Editor's Viewpoint: The Business Aviation Community Lands in Atlanta

Business aviation, although only one segment of the overall aviation industry, is a very important one, one that is vital to the economy of the world. Aircraft from single engine to turboprops, from jets to helicopters, all play a vital role in accomplishing business throughout the world on a daily basis.

The National Business Aviation Association or NBAA holds its 63rd Annual Meeting and Convention Oct. 19, 20, and 21, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. This is the premier event where an estimated 25,000 business aviation professionals will gather to showcase their latest products and services, and attend more than 100 education sessions relating to management, technical and operational issues, safety, and more. During the event, many aircraft manufacturers will display their newest aircraft at the DeKalb Peachtree Airport. Given the economic challenges of the last couple years, it will be interesting to hear from this segment of the aviation industry just how their businesses are doing.

This month’s issue of AMT contains several articles relating to the business aviation segment. Keat Pruszenski, customer engineering support manager for Michelin Aircraft Tire Company, writes about the importance of tire maintenance and the impact on safe operations. You can also hear Pruszenski speak on this subject on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at NBAA 2010. AMT Field Editor Charles Chandler recognizes the contribution that the PT-6 engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada has made to the business aviation industry, as 50 years of PT-6 flying is celebrated.

AMT is excited to announce that beginning with this issue we will be including additional editorial content in a new feature section titled, MRO Operations. The addition of this section will complement our popular and already existing aircraft maintenance feature sections, by providing additional pertinent information to our readership relating to the entire aircraft maintenance industry. In this month’s section, I spoke with Hawker Beechcraft company officials regarding aircraft upgrades and their potential impact to MRO providers after a modification. Contributor John Rahilly addresses customer expectations when your business aircraft is being worked on at a MRO provider. Read more about this new feature section on page 32.

The entire Cygnus Aviation team will be attending NBAA 2010 this month. Stop by the Cygnus Aviation booth, #8515-#8517, and visit with the AMT staff.

See you in Atlanta, Ron