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Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base
February 16, 2013
This year’s annual NECAS conference was once again held at the Niagara Falls Air
Reserve Base’s Heritage Club. Friday, 15 February saw a large number of NECAS members arrive a day early to enjoy cocktails, food and socializing in the Fuzzy Bison
Lounge.
After breakfast on Saturday morning, the NECAS annual general meeting was called to order. Opening remarks were made by NECAS President Kevin Walsh and Vice
President Dave Cooper. Ballots were handed out for the board member elections. Mark
Ables, Carol Pilon were leaving the board and Kevin Walsh was up for reelection.
Running for Election to the Board for 2013 were; Major Benjamin Canetti , Diana
Spremo , Naomi Wadsworth and Kevin Walsh. Diana, Benjamin and Kevin were elected to the board. As well, a motion was put forward to the membership to change the NECAS
By-Laws which was approved. The new By-Laws are posted at www.necas.org.
David White and Kevin Walsh prepare for the start of the conference.

The first Performers Forum featured presentations by Aerobatic Pilot Gordon Price, Air
Boss Bill Snelgrove, Announcer Larry Rutt, Aerobatic Pilot Rick Volker, Wing Walker
Jane Wicker, Blue Crew, Frank Schaufler and the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team.
Wing Walker Jane Wicker Frank Schaufler from the Blue Crew
Trish Jackson presented Airshow Insurance Updates and was followed by Captain Bruce
Ehmann and the Royal Canadian Air Force Forum who gave us a sneak peak at the markings that will adorn the 2013 CF-18 Demonstration Team aircraft. LTC Mark Ables, approached the hottest topic of the weekend, US Military participation in air shows. With the uncertainty of Budget/Sequestration looming, it appears air shows will be hard pressed to get military aircraft appearances. John Haak followed with an informative presentation on promoting air shows.

A second Performers Forum followed with presentations by Danny Clisham, Air Show
Announcer, Manfred Radius Glider Aerobatic Performer, Desmond Lightbody Aerobatic
Pilot and Ken Mist from the Jet Aircraft Museum.
After lunch everyone was surprised when International Council of Air Shows President,
John Cudahy called in through Skype to address recent developments and concerns about
US Military participation in air shows. Tery Lebel followed with a segment on Air
Carrier interaction with air shows. David White and Bill Snelgrove presented the need for
Airboss Certification.
Tery Lebel, Air Carrier Interaction Roundtable Discussion
Three sets of Roundtable discussions finished off the afternoon that consisted of Air
Shows Sustainability, Air Boss Certification and How Do I Get Hired? Many great points were made and presented after each discussion.
Before Kevin Walsh made closing remarks, it was asked that anyone new to the NECAS conference, please stand. Approximately 15 delegates stood, showing that our conference and industry are recognizing the value in coming together to share ideas, successes, and discuss pertinent issues.
Following the closing of the day-long conference, members had a choice to take a tour of a Niagara Falls Air Base C-130 Hercules or socialize in the Fuzzy Bison Lounge. Dinner

followed with guest speaker, Mr. Brian Ernisse, F-22 Test Pilot, taking center stage with a great slideshow presentation on being one of the first pilots selected to test fly for the F-
22 Lightning Program.
Initial feedback indicates it was a very successful conference. Feel free to mark your calendars for next year’s event – same weekend, same location.
We want your testimonials!
If anyone wishes to write a testimonial about their experience at this year’s conference, we’re looking for feedback to post on our web site. One or two sentences will suffice.
Please email your testimonial to info@necas.org.
Cheers to kicking off a great 2013 season!