Special RAA 2009 RAA Annual Convention, Salt Lake City, Utah Convention News May 19, 2009 Issue 34 TUESDAY Available on the RAA website raa.org PUBLISHED BY PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Inside: Program Guide for the Convention week AGENDA ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 21 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EXHIBIT HALL LOCATOR,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 22 Chairman’s View Despite current challenges, passengers flying on regionals reaches 159 million in 2008 On behalf of the Board of Directors publication, it’s even more important and the entire RAA staff, welcome to recognize what we collectively Welcome to the 34th RAA An- to this year’s annual convention in have accomplished over this period. nual Convention, and at the risk Salt Lake City. We’d like to thank our Together we are beating these of sounding Orwellian, we’re some 200 exhibitors and dozens of hurdles just as we’ve overcome even watching. sponsors for supporting the industry’s tougher challenges such as the post- But that’s a good thing. Because centerpiece event this year, especially September 11 decimation of the if you’re here with us in Salt Lake recognizing the trying time for us all. airline industry. City, we are going to remember Our current challenges as an Just look at the facts over these Rick Leach, RAA Chairman you, your organization — by name industry are well documented: past 15 years… and hopefully by face — and • First, the rapid escalation in fuel • The number of passengers flying pledge that RAA will go the extra costs, followed by a global recession on regional aircraft has increased What makes this Convention mile to help you succeed in the • Double digit cutbacks in capacity nearly threefold – from 57 mil- even more exciting today is the reach coming years. across the airline industry – in lion passengers in 1994 to 159 of the regional industry, with hun- It’s during the tough times the regional sector and at our million in 2008 dreds of new suppliers and manufac- that we really count on our mainline partners with whom we • Passenger load factor has in- turers from all corners of the globe, loyal supporters, and that’s what share 90% of our flights creased by half – from about 50% virtually all of them are here with is so gratifying about this year’s • A lingering credit squeeze that to nearly 74% last year us here in Salt Lake this week. And RAA Convention. Despite the pressures our ability to make the • The typical regional airliner now here’s the snapshot of the regional economy — and unlike virtually investments needed for future accommodates nearly twice the industry today: every other convention and trade growth number of passengers – from 28.6 • Our 60,000 regional employees show regardless of industry — you • Continuing need to recruit and seats to 53.7 seats per aircraft constitute more than 15% of the have helped set a new record! Not maintain a skilled workforce • The typical flight now covers total airline workforce in the US only is our hall filled withmore • Long delayed upgrade of the more than double the distance • Our 160 million annual passen- companies than last year’s success- nation’s airway and airport infra- traveled (from 208 miles to 461 gers represent nearly one out of ful IND event, we’re welcoming structure. miles), and all are on aircraft that every four passengers flying some 70 first-time exhibitors. That But as you hold in your hands are more reliable, fuel efficient, • Our 2,300 aircraft account for means more than one third of you this Regional Horizons celebrating and passenger friendly than ever some 40% of the nation’s pas- are getting your first glimpse >32 15 years of our daily convention imagined. senger fleet >30 #%,%"2!4).' 1994-2009 NG PORTI ION RE CONVENT 9%!23 OFRAA EMERALDMEDIAUSCOM CELEBRATING 1994-2009 YEARS OF RA AC ONVE TING NTION REPOR EMERALDMEDIAUSCOM Whether you’re maintaining your fleet, managing a supply chain or building an aircraft, AAR’s products, capabilities and support help you accomplish more. X Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul X Commercial and Defense X Landing Gear Services Logistics Support X Engineering Services X Airframe Parts Supply and Repair X Cargo Systems X Engine Leasing and Parts Total X Composite Structures Management Support X Precision Fabrication X Aircraft Sales and Leasing Maintenance, logistics or production, AAR can help you improve your efficiency and control your costs. More capabilities, more support. More of what you need. Aviation Supply Chain | MRO | Structures & Systems | Aircraft Sales & Leasing 630.227.2000 | www.aarcorp.com AAR 1P RH.indd 1 4/2/09 9:08 AM Thank you! to all of our 2009 Convention sponsors DIAMOND PLATINUM EMERALD GOLD SILVER BRONZE BOOSTER Special thanks to our hometown airline host SkyWest Airlines regional horizons | May 2009 3 Manage your money at the mall. Transfer funds from the tarmac. Pay bills from the patio. DISCOVER WINGS MOBILE BANKING iÜÊLiÊL>}]ÊÌ iÊ>ÌiÃÌÊ7}ÃÊVÛiiViÊvÀÊLiÊiLiÀÃ]Ê >iÃÊÌÊi>ÃiÀÊÌ >ÊiÛiÀÊÌ\ÊÊÊÊ `ÊLÀ>V iÃÊEÊ/ÃÊÊÊÊÊ iVÊVÕÀÀiÌÊÀ>ÌiÃÊÊÊÊÊ6iÜÊÞÕÀÊ>VVÕÌÃÊÊÊÊÊ/À>ÃviÀÊvÕ`ÃÊÊÊÊÊ*>ÞÊLÃ TRY IT TODAY "vÊVÕÀÃi]ÊÞÕÊÕÃÌÊLiÊ>Ê7}ÃÊiLiÀÊvÀÃÌ°Ê Ê>ÌÊwingsfinancial.comÊÀÊ>ÞÊ7}ÃÊLÀ>V ° mobile.wingsfinancial.com 7}ÃÊ>V>Êi`iÀ>Ê Ài`ÌÊ1ÊÃÊvi`iÀ>ÞÊÃÕÀi`ÊLÞÊ 1° REAL VALUE. EVERY DAY. RAA-Full Pg CnfAd.indd 1 4/8/09 10:59:20 PM RAA Maintenance & Operations Forum AGENDA Tuesday, May 19 Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT – Room 251 AB Noon – 1:00 pm 9:00 am – 9:40 am LUNCH Sponsored by Flight Safety International Contract Maintenance Procedures 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm For the last 12 years the airlines have listed their “substantial” maintenance Reducing TAWS and TCAS Resolution Alerts (RA), Jay Pardee, Director providers within their Operations Specification document in support of FAA’s of (ASIAS) oversight programs for contract maintenance. The FAA advises they would Two years ago at this Forum, the ASIAS team presented their study of wrong now like to change these procedures. Gay Bastian of SkyWest and President runway and fuel management hazards; At this year’s Forum, FAA’s Jay of the board for Coordinating Agency for Supplier Evaluation (CASE), will Pardee, Director of the ASIAS team will present an overview of what ASIAS is update us on the proposed changes and lead discussion on what impact and provide the results of a study of TAWS and TCAS RA’s and what is being this could have with your vendor audit practices. done to minimize their occurrences. 9:40 am – 10:15 am 1:50 pm – 2:40 pm Inspection and Care of Aircraft Composite Structure Update on the Runway Safety’s Call to Action Initiative, Wes Howard Hall, Seattle ACO, Airframe Branch Aircraft manufacturers have increasingly turned to the use of composites Timmons, Director of FAA’s Runway Safety Team because of cost and weight savings. However, the technology for aircraft Early last year the entire aviation community participated in a number of composite structure remains non standard and proprietary. Howard Hall short term actions aimed at improving runway safety. Wes Timmons will will update us on what the FAA is doing to standardize the use and update us on the results of these short term actions and discuss other FAA maintenance of composites with particular focus on best practices the initiatives aimed at reducing risks in runway operations. airlines can use to detect hidden damage and review past reporting of 2:40 pm – 3:15 pm significant impact incidents involving composite structure. Improving your “Corporate Safety” Program Mike Garvin, Pinnacle Airlines 10:15 am – 10:30 am Mike Garvin of Pinnacle will detail what steps to take for improving your MORNING BREAK Sponsored by Embraer Corporate Safety. 10:30 am – 11:20 am 3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Update on the Airworthiness Directive (AD) Compliance Process Steve Boyd, FAA ACO AFTERNOON BREAK Sponsored by Embraer Last year thousands of flights were cancelled as a result of questions 3:30 pm – 4:10 pm regarding airline compliance with ADs. As a result of these disruptions the Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) Aviation FAA’s Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) put together a “tiger team” Rulemaking Committee (ARC) Report to rapidly respond to operators’ AD compliance issues. Steve Boyd, Asst The TALPA ARC is nearly complete in releasing its recommendations to Manager for the Transport Airplane Directorate will bring us up to date on assist flight crews in assessing landing performance based on changed what the FAA is doing to assist operators with their AD compliance issues weather conditions at time of arrival. Such recommendations include a and respond to your questions for improving the AD rulemaking process. new airport runway condition assessment table and new runway condition NOTAM standards. Industry TALPA ARC members will provide an overview of 11:20 am – noon these recommendations and respond to your questions on these proposed Maintenance Aviation Safety Action Programs (ASAP) Mike Basehore, Program Manager for Aviation Safety Information changes. Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) 4:10 pm – 4:30 pm Many regional airlines have implemented Maintenance ASAPs to improve Regulatory Update/Forum Wrap-up their processes and standards. Every quarter the FAA sponsors Info share RAA’s Dave Lotterer will brief you on recent regulatory changes, Commercial meetings in which the airlines share their findings derived from ASAP. Aviation Safety Team (CAST) initiatives and summarize Action Items that FAA’s Mike Basehore, Program Manager for ASIAS will summarize the resulted from forum discussions. maintenance improvements that have been shared at these meetings and For further information contact: discuss other benefits in having a robust maintenance ASAP. Dave Lotterer, Vice President-Technical Services [email protected] RAA Safety Directors Meeting AGENDA Wednesday, May 20 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT – Room 251 DE Meet with Wes Timmons, FAA Office of Runway Safety to discuss runway safety issue 8:45 am Introductions 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm 9:00 am – 10:20 am Meet with Doug Hofsass, TSA GM – Commercial Aviation to discuss general Meet with Pat Massimini and Mitch Serber of Mitre, Jay Pardee and Mike (not security sensitive) TSA security compliance issues.