Vero Beach, Fla. – Piper Aircraft has contributed to Florida’s economy and culture in significant ways since opening business in the state in 1957. Over the years the company closed all of its other manufacturing facilities and moved corporate head- quarters, aircraft research and development, manufacturing operations, and jobs to Vero Beach.
Today, the company is the largest manufacturing employer in the area, and Piper’s employees and their families are deeply embedded in the fabric of the Indian River County community. Piper is a strong, well-managed company with a business backlog, a global presence in the aerospace industry, a strong dealer network, and the largest manufacturer and exporter in Indian River County.
Recently, the company’s sales performance has exceeded industry trends. Piper’s activities generate positive payments to local educational institutions, local government, local utilities, the state of Florida, and other Florida suppliers. This manufacturing company is a net exporter that brings money into the United States from overseas and infuses the local and state economy with millions of dollars. In a depressed aircraft sales market, Piper has improved its market share.
The company’s product line is known throughout the world, and Piper has invested to expand its global footprint to overcome the realities of the United States and foreign economies. Also, other North American companies envy Piper’s Vero Beach and other Florida locations and their status as one of the most revered names in aviation.
Piper’s assets located in Indian River County represent an investment in Florida that exceeds $52 million. These investments include eighty acres of land that it owns at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport, 700,000 square feet of manufacturing space and offices, and millions of dollars in manufacturing machinery and equipment, including more than $5 million in computer hardware and software that are updated periodically. On average Piper employees receive wages and benefits that exceed the average wages for all Indian River County workers.
Piper’s 700 employees generate approximately $40 million in annual payroll and benefits. In addition to employee-generated property and sales and income taxes, the company pays more than $365,000 annually in local real estate and tangible taxes and nearly $2 million in utility costs to local government providers, some of which already operate on thin margins. Also, the company annually spends an average of more than $20 million to numerous vendors and suppliers located in Florida.
Beyond the company’s economic investments in the state and local community, Piper’s presence adds cultural and philanthropic wealth as well. Piper makes the community a better place to live by enhancing the lifestyle of hundreds of employees along with the employees and families of many suppliers. The company’s employees and their families are active participants in the community’s daily life.
Moreover, Piper’s presence attracts other employers to service its employee base, and these companies provide additional economic opportunities for the community’s young people entering the work force. The people of Piper have long been committed to contributing to local civic organizations and charities. They are active in religious, education, humanitarian, and business organizations. Piper and its employees contribute to the cultural well being of Indian River County, Vero Beach, and the entire state of Florida.
Piper has an enviable worldwide reputation and is known as a manufacturer of quality airplanes. Because Piper chooses to locate its company headquarters and manufacturing operations in Vero Beach, the state and community benefit from being home to global company with a prestigious reputation. Communities across the country and around the world envy the business that Piper generates and its standing within the aerospace industry. Many communities aggressively seek companies like Piper for its manufacturing acumen, exporting expertise, and high paying management and manufacturing jobs.
Piper Deliveries, Revenue Up
Piper Aircraft’s third quarter 2011 deliveries and revenue continue the company’s recent upward path. During the third quarter, Piper Aircraft Inc. continued to outpace its rivals with higher aircraft deliveries and improve upon its revenue performance record that it achieved during the same period in 2010. Revenue from new aircraft sales through the end of the third quarter grew to $92.5 million, compared with $77.6 million during the same period in 2010, an increase of more than 19%.
During the third quarter of 2011, Piper delivered thirty-four aircraft and received $35.3 million in revenue. That compares with thirty-two aircraft and $28.1 million in revenue during the same period a year ago, up two deliveries and more than 25% in revenue, reflecting stronger Piper M-Class aircraft in the delivery mix. Quarter to quarter, deliveries of M-Class aircraft—Meridian, Mirage, and Matrix business airplanes— were up from seventeen a year ago to twenty-one this year.
The company delivered more international than domestic aircraft in the third quarter, demonstrating Piper’s export performance. Domestic deliveries generated more revenue, reflecting stronger sales of the company’s flagship Meridian turboprop business aircraft to US customers. Much of the company’s recent sales success can be attributed to Piper’s strong domestic and international dealer organizations.
Backlog Strong
Operational efficiencies, and aligning new aircraft deliveries to a solid understanding of the global market, continue to contribute to the company’s performance, which exceeds industry trends for turboprop and piston aircraft.
Piper’s backlog is the strongest it has been in four years, with aircraft earmarked for retail customers well into 2012 across the product lines. Piper’s core business is strong, and its turbo- prop and piston aircraft lines are meeting or exceeding the company’s internal financial and deliver y targets.
Strong Dealer Network
Much of the company’s recent sales success can be attributed to Piper’s strong domestic and international dealer organizations. Piper’s dealer organization, which spans the globe, is the company’s underlying strength. Feedback from dealers is essential to determining new aircraft product improvements going forward.
We are steadfast in listening to our dealers and dedicating the resources required to continuously improve our turboprop and piston business aircraft, along with our new training aircraft. Caldecott said Piper is stepping up the focus on product improvements through increased investments in existing lines.
Piper Spreading Aviation Throughout the World
The global economic reality of aerospace today is serving to spread the culture of general aviation into nearly ever y corner of the world. Freedom and freedom of access to airspace is a fundamental requirement for the global growth of the aviation industry. And with the freedom to move about by general aviation in more parts of the world comes the acceptance of more egalitarian governance—important in a larger geopolitical point of view. Piper is doing its part to spread the culture and freedom of general aviation from the company’s base in Florida.
The company can now look well beyond American shores to take advantage of tremendous opportunities and potential around the world. Piper’s market reach has significantly expanded, as Piper no longer depends solely on U.S. sales. Piper’s recent globalization efforts are about maximizing the true potential of the company’s airplane products by taking advantage of emerging country economies, as well as previously untapped economies to optimize sales and service capacity around the planet. Many countries need airplanes and want Piper airplanes.
In support of Piper’s globalization initiative, Piper added nine new dealers/agents during 2011. Seven of those dealers were added in markets outside the United States expanding the company’s international dealer network by 54%.
