Small Airport to Host Daylong, Value-Added Event as Part of the Two-Day Conference
The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition (MAAC) recently announced the dates
for its 19th Annual New Jersey Aviation Conference. Featuring a new and
expanded format, the conference combines a traditional symposium on the
first day with a unique ground school session on the second day.
According to Conference Planning Committee member Linda Castner,
“expanding the conference to two days encourages greater participation
by tying small businesses with an airport-based event on the second
day.” If successful, the new format could lead to coordinated activities
at small airports across the State as part of future aviation
conferences. Castner added, “Such on-airport activities will be designed
to showcase the benefits of New Jersey airports to their local
communities.”
New Jersey boasts some of the most economically beneficial airports
in the country. Our state currently has more than 40 public use
airports, most of which are privately owned. In terms of economic
impact, New Jersey ranks tenth in the U.S., contributing $4.4 billion
annually to our state’s economy. Nearly 70 percent of general aviation
flying is conducted for business purposes. These facts alone should be
of particular interest to Chambers of Commerce.
In addition to contributing to the success of New Jersey’s tourism
industry, general aviation offers numerous educational opportunities
both in classrooms and on airports across the state. The symposium’s
Education panel will demonstrate how small airports can be used as
living laboratories to demonstrate the practical applications of
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts.
The symposium part of the conference will be held on Friday, May 2,
at Princeton University's Carl A. Fields Center for Equality + Cultural
Understanding. Themed “Seize the Day – Build for Tomorrow,” the
symposium will be moderated by Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
President, Chris Phelan. The day will feature a question and answer
session with NJ Department of Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson
and four panels of experts discussing Education, Policy, Technology, and
Safety issues. Marie Barry, Director of the NJ Department of Education
Office of Career and Technical Education, will offer insights as part of
the Education panel.
The airport-based part of the conference will be held on Saturday,
May 3, at Alexandria Field Airport in Pittstown. Titled, “The Art and
Science of Flying Ground School,” highly experienced aviation educators
will weave history, biology, and technology into a high-level
exploration of the wonder of flight in general, and of airplane and
human performance in particular. Pilots and non-pilots alike are
welcomed to register.
An exemplar of New Jersey’s privately-owned, public-use airports,
Alexandria Field has been the site of successful tourism events such as
the Magic of Alexandria Balloon Festival, and is currently home to
Skydive Jersey. Alexandria Field became the nexus of activity for a
$100,000 Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education
Program grant that lead to the creation of the Central Jersey Aviation
Education Collaborative, a partnership between local businesses,
education, and a small airport to offer outreach programs to teachers
and students, especially those interested in STEM disciplines.
More recently, Alexandria Field hosted the Rutgers Women Take Flight
workshop, a funded research project to evaluate The Flying Effect as a
source of empowerment for professional women.
Conference attendees can register for one or both days as follows:
$50 for either day, or $85 for both days. Registration includes
continental breakfast, lunch, and a post-symposium reception on day one;
lunch on day two; and a chance to win various door prizes.
Conference details and registration forms are available at these websites: NJAviation.com, ArtandScienceofFlying.com, AlexandriaField.com.
Established in 1988, MAAC members include flying clubs, pilots,
aircraft owners, airport managers, flight instructors, fixed base
operators, and other aviation businesses and stakeholders. MAAC is the
public policy group representing the interests of its members before
state and local governments in New Jersey.
Source: http://www.nj.com