NBAA doubles down for convention static display in Vegas

This year's NBAA Convention-to be held October 10 to 12 in Las Vegas-will have not one but two static display areas, marking a first in the 64-year history of this event. The new outdoor static display area will be "just a few steps away from the convention center," said NBAA vice president of exhibits Linda Peters.

The traditional static display will be located at Henderson Executive Airport, which is about 15 miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Las Vegas McCarran Airport is much closer-about four miles from the convention hall-but cannot accommodate the static display due to space and operational limitations.

So NBAA is adding a display area adjacent to the convention exhibit hall that is convenient enough "to walk directly from the indoor exhibits to view the actual airplanes," Peters said. Between 15 and 20 aircraft will be able to fit into the new space, which will be set up in the convention center's Silver parking lot. "These will be real airplanes-no mockups, no tented displays, no chalets," she noted. "Most will have wingspans of under 50 feet, which is the size that can be towed from McCarran International Airport."

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen told AIN that he is "delighted" that the Las Vegas Convention Center has made space available for the outdoor display. "The static display at NBAA's convention's is the largest of its kind, allowing show attendees to make side-by-side comparisons of every type of business," he said. "The aircraft in the this new space will augment those included in the full static display at Henderson Airport, as well as the aircraft mockups available for viewing in the convention center, and we know attendees will value each of these offerings as part of their convention experience."

According to Peters, as of mid-March four manufacturers and one modification company had signed up for the new display area, with eight of the aircraft display slots now taken. These companies include Piper Aircraft, which opted for four display slots, as well as Pilatus Aircraft, Piaggio Aero, Robinson Helicopter and Sierra Industries. Peters added that several manufacturers still plan to display aircraft inside the convention hall, meaning the new display area so far isn't diverting planned indoor aircraft exhibits outside.