The aviation business flies the flag

Manufacturers of business airplanes, from single engine propeller to multijet engines, have put a difficult year behind them. By having a presence at the AERO tradeshow from 8 to 11 April 2010 at the exhibition center in Friedrichshafen many companies are emphasizing their confidence that business aviation is about to take off again in 2010.

The view of Jack J. Pelton, CEO of Cessna and head of a large manufacturer of business jets, is that the lowest point in his industry has passed. Pelton emphasizes that a clear indication for this is that not only is the range of used airplanes in this segment reducing but the prices of planes have begun to rise again for the first time in several quarters. Anyone wanting to finance a new business airplane will now have an easier time getting money from the bank than was the case a few months ago. 

In addition, at the very least the producers of Very Light Jets are also benefiting from a market shakeout. The insolvency of manufacturers of two-engine entry-level jets, such as the US company Eclipse Aviation, that probably had more than 2,000 orders for its twin jet on its order books, is now partially benefiting other airplane manufacturers. 

Interested parties, not primarily concerned with speed and "ramp presence”, can now discover an extensive range in the jet league at AERO 2010. Thus, single-engine turboprops, such as the established Piper Meridian, the speedy Daher-Socata TBM 850 or the little miracle that is Pilatus PC-12, are for many companies a more cost-efficient alternative to a jet. 

The smaller turboprop-twins continue to be in demand. Short field and landing distances, even sometimes grass runway capability and lower direct operation costs in comparison with a jet give two-engine turboprops a competitive edge. Hawker-Beechcraft has not only built its classic King Air C90 more quickly than the GTi or GTx version but also fitted it with a modern glass cockpit and higher load capacity. 

This is why Hans Doll, sales manager at Beechcraft Augsburg, sees a clear renaissance for turbine twins with a propeller. "The turboprop has regained its kudos”, he says emphasizing this by referring to an altered perception by the public: "Many company bosses today are likely to consider: which airplane will fit best for us?” And then the turboprop "workhorse” will be better than a jet. This is why Beechcraft Augsburg is launching both the King Air C90 and 200 at Friedrichshafen. And yet with twin jets the agony of choice only becomes more acute. The Brazilian airplane manufacturer Embraer is a reputable new competitor with its Phenom 100 and 300 models in the lighter jet class. Cessna has a brand new iron in the fire with its CJ-4, and Hawker-Beechcraft wants to get started as soon as possible with its modernized Premier 2. 

Visitors to the international aviation show will also have other things to see in the area of so-called personal single-jets. Diamond Aircraft Industries is presenting a mock-up of its D-Jets, as it approaches its first customers after receiving certification. Even if Piper Aircraft has deferred approval for its single jets for the time being, there will be at least some information from Piper Germany available at Friedrichshafen about the current status of the flight testing. A rival company, Cirrus Design, is currently also giving priority to the production of its piston engine airplanes over the further development of its Vision Jet. There will no doubt be news about the progress of the project from the Cirrus booth at the show. 

There is, for the business airplane manufacturing industry, a discernable "light at the end of the tunnel” in advance of AERO, even if the years 2010 and 2011 are not exactly going to be easy for the producers of business jets according to a prediction from Forecast International. This year the number of jets to be supplied is likely to fall to 738 due to low numbers of orders in 2009 and to 716 in the following year. In comparison, 2009 was relatively good with a total of 825 business jets supplied. From 2012, the study predicts a clear upward trend. The AERO show therefore provides exactly the right arena for companies in business aviation to show off their airplanes from 8 - 11 April to potential customers at exactly the right point in time.