Please review the schedule outline for our 2025 Palm Springs Industry Expo presented by United Airlines below. Please Note: The below schedule is subject to change as breakout sessions and additional sessions are booked.
Wednesday, Feb 12
8AM-4PM Express Check-in and Registration – Courtesy of Envoy Airlines, Avoid the lines at events by picking up your badge during the express registration time slots. Check-in tables will be open in the Renaissance Hotel. Look for the Winter Warm-Up Check-in signage. Located in the California Ballroom Foyer.
5PM - 7PM - Wednesday Welcome Social - Informal gathering to kick off an amazing event with us! Join the NGPA at the Renaissance Rocks bar for a Welcome and Kickoff Social. Connect with fellow attendees, enjoy great conversations, and get ready for an unforgettable experience. Located in the Renaissance Rocks Bar.
Thursday, Feb 13
8AM-4PM Express Check-in and Registration – Courtesy of Envoy Airlines, Avoid the lines at events by picking up your badge during the express registration time slots. Check-in tables will be open in the Renaissance Hotel. Look for the Winter Warm-Up Check-in signage. Located in the California Ballroom Foyer.
8AM - 9AM - Morning Welcome Kickoff - More Details to Come!
9AM-4PM Industry Expo presented by United Airlines - (Expo Hall CLOSED from 12:00pm until 1:30pm for Lunch and Keynote Speaker) NGPA is pleased to present the 2025 NGPA Industry Expo Presented by United Airlines, which will be held Thursday, Feb 13 - Friday, Feb 14, 2025, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Exhibitor booths, hiring events, guest speakers and educational seminars for general aviation, business/corporate, and commercial pilots are in the lineup of events. Located in the Convention Center Oasis 3&4.
9:15AM - 10:15 AM - Unleaded Avgas is Coming: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - Join the GA Committee and Paul Millner as they talk about the development of Unleaded Avgas. Paul is a retired Chevron fuels planning manager who has been working on unleaded avgas over 20 years, and more recently has consulted for the FAA, AOPA, and two independent unleaded avgas developers. He’ll give a brief overview of the twisty history of unleaded avgas development, an update on the status of the three remaining contenders, and his interpretation of what it all means to each of us as pilots and/or aircraft owners. Located on the Symposium Stage.
9:15AM - 10:15 AM - Wing's Drone Delivery System -- Facts vs Fiction - Join Martin Gomez, Wing's CTO, as he shares how Wing is putting aviation to work for communities like yours. Discover how drones and traditional aircraft can safely co-exist, learn about the latest advancements in drone delivery technology, and explore the challenges and opportunities facing this rapidly growing industry. Whether you're a seasoned aviation enthusiast or simply curious about the future of flight, this session is sure to inspire and inform. Located in the Mojave Learning Center.
9:30AM - 10:30AM - Transgender and Non Binary Social - Join the NGPA Transgender and Non-Binary Committee for coffee, muffins, and meaningful connection! This is a great opportunity to meet the committee, learn more about their mission, and build community. Located in the Andreas Room.
10:15AM - 11AM - Inclusion in the Flight Deck - Enhancing Safety and Outcomes - Join ALPA for this engaging fire side chat to discuss the importance of inclusion in the flight deck and its integral role in Crew Resource Management, Safety, and outcomes for the safety of flight. Located in the Industry Briefing Spaces.
10:30AM - 11:30AM - Avoiding the FAA Denial - Beginning March 1, 2025, the FAA plans to deny medical applications that lack sufficient information to establish certification eligibility. Even with significant medical issues, savvy pilots can avoid that. Former military pilots applying for VA benefits have a special set of concerns. Learn how the FAA medical certification system works to avoid unnecessary gaps in your medical certification. Located on the Symposium Stage.
