NATA's Dempsey Calls For Grassroots Outreach in Keynote
NATA president Gary Dempsey was the keynote speaker at Wichita Aero Club luncheon yesterday.

National Air Transportation Association (NATA) president Gary Dempsey introduced himself and his organization to members of the Wichita Aero Club yesterday and touched on a range of issues affecting business aviation in a nearly 40-minute-long presentation. It was Dempseyā€™s first visit to Wichita as NATA president.


ā€œThe aviation industry has really blessed me, and this is my turn to give back,ā€ said Dempsey, who was named NATAā€™s top executive in September after retiring from a 50-year career in the industry as Jet Aviationā€™s senior v-p of sales for the Americas.


Airport closures, illegal charters, workforce development challenges, availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and the effects of urban air mobility regulation were among the topics Dempsey briefly touched upon. Key to increasing business aviationā€™s impact and voice in those issues is grassroots outreach at the federal level. He said there are 100 new members of Congress who havenā€™t yet voted on aviation-related legislation. 


ā€œIā€™m asking you in this room for your help in reaching out to your congressmen,ā€ he explained. ā€œReaching out and talking to your congressmen about your needs in running your business, whatever level you are, is certainly critical.ā€