Photo by Jim Labre

July 30, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin  - Almost any company that operates an aircraft for its business knows that corporate aircraft don’t cost—they pay.

Serving as tools of commerce for companies large and small, the “corporate” aircraft may be a small piston single, twin, or turbine-powered aircraft.

But regardless of their size or powerplant, they share a common mission of helping the company make the most of its people, their time, and its budget.

On Friday at AirVenture EAA hosts Business Aviation Day to spotlight the benefits of the corporate aircraft through a discussion by operators, its trade association, and the FAA.

Joining in the outreach effort will be FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, Joe Lombardo of Gulfstream, and Pete Bunce of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association during a press briefing on AeroShell Square at 12:30 p.m.

The past 18 months have been tough for businesses operating aircraft and for the companies that supply their airplanes and support.

Public misconceptions and misperceptions of the role of the corporate aircraft came to a head earlier this year when executives from three automakers were assailed for using their business jets for a trip to testify before Congress to ask for federal financial help. Since then, public and political hostility toward business aviation spurred a counter reaction from the thousands of American companies that employ aircraft in the service of their businesses.

Business Aviation Day at AirVenture is part of the effort to better enlighten the world on how companies benefit from their aircraft. The event also will showcase some of the hardware used by a variety of companies participating in the event.

Aircraft flying in for the event will be parked around the Airbus A380, including five jets—a Cessna CJ1, Dassault Falcon 50, Gulfstream G200, Hawker Premier I, and Learjet 40XR— plus a pair of business turboprops, a Piaggio Avanti II and a Pilatus PC-12.

Executives from the companies that operate these airplanes plan to discuss the critical role business aviation plays in the success of their businesses.

Companies participating in Business Aviation Day include Orion Energy Systems of Wisconsin; fractional operator NetJets, based in Ohio; LaBov & Beyond, of Indiana; ProJet Aviation from Virginia; Dynomax Inc., from Illinois; and AirVenture exhibitor Klein Tools of Illinois.

Each has its own unique story to relate about its aircraft use and the ways those birds benefit their bottom lines.