About this time every second year we expect a positive statement from CEO Ian Honnery about the Avalon air show just past, and he has never let us down. But this year, he has gone beyond the call and declared it the best event they've ever held. How big is that statement! Given there have been some rippers in the past (and let's face it, some ordinary ones too), declaring this one the best ever might be stretching things a bit. For sure the flying was magnificent, but was it better than past years? And the general opinion of most GA exhibitors I spoke to was that traffic was down, but patronage was up. In short, it may have been the best ever for the military and large commercial businesses, but that was not necessarily reflected by the GA community.
You have to question the integrity of Parks Victoria's decision to ban prop-driven aeroplanes from Gabo Island. History shows that props have been using the strip for years and so far have yet to have an accident or even an incident. The runs, as they say, are on the board, yet Parks Victoria have taken advice that the strip is safe for only turbines. It won't be long now before the strip is overgrown and can't be used; no-one is going to run turbo-props over there because it will simply be too expensive.
The word is that Piper is preparing to take on the faster single-engine turbo-props with a new, yet-to-be-confirmed aeroplane. We don't know much about it, but it's a safe bet it will be called the M600. If it's going to take market share from the PC-12NG and TBM 900, Vero Beach will need this to be something special at roll-out. It's never easy coming late to market unless you can find a niche that your competitors have ignored. Will the M600 go faster than a PC-12 but carry less load? The new machine will be unveiled at Piper on 13 April, and will no doubt have a presence at AERO 2015 at Friedrichshafen two days later (Oh, that I could afford to go to that show!).
In the battle for long-range business jet supremacy, Gulfstream has stolen a march on rivals by snaring the 2014 Collier Trophy. The Collier is probably aviation's most prestigious award and the list of past winners recounts the history of aviation itself. The National Aeronautic Association is not in the habit of giving it out just to have a winner (some years it hasn't been awarded), so they see the G650 and a leap in technology and capability in aeronautics. Was good to see Embraer's 550 up for the trophy as well; it's a sign that techological advancement and innovation in GA are being recognised.
On the smaller side of things, the battle for the hearts and wallets of four-seat buyers took another turn with the FAA certifying the engine for Flight Design's C4. The C4 is part of a new crop of four-seat GA planes putting themselve up as alternatives to the once-supreme Piper and Cessna basic products. Along with the Sling 4, Tecnam P2010, Vulcanair V1.0 and soon the Brumby Aircruiser, there are wolves at every door for the traditional builders. The next decade is going to see some huge changes in the industry, and I'll be the C4 plays a big part in the next evolution of private general aviation.
May your gauges always be in the green,
Hitch