February 2014

Pilot Supply issues make headlines across the nation

Pilot supply challenges gained increased nation-wide attention recently with stories including The Wall Street Journal and Philadelphia Inquirer citing recent service cuts. RAA has consistently raised concerns during the past two years that fewer pilots would prompt service reductions. RAA President Roger Cohen told WSJ "communities large and small will lose air service due to the shortage of pilots, and the problem has happened much sooner and more significantly than anyone predicted."  

RAA Announces 2014 Scholarship Program
Application Deadline- March 14
RAA continues its support of the next generation of aviators by once again offering three $3,000 scholarships to deserving undergraduate students.   Please forward the announcement to any deserving aviation students you know.  If you are a faculty member, please post or forward this information to your students.  These scholarships are made possible by the generous donations of prizes to the RAA Golf Tournament and the RAA Silent Auction held in conjunction with the RAA Annual Convention each year.  Donation forms will be available here by March 1.
RAA Safety Council announces leadership changes
Brad Elstad
Brad Elstad, Republic Airways Holding Vice President, Safety and Regulatory Compliance, has completed his leadership tenure with the RAA Safety Council. Serving as both Chair and Vice Chair over the past four years, Elstad has helped usher numerous changes and progress. 

Brad Sheehan


Brad Sheehan
, former ExpressJet Airlines Director of Safety,  Quality and Environment, served as RAA Safety Council Vice Chair during Elstad's time as Chair. Together, Elstad and Sheehan have lead the Safety Council through many safety initiatives, CAST directed studies and safety enhancements, and helped solidify relationships with partner Safety Councils.  Sheehan's new post as Chair began late 2013 with new Vice Chair David Deveau, Jazz Aviation Vice President Safety Quality & Environment. Sheehan and Deveau immediately focused their attention on a one-day flight operations seminar on approach and go-around safety. Sheehan's role as Safety Council Chair has been cut short by a well-deserved promotion to ExpressJet Vice President-Flight Operations.

RAA Senior Director & Technical Affairs Stacey Bechdolt notes "Elstad's and Sheehan's leadership will be missed, but both will remain engaged and committed to the work of the Safety Council-Elstad as a veteran member of the Council, and Sheehan as an energetic new member of the RAA Regional Operations Council." 


David Deveau
The RAA Safety Council will now be led by Chair David Deveau who will draw on his years of progressive experience in safety management systems. Deveau, joined by a new vice-chair, will advance the Safety Council mission by fostering the well-established relationships with regulators, NTSB, partner-Councils and leading new initiatives.
 
ATW names SkyWest Airlines 2014 Regional Airline of the Year

Congratulations to RAA member airline SkyWest for receiving the coveted Air Transport World Regional Airline of the Year award. The prestigious 2014 award will be presented during the magazine's 40th Annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards dinner next week during the Singapore Air Show.

SkyWest Inc. Chairman and CEO Jerry Atkin notes the award is "recognition of SkyWest's product, partnerships, and position within the industry and belongs to SkyWest's nearly 20,000 aviation professionals across the country who keep us moving forward every day."  This is the third time the St. George, UT-based airline has won the award.

Welcome New Members!
Airline Fabricare Systems
Avionics Support Group
AQT Solutions
Cobham
Falko Regional Aircraft Limited
First Aviation

***2014 Associate Member Renewal Statements are now available on the RAA website.  2013 company representatives can login here to pay your dues online or print off a dues statement.  Forgot your login or password?  Click here!
2014- 39th RAA Annual Convention- St. Louis
Booths are selling fast!  Make the annual RAA convention a cornerstone of your marketing calendar by signing up early and increasing your brand visibility with our member airlines. 

Choose your space today on the 2014 Exhibit Hall map.

Download the 2014 Exhibit Contract.

Questions?  RAA's Exhibit Sales Manager, David Perez-Hernandez has the answers!  Call or email
him today! (312) 673-4838

Extend your brand through various Sponsorship Opportunities available during this annual gathering of the regional airline industry. View the 2014 RAA Sponsorship Opportunities.

The three Regional Horizons May Special Convention Issues are a perfect vehicle to reach every industry decision-maker.  Day One serves as the complete show guide and is distributed at Registration to every RAA attendee.  Days 2 and 3 are delivered by Room Drop to all registered attendees and also available in the Exhibit Hall.  Here is a link to the Opening Day issue from 2013.
Book your ad by filling out the 2014 Book Form.

 

In This Issue
Quick Links
RAA Press Releases
RAA Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Air Wisconsin vs. Hoeper Decision

RAA Promotes Stacey Bechdolt to Senior Director-Safety & Technical Affairs and Regulatory Counsel
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Upcoming Events 
 
2014
 
February 18-20 Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) Winter Meeting
Auburn, AL 

February 26-27 (rescheduled) RAA Regional Operations Council Meeting 
Houson, TX (ExpressJet Airlines)

March 13-14 RAA Inflight Committee Meeting
Washington, DC

March 18 - 19 RAA Approach and Go-Around Safety: A Flight Operations Seminar
Orlando, FL (JetBlue University Orlando Support Center)
 
April 1-3 World Airline Training Symposium (WATS) and Regional AIrline Training Symposium (RATS) 
Orlando, FL (Rosen's Shingle Creek Resort)
 
May 13-15  RAA 39th Annual Convention
St. Louis, MO 

May 13 RAA Regional Operations Council
St. Louis, MO

June 10-12 RAA Flight Technology Committee
Minneapolis, MN (Endeavor Air)

August 3-5  RAA 2014 Summer Seminars
St. Pete Beach, FL (Loews Don Cesar Hotel) 

2015

May 12-14  RAA 40th Annual Convention 
Cleveland, OH   

 

RAA's official publications:  Regional Horizons  and the  Annual Report  offer various print and electronic advertising opportunities. Contact Cheryl Goldsby for details, and view the 2014 Media Guide here.


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