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Aviation History
2000
2000-1 - 1235.PDF
BUSINESS AVIATION The NBAA's first show of the 21st century will be the . 53rd and biggest ever, reflecting the buoyancy of a booming industry KATE SARSFIELD/LONDON THE US National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention returns to New Orleans next week for its 53 rd show. In die six years since NBAA last met in the Louisiana city, the industry has experi enced a spectacular reversal in its fortunes. In 1994 aviation was easing out of a world reces sion, while this year, the curtain will rise on an industry riding high on hefty order backlogs and die prospect of continued growth. "Estimated to be a $17 billion industry, gen erating more than $51 billion annually in eco nomic activity, general aviation is an integral part of our nation's air transportation system and a vital resource for bringing commerce to Business aircraft manufacturers are upbeat as prospects for long-term expansion look good all parts of die world," the NBBA says. The first NBAA convention of die 21st cen tury "will be the largest ever in terms of exhibi tion space, with over 1 million ft2 [93,OOOkm2] sold,"says NBAA president Jack Oicott. This year's show has attracted 950 exhibitors to the New Orleans convention centre and about 160 aircraft will be on display at nearby Lakefront airport. Around 30,000 visitors are also expect ed, matching the record set at the Las Vegas show two years ago. As the industry gathers on 10-12 October, NBAA will renew its focus on advocacy. Oicott says: "Business aviation is coming into its own and the watchword this year is enhanced pro ductivity." He explains: "Companies which have no involvement with business aircraft are realising that these aircraft can be beneficial as a travel resource. Our job is to highlight their advantages [to non-users]." The NBAA has joined forces with the US General Aviation Manufacturers Association and consultancy Arthur Andersen to formally evaluate the business aircraft market. They plan to publish the results at the show. Oicott says: "Arthur Andersen has studied and interviewed 30 chief financial officers and is attempting to gain sound statistical and empirical evidence that business aircraft enhances productivity." As fractional ownership continues to swell the world's business aircraft population, con tention surrounding future regulations for this industry will also be a talking point at the show, in the run-up to the release of the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) notice of pro posed rule making, which is due by year end. The industry-led Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee, formed by the FAA, unanimously opposes any changes that could endanger the "100% consensus". The committee recommends that fractional programmes continue to operate under the Part 91 rules that govern corporate flight departments, but are regulated by a new subpart, K, which requires the same FAA safety oversight as charter companies operating under Part 135 rules. INDUSTRY SKILL SHORTAGES NBAA will seek, during its cornucopia of semi nars, to address the skills shortage across the industry. Oicott concedes: "The challenge is not just recruiting personnel but also retaining them. We have to promote the benefits that a career in aviation can provide through the edu cation system and we are continuing to pursue our AvKids campaign as part of this effort." With many aircraft still under development, no major-launches are anticipated this year, but news of product enhancements - particularly involving avionics and engines - will emerge. The growing panoply of end users will also 49 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 3 - 9 October 2000
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