Business Aviation Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uU5MX8tpbY
I invite you to take a look on YouTube at the latest FC Video shot at the NBAA 2010 Convention, for a nice overview of where business aviation stands today.

GAMA RELEASES FIRST QUARTER SHIPMENTS

Yesterday, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced first quarter shipment and billings figures. Total industry billings were up 16.1 percent to $5.3 billion, an all-time high for the first quarter, while total shipments were down by 7.5 percent."This past quarter's overall industry billings remain impressive, with the turbine segments showing dramatic increases. The trend of increasing market share occurring outside of North America continues for most manufacturers. It is apparent, however, that current uncertainty in the U.S. economy is having an affect on some of the offerings in the piston spectrum of aircraft,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. “Last year, 67 percent of piston deliveries were to the North American market, making this segment the most susceptible to softness in the U.S. economy. However, as worldwide markets continue to expand, we see more capability to insulate manufacturers from the economic dynamics of any one specific region."Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 399 units compared to 554 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007, a 28.0 percent decrease. Turboprop shipments increased from 79 units in the first quarter last year to 85 units in 2008. Business jet shipments totaled 297 units in the first quarter of 2008, a remarkable 40.8 percent increase over the 211 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007. FIRST QUARTER SHIPMENTS OF AIRPLANES MANUFACTURED WORLDWIDE

Aircraft Category	2007	2008	CHANGE
Pistons	554	399	-28.0%
Turboprops	79	85	+7.6%
Business Jets	211	297	+40.8%
Total Shipments	844	781	-7.5%

GAMA is an international trade association headquartered in Washington, DC representing over 60 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics and related equipment. GAMA's members also operate fleets of aircraft, fixed based operations, and pilot training and maintenance training facilities. For additional information, visit GAMA’s website at http://www.gama.aero/.

History of Maltese Business Aviation

In some of my earlier posts, I have mentioned that the Maltese Department of Civil Aviation has issued the first AOC to a foreign based Lear 60XR. Further to the interest that the Maltese infrastructure is soliciting in the Business Aviation community, I thought that I expand a little further on this niche industry in Malta. Due to Malta's strategic geographical location, this island at the heart of the Mediterranean has always played an important role in international trade, even before the advent of the aircraft, in fact Malta has always played an important role in the maritime trade. Having been a colony of all the major empires, Phonecian, Roman, Arab, Knights of St. John, French and the British Colony, Malta has played an important part in the history of the Mediterranean. Having been a colony of the British Empire during World War II, Malta was introduced early first to military and then to commercial aviation. Malta had its aircraft register established in the sixties. Because of Malta's strategic importance, maritime industry, as well as our association and influence by the United Kingdom, although not a Geneva, London or Paris, Malta always had a steady flow of private and general aviation aircraft passing through. As Malta started to aspire to become a member of the European Union, and established itself as a respectable and stable democracy, with sound legal and financial legislation framework in the early nineties, Malta started seeing a number of business entrepreneurs who flew to our shores in their business jets. One can describe Capt. Lino Xuereb as a pioneer in this industry, having been the first person to set-up a company with a business jet based in Malta. Capt Xuereb got the first busness aircraft in the early nineties, a Citation II, which served both the local community of businessmen and individuals and corporations in the surrounding Mediterranean countries. Having got the first Maltese AOC with a business jet on its licence, Capt Xuereb never looked back, today he is the most experienced Maltese business jet pilot, and still is flying and running the only company with a business jet, a Lear 60, based in Malta. On the otherhand, myself at Sierra Aviation, established in 2002, Sierra Aviation, which todate remain the only company dedicated to business aviation services. As Malta became a full member of the EU, adopted the Euro and is a member of JAA/EASA, I feel Malta has a lot to offer to the business aviation community. Malta is not only strategically located in the heart of the Mediterranean, offering a bridge between Europe and North Africa, but our 300 days of sunshine (no icing conditions), relatively low labour cost(in comparison with mainland Europe), excellent fiscal infrastructure within an EU environment, and of course internationally recognised aircraft operating infrastructure such as JAR OPS 1/EU-1. If one is shopping for an aircraft register Malta has a lot to offer, aircraft can be operated commercially and privately (Isle of Man on aircraft in the private category are allowed), freedom of movement (Swiss registered aircraft are not allowed to fly between Moscow and France, and are restricted with regards to internal flight in some EU countries), excellent fiscal benefits and yes why not great weather.

Why Charter a Business Jet?

Research conducted by the London Business School shows that companies with business aircraft performed 11.3% better than the industry average. Another performance study undertaken in America by Arthur Andersen, came to the same conclusion: "On average, among the 766 companies studied each year, those that acquired business aircraft experienced greater sales growth in the years following the purchase than those that did not."Three years after purchase, aircraft buyers achieved an average sales increase of 8.5 percent. Business aircraft not only bring financial success to their operating companies, but also contribute to national and regional economies." In a fast moving world, in this era of globalisation, large airports have become congested, scheduled airlines run on anything but a schedule, and road traffic to from these airports has become a nightmare, this not to mention the security aspect, where it is a known fact that all major European airports are feared to have become threatened by terrorisim, inflicting rigorous security checks which inevitably lenghten the check-in process as well as restrict the average passenger when it comes to what items one can take onboard. Chartering a business jet not only saves one time and increases productivity, give back a huge amount of control on an individual’s/organisation schedule, but it gives back peace of mind, unparalled levels of comfort and flexibility. When one charters an aircraft, one has total control from the most important things, such as which aircraft to fly in, which airport to fly to or from but also the trivial yet important aspects of one’s journey such as confidentiality, exclusivity, catering, inflight entertainment, all of which exceed even the best first class on the most reputable of airlines.

