The 12th annual LABACE show opened on Tuesday with fewer aircraft on display than prior years–no more than 48 compared to 68 two years ago–but with undiminished faith in the future and encouragement for a Brazilian business aviation community that is feeling the economic pinch. In an opening session address, Eduardo Marson noted that when he assumed ABAG’s chairmanship four years ago, Brazilian general aviation was growing at an annual rate of 5-to-6 percent, above a world average of 3 percent, and “last year we were down to the world average.” He added that 2015 would turn out to be “a challenging year, to say the least.”

With a nod to the many military officers present–including Brazil’s air force commandant, air brigadier Nivaldo Luiz Rossato and Department of Air Traffic Control director, air brigadier Vuyk de Aquino–he said that for the business aviation industry in Brazil, “ It’s time to rally the troops, and re-examine strategy.”

Marson noted that his second term as ABAG chairman would end in a few months, indicating that he would not seek another term. “Every organization needs fresh air,” he stated. AIN learned that no successor has yet emerged. Marson thanked the many people and organizations that helped make his term possible, singling out Ricardo Nogueira, ABAG executive director, and some of Marson’s predecessors in the role, who were also present, including Francisco Lyra and Rui Aquino.

Marson acknowledged the beautiful weather for the opening of this year’s LABACE, in contrast with the cold and rain that marked the previous two years. The current Brazilian crisis, he said, is like a storm, but “We’ll come out the other side, and once again be flying in blue skies.”