ABACE is continuing to reflect the evolving and growing nature of business aviation in China, NBAA president and CEO told reporters today as the 2017 edition was set to open at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in China.

“China is still in the early stages of business aviation,” he said. “Business aviation is evolving in a very different way than it evolved in the U.S.” In the U.S., business aviation initially grew out of use of small general aviation aircraft and eventually into larger, long-range aircraft. In China, business aviation began with the largest aircraft and is pushing down into smaller and lighter aircraft.

“In the U.S., business aviation grew from bottom up. In China it is growing from top down,” he said. The static display has highlighted that evolution. When ABACE opened at Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre at Hongqiao Airport in 2012, the static display was mostly filled with large-cabin, long-range business aircraft. Now the static display showcases a much wider range of aircraft that even includes an amphibian and special-mission uses, such as an air ambulance, he said.

Business aircraft operations also are evolving differently in China. “Because it is still in the early stages, we see a lot of management and charter companies,” he said. “We don’t see as many individuals in China who are flying corporate airplanes for business.”

That might change, he said, but it has evolved from more of an airline-oriented operating environment. To continue this evolution, the industry needs to build a pipeline of pilots and maintenance technicians who are focused on the business aviation market.

That has been a driver for the creation of the career day that will be hosted during the third day of ABACE. That event is expected to draw nearly 300 students from eight universities, Bolen said.