10:30AM - 11:30AM - Cleared for Change: Advocating for LGBTQ+ Pilot Mental Health - LGBTQ+ pilots face complex life stressors, including minority stress from often concealing their identities in a traditionally conservative aviation culture. This stress is compounded by the isolation of not being able to seek mental health care due to industry-wide fears of stigma and professional repercussions. Many LGBT+ pilots also navigate unique health needs, such as gender-affirming care and HIV management, which intersect with the strict requirements of aviation medical certification. This presentation highlights the critical role of advocacy in addressing these challenges, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies, systemic reforms, equitable access to care, and competent mental health support. Together, we can champion change and foster a more supportive aviation culture where all pilots can thrive. Located in the Mojave Learning Center
12PM-1:30PM Keynote Luncheon - Flying Out: Flying from Small Town Farm Kid to General Officer - Join the NGPA for an inspiring Thursday Luncheon and Keynote featuring Brigadier General James Hawthorne of NORAD. Hear his remarkable story of perseverance and determination, from a young boy growing up on a farm to becoming a General Officer. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain unique insights into leadership, resilience, and service from one of the world's finest. Located in the California Grand Ballroom.
1:45PM - 4PM - A Pre-Flight to Aviation Leadership - “Leadership is a practice, not a position.” People take their emotional cues from the leader and in today’s diverse aviation industry, demands are more than expertise; it requires connecting emotionally and empathetically to truly inspire and influence your team. Join this dynamic, peer-to-peer discussion to expand your thinking and broaden your perspective into effective aviation leadership characteristics, ethics, and communication styles. Aviation accidents demonstrate the best or the worst of leadership. These skills apply in any environment where change is sudden or unexpected. After all, your success as a leader is based on your crew’s success, right? Located in the Mojave Learning Center.
1:45PM - 2PM - United Pilot Hiring Update - In this session, interested applicants can learn how to apply to United, what can make them a competitive applicant, and what life is like as United Airlines pilot. Located in the Industry Briefing Spaces.
4PM - 5PM - New Member Social - New to NGPA? We’re excited to welcome you! Join us for the New Member Social and connect with fellow members, make new friends, and learn more about the amazing NGPA community. It’s the perfect way to kick off your journey with us—we can’t wait to meet you! Located on the Date Restaurant Terrace.
6PM-9PM Thursday Evening Twilight Palms Social – Hosted on the East Lawn of the Convention Center, join NGPA for the official Winter Warm-Up kickoff party with music and drinks.
Friday, Feb 14
7AM - 8AM - Student Member Breakfast - Student members attending Winter Warm Up are encouraged to gather with their fellow student members for a breakfast and social! You must be a registered student member to attend the breakfast. Located in the San Jacinto/Santa Rosa Room.
8AM – 3PM Express Check-in and Registration – Courtesy of Envoy Airlines, Avoid the lines at events by picking up your badge during the express registration time slots. Check-in tables will be open in the Palm Springs Convention Center. Look for the Winter Warm-Up Check-in signage. Located in the California Grand Ballroom Foyer.
8AM-1PM Industry Expo presented by United Airlines - NGPA is pleased to present the 2025 NGPA Industry Expo Presented by United Airlines, which will be held Thursday, Feb 13 - Friday, Feb 14, 2025, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Exhibitor booths, hiring events, guest speakers and educational seminars for general aviation, business/corporate, and commercial pilots are in the lineup of events. Located in the Convention Center Oasis 3&4.
8AM - 8:45AM - United Pilot Hiring Update - In this session, interested applicants can learn how to apply to United, what can make them a competitive applicant, and what life is like as United Airlines pilot. Located in the Industry Briefing Spaces.
9:15AM - 10:15AM - Retiree Social - Retirees, come connect and celebrate with us! Join the NGPA for a Retiree Social, where you can catch up with old friends, make new ones, and share stories from your journey. We look forward to honoring your legacy and enjoying this special time together! Located in the Presidential Suite.
9:15AM - 10:15AM - Pilot Mental Health Update with NGPA Cares - Join Reini Thijssen, Lead Mental Health Counselor for NGPA Cares, for an informative update on the latest changes and advancements in pilot mental health. Reini will provide a comprehensive overview of the NGPA Cares program, highlighting its key services designed to support aviation professionals. The session will also cover recent improvements in pilot mental health policies from the FAA, including updates on medical certification processes and mental health-related regulations. Reini will also be hosting a live Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a meaningful dialogue about mental health challenges, coping strategies, and available support within the aviation community. Located on the Symposium Stage.
