By Lisa Gordon | October 28, 2013 Estimated reading time 8 minutes, 20 seconds.
The National Business Aviation Association’s 2013 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition attracted 25,425 people, including representatives from all 50 states and more than 90 countries worldwide. Held from Oct. 22 to 24 in Las Vegas, Nev., this year’s attendance was up slightly over 2012 numbers, reflecting an increase of 275 attendees.
More than 1,100 exhibitors showcased the latest aviation products and services in two show halls, as well as at a sold-out static display at Henderson Executive Airport, where 83 aircraft were on site. For the first time, there were an additional 12 aircraft on display inside the Las Vegas Convention Centre.
A delegation from Canadian Skies attended NBAA 2013, and found that the mood on the show floor was decidedly more optimistic than in recent years. A number of Canadian companies made new product and partnership announcements while at the show. Here, we present a sampling of news from NBAA 2013.
Vector Aerospace reported positive growth, with international expansion the order of the day. The MRO facility is opening new branches in Brazil and Singapore. Back at its Prince Edward Island facility, it has hired close to 80 people so far this year to deal with increasing demand. Part of that work is resulting from Transport Canada recently granting approval for Vector to maintain and overhaul Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW150A-series engines.
Colin MacDonald, marketing and communications coordinator at Vector Aerospace Engine Services – Atlantic, told Canadian Skies that the Summerside, PEI, facility has been extremely busy keeping up with demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
Bell Helicopter was at NBAA to show off the wheeled landing gear version of its Bell 429 light twin helicopter. The new system replaces Bell’s traditional landing struts and skids, allowing the helicopter to taxi from the landing area to a prescribed parking spot, a capability that will come in handy at congested airports where repositioning may be required. The new wheeled landing gear – reportedly developed in response to customer request – adds 250 pounds of gross weight to the Bell 429WLG. NBAA delegates got to see the first ship, with the first delivery to an Argentinian company scheduled for the first half of 2014.
Engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada is considering developing a smaller turboprop engine designed for high-powered piston aircraft. The new engine, which would be in the 500 shaft horsepower range, would be marketed to operators of piston-powered aircraft who depend on avgas, which is expensive and in short supply in several regions of the world. “If we think we can bring game-changing technology into that market, we will play,” said company executives at an NBAA press briefing.
Vancouver’s London Air Services (LAS) is eagerly awaiting the imminent delivery of a new Learjet 75, the first of five it has on order. The arrival of the aircraft was delayed by the recent government shutdown in the U.S., said Bombardier’s Steve Ridolfi, president of the OEM’s business aircraft division. The manufacturer announced on Oct. 17 – which was also the 50th anniversary of the Learjet – that the first two Learjet 75s off the line would be delivered as soon as possible. One will go to LAS, and the other to a private American businessman.
Flying Colours, the Peterborough, Ont.-based completions centre and aviation services company, announced at NBAA that it has been appointed as an authorized dealer and installation centre for a variety of Honeywell Aerospace business aviation products. Sean Gillespie, vice president, told Canadian Skies the company is also focusing on a rebranding of its St. Louis, Mo., facility. Formerly known as JetCorp Technical Services, the operation will now be known as Flying Colours Corp. KSUS. As well, the Ontario headquarters is growing steadily, with construction recently starting on a $3.5 million expansion project. Plans are also in the works for future growth in St. Louis. “We’ve signed new overseas partnership agreements, and we’re at capacity now in Peterborough; there are aircraft sitting outside waiting,” said Gillespie. He added that the company is still targeting an expansion into mainland China, with an announcement expected in early 2014.
Scott Macpherson, founder of Vancouver-based TrainingPort.net, was at NBAA to promote his company’s customized business aviation training packages. With a portfolio of more than 60 online courses, Macpherson said TrainingPort.net offers corporate flight departments customized training for all aspects of their operation, as well as Occupational Health and Safety lessons. TrainingPort.net does not develop the courses; rather, it partners with leading training providers and consolidates all of their course offerings in one place, on the company website. All programs are customized for each operator and are designed to meet regulatory and currency requirements.
Toronto’s Skycharter FBO arrived at NBAA with a unique giveaway – a custom-crafted perfume and cologne called Stardust by Skycharter. There was also some big news from the Corporate Aircraft Association, whose members recently voted Skycharter as its preferred Toronto FBO for another three-year period. Company sales and marketing manager Carla Libralato said the NBAA show is always a good opportunity for Skycharter to reinforce its brand and presence on the field at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
Once again, the Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC) attended NBAA with a delegation of its member companies. This year, the group included Ex-Sell Aero Parts, Kelowna Flightcraft, Mxi Technologies, Ontario East Economic Development, Sonovision, Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd., and Tulmar Safety Systems Inc. OAC executive director Rod Jones agreed that the overall mood at the show seemed better this year.
Bombardier Aerospace made a number of announcements at NBAA 2013, including the introduction of its new Challenger 605 MAX program. Aimed at reducing direct maintenance costs, the program will see Bombardier voluntarily upgrading key components on the jets with the latest configurations, in order for them to meet baseline standards of the current production model. The upgrades will be provided at virtually no cost to operators. The program is designed to further reduce direct maintenance costs and improve the overall customer experience. Bombardier also introduced evolved maintenance intervals for the Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Challenger 300, Challenger 604, Challenger 605, and Global aircraft. The changes will result in significantly lower direct maintenance costs, less downtime for the aircraft and reduced maintenance workload (and related spares consumption). Finally, there was more good news from Flexjet, LLC, which converted 30 of its Learjet 85 options into firm orders, adding an additional 20 incremental options. On Sept. 5, Flexjet, LLC placed a milestone order for Bombardier business aircraft. With the latest Learjet 85 options firming up, the operator’s total order has moved to 115 firm orders plus 150 options, totalling US$5.6 billion.
Supporting the general feeling at the show, an Oct. 22 study released by Avinode Business Intelligence forecasts a positive year in 2014 for business aviation. In the United States, the company predicts a 0.7 per cent increase in business jet flights, with positive trends expected in most parts of the country. In Europe, a marginal 0.1 per cent growth is expected after years of negative performance.
