Becky Riley-Bakeman, president of Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Part 135 operator and aircraft management company RAI Jets, will appear as an educational speaker on two panels at the upcoming NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference (SDC), in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Business aviation is a huge part of my daily life and passion, so when I was invited to participate at the 2023 NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference I was happy to accept,” says Bakeman.

Every year, the SDC gathers thousands of industry experts from around the country to explore various industry topics and learn about the latest cutting-edge business aviation technologies. Bakeman will contribute her expertise to a presentation on Part 135. She will also participate on a panel to discuss how to turn your pay check into a passion with a career in business aviation.

Bakeman is a member of the Riley family, who have had deep roots in southwest Michigan aviation since the late 1980s. She helped transform the business from a humble flight school known as Riley Aviation into a thriving, rapidly-growing aircraft maintenance, aircraft management and private charter flight service, renamed RAI Jets in 2009.

“I am excited to share my knowledge with the new generation of aviation industry professionals and help them get inspired to turn their passion for aviation into a long-lasting career,” she adds. "I am also looking forward to discussing the differences between Part 91 and Part 135 regulations and how they affect scheduler and dispatcher duties."

The panel discussion entitled 'My Next 30 Years: Turn Your Pay check into Passion' will take place at SDC on Tuesday, 24 January at 11:30 am. The panel and presentation entitled 'Part 135' will take place on Wednesday, 25 January, at 3:30 pm.