With the pandemic bringing the world to a halt, it had made everyone duly realise the importance and the need for innovation as the model to sustain themselves irrespective of what they do. In a panel discussion on The Future of Flight: How Digital Solutions are Transforming the User Experience,” moderated by NBAA Western Regional Representative Phil Derner, panelists stated that aircraft connectivity is powering innovations for new levels of efficiency and safety and predictive analytics could also improve passenger service and reduce emissions.

“People want the same connectivity experience in the aircraft as they have at home, whether it’s surfing the Internet or communicating with their team members. It has to be seamless and reliable,” said Thomas Sterling, Director of Business Aviation Digital Solutions and Information Management Services at Collins Aerospace.

“I don’t have any doubt in my mind that were creating technological innovations faster than ever and when our customers are ready to leverage them as they get back to normal flight operations, they will be incredibly impressed with what’s been accomplished,” said Scott Uhlir, Associate Director of Digital Strategy for Collins Aerospace Avionics.

Scott Uhlir, Associate Director of Digital Strategy for Collins Aerospace Avionics remarked, “With connectivity systems in place, aviation can analyse flight data to power new predictive technologies. The use of data is moving us from reporting on what has happened to where we can say what is happening now. Very soon, the industry will move beyond that to prediction, helping users to make more effective decisions.”

Predictive technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, could soon enable the industry to create a “digital twin” of an aircraft for maintenance and diagnostics, added Daniel Baker, founder and CEO of FlightAware. “People think about connectivity largely as taking content from the ground and delivering to the airplane. And yet, taking the data from the avionics and sending it down to the ground allows us to solve great problems through predictive diagnostics. With this technology, we can increase efficiencies across the board, and reduce costs, carbon emissions and noise emissions,” Baker noted.

The panelists also recognized that connectivity also has helped the industry adapt to the adversities of COVID-19 by enabling online partnerships to solidify business aviation’s future.

“I don’t have any doubt in my mind that were creating technological innovations faster than ever and when our customers are ready to leverage them as they get back to normal flight operations, they will be incredibly impressed with what’s been accomplished,” said Uhlir.

VBACE concludes on an exemplary success

The event in itself was a standing testimony to innovation, technical advancement and adaptation as a way to move forward with times. The NBAA stated that the first-of-its-kind VBACE exceeded expectations for bringing people together in a busy digital marketplace, setting the stage for major announcements, presenting inspiring speakers and providing access to the best thinkers for innovating during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

“VBACE demonstrated that our industry is relentless in the face of formidable challenges. We are stronger together, and we are always moving forward. Clearly, VBACE was more than just a connection opportunity: it was a new kind of industry catalyst,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

Bolen also stated some examples to add value to the success of VBACE. “The 3-D VBACE exhibit floor featured a who’s who of OEMs, fuel providers, flight and mission planners, avionics firms and other leading companies. Many exhibitors deftly leveraged the VBACE platform for headline-driving announcements, which were thoroughly covered by news organizations. View a sampling of VBACE exhibitor press announcements,” Bolen added.

“VBACE demonstrated that our industry is relentless in the face of formidable challenges. We are stronger together, and we are always moving forward. Clearly, VBACE was more than just a connection opportunity: it was a new kind of industry catalyst,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

He also mentioned that thousands of attendees were part of the event, including those active in aircraft type clubs, maintenance firms, safety-advocacy groups, regional business aviation associations, groups focused on diversity and inclusion, sustainability stakeholders and other aviation-based organizations. “Show-goers gave high marks for the new capabilities offered as part of the event, including virtual, bottomless backpacks.Dedicated VBACE chat rooms and coffee chats invited a new kind of peer-to-peer engagement, with hundreds of industry professionals sharing perspectives through energized, online exchanges.”

While VBACE education sessions and new Thought Leadership sessions were a big draw, providing access to innovators in the fields of safety, sustainability, technological innovation, ever-changing international requirements, strategies for promoting workforce diversity and more.

He also pointed out that dedicated Professional Member happy hours drew hundreds of registrants to mingle and be entertained by celebrity guests Dave Coulier, Pilot, Comedian, and Actor from TV’s Full House; and performances by Grammy award-winning songwriter of “Eye of the Tiger,” Jim Peterik of The Ides of March, formerly of Survivor and Cathy Richardson, lead singer of Jefferson Starship.

“NBAA is energized by the excitement and enthusiasm for the new ways VBACE provided for doing business, building relationships, bettering ourselves as professionals and working together to chart a course for the future,” Bolen concluded.