Regional aviation conference kicks off tomorrow

Close to hundred off-island guests are expected to arrive on island today for the 2001 Pacific Aviation Directors Workshop hosted by the Commonwealth Ports Authority at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

The regional aviation conference will commence tomorrow with participants from Guam, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Hawaii, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The regional meet from Feb. 6 to 9 is anticipated to gather airports and airlines officials who will devote discussions based on the theme: “Building Partnerships for Aviation Safety.”

The four-day event begins with a pre-conference seminar which will focus on Aircraft Emergency Plans.

Seasoned Fire Fighting Officer Les Omans from the San Jose California Fire Department and Dr. Loren Myhre, a trained expert in the fire fighting physical fitness program, will be featured as two of the keynote speakers.

Other guest speakers will include Herman Bliss from FAA, Martinez Jacobs, a veteran fire fighter and presenter of the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

The directors’ seminar will touch on aviation topics to include airport emergency plans, hazardous materials and its management, fire fighter stress testing, airport facility and equipment maintenance, runway incursions, emergency exercises, flight standards, and others.

An onsite visit to the island of Tinian will be conducted on the third day of the workshop where participants will be given the opportunity to witness developments to the West Tinian Airport runway expansion project, funded in part by FAA.

“It’s always a special honor to host the most important annual airport conference. We get information and training, the opportunity to hear from our Pacific airport and aviation colleagues as well as the chance to show our visitors the very best in island hospitality,” said CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas.

The CPA official also noted that the ports authority carefully budgeted for a well-attended conference, foreseeing even more guests than originally planned.

“Thanks to the support from our airport tenants, I’m confident that we will be able to accommodate everyone,” he said, adding that the overwhelming response from the local aviation community should also be given due credit for what is expected to be a successful regional convention.