Quick Conversions • Cabin IFE • Cessna Latitude and Longitude • Trip Planning ResourcesAircraft Review • Airport Review • BizApps • Landings: FC’s Guide to Oman
FLYCORPORATEEMEA & AsiaFC
ISSUE 16 - 2012ISSN: 2030-0468
flycorporate.com
EMEA & Asia
BRINGING TOGETHER BUSINESS AVIATION AND BUSINESS LEADERS
FC Interview:Jean
Rosanvallon
MiddleEastAfricaIndia
Market Focus:
President and CEO Dassault Falcon
the ends of the earth.Your global flight support network includes
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4
EMEA & Asia
ContentsFC UPFRONT
8MeettheTeam
10ReferenceIndex
12Memo
14NewsAnalysis
18 Opinion:Avinode
20AskanExpert:Algae.Tec
FC INTeRvIew
22 Jean Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon sat down to talk with FlyCorporate’s Cameron Heffernan to share some insight into why the company takes a long-term view toward R&D.
MARKeT FOCUS
28 MARKETFOCUS:MIDDLEEAST,AFRICAINDIA Ciel Jolley takes a closer look at the general sentiment in these three distinct regions. The consensus: potential for growth is developing at Mach speed.
The Middle East: an incredibly important market, is seeing the ‘spring’ of the mid-size jet market, but it is still the ‘summer’ of the wide-cabin. While luxury assets seem to be flooding the market, this is not without challenges.
34 India: dubbed ‘the next big thing’ after China, and with big investment promises from the Indian Government, it is not a case of “where are the opportunities here?”, but “where are the greatest opportunities?”.
36 Africa: Don’t be fooled into thinking this region will offer easy return on investment, but don’t underestimate the brand new opportunities here, either.
22
28Cover photo: Dassault Falcon 900DX
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38
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EMEA & Asia
SeCTOR FOCUS
42 QUICKCONVERSIONS:QuickChangeforBusinessAircraft It’s easy to forget that not all charter flights are for business executives requiring comfort and seating space. A challenge arises when you’re switching between requirements, and between people and equipment. Rod Simpson takes a look at the crucial role of quick-change kits for business aircraft.
46 CABINIFE:Up,Up,butNotCompletelyAway We take a look at some of the latest and greatest products and services for staying connected and entertained while onboard and flying across the globe. Before you invest there are some big questions to ask, and we’ve started the ball rolling here.
FC RevIew
38 AIRCRAFT:LatitudeandLongitude–Cessna’sNewDirection For manufacturers of larger aircraft, the impact of the recent economic recession was not so bad, but Cessna has always specialised in small and mid-sized jets which have felt the full impact of business cutbacks. Rod Simpson reports.
52 BIZAPPS:Thelatesttoolsforbusinessaviation
54 LANDINGS:Oman
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Contents
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10
EMEA & Asia
FCUPFRONT
ReferenceIndex
EMEA & Asia
12
WededicatetheMarketFocusinthisissuetoaregionofenormouspotential–wellitisthreeregionsactually,althoughtheyalwaysseemtobegroupedtogether.IamtalkingabouttheMiddleEast,AfricaandIndia.
TheMiddleEasthasalways fascinatedmeand IstudiedtheairportandairlinemarketthereformanyyearsinpreviousrolesbeforejoiningFlyCorporate;soitisinterestingtoseehowbusinessaviationistakingthesamepositivepathintermsofgrowthandexpansion.Investmentisstrong,potentialishigh,andtheoncesmallbudsarenowblooming.
IparticularlyenjoyedcatchingupwithQatarExecutive’sAkbarAlBaker.HavingmetwiththisdynamicandambitiousCEOmanytimesbeforeduringtheriseofQatarAirwaysandDohaAirport,itisrefreshingtohearhispositivetakeonthemarketandhowtheMiddleEastisperfectlypositionedtoservetheglobalbusinessaviationcustomer.
WefeatureCabinIFEandSatcominoneofourSectorFocusreportsthisissue–lookingatthelatestoptionsonthemarketandfollowingupsomeofthemostrecentlaunchesannouncedatNBAA.Besuretocheckourdigitalversionofthisissuetobenefitfromthebonuseditorialfeaturesinthisandothersections.
Whilewe’reonthesubjectofdigital,Iwouldliketoremindyouthatyoucansubscribetoourdigitalmagazinefreeofcharge.Hereyouwillhaveaccesstoadditionalinterviews,imagesandinformation,exclusivetothedigitalissue.
And what better way to end this memo than with a positive note… FlyCorporate isextendingitsMarketingCommunicationsdivisionin2013.Ourteamofexpertmarketers,creatives,writers,researchersanddesignershaveworkedwithmanybusinessaviationclientsovertheyearsandwearenowexpandingourservicesandgrowingourteamofexperts. So, if you need additional support for your company’sMarcoms, tailored tobusinessaviation,givemeacallandwecandiscusstheoptions.RememberFlyCorporate ismore than amagazine–we are yourpartner in business aviation and the future islookinggood!
SeeyouinDubai!
Perfectly Positioned for Growth
@FlyCorporate
DianaAlbiol EditorialandPublishingDirector FlyCorporateEMEA&Asia [email protected]
FCUPFRONT:MEMO
ARINCDirect_iPad_FlyCorporate-Sept2012.pdf 1 06/09/2012 10:03
FCUPFRONT
ThenewFAA-approvedUAT(UnusualAttitudesTraining)coursetakespilotsoutoftheirfamiliartrainingsimulatorintothecockpitofaMustangoraCzech-builtL-39jettrainertoexperienceextrememanoeuvresandgainvitalskillswhichcouldsavethelivesofthemselvesandtheircorporatepassengers.AccordingtoStallion51’sLeeLauderback,“recurrenttrainingbecomesveryroutineandcontinualrepetitionoffamiliardrillsaddslittletoapilot’sstoreofexperience.Whatwewanttodoistostretchtheirknowledgewithexperiencethattakesthemrightoutoftheenvelopeoftheirnormalroutine.Wewanttoconditiontheirreactionssothattheywillmaketherightjudgmentontherareoccasionthattheygetintoadangeroussituation”.
Thetwo-daycourseincludesasessionfromUAT’sResidentPhysician,Dr.WilliamT.Busch,onhumanfactorsandspatialdisorientation,explaininghowapilotcanovercomesomeofthesesensations.Lauderbackpointsoutthat“themajorityofpilotswillencountersomesortofunusualorinadvertentattitudesituation.Statisticsshowthat10-15%ofallfatalaircraftaccidentsareattributedtospatialdisorientationand90%ofspatialorientationaccidentsarefatal”.
TherearethengroundtrainingsessionsforVFRandIFRflightsincludingconsiderationofZero-G,theproblemsofasymmetricalairframeloadingandoptimumrecoverytechniquesbeforestudentsmoveontothetwo-part(VFRandIFR)flying
sectionofthecourse.Stallion51’stwotandem-seatTF-51MustangshavebeenjoinedbyanL-39whichhasundergoneacompleteupgradewithaGarminEFISglasscockpittomakeitveryfamiliartopilotsflyingmoderncorporatejets.Camerasinthecockpitandonthetailvideoeverysortiesothattherecanbeade-briefafterwardsallowingthestudenttocomparehisreactionsinthecockpitwiththeactualperformanceoftheaircraft.
“Wedoencouragepilotstocometothecourseinsmallgroups,”explainsLauderback“becausethisallowsthemtolearnfromeachother.”TheUATcoursecosts$7,500foreachstudentandtheyeachgetanappropriatecertificateattheendofthecourse.“Wearealreadywellbookedupwithdelegatesfromseveralleadingflightdepartments,withcoursesstartinginJanuary,”saysLauderback“andthisprogrammehasgainedmuchinterestfrominsurancecompanieswho,wearesure,willtakeaccountofthehighqualitytrainingwhensettinginsurancepremiums.Webelievethiscoursedefinitelyraisesthebarforpilotswhoflyforaliving.”
Florida-based Stallion 51, which has 25 years of experience in training owners of P-51 Mustang fighters, has announced its innovative UAT programme to bring new skills to
corporate pilots. By RodSimpson.
NewS ANALYSIS: UPSeT ReCOveRY TRAININg FOR BIzjeTS
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FCUPFRONT
Hawker Beechcraft Chairman, Bill Boisture updated the media at the NBAA convention recently in Orlando, giving limited details on the company’s outlook
after bankruptcy, plans to exit the jets business and future direction. Yet as CameronHeffernan explains, a lot more remains unanswered, including how the company will handle some warranties and their future focus.
Withmorethan6,000employeesglobally,netsalesof$2.44billionin2011,andtheheritagethatcomeswithbeinganaviationpioneerintheireighthdecade,it’snoexaggerationtodescribeKansas-basedHawkerBeechcraftasoneofthemostrespectedaviationcompaniesontheplanet.However,whenaplayerofthatsizeandscopedeclaresbankruptcy,it’ssafetosaythereisconcernintheindustry–notleastfromthehundredsoreventhousandswhocouldlosetheirjobs.
ItwasamidthisbackdropthatHawkerChairmanCorporation(HBC)BillBoistureaddressedthemediarecentlyattheNBAAconventioninOrlando.Astanding-room-onlycrowdgatheredtohearBoisture’scommentsaboutthecompany’splansandaddresstherumoursthathadbeencirculatingrampantlyforweekssinceChinesecompanySuperiorAviation’sbidtoacquireHBCfellapart,duelargelytoconcernsfromtheGovernmentinBeijing,anentitythatwastobeaprincipalbackerofthetransaction.
Superiorevenwentsofarastoforfeita$50milliondepositjusttohaveacloselookatHBC’sbooks,nottomentionmillionsinlegalfees.Boisturecoveredalotatthepressconference,includingthatHBCwouldshed$2.5billionindebtthroughitsbankruptcyproceedingsandemergeasthe
standaloneBeechcraftCorp.aroundtheendofJanuary,
2013.HBCwouldstilltrytofindabuyerforitsjetsbusiness,withthenewBeechcrafttofocusexclusivelyonturboprop,piston,specialmissionandtrainer/attackaircraftbusinesses.
Subsequently,thecompanyannounceditwouldbeclosingitsservicesfacilitiesinArkansas,TexasandArizona,eliminatingsome400jobsintheprocess.
What Next?Thesedevelopmentsraisedmanymorequestions,ofcourse.ChiefamongthemwasthefutureofmaintenanceontheHawker4000andPremierIA,asthecompanyannouncedtheywerecancellingwarrantiesontheseaircraftattheendofOctober2012.Hawkersaidtheywereseekingothercompaniestoprovidealternativesforserviceandmaintenancefortheaircraft,butnothing wasfinalised.
Weputthewarrantyquestion,aswellastheissueof thecompany’splanstoselltheirjetsbusiness,toShawnVick,ExecutiveVicePresident,CustomerswithHBC. Hesaidthecompanyis“indiscussionswithseveral third-partycompaniesregarding[serviceandmaintenance]alternativesfortheHawkerlines,includingpossiblesalesofthoselines,andareworkingtoreach anagreementontermsthatwouldensurethatcustomerscontinuetoreceiveserviceand maintenancefortheirHawkeraircraft.”
Headdedthatthefuture“couldincludeaclosureoftheentirejetbusinessifnosatisfactorybidsarereceived.”HBCstillplanstoemergefromChapter11inQ12013,butVickwouldnotcommentfurtheronthestatusofanytalkswithprospectivebuyers.
Asforfutureplans,Vickstatedthatthenewcompany’sfive-yearplanincludesgrowthfromsixtoasmanyas10products,withtheentireBeechcraftlinebecomingJet-Afuelcapable(saferhandlingthantraditionalaviationfuels).“Ourinvestmentinnewproductdevelopmentpreparesusforannualsalesandproductionratesofasmuchas600aircraftperyear,”Vicksaid.
NewS ANALYSIS: HAwKeR BeeCHCRAFT’S FATe ReMAINS UNCeRTAIN
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FCUPFRONT
Over80yearslatergeographycontinuestoplayaroleintheaviationbusiness.RecentlyQantasdecidedtoditchtheirlong-termrelationshipwithBritishAirwaysandseekinsteadtoformastrategicalliancewithEmirates.Thereason?Geography.Non-stopflightsfromLondontoSydneywithafullloadofpassengersandcargoaresimplybeyondtherangeoftoday’scommercialaircraft.
Duringthelast15years,EmirateshasledthepushtousurpSingaporeandturntheGulfStatesintothenaturalstepping-stonebetweenwestandeast.Thishasbeenaremarkablysuccessfulstory,inwhichgeographyandairplaneperformancehaveturnedadesertintoanaviationoasis.
Forthebusinessaviationsectorthestoryhasbeendifferent,andhas,todate,reflectedanumberofotherfactors.Thesegmentisstillyoung.Newbusinessjetdeliveriesintotheregionspikedinthemid‘00sasfirst-timeownersbegantoreceivetheiraircraft.Theindustrycontinuestomatureasdemandemergesfromprivate,corporateandchartercustomers,andtherearebusinessjetoperatorsintheregionlookingtoemulatethesuccessstorytheircommercialsiblingshaveenjoyed.However,whilegeographymayhaveworkedfortheGulfStates’airlinesitmaynotbethesameforthissector,particularlywiththeemergenceofTurkeyasahubcontender.
