as well as some unique displays from the County’s environmental department. The program included a complimentary buffet lunch followed by a brief awards ceremony.
May 20, 2010 - WAA Holds Annual Luncheon. Astorino: Westchester County Airport "Vital" To Local Economy

By pumping almost a billion dollars a year into the local economy, Westchester County Airport doesn't just benefit executives in private jets -- it directly contributes to the economic vitality of Westchester, County Executive Rob Astorino said at a Westchester Aviation Association-sponsored luncheon.
Astorino joined more than 300 local leaders, elected officials, business people and aviation enthusiasts for the May 20 luncheon at Westchester County Airport. Dubbed "Westchester Business Takes Flight," the event focused on the business and environmental aspects of local aviation, and served to highlight the many ways Westchester Airport has benefited its host county. In addition to an estimated $900 million annually in local economic impact, the airport houses 80 businesses and supports more than 1,300 jobs, according to a write-up about the May 20 event in The Journal News.
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Reproduction of Proclamation County Executive Astorino presented to WAA Pres., Jeffrey Lee |
Astorino, who won office in 2009 after unseating 12-year incumbent Andrew Spano, said it's important for politicians at all levels to recognize the importance of airports like Westchester. Public officials should "pursue policies that will continue to support our local aviation infrastructure and allow it to prosper," the county executive said, according to the National Business Aviation Association's coverage of the luncheon.
Attendees also heard from other speakers, like Andrew Portnoy of The McGraw Hill Companies, who encouraged local business leaders to think of environmental sustainability as a business opportunity, and not as a requirement that will disrupt the conventional ways businesses operate.
For the aviation industry, that means making changes in facilities, fleets and distribution systems -- and making environmentally-friendly business practices a company-wide effort, so improvements can boost employee morale.
In addition to monitoring noise pollution and conserving resources, airport leaders have made strides toward greater transparency by monitoring groundwater and publishing the results on the airport's website; by participating in voluntary noise abatement programs; and by developing an air emissions plan aimed at reducing the air quality impact of the airport, which serves almost 2 million passengers annually, said Larry Salley, County Commissioner of Transportation.
Salley said the airport and county government are working together to make sure the airport doesn't impact important local resources, like Rye Lake and Blind Brook. They've also taken steps to prevent potential oil spills -- airport staff are trained in spill awareness and materials management.
In in a move that signaled Westchester is "ahead of the trend," Salley said Westchester's Airport Environmental Management System was certified by the relevant board in 2004, won an award the next year for its efforts, and joined industry groups like the Sustainable Aviation Guidance Alliance.
The luncheon -- which also provided its guests opportunities to see the airport's facilities and some of its more notable aircraft -- was co-sponsored by the Westchester Aviation Association and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.
In addition to Astorino, Salley and Portnoy, attendees heard from former NASA astronaut Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson and Richard Emery, president of Hawker Beechcraft Americas.
Resources Available from Luncheon Presentations:
Click here for Portnoy's PowerPoint presentation on environmental sustainability
Click here for Salley's PowerPoint presentation on the "state-of-the-airport."
Click here for NBAA's podcast of the event.
Mar. 26, 2010 - Brian Delauter, the TSA’s general manager for General Aviation, addressed WAA membership on March 26th
Over 100 individuals attended a packed breakfast presentation by TSA General Manager for GA Security, Brian Delauter on Friday, March 26th. at the Westchester County Terminal restaurant.
Although prohibited from discussing the elements of the impending revised Large Aircraft Security Program, Mr. Delauter did provide the process this NPRM follows and the anticipated timeline for release to the aviation community.
Mr. Delauter also discussed some of the proposed initiatives to create a universal pilot security ID and efforts to merge the TSA waiver process with the CBP EAPIS requirement. He emphasized the changes to the GA security programs must be incremental to demonstrate to the security community that they do not impose greater risk.
Mr. Delauter answered questions from the audience. Following the breakfast meeting, Mr Delauter met with the WAA leadership and the FBO operators at Westchester County Airport to discuss airport security programs. This meeting was followed by a driving tour of HPN facilities. Those attending the breakfast meeting and the subsequent briefings described Mr. Delauter as a "breath of fresh air" for the TSA.
Read more about event at Aviation Week.
Feb. 2010 - WAA President, Jeff Lee, receives "Silk Scarf" award from the NBAA for his considerable efforts and contributions on behalf of General Aviation
In an effort to honor outstanding business aviation community members and inspire future aviators, the NBAA Silk Scarf Award is given to individuals for special contributions to the business aviation community during their careers. Award presentations are made either at Association events, such as the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, or at events hosted by regional business aviation groups at locations nationwide.
Shown above: Jeff Lee, WAA President and Director of Flight Operations for IBM; Randy MacDonald, SVP of Human Resources for IBM; Patrick Cunningham, NBAA Chairman; Dean Saucier, NE Regional Representative for NBAA.
Feb. 20, 2010 - New York Aviation Management Association to holds event at HPN's Skytop Restaurant
The WAA hosted a complimentary breakfast at the Skytop terminal restaurant Guest speakers included current NYAMA President and old HPN friend, Joel Russell. Also speaking was Craig Dotlo, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association regional representative, and Pete Scherrer, HPN Airport Manager.
The New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) is a non-profit association of airport management officials with members from related state government agencies, planning boards, consultants and equipment manufacturers. NYAMA was formed in 1976 by representatives of New York State airports. NYAMA remains devoted to promoting airport development and representing the needs of the entire aviation industry.
NYAMA is the only nonprofit open membership organization in New York dedicated to preserving and enhancing the safety and capacity of New York's airports and airways. As many people may not realize or appreciate the role and economic value provided directly by New York's airports, NYAMA has sponsored the Legislative Gazette to help raise public awareness of the vital role airports play in the state economy and transportation infrastructure.
Feb. 3, 2010 - Advanced Forum on Emergency Planning a Great Success
Ninety eight WAA members and guests representing 47 companies came to learn how to prepare for the possibility of an accident, how and when to respond to an event, and how to work with the media at the WAA's Advanced Forum on Emergency Planning.
The audience represented a broad spectrum of aviation: from line pilots, to aviation department managers and corporate security, to public relation professionals. The program was presented by WAA in collaboration with Global Aerospace and Fireside Partners.
Fireside's Don Chupp, the forum's keynote speaker, captivated the audience for two hours with his morning presentation on the need for organizations to develop a detailed Emergency Response Plan. Chupp went into detail on the do's and don'ts when it comes to drafting and implementing emergency plans.
During lunch, NBAA Chairman of the Board Patrick Cunningham updated attendees on the organization's goals and concerns for the future.
Lastly, Global Aerospace used this venue to announce a new, innovative program designed to educate operators -- stressing that safety goes beyond prevention and includes planning, response and recovery.
The SM4 program is now available to all through electronic newsletters, an informative web site and seminars throughout the country.
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