Heard at NBAA2012

With all of the leaders in the business aviation industry gathered at NBAA2012 in Orlando, all ears are tuned to news coming from the annual National Business Aviation Association convention for an update on the status of that market. Find out which manufacturing company's chairman apologized to customers, which Congressman said there is a "cease fire" on business aviation, and what it will take for the business jet industry to recover. AOPA has compiled some of the best quotes heard at NBAA2012.

"There is a slight cease-fire in the war on business aviation. They just don't get it."—Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee.

"We're thrilled to bring this technology to our existing fleet of aircraft by collaborating with Rockwell Collins. Our King Air owners are eager to upgrade to easy-to-manage flight deck displays that take situational awareness to another level and allow for future technology and requirements."—Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft senior vice president, Global Customer Support, on jointly testing touchscreen primary flight displays as part of the Rockwell Collins' Pro Line Fusion system.

"The business jet market will recover when the nation's economy grows at 3 percent or better per year. We need 4 percent to make up for lost time." Forbes Publisher Rich Karlgaard.

"We are truly sorry to have to disappoint our customers with this decision." Hawker Beechcraft Chairman Bill Boisture on the decision to sell or shutter its jet Hawker line of jets.

Large-cabin jets will represent "the lion's share" of the billings over the next 10 years, accounting for 70 percent of all new jet expenditures and 40 percent of the 10,000 new deliveries—Honeywell's twenty-sixth annual business aviation market update.

"We are essentially providing the Twin Otter with a new birth certificate and a new, full useful life."—John Zublin, president and CEO of Ikhana on the new de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter X2 program.

"Our new Upset Prevention and Recovery Training Program definitely raises the bar even higher for pilots who fly for a living and under all types of conditions. We now have a comprehensive program that covers all areas of prevention, recognition and recovery from unusual attitudes of flying."—Lee Lauderback, president of Stallion 51 on its new curriculum.

"Using biofuels is part of a multipronged approach Gulfstream has taken toward sustainability. In addition to reducing our carbon footprint, we're focused on improving aircraft efficiencies."—Scott Neal, Gulfstream senior vice president of sales and marketing.