There were many posts and pics of the stage of the ICAO Assembly Hall during the first Advanced Air Mobility Symposium last week. This one is about all of you in the audience, including those still racing from the coffee machines four light years away and who hadn't reached their seat yet when I took the pic (at least everyone got their 10.000 steps/day!).
No wonder #AAM24 was the biggest event in ICAO's 80 year history (with approximately 1.700 delegates). A whole new sector of the industry and a different way of connecting people "by air" (and by electrons) are emerging. Giant leaps are sexy, but it's the small steps that take us to destination safely. AAM24 showed the energy, entrepreneurial spirit, technical expertise, and responsible approach of the whole industry to roll out innovative transportation solutions that are safe, more sustainable, and economically viable. Big question marks and challenges remain and they won't be easy nor painless, but it's now clear in my mind that despite our diversity we're united by a common vision and a strong commitment to cooperate and to harmonize our efforts and standards.
As is so often the case with new technologies, general and business aviation will be one of the 'early adopters' of AAM (or would 'incubator' be a more appropriate word?). Great! We love taking new challenges, and finding solutions to intricate problems is probably one of the things we do best. From the various associations (IBAC, GAMA, NBAA, EBAA, etc.) to the OEMs to the air operators to the AMO/MROs to the countless highly skilled aviation professionals in our sector, we want AAM to be a success and to drive the wider industry towards safe and sustainable air transport that leaves no community or country behind.
For the recordings of all sessions and panel discussions, check out ICAO.tv (account needed but signing up is free)!
#ICAO #AAM #AAM24 #safety #IBAC #GAMA #NBAA #EBAA #ISBAO #advancedairmobility
