The 14th annual European Business Aviation Convention Exhibition (EBACE), held recently at Geneva’s Palexpo conference centre and Geneva International Airport, “will be remembered as one of our strongest shows to date,” said European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) CEO Fabio Gamba. EBACE is jointly hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). In fact, all of the show metrics were up year-over-year: attendance rose seven per cent, to more than 13,200. At 320, the number of exhibitors was up eight per cent, exhibit space sold climbed four per cent and the static display area which hosted 55 aircraft, was sold out. “We are very pleased that all indicators were up this year,” noted NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, “and that EBACE continues to demonstrate its value as a premier venue for companies in the industry to give aviation decision-makers a first-hand look at their products and services.”

Said Gamba, “We are delighted with the level of business done and with the excitement that characterised the event, not to mention all of the positive feedback we have received from exhibitors and attendees alike. Given the beautiful weather, the new single, contiguous exhibit floor layout and the enthusiasm among show participants, we had a great EBACE.” The organisers announced that next year’s EBACE will return to Palexpo and Geneva International Airport from May 19 to 21.

Key Launches

Enthused by market sentiments, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) chose EBACE to launch their new products/projects. Swiss company Pilatus which had unveiled the PC-24 at last year’s show, this year opened the show with booking 75 aircraft as the company plans for an official rollout of the aircraft on August 1. And by the end of the show it had notched up another nine sales, taking the production slots through 2019.

Dassault Unveils Falcon 8X

Dassault Aviation unveiled its top-of-the-range Falcon 8X, a lengthened and longer-range derivative of its Falcon 7X, as well as showing off a cabin of the eagerly awaited super-midsize Falcon 5X. The Falcon 8X will offer a range of 6,450 nm and will feature the longest cabin of any Falcon. Moreover, it will offer the same low operating economics and the remarkable operating flexibility for which all Falcons are known, Dassault announced.

“The Falcon 8X will be our new flagship and a great complement to our product line,” announced Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO, Eric Trappier. “It builds on Dassault expertise in aerodynamics, in precision design and manufacturing and in advanced digital flight controls. It embodies the best of Falcons that have come before with the most capability of any Falcon ever.”“With two new aircraft, the 5X and 8X under development, Dassault will now be able to offer a family of six jets designed to meet the widest possible range of operator needs at the upper end of the business jet spectrum,” added Trappier.

With eight passengers and three crew, the Falcon 8X will be capable of flying 6,450 nm non-stop at Mach 0.8. It will be powered by an improved version of the Pratt and Whitney Canada PW307 engine that equips the Falcon 7X. Combined with improvements to wing design, the new power plant will make the 8X up to 35 per cent more fuel efficient than any other aircraft in the ultra long-range segment, providing corresponding savings in operating costs.

The Falcon 8X will be equipped with a totally redesigned cockpit modelled after the Falcon 5X. It will feature a new generation of the EASy flight deck equipped with a head-up display that combines synthetic and enhanced vision and offer a dual HUD capability. First flight is expected early 2015 with certification in the middle of 2016 and initial deliveries before the end of 2016.

“The Falcon 8X will be the longest cabin of any Falcon. But, more importantly, it will feature the highest level of customisation of any large cabin business jet on the market,” said Trappier. Like the Falcon 7X, the Falcon 8X will be capable of approaches up to six degrees, allowing it to serve challenging airports such as London City Airport; Aspen, Colorado; La Mole (Saint-Tropez), France and Saanen (Gstaad), Switzerland that are normally not accessible to most large cabin aircraft.

Bombardier’s Global 7000 Mock-up

Stealing the show too was Bombardier’s mock-up of the ultra longrange Global 7000 fuselage. Bombardier claimed it to be the largest business jet mock-up ever made, with a length of 111 feet. Global 7000 is scheduled for entry into service in 2016.

The impressive full-size mock-up showcases the aircraft’s unparalleled spaciousness, luxury and comfort. With its four distinct living spaces, including a private stateroom, the Global 7000 business jet will allow passengers to work, eat, sleep and relax in a comfortable environment. This aircraft also features the largest total window area, allowing for more natural light inside the cabin and state-of-the-art Bombardier Visionflight deck.

“We are extremely proud to present the mock-up of the Global 7000 aircraft here at EBACE, an event that gathers the world’s key players in business aviation. The new Global 7000 business jet’s breakthrough design illustrates how Bombardier is well ahead of the curve when it comes to offering the ultimate level of comfort,” said Eric Martel, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “This aircraft is the first business jet to offer a true four-zone cabin to satisfy the increasing travel needs of customers and will offer the most comfortable long-flight experience to passengers and crew,” he added.

Launched in 2010 and set to enter into service in 2016 and 2017 respectively, the Global 7000 and Global 8000 business jets exemplify Bombardier’s visionary thinking. They will have the ability to reach more destinations non-stop than ever before, delivering unprecedented levels of performance, flexibility and comfort.

