ANN and Aero-TV are pleased to announce that we have agreed to
be the principal media partner for MIU Events' upcoming roster of
aviation events and seminars. MIU Events run aviation events and
training seminars, specializing in executive flight infrastructure,
business aviation and finance solutions for aviation as a whole.
They run a number of events focusing on the development of the Very
Light Jet in regional markets and cater their events to the needs
of senior managers, charter/air taxi operators, high net worth
individuals/entrepreneurs, owner pilots and those who shape the
future of the aviation and aerospace industries. MIU Events
concentrate on providing hard to access information and the
exchange of ideas, knowledge and innovative thinking.
As a result of this relationship,. we're having a ball meeting
some REALLY interesting and learned people... most recently a
fellow by the name of Oscar S. Garcia, of InterFlight Consulting.
Oscar has been Chairman and CEO of InterFlight Global Corporation
since 1992. He holds FAA/JAR Airline Transport Pilot and Flight
Instructor licenses as well as Instrument and Multi-Engine
certificates with a total flight time of over 8,500 hours in a
variety of aircraft and flight simulators. Oscar is also immediate
past President and Chairman of the Aerospace Committee of Greater
Miami Aviation Association (GMAA).
Recently, in preparation for the upcoming Very Light Jets -
Latin America and the Caribbean conference, Oscar chatted with
Aero-TV about the current market for VLJs in Latin America. We
learned that there are more business jets and turbo props in Brazil
than in any other single country outside the United States and
Canada. As a region, Latin America and the Caribbean operate more
turbo props than either Europe or Asia.
With Very Light Jet (VLJ) manufacturers forecasting more than
60% of their sales outside the US, Latin America and the Caribbean
offers an enticing market. With a poor road network and few
railways, the Latin American region has long been a place where
private aircraft have been an essential tool for business. As the
Latin American economies gain momentum and the boom in agriculture
generates business in areas far removed from the big industrial
centers, demand for aircraft is growing at a phenomenal pace.
Conservative estimates predict the market for private jets in the
region will grow at 10%pa for the next five years. As the existing
fleet of twins and turboprops comes up for renewal or replacement
the VLJ is going to look increasingly attractive to owner/operators
and owner/pilots.
The questions surrounding the future of this market remain
considerable ones, indeed... Will the new VLJs now being delivered
prove as sturdy and reliable as turbo props and twins and will the
VLJ offer the operators the distances needed for this market? Will
the necessary aviation infrastructure be in place and will the OEMs
have a sufficiently expansive servicing capability for this
established but rugged market?
It will be the role of the second annual Very Light Jets - Latin
America and the Caribbean conference, this year in Miami, (November
10-11, 2008) to answer these questions and to provide a flight path
through the various regulations, funding options, FBO, MRO,
operating costs and pilot training issues that are likely to have a
direct impact on the success of the VLJ in this market.
ANN hopes to see many of our readers and friends at this event
next month.