ThegrowthofTurkeyasabusinessaviationhubstillcausessomesurpriseintheindustry,butoverthelastfouryearsasteadyflowofdeliveriesandmovementsintothecountryhasdrivengrowth.WhileEuropeanbusinessjetactivityisdownover3%thisyeartodate,Turkeyhasincreasedbyalmost6%incomparisonto2011.Thisgrowthismainlydrivenbydomestictravel,whichhasincreasedalmost9%.Internationalmovements,meanwhile,areupalmost4%.Itappearsthateconomicgrowthwillcontinuetopowerdomesticdemandin2013.
ThedomesticbusinessjetmarketisverylargeinTurkeyandaccountsforaround60%ofalldeparturesandarrivals,indicatingthatthecountry,whichcoversanextendedgeographicalarea,haspoorlydevelopedinfrastructureanddomestictravelconnections.
InternationaltravelpatternsviaTurkeyalsospeaktotheimportanceofgeographywithdemandflowingbetweenEurope,Russia,AfricaandtheMiddleEast.Germany,Russia,Italy,theUK,UAE,UkraineandSaudiArabia,specifically,andareallamongthetop-tenarrivalcountriesforinternationalflightsdepartingTurkey.Thesecountriescover1.5%to3.5%ofalldeparturespercountry,indicatingafairlyevenspreadoftrafficfromdifferentpartsoftheworld.TheTurkishbusinessjetsectordoesnot,thereforerelyontrafficbetweensingleareasbutinsteadhasahealthyspreadbetweendifferentregionsanddifferentcountries.Inotherwords,ithasbecomeageographichub.
Technology, Geography and the Rise of Turkey: Standing in Coconut Grove, Miami recently, I was reminded of how geography shaped the nascent aviation industry.
A white hanger is almost all that remains of the Pan American Seaplane base from which Commodore flying planes operated their Miami to Buenos Aires route in the early ‘30s. Though it seems unlikely today, it was just 150 miles from here, in the Florida Keys, that geography and aircraft range combined to give birth to this aviation giant.
OPINION: BY OLIveR KINg, MANAgINg dIReCTOR, AvINOde
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Thereareavarietyoffuel-growingapproachesonthemarket,manyofwhichfacechallengesaroundtheamountoflandandwaterrequired,contamination,fooddisplacementand,ultimately,costandsustainability.Oneapproachthatbestaddressestheseissuesusesanengineeredalgaegrowth
systemtoproducejetfuel.
OEMs,operatorsandenginemanufacturersareallmakingaseriouscommitmenttosupportthedevelopmentofanewsustainablefuelsourcethatwillenablethefuture
growthofglobalbusinessaviation,
whilereducingcostsandcarbonemissions.
Theadoptionoffuelfromadvancedbiofuelsmakesenvironmentalandeconomicsense.Forbusinesses,flyingonbiofuelisawaytodemonstratetheirleadershipinreducingcarbonemissionsandpromotingmoreenvironmentallysustainableformsoftravelatboththeindividualandcompanylevel.
Aviationbiofuelhascomealongwayinarelativelyshortperiodoftimeandhasclearlydemonstrateditstechnicalcapabilityandreliabilityasanalternativefuelsource.
Itisbeingembracedbyabusinessaviationindustrythatseesbiofuelsascriticaltoitsfuturegrowthagainstabackdropofhigherfossilfuelcosts,greatergovernmentregulationto reducecarbonemissions,andagrowingpublicexpectationthatindustrywilldelivermeaningfulreductionsin carbonemissions.
Theaviationindustrycurrentlyconsumesaround220billionlitresoffossil-derived-fuelperannum.Stronggrowthisforecastforbusinessaviationinthefuture,particularlyinregionssuchasAsiaandtheMiddleEast.InAsiaPacificalone,thenumberofflighthourswithinbusinessaviationgrew6%thisyearoverlastyear.Whilethisgrowthwillcontinueinthefuture,theglobalaviationindustryhassetitselfthetargetofcuttingitsnetcarbonemissionsby50%by2050.Businessaviationasanindustryneedstobemindfultokeeppacewithcarbonreductioneffortsfromthelargeraviationindustryonthewhole.
The business aviation industry is seeking cost-competitive, high-grade and sustainable green jet
fuel, and the biofuel sector needs to deliver fast. Biofuel producers need to focus on building scalable fuel factories to produce green jet fuel. This new-generation oil must offer a cost-competitive solution while reducing carbon emissions.
ByRogerStroudExecutiveChairman
Algae.Tec
ASK AN eXPeRT: wHY dOeS BIO FUeL MAKe gOOd BUSINeSS SeNSe FOR BUSINeSS AvIATION?
FCUPFRONT
EMEA & Asia
20
Algaepresentsseveraladvantagesoverotherfeedstocksandisattractingparticularlystronginterestforitspotentialasafuturebusinessaviationfuelsource.
Algaeisasustainablefuelsourcethatdoesnotleadtothedisplacementoffoodtomakewayforcropsforbiofuels.Advancedphoto-bioreactorgrowthtechnologyrequiresuptoonetenththeareaneededtogrowalgaeinponds,andatinyfractionoftheareaneededforotherfeedstockssuchasjatrophaorcanolaoils.
Additionally,thisproductionprocessconsumescarbondioxide,furtherstrengtheningitsenvironmentalsustainability.Forexample,ourcompany’sdemonstrationfacilityatNowraonthesouthcoastofAustralianearSydneyisconnectedtoamanufacturingfacilitythatprovidestheCO2forthealgaegrowthprocess.Thiswasteby-productCO2wouldotherwisehavebeenreleasedintotheatmosphere.
Algaecanbegrownvirtuallyanywhere,offeringthepotentialforproducingaviationfuelnearkeymarkets,offeringmajorefficienciesinfuelsupplylogistics.
Theabilitytoproducealgaeinawidevarietyoflocationsalsoreducesthepoliticalandeconomicriskassociatedwithotherfossilfuelsources.Algaesolutionsofferasustainable,renewable,fast-growing,andindependentfueloptionforthebusinessaviationindustry.
Thereisinterestinbiofuelsacrossthebusinessaviationindustry.Lastyear,aGulfstreamG450becamethefirstbusinessjettocompleteatrans-Atlanticcrossingusingabiofuelblend.Andatthisyear’sNationalBusinessAviationAssociation(NBAA)convention,fiveGulfstreamaircraftconducteddemonstrationflightsfromthecompany’sheadquartersinSavannah,Ga.,toOrlando,Fla.,forthetradeshow.
Bothenginesoftheaircraftwerepoweredbya50/50blendofHoneywellGreenJetFuelandpetroleum-derivedjetfuel.Therenewablefuelwasmadewithnaturaloilsfromcamelina,aninedibleplantthatgrowsinconditionswhereotherfoodcropscannot.ThismarkedthefirsttimeGulfstream’sentirefleethadflownonrenewablejetfuel.
Thegrowthofbiofuelswithinthebusinessaviationsectoristakingoff,andtheindustryisontracktohelprealisesignificantcostsavings,achievecertaintyofsupplyandreducecarbonemissions.
21
Algae.TecLtd.,foundedin2007,isanAustralianadvancedrenewableoil-from-algaecompanythathasdevelopedahigh-yieldenclosedalgaegrowthandharvestingsystem,theMcConchie-StroudSystem.ThecompanyhasofficesinAtlanta,GeorgiaandPerth,WesternAustralia.
TheAlgae.Tecenclosedmodularengineeredtechnologyisdesignedtogrownon-GMOalgaeonanindustrialscale,andproducebiofuelsthatreplacepredominantlyimportedfossilfuels.
Thetechnologyhasdemonstratedexceptionalperformanceinproductivity,productyield,carbondioxidesequestration,andproductionunitfootprintrequirementsversusagriculturalcropsandothercompetitivealgaeprocessesintheindustry.
Algae.Tecoffersaprofitablesolutionforcarbon-emittingcompaniesandindustriesseekingcarbondioxidereductiontechnologies.Thealgaegrowthsystemisanalternativetocarboncapture.
TheAlgae.Tecsolutionislessthanone-tenththelandfootprintofpondgrowthoptions,whileitsenclosedmodulesystemisdesignedtodeliverthehighestyieldofalgaeperhectare,andsolvestheproblemoffood-producinglandbeingturnedoverforbiofuelproduction.
RogerStroudExecutive Chairman Algae.Tecalgaetec.com.au
FCUPFRONT
Interview
Jean RosanvallonPresident and CEO Dassault Falcon
23
FCINTERVIEW
Jean Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon, has spent more than 37 years with the French manufacturer, during
which time he has experienced markets robust and weak. He sat down to talk with FlyCorporate’s Cameron Heffernan to share some insight into why the company takes a long-term view towards R&D, no matter the economic climate, and how new releases such as the forthcoming super-midsize should only be judged a decade down the runway.
You recently said that the best keyword to describe the business aviation market is “uncertainty”. In what ways is the recently announced Falcon Dassault 2000LXS the right aircraft for today’s uncertain market that we are in?Todaythereisadifferencebetweentheshort-termmarkettrendsononehand,andwhatweneedtodolong-termasanOEMtopositionourproductlineontheother.Soifyouconsider,forinstance,aprogrammeliketheSMS[Falcon’ssuper-midsize,scheduledforfirstflightin2014],thedecisionwasinlinewithwhatwillbethefutureofFalcon,whichwillbeannouncedinmoredetailin2013.Wemadethedecisiontolaunchtheairplaneabouttwoyearsago.Andtwoyearsagothemarketwasevenmoreuncertaininthatwewerealreadyatthebottomofthefinancialcrisis.Atthattime,thingshadnotreallystartedtorecoveryet.Sowhenyoulookattheprogrammeforanewproductline,youneedtotakeaverylong-termview.The[researchanddevelopment]aloneusuallytakesatleastfiveyearsbeforeyoucanbringittomarketandbeyondthat,theentireproductisatleasta20-yearexperience.SofortheLXS,whichisjustanevolutionofthecurrentLXmodel,wehavetomakeallthedecisionsindependentlyoftheshort-termmarketenvironmenttodayintheUSandEurope.It’salittletooearlyofcourseaftertheUSelectiontoseewhataffectthatmighthaveontheuncertainty.
You mentioned Falcon’s SMS (super-midsize) aircraft; the latest we heard about it was first flight in 2014 and certification in 2016. What are your expectations for the aircraft and how will you measure its success?Somesuccessesyoureallyonlymeasuremorethantenyearsafteryouhavemadethedecision.IfIlookbackattheFalcon7X–weannounceditin2001attheParisAirShow–ithasbeenovertenyearsandwe’llsoonhavedeliveredsome200airplanes,soweseesuccessthere.Ithinktotrulymeasuresuccessinthisbusinesstakesabouttenyears.Thefirstfiveyearsisaboutbringingtheairplanetothemarketandthat’swhywestarteddeliveriesin2007.Andnowfiveyearslaterandhavingdeliveredalltheseplanesandbeingatthebacklogwehaveandthemarketreactiontothe7X,IthinkwecansaytodaythattheFalcon7XhasbeenandcontinuestobeagreatsuccessforDassault.AndIthinkfortheSMS,weobviouslyareveryexcitedtobringabrandnewFalcontothemarket.Tomeasurethesuccessthereshouldalsobeabouttenyears.
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Is it fair to say that bigger-picture trends of what the market wants with respect to new aircraft, like the Falcon 2000LXS, are more important than trying to respond quickly because your production lead time is so great?Yes,butforthe2000LXSwe’llstartdeliveriesinjustalittlemorethanoneyear.It’sashorttimeframetoreactprettyquickly.
As a manufacturer, how do you balance the need to continuously invest in research and development with the economic need to keep costs down under current market conditions?IthinkweareveryfortunatethatDassaultiswell-managedandhasbeenconsistentlygeneratingagoodprofit,sothatgivesusindependenceandtheability,evenwhenweareinadownturn,toinvestinthefutureandthinklong-term.WehavenotsloweddownourR&DatallduringthedownturnbecauseofoursolidfinancialsituationandbecausewehavethefullsupportofourmajorityshareholdersandMr.Dassaulttotakethelong-termview.
How would you describe Dassault’s position as an OEM in the business aviation marketplace? How do you fit into that landscape?Wewillobservenextyearthe50thanniversaryofthefirstflightoftheFalcon20.So,certainlyIthinkthatwe’reoneoftheverylong-termplayersinthebusiness.We’realsokindofuniqueinthatnobodyelsedoesthetypeofadvancedlead-timemilitaryfighterdevelopmentthatwedoinparallelwithourdevelopmentwithinbusinessaviation.ThathasallowedustobenefitfromalltheadvancesfrommilitarytechnologyandadaptthatintoatrademarkoftheFalcon.Onefamousexample,ofcourse,isinthedigitalflightcontrolsystem.Ithinkthatcontributestoourreputation.TherearealotofpilotsaroundtheworldwhohaveflowntheFalconandothertypesofairplanes.Ithinkifwedidasurvey,over99%ofthepeoplewewouldsurveywouldsaythattheFalconisthebest-flyingairplane.Whatwehavefound,increasingly,isthatthebestpositioningforusisnotinthesmall-orthemedium-sizedmarket,butinthelarge-cabinandlong-rangeairplanes.AndaswehaveseeninthemostrecentHoneywellsurvey,whichwasdiscussedatNBAA[ConventioninOrlando]recently,isthatthelargeaircraftsegmentisreallyalmost70%ofthetotalbusinessjetmarketintermsofvalue.