The maturation of Piper’s global reach is important for developing expanded markets going forward. The evidence of Piper’s on-going commitment to globalization throughout the world and in the United States is clear when examining the resources the company is deploying. Piper’s Director of Global Fleet Sales and the Director of Sales for the Asia/ Pacific Region are located in Brunei. The Sales Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa is based in Amsterdam. And Piper’s Sales Director for all of the Americas is based in Vero Beach, along with the company’s senior management team and production capability.
Future Projects
Going forward as a company, Piper is stepping up product improvements for turboprop and piston-powered product lines. As a result, Piper has increased the number of personnel dedicated to the sustaining engineering function. In addition, the company is initiating third-party engineering and manufacturing services to preserve as much of the talent pool as possible.
Among the new enterprise initiatives underway is Piper Aircraft Services—Engineering. This third-party service provider performs proprietary engineering and technical functions for other companies to take advantage of the high level and wide range of some of the talent that had been assigned to the Altaire development program.
Additionally, Piper Aircraft Services—Manufacturing, another third-party service provider, leverages the company’s precision manufacturing expertise and recent upgrades to its manufacturing capabilities.
Piper Model Year Improvements
Piper Aircraft enhanced pilot and passenger comfort for its signature series of 2012 model year M-Class single engine business aircraft—the turboprop Meridian, pressurized piston Mirage, and unpressurized piston Matrix. The new airplanes are available today.
The biggest design improvements provide enhanced pilot comfort and cockpit access through incorporation of newly designed seating. Getting into a new Piper M-Class cockpit has never been easier, with flat fold-down aft-facing seats, a fold-down co-pilot seat, and a cockpit assist handle to aid access.
Sculpted Cockpit
The cockpit has been sculpted to provide more elbow and hip room and additional seating comfort. The newly designed side panels have larger map pockets capable of handling pilot iPads, which are quickly becoming essential flight tools.
When folded flat, the co-pilot seat offers a work surface and cup holders. The cockpit seat backs also are restyled for a modern appearance. The aft-facing seats have been redesigned with larger and reshaped bottom cushions, and the back cushions have been enhanced for firmer lumbar support, all for added long-range comfort.
Incorporating new technology and adopting enhancements suggested by Piper’s customers and our worldwide dealer network have led to improved cockpits and cabins. Some customers have already purchased airplanes with these new features, and Piper is receiving positive feedback from the field.
LED Lighting
New 2012 top-of-the-line Piper M-Class airplanes fly with brighter external LED lighting, including taxi and landing lights and navigation illumination. Cabin reading lights and threshold lights have also been replaced with LEDs. These modern lighting systems are more efficient, more durable, and use less power.
In the cockpit and cabin, sophisticated Bose® A20 head- sets are now standard equipment and the receptacles are hardwired for more power and better noise-cancelling capability while eliminating the need for batteries. The A20 is Bose’s most advanced pilot headset and includes an axillary audio input and Bluetooth phone connectivity for pilots and passengers.
More Accessible Electric Outlets
The turboprop Meridian now has two 110-volt outlets for onboard recharging and for mobile devices, while the Mirage and Matrix have one additional outlet. All are configured to support numerous international plug configurations. Utilizing the EmPower® System by Astronics Corp., Piper has added cabin power to support passenger electronic devices for additional productivity and entertainment value. Making the cabin environments even more appealing, Piper has revamped internal air distribution. The Matrix and Mirage cockpits have newly engineered ducting and adjustable directional airflow vents for improved heated air volume distribution. In the unpressurized Matrix, a shutoff has been added to the modulation valve for cockpit control of ambient external air.
The piston Matrix and Mirage aircraft also have beefed up cabin vents for more durability. All three M-Class Pilot Operating Handbooks show aircraft performance in 1,000- foot increments. M-Class aircraft offer Piper performance and safety built upon a proven airframe that has been an industry standard for years.
About M-Class Aircraft
Three refined derivatives comprise the full line: the Meridian, the Mirage, and the Matrix. Each product fits it own niche and price point, and each aircraft provides a seamless step-up to the next level. Created to maximize the private travel experience, the M-Class line balances performance, efficiency, and simplicity.
The Meridian
The Piper Meridian is a single engine turboprop that seats six with club-seating. It is powered by the P&WC PT6A-42A 500hp engine and has a 260 KTAS/482 km/h max cruise speed and a range of 1,000 nm/1,885 km. The standard equipped list price is $2,071,500, equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite.
The Mirage
The Piper Mirage is a single engine pressurized piston that seats six with club seating. It is powered by the Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350hp engine and has a 213 KTAS/394 km/h max cruise speed and a range of 1,343 nm/2,491 km. The standard equipped list price is $997,500, equipped with the Garmin 1000 avionics suite.
The Matrix
The Piper Matrix is a single engine unpressurized piston that seats six with club seating. It is powered by the Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350hp engine and has a 213 KTAS/395 km/h max cruise speed and a range of 1,343 nm/2,491 km. The standard equipped list price is $869,000, equipped with the Garmin 1000 avionics suite.
Did you realize that not getting paid can be a crime? It is, or can be, perhaps more so than you realize. However, not getting paid for your hard work may be only part of your problems. You may also be violating state criminal law!
There is hardly an FBO, a mechanic or avionics shop that has not at some time, not gotten paid. Worse yet, the aircraft owner sometimes fails to pick up their aircraft in a timely fashion or in some cases, even abandons their aircraft because your bill is beyond their ability to pay: The gas is too expensive, their medical has expired, they can’t afford the additional work needed, they can’t sell their aircraft, and a myriad of other reasons people have that causes them to just walk away from their aircraft and avoid paying what they owe you. This of course leaves you holding the economic bag, and may even create criminal liability on your part.
Convergence of Events—Recently, my office has seen a convergence of changes in the law unique to aviation that affects your income, your risk, your liability, and the potential for criminal prosecution against you.
Of course, this stems in part from an aircraft owner who avoids paying their bill and walks away from the aircraft creating a multitude of problems. On its face, an aircraft sitting on your ramp or in your hangar at minimum, takes up space. Additionally, there is always the risk of hurricane damage to the aircraft, and to the neighboring aircraft. Should a storm hit, there is no way of knowing whether it will be their insurance or yours that will fall victim to the next passing weather event. Do you even know if your customer has insurance? The most obvious problems fall into a few categories.
