Designed as a tribute to the association’s dedicated associate members, vendors and suppliers, the US Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) held its 18th annual Spring Conference, which included delegates from as far away as Italy and Australia. The meeting had record attendance and two overbooked hotels.
“Welcome to 2019 RACCA Spring Conference,” said Terry Hibler, RACCA associate member president, aptly describing the event. “This is not so much a conference as a family reunion.”
For the first time in decades, delegates heard details of new regional aircraft including the Tecnam P2012, soon to be delivered to Cape Air, and the Cessna SkyCourier and the advances in electric propulsion pioneered by magniX, which is powering the Cessna Caravan. Regional turboprops – the Beech 1900D STC and the Saab 340 and Astral Aero’s Twin Panda – also had teams on hand to discuss their utility as cargoliners.
The RACCA scholarship programme was successful in raising not only contributions but many matching challenges, especially from Kent Thompson, Training Boom CEO who pledged $5,000 for each of the next three years. Southwest Turbine matched his first contribution for a total of $10,000. Pratt & Whitney Canada ran the 50/50 raffle and collected $1,000 which was matched by Mountain Air Cargo for a $2000 contribution. The Silent Auction raised $10,000 which was matched by sponsors.
