Today’s issue of ShowNews features our annual listing of the Top 10 Leaders of European Business Aviation. We pick the movers and shakers, those who are helping create demand for business aviation through clever marketing and innovation, those who are influential in polishing business aviation’s image with the public and politicians alike, and those who are fighting to protect it from unfair regulation.

Piaggio Aero announced the launch of the third-generation Avanti EVO, the world’s fastest civil turboprop in production. While claimed top cruise speed remains unchanged at 402 KTAS, the $7.39 million EVO should be able to fly 50+ miles farther than Avanti II because of reduced drag. A new optional 390-lb. extended-range fuel tank will boost range from 1,470 nm to 1,770 nm.

EBACE is not a defense exhibition – but the effects of the weekend’s 53% referendum decision by Switzerland not to buy 22 Swedish Saab Gripen fighters could be felt by some local companies represented here. The issue is one of offsets. When their aircraft was selected over two years ago, Saab and its associated companies had placed or promised $2.5 billion worth of business with local companies just to earn the right to participate in the competition against France’s Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon.