B/CA Show News - NBAA 2007 - September 27, 2007 - (Page 27)

N B A A 2 0 07 As Ever, GA Is First on the Slippery Slope Although NBAA has yet to move to Aspen, gen- out between 2,400 and 2,600 airplanes per of the 10-year market, or about 4,650 airplanes, eral aviation suppliers had better invest in some year up to 2016. On the brighter side, that’s but their manufacturers will bank 60% of the dolwarm clothing to insulate against the chill winds still a $22.6 billion market for more than lars ($13.6 billion). Piston-power carries the other 83% of sales (22,450) but yields a financial return of the market’s downhill piste, warned Forecast 27,100 machines over the next decade. A few years ago, prognosticators fought shy of of only 40% ($9 billion). International in a report issued just as delegates Royce sees no near-term gains through factoring-in the emerging very light jets (VLJ). were gathering in Georgia. FI’s Market for General Aviation/ Utility Air- Now FI is more certain: competitively-priced entering new overseas markets. It is true that craft 2007-2016 predicts this year will be the end VLJs will accelerate the current trend of corpo- Russia, India and China have developing of half a decade of growth, and that leaner— rate twin-turboprop operators trading up to economies, but their aviation infrastructure and regulatory environment will remain behind though tolerably stable—years are ahead. turbofan fractional ownership. However, twin-props will still retain a niche the west’s for “decades.” Douglas Royce, aerospace analyst at the ConCosts of purchasing and maintaining GA airnecticut-based market research firm says, “The by being able to offer their more spacious integeneral aviation market has historically been riors to those not in so much of a hurry—and who craft are cited as “a serious obstacle to higher highly sensitive to economic conditions, with the enjoy interface with the weather on equal terms. growth in the market” at home, although the FI Single and twin-turboprops will claim 17% study does not address the impact of the Sport segment typically being the first in the industry Pilot/LSA rules on private flying. to suffer during a prolonged eco“The market for piston aircraft will nomic downturn.” likely be driven by the replacement That part of the GA sector, of aging aircraft with newer models excluding business jets, will peak with rather than strong growth in the marabout 3,250 deliveries this year, ket overall,” Royce observes. heralding a gradual slide to some A piste de resistance, perhaps? 2,450 in 2011, says FI. After that, the industry is on the flat again, turning Head-to-head in the market—Turbo Commander of yore and today’s Ecipse 500. — Paul Jackson Frédéric Bérubé Manager, Materials Engineering Operating a corporate jet is good business. Flying one equipped with green-technology engines is even better. At Pratt & Whitney Canada, we’re working hard to make engines like our next-generation 10,000-lb thrust power plants the greenest in the sky, by reducing fuel emissions, noise levels and the use of hazardous materials in our manufacturing processes. It’s just good business. Something you can always count on, from Pratt & Whitney Canada. The Eagle is everywhere. www.pwc.ca http://www.pwc.ca

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Why Buy Columbia? Too Much of a Good Thing? The User Fee Fracas Big Toys for Big Boys Honeywell for RNP High Miles Air Taxi Bombardier at Your Service NARA Names Officers Learjet’s Racier Image ILA 2008 in Berlin Gulfstream Hangar Opens Anti-Runway Incursions Like ReallyLarge Cabins? Sentient-Jet Direct

B/CA Show News - NBAA 2007 - September 27, 2007

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