JSfirm (Booth N3413) released the results of its annual Business Aviation Survey this week at NBAA 2017, finding an uptick in flight hours and general optimism about the business. Of the 275 companies surveyed, 57 percent said they are experiencing an increase in flight hours. Meanwhile, 55 percent said they will acquire a pre-owned or refurbish an existing aircraft in the next 12 to 24 months, and 65 percent said operations are not being affected by the pilot shortage.
“Overwhelmingly, those surveyed reported that business is good due to the improving economy,” said JSfirm operations manager Jeff Richards. “The majority of operators reported expansion of staff and/or fleet and an increased business demand in 2017.”
According to the results of the Business Aviation Survey, 75 percent of participants are operating under Part 91, which is up from 65 percent from 2016. When it comes to employees supporting flight departments, 71 percent of participants indicated that they employ between one and 10 team members, compared with 2016’s 68 percent. Sixteen percent of participants employ between 11 and 30 team members and 4 percent employ between 31 and 50 team members.
When asked how many aircraft the companies operate, 42 percent indicated that they operate one aircraft compared, with 38 percent from 2016. Twenty-two percent of companies said they operate two aircraft, which is an increase from 18 percent in 2016. Helicopters made up six percent of the operated aircraft, while turboprops made up 22 percent; light jets, 18 percent; midsize jets, 30 percent; and large-cabin jets 21 percent.
Approximately 43 percent of participants said they did not see an increase in flight hours this year, which is down from 46 percent last year. Twenty percent of participants said they saw an increase in flight hours between zero and 10 percent. Lastly, 35 percent of companies said the pilot shortage was affecting operations, compared with 43 percent in 2016.
At the NBAA convention, the company also announced that three students from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will receive the JSfirm scholarship. Senior Roxanne Rosado, senior Skyler Singleton and sophomore Ethan Violin will all receive scholarships to pursue programs in aviation maintenance science, aerospace engineering and aeronautical science, respectively.