You don’t or didn’t get paid
Aviation is full of folks that are in love with the idea of aviation, but then the bill comes, and with it comes the realization that they can’t afford the benefit of their passion. Hopefully, you have properly drafted your work order and your work order is properly signed by the client. If so, this addresses some of your risk of not getting paid. If that fails, you can always place a lien on the aircraft; however there are several critical things that you must remember.
a. You must file the lien within 90 days from the last substantial work.
b. You must be in possession of the aircraft.
c. You must file suit to recover on your mechanics lien within 1 year.
Missing any of the critical elements above will cause you to lose your lien rights. Of particular interest, and less obvious is element b. above. If you give back the plane, you lose your right to file a lien. You must maintain POSSESSION, and by the way, you can charge for storage until the matter is resolved because lien law requires possession for a valid lien.
But we are just getting warmed up here. As we all know, previously aircraft registration lasted forever but now, aircraft must be re-registered every three year. If not properly done, you may find yourself in possession of an aircraft that, notwithstanding that it is perfectly flyable, cannot be flown because is has no valid aircraft registration and at best, will take many weeks to get back to “re-registered” status. What do you do with it if you can’t fly it out, have no hangar space is available, and the storm rages on.
Enter Florida Statute 329—Are You a Criminal?
It was bad enough that they didn’t pay you, but now let’s suppose that someone left their aircraft in your possession and the three year registration has expired while it’s sitting there at your shop or on your ramp.
Florida Statute 329.10 states that it is unlawful to have in your possession, an aircraft that is not registered in accordance with the FAA. Further, any aircraft in the state owned by a person or a corporation that is no longer a legal entity is in violation of this statute. Further, any corporation that has no physical location or that has lapsed inactive, or been dissolved for more than ninty days is also in violation.
Of course the statute has a whole lot more to say and should be read in its entirety, but the up thrust of this lapse is that if you have an aircraft in your possession, that is; A) not properly registered with the FAA; or B) have an aircraft in your possession which is owned by a lapsed business entity (corporation, LLC, etc.) than you have a potential legal problem. “So what’s the big deal” you say?
The big deal is that, “a violation of this section shall be deemed a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided by” other criminal statutes, and that’s not all.
“Any violation of this section shall constitute the aircraft to which it relates as contraband and said aircraft may be seized as contraband by a law enforcement agency and shall be subject to forfeiture.
So, what do we have here? Let’s focus on the first few words in the statute. This statute creates a problem for those who have aircraft in their possession that are either “unregistered” (which now happens after three years) or that are owned by entities that have lapsed as the result of such mundane things as not paying the corporation annual fee to the state.
The long and short of this is that if your client 1) hasn’t paid you, 2) allowed their corporation to lapse, or 3) allowed their aircraft registration to lapse, YOU have a problem. You are either going to get stuck with an unpaid and outstanding invoice, be charged with being “in possession” and thus a felony, or both, and if they have no insurance, your insurance (and you) might be stuck with damage liability.
Yea, yea, it’s insane, but it’s your business, so do something about it. Don’t just sit there with an unpaid invoice waiting for the government to make you a loan and/or take care of you.
Solution
Make sure you have well drafted work orders that are signed by your customers. If the invoice doesn’t get paid after thirty days, place a lien on the aircraft; don’t wait. It cost little to place a lien, (the cost of which can be addressed in the work order agreement) but gets very expensive and deprives you of your legal rights if you don’t. After you’ve done those things, make sure your client’s corporation is valid. You can do a search at www. sunbiz.org. Next, check with the FAA to assure yourself that the aircraft registration is valid. Just think of these items as a Service Bulletin that you’ll do as a matter of course.
And after all of that is done and you still need help, call me, please. I’d rather keep you out of trouble than get you out of trouble, please.
Dennis R. Haber Esq. 305.256.3002 Dennis@Av8lawyer.com
Do you remember the year 1982? America tuned in every Friday night to see what J.R. Ewing was up to on Dallas, and Olivia Newton-John's Physical topped the music charts. A gallon of gas cost just $1.30, and a first-class postage stamp set you back twenty cents. Ronald Reagan was in the White House, and E.T. was phoning home. 1982 was also the year that Paul “Mac” Langston and his wife, Carmen, founded Flightline Group in Tallahassee.
Flightline, originally known as Coastal Aviation Services, was created to provide and promote professional aviation services. The Company’s first contract commenced in August 1982, when Flightline and Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH) jointly developed Life Flight, the area's first hospital-based aeromedical helicopter program. The program, one of the first fifty established in the United States, was very successful and became the seventh-busiest program in the country just two years after it was started.
In the next year, Flightline and TMH implemented a fixedwing aeromedical program, utilizing a Piper Navajo to trans- Flightline Retrospective port patients over longer distances. The program, known as Life Flight Long Distance, provided inter-hospital patient transports throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The program was expanded in 1985 to include a Learjet and a Piper Cheyenne, enabling transports over greater distances at faster speeds. The Learjet became an integral component of TMH’s organ procurement and heart transplant program. As the aeromedical industry expanded so did Flightline, as evidenced by the competitive award of Stat Flight in 1985, a second aeromedical operation based at Alachua General Hospital in Gainesville. With the addition of Stat Flight, Flightline became the first Florida aviation company with multiple aeromedical operations. In 1986, the program received national recognition for their outstanding contribution and achievements in the aeromedical industry, including the Aeromedical Safety Award in recognition of completing over 6,000 consecutive accident-free missions.
Flightline’s aeromedical programs gave the Company a base to develop and expand other services, many of which had never been offered in Tallahassee, such as the area's first turbine helicopter and its first jet charter. Operating a fleet of up to twelve aircraft, Flightline became one of the area’s largest aircraft operators and a leader in Florida's aviation arena. Flightline’s air taxi/charter service also began in 1983 and provided the area with an alternative to airline travel. The service logged millions of accident-free miles and transported passengers to thousands of cities throughout North America and the Caribbean. Flightline carried a variety of notable passengers including Chuck Yeager, Bob Hope, The Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett, Hulk Hogan, and even former President George H. W. Bush.
