As we head to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) – Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition at Orlando, Florida, from October 21 to 23, 2014, the winds of change are bringing cheer in the general aviation industry. There is a definite drift towards positive growth, albeit at a gradual pace. The clear upswing in the deliveries of new jets, particularly for the light and mid-size business jets, is one of the indicators.

According to the General Aviation Manufacturing Association (GAMA), industry-wide deliveries of business jets increased 12.4 per cent year over year in the second quarter of 2014. The number of new jets that are getting delivered has been on the upswing, while sale of used jets has slackened. Teal Group’s Vice President (Analysis), Richard Aboulafia has stated that the decline in used-jet availability means a healthy trend, signs of recovery.

There is a certain commonality in the forecasts by the various experts. The expansion of the business jet market through 2015 and an anticipated surge in 2016 is what they see. Also, the NBAA has released its Light Business Airplane Buyer’s Guide 2014 which shows positive movement. First published in 2009, the publication provides an overview of new light business airplanes (LBAs) currently in production and is a valuable tool in helping business magnates who rely on or are looking to invest in light airplanes. The guide is a convenient, time-saving reference that enables users to make apples-to-apples comparisons of the various types of new light business airplanes all in one place. In assembling the guide, NBAA worked with aircraft manufacturers to provide extensive information about new single and twin-engine piston aircraft, turboprops, very light jets and light jets across eight categories. Data provided includes base prices, external and internal dimensions, weight limits, power plant specifications, operating speeds and take-off and landing distances for new production aircraft or those nearing production.

“NBAA is committed to serving those who rely on light business airplanes to meet their travel needs, as well as those who are considering how to use these airplanes to support their businesses,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s Vice President, Regulatory and International Affairs. “This guide is just one of the many resources that the Association provides to help light business airplane owners and operators run safe, efficient and cost-effective flight operations.” Other NBAA resources for LBA users include NBAA’s LBA flight operations manual template, aircraft transactions checklist, aircraft operating and ownership options website and other online tax, insurance, risk management and safety resources.

The guide is just one of the many initiatives of NBAA. However, it is the NBAA Convention that draws the attention of the business aviation community. The annual mega event of NBAA is taking place from October 21 to 23 at the Orange County Convention Center, with an expansive exhibit floor featuring more than 1,000 exhibiting companies, as well as an indoor light business aircraft static display inside the convention centre and an outdoor static display of aircraft at nearby Orlando Executive Airport.

Awards that Encourage Participation

The NBAA also announced that International Jet Aviation Services of Centennial, Colorado, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation have been named as co-recipients of NBAA’s 2014 Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership. The award will be presented to these organisations on October 21 during the Opening General Session of the 2014 convention. In 1990, International Jet designated the Make-A-Wish Foundation as its official humanitarian organisation. Since then, International Jet has periodically provided children with serious illnesses, identified by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with rides aboard a dedicated Lear business jet, which International Jet paints in a special and inspiring rainbow paint scheme, named “Dream Chaser.”

In January 2014, Dream Chaser 4 operated 10, 40-minute sightseeing flights for more than 50 children across four states, with the plane’s flight crew, fuel and operation provided by International Jet. In addition to experiencing sightseeing flights over their communities, the children were also able to sign the aircraft’s exterior, visit with the flight crews and sit in the aircraft’s pilot seat and become “celebrities for a day” in recorded interviews with Make-A-Wish personnel and International Jet employees.

“We are honoured to present the Al Ueltschi humanitarian award to these organisations in recognition of their effort, which demonstrates one of the most inspiring roles of our industry: to use aircraft for providing many kinds of humanitarian lift – in this case, a kind of support that raises spirits and fulfils dreams,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Thanks to the efforts of International Jet and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, these children were able to briefly leave their concerns on the ground and experience the magic of flight.”

Created in 2006, the Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership is named for Albert L. Ueltschi, who has been widely recognised for his lifetime of dedication to philanthropic causes, most notably in the development of the international non-profit organisation ORBIS, which is dedicated to preventing blindness and saving sight.

It also announced that Robert A. (Bob) Hoover and R.W. (Bill) de Decker will receive NBAA’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award and John P. “Jack” Doswell Award, respectively. Ed Bolen announced that Kathleen Blouin, the Association’s former Senior Vice President of conventions and forums, and William H. “Bill” Stine II, NBAA’s former Director of International Operations, will each receive NBAA’s Pillar of the Association Award, formerly known as the Staff Lifetime Achievement Award.

Safety Issues to the Fore

As regards the Convention this year, Christopher A. Hart, Acting Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the agency, will speak at the Opening General Session . “We welcome acting Chairman Hart to NBAA 2014 and are excited to hear his thoughts and perspectives on safety issues affecting our industry,” said Bolen. “His appearance continues a long tradition of NTSB representatives speaking during the convention, and underscores NBAA’s commitment to aviation safety.”

Besides Hart, the Executive Chairman of Enterprise Holdings Andrew C. Taylor also will discuss the benefits business aviation has brought to his company at the session. As the world’s largest and most important event for the business aviation community, NBAA 2014 offers attendees an unprecedented opportunity to learn about the latest issues affecting the industry. Attendees will have an opportunity to review the latest in business aviation products, technology and services, participate in dozens of education sessions and make side-by-side comparisons of the industry’s most innovative aircraft on static display.

Enthused by 2013 Success

The last edition had attracted over 1,100 exhibitors displaying their 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 50 US states and more than 90 countries.

Last year, the talking point was Dassault Aviation’s 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.

Business jet airframers had many new offerings. 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. While Gulfstream showcased the 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. For Bombardier which was commemorating its 50th anniversary, it had an impressive line-up of business jets, including the Learjet 75, Challenger 300, Challenger 605 and Global 6000 jets, alongside the Learjet 23, the first Learjet aircraft. The Challenger 350 and Learjet 85 cabin mock-ups were on static display.

NBAA is riding high on its 2013 success. Bolen had said: “Any way you look at it, 2013 was a success. The energy and enthusiasm among exhibitors and attendees 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.”