Press Release

Issued by British Business and General Aviation Association.

June 17, 2014

The British Business and General Aviation Association held their annual conference at a new venue, The Wing Silverstone, Northants, at a new date and with a new format for 2014.

This prestigious venue offered delegates a view of the race track and a soundtrack between presentations to keep everyone enthralled.

The day started with the welcome address from chairman Marwan Kahlek. He reminded the audience of the achievements of BBGA, including the ongoing work with APD and border force. Marwan also had the pleasure of presenting this year's winner of the Michael Wheatley award. The recipient Brain Humphries CBE is a dedicated supporter of BBGA and continues to work closely with the team through his role as president of EBAA. The award came as a complete surprise to Brian and he accepted warmly.

The key note speaker, Robert Fernley, deputy principle of Force India F1 team, gave a candid and informative speech on the similarities between the world of motor racing and business aviation. Regulation and rule changes seem to dominate.

BBGA were fortunate to have two speakers from CAA to join for the day. Peter Drissell, director of security at CAA led the next presentation with life before and after SeMS with regards as to deliverables and accountability.

Kurt Edwards, director general of IBAC, gave an update on what IBAC is doing for business aviation on a world stage, including the release of IS-BAH. This is an exciting development for the industry with a new standard for ground handling and business aviation.

Offering news on the latest development from BBGA, Marc Bailey spoke on both APD and UK Border force. He also touched on training for our industry and the roll out of apprenticeships.

Following on from Marc and his outline of training for the industry, Carole Leach, MD AQMS and chair of the BBGA training group, gave a presentation on the details of the apprenticeships and training. There is now national occupational standards for continuing airworthiness leading to an apprenticeship airworthiness standard. Importantly this is employer led and part of the government trailblazer programme.

The second speaker to join from CAA, Mark Swan, director of Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, took to the stage. With major organisational changes within the CAA, Mark spoke of the re-organisation and the move to performance based oversight, performance based regulation, safety management and safety improvements.

Following lunch the delegates were offered the choice of two break-out sessions: Business Developments and a CAA Open Forum. The Business Developments started with Paperless Working from James Hardie, ARINC followed by ERP and Business Continuity, Marc Asquith, Kennedys Law LLP and Business Volatility, David Chamberlain also of Kennedys.

The CAA open forum led to vigorous debate from the delegates centring around the organisational changes of the CAA. Chaired by Marwan Khalek with questions answered by Mark Swan and Peter Drisell. The session furnished both speakers with plenty of feedback to take back to CAA.

With much to digest and discuss delegates took advantage of the champagne reception and canapés to network late in to the evening.