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For the 2000LXS we’ll start deliveries in just a little more than one year. It’s a short timeframe to react pretty quickly
Falcon 2000LXS
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Global 6000
Looking at the soon-to-be-released Falcon 2000S, available next year, what are your market expectations for that aircraft in the coming years?WeproducedthisnewversionoftheFalcon2000familyin2011whenthemarketrecoverywasstillveryslow.Wehadtheprogrammestartslowlybutwehavehadaverygoodaccelerationduring2012.Wehavesoldoutallofour2013production.Andwhat’sveryimportantforusalsoisthatwehavebeenabletovalidateourinitialassumptionthattheFalcon2000SwouldnotcannibaliseanyofourFalcon2000LXmarket.AndIcansaythatthereisnotasinglesaleofaFalcon2000Sthatwasdoneincompetitionwiththe2000LXconcept.Eachtimewhenwecompete,wecompetewiththeothersuper-midsizedairplanes,whicharealittlesmaller,alittlecheaper–inparticulartheChallenger300andtheGulfstream280.
One can’t help but feel that Dassault still feels very much like a family business. How is that sentiment manifested internally throughout the company?Ithinkthisfamilyfeelingstartswithourshareholders.Forexample,itisveryimportanttoSergeDassaulttocometoeachNBAA;weremindedpeoplethisyearthathisfirstNBAAwasin1962–almostexactly50yearsago(see“NewFalcon2000sontheRunwayandHorizon,”page27).Wearetheonlylargeaerospacecompanyintheworldstillownedbythefoundingfamily.SoIthinkthat’sthefirstpoint.Numbertwo,it’struethatovertheyearsthemanagementofDassaulthasbeenabletokeepthatspecialmotivationinternally.Wealltryhard.Ithinkourcustomers,inturn,havethatfeelingthattheybelongtotheFalconfamily.That’smorethanwords.Finally,ifyoulooktodaywithinDassault,youhaveaverylargenumberofpeople
whohavedonetheirwholecareerwiththecompany.I’moneexampleofthat.Myfirstjobwas37yearsagowithDassaultandover37yearslaterI’mstillhere.Andthat’struewhetheryoulookattheengineeringdepartment,atproduction,atsales–inallareasofthecompanythereisstrongloyalty.
Maybe you’ll finish your career there? Ithinkthere’sagoodchance.
You have served on the board of trustees of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the US since 2008. Why is that important to you to be involved with connecting to the next generation of talent as they enter the industry?Ithinktherearetwomainreasons.Themostimportant,Iwouldsay,hastodoagainwithmaintainingthatlong-termvision.WithEmbry-RiddlebeingthenumberoneaerospaceuniversityintheUS,itonlymakessensethatthenameofDassaultneedstobepresent.AndwehavesomeresearchprojectsgoingonwiththeDeanofEngineering[DeanMajMirmirani].Ithinkthatyou’realwaysinterestedinfindingyoungtalentandputtingthenameofDassaultinfrontofthesepeople.Itisveryimportantforthecompanyintermsofhelpingusrecruitthebesttalentavailable.DassaultisalsoveryactiveinFranceandinEuropeforthesamereason,workingwiththebestuniversities.Thesecondreasonisthattheboardoftrusteesitselfis15to20peoplewithgreatbackgrounds–thereisaladyastronaut;thereisafour-starAirForceGeneral;thereareseveralsuccessfulCEOs.SomeofthemareflyingFalcon,inparticular.Ithinkthatwhenyoulookatthesetwothings,thosearegoodreasonstogivealittlebitoftimetoaUniversityasgoodEmbry-Riddle.
Falcon 2000LXS
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NewFalcon2000sontheRunwayandHorizonItwasSergeDassaultwhoattendedthe1962NBAAconferenceinPittsburgh,toinvestigatethepotentialmarketfortheFalcon20(thenstillnamedtheMystere20).Hehadjustasmall-scalemodeltoshow,butitwassufficienttoconvincepeoplethatDassaultcouldplayaleadingroleinaveryyoungbusinessjetmarket.
Fiftyyearsafterthosehumblebeginnings,astheFalconfleetnears2,000aircraftinservice,DassaultagaintooktheoccasionoftheannualNBAAconferencetoupdatetheindustryonits2000-seriesaircraft,thecompany’ssecond-bestsellertotheFalcon7Xandthesegmentthatwillseethebiggestshakeupincomingyears.TheFalcon2000Swillcompletecertificationearlyin2013beforeenteringservice.It’sequippedwithinboardslatsandwingletsthathelpreducelandingspeedand,combinedwithauniqueauto-brakingsystem,enabletheaircrafttoaccessshorterrunwaysincomparisontootheraircraftofitsclass(Falcon’stestingshowstheplanerequireslittlemorerunwaylengththanturboprops).
TherecentlyunveiledFalcon2000LXSwilleventuallyreplaceFalcon’s2000LXaircraftwhenitbecomesavailablein2014.TheFalcon2000LXS’rangeof4,000nmimprovesonthatofthe2000Sby650nm.Dassaultachievedsomeimpressiveengineeringtoattainthatextendedrangewithoutcompromisingonpayloadcapacity,cruiseorshort-fieldperformance(landingdistanceof2,260ftor689m).TheLXSwillbeequippedwiththesameinboardslats,thesamegreenerenginesandsoundproofingpackagesthatweredevelopedfortheSversion.TofurtherreduceweightontheLXS,Dassaulttrimmedafull300poundsonstructuralpartsandengineeringand100lbsoncompletionitems.(136kgand45kg,respectively).
JeanRosanvallon–AFourDecadeLegacywithDassaultJeanRosanvallon’sbioandCVreadslikeawho’swhoofbusinessaviation(ormaybea“c’estquiça”).AmemberoftheWorldEconomicForuminDavos,Rosanvallonisalsothefirstnon-UScitizentoserveasChairmanoftheBoardoftheGeneralAviationManufacturersAssociation(GAMA);heisalsoaboardmemberoftheFrench-AmericanChamberofCommerceinNewYork,andaChevalierofboththeFrench“Légiond’Honneur”and“OrdreNationalduMérite.”
RosanvallonbeganhiscareerwithDassaultAviationin1975,aftergraduatingfromFrance’sprestigiousbusinessschool,HautesÉtudesCommercialesin1974.HewasinitiallyresponsibleforcoordinatingDassault’sbusinessjetprogrammesbetweenitsParisheadquartersanditsUSsubsidiary,FalconJetCorp.,whichwasthenajointventurebetweenPan-AmericanWorldAirwaysandDassaultAviation.
RosanvallonwasnamedPresidentofFalconbusinessjetsin1996,beforebeingnamedPresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficerofDassaultFalconJetandExecutiveVicePresident,CivilAircraftofDassaultAviationin2003.HehassplitmuchofthepastthreedecadesbetweenParisandNewYork,currentlyresidinginNewYorkCitywithhiswifeandthreechildren.
The recently unveiled Falcon 2000LXS will eventually replace Falcon’s 2000LX aircraft
Regions of Distinction
The Middle East, India, and Africa: three distinctly different regions with distinct promise for business
aviation. Everyone talks about these regions as emerging markets – along with Russia and China – the race is on to see where the next opportunities lie. The general sentiment is that the potential for growth in each of these regions is developing at Mach speed. By Ciel Jolley.
“Looking to the next five to ten years, the light
and mid-size jet market will grow substantially in the Middle East, although wide-cabin aircraft
will continue to lead the market”
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Middle East 2011broughttheArabSpringandamarketslowdownintheMiddleEast,butthebiggerfearoftotalcollapsenevermaterialised.Withthedustnowsomewhatsettled,thebizavindustryintheregionisresumingstronggrowth–butit’sstillinitsinfancy.Incountrieswherethepoliticalmanifestationsweremostintense–Egypt,Yemen,Syria–businessaviationisyettoplayamajorrole;inothers,wherebizavhasbeenmoreprevalent–UAE,Qatar,Bahrain–flightactivitywasgenerallystableorevenincreased,withpeopleshiftingfromconflictzonestomoresecureareas.Movements,bytheendof2012,areexpectedtobe10%upfrom2011.
IntheGulfstates,oilproduction,exports,andgovernmentspendingwillcontinuetobolsteroverallactivityintheregion,andasinter-MiddleEastcommunicationimprovesandtravelincreases,sodoesbusinessaviation.Therearecurrently500aircraftofficiallyregisteredwithintheMiddleEastandNorth
Africa(MENA)region,andthisisexpectedtoincreasebyapproximately800additionaldeliveriesby2020.
AlthoughitwasprobablytheOEMsthatsufferedmostduringthe2011slowdown,thesituationneverbecamedire,andwhenFlyCorporaterecentlyspoketomajorOEMs,allagreedthatthisisanimportantregionfortheirbusiness,withrapidexpansionanticipated.Andthecommonnotesungwasforlong-rangeaircraft.
“TheMiddleEasthasalwaysbeenanincrediblyimportantmarketforus,”saidBobHorner,SeniorVicePresidentofSalesatBombardier.“It’sonethatmaybehadaslightstorm,withwhatwentonlastyearwiththecrisisthere,buttherearefundamentalmarketsintheMiddleEastwhichremainunchanged.”TheGlobalExpress,ultralong-rangejet,hasbeensuccessfulhereandHorneradds,“IntheMiddleEastthereisalwaysthetopproductoffering.”
“The Middle East has always been an incredibly important market for us”
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WhenFlyCorporatespoketoEmbraer’spresident,ErnieEdwards,attheNBAAconventionintheUSinOctober,hehadjustreceivednewsofasecondcontractforthemonthforLegacy.“SalesactivityintheMiddleEastfortheLegacy650isdoingverywell;wenowhave34Legacies[intheregion].”
KriyaShortt,VicePresidentofEMEASalesforCessna,agrees,“Lookingtothenextfivetotenyears,thelight-andmid-sizejetmarketwillgrowsubstantiallyintheMiddleEast,althoughwide-cabinaircraftwillcontinuetoleadthemarket.”
Theregionisseeingnotonlypurchasesofhigh-endassets,butalsoinvestmentsinhigh-endFBOsandfacilities.ManycountriesintheregionstilloperatewithsectorslargelymanagedbytheGovernment,particularlyairportsandFBOs.ButthisischangingasopportunitiesareopeningupfornewprivateFBOs.
IntheUAE,GamaAviationhasopenedanewFBOterminal,SharjahExecutiveAircraftFlightCentre,offeringanewexecutiveaccesspointtotheregion,
veryneartoDubai(a20-minutedriveor5-minutehelicopterride).
ExecuJethasexperiencedgrowthinthisserviceareainDubai–theintroductionoffullground-handlingservicesatDubaiInternationalAirport,andexpansionoftheExecuJetDubaiFBO,withthetakeoveroftheformerExecutiveFlightServices(EFS)terminal.Inaddition,MikeBerry,ManagingDirector,ExecuJetMiddleEastsays,“WearealsopleasedwiththeprogressofourFBOjointventurewithNasJet,theprivateaviationarmofSaudiArabia’sNationalAirServices(NAS),attheKingKhalidInternationalAirportinRiyadhinSaudiArabia,whichshouldseeuscommenceoperationsbeforetheendof2012.”
Onthecharterfront,RizonJet,whichalsoprovidesmaintenanceservicesandhasFBOfacilitiesinDoha,hasseenanincreaseindemandofaround38%foritscharterservices,andrecentlyaddedaChallenger605toitsfleet.“We’vehadpositivegrowth;thetrendisupwards,”saysCEO,CaptainHassanAl-Mousawi.HesuspectsthatwiththeincreasingdemandintheMiddleEast,theonlyrealchallengewillbemarketcompetition.
RizonJet Doha
For a region still in its infancy, the Middle East is
on steady feet, and is certainly maturing fast
Foraregionwherebizavisstillayoungindustry,theMiddleEastisonsteadyfeet,andmaturingfast.“What weareseeinghere,aftertherecenteconomicdisturbances,isamorerationalanddisciplinedapproachtoacquiringandmanagingbusinessjetsasassets,”saysParasP.Dhamecha,ExecutiveDirectorofEmpireAviationGroup.Intermsoffuturegrowth,saysDhamecha,thereare“specifichotspotsinthelargeroil-producingcountries,suchasUAE,QatarandSaudiArabia,where weseestrongeconomicgrowthandinvestmentintoaviationinfrastructure.”
FromtheperspectiveofAliAlNaqbi,FoundingChairmanoftheMiddleEastBusinessAviationAssociation(MEBAA),onesharedwithmostoftheindustry,whenitcomestogrowthandopportunityintheMiddleEast,allindicatorspointupwards.Hisgreatconcernthough,hetoldFlyCorporate,isschooling.“Therearenotenoughtrainingcentresorschoolsdedicatedtobusinessaviation.WehavehaddiscussionswiththeDepartmentofEducationtoaccountfortraining–academictraining,inuniversitiesandhighschools,andtheyareactuallylistening.Sothatisencouraging.”
Parking Space and Congestion at AirportsWithallthepromiseandalltheseaircraft(registeredandunregistered),wheredoesthatleavebusinessjetswhenitcomestolandingandparking,whenyouarrivewiththreeminutestosparebeforethatimportantmeeting?
AlBateenexecutiveairportistheonlyairportintheregionexclusivelydedicatedtobusinessaviation.Otherairportsintheregioncateringtobusinessaviationinclude:Dubai,AbuDhabi,Jeddah,Kuwait,Bahrain,MarkaairportinJordan,SharmelsheikhairportinEgypt,andBeirutairport;however,theseairportscanoftenbeheavilycongested,leavingspaceforbizavextremelylimited.
