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Business Jet Manufacturers Busy at Dubai Air Show

November 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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The Dubai air show has been busy this year with aerospace companies doing deals behind the scenes for rich and powerful Middle-Easterners with sales for private jets and helicopters.

Demands are high for security, good, robust construction and high performance.

Eric Trappier, Chief Executive of French Dassault Aviation, said that over the next 10 years, “We hope to double our orders in the Middle East where we have strong work and which attracts more and more competitors in the field of business aviation.”

Mr Trappier says that business aviation is rapidly growing in the Middle East, because of the demand for flexibility from customers.

Dassault were there to promote the new range of 5X business jets, originally unveiled in October in Las Vegas, which are expected to enter service in 2017.

American Beechcraft believe the region is a ‘key market’ for business aviation and has a market share of 69% for the turboprop products in the Middle East and 88% in North Africa.

“We do see this is a very strategic market for us and we expect growth over the next five years,” said Richard Emery, President of Sales for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Beechcraft.

Luxurious Flying ApartmentsHe described some of the luxury aircraft as ‘flying apartments.’

Embraer Executive Jets announced a purchase agreement for a Lineage 1000 to Arab Wings.

Style and comfort is a big factor for the purchase of executive jets here in the Middle East.  The analogy of the flying apartment is pretty accurate, but also pretty luxurious, with the incredible designs.

French interiors designer Jacques Pierrejean said “The market has evolved with aircrafts that have changed in size. We are more and more carrying flying apartments.”  His latest project was the design for the interior of an Airbus Corporate Jet for Emirates, who earlier this year launched their VIP charter flights service.

The design is luxurious, with large living room space and mini suites with shower.  The movement towards larger aircraft is a reflection upon the demand for ‘home comforts.’

U.S. Government Shutdown Delays Cost Business Aviation $1.9 Billion

November 19, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Business Aviation Services Affected During ShutdownAccording to a report this month by US Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the delays caused by the recent partial Government shutdown delayed 156 aircraft deliveries, costing Business Aviation $1.9 billion.

The FAA’s aircraft registration was closed for the 16-day duration and they are now working to clear the backlog of delayed registrations.

The shutdown came at a bad time for the aviation industry, with the fourth quarter traditionally being the busiest period for new shipments of aircraft.

At a Capitol Hill rally of aviation leaders held during the shutdown, Ed Bolen, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO said, “Imagine if no citizen of the United States could buy or sell a car, purchase or refinance a home or if the sale of any other critical goods came to a complete and grinding halt – that’s what has basically happened in business aviation.  Because business aviation is more regulated than other industries, the shutdown has had a far more dire impact on business aviation than for other industries.”

In addition to these delays, the report commented that, with the vast majority of its workforce furloughed, the National Transportation Safety Board were prevented from fully investigating 48 aircraft accidents; only 2, it is revealed, were investigated, while the rest, and other ongoing inquiries have been put behind schedule.

All in all, the Government shutdown has caused a loss to the US economy of between $2 billion and $6 billion across all sectors including small business, import and export, health sectors and private-sector lending.

It has been found that the most serious and lasting damage may have been made to the quality of governmental workforces, with the system possibly viewed as being ‘broken’, future government and military employees just may not be attracted to these sectors.  The report says, “Government agencies and the military could find it hard to attract and retain the “kind of driven, patriotic Americans to public service that our citizens deserve and that our system of self-government demands.”

Airbus Pledge to Lower Fuel Consumption by 15% by 2015

November 13, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Airbus Pledge to Lower Fuel Consumption by 15%David Velupillail, Marketing Director for Airbus Corporate Jets, is confident that the new Sharklet and new engine options can deliver up to 15% in fuel savings, a huge consideration for airlines flying every day.

In addition, Airbus expect a reduction of 8% in operational costs and a huge 10% reduction in emissions compared to the A320 series.

Orders are expected to reach more than 4,000 of the new reworked engines, which should be completed between late 2015 and early 2016 and with order books containing 2,600 already, targets should be reached.

The new engine options will be equipped with either the CFM International advanced LEAP-X engine or the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G-JM.

Mr Velupillail said, “We will begin flight testing next year.  The deliveries to the airlines won’t begin until the end of 2014.  Eventually it will feed through to the corporate jets, but that is some way off yet.”

