On the Ramp at NBAA Opa-locka: Airplanes, Handshakes, and Great Conversations
Last week I had the chance to attend the NBAA Opa-locka Regional Forum on behalf of one of my Scissortail clients, Air Transit Solutions, a Part 135 operator. The mission was to strengthen vendor relationships and get hands-on with a few aircraft our clientele is seriously considering for purchase.
If you’ve ever been to one of NBAA’s regional forums, you know they have a different energy than the massive national conventions. They’re smaller, more relaxed, and much more conversational. And honestly, that’s where the real value is.
Why Opa-locka?
OPA-LOCKA is always a strong showing. South Florida brings a unique mix of charter operators, aircraft brokers, service centers, OEM reps, financiers, and more. It’s a cross-section of the industry gathered in one place, without the chaos of a mega-show floor.
For Air Transit Solutions, this was about reinforcing the ecosystem around the operation. In the Part 135 world, relationships make the world go round. Dispatch reliability, maintenance support, avionics upgrades, and parts availability don’t happen in a vacuum. The vendors you align with directly affect your ability to serve clients safely and efficiently.
Being able to shake hands, look someone in the eye, and have a real conversation goes a long way. It’s one thing to exchange emails. It is another to stand next to an aircraft together and talk through real-world scenarios.
Clayton Corn and Darren Oldford of ATS meet with JV Clemente of UAS Trip Support Services
Getting Hands-On
One of the best parts of a regional forum is ramp access. For us, that meant walking aircraft that are on our short list for potential acquisition.
There is no substitute for stepping into the cabin and seeing it for yourself. You can read specs all day long, but until you:
Sit in the seats
Look at the baggage space
Evaluate the cabin flow
See the avionics setup in person
you don’t fully understand how the airplane fits the mission.
I spent time evaluating how each aircraft would align with our clients’ typical routes, passenger expectations, and operating economics. Some aircraft confirmed what we already suspected. A few raised new questions, which is exactly why you go in person. And a couple pleasantly surprised me.
That kind of firsthand exposure helps us give better, more grounded advice.
Taking the Temperature of the Market
Events like OPA-LOCKA are also great for reading the room.
The conversations I had reinforced a few themes:
Charter demand remains steady in key markets
Buyers are more disciplined and data-driven
Maintenance support and parts availability continue to influence decisions
Smart operators are thinking long-term, not just chasing short-term margins
It’s helpful to hear what other operators are seeing. Sometimes you pick up small insights in casual conversations that don’t show up in market reports.
The Real Value
More than anything, the forum reminded me why I enjoy this industry so much. Aviation is a relationship business. It is built on trust, professionalism, and a shared respect for the complexity of what we do.
Attending on behalf of Air Transit Solutions was my about reinforcing partnerships, gathering intelligence, and making sure we are positioned well for smart growth.
Regional forums may not grab headlines like the big shows, but they are incredibly productive. You get quality time with the right people, you see real equipment, and you walk away with clarity.
For us, it was absolutely time well spent, and I’m looking forward to putting what we learned into motion.
