Las Vegas is the Mecca of gambling, where winning or losing is all by chance. It is here that the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) held its 66th annual convention and meeting and the refrain was that one could safely bet on the future of business aviation. In the opening session, the former Secretary of the US Treasury, John Snow referred to the ‘betting proposition’. He said, “They say what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. I hope that [our] story doesn’t stay here, but is propelled across the country and across the world, because business aviation is a driving force for productivity, competitiveness and innovation in the American economy.”

And the fact that the industry is rebounding from the great recession of 2008-09 is something to cheer about. Another statistic which is comforting is that as per Fortune magazine, business aircraft are utilised by 98 per cent of the top 50 “World’s Most Admired Companies” as well as 88 per cent of the publication’s “Global 500” listing of top companies worldwide based on revenues. The study finds that business aviation is a valuable tool not only for companies based in the United States, but also for enterprises around the world.

The study titled “Business Aviation and the World’s Top Performing Companies” was unveiled by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen during the ‘No Plane No Gain Media Kickoff Breakfast’ campaign during the convention.

Endorsing the value of business aviation, the business aviation community converged on Las Vegas to find ways and means of getting back fully on track. Bolen said: “Any way you look at it, this year’s show was a success. The energy and enthusiasm among exhibitors and attendees has demonstrated once again the tremendous value the industry continues to place on this event as a premier national and international business aviation venue.”

Bolen noted: “Times were tough for our industry, but through it all the people in our industry continued to invest in new products, they continued to invest in the future. We never ate the seed corn. And today, we’re seeing all of that investment coming to fruition.”

NBAA 2013, which took place from October 22-24, featured a packed show floor, with about 1,100 exhibitors displaying the latest products and services in two exhibit halls. A sold-out static display of aircraft at Henderson Executive Airport featured 83 fixed-wing aircraft of all types and sizes, while an all-new indoor static display of aircraft at the Las Vegas Convention Centre featured 12 more light business airplanes and helicopters. The show closed with 25,425 people in attendance, which included representation from all the 50 US states and more than 90 countries. Business aircraft manufacturers were gung-ho about the rebound and were at hand to give details of their offerings.

Falcon 5X – Show Stopper

Dassault Aviation unveiled the Falcon 5X, an all-new twinjet with the largest cross section and the most advanced fly-by-wire flight control system in business aviation. “With the Falcon 5X, Dassault has expanded the limits of what is possible in a business jet,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

“This new aircraft will offer an incredibly spacious and comfortable cabin with handling qualities and airport performance unmatched by any other large business jet. And this, while maintaining the traditional hallmarks of high performance, industry leading efficiency and robust design that have come to define the Dassault Falcon brand over the past 50 years.”

With eight passengers, the Falcon 5X will have a range of 5,200 nm at Mach 0.8. It will be powered by brand-new, innovative 11,450-lb thrust Snecma Silvercrest engines—the most efficient power plant in business aviation. The combination of sophisticated aerodynamics and ultra-efficient engines will permit the Falcon 5X to be as much as 50 per cent more fuel efficient than competitors’ aircraft, with corresponding savings in operating economy.

The Falcon 5X is expected to have a balanced field length of about 5,250 feet/1,600 metres (MTOW, ISA, SL) and an approach speed of about 105 kts at typical landing weight. It will be capable of landing at 95 per cent of its maximum take-off weight, offering an unprecedented degree of flexibility. The Falcon 5X will also feature the newest generation of Dassault’s award winning EASy flight deck. First flight is expected in the first quarter of 2015 with EASA and FAA certifications before the end of 2016.

“When designing the Falcon 5X, we interacted extensively with our customers to determine their cabin needs,” said Eric Trappier. “The industry has moved in a direction of wider cabins, which of course, has allowed Dassault to offer industry leading functionality, space and comfort in the Falcon 5X. One of the measures of an international business jet is how the passenger feels upon arrival. There is simply more space, which will create a better sense of wellbeing for the passengers.”

Embraer Introduces Lineage 1000E

Embraer Executive Jets introduced the Lineage 1000E executive jet, which can carry up to 19 passengers in five cabin zones, and is equipped with an electronic fly-by-wire flight control system.

The Lineage 1000E introduces an array of enhancements that deliver an extended range, enhanced interior features and functionalities, including latest generation in-flight entertainment, enhanced cockpit options and a distinctive exterior design.

“The new Lineage 1000E delivers superior customer experience throughout the aircraft, greater performance and efficiency, as well as enhanced flight deck resources,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets.

The range of the Lineage 1000E, with eight passengers aboard, was extended from 4,400-4,600 nm. This gain also translates into higher payload capacity for the same range and greater fuel efficiency for the same mission and payload.

The enhanced interior design of the Lineage 1000E is reflected in the new seats, electric doors, refreshed galley and cabinetry design, automatic tables, ergonomics and other cabin amenities. The latest generation in entertainment solution is complemented by the improved acoustic comfort of the cabin.

The Lineage 1000E features the Honeywell Ovation Select entertainment and cabin management system, completely digital, controlled either at each seat or wirelessly with an iPad. A fully integrated Media Centre conveniently concentrates multiple media devices and video inputs, such as Blu-Ray players, iPod docks and HDMI or USB ports, and delivers high definition video and 5.1 surround sound on larger, slimmer displays.

