When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and trade shows began canceling—such as the National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention and exhibition (NBAA-BACE)—Universal Avionics began asking what it could do to showcase its products to customers.

Honeywell said Oct. 7 it acquired privately held Rocky Research, a Boulder City, Nevada-based specialist in thermal, energy and power management solutions, and will add the boutique to its Honeywell Aerospace division.

Although the business aviation industry has suffered losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many reasons for optimism, Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association president and CEO, says.

Business aircraft manufacturers worldwide are projected to deliver 7,404 new business jets and 2,590 new turboprops over 10 years from 2021 to 2030, valued at a total of $236.5 billion at list prices, with demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul services expected to total $102 billion, according to a new forecast by the Aviation Week Network’s 2021 Business Aviation Fleet & MRO Forecast. 

Honeywell projects deliveries of 7,300 new business jets from 2021 to 2030 valued at $235 billion, down 4% from its 10-year forecast a year ago, the company said in a new Global Business Aviation Outlook.

David Coleal was appointed president of Bombardier Aviation in May 2019, after leading its business aircraft division beginning in 2015. Coleal’s position was eliminated Oct. 1 in a restructuring as the company prepares for the sale of its transportation division. 

Partners in a joint Portugese-Brazilian venture to develop a multipurpose light transport aircraft hope to have the twin-turboprop ATL-100 on the market by the beginning of 2026.

Spirit AeroSystems formally walked away from its two-year-long effort to acquire Belgian aerospace supplier Asco Industries on Sept. 25, the Wichita aerostructures leader said in a U.S. regulatory filing.