[219] Aviation Trends in China Guide New Conference

Release date: Nov. 29, 2010

News & Public Affairs contacts: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
and Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919 or ttozer@mtsu.edu

Aviation Trends in China Guide New Conference
MTSU Aerospace Department Hosts Dec. 1-2 Event at Airport’s McDonald Hangar

(MURFREESBORO) — MTSU’s Aerospace Department will serve as host for the first National Conference on General Aviation Trends in China, set for Dec. 1-2 in the Donald McDonald Hangar inside the university’s Flight Operations Center at Murfreesboro Airport.
“We’re extremely excited about this conference, as it is one of the first in the United States that will have members of one of the largest universities in China here to learn about U.S. general aviation,” said Aerospace Chair Wayne Dornan.
“We have a distinguished list of U.S. speakers that will lend their expertise to the Chinese officials,” Dornan added. “… I am unaware of any such gathering that has taken place in the United States where high-ranking officials from both countries interact on aviation.”
The first day’s activities will include:
• welcoming remarks by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee;
• a conference overview from Mike Vaughn, president of Corporate Flight Management-China and director of government services for Smyrna-based Corporate Flight Management;
• a discussion on general aviation in the United States, provided by Craig Spence, vice president for operations and international affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association;
• news about aviation in China, from Dr. Sun XinQuang, vice dean of the Beihang University Law School;
• a panel discussion on general aviation in China and the United States; and
• an update from Dean Fulmer, National Special Activity Airspace project manager for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Following lunch, Mark Libby, head of collaborative decision-making at the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center, will lead a session on airspace management and air traffic control. Qiao Xin Shan, director of China’s air traffic control system, will speak on airspace management and air traffic control in that nation, and a discussion on similarities and differences in air traffic control in the nations will close the session before the group tours the MTSU ATC labs in the Business and Aerospace Building.
The group later will have dinner at Corporate Flight Management in Smyrna.
Thursday’s morning session will begin with a talk on regional airline operations in the United States from Charles “Chuck” Howell, CEO of Great Lakes Aviation Ltd., and will be followed by:
• a discussion on regional airline development in China, led by Geng Xue Song, vice president of operations and chief mechanic with China Flying Dragon General Aviation Co. Ltd.;
• a review of fixed-base operations and the role of the charter airlines, led by Allen Howell of Corporate Flight Management;
• a manufacturers’ panel discussion on general aviation business trends; and
• closing remarks from Beihang University’s Sun.
After lunch, the group will tour Smyrna Airport’s aviation facilities, followed by a Corporate Flight Management-sponsored reception.
The conference is closed to the general public.

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Media welcomed.

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In Brief

MTSU’s Aerospace Department will serve as host for the first National Conference on General Aviation Trends in China, set for Dec. 1-2 in the Donald McDonald Hangar inside the university’s Flight Operations Center at Murfreesboro Airport. Officials and experts will discuss topics ranging from general aviation in China and the United States, airspace management and air traffic control, Next Gen ATC, regional airline operations in the U.S., regional airline development in China, a review of fixed-base operations and the role of charter airlines, business trends and more.