More than 10,080 business aircraft valued at $141.1 billion (in 2006 US dollars) will be produced over the 2006-2015 decade, predicted Teal Group analysts in their 16th annual world business aircraft production forecast.
This compares to the company’s forecast last year that called for 7,417 business jets worth $106.7 billion to be produced in 2005-2014.
“These are great times. High corporate profits and high commodity prices, coupled with emerging market growth, have produced a likely all-time market high this year — 901 planes worth $13.6 billion — with further growth likely into 2007,” said Richard Aboulafia, lead analyst for Teal Group’s World Military & Civil Aircraft Briefing.
“After 2007, we predict a modest market dip, but this industry looks set to remain considerably larger than before its pre-1996-2001 transformation, when it experienced 350% growth,” he said.
Of the 10,087 business jets that Teal analysts expect to be produced over the next 10 years, more than 40% will be Class Four and Five (high-end) models. While the company calls itself “air taxi agnostics,” it does forecast a market for 2,310 very light jets (VLJs), including 620 Cessna Citation Mustangs.
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Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI), in partnership with St. Louis-based Skyline Aeronautics, have recieved FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS) and Part 141 acceptance for two Symphony/Avidyne TAA Transition Training Programs. The training is provided free to new customers who order a Symphony with the Avidyne Entegra glass cockpit.
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Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ), can see FAA certification on the horizon as the Eclipse 500 test fleet has exceeded 2,000 flight hours and completed the majority of required FAA certification testing. Six customer Eclipse 500s are in various assembly positions on the production line. The Eclipse 500 is on track to achieve FAA certification by the end of this month, company officials said.
Meanwhile, Vern Raburn, Eclipse president and CEO, recently accepted the Robert J. Collier Trophy from the National Aeronautic Association. The prestigious trophy, considered by many to be the “Oscar of aviation,” was presented to Eclipse “for innovation in the advancement of general aviation through the design, development and manufacture of the Eclipse 500.”
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When America went to war in the 1940s, the Piper Cub was pressed into service as a liaison aircraft. American Legend Aircraft Co. is paying homage to the Cub’s place in history by offering the Combat Legend Cub, which features a military paint scheme patterned after the L-4, L-18 and L-21 designated, Piper-produced aircraft dating from 1942 to 1962. The Legend Cub is a two-place, light-sport certified tube and fabric aircraft available with either conventional or glass panels.
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Lockwood Supply, a leading U.S. distributor for Rotax engines, has opened a new school aimed at the light sport and sport aviation community. Aero Technical Institute began operations this month at the Lockwood Aviation Supply facilities at Sebring Regional Airport in Florida. Early courses will focus on Rotax engines, but the school will expand to other maintenance and inspection courses for Light Sport Aircraft.
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Dutch Van Kirk, navigator on the “Enola Gay,” will be a featured guest at western New York’s only airshow this year. The 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum (HAG) Airshow, dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf,” is scheduled to take place at the Geneseo Airport July 8-9.
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