Concurrent with its efforts that began in 1984 to develop minimum standards for Tallahassee Regional Airport, Flightline promoted the privatization of fuel sales to foster economic development and improve services in the State's capital. Flightline’s vision and commitment to establishing a full-service quality aviation support center led to the sale of their helicopter aeromedical contracts in October 1989. The decision to sell the contracts allowed Flightline to devote complete attention to the issue of privatization and development of a full-service fixed base operation. The Tallahassee City Commission issued a request for proposal (RFP) in October 1990, prompting Flightline to submit a detailed bid describing the facilities, services, and amenities that would be provided. In August 1991, Flightline was awarded a thirty-five year contract to provide Tallahassee its first full-service aviation support center. It was at this point that Coastal Aviation Services officially became Flightline Group. The name was chosen to represent both the plethora of services that make up Flightline and the pooling together of the resources and experiences of the businesses located at the Tallahassee Regional Airport. A key component to bringing this project to fruition was the design, funding, and construction of a world-class general aviation terminal and support infrastructure. The new general aviation terminal opened in November 1994, creating a first-class aviation gateway to Florida’s Capital City. This iconic building is wellknown for both its grand architectural style and the genuine 1946 Piper J-3 Cub gracefully suspended from its three-story vaulted ceiling.
In the mid-nineties, Flightline branched out beyond Tallahassee once again. In 1997, Flightline was selected by the Gainesville- Alachua County Regional Airport Authority (GACRAA) to develop and manage the Regional Airport. Flightline was awarded a management contract that was operational for over five years. During this time, Flightline successfully transitioned through a change in operators and made significant improvements in the level of service and facilities. In 2002, Flightline Gainesville was awarded the Business of the Year Award by the Gainesville Alliance for Economic Development and Flightline Tallahassee received ExxonMobil’s Silver Premier Spirit Award for image and service. Flightline submitted a proposal to Vero Beach-based Piper Aircraft to become part of their global aircraft distribution network in the fall of 1998. The following spring, Flightline was selected from among other national competitors to sell and support the Piper product line in Northwest Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The project involved establishing several Piper Authorized Service Centers and marketing the full product line throughout their designated territory. This same year Flightline was awarded Tallahassee’s Business of the Year Award and the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Safety Award celebrating sixteen years of safe, accident- free operations and support.
Flightline Development Corporation (FDC) was formed in 2000 to respond to the City of Tallahassee’s RFP for the Privatization of the T-Hangar Operation, Development and Management at the Tallahassee Regional Airport. FDC was the successful bidder and was subsequently awarded a thirty year contract for the construction and development of forty-five new T-hangars and the management of thirty-five existing T-hangars. The $1.2 million project was completed and opened in March 2002. The hangar project recognized the continued importance of general aviation to the regional economy and supports Flightline’s belief that airports are economic engines that play a vital role as the aviation gateways of their communities.
In 2000, Flightline Chairman Mac Langston was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Business Leadership and the Florida Department of Transportation Aviation Professional of the Year Award. These awards were followed in 2001 with the Jim Moran Institute’s Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. The management success, quality level of service, and aviation experience recognized by these awards are a tribute to Flightline’s dedicated team of professionals.
FDC finalized negotiations with SME/Aero and the City of Tallahassee in the fall of 2002 for a thirty year lease on a 44,000-square-foot terminal building and approximately ten acres of aircraft ramp and automobile parking. This property, now called Compass Pointe, is targeted for aviation development and leasing.
Based on their proven track record of success, Piper Aircraft awarded Flightline additional territory, including the remainder of Florida along with Georgia and Tennessee in December 2002. The new six-state territory prompted the inception of Southeast Piper, which has since grown to become one of Piper’s largest dealers in the world. In an ongoing effort to support Piper Aircraft and the general aviation community, Flightline opened Piper Parts Plus (P3) in April 2004. Located in Memphis, P3 is one of the largest distributors of Piper parts in the world.
Flightline was tapped by Honda Aircraft Company to become the Southeast distributor for the HondaJet in 2006. A few short months after this announcement, a robust order book was filled at the NBAA convention in Orlando. Flightline is pleased to be partnered with Honda for the sales and service of such an extraordinary aircraft.
As a successful independent aviation company, Flightline has attracted the attention of many would-be suitors over the year. In 2008, Houston-based FBO conglomerate Million Air approached Flightline to purchase the fueling and line service portions of the Company. After months of negotiations, a deal was struck and beginning in October 2009, Million Air began operations at TLH.
Flightline has provided in-house maintenance support since 1983. Beginning in 1991, following the acquisition of Hudson Aircraft, Flightline began offering maintenance to the public. In conjunction with the fueling and line operations being acquired by Million Air, the maintenance operation was renamed Flightline Technical Services. In 2009, a new 26,000-sqaure-foot maintenance facility was completed.
Always on the lookout for opportunity, Flightline became interested in Australian aircraft manufacturer GippsAero and their unique designs last summer. Following months of negotiations, Flightline was selected as one of the first two GippsAero dealerships in the United States in February.
In May, Flightline dedicated a brand new 15,000-square-foot hangar at their Compass Pointe complex. This facility will serve multiple roles and is the first phase of development in the Company’s HondaJet sales and service complex.
Most recently, Flightline has expanded beyond their aviation roots and entered the world of motorsports with the creation of Red Hills Powersports. Red Hills proudly distributes both on-road and off-road vehicles along with personal watercraft from Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha. And just this August, Red Hills has begun representing Zero Motorcycles line of electric-powered two-wheelers.
Thirty years later, Modern Family is the highest-rated scripted show on television and Adele's 21 is the best-selling album. A gallon of gas, well, let's not talk about that, shall we? The price of postage is up 250%, but today’s stamp will last forever (or at least until the USPS goes bankrupt). Barack Obama sits in the Oval Office and The Avengers is the top-grossing film so far this year. Although much has changed since 1982, at least one thing has remained the same: Flightline is still proudly serving the aviation community in Florida and beyond.
Think speed, energy, heritage, innovation, and customers. That is the mantra of Cessna Aircraft Company as the world’s leading general aviation company charges forward to raise industry standards in today’s competitive marketplace. The drive for success from Cessna’s leader-ship is contagious as CEO Scott Ernest challenges his more than 7,800 employees to think differently, increase product quality and exceed customer expectations all while standing on the company’s reliable foundation of eighty-five years of corporate heritage.
Cessna’s plan for a dynamic 2012 has been readily embraced, as the Wichita, Kansas based business works hard to grow aircraft sales and deliveries, execute new product development programs, expand its aftermarket service business, and engage its thriving workforce across the world. But the Midwest isn’t the only beneficiary of Cessna’s business activity; this global company is also making a significant impact on local economies including right here in Florida. Cessna Aircraft Company makes significant contributions to Florida’s economic wellness.
FLORIDA ECONOMY: Cessna Makes the Sunshine State Even Sunnier
Certainly the most visible economic impact that Cessna has made on Florida is through the Orlando Citation Service Center, totaling 187,000 square feet of maintenance and office facilities, located at the Orlando International Airport. As one of the ten total Citation Service Centers owned and operated by Cessna that support the Citation business jet family of aircraft, the Citation Service Center provides Cessna jet customers with 24-hour service and maintenance with around-the-clock parts support.
The Orlando Citation Service Center employs over 200 people, paid at competitive salaries, who provide customers with personalized service, fast response, careful handling, on-time delivery, and work done right the first time. This goal is supported by dedicated employees with some of the highest loyalty and service record in business aviation. By Ashley Ellis 14 www.fata.aero
Now the second largest Citation Service Center next to the one in the Wichita, the Orlando Citation Service Center was originally established in 1978 in West Palm Beach and then moved to Orlando in 1983. In 2004, the service center expanded and moved to a new location on the Orlando International Airport property. The new, larger, more modern building paid local builders $30 million in construction costs and continues to pay Central Florida’s utility services about $50,000 each month.
With over 6,100 jets in the Citation fleet and all the various services that they offer, it’s easy to understand why the Orlando Citation Service Center is a 24/7 operation. In fact, Walter Berchtold, Regional Vice President, Customer Service, says, there aren’t even any light switches in the hangar bays: “If you want to turn off the lights, you have to trip the breakers.” Last year, Cessna’s Customer Service network as a whole serviced more than 26,000 aircraft. They averaged more than 3,000 emails, faxes, or phone calls per day and moved more than 11 million parts through its facilities.
In addition to the Orlando Citation Service Center’s contributions to local employment and vendor supportive businesses (aircraft cleaning, non-destructive testing, interior shops, etc.), Cessna is bringing growth to Florida’s economy by “in-sourcing” service work from across the globe. Technicians work on light and mid-sized jets from Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Chile, the Caymans, and Europe because of special permissions granted by the foreign aviation authorities for skilled repairs that meet their specific requirements. This international maintenance, in addition to the US registered aircraft that originate from Central and South America, has allowed the Orlando Citation Service Center to weather the economic downturn better during the past several years. See more information about the Orlando Citation Service Center here: https://support.cessna.com/docs/ custsupt/servicecenter/servcenter-orlando.shtml.
Cessna’s business jet maintenance service in Florida also extends beyond Orlando to a Mobile Service Unit (MSU) that is pre-positioned at Sheltair Aviation, Fort Lauderdale International Airport (KFLL), with a local crew to perform maintenance events across South Florida. In 2011, Cessna’s MSU’s handled more than 2,300 service events in the field, with procedures up to and including Citation X engine exchanges.
CESSNA’S FLORIDA AFFILIATES: Supporting Independently Owned Aviation Businesses
In Cessna’s single engine product market, the reach of Cessna’s positive impact begins long before aircraft owner-ship. Cessna Pilot Center (CPC) affiliate relationships allow this leading aircraft manufacturer to strategically support flight schools that offer basic pilot training in Cessna piston aircraft. In Florida, Cessna has partnered with nearly thirty independently owned Cessna Pilot Centers. Each CPC employs flight instructors who deliver personalized, in-flight training with demon -strated proficiency. During ground school training, CPCs are able to exclusively offer the Cessna Flight Training System, which include interactive, web-based, rich-media instruction modules that help reinforce their students’ in-flight training at every step.
As a result of this support, Cessna Pilot Centers make up the largest network of flight training facilities in the world, and more pilots have learned to fly in Cessna-built airplanes than in any other. The success of Cessna Pilot Center students is proven: those who learn to fly in a Cessna Pilot Center complete their training about 30% faster than the national average. In Florida, CPC locations can be found across the state, as far reaching as Pensacola,Tallahassee, Miami, and Naples—and in many cities between!
Additionally, in Florida Cessna currently has sixteen affiliated Service Stations performing maintenance, service, and repairs on single engine propeller powered Cessna aircraft. As a result, Cessna helps to support the jobs of many skilled, experienced technicians offering full product support—the spares, parts, and tooling necessary to ensure trouble-free operation of Cessna aircraft.
See more information about Cessna Pilot Centers here: www.cessna.com/learn-to-fly.html.
Also supporting Florida’s economy through affiliate relation -ships are two Cessna Authorized Sales Representatives. Based in Orlando, Air Orlando Sales, Inc. (www.airorlando.com), employs a team of sales professionals who represent Cessna Aircraft Company for the sale of Cessna’s single engine piston powered aircraft. Air Orlando Sales sells new Skycatcher, Skyhawk, Skylane, Stationair, and Corvalis aircraft on behalf of Cessna Aircraft Company for the entire state of Florida. Additionally, the Air Orlando Sales team offers pre-owned aircraft sales, leases, and is an authorized Cessna Service Station.
Headquartered in Miami, Tropical Aviation Distributors (www.tadistribu-tors.com) is a Cessna Authorized Sales Representative for the entire Caribbean Region for the full Cessna product line, including Cessna single engine piston powered aircraft, Cessna Caravan turboprop, and Cessna Citations. Tropical Aviation Distributors efforts in the Caribbean provide income to Florida and significant employment opportunities in the state, totaling nearly sixty staff. In addition to selling new Cessna aircraft, Tropical Aviation Distribu -tors (TAD) and affiliated companies in Miami provide spare parts, product support, warranty administration, tech -nical support, maintenance, and training coordination for Cessna operators.
CESSNA GIVES BACK: Florida Employees Care for Their Community
On a philanthropic level, Cessna supports Florida’s economy in a more subtle yet meaningful way by supporting fundamental issues such as education, neighborhood improvement, youth devel -opment, environmental conservation, and preservation of the arts. As an example, Cessna United Friendship Fund (CUFF) was established in 1955 for the purpose
of pooling contributions from all Cessna employees to more effectively support charities such as United Way. Last year, Cessna employees in the Orlando area alone contributed more than $13,000 in funds to support vital community needs.
