Town Hall Meeting' with Congressman Sam Graves Returns to SUN 'n FUN
Monday, March 28, 2011 - 11:19am
'Town Hall Meeting' Returns to SUN 'n FUN
SUN ’n FUN CAMPUS, LAKELAND, FL. – Congressman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) will orchestrate a discussion among leaders within the aviation industry about the current state of affairs and the future of general aviation in the United States during this year’s SUN ’n FUN International Fly-In and Expo, which will be held March 29 - April 3 at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Fla.
The Town Hall meeting at SUN ’n FUN will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, in the FAA National Resource Center and Production Studios, which are located in the heart of the SUN ’n FUN campus. Plans are to stream the meeting live on the internet via the FAA Production Studios website: http://faaproductionstudios.com.
In addition to Congressman Graves, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President Craig Fuller, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) President Rod Hightower and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President Pete Bunce are also scheduled to participate.
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Craig Fuller AOPA President |
Rod Hightower EAA President |
Pete Bunce GAMA President |
“Bringing industry leaders and aviation enthusiasts together to discuss the issues facing GA is an important part of Sun ’n Fun,” Graves said. “It provides an opportunity for representatives in Washington to hear from folks about their concerns, and allows us to update them on the work we are doing to ensure that GA remains viable.”
Graves is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and its Aviation Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation including safety, infrastructure, labor and international issues. He was recently named Co-Chairman of the House General Aviation Caucus along with Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga), who is also expected to attend SUN ’n FUN this year.
Issues and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Aviation Subcommittee – and possible discussion topics for the meeting – include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); air traffic control modernization; airport capacity and airport improvement program grants; aviation safety; aviation security including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); commercial aviation; essential air service for small communities; general aviation; international aviation; the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); commercial space transportation and tourism; and air carrier operations.
“SUN ’n FUN is a perfect setting for this critically important dialog,” said SUN ’n FUN President and Convention Chairman John Burton. “SUN ’n FUN traditionally kicks off the aviation season and what better way to start the aviation year than by identifying and discussing key issues that will impact our aviation community in the short and long terms. We welcome this opportunity and thank Congressman Graves for again coordinating and hosting this gathering. We also extend a huge thank you to our friends at the FAA National Resource Center and Production Studios for making their facilities available for this important meeting.”
SUN ‘n FUN, a 501(c) (3) not–for–profit organization based in Lakeland, Florida, is best known for its annual Fly–In held each April. The Fly–In is the primary source of funding for SUN ‘n FUN’s expanding year–round aviation education programs. These include operation of the Florida Air Museum, the state’s “Official Aviation Museum and Education Center,” which is also supported through grants from the Division of Historical Resources and Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State. In addition, SUN ‘n FUN has initiated education programs for aviation enthusiasts of all ages – especially young people – featuring valuable “hands on” learning experiences, including the new Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA) in partnership with the Polk County School Board, Polk State College, the University of South Florida Polytechnic, Gulf Coast Avionics and other education-minded organizations. A growing scholarship program provides financial support to ensure SUN ‘n FUN’s education programs are accessible to all. For more information, please visit www.sun-n-fun.org or call the SUN ‘n FUN offices at 863–644–2431.