Embraer Demos Legacy 600 in Malta

Legacy 600

In today's article, prior to the visit by Embraer visit to Malta on the 4th April 2008, we have a look in more detail at the Legacy 600 which will be landing in Malta on Thursday evening. The Legacy 600 jet provides premium comfort and privacy for up to 16 passengers in three distinct seating areas. Interior standard features include first-class leather seats, a plush divan, an elegant credenza, and spacious tables for dining or meetings. The aircraft also has a fullsize galley for hot and cold meals, a full-width aft lavatory, wardrobe and storage cabinet, and an entertainment system with DVD players and satellite telecommunications. Optional High Speed Data (HSD) and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) capabilities allow customers to browse the Internet, access e-mails and transfer files. The 240-cubic-foot (6.8-cubic-meter) baggage compartment of the Legacy 600 is one of the largest in the industry and is easily accessible during flight, for greater passenger convenience. The aircraft cruises at a speed of up to Mach 0.80 and has a range of 3,250 nautical miles (6,019 km or 3,740 miles) with eight passengers and NBAA IFR reserves. This range, bolstered by superior passenger and luggage capacity, enables customers to fly nonstop from New York (U.S.) to London (U.K.); from London or Geneva (Switzerland) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates); from Singapore (Singapore) to Beijing (China) or to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea); and from Jakarta (Indonesia) to Melbourne (Australia) at lower operating costs than competitive aircraft with a similar cabin size. Additionally, the Legacy 600 is one the only super mid-size jet certified to operate into and out of the London City and Cannes-Mandelieu airports. The twin-engine business jet is based on the successful ERJ 145 regional jet family platform that has accumulated over 12.5 million flight hours on 1,000 aircraft. With a platform designed to endure an average of 2,500 hours per year, low operating cost, and a track record of over 99 percent dispatch reliability, the Legacy 600 offers luxurious comfort and delivers high utilization and high availability. Priced at US$ 25.41 million, based on January 2008 economic conditions, in the baseline configuration, for FAA certification, 131 Legacy jets currently operate in 23 countries. Also available in Shuttle and Shuttle High Capacity (HC) configurations, the Legacy is designed to provide comfort and functionality. The Legacy Shuttle accommodates from 16 to 19 passengers in business class comfort. The Shuttle HC version enhances owner productivity and comfortably seats as many as 37 passengers in a superior airline-quality interior. If you are in the market for purchasing a business jet and you will be in Malta, this is an excellent opportunity to have a close inspection of this magnificent aircraft. Drop us an e-mail to schedule an appointment.

Embraer Legacy will be visting Malta

EMBRAER LEGACY 600 On the 4th April 2008, Embraer is expected to make a visit to Malta with a Legacy 600. Embraer a Brazilian manufacture would be the first business jet manufacturer to demo a business jet in Malta. Other than the Legacy 600 a heavy jet, Embraer also manufacture smaller jets uch as the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300. However Embraer are not only business jets manufacturers but also manufacture airliners jets. In this series of 2 articles we will investigate in detail the Legacy 600 in anticipation of the demo flight expected in Malta on Thursday, 4th April, 2008.

Embraer delivered 36 Legacy 600 executive jets in 2007, surpassing the 30 aircraft the Company had projected in January 2007. This represents a 33% increase over 2006 and 80% over 2005 deliveries. The first Legacy 600 entered service in 2002 and more than 130 have been delivered to 23 countries. The jet is currently available for delivery in mid-2009, and the list price for contracts signed after March 31, 2008, will be US$ 26.93 million. “The Legacy 600 enjoys a growing global demand for its stylish comfort and amenities that deliver a premium travel experience,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets. “Its superior performance in the most demanding environments, the low operating cost and Embraer’s broad support network further drive customer satisfaction.” Last January, the first Legacy 600 with an enhanced interior was delivered to a European customer. The new interior had been displayed at the last National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) annual meeting and convention, in Atlanta, U.S., in September. The taller cabin (6 feet or 1.82 meters) offers more headroom and the slimmer valance provides an even more spacious feel to the cabin. The redesigned two-tone leather seats, with a seamless berthing feature for sleep or relaxation, enrich the comfort and space in three distinct zones, a unique feature in the super mid-size category. Noise abatement improvements enhance cabin sound proofing, and auxiliary audio input makes cabin sound integration possible. The galley now has more spacious compartments, retractable tables and a larger water reservoir for more convenient in-flight service. Optional items include a wine chiller and multiple oven combinations, including microwave. The baggage compartment is equipped with supports for storage of miscellaneous items, such as the tow bar.