I visited the 2023 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas – it is the world’s biggest business aviation event.
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ACJ Two Twenty
Starting the tour with the newest business aircraft; Airbus ACJ Two Twenty is making her NBAA-BACE Debut.
I walked through this extra large private jet with 6 zones. L-shaped sofa, complete black-out window, California king-size bed and fully stand-up shower. Airbus claimed that the aircraft is creating a new market segment, the ‘Xtra Large Bizjet,’ by emphasizing cabin space, range, and technology at a similar price point to ultra-long-range jets.
NBAA-BACE is a popular marketplace for buying and selling planes. Experts spoke about their views on how the market is trending. I went onboard a 2012 Boeing 737-700IGW BBJ which is on sale with immaculate interiors.
Many single-pilot jets are popular features at the show. Here are updates of Pilatus PC-24, HondaJet Echelon and Embraer Phenom 100EX.
Pilatus PC-24
Beginning with new aircraft deliveries in 2024, Pilatus has extended the payload-range capability to achieve a maximum range with six passengers of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 kilometers).
Pilatus also incorporated an array of new interior amenities, including a side-facing divan which can be converted into a bed.
HondaJet Echelon
The biggest HondaJet has a spacious cabin suited for long-range travel, with seating for up to 11 occupants. It features more legroom, the tallest cabin height in its category, and a class-leading cabin altitude of 6,363 ft. HondaJet Echelon is expected to fly in 2028. I visited the mock-up at the show:
HondaJet Phenom 100EX
Embraer’s Phenom 100EX made its global debut, it now comes with upgraded cabin interior, and the cockpit bulkhead has been removed to enable an open cockpit so passengers can see the pilot flying with more space feel.
Advanced Air Mobility
New electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles are also on display with live demonstration of Volocopter 2X eVTOL.
Wisk Aero showing its 6th Gen aircraft model and currently testing its 5th-generation autonomous flying aircraft. The spokesperson gave a detailed explanation of the autonomous operation in my video and expects to be the first to be certified by the end of this decade.
VoltAero from France introduced their hybrid turboprop; Cassio 330 concept aircraft. I was given an orientation of the hybrid powered aircraft in my video.
In the convention hall, I met with Kevin LaRosa, an air-to-air stunt pilot and aerial coordinator who showcased his CineJet and explained how air-to-air filming was done in the Top Gun Maverick movie.
Tennis champions Andre Agassi and Stefani Graf were the guests of NBAA-BACE keynote. They shared their aviation stories with me in my full show recap video.
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