Across the nation, Cessna pledged a total of over $1 million to United Way’s charitable efforts. Over the last fifty years, Cessna and its employees have donated more than $36 million.
Additionally, Cessna’s parent company, Textron, has introduced a Matching Gift Program that will match employee dona -tions with a 1:1 ratio, up to $7,500 per year to select charities across the United States. Cessna employees in Florida have been giving generously through this program to a variety of local organizations such as the Adult Literacy League, Shri -ners Hospitals for Children, Food for the Poor, local high schools, and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
FLORIDA TEAM: Cessna CEO Boosts Sales Force
Cessna’s presence in Florida is also growing with the recent establishment of a new sales team model worldwide, put in place by CEO Scott Ernest. The sales structure has grown in size and support with the addition of Business Development Representatives (like me!) that support local Sales Directors and VPs of Regional Sales. “We are positioning our sales team to be more agile and responsive to the demands of our customers in every market around the world,” Ernest said.
This new “boots on the ground” strategy is aggressively rolling out; Cessna is bringing Florida customers the full gamut of Cessna product and service offerings as the Business Development Representatives focus on finding new, prospective customers worldwide. This fortified sales force leverages the power of physical presence to offer Cessna’s customers across Florida a personalized touch in both communicating with owners and prospects as well as customer service efforts.
Accompanying this new-found vigor around sales will be new marketing campaigns targeted at new audiences. For example, Cessna recently sponsored two PGA golf tournaments in Florida—the Doral Championship, as well as TCP Sawgrass with a private chalet that allowed the sales team to build relationships with a varied cross-section of aircraft owners and potential customers.
CESSNA CORPORATE: High-Flying Performance
The power of the Cessna brand is clearly reflected in 2011’s sales activity. Cessna delivered 183 Citations during the year, up from 179 in the previous year. In total, Cessna revenues climbed to nearly $3 billion for the year—a $427 million improvement over 2010 results.
This 17% increase in revenues was primarily due to higher Citation jet volume and the mix of light- and mid-size jets sold during the period.
Source: 2011 Textron Annual Report
Beyond developing its business in Florida and the United States, Cessna has worked creatively to develop sales opportunities in new markets. An illustration of this is a sales contract for foreign military products and services in Afghanistan, which calls for thirty propeller aircraft, plus an array of services, support and training devices.
Other recent international achievements included breaking ground on construction of its latest European Citation Service
Center in Valencia, Spain. With a high concentration of Citation business jets flying in Europe, Valencia will complement Cessna’s Paris and joint Cessna-Bell Prague service centers, along with similar facilities planned for the future.
Even local competition paled in comparison to Cessna’s foot-print on the general aviation industry. In 2011, Cessna delivered 245 single engine piston aircraft, compared to Piper’s 104 piston planes.* In the Turboprop sector, Piper shipped 32 Meridian models last year, while Cessna raised the bar, shipping a total of 93 Caravans and Grand Caravans.*
*from GAMA Databook 2011 < http://www.gama.aero/media-center/industry-facts-and-statistics/statistical-databook-and-industry-outlook#year2011 >
INNOVATION: New Products for a Thriving Business
The ingenuity that founded Cessna in 1927 is alive and well. Cessna recently announced two business jets, both shaped by extensive customer input. The Citation M2 light jet, positioned between the smaller Mustang and the larger Citation CJ family, successfully made its first flight in March 2012.
See more information about the M2 here: http://www.cita-tionm2.com
The second is Cessna’s Citation Latitude that is a game-changing, spacious, new mid-sized jet. Positioned between the Citation XLS+ and Citation Sovereign in Cessna's product line, the Latitude will be the widest Citation in the sky, accommodating up to eight passengers in a six-foot tall, flat floor cabin. This innovative jet will be fully integrated with the Garmin G5000 avionics system. Its specifications were revised, according to customer request, to increase its projected maximum range from 2,000 to 2,300 nautical miles, allowing for non-stop flights, for example, between Jacksonville and San Diego, or between Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas. The Citation Latitude was engi -neered with precision to meet the evolving and demanding requirements of business flyers—comfort, in-flight productivity, and the convenience of using airports with runways as short as 3,900 feet (based on preliminary projections). It is scheduled to enter service in 2015.
See more information about the Latitude here: http://www.citationlatitude.com
Just as Cessna’s past investments in research and develop-ment helped win additional customers in 2011, these aircraft innovations create a thriving pipeline for future growth. Another Cessna innovation, the new Citation Ten mid-sized jet has recently entered its final stages of pre-production with initial customer deliveries targeted for 2013. The Ten is a mid-size aircraft with updated design and performance, enabling it to get to altitude faster and travel farther than the Citation X. New Rolls-Royce AE3007C2 engines with redesigned fan blades deliver more thrust. Plus, an increase in the maximum takeoff weight allows for owners to carry more payload even farther.
See more information about the Ten here: http://www.thete-narrives.com/
Customers purchasing the latest Ten and Latitude models will enjoy a “smart” airplane equipped with an intelligent cabin solution; Cessna’s new proprietary cabin technology solution, Clairity™, will give passengers touch-screen access to busi -ness, entertainment, lighting, and climate controls. Clairity™ ties into the avionics system and integrates cabin electrical systems with data and communication sharing through a fiber optic backbone. Cabin systems are controlled either through intui -tive touch-screen user interfaces at each seat, or customers’ personal electronic devices.
From speed to utility, Cessna offers it all. After almost three decades in service, the Caravan has become known around the world for its versatility. Whether providing air charter service, hauling cargo or transporting families and friends, the Caravan’s multiple and unique missions making it a main-stay in Florida’s aircraft industry—especially because it can be fitted with floats for landing on water! Outfitted in the luxu -rious new OASIS™ interior with executive seating, exquisite wood cabinetry, fabrics, and flat-panel video entertainment, this utility aircraft has transformed into extremely impressive business travel—an executive office suite traveling 20,000 feet above the ground.
