More than 130 exhibitors and 25 aircraft are on display today at Jet Aviation’s facilities at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia, Ill., at the St. Louis NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum. Aircraft on display range from an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter and high-performance piston singles to the latest business jets such as the Embraer Legacy 500, Cessna Citation Latitude and ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650ER. Also on hand are three Falcon 900s, one an EX-EASy and two LXs; a Challenger 600, 604 and 605; Learjet 75; Eclipse 550; Pilatus PC-12; Citation CJ3+; King Air 350; Phenom 300; two G450s; Quest Kodiak 100; and Piper Meridian.
More than 1,000 visitors are expected to attend the forum, welcomed by Jet Aviation St. Louis senior vice president and general manager Chuck Krugh and airport operator Bi-State Development Agency president and CEO John Nations.
Krugh commented, “It’s important to recognize the importance of these NBAA events.” He added that not only is it a great opportunity to visit with vendors and see what’s new in business aviation, but also to network. “Those relationships and that networking is what keeps our industry going.” Nations commented, “This airport is one of the great jewels of this region.”
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen briefed attendees on key issues, including FAA reauthorization, tax policy and airport access. Other forum presentations included Michelle Wade of Jackson & Wade, who explained how to set up business aircraft ownership and operating structures; Duncan Aviation’s Mark Francetic on NextGen avionics mandates; and Argus’s Travis Kuhn, who discussed the fundamentals of business aviation activity numbers.