As this edition of Executive & VIP Aviation International is prepared for press, the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) is just weeks away. Twice cancelled, it seems a very long time since the industry last gathered in Geneva, yet the intervening period also seems to have flown and when anyone says, ‘last year’ at the show, we’ll all know they really mean ‘last time’.
The passion that permeates business and VIP aviation was positively brimming among our interviewees for this edition. Between them they boast centuries of aviation experience, from veteran engineers like Gama Aviation’s Paul Kinch, Director, Engineering Service Line and Andy Robinson, SVP Customer & Services for business aviation at Rolls-Royce, to Douglas Corbett, Sustainable Flight Operations Consultant for Equinox Charter, which was established only in November 2021.
Our focus at Gama Aviation is on MRO, an important asset within the company’s broad business and special missions portfolio and one in which Paul Kinch says network and connections are an important enabler. Do we need any more of an excuse to visit Geneva?
From Andy Robinson we learn of the extreme lengths to which Rolls-Royce goes in supporting its customers as well as how new technologies are being used to create digital twins of in-service engines, powering predictive maintenance and engine development.
Taking a very different view we also hear from two European business aviation institutions, Switzerland’s Albinati Aeronautics and Prague-based ABS Jets, while Dustin Dryden, owner of the UK’s Volare Aviation, reveals his very different business model which, he says, is increasingly responsible for operating family aircraft rather than business jets and helicopters.
The post-Covid boom in the business jet sales, charter and refurbishment markets has already made plenty of headlines, but Eric Gillespie, Executive Vice President at Canada’s Flying Colours Corp, says the MRO and refurbishment specialist has also seen increased interest in its regional jet and helicopter conversions. Elsewhere, the ever-effusive Frederic Lemos, Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters, reports a similar surge in helicopter interest, as travellers seek to replace long car journeys and multiple touch points with a helicopter ride.
Connecting it all, we hear from Chris Moore, President at Satcom Direct, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Inflight connectivity has evolved almost beyond recognition since 1997, to the point where for many owners and operators a recalcitrant satcom today means an AOG, while downloaded aircraft systems data is driving operational efficiency.
Even if you already read this summer 2022 Executive & VIP Aviation International digitally prior to the show, I hope you’ve taken the opportunity to pick up a printed copy at EBACE. We have a team roaming the exhibition hall, keen to speak with you about all things business aviation and to explore how, between us, we can help deliver your message through unique content. See you there!