Embraer also featured the Legacy 500, a mid-size business aircraft with a range of 3,000 nautical miles with best-in-class six-foot flat-floor cabin, which is wider than some aircraft in the super mid-size category. Eight club seats may be berthed into four beds, and the in-flight entertainment system consists of a high definition video system, surround sound, multiple audio and video input options, a cabin management system, and three options for voice communications and connectivity.

Gulfstream Brings Elite Interiors to the Show

The Gulfstream Elite interior concept that made its debut in the G650 and found its second application in the G450 is now on a G550 which was displayed at the show. Gulfstream has delivered about 30 Elite cabins so far.

However, the talking point at the show was the G650 completing the fastest westbound, around-the-world flight for a non-supersonic aircraft. The ultra-long-range, ultra-large cabin company flagship circled the globe in 41 hours and seven minutes, establishing a world record in the C-1.l aircraft class. The record was officially certified by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in September. The G650, the fastest certified civilian aircraft, recorded an average speed of 568.5 miles per hour (915 kmph) on the journey, claiming 22 city-pair speed records in the process. The G650 now has a total of 38 records since setting its first (Burbank, California to Savannah) in January 2011.

The G650’s 20,310 nm (37,614 km) around-the-world journey started and ended in San Diego, with stops in Guam, Dubai and Cape Verde. Each leg was flown at Mach 0.90, the standard highspeed cruise setting for the aircraft. Five pilots shared crew duties over the four legs of the journey. The G650 offers the longest range, fastest speed, largest cabin and the most advanced cockpit in the Gulfstream fleet. The G650 can travel 7,000 nm (12,964 km) at 0.85 Mach and has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925.

Bombardier Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Learjet

It was a momentous occasion for Bombardier at the show, highlighting the progress it has made on new Learjet programmes, coming in the 50th anniversary of Learjet. Bombardier presented its impressive line-up of business jets, including the Learjet 75, Challenger 300, Challenger 605 and Global 6000 jets, alongside the Learjet 23 aircraft, the first Learjet aircraft. The Challenger 350 and Learjet 85 aircraft cabin mock-ups were on static display.

Its new mid-size Learjet 85 programme is making headway towards its first flight, which is expected before the end of 2013. It’s in the process of delivering the first Learjet 75 and certification and deliveries of the Learjet 70 will follow later this year. Learjet rolled out the eight-passenger Learjet 85, painted white with a red stripe, in Wichita in advance of the show.

Steve Ridolfi, President of Bombardier’s Business Aircraft Division, said that the market is still rather sluggish overall. “It’s been five years since the economy took a steep downturn, and many sectors are still struggling. I don’t think we’re over all the effects of the last few years,” Ridolfi said.

Cessna’s True Airspeed Airplane

Cessna Aircraft President and CEO Scott Ernest said the singleengine, high-performance Cessna TTx will receive a marketing boost with the addition of ten aircraft to the demonstration fleet in an effort to introduce customers to the 235 knots true airspeed airplane. The mid-size Latitude business jet will fly in the first quarter of next year and is “ahead of schedule” for its certification in 2015. The Longitude is doing well in wind tunnel tests, and the Scorpion military jet that could be equipped for surveillance is going to fly well before the end of the year. The single-engine turboprop Grand Caravan EX seems to be attracting attention in the China-Asia market.

Cessna Aircraft inked a deal with Yunnan Ruifeng General Aviation Co. this week at NBAA 2013 that will see Citation Mustangs being flown for charter services in China for the first time. Yunnan Ruifeng is acquiring two Citation Mustangs to operate charter flights in China.

Beechcraft Inks Big Deal

Beechcraft handed over the keys to the first King Air 350i ordered by membership aircraft access provider Wheels Up. The Wheels Up order which is for 105 King Air 350i aircraft, together with aftermarket support, is worth up to $1.4 billion.

Beechcraft had eight propeller-driven aircraft on display at Henderson Executive Airport, representing its full line of pistonengine, turboprop, special-mission and military aircraft, as well as a classic 1943 Staggerwing. In addition to the 350i in Wheels Up livery, the display included three additional King Air variants: the 350ER special-mission demonstrator, plus a King Air 250 and a C90GTX, both civilian aircraft. A twin-engine Baron G58 and single engine G36 represent its piston line, while the singleengine turboprop AT-6 light attack aircraft and T-6 trainer.

Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture reported a 47 per cent increase in aircraft deliveries year till date, with 48 deliveries recorded in the third quarter, including 15 King Air 350i/ERturboprops, 10 T-6A/B/C military trainers and eight Bonanza G36 singleengine pistons.

Jackie Chan, Harrison Ford Stars of the Show

Jackie Chan who is the launch customer of the Legacy 500 executive jet in China, with scheduled delivery for 2015, was at the show. “My Legacy 650 is perfect for long trips, and it has everything I need on board,” said Jackie Chan. “The Legacy 500 is futuristic and I’m anxious to fly in the real aircraft.”

Other celebrities who caught the attention of the attendees included Harrison Ford, the recipient of the Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership, and Bruce Dickson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden. Dickinson is a proud holder of a freshly inked Eclipse 550 type rating. All in all, the show remains iconic. The new NBAA Chairman, Ron Duncan aptly summed up that this show is “the” show. It’s always a fantastic event. For starters, it’s a fantastic experience. It brings the industry together and helps to focus on a common agenda. It’s still the largest of all the business aviation shows in the world and it gets great international attention. It’s just a spectacular event.