Features Operations
CBAA Gathers in Montreal

Montreal played host June 12-14 to the 45th annual CBAA Convention,
Trade Show and Static Display. The trade show and static display was
held at the Skyservice FBO at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International
Airport while many of the seminars were held downtown at the Fairmont
Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

The
three-day show is the largest event of the year on the corporate
aviation calendar, hosting 79 exhibitors from various aspects of the
aerospace industry. There were also 17 aircraft on static display. This
year’s trade show saw a significant rise in attendance from last year’s
event in Vancouver.

Seminars were hosted on a wide variety of
topics, ranging from Avian Influenza to Transport Canada’s Flight 2010
initiative. Other seminars included a Transportation Safety Board
update, information on the Cape Town Convention, an overview of
business aviation security, and issues affecting the CBAA. Seminars
were also provided on maintenance and operation topics relating to the
highly popular Beechcraft King Air series and the Hawker 850XP. Eclipse
Aviation provided an up-todate product briefing on the Eclipse 500
aircraft which has already received over 2,500 orders. The Eclipse 500
is one of many very light jets in various stages of flight testing.

Aircraft
manufacturer Raytheon brought a large contingent of business aircraft
from its Beechcraft and Hawker product lines. Raytheon is excited about
the emerging Canadian market and hopes to expand its market share
through new product offerings.

The Beechcraft Raytheon Premier
1A was displayed on the static ramp. It is expected to receive its
Canadian certification later this year, having already delivered over
150 aircraft to customers around the world. The Premier 1A is one of
the first aircraft in its class to have a two-piece composite fuselage
designed to lighten the airframe and improve operational efficiency.
Beechcraft also displayed the newly updated King Air C90GT, a King Air
350, a Baron and a 1900D in an executive shuttle configuration.

Raytheon
proudly displayed its new super-midsize Hawker 4000 aircraft and the
updated Hawker 850XP. The all-new Hawker 4000 sports a composite
fuselage and a supercritical wing allowing seating for up to eight and
a range as far as 3,400 miles.

Cessna displayed a wide range of
aircraft offerings for prospective customers and current operators.
Turboprop aircraft were represented by a Turbo Stationaire and the
ruggedly versatile Grand Caravan. Cessna’s business jet lineup
displayed the increasingly popular 6-passenger CJ3 and the 8-passenger
Citation Sovereign.

Bombardier showcased its super-midsize Challenger 300 jet.

Brazilian
aircraft manufacturer Embraer displayed a stunningly painted Legacy 600
which is based on the popular Embraer ERJ 135 regional jet. The Legacy
600 was Embraer’s first offering in the crowded business jet market; 73
have already been sold and are operating in 18 countries. Embraer also
displayed a mockup of the highly anticipated Phenom 100. Although
classified as a very light jet, it offers the spaciousness of a light
jet and many of the amenities.

Dassault showcased its Falcon
2000EX equipped with its cutting-edge EASy cockpit which is designed to
simplify and minimize pilot workload. The EASy system is an intuitive
interface between the pilot and the airplane to improve situational
awareness and ultimately safety.

The trade show’s impressive 79
exhibits represented aspects of flight services, engine manufacturers
and even rental car agencies. The diverse assortment offered attendees
a refreshing variety of business prospects and services.

Marinvent
Corporation displayed its Piaggio P180 Avanti and Piper Cheyenne. Both
aircraft are outfitted with a wide array of radios and new technologies
suited to the company’s unique flight testing, human factor studying
and system engineering services. Marinvent also displayed its unique
flight simulator application for one looking to take the controls of a
Piaggio P180 Avanti.

Pratt & Whitney Canada proudly
showcased its PW500 and PW 600 series engines. The PW500 turbofan
engine has been selected to power Cessna’s Citation Bravo, Encore,
Encore Plus, Excel, XLS and Embraer Phenom 300. The newly designed
PW600 is the engine of choice for the upcoming wave of VLJs. The engine
has been selected to power the Embraer Phenom 100, Cessna Mustang and
Eclipse 500.

Very light jet manufacturer Eclipse hoped to
increase its Canadian presence by drawing attention to the popular
Eclipse 500. It hopes the aircraft, which already has 2,500 orders,
will catch on with Canadian companies entering into corporate aviation,
or individuals looking for a new way to travel.

US-based
exhibitors such as Midcoast Aviation attended the CBAA with the hope of
expanding their Canadian clientele and to demonstrate their commitment
to existing Canadian customers. Midcoast focuses on maintenance,
modification and completions for a wide range of corporate aircraft.

Other prominent exhibitors included Skyservice, Innotech-Execaire, Thales, CAE, NavCanada and Landmark Aviation Services.

Former
federal cabinet minister and Newfoundland premier Brian Tobin provided
his insight into leadership as the keynote speaker at the Thursday
luncheon. The evening was topped off with a gala banquet featuring Tom
Cochrane with Red Rider.

Hope Air was quite possibly the largest
beneficiary of the event, having raised over $20,000 through a golf
tournament, silent auction and private donations.

In his speech
to the convention, CBAA president and CEO Rich Gage acknowledged that
his organization is in exploratory talks with the ATAC. Although no
details have been worked out, it is hoped that the two organizations
can find a way to further improve aviation in Canada.

Next
year’s event will be held July 9-12 in Calgary. The show will be adding
an extra day to its manifest with the hope of drawing more attendees
for an expanded educational offering.