ExecuJetisoneserviceproviderstrugglingforslotsinthislandscape.“OneofourmajorchallengesiscongestionatDubaiAirport,”saysExecuJet’sMikeBerry.Thiscongestionis“adirectresultofEmiratesandFlyDubaiexpandingandbothreceivinganumberofnewaircraftdeliveriespermonth.Thiscongestionmeanssecureparkingforgeneralaviationisanissue.”
“FortunatelywehavedevelopedanunderstandingandareworkingcloselywithDubaiAirporttofindwaystoaccommodatethetrafficflows,whichwillincludemigratinggeneralaviationtrafficacrosstothenewDubaiWorldCentral(DWC)airport,”addsBerry.
ThenewDWCisscheduledtobecomeDubai’smainbusinessairportthisyear,sothat’sastart.
“We have had discussions with the Department of Education to account for training – academic training, in universities and high schools, and they are actually listening; so that is encouraging.”
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QatarExecutivestandsoutfromthecrowdasaclearleaderinbusinessaviationintheMiddleEastregion.ItisnosurpriseconsideringAkbarAlBakerisbehindthecontrols.Havingalreadycreatedoneoftheworld’sstrongestairlinesandanaward-winninginternationalairportinQatar,theCEOofQatarExecutivehasthesamevisionforbusinessaviationservicesoutofDoha,ashetellsDianaAlbiol.
“Fuelledbythepositiveeconomicclimateintheregion,theriseofpowerfulcompaniesandflourishingpersonalincomes,thedemandforprivatejettravelhassignificantlyincreased,andQatarExecutiveisexperiencingoneofitsbestyearssinceitslaunchin2009,”explainsAlBaker.
TheMiddleEast’sincreasingroleininternationalbusinessisfuellingthegrowingdemandforflexiblecorporatejettravel.ThisisstrengtheningQatarExecutive’spositionintheregionandhasgiventhecompanyreasontomakesignificantinvestmentinthefuture.AtpresentQatarExecutiveoperatessixjets–threeChallenger605s,twoGlobal5000sanda
GlobalExpressXRS–andinMay2012,AkbarAlBakerconfirmedplanstopurchaseBombardier7000/8000aircrafttostrengthenthefleet.
Buttheinvestmentdoesnotstophere.AdditionalfocusisalsoonnewfacilitiesatthecurrentDohaInternationalAirportandanewFBOfacilityattheNewInternationalAirport.
“WithDohabeingourhub,QatarExecutiveisstronglycommittedtotheQatariandMiddleEasternleisureandbusinesstravelcommunity,andiscontinuouslyworkingonenhancingfacilitiesforourdiscerningcustomersatDohaInternationalAirport.
“ThisfutureFBOwillbeoneofthemostadvanced andprestigiousfacilitiesofitskindanywhereintheworld.TheconstructionofthenewFBOfacilityisexpectedtobefinalisedin2014/2015.Untilthattime, weserveallbusinessjetsatourexistingFBOfacilities attheDohaInternationalAirport,”AlBaker tellsFlyCorporate.
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“This future FBO will be one of the most advanced and prestigious facilities of its kind anywhere in the world”
Akbar Al Baker
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Discussingthecompany’scompetitiveadvantages,AlBakeracknowledgesthebenefitsofbeingapartofalargeandgloballyrecognisedairline.“QatarExecutivehastobeviewedinthewidercontextofQatarAirways’successfulbusinessmodel,”heexplains.“QatarAirwaysisoneofthefewselectairlinesintheworldtooperateaprivatedivision,andQatarExecutivecanleverageontheairline’sglobalexpertise,itsnetworkandproventrackrecord.”
Theset-upalsoallowsQatarExecutivetomakeuseofcross-sellingpotential.QatarAirways’FirstandBusinessClasspassengerscantransferontoQatarExecutivejetstotheirfinaldestinations,whichinmanycasesarenotservedbyscheduledairlines.“Weare
lookingintoexpandinggloballythroughtappingintothisgrowthmarket,”addsAlBaker.
AnotherstrategicassetwhichsetsQatarExecutiveapartfromitscompetitorsisitsabilitytoleverageonitsparentcompany’sextensivesalesandmarketingnetworksupportworldwide,aswellasontheairline’sexpertisewithaircraftandenginemanufacturers,especiallybeneficialwhenbuyingbusinessjetsandnegotiatingwarrantiesandmaintenancesupport.
ThiscompanyiscertainlyonetowatchandIpredictbythetimethenewairportandFBOfacilitiesareopen,QatarExecutivewillnotjustbeafrontrunnerintheMiddleEastbutintheglobalmarkettoo.
“We are looking into expanding
globally through tapping into this growth market”
Qatar Executive Global 5000
India India,dubbed‘thenextbigthing’afterChina,isalucrativebusinessaviationmarket.Noonedoubtsthebuddinggrowthhere,despitepastskepticismthatthelackofinfrastructuremaynotallowthesectortorealiseitspotential.Indiawasnotimmunetotheglobalslowdownin2011,yettheeconomyisstrong,andtheAirportsAuthorityofIndia’s(AAI)intentiontoreactivate,upgrade,andmoderniseatleast225airportsby2020isencouragingtosaytheleast.AAIisalsoworkingonupgrading35non-metroairportstohandleincreasedairporttraffic.
“Indiaispoisedtoexperiencearapidupswinginthebusinessaviationsectorduetoitsstrategicgeographiclocation,favourabledemographicsandrobusteconomy,”saysDhirajMathur,ExecutiveDirectorandLeader,Aerospace&Defencepractice,atPricewaterhouseCoopersIndia.Heattributesincreasedopportunityingeneralandbusinessaviationtotherisingnumberofhighnet-worthindividualsandbusinesshousesinthecountry.
Therearecurrentlyaround800registeredaircraftand300helicoptersinIndia,accordingtoTheDepartmentofGeneralandCivilAviation(DGCA);by2020thisnumberisexpectedtoreach1800.
OpportunitiesandchallengespresentthemselvesinequalmeasureinemergingcountrieslikeIndia.Yetforbusinessaviation,inmanyinstances,thechallenges–poorconnectivity,lackofinfrastructure,unskilledpopulation–areinfacttheveryelementscreatingprospectsforgrowth.
IndustryplayersareseeingtheseprospectsandareflyingintoIndiaaccordingly.Dubai’sEmpireAviationGroup(EAG)recentlyinvestedinastrategicpartnershipwithAirworksIndia,thecountry’ssecondoldestMRO.“EAGhasalreadysetupitsfirstbranchofficeinIndiaandislookingtoopenasecondsatelliteofficeinthesubcontinentveryquickly,”saidParasP.Dhamecha,executivedirectorofEAG.
HongKong-basedcharteroperatorMetrojethasalsomovedinontheIndianscene,signinganagreementwithTajAirtoformTajAirMetroJetAviation,settobeoperationalinMumbaiinearly2013.“WhilstmainlandChinaisgrowingandeveryoneisforecastingphenomenalgrowthinthenext10years,thesameishappeninginIndia,”explainsCEOBjornNaf.“Withdouble-digitgrowth,Indiaisadevelopingareaforbusinessaviation.Clientswanttohavebusinessjetsbutthereisnoservicetherenow.”StartingoutasaPart145maintenanceMROfacility,theplanistoexpandintomanagementandaircraftcharterintheregion.
TitanAviationGroup,presentintheAsianandMiddleEasternmarkets,andoperatingfromvariouslocationsinIndia,hasseenprogressioninthecountry.“Wehave threedeliveriesfor2013whichisagoodsign,”says,Capt.SakeerC.Sheik,ManagingDirector.“Ourconsultancyservicesarelookinggoodinbothmarkets.Weexpectthistomaintain[astrongposition].”
Themarkethereispositiveandspiritsarehigh,butnotwithoutadownside.Oneaspectofthisisjusthowlongdevelopmentswillprobablytaketomaterialise.Despitethepledgedinvestment,therewillstillbeahugelackofdedicatedbusinessaviationairportsandterminals,FBOfacilitiesandheliports(evenwithplansunderwayforheliportsinDelhiandMumbai).ThemostbasicformsofconnectivityinIndia,suchasroads,needmajorinvestment.Otherdampenersarethehightaxesandoutdatedrules,regulationsandpolicies,whichdon’ttakeintoaccountthespecialneedsofbusinessaviation,orthebenefitstheindustrycanbringtothegrowingeconomy.
Aircraftimportdutyistoohigh,asaretaxesonimportingsparesandonservices.“Importdutyat20%isanirrationaltaxthataffectsgrowth,”saysRohitKapuroftheBusinessAircraftOperatorsAssociationIndia,whoisworkingwiththeIndianGovernmentinordertoraiseawarenessoftheissuesandtoimproveconditions.
InIndia,currentandprospectiveoperatorswanttoseemoreinvestmentininfrastructureandmoreunderstandingofthenecessityofreducingbureaucraticredtapeandtaxes.Addingtothetaxproblem,saysKapur,istheGovernment’sunrealisticviewthatbusinessaviationis“reallyarichman’stoy.ItisabusinesstoolandtheGovernmentmustviewitthiswaytomakepolicies.Therealchallengeistochangetheperception.”
There are currently around 800 registered aircraft and 300 helicopters in India, by 2020 this number is expected to reach 1800
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Africa Africa,acontinentof56countries,operating200airportsin47countries,isthenewestregioninthespotlight.Businessaviation,havingalreadyrelativelyestablisheditselfinNorthernAfricaandSouthAfrica,isnowcastinganeyeeast,west,andcentrally,asthenaturalresourcessectordrivesgrowthincountriessuchasKenyaandMozambique(east),AngolaandNigeria(west),andSudanandCongo(central).
Asadirectresultofforeigninvestment(muchfromChina),aswellasfromSouthAfricaupwards,inthemining,andoilandgassectors,consumerpowerandinvestmentininfrastructureisincreasinglikeneverbeforeintheregion.Therehasbeenhugegrowthinretailandproperty.Shoppingmallsaremovinginandtravelisincreasingastheregionchanges.Withallthisactivityandpoorgeneraltransportinfrastructure,airlinescannotkeepup;so,accordingtoIvorIchikowitz,ViceChairofthenewlyformedAfricanBusinessAviationAssociation(AfBAA),“Withoutbusinessaviation,itisnotpossibletodobusiness[inAfrica].”
Thetotalregisteredfleetofbusinessaircraftonthecontinentis1,308,withSouthAfricaleadingtheway(withaninstallbaseof578aircraft).BombardierforecastsAfrica
willreceive800businessjetdeliveriesduringthe2010-2030period(325aircraftinthenext10years,andafurther475aircraftduringthe10years2021-2030).
Thisisabrandnewmarketandbasicallyacleanslate.Whatisalsoclear,though:Africaisnotwithoutmajorobstacles,andthemainobstacle,itseems,isthetimeittakestogetthingsmovingandimproving.
Thereisashortageofqualifiedhumanresources,industryexperienceandknow-how,trainingservicesandtrainingfacilities;lackofsafetyandsecuritystandardsacrosstheboard;inconsistentandever-changingrulesandregulations;aswellaslackofinvestmentandcommitmentinternally,fromGovernments.
“Alltheoperatorshereareself-taught,”saysCorneliusBekker,NewDevelopmentExecutiveatAfricaFlightInvestments,inSouthAfrica.PilotsandothersqualifiedfortheindustryhadalwaysbeensenttoEuropetoreceivetraining,butthisisslowlychanging.“Inthelast 10yearstraininginSouthAfricahasbeenhappening inallassociatedservices,butthereisstillroomfor vastimprovement.”
This is a brand new market and
basically a clean slate
Africa Flight Investments
South Africa: Moving UpCorneliusBekker,ofJohannesburg-basedAfricaFlightInvestments,isonefirmbelieverinthefutureofbusinessaviationontheAfricancontinent.Withjusttwoyearsunderitsbelt,AfricaFlightInvestments,startinginaviationITsolutions,nowoffersservicesincludingfleetmanagement,charterandtraining,inadditiontoitscoreITsolutions.ItisapromisingyoungSouthAfricancompanyintheprocessofexpandingintoEthiopiaandCongo.
WhathehasseenisSouthAfricaasacentralhubofstabilityfortheregion,withpossibilitiestoexpand(carefully)intoAfricafromthisvantagepoint.Theregionhasbeenvolatileforalongtime,yetopportunitiesabound.
Terrainhereisdifficultanditcanbehardtogetclearances.Somecountriesarenoteasytogetinto,duetooperationalinefficienciesandpoorcommunication.Foroperators,onentryintosomecountries,thereistheexperienceofrapidlyescalatingcostsastheauthoritiesclamourtoraisefundsinordertoimproveinfrastructurequicklyandjumpstarttheireconomies.
“Wedoneedaunitedvoicefortheregion,”BekkersaysofthenewlyformedAfBAA,“toaddresstheissuesthatarehugestumblingblocksforus.”
Hisforecast:“Growthisinthecountrieswherethenaturalresourcesarelocated–Mozambique,Namibia,Zambia,AngolaandSouthernSudan.”Theseareaswillseeexcitingrapiddevelopments;however,again,infrastructureandinvestmentwillbekey.
“We do need a united voice for the region to address the issues that are huge stumbling blocks for us”
SouthAfricaalsoleadsthewayinestablished,qualityinfrastructureintheregion;however,Nigeriaisconsideredupandcoming,andasAfrica’slargestoilexportingeconomy,isgainingattentionandinvestment,particularlyfromChina.