Beechcraft, Hawker and Cessna Under One Umbrella

The strong brands of the Textron Aviation segment of Textron Inc—Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker, got together for the first time publicly at EBACE with a display of nine aircraft. The companies’ strength in the region is reflected in analysis of JetNet data that shows that in the past decade, Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker have delivered more than 1,400 new business aircraft in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“EBACE is the perfect venue for us to debut our strength as a unified company. Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker products have done very well individually in the EMEA marketplaces and we have high expectations for our united efforts,” said Kriya Shortt, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing.“Combined, our products make up the region’s largest business aviation fleet and we offer the largest service centre network across the world.”

The Citation M2 light jet and Citation Sovereign+ midsize jet, made their EBACE debuts after entering service in the late 2013. Both aircraft achieved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification and began customer deliveries in December. Cessna has sold both models to customers in Europe and is currently working with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on certification. Textron also exhibited Cessna’s Grand Caravan EX, Citation CJ4 and Citation XLS+ and Beechcraft’s Baron G58, King Air C90GTx, King Air 250 and Special Mission King Air 350ER.

Gulfstream Showcases G650ER

Gulfstream lifted the lid on the G650ER, an extended-range version of the company’s flagship G650 that will be available from early next year. With a range of 7,500 nm, the G650ER becomes the longest-legged business aircraft in the world.

The Gulfstream G650ER can fly 500 nautical miles further than the original Gulfstream G650, a total range of 6,400 nm at Mach 0.9 and 7,500 nm at Mach 0.85, which has shifted 65 units to date since Steve Wynn took delivery of the first G650 in December 2012. Reports indicate that the Gulfstream G650ER will cost $66.5 million for a new aircraft or an additional $2 million for existing order holders and customers already operating the G650 to upgrade.

Embraer’s Product Enhancements

With due certification of its midsize Legacy 500 and mid-light Legacy 450, the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer presented enhancements to its product line. The Legacy 500, which appeared with a full interior for the first time at this year’s show, is slated for deliveries this year while Legacy 450 is slated to enter service in 2015. “We are thrilled to return to EBACE with the Legacy 500, now complete with its new interior, which redefines the midsize category,” said Marco Tulio Pellegrini, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets.

Embraer highlighted upgrades to the entry-level and light-jet Phenom family, the smaller of which now comes standard with multi-function spoilers that act as speed brakes to increase the descent rate and as spoilers to decrease landing roll. The Phenom 100 is also now available with a choice of up to 11 new interior themes. Another upgrade replaces the fixed club seating in the cabin with three moving chairs while an optional refreshment centre is now offered in lieu of the standard wardrobe.

Deliveries have also begun of the Phenom 300 equipped with the touch-screen version of Garmin’s Prodigy flight deck. In the large and super-midsize categories, Embraer presented new cabin upgrades for the Legacy 600/650 primarily centred on a redesigned galley with more storage space, restyled seating and new flooring featuring a layer of natural stone. The interior also includes Honeywell’s Ovation Select digital cabin management system with surround sound, high-definition monitors and seatmounted media docks to plug in iPods and iPhones. The Ovation is also available with an iPad that can be configured for specific aircraft to wirelessly control the cabin management system.

Airbus Elegance

Airbus’ ACJ-319 has the most capable cabin of any corporate jet and this was exhibited at EBACE, allowing visitors to see for themselves how more people can fly in greater comfort, with more freedom of movement. The Airbus ACJ-319 on display operated by K5 Aviation, has seating for 19 passengers in a cabin with several lounges, including one that converts to a bedroom with ensuite bathroom.

“We’re in the business of giving wings to our customers’ lifestyles, which the more capable cabins of the Airbus ACJ-320 Family are better at doing than any other business jet” declared Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy. “This frees customers to do more in the air, whether it’s taking care of business, spending time with family and friends or representing their country,” he added.

Airbus has long offered fully customisable cabins in its corporate jets, and is now also offering a new version, the ACJ319 Elegance, which offers a modular approach that delivers simplicity, speed and savings, while preserving the element of choice. Airbus has sold over 170 corporate jets to date and these aircraft are flying on every continent, highlighting their versatility.

Airbus Helicopters exhibited the Hermès luxury version of its EC-135, and is soliciting new possibilities for customisation.

Boeing’s Panoramic Window

Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), in cooperation with Fokker Services, launched the panoramic window concept for the BBJ MAX series. The panoramic window is a custom modification to the fuselage of the aircraft similar to a cargo door conversion, which, once completed, gives a continuous window pane with a total diameter of 54.5 inches. This modification is available for all BBJ MAX aircraft.

Final Word

Besides airframers, several companies found EBACE eventful. Rockwell Collins unveiled two key cabin systems programmes at EBACE, including expansion of the capabilities of the Tailwind 550 Direct Broadcast Satellite TV system and introduction of a Venue HD (high-definition) retrofit for Bombardier Globals. The two successive business aviation events—ABACE in China and EBACE in Switzerland—have had positive impact on market sentiments in the recent past.