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Lunch with a Veteran of Business Aviation

01/09/2014 by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

The last time I met Roger Whyte was four years ago at the NBAA Annual Convention in Atlanta at the press conference where his retirement from Cessna was announced, after 28 years being a key player and leader of Cessna’s sales force, and leaving behind a legacy that cannot be forgotten. A couple of weeks ago, Roger and I met again for lunch at the Lvi Dvur (Lion’s Court) restaurant behind the Prague Castle on the edge of, and looking over the beautiful Royal Gardens.

“Welcome to Prague Castle, the new wonderful location of CEPA EXPO 2104,” Roger saluted me open armed and with a big smile. “You know, the castle is really a most inspiring venue with a unique atmosphere which will be very conducive to the exchange of information, for generating ideas and forging relationships.”

It was a pleasure to see Roger again after all those years and I remember what he said that last time about planning to stay in Wichita, Kansas for some time, and travel and enjoy retirement. I wondered whether he still lived in the States or maybe returned to his native UK. And what does ‘enjoying retirement’ outside the aviation industry activities mean to a person who was a senior executive and will always remain an authority in the field.

“My wife Ingrid and I enjoyed three summers in Wichita after my retirement. During that time I travelled extensively, including living in China for several months helping NBAA to lay the groundwork for ABACE which, I’m pleased to say, has become an extremely successful annual convention.” In 2012, the NBAA had invited the business aviation veteran to bring his vast knowledge of the industry to ensure that the Asian Business Aviation Conference becomes one of the most important aviation events in the world.

“As always planned, we moved to Germany at the end of August last year,” Roger continues. “We now live in Laufen, Bavaria, the town we lived in before moving to Wichita in 1994. Laufen is located on the German/Austrian border 20 kilometers north of the city of Salzburg. I am spending time with my grandchildren, horse riding, skiing in the winter, hiking in the mountains, gardening and hosting our many visitors. I also receive invitations to speak to various groups; next week, for instance to the Salzburg Airport Fan Club. When I’m not following developments in aviation, and meeting old friends at Salzburg Airport, I’m planning for CEPA EXPO.”

Recently, Roger Whyte was named Chairman of CEPA Expo 2014. In the past he was a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Business Aviation Association and was the Vice Chairman of the NBAA Associate Member Advisory Council. The event around the industry activities in Central and Eastern Europe will draw on his experience in global business development and event management to further position the CEPA Expo as the leading event in the region. I asked him what he has in mind for the event that is held in Prague, November 19-20.

“I have been following the progress of CEPA since its inception and having attended the CEPA Expo, I am impressed with what has been achieved so far and I am looking forward to help take the organization and the conference to the next stage of its development. We have extended the scope of the agenda to increase emphasis on operations, safety, maintenance, and future requirements. How the current Russian, Ukrainian situation is affecting business aviation and the implication for the future will be a major agenda item. This year we have been successful in expanding the spectrum of speakers and panelists participating in CEPA Expo including global business aviation leaders, policy makers and regulators.”

We paused for a moment as the waiter brought us the typical hearty Bohemian dishes we ordered, goulash cooked in beer for Roger and for me the roast pig from the spit rod, a specialty which harks back to the 16th century. From the restaurant window we had a fine view the beautiful, serene setting of the castle gardens and the old St.Vitius Cathedral in the background.

“Bon Appetite,” said Roger. Isn’t this a great environment for networking around an event such as CEPA Expo?” How could I possibly not agree with him? I wanted to know from Roger what he thinks of industry forecasts and statistics. Personally, I felt that in most cases it is like listening to a broken record over a number of years and I am getting tired of the expression “carefully optimistic”. We cannot foresee things long term; experts didn’t foresee in 2004 not even in 2007 that there would be a global recession coming up. What does Roger foresee for business aviation?

“New business jet deliveries for the first half of 2014 increased 12.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2013. This is the second year of increased deliveries following the recession. Business jet movements in the United States have increased by four percent in the last twelve months. We are back in a growth mode. It will continue throughout 2015 and beyond. Business aviation is a growth industry. The size of the business aviation fleet worldwide will double between now and the year 2030. It will more than double in the growth regions of Central and Eastern Europe as well as South East Asia by 2020 if not earlier. Growth will not be linear, there will be up and down years driven by economic cycles, company profits and new product introductions, but growth there will be.”

Business Aviation is not just manufacturing and selling aircraft. In what other segments of the industry does Roger expect significant growth in the CEE?

“In Central and Eastern Europe the business aviation fleet will continue to grow at least at the same rate as for instance that of China. As the fleet continues to grow and hours flown increase, all segments of the industry will benefit. Worldwide business aviation keeps millions of people in highly qualified, well-paying jobs. In the growth markets of Central and Eastern Europe, but also in South East Asia there is vast potential for growing the whole infrastructure to support the efficient operation of business aviation. This includes fixed based operations, maintenance and repair facilities, fuel suppliers, handling agents, ground handling equipment, flight planning services, aircraft management, training, catering and much more.”

I wondered what the hotspots for business aviation development in Central and Eastern Europe including Russia were, and whether there are other activities besides charter operations and aircraft sales, which we should keep an eye on in the region.

“Business aircraft are being delivered to customers throughout the Central and Eastern European region. Many of them are flown on flags of convenience, operated by western European management companies. Russia is the largest country in the region with the largest fleet. The number of business aircraft owned by customers in other countries in the region has increased rapidly and continues to do so. Expect to see service centers, parts distribution warehouses, FBOs, dedicated airport terminals and other facilities for business aviation to be added to the airports in the region. The supply base for business aviation products in Central and Eastern Europe continues to expand. Parts and components for business aircraft, avionics, engines, interiors and flight simulators are being manufactured in the region, aircraft painting is being performed; I could continue with more examples.”

If Roger was given an assignment to promote the image of business aviation to general audiences, defined as those people who will never be able own or fly a private jet but, who for instance may raise their voice against business airport development, what would Roger’s message to this audience be?

“The major benefits of business aviation to a community is that it brings investment and jobs, directly and indirectly. Companies evaluating locations for new facilities look very closely at how easy it is to access a particular town or city. A location with an airport which accommodates business aviation will always have an advantage. The use of business aircraft helps established companies to grow their businesses bringing economic benefits in the form of greater employment, higher incomes and tax revenues to the local community. There is much empirical evidence to show that companies using business aviation are more successful than those that do not.”

While enjoying our desert at the historic Lvi Dvur Restaurant, fresh grilled pineapple for Roger and raspberry mascarpone for me, and having a relaxed odds and ends exchange of some personal experiences in Prague and in the business aviation industry, it was time to say goodbye and to take my short trip with the tram back to the low lying areas of the old city of Prague. After we shook hands, Roger concluded:

“I really look forward to seeing our many friends in November in Prague at CEPA Expo. Hand on my heart,” Roger made the gesture, ”this much will be true, it is going to be a worthwhile meeting for all who will join us for networking, dynamic use of knowledge on technology, or holding social events that may result in the beginning of new partnerships or joint ventures.”