EvergreenAppleNigeria(EAN),thecountry’sfirstFBO,recentlypartneredwithFlorida-basedBanyanAirServicetoimproveFBOandMROservicesherethroughpooledresources,knowledgesharing,andexperiencetransfer.InLagos,Nigeria,inresponsetogrowingdemand,ExecuJethasjustopenedanewFBOfacilitywithMROandtechnicalsupportatMohammedMurtalaAirport.Workingwithalocalpartner,ExecuJetbasedthedesignofthenewFBOontheir
CapeTownfacility,provingthatLagosisalocationworthyofsimilarinvestment.
AtWilsonAirportinNairobi,Kenya,PhoenixAviation,theonlycharteroperatorintheEastAfricanregion,hashadslowbutsteadygrowthofitsmanagedfleet.IngridStrahammer,VPofMarketing,toldFlyCorporatethat“DevelopmentinKenyaisalwaysslowduetothenatureoftheregion–lackofinfrastructure,bureaucracy,inconsistencyandconstantchangesinregulationscausingconstantheadaches.”Sheispositive,however,thatthenewAfBAAwillhavesomeinfluencetohelpgettheindustryontrack.“Businessisstable–withveryhigh-profileclientele,onparalleltocompaniesoperatinginEurope.Overthepastfewyearsthefleethaschangedandwehaveaddednewjets,includingKingAirs.”
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MARKETFOCUS:MIDDLEEAST,AFRICA,INDIA
EMEA & Asia
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FCREVIEW:AIRCRAFT
Latitude and
Longitude Cessna’s New Direction
During the recent economic recession, Cessna Aircraft has been one of the hardest hit business jet manufacturers.
In 2007, Cessna delivered 388 business jets - but 2011 saw just 183 leave the Wichita factory. As RodSimpson reports, for manufacturers of larger aircraft, the impact was not so bad, but Cessna has always specialised in small and mid-sized jets
which have felt the full impact of business cutbacks.
Cessna has always specialised in small- and
mid-sized jets which have felt the full impact of business cutbacks
Cessna Longtitude
FCREVIEW:AIRCRAFT
39
Cessnamanagement,underCessnaPresidentandCEO,JackPelton,recognisedtheneedforlargeraircrafttogiveamorebalancedproductlineandunveileddevelopmentoftheModel850Columbusatthe2006NBAAConvention.Thiswastobeaclean-sheetdesignforalarge-cabinaircraftinthesamecategoryastheDassaultFalcon2000witha4,000nm(7,408km)rangewitheightpassengers.However,by2009itwasclearthatdevelopmentcostswereunaffordableandtheColumbusprogrammewasterminated.ThedilemmafacingPelton’ssuccessor,ScottErnest,wasthatCessnamuststillmoveforwardanddeliverprofitabilityandproductinnovationbutwithinthebudgetapprovedbyCessna’sparentcompany,Textron.ThesolutionwastodowhatCessnadoesbestanddevelopnewaircraftfromthecompany’sexistingproductline.
Thetargetwasstilltocomeupwitha4,000nmintercontinentalbusinessjet,butthefirststep,announcedatthe2010NBAAConventioninLasVegas,wasforamidsizeaircraftwhichCessnanamedtheModel680ACitationLatitude.This$15millionaircraft(at2011pricing)wouldbepositionedbetweentheexistingCitationXLS+andtheCitationSovereign,butwithmorerangethantheXLS+,andwoulduseacompletelynewfuselagefittedwiththeSovereigntailunit.ItwouldalsohavetheSovereign’s16-degreesweptwing,fittedwiththesameshallowwingletswhichhavejustbeenintroducedonthenewversionoftheSovereign.
ThefuselageusheredinanewdesignphilosophyforCessna,drivenbytheknowledgethatrange,speedandcabinsizearethekeyfeaturesofimportancetocustomers.TheCitationLatitude’scabinisnearlyaslongastheSovereign’sbutithasaflatfloorandstand-up1.83m(6ft)headroom.Thecabinwidthis1.95m(6ft3in),whichis16%greaterthanthatoftheSovereignortheXLS+.Theresultisthatpassengerswillfindthecabinhasmuchmorespaceinwhichtomovearoundwiththestandardlayoutconsistingofforwardclub-fourseating,tworearseatsandasideways-facingtwo-seatdivanoppositethemaindoor.Theinteriorwillbebrightandattractivewithfourlargewindowsoneachside,andatthebackofthecabinisawell-appointedandfullyenclosedrestroomwithacoatcupboard.Baggagestorageisinanexternallyaccessed2.83cum(100cuft)lockerinthetailconeandtheLatitudewillhaveHoneywell’sRE100auxiliarypowerunit.
EMEA & Asia
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FCREVIEW:AIRCRAFT
Notwishingtochangemorethanisnecessary,CessnawillfittheLatitudewithtwoPratt&WhitneyCanadaPW306Dturbofans–whichare,essentially,upratedversionsofthePW306CsontheSovereignwiththebenefitoflongerintervalsof3,000hoursforinspectionsand6,000hoursforoverhaul.TheflightdeckoftheLatitudewill,notsurprisingly,takeadvantageoftheimprovementsdevelopedfortheCitationTEN(nowrevertingtoitsoldCitationXname)withtheCessnaIntrinzicsystem,basedontheGarmin5000package.Itwillhavetwo14-inchLCDPFDscreensandacentralMFDtogetherwithfourtouchscreencontrolpanels,onebesideeachpilotandtwointhecentreconsole.TheaircraftwillbeequippedwithGarmin’sSVT(SyntheticVisionTechnology)andthenownormalterrain,trafficandweathercapability.Cessnaalreadyhasordersfor250aircraftfromNetJetsandiscurrentlyproducingcomponentsfortheprototype.Firstdeliveriesaretargetedfor2015.
FastforwardtoMay,2012andEBACEinGenevawhereCessnapubliclyunveiledtheCitation800Longitude.ThisisnotquitethesameastheproposedColumbus,whichhadasomewhatlongerandwidercabin–butithasthesamerange(4,000nm/7,408km),thesame2,000lbfull-fuelpayloadandthesame490kt(907km/h)maximumcruisingspeed.TheLongitudewillbeabletooperateoutofa5,400ft(1,646m)runwayatmaximumtakeoffweightandwillhaveamaximumoperatingceilingof45,000ft(13,716m).Cessnaisalreadyengagedinwindtunneltestingandexpectstoflytheprototypein2016withdeliveriesstartinginthefollowingyearatacompetitiveunitpriceof$25.9million(2012baseline).
FortheLongitude,CessnaengineershaverepeatedtheirearliermixandmatchformulabyusingastretchedversionofthenewLatitudefuselage–butthistimewiththeCitationX’stailandwinglet-equipped30-degreesweptwingswithleading-edgeslatsandfivespoilerpanelsoneachside.Therewillbefly-by-wiresystemsforthespoilers,rudderandbrakes.TheLongitudeisahandsomeaircraftwithexcellentramppresenceandisthefirstuserofnew11,000lb.s.t.SilvercrestSC-2CturbofansdevelopedbySNECMA.Thesepromisetodeliver15%lowerfuelburnthancomparableenginesandhaveverylowemissionsandnoiseprofileswhicharewellbelowStage4requirements.
Cessna already has orders for 250 aircraft from NetJets
Cessna Longtitude
TheLongitude’sflightdeckwillbevirtuallyidenticaltothatoftheLatitudewiththesameGarmin5000avionicsandtouchscreencontrols.TheLongitude’scabinhasthesamecrosssectionasthatoftheLatitudebutis1.52m(9ft7in)longer,givingtwoclub-fourseatgroupsinthemaincabinwiththeforwarddivanandanoptionalextraside-facingseat(oracoatcupboard)totheleftoftheentrydoorfacingthegalley.Athree-seatdivanandentertainmentcredenzacanbesubstitutedfortherearfourseatsifdesired.Italsohasacabin-accessiblebaggagecompartmentbehindtherearrestroom.Honeywellissupplyingcabinmanagementaspartofitsoverallpackageofnavigation,communicationsandenvironmentalsystems.Itspackagewillprovideall-electricCPMSdigitalcabinpressurecontrolwhichgivesfullyautomatedcabinpressurecontrolandmonitoringwithaninterfacetotheavionicscomputer.TheywillalsosupplyHoneywellPrimusHF-1050highfrequencyradiosforlong-rangemissionsandtheLASEREFVIinertialreferencenavigationsystemwhich,itisclaimed,
isexceptionallycompactandpower-efficient,anddesignedforreducedcrewworkload.AccordingtoBradThress,SeniorVicePresident,BusinessJetsatCessna:“WewanttomakesurethatourcustomershaveproductsavailablethatkeepthemconnectedandenrouteastheytakeadvantageoftheextendedrangecapabilitiesoftheCessnaLongitudeandLatitude.”
Clearly,theLongitudeisnotquiteaslargeastheColumbus–butScottErnesthasindicatedthatanewlargebusinessjetcouldcomefromtheChinesepartnershipwithAVICanditmustbepresumedthiswouldtakeCessnaintoGulfstream550territory.However,atthe2012NBAAConvention,Cessnawastestingopinionontakingthenewlarge-cabinphilosophyoftheLatitudeandLongitudeintoitssmalljets,showinganinterestingmockupwithawiderstand-upinterior.Undoubtedly,thecompanyisdeterminedtofightbackanditsfutureproductlinepromisestobeexcitingandinnovative.
Undoubtedly, the company is determined to fight back and its future product line promises to be exciting and innovative
Cessna Latitude
EMEA & Asia
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SECTORFOCUS:QUICKCONVERSIONS
Quick Change for Business Aircraft
It is all too easy to assume that every business jet and turboprop is transporting company executives or private owners around their daily
appointments. However, the reality is that many of those King Airs, Learjets and Falcons have a much wider role to play. RodSimpson reports.
Chartercompanies,particularly,willbecalledupontodoalotmorethanjusttransportingpassengers.ConsidertheplightoftheFrankfurtcarfactorywhichrunsshortofcriticalpartsandcanonlykeeptheproductionlineflowingifitgetsaboxofkeycomponentsfromthesupplierinHamburg.Or
thetransplantpatientwaitinginParisforanorgansourcedfromacarcrashvictiminToulouse.Acharteredbusinessjetistheonlypracticalsolutionand,withbulkyboxesofautopartsoracomplexmedicalcontainer,theabilitytochangerapidlyfrompassengerseatingtoautilityroleiscrucial.
Thekeytosuccessisthespeedwithwhichexecutivepassengerseatscanberemovedtomakespaceforotherequipment,andmostseatsaremountedonfloortracksandconstructedsothatquickly-removablefasteningswillallowthecabintobeclearedeasily.Someoperators,particularlythosedoingaero-medicalwork,willhavetochangefrequentlyfromonelayouttoanotherwhichcausesconsiderablewearandtear,sotheseaircraftmustbefittedwithmoreresilientinteriorfurnishingsthatarelesspronetodamage.Forexample,CessnahasrecentlylaunchedaversionofitsCitationSovereignwithaquick-changecabinallowingittobeusedasafreighter.Themainseatingcanberemovedinminutes,andtheseattracksusedtoholddownspeciallydesignedfreightboxeswhichcomeindifferentsizesandcanbestacked–againusingtheseat-trackmountingsystem.
Amongthelargebusinessjets,boththeBoeingandAirbusnarrow-bodyaircraftareavailablewithquick-changeinteriors.Themainfocusofthesequick-changekitsistoreconfigureaircraftbetweenhighdensityseatingandaVIPinterior–oramixtureofthetwo.AsexplainedbyJanGrube,SeniorSales
ExecutivewithLufthansaTechnik,“thenarrowbodyAirbusrangeisveryflexible,foroperatorsofaircraftwithhighdensityorbusinessclassinteriors,particularlygovernmentalcustomers,weareabletodeliveranovernightquick-changekitthatreplacestheforwardseatingsectionoftheaircraftwithanattractiveandfunctionalhigh-qualitycabinsuitableforVVIPpassengers.”
Asimilarquick-changeVIPkitisavailablefromAirFranceIndustries,whichcanexchangetheforwardcabinofBoeing737sor747sforaluxuryinteriorforsevenoreightVIPpassengersin48hours.Theirlayoutincludeshigh-qualityleatherandfabrictrims,upholsteryandcarpets,andastate-of-the-artaudio/videosystem.Thepackageprovidesaloungeareawithasofaandcoffeetables,andameetingareawithfourseatsandatabletogetherwithaprivatebathroom.Amongsmallerjets,theBombardierChallenger850isalsoseenasverysuitableforthequick-changetreatment.AccordingtoSeanGillespieofFlyingColoursCorp.,“ourJetCorpoperationinSt.Louis,MissouriisverywellpositionedtotailorChallengerinteriorstothespecificneedsofourcustomersincludingkitstoallowrapidswitchingbetweenhighdensity,utilityandVIProles”.
