The 65th Annual Meeting and Convention of NBAA went off well despite the devastating Hurricane Sandy. It offered a new study showing that even during the worst economic times, companies that relied on business aviation outperformed in important measures of shareholder value and recovered from the recession more quickly than their peers.

Organisers of the 65th Annual Meeting and Convention of National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 2012 are cheerful. Hurricane Sandy which brought great devastations, on the contrary, failed to wreak havoc at the convention. Despite cancellation of several flights and recession in Europe, the business aviation community seemed upbeat. Wrapping up the third and final day of the Convention, President and CEO of NBAA Ed Bolen termed it as “a very good show”.

“Attendees and exhibitors at this year’s show have told us that it was a very strong event, despite its timing alongside Hurricane Sandy’s landfall on the East Coast, and a temporary flight restriction for the Orlando area late on October 30 evening and November 1, 2012 morning before the show. We’re delighted that, especially given those challenges, Convention participants reported strong traffic on the exhibit floor and at the aircraft static displays, along with a high level of enthusiasm among attendees.”

The show held at Orlando, Florida, dedicated to the legacy of American hero Neil Armstrong, was attended by 25,150 people from 87 countries, as compared to 26,077 in 2011 and 24,206 in 2010. There were 1,073 exhibitors at the Orange County Convention Centre; booth spaces totalled to 4,361. A total of 105 aircraft were shown on two separate static displays and an additional four aircraft were shown inside the convention centre.

Business Aviation the way out

It may sound surprising to sceptics, but a new study has pointed out that companies not using business aviation during the recession lost profitability and employees. The NBAA presented a new study showing that even during the worst economic times since the Great Depression; companies that relied on business aviation outperformed the field in important measures of shareholder value and recovered from the recession more quickly than their peers across a range of industries representing the United States economy.

The study, “Business Aviation: Maintaining Shareholder Value Through Turbulent Times,” is the fourth in the Business Aviation Users study series to be completed by NEXA Advisors, LLC. The study commissioned by NBAA in conjunction with the “No Plane No Gain” advocacy campaign, educated policymakers and opinion leaders about the value of business aviation to citizens, companies, and communities across the United States. The campaign, jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, concluded that companies that use business aviation achieved superior financial performance in a number of key measures and also displayed superior ability to respond to the severe downturn.

On the Show

Embraer Executive Jets displayed a complete Legacy 450 cabin and cockpit for the first time at the Convention in Orlando. While the mock-up was at Embraer Executive Jet’s booth at the convention centre, the company’s entire portfolio of in-production business aircraft was on static display at Orlando Executive Airport. In addition to the entry-level Phenom 100 and light Phenom 300, the large Legacy 650 and the ultra-large Lineage 1000, Embraer Executive Jets also showcased a pre-flown, super-midsize Legacy 600.

Piper Aircraft Inc. exhibited the single-engine M-Class business aircraft and a twin-engine Seneca V. In addition to the M-Class turboprop Meridian and piston-powered M-Class Mirage, the company displayed a cabin and cockpit mockup of the top-of-the-line Meridian turboprop which incorporates the latest in interior design refinements for the 2013 models.

Dassault Falcon launched the Falcon 2000LXS offering improved airport performance, payload and cabin comfort compared to the Falcon 2000LX, which it will replace in 2014. The 4,000 nm Falcon 2000LXS will allow operators to access more airports because of new full-length inboard slats which give the aircraft category-leading airport performance and balanced field length. With full fuel, the Falcon 2000LXS will have a payload of 1,000 kg; a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 19,500 kg with a balanced field length of 4,675 feet, which is over 1,000 feet better than some aircraft in its category.

Sikorsky entered the convention with the long-awaited S-76D type certification finally achieved. The latest version of the S-76 series adds the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S turboshaft engine, Thales integrated avionics and all-composite and flaw-tolerant main rotor blades. The company expects to deliver 10 S-76Ds by the end of the year, and then rise quickly to full-rate production in 2013.

An Airbus ACJ319 highlighting how more space and comfort are available within a similar external footprint to that of traditional biz jets could be seen at the show. Operated by Comlux on VVIP charters, the Airbus ACJ319 entered service earlier this year, and was shown at NBAA for the first time. Derived from the world’s most modern aircraft family, the Airbus ACJ319 has extra features, such as additional fuel tanks in its cargo-hold, delivering intercontinental range, as well as the ability to fly nonstop throughout North America and one-stop to most of the world.

Flexjet, the first fractional jet ownership company to offer shares on the all-new Learjet 85 aircraft, and business aircraft manufacturer Bombardier were at Orlando spotlighting the mock-up at a special event.

Hawker Beechcraft signed orders for nine aircraft—one King Air 350i, two King Air 250s, two King Air C90GTx, and four Baron G58s—worth more than $34 million ( Rs. 170 crore). The orders were placed by four Beechcraft distributors in Latin America–Aerolineas in Mexico; Aviaservice in Colombia, Caribbean and Venezuela; Aviasur in Chile; and Beechcraft de Guatemala. Business aircraft financier AirFinance is providing funding for the orders. Deliveries will begin in the second quarter and conclude by the end of next year.