See more information about the Caravan’s Oasis Interior here: http://www.oasisinterior.com
In Florida, the Caravan is sold directly through Cessna by Kelly Spaulding kspaulding@cessna.textron.com.
Cessna also introduced the high-performance Cessna Corvalis TTX—packed with technologies like the first touch-screen-controlled glass flight deck ever designed for piston aircraft. The range capability of the TTX breaks boundaries. For standard fixed-gear aircraft—under standard, no wind conditions, fly up to 1,250 nm. E-glass and light, carbon-fiber composite materials allow for greater speed and performance, while actually boosting structural integrity. The TTX powers through the air with a sleek but solid feel, and pilots can eagerly anticipate its arrival for later this year.
See more information about the TTX here: http://www.cess-nattx.com/
Cessna is clearly a leader in what is a vital industry for Flor-ida’s economy and positioned for growth across the globe with the deepest product line in the industry, backed by the world’s largest business aviation support network.
When looking at the general aviation industry’s positive impact on the broader economy of the United States, it’s easy to see how critical this market is to growth:
• Over 223,000 aircraft (ranging from two-seat training aircraft to intercontinental business jets) are flying today in the United States.
• General aviation contributes more than $150 billion to the US economy annually and employs more than 1,265,000 people.
• In the United States, general aviation aircraft fly almost 25 million hours and carry 166 million passengers annually.
• Over two-thirds of all the hours flown by general aviation aircraft are for business purposes.
Source: General Aviation Manu -facturers Association (GAMA) Data -book 2011 < http://www.gama.aero/media-center/industry-facts-and-statis-tics/statistical-databook-and-industry-outlook#year2011 >
As a critical piece of the greater busi -ness marketplace in Florida, Cessna Aircraft Company’s contribution to the general aviation industry and Florida’s economic wellness is unmistakable. This general aviation leader has participated in the sunshine state’s growth through years of delivering cutting edge products and services that fill a vital need for local busi -nesses in a broader global economy. Not only does Cessna represent thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue, it also embodies a priceless history of inno -vation and advancement that is propelling the growth of Florida’s local businesses and expanding metropolitans.
Ashley Ellis is a Business Development Representative for Cessna Aircraft Company. She is based in Orlando, with responsibility for the Florida and Caribbean territory. She can be contacted through email at aellis@cessna.textron.com
It takes less than an hour to wing it over the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean to a relaxing or adventurous escape on an idyllic island in the Bahamas. From the cockpit of a private plane, general aviators have a breathtaking view of the archipelago of islands that is surely enviable to the average traveler passing over.
Flying to the Islands of the Bahamas (TIOTB) is simple and well within the capabilities of even the lightest single-engine aircraft. The country’s 700 islands and cays, a myriad of things to see and do, and a unique culture—including delicious cuisine; body-twitching music; and warm, friendly people—make it the ideal destination for the private pilot.
Once the Florida coast is left behind, first landfall occurs at Grand Bahama Island (60NM) or Bimini (50NM). Although Nassau and Grand Bahama are the most populous Islands of The Bahamas and the most visited, there are some 58 airports throughout the Islands of the Bahamas, and most of them are FAA-approved.
There is a continuous program of runway improvement, new construction, repair, and installation of NAV/COM facilities at the airports throughout the Bahamas, and the country is constantly pursuing means of making it increasingly easy for private pilots to enter. To date, the minimum procedures required include the filing of an e-APIS and a U.S. international flight plan before departing the U.S and an easy transition through customs and immigration upon arrival.
The Fly Ins allow pilots, their families, and friends to experience the Islands of the Bahamas while enjoying camaraderie and fun with other pilots.
As to the multiplicity of destinations within TIOTB, the country’s Chief Aviation Specialist, Mr. Greg Rolle, has noted, “We offer 21 distinctly different island destinations, including our capital city of Nassau and the island of Grand Bahama. Also, islands such as Exuma, Eleuthera, Abaco, Cat Island, and Inagua each offer unique features and are waiting to be explored.”
Rolle’s comments were made at the launching of the 2011 Bahamas Pilot Challenge, an event that has TIOTB partnering with PilotMall.com aviation superstore. The promotion between the two is designed to encourage general aviation travel throughout the Islands of the Bahamas and challenges participants to visit all twenty Bahamian Airports of Entry (AOE) during the 2011 calendar year.
Marketing Initiatives to Get the Word Out
In recent years, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (BMOTA) has stepped up its marketing efforts towards the private pilot, especially targeting the more than 48,000 based in the state of Florida. The thrust of the message to the pilots is proximity, abundance of airports that encourage island hopping, radar coverage/flight following from the U.S. through TIOTB, the simplicity of customs and immigration procedures, and, of course, the inimitable beauty of hundreds of unspoiled islands and cays.
The visionary initiatives of the aviation team over the years have included the Bahamas Fly Ins, which have been taking place for more than a decade. The Fly Ins allow pilots, their families, and friends to experience the Islands of the Bahamas while enjoying camaraderie and fun with other pilots. Being a part of a group gives ease to pilots flying to the islands or across the ocean for the first time
The success of the Fly Ins brought about The Bahamas Flying Ambassador program. The Flying Ambassadors—seasoned private pilots with extensive experience flying to and around the Islands of the Bahamas—reinforce the efforts of the Bahamas’ aviation team. Members of the group are readily available to share their knowledge of the ease of flying across the Gulf Stream to the Islands of the Bahamas.
to the pilots is proximity, abundance of airports that encourage island hopping, radar coverage/flight following from the U.S. through TIOTB, the simplicity of customs and immigration procedures, and, of course, the inimitable beauty of hundreds of unspoiled islands and cays.
The visionary initiatives of the aviation team over the years have included the Bahamas Fly Ins, which have been taking place for more than a decade. The Fly Ins allow pilots, their families, and friends to experience the Islands of the Bahamas while enjoying camaraderie and fun with other pilots. Being a part of a group gives ease to pilots flying to the islands or across the ocean for the first time
The success of the Fly Ins brought about The Bahamas Flying Ambassador program. The Flying Ambassadors—seasoned private pilots with extensive experience flying to and around the Islands of the Bahamas—reinforce the efforts of the Bahamas’ aviation team. Members of the group are readily available to share their knowledge of the ease of flying across the Gulf Stream to the Islands of the Bahamas.
