NBAA-BACE 2023 To Debut Aircraft, Focus On Careers, Technology, More

Business aviation manufacturers and exhibitors plan to debut a variety of aircraft and products in Las Vegas Oct. 17-19 during the National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).

At the same time, new technologies, sustainability, education, careers and other topics will be the focus of the annual industry gathering.

NBAA-BACE will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center with a static display at the Henderson Executive Airport, where organizers expect more than 800 exhibitors and about 20,000 attendees.

Embraer will showcase the newest edition of its entry-level jet, the Phenom 100EX, an upgraded Phenom 100EV, with a four-occupant range of 1,178 nm and a maximum speed of Mach 0.7 thanks to its Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F1-E engines. Embraer announced the upgrade Oct. 9 ahead of the event.

Textron Aviation is making the NBAA-BACE debut of its new Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop, which will be on static display at the Henderson Executive Airport. The Denali was on display during EAA AirVenture in July. Three aircraft in the flight test program are flying each day conducting developmental flights, which will soon move into certification testing with certification expected in 2025,  officials say.

Textron Aviation is also making the U.S. debut of its $16.725 million Citation Ascend with an all-new interior, an interior different from the mockup on display during the European Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in May when the company announced the aircraft, the latest edition to the XLS series. The Ascend features new powerplants, the Pratt & Whitney PW545D with increased thrust and efficiency, a flat floor, new and larger windows and all-new cabin. First deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2025. It will be the fifth generation of the Citation 560XL.

Pilatus Aircraft plans to showcase its upgraded PC-24 business jet with a 200 nm longer range and new cabin interior. The cabin includes a new Cabin Management System with a 10 in. touch screen controller, mood lighting, USB ports, media storage server and other features. In all, Pilatus officials say the upgrade includes more than 1,000 modifications to the aircraft.

Textron Aviation and Embraer aircraft will fly to Las Vegas using sustainable aviation fuel, company officials note. 

Honda Aircraft President Hideto Yamasaki will provide an update on its new HondaJet 2600 concept light business jet, including the new and official name for the aircraft. The aircraft will have a maximum cruise speed of 450 kts and a range with four passengers and one pilot of 2625 nm. Honda Aircraft unveiled the aircraft at NBAA-BACE in 2021. 

Among its lineup of aircraft on display, Bombardier will showcase its first certified pre-owned business jet at a major U.S. trade show. The aircraft, a Challenger 300, will be on static display and feature a refurbished interior, fresh paint, upgraded avionics and connectivity systems and other items. 

Manufacturers and other exhibitors are expected to make a variety of other announcements of new and upgraded products and services during the show. 

One noticeable absence from the event will be Gulfstream Aerospace, a long-term exhibitor. The Savannah-Georgia-based company says it made the decision after reviewing its marketing investments and after creating a number of successful private events for customers. Gulfstream will not participate in the static display or host an exhibit on the exhibit floor.

An Inaugural Career Fair

For the first time, NBAA is hosting a career fair during the show as the shortage of business aviation professionals is expected to reach historic levels. The industry is aging and the need for young professionals, pilots and those in maintenance, manufacturing, engineering and other specialties has boomed, NBAA notes. Training provider CAE, for example, projects 1.3 million civil aviation professionals will be needed over the next 10 years. 
The career fair will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 18 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 19. So far, 16 exhibitors have signed up to host recruiting stations for the event and will have recruiters available. 

“They’ll have the opportunity to engage with college-aged students, attendees already working in business aviation and other job seekers, including those making the mid-career transition from the military,” says Jo Damato, NBAA senior vice president of education, training and workforce development. The job fair is open to anyone attending NBAA-BACE who is searching for a new job or career in business aviation.

Emerging Technologies

The exhibit floor in the convention center will feature an Emerging Technology Pavilion with Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) products and other new technologies, along with an indoor aircraft display of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. 

For the first time, a series of AAM flights will take place at Henderson Executive Aircraft. Volocopter will provide flights, weather permitting, on its electric 2X air taxi. Blade Air Mobility is returning to the event offering by-the-seat helicopter flights operated by Orbic Air between the convention center and Henderson Executive Airport. Seats can be booked on Blade’s mobile app. The flights were sold out in 2021. 

NBAA-BACE will feature dozens of safety, thought leadership and other educational sessions and events throughout the show. 

Keynote speakers on Day 1 include Stefanie Graf and Andre Agassi, retired professional tennis players who married in 2001. The couple use business aviation to support their charitable, humanitarian and educational initiatives. 

Keynote speakers for Day 2 include Daymond John, entrepreneur, investor and a regular panelist on the Shark Tank television show and Col. Nicole Malachowski, now retired, the first female pilot on the Air Force Thunderbird demonstration team and the first woman to fly on a Department of Defense military jet demonstration team.

Many exhibitors have taken a sustainability pledge to support sustainable efforts at the show. The pledge includes commitments to reduce printed materials, to use sustainable materials in booth construction and other sustainable measures. 

Held in tandem with NBAA-BACE, NBAA is hosting a two-day 2023 Business Aviation Sustainability Summit, focused on issues, such as carbon offsets, SAF, eVTOL technology in business aviation, the future of sustainable aviation, environmental policy and other topics.

Editor's Note: The Denali is expected to be certified in 2025. The Citation Ascend has a retail price of $16.725. The story has been changed to reflect the two items.