Aero-TV Looks At Leading New Markets: VLJ's in Latin American and the Caribbean

Info-Packed Second Annual Latin America/Caribbean VLJ Conference Concludes In Miami Even though the 2008 National Business Aviation Association's annual conference came to an end barely a month ago, that doesn't mean that all BizAv-related events were done for the year. ANN was pleased to aid the VLJ - Latin America and the Caribbean conference in seeking dialogues, answers and discussion on matters concerning VLJ operations in an impressive market segment. Operators and interested customers just completed a gathering (a few hours ago) in Miami intended to allow attendees to brainstorm ways to spur on the very-light jet industry, and the growth of business aviation in general, throughout Latin America. The second annual Very Light Jets - Latin America and the Caribbean conference ran through November 10-11, with the aim to answer fundamental questions about the industry, and to address expectations of segment growth in the region. MIU Events -- organizers of this conference, as well as others promoting aviation events and training seminars -- notes there are more business jets and turboprops in Brazil than in any other single country outside the United States and Canada. As a region, Latin America and the Caribbean also operate more turboprops than either Europe or Asia. "With Very Light Jet (VLJ) manufacturers forecasting more than 60% of their sales outside the US, Latin America and the Caribbean offers an enticing market," organizers note. "With a poor road network and few railways, the Latin American region has long been a place where private aircraft have been an essential tool for business. "As the Latin American economies gain momentum and the boom in agriculture generates business in areas far removed from the big industrial centers, demand for aircraft is growing at a phenomenal pace. Conservative estimates predict the market for private jets in the region will grow at 10%pa for the next five years. As the existing fleet of twins and turboprops comes up for renewal or replacement the VLJ is going to look increasingly attractive to owner/operators and owner/pilots." While it's fair to say the conference aims to promote the use of VLJs throughout the region, organizers aren't casting a blind eye towards the very real concerns about the emerging industry. "Will the new VLJs now being delivered prove as sturdy and reliable as turbo props and twins and will the VLJ offer the operators the distances needed for this market?" MIU asks. "Will the necessary aviation infrastructure be in place and will the OEMs have a sufficiently expansive servicing capability for this established but rugged market?" It's the role of the conference to answer those questions... and to provide a flight path through the various regulations, funding options, FBO, MRO, operating costs and pilot training issues that are likely to have a direct impact on the success of the VLJ in this market. Aero-News was the Senior Media Partner throughout the event, and will be providing our readers, viewers and listeners access to the results of that meeting -- starting right now -- less than 24 hours later, with an overview of this promising gathering and the immense amounts of information shared in but 48 hours in Miami. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks. Aero-TV Feature: An Overview Of The VLJ - Latin America and the Caribbean Conference FMI: www.miuevents.com, www.embraer.com, www.atxa.com, www.gama.aero, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews Copyright 2008, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved.