Avionics News December 2012 - 57

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics introduced the MD302 Standby Attitude Module (SAM) .

and recovered from the economic recession at a more rapid pace than their peers across a range of industries in the U.S. According to the NBAA, the study, called Business Aviation: Maintaining Shareholder Value Through Turbulent Times, concluded that S&P 500 companies using business aviation achieved superior financial performance with superior ability to respond to the economic downturn. In addition to several AEA member companies present at this year’s event, the AEA staff was busy distributing hundreds of copies of this year’s Pilot’s Guide to Avionics to attendees. Avionics News also was in Orlando to cover the latest news and product announcements from AEA members, and below is a recap of the important business aviation industry announcements made during the show. Honeywell Honeywell released its 21st annual Business Aviation Outlook on Sunday, Oct. 28. The company is forecasting nearly 10,000 new business jet deliveries in the next decade worth approximately $250 billion from 2012 to 2022. Honeywell forecasts 680 to 720 deliveries of new business jets in 2012, which marks a single-digit increase from the levels reported last year. The 2012 survey shows a 9 percent increase in projected delivery value over

last year’s forecast. The expected gains arise from pricing increases and a change in expected business jet mix, which reflects a continued trend toward larger business jet models. “Next year’s totals are anticipated to be of similar magnitude, reflecting the protracted nature of the global economic recovery,” said Rob Wilson, president of Honeywell Business and General Aviation. “Over the medium term, a return to historical growth conditions supported by globalization, wealth creation in developing nations and new aircraft development should boost orders and support accelerated growth beginning mid-decade. Despite the economic challenges our industry has been dealing with for the past 40 months, we believe some progress is being made.” According to Honeywell, the survey reported that 30 percent of buyers plan to replace or purchase new aircraft in the next five years either as a replacement or in addition to the respondent’s fleet, and large cabin jets account for more than 40 percent of new purchase plans. The survey pointed to continued modest growth during the next two to three years, and the company anticipates 3 to 4 percent average annual industry growth during the next decade. Operators responding to the survey expressed concerns over the regulatory environment in every region of the globe, particularly user fees and tax laws. Despite the expressed concerns, most operators

surveyed believe local economic growth will be stable or improve in the near term. Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics introduced an advanced, 2-by-5-inch standby display. The MD302 Standby Attitude Module (SAM) is an entirely self-contained, solid-state instrument that provides attitude, altitude, airspeed and slip information to the pilot during normal operation or in the case of primary instrument failure. According to the company, SAM is a compact device specifically designed to fit in less panel space than a standard set of 2-inch mechanical attitude, altitude and airspeed indicators. Its two-screen display features selectable horizontal and vertical orientation. This allows for flexible cockpit installation without extensive rearrangement of equipment or the need for recertification of relocated avionics. Weighing 1.6 pounds, SAM is lighter than just one of the three instruments it is designed to replace. “SAM is a unique and simple-to-use product that is an impressive addition to today’s high-tech glass cockpits,” said Tom Genovese, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics director of
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Avionics News December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News December 2012