european business air news - eban magazine · european business air news march 2008 3 anniversary...

BUSINESS AIR NEWSE U R O P E A N

ISSUE 179 MARCH 2008

Germany’s DC Aviation plans further additions to its fleet in 2008. Formed by the merger of Cirrus Aviation and DaimlerChrysler Aviation, the company already employs 430 staff and operates 30 business jets. Pictured left to right are: Capt. Gerd Müller, flight attendant Andrea Baltes and first officer Christian Schuler. