Organizers Say It Indicates A "Light At The End Of The Tunnel"

Having put a difficult 2009 behind them, manufacturers representing a broad cross section of the business airplane market plan to have a presence at the AERO tradeshow, being held April 8 to 11 at the exhibition center in Friedrichshafen. AERO organizers say those plans show there is confidence that business aviation is about to take off again in 2010.

AERO organizers said in a news release that Cessna CEO Jack J. Pelton thinks the low point for the industry has passed. Pelton said 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. And those wanting to finance a new business airplane may find banks more willing to extend credit for them than was the case a few months ago.

Among the biz-av airplanes on the ramp at AERO Friedrichshafen will be the Piper Meridian, the Daher-Socata TBM 850, and the Pilatus PC-12. The smaller turboprop-twins continue to be in demand, with short field and landing distances, even sometimes grass runway capability, and lower direct operating costs when compared to a jet. Hawker-Beechcraft, for instance, has not only built its classic King Air C90 (below) 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.

Jet manufacturers will also be displaying at the show. The Brazilian airplane manufacturer Embraer is a reputable new competitor with its Phenom 100 and 300 models(below) 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.

For those considering a single-engine jet, Diamond Aircraft Industries will present a mock-up of its D-Jets (below), 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. Cirrus Design is also currently giving priority to the production of its piston engine airplanes over the further development of its Vision Jet, but there will no doubt be news about the progress of the project from the Cirrus booth at the show.

All that to say there is, by some estimates, a "light at the end of the tunnel" for the business airplane manufacturing industry in advance of AERO. While the outlook from Forecast International is that 2010 and 2011 and are not exactly going to be easy for the producers of business jets, the study predicts a clear upward trend beginning in 2012. Organizers of the AERO show say this year's event will provide just the right setting for companies in business aviation to show off their airplanes at just the right time.

FMI: www.aero-expo.com