Notes from Orlando -- The NBAA Convention

Nov. 7, 2005
ORLANDO On the heels of the annual convention of the National Business Aviation Association being held here this week, there lies the underlying question: Will the move to Orlando from New Orleans have a significant impact on the dynamic of the show? Based on all indications thus far, probably not. Walking through the halls of the trade show set-up, it appears the dynamic that is the NBAA convention is intact. The aircraft static display a mainstay of the event being held at Orlando Executive Airport is expected to host some 150 aircraft, coordinated by Showalter Flying Service and Sheltair Aviation Services. Heading into the annual event, a few of the companies/trends to watch include: - Landmark Aviation This is the new name of the consortium that is the former Garrett Aviation Services, Piedmont-Hawthorne, and Associated Air Center, brought together last year at this time via acquisitions of the investment firm, the Carlyle Group. With the financial strength firmly behind it, Landmark Aviation stands to test the mettle of the industry presence of Signature Flight Support, which has established itself as the leader in the aviation services sector. The Carlyle Group's initiative also reflects the changing face of the aviation services sector, which more and more is being penetrated by financial interests that do not have their history in the industry. - Signature Flight Support Just prior to the opening of the NBAA event, Signature announced its acquisition of Long Beach Million Air, Inc., which brings into its fold of fixed based operations the Million Air FBOs at LGB and Oxnard Airport. Signature, owned by Britain-based BBA Group, continues to expand via acquisitions and, like Landmark, demonstrates the interest of the investment sector on the value of business aviation. - Million Air New Orleans Notable because the FBO, among the businesses at Lakefront Airport decimated by Hurricane Katrina, not only has reopened for business but has announced plans to construct a first-class FBO facility at the airport that lies on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, at best a vulnerable location. - ELJs Entry level jets, or microjets as they were initially called, could steal the show. Eclipse, Adam Aircraft, and others are on the heels of FAA certification for aircraft that are projected by some to revolutionize the general aviation industry. Their entry into the fold appears inevitable; their impact remains a question. ELJs offer great potential to expand the business aviation sector via air taxi operations to the array of non-commercial airports in the U.S. Should they actually achieve the impact that proponents predict, they could tax the air traffic control system and bring new challenges to smaller airports nationwide. Stay tuned and thanks for reading. Your comments are welcomed below.