The main focus of these quick-change kits is to reconfigure aircraft between high density seating and a VIP interior
Lufthansa Technik Quick Change VIP Kit
Lufthansa Technik Quick Change VIP Kit
Clearly,themajormarketisgovernmentalcustomerswhowillhavetooperatetheaircraftinVVIPconfigurationforheadsofstateandsenioraides–ormayneedtohavealargersectionoftheaircraftallocatedtostaff,journalistsandothervisitors.Ontheotherhand,suchaircraftarefrequentlycalleduponatshortnoticetoassistwithdisasterreliefandotheremergenciessotheircabinsmayneedtobeclearedquicklyandreorganisedtocarryfreight.BoeingofferstheBBJ-Cwhichisa737-800withaforwardupward-opening3.56mx2.45m(13ft6inx8ft)cargodoorintheforwardportfuselage.Thisversatilemodel,withsixsupplementaryfueltanks,hasarangeofover5,400nm(10,000km).OneoperatorwhousesthisvariantisPeregrinePoint,anFARPart125chartercompany,basedatAllianceAirport,FortWorthwhichtookdeliveryoftheirBBJ-CinOctober,2007.TheirBoeinghastheflexibilitytobeswitchedinlessthaneighthoursfromhigh-densityseatingora43-seatVIPlayouttoasevenpalletfreightsystemfora35,000lbload.TheseBBJ-Caircraftcanalsobechangedtocarrymilitarytroopsor149passengersinahighdensitylayout–andevenacombinationofbusinessclassseatingandfreight.
Quickchangeinteriorsarespeciallyrelevantforgovernmentaloperators.EmbraerhasdeliveredERJ135sand‘145stotheBrazilianAirForce,theBelgianAirForceandtheRoyalThaiAirForceandNavyfittedformultipleapplications.TheBelgianAirForcenormallyhasitsEmbraersinaVIPlayoutwithasix-passengerforwardVIPcabinforgovernmentministersandarearsectionwithupto36seatsforjournalistsandotherstaffmembers.However,alltheseseats,designedbyDecrane,canberemovedwithinanhourandtheaircraftusedwhollyorpartlyforfreight.Alternatively,theforwardcabincanbereconfiguredfor
medicalworkinaroundfourhourswithmodulestomounteitheroneorthree
stretchers.
Thesewillbemovedonrailsfromtheambulanceintotheaircraftwhereremovablemedicalsupportunits,includingdefibrillators,transfusionunitsanddialysissystemshavebeeninstalled.Otherapplicationsfortheseaircraftincludesurveyandaerialmapping–andalsoflightinspectionandnavaidcalibrationwhichrequiresspecialequipmentthatcanbeswitchedwiththestandardseatinginamatterofhours.
Formanyaero-medicalapplications,smalleraircraftsuchasLearjetsandCitationswillbeusedandhighlysophisticatedkitshavebeendevelopedforspecialisedsituations.RalphBraaten,PresidentofMed-PacofLakePark,Minnesotaexplainsthat“ourcompanyhasasupplementaltypecertificateforourMed-Pac400quick-changestretchersystemforuseinawiderangeofaircraftfromCessnaCaravansandSocataTBM700stoLearjets,CitationsandeverymodelofKingAir.Thisunit,whichconsistsofabasemodulecontainingallnecessaryelectricsandcontrolstogetherwithanelectricalinterfacekittofittheaircraft’ssystemsandaplug-intransportstretcher,canbeinstalledorremovedin15minutes.”Braatengoesontoexplainthat“weareveryproudofourworkinengineeringextremelycomplicatedaero-medicalmodulesincludinganECMO(extracorporealmembraneoxygenation)unitwhichisfittedintoaLearjet35AoperatedonbehalfoftheArkansasChildrens’HospitalinLittleRock.Thisprovidespatientlifesupportforthemostsevereformsofacuteheartand/orlungfailure,usingapumptomovebloodoutofthebodyandthroughanartificiallungtoreceiveoxygenandremovecarbondioxide”.
Finally,thequickestofallconversionsistheJetBed,producedbyMacNeilAviationofDownersGrove,IllinoiswhoseMichaelBossticktoldFlyCorporatethat“thisistheidealsolutionforquicklyconvertingafacingseatpairinabusinessjetorturbopropintoaninstantbed.”TheJetBedconsistsofaninflatablecentresectionwhichfitsbetweentheseatsandacomfortablemattressthatguaranteesagoodnight’ssleepinyourKingAir,Citation,GulfstreamorChallenger.Itis
fittedinplaceinminutesand,whennotinuse,packsintothespaceofasmallsuitcase.Truly
theidealquickconversion!
EMEA & Asia
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SECTORFOCUS:QUICKCONVERSIONS
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SECTORFOCUS:CABINIFE
EMEA & Asia
46
Up, Up
Let’s face it – the stakes are a lot higher in the air.
When you’re accustomed to dealing with state-of-the-art aircraft that people have invested millions of dollars
in, expectations start a little higher and the customer experience is paramount: from the in-cabin lighting to catering, from the upholstery to the cabin controls. Nowhere else is this more true than with In-Flight entertainment (IFE) and satellite communications (satcom). Cameron Heffernan takes a look at some of the latest and greatest products and services for staying entertained and connected onboard.
but Not Completely Away
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SECTORFOCUS:CABINIFE
Thereisasentimentthatwhenyou’vemadeasubstantialinvestmentintoyouraircraft,havingawindowofdowntimewithsubstandardaudio/videoentertainmentandconnectivityissimplyunacceptable.Thissaid,manufacturersareworkinghardthesedaystocreateproductsthatarenotexorbitantlyexpensive(airtimecostsforsatcomsystemscanrunintotensofthousandsofdollarspermonth,alotevenforhigh-net-worthindividuals),offerawiderangeoffeaturesandcomeclosetoreplicatingthesametypeofexperienceyouwouldfindontheground?Wedecidedtotakeacloserlookandascertaintheextenttowhichtheyaresucceeding.Tomanagethescope,wefocusedonproductsandservicesthatwererecentlyreleaseorupdated,includingmanywesawattheNBAAConventioninOrlando,includingthelatestfromthesatellitenetworksthemselves.
In-Flight EntertainmentYoucan’tenterthisdiscussionnowadayswithoutcommencingwithSkybox,thenewgamechangerfromavionicscompanyRockwellCollins.Themuch-anticipatedproductwasunveiledattheNBAAConferenceinOrlandoinOctober,2012,andithasn’tdisappointed.Deliveringfulldigitalrightsmanagement(DRM)-legalmultimediaApplecontentintheair,Skyboxiscurrentlyonlyavailableon FalconDassaultaircraft(theycallittheFalconCabinHD+).
WeboardedaFalcon900LXattheOrlandoExecutiveAirporttoputthesystemthroughitspaces.TheeasiestwaytodescribeandunderstandSkyboxistothinkofitasAppleiTunesintheair–onsteroids.ThesystemnotonlyallowsyoutoaccessthesameHollywood-legaliTunesLibraries
asyouwouldontheground(yourown,thoseofyourpassengersorbasedononboardselections)italsoties intoRockwell’sCabinManagementSystemandtheirAirshowapp,whichprovidesafullpanoramicviewfromatoptheaircraft.
ThismeansyoucancontrolnotonlythemediayouwanttovieworlistentoonyourowniPadorthebulkheadinhigh-definition,youcanalsodirectthein-cabinlightingandadjustthetemperaturefromthecomfortofyourseat.ItalltakesplacecourtesyoftheCabinRemote,whichyoucanaccessonyouriPadoroneofseveralfixedtouchscreencontrolswitches.
Asforthemediaitself,youhaveseveraloptions.Owners/operatorscanchoosetohavefavoritespre-loaded–movies,TVshows,music,books(asif!)–ontotheSkyboxonboard(upto1TB),ortransfermediafromiTunesviaanotheronboarddevice–laptop,iPhone,iPadorUSBstick.ThismeansyoucoulduseSkyboxtoviewacorporatepresentationorevenconductvideochatviaiChat,Skypeoranyotherstandardout-of-the-boxapplication.
Skyboxcomesin5-userand10-userflavours(licences),accordingtothenumberofpassengersonboardyou’reanticipating(withtwoofthelicencesallottedtothetwoon-boardhigh-defmonitorswiththeFalconCabinHD+).The5-userversioncosts$25,000andthe10-usermodelcomesinat$35,000.RockwellCollinsisexploringpossiblefutureplanstoextendSkyboxtoAndroidandotherplatforms,butnothinghasbeenfinalised.
Note: For more In Flight entertainment, see our digital edition
The easiest way to describe and understand Skybox is to think of it as Apple iTunes in the air – on steroids
SatCom Options to Keep You in TouchSatellite(andnon-satellite)communicationoptionsprovidepassengers,pilotsandcrewwiththeabilitytosendandreceiveemail,phonecalls,faxesandSMSmessages;browsetheweb;connecttothegroundforsafetyservices;andevenstreammedia(veryexpensive).Speedscanvaryimmensely,asKevinFinegan,VPofOperationswithSatcomDirectexplains,usingtheexampleofInmarsatSwiftBroadband,whichdeliverstwo-wayvoice,faxanddata:“SwiftBroadbandoffersasharedconnectionwithspeedsupto432Kbps.ButwhenpairedwithSatcomDirect’sAeroX,thespeedincreasesanywherefrom100%to400%.AeroXisapatent-pendingservicethatcompressesdataandcreatesamoreefficientuseofbandwidth,[allowing]businessjetprofessionalstosendandreceivegreateramountsofdatainshorteramountsoftimewhileinflight,thusgettingbusinessdoneinlesstime,”Fineganadded.
Hardware WaresTherecentlyreleasedARINCDirectConnectonboardcommunicationisatriple-threatthatallowsin-airphonecalls,providessupportforACARSmessaginganddata,anddeliversemailandtextingconnectivityinoneportabledevicethatsitsonboard.TheARINCDirectConnectbox(roughlythesizeofanovergrownrouter)weighsabout5lb(2.3kg),runsonIridiumorInmarsatsatellitenetworksandintegratescompletelyintoexistingARINCDirectiPadapplicationsthatprovideflightdeckfunctionalitysuchasflightplans,weather,chartsandairportinfo.Naturallyyou’dneedanonboardantennatoconnecttothesatellitenetworks.
Thesystemhastwochannels,soitsupportssimultaneousvoiceanddataortwovoicecallsatonce.Thesystembecomesavailableinthefirstquarterof2013withananticipatedstandardretailpriceof$25,000,accordingtoBobRichardfromARINC.Hesaidthecompanyexpectstosellaround1,000unitsinthefirstyear.CurrentlythesystemisonlyavailableforretrofitsandARINChasnotyetapproachedOEMsfortheirinterest,butmaydosointhefuture.
Let’stakeacloserlookbyfunctionatwhatthedevicecando.IndividualsinthecabinorcockpitcouldusetheirAppleiPhoneorAndroiddevicetomakephonecallsglobally,includingoverwater.TheconnectionbetweenthephoneandtheDirectConnectboxrunsbyvoice-overIP(VOIP).Toconnect,userssimplydownloadandinstallaniTunesorGooglePlayappandthenthey’rereadytotalk.
Next,fortheDatalinkconnection,thesystemwouldeffectivelyallowyoutoreplaceyourACARSunitforplane-to-groundcommunication,includinggraphicalweather,flightplanuplinks,clearances,free-textmessagingandthelike,whichcouldbeabigcostsaving(asanin-flight-deckunitcouldcostupwardof$100,000).Thisfeaturemakesthesystemmorerobustthansomealternativesthatonlyfocusoncabinconnectivityandomitthesafetyservices.
Finally,theunit’semailcapabilitieswouldallowusersrunningstandardemailclients(POP3/IMAP,MicrosoftExchange,Blackberry)tosendandreceivetext-onlyemailmessages.Attachmentswouldchokethe2,400-baudsystem,thusarenotsupported.Thesystemalsosupportsstandardtextmessaging.
BobRichard,ARINCDirectSeniorDirector,saysthenewsystemenablesuserstore-purpose“personalelectronicdevicessuchasiPadsandSmartphonesalongwitharelativelyinexpensiveportabledevicetodeliversomuchfunctionalitytoboththeflightdeckandthecabin[thatitwilldisrupt]thestatusquoinaviationcommunications.Webelievethishasgreatapplicabilityinthesmall-tomedium-jetmarket,aswellastheused-aircraftmarket.”
The Networks – A RoundupGettingaccurate,“apples-to-apples”detailsonthesatellitenetworksisnoeasyfeat.Foronething,someproviderscan’tgivepricingbecauseallpackagesareofferedviatheirnetworkofpartners.Second,thetechnologyisrapidlychanging,withmultiplepackages,servicesandoptionsavailablefortoday’sbusinessaviationuser.WetriedtofocusonthosemostsuitableforBizAv,withtheknowledgethatpricesarefluidandvalue-addedresellersdeliverdifferentpackagesbasedontheneedsoftheircustomers.Speedalsovariestremendously,dependingonthenetwork,providerandbundleyoudeploy.Soconsidertheinformationbelowasthebestwewereabletoobtainthatthevariousnetworksprovidedus,andknowthat“youractualmileagemayvary…”
SECTORFOCUS:CABINIFE
EMEA & Asia
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AeroX is a patent-pending service that compresses data and creates a more efficient use of bandwidth
®
VISIT US AT
Booth140
• M
E B A 2 0 1 2 •
Iridium• TheBasics:IridiumoperatesoveranL-bandlow-
earth-orbitsatellitenetworkwithinterconnectedKa-bandlinkstodelivervoiceanddataservicesglobally;usesvoicechannelfordataatspeedsupto128Kbps.
• Coverage:Global,includingoverwater• Speeds:Throughtheiraviationbroadbandservice,
IridiumOpenPortAero,themaximumupload/downloadspeed(atthenetworklevel)is128Kbps,averagingbetween80-100Kbps.Usingtheirbuilt-incompression,userscanexperienceamaximumofabout500Kbps,withanaverageof200-250Kbps.
• Pricing:Pricingavailableviapartnerproviders;Iridiumdoesn’tofferanyunlimitedusageplansnow;theyofferbundledusageplanstosupportfleetsofaircraftwithdiscountsupto20%.
