Advances in technology have had and will continue to have the biggest impact on business aviation, Constant Aviation’s CEO David Davies told Corporate Jet Investor (CJI).
“Improvements in avionics, connectivity and cabin management as well as developments in manufacturing all have driven changes in how we do business,” said Davies, as the company celebrates its 15th anniversary. “These enhancements have streamlined and extended maintenance intervals resulting in less-frequent – but larger – inspection packages.”
Communications and procedures in place with the FAA and other regulators have changed dramatically as well, said Davies. Safety Management Systems, approval of new systems, documentation, processes and procedures to manage change have all been streamlined.
Evolving technology has required all aspects of the industry to change too, said Davies. “Technicians need to stay current, flight crews need updates and refreshers and the core aspects and requirements of operations and maintenance have needed to keep pace.”
As for Constant Aviation’s role within business aviation Davies said: : “Like any mature business, Constant has to continue to guard against complicating its business. It’s very easy for that to happen and it takes a lot of work to streamline operations and focus on our core business. We continue to ensure that we focus on that core business: Delivering quality work, always.”
Covid-19 has brought about many changes to the way the industry operates. The biggest and most lasting changes are likely to be enhanced communication and work-from-home procedures for support and back office personnel, said Davies. If you don’t need to touch the aircraft, you might not need to be on site full time and that could benefit everything from employee recruitment and retention to the need for office space.
Looking to the next 15 years the watchwords are faster, higher and quieter. A new breed of supersonic aircraft will emerge for longer flights and electric passenger and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are going to come of age as well, predicted Davies. “As with previous advances, these improvements will change maintenance and operational requirements within business aviation.”
