A strong international platform for pilots and the next generation of aviators
A new exhibitor record, the premiere of the Aviation and Pilots Competence Center and the return of successful special shows combine to again make the 23rd AERO, taking place April 15-18, 2015, an essential event for pilots and anyone interested in general aviation. It is the aircraft that will be at the center of attention: The spectrum on display stretches from gliders and ultralights to single and twin-engine piston-driven aircraft, turboprops and business jets to autogyros and helicopters. A second special exhibition, the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Expo, will draw more attention to unmanned civilian drones and their steadily increasing relevance in aviation. In addition, the well-established Avionics Avenue, e-flight-expo and Engine Area special shows will return to the AERO 2015 in Friedrichshafen.
Project Leader Roland Bosch and Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann are looking forward to the AERO, which with more than 630 exhibitors is currently on track to see a new record. Exhibitors as well as visitors have reason to be optimistic: “The current situation of the industry is good, in my view. We can only speculate about what the effect of the current monetary policy will be. I hope that the visitors will prefer to invest their money in aircraft rather than in brokerage accounts,” said a confident Roland Bosch. The fact that many aviation fans, unsettled by current finance policy, might be convinced to invest their money in objects with material value, such as new aircraft, engines, avionics and accessories, is one of the reasons for the good mood among AERO organizers. Another reason for the exhibitors’ favorable business outlook among is the drop in fuel prices, which has also been strongly felt in general aviation. General aviation includes all civilian aircraft except the airlines; in the EU this encompasses about 200,000 gliders, ultralights, powered aircraft and helicopters.
However,
the various segments of general aviation also have their differences. Demand
continues to be strong for entry-level aircraft such as inexpensive ultralights
and gyrocopters. But there is also good news at the other end of the aviation
spectrum. Long-range business jets are currently in very high demand - delivery
times of more than two years for especially desirable top models are causing a
stir. In the segments in between, that is in single and twin-engine
piston-driven aircraft, turboprops and light jets, the picture is more mixed.
But here too, exhibitors as well as visitors are hoping for a rapid ascent for
the industry in the next few months. The fact that the AERO is continuing to
expand and solidify its position as the leading aviation trade show for general
aviation in Europe is demonstrated by the strong international character of
both visitors and exhibitors. This year, companies from more than 35 countries
will be present at the AERO, with a strong increase in the share of Chinese
aircraft manufacturers.
Most of
the innovations at the AERO will again be found among the classic ultralights
weighing up to 472 kilograms. They continue to remain highly attractive thanks
to low maintenance costs, an easy-to-acquire pilot’s license and a high level
of safety thanks to standard-equipped parachute systems. This was also shown by
recent figures for Germany provided by two associations, the Deutscher Aero
Club (DAeC) and the Deutscher Ultraleichtflugverband (DULV). For example, in
2014 a total of 200 three-axis-controlled ultra-light aircraft were approved
for operation in Germany, compared to only 168 in the year before.
The AERO is playing a more and more important role for the large business aviation producers. Diamond will premiere the new single turbine DA-50 JP7, which made its maiden flight just a few weeks ago. The turboprop is reportedly capable of carrying up to seven people and a tundra version is even suitable for use on unsurfaced runways. In addition to the single-engine turboprops, this field also includes single and twin-engine piston driven aircraft, multi-engine turboprops and the elite class of single and multi-engine business jets. New challengers like Honda Jet, whose approval is imminent, the single-engine Cirrus Jet, currently in trial operation, and the twin-engine Pilatus PC-24 jet, on the verge of its maiden flight, are also generating additional competition in this segment. Helicopters, especially turbine-driven models, also usually fall within the business aviation category. Several turbine-driven helicopters will be on display at the AERO.
The new RPAS Expo (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) celebrated its premiere at the AERO 2014 and this year it is already necessary to considerably expand the area. The expo will offer a comprehensive overview of the potential applications of these unmanned flying machines.
Opening hours of the AERO from April 15 to 18, 2015: Wednesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.