• Extras:TheIridiumnetworkcanbeusedasasafetyservicesystembetweenthepilotsandtheground.
• Future:ThecompanyplanstostartdeployingIridiumNEXT,itsnext-generationworldwidenetworkoftelecomssatellitesinearly2015.ThecompanysaysthatIridiumNEXTwillprovideL-banddataspeedsofupto1.5Megabitspersecond.
Inmarsat• TheBasics:Thenetworkwaslaunchedasa
commercialentityin1999(afterspinningofffromaninter-governmentalorganisationafter20years);currentnetworkcomprises10satellitesoperatingingeosynchronousorbitabout22,000mi(35,000km)aboveearth.
• Coverage:global,includingoverwater,exceptoverpolarregionhighlatitudes(some98%oftheworld’spopulation,accordingtoInmarsat).
• Speeds:Inmarsat’sSwiftBroadbandservicecurrentlyoffersdataratesofupto432Kbpsperchannel,withuptofoursimultaneous432Kbpersecond(Kbps)channelsallowedperaircraft,accordingtothecompany.InmarsatisimplementingaSwiftBroadbandenhancementin2013thatwillincreasedatathroughputto700-800Kbpsperchannel,withtwooftheseHighDataRatechannelsallowedperaircraft.
• Pricing:AllpackageoptionsareprovidedbyInmarsat’sproviderpartners.
• Extras:Inmarsat’sClassicAeroservicesupportssafetyservices(ATS/AOCdatalinkconnectivity);theyplantoaddthesamecapabilitytotheirIP-based SwiftBroadbandservice.
• Future:Thecompany’snext-generationGlobalXpress(orGx)networkwilllaunchin2013withglobalcoverageplannedfor2014;satelliteswilloperateintheKa-bandofthespectrum;thecompanyexpectseffectivebroadbandspeedsupto50MBpersecondtomobile,portableandfixeddeviceswitha30cmdishantennaforbusinessaviationaircraft.
SECTORFOCUS:CABINIFE
EMEA & Asia
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Aircell’s Gogo Biz• TheBasics:Forstarters,Aircellisn’tasatellitenetwork
–it’sbasedinsteadonamodifiedversionoftheair-to-groundspectrumintheUSusedtoprovidecoverageforthemobilephonecarriers.Aircellmanufacturestheirequipment,whichisinserviceaboardbusinessaircraft.GogoBizisthe“flavour”fromAircellmostapplicabletobusinessaviationusers.Thesystemprovidessupportforemailandhigh-speedinternetonlyatthemoment.
• Coverage:CurrentlyonlyavailableoverthecontinentalUSandpartsofAlaska,thecompanyplanstoofferserviceintoCanadaviaapartnerbytheendof2013.
• Speeds:Aircelldoesn’tmakepreciseup-ordownlinkfiguresavailable,buttheyclaimtheserviceisfastenoughtosupportanInternetexperiencesimilartowhatpeopleareaccustomedtoontheground.
• Pricing:GogoBizhasanunlimitedusagepackagefor$2,195permonth.
• Extras:Theyofferafleetdiscountupto8%offthemonthlyusageamount.
• Future:ExpandingsoonintoCanada,eh;theyalsoplantoaddvoicesupportnextyear.
ViaSat Yonder• TheBasics:RunsovermultipurposeKu-bandsatellites;
high-speedInternet:unlimitedwebaccess,emailwithattachments,streamingvideo,large-filetransferandaccesstoVPNs;faxcapability.
• Coverage:Coversmajorflightroutesglobally,includingoverwater.
• Speeds:Forwardlinkspeedsof1-2MBps;returnlinkspeeds128-256Kbps.
• Pricing:Availablethroughservicepartners.• Extras:Offersunlimitedusageoptionandflat-rate
pricing;providesalways-onservice,availablewhileidling,taxiingorinfullflight;serviceisonwheneveraircraftispoweredupwithoutlogin.
• Future:Effectiveworldwideconnectivity.
Which Network is Right for You?*Likeanyinvestmentintechnology,choosingaSatComnetworktakestimeandknow-how.Agoodplacetostartiswiththerightquestions.Byknowingwhereandhowfrequentlyyouwillusethesystem(includingacrossafleetofaircraft),youcandevelopabetterpictureofwhichnetworkmaysuityourneeds.Notethatallpricesvarygreatly,dependingonnetwork,serviceproviderandhardwareinstallation.
• Howmuchdatawillyouuse? - Costsforlimitedlevelsofmonthlyusage
(upto500MB)canbeaslowas$6-8 perMBpermonth
- Lookforbundleddiscountsacrossafleet, whichmayenableyoutobringcostsdown
byasmuchas20% - Somenetworksallowunlimitedusagethat canaveragebetween$2,000-6,000per month
• Whereandhowwillyouusethesystem? - Inmarsat,IridiumandViaSat’sYondernetworks
deliverglobalcoverage,includingover water(insomecasesexceptinghigh- latitudepolarregions).Aircell’sGogo Biznetworkislimitedtothecontinental USandpartsofAlaska.
- IridiumandInmarsatoffervoice(telephony) connectivity;ViaSatoffersvoice connectivityoverVOIP;AircellGogo Bizsaystheywilloffervoicesupport nextyear.
• Willyouusethesystemforsafetyservices,i.e.,asadatalinkbetweenthepilotsandtheground?
- OnlyIridiumandInmarsatnetworkssupport safetyservicesdatalinkconnectivity.
*Thanks to AirCloud’s Peter Lemme for extensive input and research into developing this list.
51
SECTORFOCUS:CABINIFE
Like any investment in technology, choosing a SatCom
network takes time and know-how
#bizapps
NameofApp CharterPlusTargetUser PassengersWhatitdoes Usethisapptobookyour
privateflight,providinginstantaneouslogisticsfor3,000privateaircraftworldwidetoprivateflyers.WorksforiPhone,iPodTouchandiPad.
Cost Free
NameofApp CrewReaderTargetUser Crew,pilotsWhatitdoes Viewdocumentsbyasimpletap
insteadofmultipletaps,scrollsordropdownmenus.Usefulforviewingaviationapproachcharts;quickchangetonightview.
Cost $4.99
NameofApp AnywhereMapTargetUser PilotsWhatitdoes AviationGPStooldesignedby
pilotsforpilots.OffersrealmovingmapGPSapplicationwithterrainandnightviews,includingfullgeo-referencedchartsincluded.ForiPadandiPhone.
Cost $49.99
NameofApp Pilot’sHandbookofAeronauticalKnowledge
TargetUser PilotsWhatitdoes ThisiPadandiPhoneappis
apublicationoftheFAA,designedtohelppilotsandstudentpilotspreparefortheirpilot’scertificate.
Cost Free
NameofApp CrewAlertTargetUser Flightcrews/operatorsWhatitdoes DevelopedbyBoeingandJeppesen
tohelpmanagealertnessandfatigue.Allowscrewtobuildscenariosbasedonplannedoractualflightanddutyschedule.
Cost $29.99
NameofApp PilotLogOfflineTargetUser PilotsWhatitdoes FreeCompanionprogramme
toPilotLogonlinelogbook(requiressynchronisationwithPilotLogdatabasetofunction).FreetrialaccountsofPilotLogavailable.
Cost Free
The iPad has totally changed the way we work and communicate and provides a new platform for business applications and information sharing. FlyCorporate looks at some of the latest apps designed for the bizav market.
FCREVIEW:BIZAPPS
Get on Board with FlyCorporate Marketing Communications
www.flycorporate.com
Learn how FlyCorporate Integrated Multimedia Marketing and Branding programmes can work for you in 2013
contact: Natalya Berdikyan [email protected] • +32 9 26 20 338
Public & Media Relations
Print and Digital Advertising
EventPlanning
Branding
Thought Leadership
Video & Podcasts
Custom Publishing
Sponsorships
360° Tours & Photography
App Development
Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world, and one of the more traditional in the Gulf. There is a strong cultural legacy here, and Omanis value
and preserve it. Despite brief political manifestations during the Arab Spring uprising, Oman is known as one of the most developed and stable countries in the Arab world.The natural and cultural landscape has been recognised by UNESCO and whether it’s museums and mosques, or scuba diving and desert safari trips, Oman does not compromise in terms of variety or quality. Although there is no official dress code for foreigners, being a more traditional state, dress may be slightly more formal than what some are used to in Western countries. In public places, including hotels and restaurants, smart casual is the standard; which means, despite the hot climate (reaching up to 50°C/122°F peak in the hot season, May-September) shorts and sandals are a no-go.
Landings:
Oman FC’s trip planning tool for executives
55
FCREVIEW:LANDINGS
AIRPORTS
Omanhasthreeairports,allmanagedbytheOmanAirportsCompany(S.A.O.C.)andnoneofwhichhavebizavdedicatedterminalsorheliports.omanairports.com
MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MuscatInternationalisthemainairportofOman,locatedaround30kmfromoldMuscat.Workiscurrentlyunderwayonanexpansiontoincreasetotalpassengercapacitytoaround12million,withanexpectedcompletionof2014.The3,342mrunwayisavailableforbusinessaviation,andthereis24hourfuelandhandling.
SALALAH AIRPORTThesecondinternationalairportofOmanis5kmfromthemaincitycentre.Workisalsounderwayhereforcapacityof1millionpassengersby2014.Thecurrentrunwayis3,342minlength,andthenewrunwaywillbe4,000m.24hourfuelandhandlingisalsoavailablehere.
KHASAB AIRPORTKhasabairportislocatedinKhasabdistrict,MusandamGovernorate,northoftheSultanateofOman.
Therearefournewregionalairportsunderdevelopment–Adam,AdDuqm,SoharandRasAlHadd–alldueforoperationin2014,withrunwaysmeasuring4,000mx60m. Alternatively,giventhecloseproximitytoOman,DubaiInternationalandAlAinAirportscanbefly-inpoints,especiallyifyouarestayingattheSixSensesHideawayZighyBay,inthenorthernarea.
TheairportswithinOmanarenotonlyowned,butalsooperatedbytheOmanAirportsManagementCompanyS.A.O.C(OAMC),belongingtotheGovernmentoftheSultanateofOman.
OAMCisresponsibleforthemanagementandoperationofMuscatInternationalandSalalahAirports(andwillbeforthefutureairports).Thisincludesinfrastructure,runway,apronandcarparking,terminalmanagement,certificationandcompliance.
FLIgHT SUPPORT SeRvICeS
AsallFBOoperationsarehandledbytheOmanAuthorities,flightsupportcompaniestendtoofferfullservicesafterlanding–anythingfromfuelhandlingtocompleteorganisationofyouraccommodationandtransport.
Thefollowingcompaniesofferflightsupportservicesincluding:charter,fuel,flightplanning,slotclearances,crewandcatering,landingpermits,groundhandling,immigrationandcustomssupport.
Additionally,theycantakecareofyourairporttransfers,accommodation,toursandprivatedriverhireduringyourstay,offeringarealone-stop-shop,whichishelpfulinacountrywheregettingthingsdoneasaforeignercanbefrustrating.
CONTINENTAL JET SERvICES cjs.ae
MIRACLE FLIgHT SUPPORTmiracle.aero
RAMJETramjet.aero
ROyAL JETroyaljetgroup.com
SKy AvIATIONskyas.aero.
RoyalJ Jet FBO
EMEA & Asia
56
FCREVIEW:LANDINGS
HOTeLS
CONNeCTIONS
Connectionsbetweenairportandhotelaremostconvenientlyorganisedthroughhotelconciergeservicesorserviceproviders.Hotelscanorganisedoortodoor,meetandgreetservices;andthiscanbebywayofprivatecar(hotelshavetheirownfleets),limousineorluxuryminibus.AprivatehiredcarwithdriverisbyfarthemostreliablewaytoexploreMuscat,althoughtaxiscanbeeasilyhailedfromthestreetinMuscatorataxirank.Withtheexceptionofsomeairportpickups,taximetersarenotcommonlyused,sothefareshouldbeagreedtobeforehand.Shangri-Lahasaheliportandmarina,butnotethatseaarrivalsmayhaveseparateentryrequirements.
INTERCONTINENTAL MUSCATThemostcentrallylocated,intheheartofthecity’spremierresidential,governmentanddiplomaticquarter;theInterContinentalMuscatisa35-acreoasisinsidethemetropolis.Thebusinessandcommercialdistrictisatthedoorstep,asaremust-seesightsandshoppingquarters(includingtheMuttrahSoukor“essenceofMuscat”).Incomparison,thishoteldoesnotofferthesame“traditionmeetseleganceandluxury”feelandsurroundings;however,intermsofexperiencingtherealcapitalofMuscat,thishotelisideal,andoffersthesamefacilities–restaurants,pools,fitnesscentre,valetparking,andbusinessservices.
SHANgRI-LA BARR AL JISSAH RESORT ANd SPAshangri-la.com/muscat/barraljissahresortSetagainstabackdropofseaandmountains,liketheChedi,Shangri-La’sBarrAlJissahResortandSpaconsistsofthreehotelsawaitingyourarrival.ApproachingAlWaha,youenteraman-madetunnelthroughthemountain,leadingtoanoasiswithseveralswimmingpools.DatepalmsandtraditionalDhofariarchitectureremindyou:youareinArabia.Theresort’sfocalpoint,AlBandarHotel,isdesignedtoresembleatownwithamélangeoffinerestaurants,giftshopandartgallery.Finally,theAlHusnisasuitablyexclusivecastle.RoomsandsuitesareamongstthelargestinOman,andwillmakeyoufeelyouarewalkingintoanArabianpalace.Itishardtobelievethatthelocationisonly15minutesawayfromthebustlingcentreofMuscat.
