HondaJet

On September 16, 2010, the Honda Aircraft Company will introduce the HondaJet—its first general aviation aircraft—at Panorama Flight Service, HPN. A full-scale interior mock-up of the new light business jet will be available for viewing.

The afternoon event, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., includes a presentation by Honda's Nick Newby and a special technical program by Jeppensen's Craig Thighe. Mr. Thighe will discuss the benefits of NexGen GPS and WAAS technologies, plus offer an in-depth look at the Jepp charts that support them. Afterward, Honda will raffle off an iPad to one lucky attendee.

A private reception follows from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails will be offered at both events, and the HondaJet display will remain open to visitors throughout.

Join us for an exciting opportunity to experience this innovative new aircraft up close.

Day of Speakers, Food and Rides to Support General Aviation

On Saturday, September 25, Panorama Flight Service, Inc. presents GA Expo 2010 at its Westchester County Airport FBO facility. The WAA-sponsored event promotes light General Aviation aircraft and educates the public on this growing segment of the industry.

A cross-section of industry leaders will give presentations on GA topics throughout the day. Attendees can also meet with representatives from aviation and avionics OEMs, including Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, Socata, Tecnam LSA, Remos LSA, Garmin and Avidyne.

Helicopters will be on display with tour rides available for purchase. And as an event exclusive, Panorama is offering free Discovery Flights, giving enthusiasts a hands-on opportunity to learn about flight training from a certified instructor.

The GA Expo takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Complimentary refreshments will be served all morning, followed by free barbecue from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Confirmed speakers at GA Expo 2010 include:

Craig Fuller, President AOPA
Jon Scott, Anchor Fox News
Danny Bullard, Senior VP of USAIG
Mac McClennon, former editor of Flying Magazine
Hank Grudberg, Young Eagles
Peter Scherrer, Westchester County Airport Manager
Romero Iral, Deputy Administrator TSA

The Westchester Aviation Association is hosting its first Airport Informational Meeting this fall at Westchester County Airport's new JPMorgan Chase facility. 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.

The inaugural event will touch on the airport's history, contributions and current operations. HPN manager Peter Scherrer will be on hand to discuss safety, security, environmental and capacity programs, as well as strategies to address future challenges. Other speakers include WAA president Jeff Lee and Commissioner John Hsu from the Department of Public Works.

Following the talks, the speakers will open the floor for discussion. The event concludes with a complimentary luncheon and tour of the JPMorgan Chase hangar.

This event is tentatively slated for late October or early November 2010. A final meeting date and agenda will be announced in the coming weeks.

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 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.

The Civil Air Patrol - Raptor Squadron

The Westchester Hudson Composite Unit NER NY-219, better known as the Raptor Squadron, is the unit affliliated with Westchester County Airport.

The squadron is a "Composite" Squadron, meaning it is comprised of Cadets (youths 12-21) and Adults (18 and up).

The Raptor Squadron is active in all three of Civil Air Patrol's congressionally mandated missions:

• Cadet Programs
• Emergency Services
• Aerospace Education

As a composite squadron comprised of senior members (adults) and cadets (teens) The squadron prepares cadets to be America's future leaders by cultivating our core values of volunteerism, integrity, excellence, and respect through a variety of educational activities.

Emergency Services (Recent Missions) is open to ALL members, Cadets and Officers. Our Cadet program continues to grow in membership, organization and activities. With an assigned airplane, we often have Cadet Orientation Flights. Feel free to stop by one of our meetings, send our squadron an e-mail or call us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Both our Cadets and Officer Members (Adult members) meet every Tuesday at the Westchester County Airport from 7:15 PM until 9:15 PM Location: Westchester County Airport, Loop Road, West Harrison, NY Phone: 914-261-4484

To find out more about the Raptor Squadron, visit their website: www.raptorsquadron.org. To learn more about the Civil Air Patrol, visit the national headquarter's website: www.gocivilairpatrol.com

CAP's Motto: "Semper Vigilans" - Always Vigilant!

Have yourself, your company or your organization profiled on the WAA website. Let the community know who you are and what your role in the HPN aviation community is.

Send your profile to Rocky Cipriano at rocky@insightmrktg.com

The WAA Board has elected three new members to the Board.   Please join me in congratulating Dr. Jill Silverman of the Civil Air Patrol, Scott Jordan of Xerox and Dan Fennessy of Tudor Investments. For their individual bios, visit our Board of Directors page