General Aviation flies on course into the future

Airlines around the world are currently on the lookout for qualified cockpit crews. Flight schools are expanding or modernizing their training fleets, which is leading to full order books for the manufacturers of piston aircraft. At the 30th AERO (April 17 - 20, 2024), they will be showcasing not only their successful traditional aircraft but also the innovative models that will take them into the future.

Piston aircraft are traditionally one of the most important pillars of AERO. At the 30th AERO, exhibitors from the single-engine and twin-engine piston-powered aircraft segment will once again form an unmissable focal point of the show. The exhibition grounds of Messe Friedrichshafen are directly connected to Bodensee Airport Friedrichshafen via a taxiway. This means that exhibitors can taxi their aircraft directly into the exhibition halls as well as onto the AERO static display. These short distances between the halls and the outdoor area also benefit visitors who want to view the booths in the halls as well as the aircraft on the static display.

Tobias Bretzel, AERO Show Director at fairnamic GmbH, says: "Piston aircraft are the backbone of General Aviation. In Germany alone, around 7,000 single and twin-engine aircraft with piston engine propulsion are registered. The most important manufacturers from the powered flight sector have already registered for the anniversary AERO. These include Textron Aviation with its Cessna and Beechcraft brands, Cirrus Aircraft, Diamond Aircraft Industries, Piper Aircraft, Tecnam, Elixir Aircraft and Flight Design general aviation GmbH."

It is not only the manufacturers of these aircraft who will be showing their new products and innovations at AERO, but also suppliers who manufacture avionics, propulsion systems, components and accessories. Powered aircraft are very long-lasting products that are overhauled several times during their lifetime and equipped with more modern systems. AERO offers aircraft owners and operators an excellent opportunity to get an overview of the complete range of products and services and to talk to the suppliers in detail.

Dr. Michael Erb, Managing Director of AOPA Germany, declares: "AERO in Friedrichshafen has been a fixed date in the season for us at AOPA-Germany and our international umbrella association IAOPA since its first edition. At no other event do we have the opportunity to meet our members, exchange ideas and coordinate with authorities, other associations and companies in such a concentrated manner and in such large numbers. No institution in general aviation can afford not to take part. But the AERO is far more than just a must-attend event, the atmosphere in the exhibition halls and at Lake Constance is very special, and for us exhibitors the AERO has almost taken on the character of a large family reunion. That's why we are very happy to be an official partner of AERO and look forward to the next meeting in April 2024!"

New propulsion systems for powered aircraft – including hybrid-electric and all-electric systems –, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels) and the shortage of skilled workers are currently the most frequently discussed topics in the industry. The anniversary AERO offers specific conference content and exhibition highlights on all these topics, such as the e-Flight Expo and the AERO Hydrogen Summit.