Save your seat for our 2027 Aviation Symposium! Join us as we bring together leaders in aviation law, safety and business to discuss the most pressing issues shaping the industry today.

CLE credit will be offered. 

Preliminary Agenda
 

Tuesday, February 2, 2027

12:30 - 6 p.m. Arrival and Registration

3 - 3:45 p.m. Aviation Emergency Response Organization (AERO) Board Meeting 5th Floor, Salon II

4 - 5:15 p.m. AERO General Membership Meeting (Open to all members and conference attendees) 5th Floor, Salon II

5:30 - 7 p.m. Welcome Reception 5th Floor, Salon I
 

Wednesday, February 3, 2027

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast 5th Floor, Salon II & III Foyer

9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Comments 5th Floor, Salon II & III

9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Is There a Doctor or Medical Professional on Board? Airline Liability and Medical Emergencies

• Current airline policies.
• DOT/FAA policies.
• Good Samaritan issues.
• Airline risks and exposures.

10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Mediating Aviation Cases: Effective Selecting of Mediators, Preparation for and Presentation at the Mediation

• Selecting the mediator: aviation knowledgeable?
• Who should attend?
• In person or virtual?
• Confidential submissions.
• Opening presentations.

11:15 - 11:30 a.m. Networking Break

11:30 - 12:15 a.m. The FAA, DOT and NTSB: The Year That Was and the Year Ahead
A lively discussion focusing on the notable developments — good and bad — during the last year, where we are and what to expect in the year ahead.

12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Aviation Trivia
Test your aviation knowledge against your peers.

1:30 - 2 p.m. The Regulator Speaks: An Encore Discussion with Chris Rocheleau, Former FAA Deputy Administrator and Current President/CEO of Airports Council International - North America

2 - 2:45 p.m. When Family Assistance Goes Wrong: How to Prevent It and What to Do About It

• What is a family?
• The interaction between the investigation and family assistance.
• The top dos and don’ts of family assistance.
• Training to avert problems.

2:45 - 3:15 p.m. A Career Well Lived: Space Ace!
A discussion with Robert “Hoot” Gibson, naval aviator, shuttle commander, chief astronaut and Reno Air Race Unlimited Class gold medal winner.

3:15 - 3:30 p.m. Networking Break

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Collecting and Preserving Documents After an Accident/Incident: Who Does What, Where and When

• Who collects and manages documents.
• Dealing with NTSB request for documents.
• How to screw up the handling of collecting, supplying and preserving documents.

4:15 - 4:45 p.m. Leave Your Bags and Proceed to the Nearest Exit: Airline Liability for Emergency Evacuations

• FAA rules and regulations.
• Airline rules and regulations.
• Passenger risks and liabilities.
• Risk to airline crews.
• What changes can be made and what are the prospects for changes?

4:45 – 5 p.m. First Day Wrap-Up and Preview of Day Two

5 - 6:30 p.m. Networking Cocktail Reception Salon I, 5th Floor
Mix and mingle with your colleagues. Join us for a cocktail before you go to dinner.
 

Thursday, February 4, 2027

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Comments 5th Floor, Salon II & III

9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Chartering Aircraft: Hidden Risks and Liabilities

• Legal exposures and risks of chartering an aircraft.
• The charter contract.
• Operational control issues.
• Montreal protocol considerations.Insurance issues.

10:30 - 11:15 a.m. I’m Emotionally Distressed: Evaluating and Dealing With Claims of Emotional Distress

• Minimizing the risks.
• What is emotional distress?
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Emotional distress and family assistance issues.

11:15-12:15 p.m. The First 24 Hours After an Incident/Accident: Everything That Nobody is Prepared For and Nobody Tells You
The accident investigation and family assistance activities start minutes after the accident. This panel will discuss the first 24-hours after the event, and the things that should happens immediately so as to avoid creating and compounding mistakes going forward.

12:15 - 12:30 p.m. Wrap-Up Comments and Adjournment