9:15AM - 10:15AM - Leveraging Data to Empower Pilots & Streamline Career Progression - In today’s evolving aviation industry, pilots face both challenges and opportunities as they navigate their careers amidst shifting hiring trends, training bottlenecks, and a wave of retirements. This session explores how data-driven tools can empower pilots like you to make smarter, more informed career decisions while streamlining the journey to your next role on the flight deck. Speakers Jeremy Lewis (Flight Schedule Pro / LogTen Pro) and Tyler Tenbrink (Piedmont Airlines) will highlight key industry insights, including the current state of the pilot job market, the impact of retirements, and the inefficiencies in traditional recruitment methods. Attendees will learn how leveraging logbook data, AI-driven job matching, and predictive analytics can optimize career planning while simplifying the hiring process for both pilots and airlines. The session will close with an engaging Q&A, actionable career tips, and an exclusive invitation to explore the beta version of innovative career tools designed to connect pilots with the right opportunities. Located in the Mojave Learning Center.
10:30AM - 11:30AM - Ascend Mentorship Program: New Engagement & Rewards - Join us for an engaging session on the Ascend Mentorship Program, where we’ll share how NGPA is enhancing mentor-mentee connections through the Qooper platform. Learn about new incentives designed to encourage participation, track progress, and reward mentees and mentors for their engagement. Whether you're already part of the program or looking to get involved, this session will provide an overview of how to connect, set goals, and make the most of your mentorship experience. All while earning exciting rewards! Located on the symposium stage!
10:30AM - 11:30AM - Data Driven Diagnosis - Mike Busch and Colleen Sterling of SavvyAviation will discuss using engine monitor data to diagnose engine issues using several real-world examples. Located in the Mojave Learning Center.
11:45AM - 12:45PM - Fly Puppies - The Future Service Dogs of Canine Companions! - Join Anne-Marie Daniels, Canine Travel Supervisor at Canine Companions, and Peter LaSalle, NGPA GA Committee Chairman, to learn how you can support this wonderful cause. Canine Companions is a 50-year-old organization which provides highly trained service dogs at no charge to veterans and others who need a 'helping paw' to enhance their quality of life. Join their Aviation Partners program to volunteer for any of the 400+ flights per year transporting young pups in all parts of the US. It's a great excuse to fly and likely claim a tax deduction at the same time! Located on the Symposium Stage.
12PM - 1PM From the Flight Deck to the Helipad: Navigating Military to Civilian Helicopter Employment - Join NGPA’s Vertical Aviation Committee for a workshop for military helicopter pilots seeking civilian helicopter employment. Geared for current military pilots within 2 years separation/retirement desiring a piloting career within civil rotary-wing aviation. Highlights include logbook reconciliation, HAA industry overview, civilian resume review, and on the job “best practices”. Located in the Mojave Learning Center.
1:30PM-3PM Annual Meeting of Members – Join NGPA leadership to learn about the current state of the NGPA, where the organization is going, and how far it has come. Located in the California Grand Ballroom.
3PM - 4PM Friends of Bill W. and Supporters - We welcome our Friends of Bill W. Identifying attendees and their supporters to join us in the Andreas meeting room at the Renaissance Hotel.
5:30 PM Transportation to the Palm Springs Air Museum Begins - Transportation will run round trip until the evening reception ends. Located Outside the Front Lobby of the Renaissance Hotel.
6PM-9PM Palm Springs Air Museum Reception – Home to one of the largest collections of flyable WWII aircraft, we’ll use the dramatic backdrop of the Palm Springs Air Museum to kick off the 2025 NGPA Palm Springs Winter Warm-Up . This event is a great opportunity to reconnect, aside vintage aircraft, with old friends and new. Located at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
