Alexandria, VA, June 2, 2008 The Portland, Maine Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and Susan Parson, Special Assistant to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) General Aviation and Commercial Division, will receive National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Excellence Awards at the 2008 NATA Air Charter Summit on June 10, 2008, at the Westfields Marriott Dulles Center in Chantilly, VA.
Parson will receive the NATA Excellence In Pilot Training Award for her lead role in managing the initial writing or rewriting of several flight training reference books published by the FAA, including The TAA Flying Handbook, Aviation Instructor’s Handbook and Instrument Flying Handbook. Additionally, she has been a consistent contributor to FAA Aviation News, and her articles such as “Practical Risk Management for Local VFR Flying” frequently introduce innovative ideas to the general aviation community.
Parson has been a Master CFI and ground instructor since 2004, and continues her work as an active flight instructor in Northern Virginia. For three years, she has served as co-chair of the Personal Aviation Subgroup of the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee, a position she has used with great effectiveness in prioritizing the FAA’s safety initiatives in the field of flight instruction. Acting on suggestions of the Personal Aviation Subgroup, Parson produced Conducting an Effective Flight Review, IPC Guidance and Best Practices for Mentoring in Flight Instruction. These documents were highly praised by the subgroup for their clarity and on-point discussion of topics previously covered only with a broad brush. Parson is a past deputy safety director of the Civil Air Patrol’s Virginia Wing (CAPVW). She currently holds the position of director for standards and evaluation of the CAPVW.
The FAA’s Portland, Maine Flight Standards District Office will receive the NATA FAA Customer Service Excellence Award based on the high degree of customer service demonstrated by its inspectors, supervisors and manager in their interactions with Part 135 on-demand air carriers.
“The FAA personnel assigned to this office offer regulatory compliance and application guidance that is a model for the rest of the agency,” said NATA President James K. Coyne.
“They are willing to listen to and understand the unique concerns of the Part 135 industry as well as clearly communicate FAA requirements and processes. In addition, the FSDO works well within the broader FAA on multiple levels,” Coyne added.
By setting realistic goals and agreeing in advance to the requirements of projects, the Portland FSDO excels in the timely processing of submitted programs and manuals.
NATA annually recognizes individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service to the general aviation community. These awards are given by NATA to exceptional individuals and organizations that have helped improve the general aviation community. NATA presented the following Industry Excellence Awards in March at the 2008 NATA FBO Leadership Conference:
The Airport Executive Partnership Award recognizing an airport manager for outstanding efforts to nurture the relationships between aviation businesses and airport operators went to Ray Bishop, airport director, Jackson Hole Airport.
The Aviation Journalism Award identifying a journalist, writer, or publication that excels in consumer education or editorial support that is beneficial to the FBO/Air Charter industry was given to Matt Thurber, senior editor, Aviation International News.
The ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award acknowledging the exceptional performance of a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic or radio repairman who has practiced his or her craft for 20 or more years was received by Greg Coile of Business Jet Access, which is based in Dallas at Love Field.
NATA’s Distinguished Service Award honoring outstanding service and ongoing contributions to the industry went to Mike Sweeney, Chairman and CEO of United States Aviation Underwriters, the world’s largest aviation underwriter.
The William A. Ong Memorial Award, named in honor and memory of Bill Ong, NATA’s co-founder and its first president, is given for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry. It was presented to Ray Fitzgerald, who has been leading aviation service businesses for more than three decades.
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NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before the Congress and federal agencies.