FBO Involvement
In 2009, the BMOTA made a decisive move to streamline its efforts. Four FBOs along the Florida Coastline were chosen as Bahamas Preferred Gateways. Chief Aviation Specialist Greg Rolle boasts that the Bahamas preferred FBOs have proven to be a great resource to his aviation team, as well as to private pilots leaving the U.S. for the Bahamas.
The selected preferred gateways are equipped to provide Bahamas customs and immigration information, as well as supplies (forms) and up-to-the minute destination information, thus serving as a one-stop shop for private pilots, as well as general aviation traffic, both private and charter.
It is emphasized, too, that although pilots can choose the FBO they want to stop at, they are encouraged when going into the Bahamas to stop at one of eight chosen gateways to be provided with all the information they need.
Consequently, to ensure that the Bahamas Preferred Gateways frontline staff is prepared to assist, a series of training sessions is conducted at the Preferred Gateways along the southeastern coast. Training for the staff includes general information on the Islands of the Bahamas and things to know “before you go” about Bahamian culture, hotels, restaurants, shopping activities, and historical sites. Information is also provided on fishing, boating, and diving in the Islands of the Bahamas for the adventurous pilot.
About the Islands
Training for the Preferred Gateway staff does not end at the FBO centers in the U.S. Instead, they are taken down to TIOTB to experience the flight across the ocean, the reception upon arrival in TIOTB, and to enjoy the culture of varied islands. Preferred Gateway staff is given the opportunity to see firsthand the diversity of the Bahamian islands and how each is distinctively different.
Nassau, the capital of TIOTB, is the center of commerce and politics and the entry of arrival for the renowned Atlantis resort, Paradise Island. Features of Nassau include historical sites, such as forts, unlimited duty-free shopping, and the world-famous Nassau straw market.
Grand Bahama, the second most populous island in the Bahamas chain, offers two different types of experiences. The island features a city atmosphere with a casino and nightlife on the one hand, and on the other an eco-tourism destination. Grand Bahama’s Lucayan National Park provides the visitor with unlimited nature and outdoor activities, including kayaking, bird watching, and exploring a wonderland of caves and blue holes.
The smaller islands, known as the gems of the Bahamas, are less explored and mostly visited by private pilots and boaters. Each of the smaller islands has its own distinct personality, although all offer water sports and nature adventures. A small sampling of the islands includes Cat Island, Exuma, Inagua, Eleuthera, Abaco, and Bimini.
Cat Island is known for its Rake and Scrape music, which is totally indigenous to TIOTB, and Mt. Alvernia, which at 206 feet above sea level is the highest point in the country. Exuma, known mostly for its annual regatta (sailing competition), boasts some 365 cays. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is known for its sparkling blue waters and coral reefs brimming with unique and mysterious marine life.
Inagua National Park is home to the world’s largest colonies of flamingos. With more than 60,000 flamingos, it is said that the ratio of flamingos to people is approximately sixty to one. Eleuthera and Harbor Island, famous for pink sand beaches, also features the must-see Glass Window Bridge. The bridge, which links North Eleuthera and South Eleuthera, is a narrow span of a few feet that allows one to look into the dark turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and, within steps, stare into the calm aquamarine waters of the Caribbean Sea on the other.
Of course, one cannot speak of the out islands without mentioning Abaco, with the possibility of a power boat ride across the waters to visit neighboring Cays or Bimini, the closest Bahamian destination to the U.S. Bimini is historically known for many things, including being one of the bone fishing capitals of the world.
The out islands are also known for a wide array of resorts, from small family guest rooms to hotels and luxurious resorts on hideaway islands and cays. The Riding Rock Hotel is to be found on historically influential San Salvador and on the geographically unique Staniel Cay, Exuma, can be found the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
Group Fly Ins
For those pilots who need further encouragement to fly to one of the Islands of the Bahamas, opportunities exist to join any number of group Fly Ins apart from those hosted by the Bahamas and its partners.
Groups such as the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) take annual trips to TIOTB. The group can include as many as 44 aircraft and 100-plus people. The Southeastern Bonanza Society (SEBS), a social organization of pilots, also makes annual flying trips to the Bahamas. Another group, Governor General’s International Air Rally, includes general aviation pilots from across the globe, including Australia, Switzerland, France, Canada, and the U.S., who travel to the Bahamas as a part of an international air rally competition.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is proud of the strides it is making in the aviation market. To capture a share of this niche, it continues to produce and make readily available information on the ease, economic value, and exceptional experience of a Bahamas visit. To quote Bahamas Aviation Council Co-Chairman, Rick Asper, “Nobody treats general aviation pilots like the Bahamas.”
About Flying to the Bahamas
Up-to-the-minute information on flying to TIOTB is available at www.bahamas.com/flying. Both the Bahamas Private Pilot Guide 2010/2011 and the Bahamas VFR Flight Planning Chart 2010/2011 is available at Bahamas Preferred Gateways or by calling BMOTA’s Aviation Department at (954) 236-9292. Members of the Aviation Department and their partners are available at major aviation shows, including Sun ’n’ Fun, Lakeland, FL; AOPA; and EAA AirVenture OshKosh, annually (AirVenture Oshkosh Air Show will take place in Wisconsin, July 25 - 31, 2011).. At these shows, team members give presentations on flying to TIOTB.
Bahamas Gateway FBOs:
Banyan Air Service, Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE); Jet Center Fort Pierce, Saint Lucie Int’l Airport (FPR); Miami Executive Aviation, Opa-Locka Airport (OPF); Galaxy Aviation of Palm Beach, Palm Beach Airport (PBI); Galaxy Aviation of Stuart, Witham Field Airport (SUA); SheltAir Aviation - Fort Lauderdale Jet Center, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport (FLL); SheltAir Aviation - Jacksonville (JAX); SheltAir Aviation - Daytona Beach (DAB); and Showalter Flying Service, Orlando Executive Airport (ORL).
Jeannie Gibson
District Manager, Communications Bahamas Tourist Office
1200 South Pine Island Road, Suite 750 Plantation, FL 33317
Phone: 954-236-9292
Fax:954-236-9282
www.bahamas.com
www.facebook.com/VisitTheBahamas
