Wolfgang Schneider writes: I have been involved in the aviation business now for nearly 20 years and in that time I have seen numerous ups and downs within our industry. But the past few years are by far the best that I have ever seen in Germany and worldwide, making it a great time to be selling business aircraft in an active market. The total number of business aircraft, turboprops and jets, in Germany has remained around 350 units over the past few years. Current market conditions, however, are favourable for continued growth of the business jet fleet. The German share of business aircraft is approximately 20 per cent of the 1,800 aircraft in the European fleet. In contrast to other European countries such as the UK, Italy or Switzerland, where the population of business jets has always exceeded the number of turboprops, in Germany the number of turboprops still accounts for more than 50 per cent. However, beginning in 1995, the jet fleet in Germany has increased by approximately 30 per cent, with many turboprops leaving the country. The introduction of the entry-level business jet has been the primary factor for this increase of the jet population.\rThe CitationJet has become Germany's most popular business jet ever, with more than 50 aircraft expected to be in operation by year-end. This makes up approximately 15 per cent of the total aircraft production and represents nearly every third jet in the country. \rWhy has this model been so successful? I believe that the FAR Part 23 certification has provided additional benefit to operators throughout Germany. Approximately half of the owners are entrepreneurial in nature and pilots themselves, allowing them to enjoy the single-pilot capability and appreciate the easy handling characteristics of the aircraft. Another twenty-five percent of entry- level jet operators use the aircraft in a traditional corporate flight department, while the remaining aircraft are used in commercial charter operations, which I see being a growing market for this type of aircraft. Purchase decisions are being made based on low operating and maintenance costs, high dispatch reliability due to simple systems and reasonable airport fees. \rIn addition, the entry level jets generally have sufficient range for most European flights and a good short-field performance is important to operators, as 35 per cent of all airports in Europe have runways that are less than 3,400 feet long. I believe the introduction of new entry-level jets into the marketplace will advocate continued growth in this segment of our business.\rThe preference by airline as well as air taxi passengers for jets over turboprops has prompted an increase in demand for jet transportation. The introduction of JAR-OPS 1 compliance for commercial operations requires a considerable investment from operators of older equipment. While, for example, 8.33 radios or a GPWS might be affordable, RVSM certification for older models could be far away from any reasonable budget consideration. Air taxi companies are faced with the decision to either invest the necessary resources into their existing fleet of older aircraft or to order new products. The advantage is definitely with new aircraft, which are JAR-OPS 1 compliant upon delivery. \rI would anticipate that the new regulations will produce an increase in the number of orders by commercial air charter operators for all sizes of business jets, which would add the benefit of an overall younger aircraft fleet in the German air charter market. This operational scenario supports also my optimism for a bigger share of the entry-level jets in the air taxi business, as these jets offer both low acquisition and direct operating costs, which trans-late directly into very competitive rates for jet transportation.\rAdditionally, the upper end of the business jet market is showing considerable increase in activity. More range, speed and larger cabins are needed by companies wishing to be a successful player in the globalisation of their business. The slogans 'time is money' or 'an aircraft is a time machine' are widely accepted. Flying close to the speed of sound will be the way to travel into the next millennium. Cross-border mergers require considerable face-to-face communication and travel, which is nearly impossible to accomplish efficiently by using any transportation other than business aviation. Major German companies are keeping a fleet of several business jets busy to get their work done. \rI would also expect to see more first-time buyers becoming a member of the general aviation family. They are investing in continued growth and becoming increasingly aware of the contributions an aircraft can make to their success. Many mid-size family-owned companies are being handed over now to the younger generation, a generation that has been regularly exposed to global travel and the utilisation of the necessary tools for running a successful business. Today's buyers are used to choosing the best option for their individual needs in all aspects of their daily life. They expect the same for their aircraft choice. The manufacturers will have to offer a family of products for a tailor-made solution to the customer's benefit.\rIt is obvious that a prosperous economy is a prerequisite for our business.The German economy has been strong for the past few years and is expected to continue to remain in growth mode in order to remain a major player in the European common market and the introduction of the Euro currency. Aircraft fleet planning has now become a part of the strategic planning process with many companies placing orders for deliveries well into the next decade. This is a good sign that the German market sees a bright future . . . and so do we.