AOPA connects, supports at Global Aerospace Summit

The twentieth Global Aerospace Summit was held in the atrium of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C., with nearly 1,000 participants. Packed discussion sessions and presentations captivated industry players in aerospace and aviation, focusing on topics like international collaboration in space, tomorrow's air mobility, and the future of aviation safety. Keynote remarks were given by Jessica Rosenworcel, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, and David L. Calhoun, president and CEO of Boeing Co.

In an interview prior to the event Carol B. Hallett, summit founder, aviation expert, and a pilot with over 5,000 flight hours, spoke about the benefits of holding an event like this, and what the industry hopes to accomplish. "The nation's eyes are on the aviation industry more so than ever before," she said. "When passengers think of aviation nowadays, they think of a post-COVID return to normalcy, they think of vacation, they may think of cancellations and delays, and they, of course, think of the excitement of flight. This is why it is so important to hear from the leaders of this industry and learn what they're thinking. That's what the Summit offers, a chance to listen, learn, and hear from these CEOs in a way we do not always get to."

AOPA was present on both days of the summit. Event attendees were able to visit with AOPA staff, learn about how general aviation contributes to the larger industry, and try out the ever-popular Redbird Jay flight simulator. "There is a good bit of networking," said Murray Huling, AOPA vice president of government affairs. "People want to know what we do and how we can help."

While industry giants painted inspiring pictures of future advancements, AOPA's presence reminded attendees that teaching new generations to fly remains critical to the health of the industry. "With us here, it gives us a good reminder of, remember where you came from," said Huling. "All pilots start with general aviation."