PRBAA to Host "Innovation in Hard Times" Aviation Meet & Greet

A conversation with Captain Carlos Benitez on navigating aviation's next chapter

On October 29, 2026, the Puerto Rico Business Aviation Association will bring together pilots, mechanics, flight-department leaders, and aviation professionals from across the island for an evening of dialogue, connection, and forward-looking conversation at The Flight Park, Terminal E — Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

Titled "Innovation in Hard Times," the meet-and-greet pairs a keynote by Captain Carlos Benitez with a moderated community forum exploring how Puerto Rico's aviation community can keep moving forward in a period of economic pressure, workforce shortages, and shifting operational demands.

The purpose behind the evening

Aviation in Puerto Rico sits at a crossroads. Rising operating costs, a tightening pipeline of pilots and A&P mechanics, and the seasonal realities of Caribbean flying have put real pressure on the operators, FBOs, and flight departments that keep the island connected to the mainland and the region. PRBAA created this gathering to do something those pressures rarely allow: pause, gather, and talk honestly about what comes next.

"Innovation in Hard Times" is built on a simple idea — that the most useful solutions in a tough climate rarely come from the top down. They come from the people doing the work. The event gives the community a space to share what they are seeing on the ramp, in the cockpit, and in the boardroom, and to surface the practical, entrepreneurial ideas that keep operations safe, efficient, and growing.

What to expect

• Keynote by Captain Carlos Benitez — a veteran perspective on leading through complexity and finding opportunity when margins are thin.
• Moderated community forum — an open discussion on innovation, resilience, and the priorities that matter most to Puerto Rico aviation right now.
• Industry networking — time to connect with peers, partners, and the next generation of aviation professionals before and after the program.

Event details

• Date: October 29, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Location: The Flight Park, Terminal E — Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Carolina, PR
• Format: Keynote, moderated forum, and networking

Who should attend

The evening is open to the full PRBAA community — pilots and mechanics, flight-department managers and dispatchers, FBO and ground-service partners, students and scholarship recipients, and anyone whose work touches aviation in Puerto Rico. Whether you operate a Part 135 charter, manage a corporate flight department, or are just beginning a career in aviation, the conversation is built for you.

Join us

Innovation thrives when a community shows up for it. Reserve your seat and be part of the conversation shaping the next chapter of Puerto Rico aviation.