NBAA Reaches Milestone 10,000 Members

November 8, 2013
Business Aviation News
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For the first time in the organisation’s history, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced last week that its membership has now reached 10,000 registered members.

The 10,000th member is named as TCB Air LLC from Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The NBAA was founded in 1947 by a small group of the Wings Club who met in a New York hotel in 1946.  They realised the critical need for some organization within Business Aviation in the area of air space management and air traffic control.

Founding member, Mr Palmer J Lathrop or Bud to his flying associates, stressed the importance of the promotion and protection of the interest of business aircraft operators and led the way in an informal meeting of 13 aviators on May 17 1946.

Mr Lathrop wrote to the Presidents of a number of aviation companies and invited them to take representation at a further meeting to continue the important discussions.

A total of sixteen companies were eventually represented at the meeting on 21st November 1946 and led to the formation of the Corporation Aircraft Owners Association which was later to become the NBAA in 1953 following the Korean War, but the first A stood as Aircraft until 1997 upon its 50th anniversary, when the final decision was made to settle upon the National Business Aviation Association that it is today.

GoGo Introduce In-Flight Talk and Text Service for Passenger Connections

November 8, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Aircraft Internet & Wi-Fi Services for Business AviationIn-flight Wi-Fi is not breaking news; its popularity continues to grow as passengers begin to expect more from flight operators in terms of connectivity.

In light of this, GoGo has introduced its latest in in-flight technology, giving Smartphone users the opportunity to make phone calls and text as though they were on the ground.

The GoGo air-to-ground connection will operate through the aircraft’s wireless network instead of the picocells, traditionally used for telephone connections.

New rules, sanctioned by the FAA, now give passengers permission to use their electronic devices; Smartphones and tablet technology during the entire flight, even during take-off and landing, of course, still subject to the requirements of the individual airlines.

Data transfers must still be restricted to ‘airplane mode’ and transmissions across cellular networks are still a ‘no-no’, but with a GoGo app, Smartphone users will be able to roam on the aircrafts in-flight service as though they were on the ground.

Other providers of such in-flight Wi-Fi solutions, such as ARINC Direct, offer seamless connectivity to business aviation passengers.  The business passenger places a generally higher demand upon the airline operators in terms of connectivity and welcome the ‘office-in-the-sky’ scenario.

Business Aviation Has Worst Month in Europe for Six Years

November 7, 2013
Business Aviation News
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WINGX-October-2013 (1)October 2013 was the worst recorded month for European business aviation since October 2006, showing a 2.1% decrease in activity, according to WINGX Advance monthly report.

The number of Charter flights dropped by 3.5% year-on-year, which amounted to 800 fewer flights made on business jets than there were in October 2012.

There were a few regions that experienced growth; however, with Greece growing by 14% and Turkey growing by 3%, Italy reported a small increase, and Portugal the highest at 16%.

Richard Koe, managing director of WINGX Advance said, “The generally improving economic context in Europe is not yet feeding through to demand for business aviation.”

The Global Express from France’s Bombardier, was the most used aircraft, closely followed by the Citation CJ4, the King Air 350 and the Phenom 300.

New Dassault Aviation Business Jet Unveiled

October 26, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Dassault Falcon 5X Business JetDassault Aviation have proudly unveiled their latest Falcon business jet at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Las Vegas.  The Falcon 5X is their largest and most technologically advanced business jet, with new flight control system and aerodynamics.

Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation said, “The Falcon 5X is the new benchmark for the creative use of advanced technology in business aviation. Using design and manufacturing software and systems pioneered by Dassault, we have been able to build a larger, more comfortable and more capable aircraft that is also more environmentally friendly and much more economical to operate compared to other airplanes in its class.”

Announced as an industry breakthrough, the Falcon 5X is a significant addition to the Dassault product line, with a fuel efficiency of up to 50% better than those in its competing class.  Style and functionality are on show in the 16-passenger capacity cabin, following extensive industry research into cabin technology and passenger requirements for a greatly enhanced flight experience.

“The Falcon 5X represents our biggest investment since the beginning of the Falcon programs,” says Trappier. “It demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the technology leadership that we have displayed in this market since our first business jet flew 50 years ago.”

