AERO Friedrichshafen 2024
Like a Phoenix From the Ashes With New Products and Upgraded Booths.
AERO Friedrichshafen 2024 was quite a different experience for me this year. It was my first year representing an exhibitor and speaking at two conference presentations. Additionally, it was the show’s thirtieth anniversary, and it seemed like more new products were exhibited and exhibitors brought major upgrades to their booths.
In contrast to the previous year, progress has also been made at the E-Flight Expo (Hall A7). BRM brought back their Bristell Energic, and VoltAero finally showcased their Cassio S, a highly modified Cessna Skymaster which had been scheduled in previous years but never made it to AERO Friedrichshafen. Overall, it seemed like there was an upward trend not only among the established players but in general aviation as a whole.
European/World Premieres at AERO Friedrichshafen 2024
Several aircraft manufacturers took the opportunity to bring new products and/or important upgrades to their product lineup to AERO Friedrichshafen 2024.
Piper Aircraft Introduced Their New Flagship
Piper Aircraft announced the new addition to their PA-46 lineup in February 2024 and brought the M700 Fury to Friedrichshafen. Piper’s new flagship model features impressive performance and characteristics and is apparently more than one million dollars cheaper than the products of their direct competitor.
Cirrus Aircraft Continues to Upgrade Their Line-Up to Generation 7
Cirrus Aircraft continues to outsell established competitors in their segment, bringing the seventh generation of the SR Series and their Vision Jet to AERO Friedrichshafen. It is clear to me that Cirrus sells not just aircraft but a lifestyle. Watching the commercial videos on their massive screen is a testament to that. Cirrus has one of the largest booths, featuring a large merchandise store. They focus on customer experience and offer comprehensive add-ons like flight training, providing plenty of space for customers and partners at the show.
Tecnam Released Their Rotax iS Powered P2006T
Tecnam took their show appearance to the next level with a completely new booth. They occupied almost a quarter of a hangar (Hall A4) and showcased a massive range of aircraft, from ultralight to their flagship model – the mighty P2012. A new addition to their aircraft line-up was introduced at AERO Friedrichshafen 2024 as well. Tecnam replaced the Rotax 912 S (carbureted) engines with a pair of 912 iSc (fuel-injected) engines in their P2006T and added the suffix NG to the name to indicate the change.
Massive Upgrades to Show Booths
Tecnam wasn’t the only manufacturer to massively upgrade their booth. Diamond Aircraft also made a huge investment in their show appearance, which, by the way, wasn’t so impressive last year. Similar to Tecnam, Diamond occupied a quarter of the hangar (Hall A4) and brought an extensive aircraft line-up, including their eDA40 – an electrically driven four-seater.
Another manufacturer that substantially upgraded their booth – also coincidentally in Hall A4 – was Blackshape. I am not too familiar with their products, but their booth update caught my attention.
Kings of the Booths
Two companies that did not make any changes to their booth but deserve mention in this section are Textron Aviation and Cirrus Aircraft. Textron Aviation featured only one Cessna 172 at their booth but had a lineup of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft on the ramp, ranging from piston-engine aircraft to large business jets. The show appearance of both Textron Aviation and Cirrus Aircraft is impressive as they feature reception areas, areas to hang out, refreshment bars, and several meeting rooms.
E-Flight Expo Reawakened
Last year’s E-Flight Expo was quite disillusioning. The hailed transformation to a more sustainable general aviation seemed far away as “established” companies like BRM, VoltAero, or Evolito did not bring any updates and/or failed to bring any demonstrators. Contrarily, BRM did not bring their Bristell Energic but instead a turboprop version, and VoltAero once again failed to bring the technology demonstrator, Cassio S.
This year was different. BRM did bring their Bristell Energic and publicly shared the ferry to AERO Friedrichshafen, and VoltAero finally showcased Cassio S. Additionally, companies like Kasaero – who are part of the HYFLY project – showcased their HYFLY-Demonstrator DS-2C/HY, which is apparently close to its first flight.
A company that I did not even know exists exhibited at the E-Flight Expo too: Rhyen Aircraft Industry. According to their short description, their aircraft lineup includes: a two-seat electric light sport aircraft (RX1E-A), a two-seat seaplane (RX1E-S), and a four-seat hydrogen internal combustion engine aircraft (RX4H). I did not check them out this year but will do so next time if they exhibit at AERO Friedrichshafen again next year.
Conference Presentations – Elevate Your Aircraft Operation
I had the opportunity to talk about our practical guide for pilot-owners: “Elevate Your Aircraft Operation – Seven Steps for Continental & Lycoming Powered Aircraft.” It was a pleasure to discuss our recommended approach to aircraft operation with interested visitors. I really appreciate their time and commitment to becoming better pilot-owners and will be back to discuss similar topics next year.
Worth Mentioning Developments
I have been following RS Flight Systems for a while now and am convinced they offer some of the best accessories for Rotax engines. This year, I had the opportunity to explore their products more deeply. I particularly like their Engine Monitor Units, Single-Lever Power Control (SLPC), external alternator kits, and the iS Data Recorder/CANaerospace Logger. I am convinced that the SLPC, in particular, is a game-changer and a must-have for any fuel-injected, turbocharged Rotax engine with a constant-speed propeller. RS Flight Systems showcased a technology demonstrator in the form of a Lockwood AirCam powered by two Rotax 915 iS engines and equipped with their high-quality equipment. Notably, the designer, Phil Lockwood, and the builder, Wolfgang Reiser, were on site.
Another development worth mentioning is the Integral R from Aura Aero. This side-by-side, two-seater aerobatic aircraft equipped with a Lycoming AEIO-390 A3B6 is currently under EASA/FAA certification. Aura Aero initially did not catch my attention, as it was located in Hall A7—the hangar where the E-Flight Expo is held. However, once I noticed them, I realised that their product might fill a gap between normal category and high-performance aerobatic aircraft, well-suited for upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT), which is mandatory for any commercial pilot training.
Conclusion
AERO Friedrichshafen 2024 was worth the visit, unveiling significant new developments in the general aviation market. Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, the show attracted a multitude of exhibitors and visitors from around the globe. The event not only highlighted technological advancements and innovative aircraft but also demonstrated the growing emphasis on sustainable aviation solutions and enhanced pilot training methods. As the industry continues to evolve, AERO Friedrichshafen remains a pivotal platform for showcasing the future of aviation in Europe. I look forward to what next year’s event will bring.
About Quest Aeronautics
Quest Aeronautics is a state-certified engineering office for aviation, dedicated to shaping the future of general aviation by providing innovative and cost-effective solutions to enhance aircraft performance and operations. With a focus on CS/FAR-23 and experimental/amateur-built (E/A-B) aircraft, Quest Aeronautics provides a range of services including flight testing, aircraft operations and maintenance consulting, high-quality aviation products, and tailored support for E/A-B projects. Collaborating with industry-leading partners, Quest Aeronautics is committed to delivering unparalleled support and expertise to individuals and organisations in the general aviation market.
About Author
Sebastian, the founder of Quest Aeronautics, is a driven and enthusiastic individual with a passion for aviation. Before delving into aviation, he gained valuable experience as a chemical process engineer and laboratory technician. Sebastian holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a commercial pilot licence, with several fixed-wing aircraft ratings under his belt. He has also completed an introduction course for fixed-wing performance and flying qualities flight testing at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, CA and is compliance verification engineer for flight.