The National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) 2015 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition was once again a resounding success for attendees and exhibitors alike. “This year’s show was enormously successful,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “In addition to the strong participation from exhibitors and attendees alike, our industry’s largest event once again showcased the size and significance of the business aviation community, as well as the passion and professionalism of its people.”

NBAA’s 2015 convention, which took place from November 17 to 19, featured over 1,100 exhibitors in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and more than 27,000 attendees. Additionally, about 100 aircraft were displayed in several locations – at a sold-out static display at Henderson Executive Airport, at an indoor display inside the convention centre and at various exhibitor booths on the convention hall floor. Attendees from the show represented all 50 US states, and 96 countries.

“NBAA’s 2015 convention was a memorable event that showcased our industry’s vitality and relevance,” Bolen said. “We were thrilled by the enthusiasm and activity that marked each of the show’s three days, and we are already looking forward to next year’s convention in Orlando, Florida, from November 1 to 3, 2016.”

Survey confirms business aviation used by small and medium-size companies

The NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the results of survey conducted by Harris Poll that reconfirms that business aviation is utilised mainly by small and medium-size companies that typically fly turboprops or small jets to maximise employee efficiency and productivity while providing travel schedule flexibility. The poll also confirmed that a broad mix of employees – not primarily top executives – fly on business aircraft, which usually travel to community airports that have little or no scheduled airline service.

The survey indicated:

• Most companies using business aviation are small companies.
• Most companies using business aviation have only one airplane.
• More than half of the turbine-powered business airplanes flying today are turboprops or smaller jets.
• Many business aircraft are largely flown to towns with little or no airline service.
• A primary driver of business aircraft use is scheduling flexibility.
• Business aviation missions often involve multiple destinations.
• Companies use both business aircraft and the airlines as appropriate.
• Top management is on-board business aircraft less than half the time.
• Employees use their time on company aircraft to be highly effective and productive.
• Many business airplanes are used to fly humanitarian missions.
• An increasing number of companies are using business aircraft to fly internationally.

“Companies and organisations at all levels continue to recognise and rely on the immense benefits that only general aviation can offer,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “From helping small businesses grow to allowing aid organisations to get supplies quickly to those who need it most in times of natural disasters and medical emergencies, general aviation aircraft are essential tools, as this study demonstrates.”

During NBAA 2015, Flexjet has placed a firm order for 20 of Aerion’s AS2 aircraft, which will be the first commercially available supersonic business jet. Flexjet becomes the inaugural fleet purchaser of the AS2 from Aerion.

The Aerion AS2 business jet has a top speed of Mach 1.5, which is 67 per cent faster than the top cruise speeds of current or anticipated long-range subsonic jets. Carrying eight to12 passengers, the AS2 has an intercontinental-capable range of 4,750 nautical miles at supersonic speed, saving three hours across the Atlantic versus subsonic aircraft and more than six hours on longer trans-Pacific routes. The three-engine jet, now under development by Aerion in collaboration with Airbus Group, will make its first flight in 2021 and enter service in 2023.