Innovation and consideration also reach into the flight deck, where the new digital flight control system shows major advancements in precision, ease-of-operation and safety aspects and includes innovative head-up displays with digital radar capable of detecting further reaches than ever before.  Improved fuel efficiency is a breakthrough in today’s world of budgetary requirements and is addressed by the new-generation real-time self diagnostic Silvercrest engines.

“The Silvercrest engine is 15% more fuel efficient than other engines in its power class; emissions are dramatically lower than current standards, and the engine is remarkably quiet,” says Trappier.

The Dassault Falcon 5X is expected to take its maiden flight during early 2015 and will be priced in the region of $45 million.

Yonder Aircraft Internet – ViaSat Providers for Business Aviation

October 18, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Aircraft Internet with ARINC Cabin Connect

ViaSat, providers of Yonder Internet Service for business jets say their customers are feeling the benefit of their high speed aircraft internet after an increase of 60% in bandwidth, new systems and ground station upgrades.

Aircraft internet is rapidly becoming a necessity on the modern executive jet aircraft.  Passenger communications solutions are big news in the business aviation services sector.

With the demands on the increase, the pressure is upon aircraft internet and aircraft wifi providers to bring new, fast and reasonably priced solutions to the industry.

Aircraft satellite communications bring speed, efficiency and cost effectivity to a world that needs seamless global connections.  Business Jet passengers need to work at the same levels of productivity as they do in their ground-based offices and customer service is a firm ground in competitive conditions.

Aircraft internet providers for business aviation such as ARINC Direct, are constantly expanding their extensive suite of solutions.  Competitive packages are individually tailored to suit their customers whether they operate a single executive jet or an entire fleet.

German-based Spherus Aviation to Develop Business Aviation in Nigeria

October 4, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Germany-based Spherus Aviation, a leading business aviation firm from Hannover, has scheduled a follow-up trip to Nigeria with a view to developing business aviation in the country.

In a bid to drum up enthusiasm, the company has been encouraging Nigerian clients and extolling the virtues of the charter and management of private aircraft, showcasing business jets.

In partnership with Cita-Triax Aviation, a Nigerian-based company, Spherus is committed to improving and expanding Nigeria’s business aviation industry.

“On this trip, we are participating in the Oil &and Gas expo in Abuja and will be offering advice and support to clients at the Cessna/Bell stand with Robert Prentise of Africa air Inc. We will present our latest Special Management Model Turnkey solution to potential Nigerian business aviation clients who may be government officials, business leaders and high net worth individuals that value their time in meeting up with their appointments using a private long range shuttle with maximum comfort and guarantee of safety, ” said Mr Sebastian Kester, MD of Spherus Aviation.

Spherus Aviation is the first Nigerian-owned business aviation operator to work successfully in Europe and will bring European aviation standards into Nigeria.  It is hoped that the development of business in Nigeria will encourage the continuation of direct foreign investment into the country.

Business Jets Fractional Ownership Trend Growing

October 3, 2013
Business Aviation News
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business aviation

Fractional Ownership in Business Aviation

Fractional ownership initiatives allow buyers to acquire a fraction of a business jet, paying a monthly fee for management, then flight fees per hour of use.  Some companies offer pay-in-advance schemes where the customer can purchase bulk flying time.

For the past five years, there has been a lull in this industry; the economic downturn is partly to blame, with expenses cutbacks and falling rates of business.  This had led to many fractional ownership companies going out of business, with some being bought out, such as the proposed acquisition of Bombardier’s Flexjet by Directional Aviation Capital who already own Flight Options and Sentient Jet, fractional ownership enterprises.

It is hoped, now that there are fewer players in the industry, that prices can become more competitive, with greater flexibility for new growth in this sector.

Executive Airshare is keeping its focus upon the light jet market, which is less capital-intensive, offering businesses a more affordable way of flight compared to that of larger jets.

Already there seems to have been a resurgence of business with some companies noticing a rise of up to 50% on last year’s figures.  Many believe that this is a clear indication that people are returning to ‘normal’ business activity.

It may also be an indication that businesses are prepared to go a little further in search of new contracts and to seek out new business opportunities.

Recently it was suggested that it can be more cost-effective for companies to share the hire of a business jet than to purchase individual seats on commercial flights.

Whatever is happening, it is clearly good for business in the sector.