THE CHEdI MUSCATghmhotels.com/en/chedi-muscat-omanTheAlHajarMountainsreflectinthewateroftheGulfofOman;andthedoorsoftheChediMuscat.Thehotelrisesupfromalandscapedtwenty-oneacregardenoasis,andhas158Omaniinfluencedguestroomsandvillas.Thislocation,whilestillcentral,issurroundedbynaturallandscape,andisequallysuitedtoleisureandbusinesstravellers.Youarespoiltforchoicewithsixdistinctrestaurants;fromArabiancourtyard,toshishalounge,tobeachfrontorpoolsidedining.Thejust-opened13-suiteBalinesespa,threeswimmingpools,and400sqmhealthclubkeepsyourlifestyleincheckwhileawayonbusiness.Thereisa24-hourbusinesscentreandinvaluableconciergeservice,whichwillmakeyourstayhassle-freeandefficient.
AL BUSTAN PALACEritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/AlBustanFromMuscatAirport,theAlBustanPalaceis40kmSouth-East.Aredefiningrenovationwasrecentlydone,bothinsideandout,andthePalaceissetonaprivatebeachwithacresofgardens.FurnishingscombinelocaltraditionandartdecocreatingablendofArabcultureandart.Its38m-highdomedatriumlobbyisastand-outfeature,alongwiththeintricatelyhandcraftedwallcoversandoriginalcarvings.Withviewsofmanicuredgardens,theseaofOmanandtheHaijarMountains,thehotelhas200guestroomsand50luxurysuites,authenticdining,a1kmlongprivatebeach(thelongestinthecountry),andfiveoutdoorswimmingpools.Fullconciergeandbusinessservicesarealsoavailable,ifyoucanpullyourselfawayfromthebeach.
57
FCREVIEW:LANDINGS
ReSTAURANTS
AL TANOOR, SHANgRI-LA BARR AL JISSAH RESORT ANd SPAshangri-la.com/muscatHereyouwillfindcharacteristiccuisinesoftheArabianGulfregion,surroundedbytraditionalOmanistyle.TheinteriorisdecoratedwithArabiantents,potteryandvibrantcolourswhichcomplementthedishespreparedatopencookingstations.InadditiontoArabiancuisine,thereisachoiceofthebestMediterranean,Persian,Indian,andTurkishpicks.Serves:breakfast,lunchanddinner.
AL KHIRAN TERRACE RESTAURANT ritzcarlton.com/enOverlookingtheSeaofOman,theaward-winningAlKhiranisanall-dayindoorandoutdoordiningrestaurant.Servingascrumptiousbuffetbreakfastandaninternationallunchbuffetwithlivecookingstations,thereisplentyofchoiceforeveryone.Fordinner,guestscanenjoythespecialthemedbuffetnightsonadailybasis.Analacartemenuisalsoavailable.Located:inhotel,1stlevel/Serves:breakfast,lunch,dinner.
THE CHEdI MUSCAT FINE dININg RESTAURANTghmhotels.com/en/chedi-muscat-omanDineinOmanichic,withcurvedarcheswhichmakeadramaticfirstimpressioninthisvaulted,crystalchandelier-litdiningroomwithcontemporaryterrazzofloors.Baywindowslookontogardens,andlivepianomusiccomplementstheambience.FouropenshowkitchensaddentertainmentandthesmelloftheMiddleEastasMuscat’sfinestculinarychefsprepareWestern,Asian,MiddleEasternandIndiancuisine,pairedwithaward-winningwines.Youhavetheoptionofdiningontheoutdoorpatioorinoneofeightprivatediningroomswith loungeareasthatmakememorablevenuesforbusinessdinners.TherestaurantisrenownedforitsindulgentFridaybrunch,andnotjustforthefreeflowofChampagne.Located:mainhotelbuilding,nearlobby/Serves:breakfast,lunch,dinner,Fridaybrunch.
Chedi Muscat Fine Dining Restaurant
THE CHEdI MUSCAT ARABIAN COURTyARdghmhotels.com/en/chedi-muscat-omanOncooldesertnights(October–April),youcanenjoydiningundertheArabianskyonplushcushions,whilelisteningtoliveOmanimusic.TheexperienceisOmanluxury–withAuthenticArabicmezze,shwarmaandkebabsontheoutdoorcourtyard.Duringthisseason,theadjacentShishaLoungesummonsyouwithitscolourfuldivans,distinctEasternlanternsandtraditionalwaterpipes,thatshouldbetriedatleastonceonyourstayinthispartoftheworld.Located:mainbuilding,adjacenttothemainrestaurant/Serves:dinner.
Overlooking the Sea of Oman, the award winning Al Khiran is the all-day indoor and outdoor dining restaurant
EMEA & Asia
58
FCREVIEW:LANDINGS
CHEdI MUSCAT MEETINgSghmhotels.com/en/chedi-muscat-omanForexclusivemeetings(upto40guests),theprestigiousSalalahRoomandNizwaRoomatTheChediMuscatbringintheworld’stopcompaniesandregionalbusinessexecutives.Theroomscanbeflexiblyconfiguredintoboardroom,classroomortheatre-style,andthehotelofferstailoredmenusandservices,including24hourbusinessandITsupport.Outsideoftheboardroom,excursionsbyprivatecatamaranontheGulfofOman,oratriptothedeserttoasecludedoasiscampcanbeorganised.
SPECIAL OUTdOOR EvENTSForaspecialevent,themainhotelsarealsoabletotailoroutdoorspaces.AprivatebeachorArabiandesertdiningexperienceattheendofaproductiveconferenceormeetingwillleaveyourguestswithOmanintheirmemoryforever.
CONFeReNCe FACILITIeS
BARS
LocalMuslimOmanisareforbiddentodrinkalcohol;however,asaforeigneryouwillfindaward-winningwinesandachoiceofcocktailsinbars,hotelsandrestaurantsinOman.Youwillnotbeabletobuyitoutsidetheseplaces,andstickingtothelargehotelsisalwaysthebestapproach.
Thehotelslistedhavenumerousoptionsforsocialdininganddrinking–mosthavearoundsixrestaurantandbarstochoosefrom,themedfortheoccasion,andvaryingfromluxury-chictocalmandcasual.
Youwillalmostalwaysfindastylishpianobar,servinginternationalcocktailsandcognacs,withsmoothjazznotesfloatinginthebackground;beachorpoolsidebarsforthosebalmysummernights.TheFCpick,though,isthecool-relaxedShishaLounge(TheChediMuscat,nexttotheArabianCourtyardrestaurant).
NotethatduringtheperiodofRamadan,most,ifnotALLbarsandloungeswillbeclosed.
TRIP TIPIfyourvisitisscheduledbetweenJulyandOctober,thisisturtle-watchingseasoninOman.Morethan50,000turtles(includingtheendangeredgreenturtle)landonthebeach,laytheireggs,andreturntothesea.HeadtoRasalHadd,theonlyremainingbeachopentotourists,duetoprotectionmeasureselsewhere.Seeingthetracksleftbytheturtles,alone,isworththetrip.
Ifhustleandbustleismoreyourthing,Arabic“souqs”(markets)arefoundineverymajortowninOmanandareimportantsocialhubsincommunities,fortradinggoodsandinformationalike.ExperiencingthesensoryflurryofasouqisamustifthisisyourfirsttriptoOman.Itisalsowhereyouwillfindyourauthenticgiftsandsouvenirs,whichyoushouldbepreparedtohagglefor.
Shoppinginitselfisanexperience–you’llfindanythingfromrose-watersprinklers;totraditionalrugs;tofinesilverworkandgoldjewellery,whichvaryinstylewitheachregion.
Toremovetheguesswork,a5-10%tip,althoughnotexpected,iscustomaryinmostrestaurantsandforservices.
signatureflight.com
AL BUSTAN MEETINgS ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/AlBustan/MeetingsWith11meetingroomsspanningoverfourflours;andseatingfor20to250guests,thisisagreatoptionifwhatyouneedisoptions.Moreofa“hotel”feelexistsherethaninthemoreexclusiveChediMuscat;however,youcanalsofindmoreclassicand“regal”rooms.RestassuredthatserviceandcateringwillbetoanimpeccableOmanstandard,withabundantfacilities.
How will you reach
customers?• Advertising(print&digital)
• SpecialABACEissue:EnglishandMandarin
• CustomisedMarketingCampaigns
• 360°Virtualtours
• PRandEvents
Business Aviation will grow up to 25%* per
year in China
FlyCorporate multichannel marketing solutions
working for you in Asia Pacific
Contact:NatalyaBerdikyan [email protected] • +32 9 26 20 338
www.flycorporate.com
* Source: China Business Aviation Group
EMEA & Asia
60
FlyCorporateDistribution
FlyCorporate EMEA & Asiareachesthekeydecisionmakersofsuccessfulinternationalcorporations,fromchiefpilotsthroughtotheboardroom. Inadditiontothis,FlyCorporate EMEA & AsiaisproudtohaveaglobaldistributionpartnernetworkwhichdeliverscopiesdirectlytocustomersinFBOloungesandonboardaircraft.
FlyCorporate EMEA & Asiaisalsopresentatkeyindustryeventsthroughout theyear,including:
DISTRIBUTIONPOINTS
ASIAZybLilyJet ChinaJetAviation Singapore
JetAviationHongKong Hong Kong UniversalSingaporeAirportServices Singapore
eUROPeMJet AustriaTyroleanJetServices AustriaAbelag(EBAW) BelgiumAbelag(EBBR) BelgiumAbelag(EBKT) BelgiumFlyingGroup BelgiumEuroJetIntercontinental Czech RepublicABSJets Czech Republic BalticBusinessAviation EstoniaAéroportCannesMandelieu FranceAéroportd’Ancenis FranceAéroportInternationaldeLimogesFranceAéroportInternationalduCastellet FranceAéroportLyonBron FranceEuroOpsInternational FranceFrenchAviationHandling France
LandmarkAviation FranceACMBusinessAviationHandling GermanyAirHamburg GermanyBASBerlinAviationServiceGmbH GermanyEBASInternational GermanyExecuJetGermany GermanyFAIrentajet GermanyFraportExecutiveAviation GermanyJetAviation GermanyLufthansaBombardierAviationServices GermanyServicePeople GermanySignatureFlightSupportGermanyGmbH GermanySouthairSuðurflug Iceland
JetexFBOShannon IrelandSignatureFlightSupport IrelandUniversalAviationIreland IrelandAlbengaAirport ItalyAVIATRAX LuxembourgFBOCapitalHandling LatviaExcelHandling-Krakow PolandExcelHandling-Warsaw PolandAvcom-DLtd RussiaAviaGroup RussiaFBOVIPPORT RussiaMJet RussiaMSGroup RussiaFBOJetPort RussiaABSJets SlovakiaOperaJet SlovakiaExecutiveAirlines-Madrid Spain
• ContinuingAirworthinessManagementSummit–UK
• IBAE–India
• BAWE–UK
• ABACE–China
• AEROFriedrichshafen–Germany
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• EBACE–Switzerland
• ParisAirshow–France
• IsleofManAviationConference–IsleofMan
• IBASC–Ireland
• BAE–UK
• JetExpo–Russia
• BGAD–UK
• NBAA–US
• CEPA–CzechRepublic
• DubaiAirshow–Dubai
FlyCorporateDistributionPartnerNetwork
61
DISTRIBUTIONPOINTS
eUROPeTagAviationEspana SpainUniversalAviationSpain Spain
AirServiceBasel Switzerland
E-AviationSwiss Switzerland
HappyFlightInternationalSupport(HFIS) Switzerland
JetAviation Switzerland
St-Gallen-Altenrhein Switzerland
JetVision the Netherlands
KLMJetCenter-Amsterdam the Netherlands
KLMJetCenter-Rotterdam the Netherlands
CelloAviation UK
ExecuJetUK UK
FlightSafetyInternational UK
HeliconAeronautics UK
JetAviation UK
LondonBigginHillAirport UK
OceanSkyCorporate UK
OxfordAirport UK
RizonJetLondon UK
SaxonAirCharter UK
SignatureFlightSupport UK
TAGFarnboroughAirport UK
MIddLe eAST & AFRICALauferAviation-GHI IsraelCedarJetCenter LebanonExecutiveAircraftServices LebanonBilenAirServices Turkey
GözenHavacılıkveTicaret TurkeyDubaiWorldCentral UAEHadidInt.AviationServices UAEHeliconAeronauticsLtd UAE
JetexFlightSupport UAEUnitedAviationServices UAE QatarExecutive Qatar RizonJet Qatar
NORTH AMeRICAFlyingColoursCorp CanadaARG/US United StatesAvfuelCorporation United States
BusinessAir United StatesCessnaCitationCenter United StatesGEAviation United States
LandmarkAviation United States
Key Subscribers
FBOs/Airports/Operator Lounges/Jets Trade Shows & Events
Cessna Citation CJ4
62
EMEA & Asia
On the Horizon...
• Asian Bizav Market• Interiors & Completions• Finance & Leasing• Aircraft Management• Large Jet Market Aircraft Review• Landings: Hong Kong
Issue17FlyCorporate EMEA & Asia Available16April
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business, and has made CorporateCare® the world leader of business
jet engine maintenance programs. A fact recognised in more than
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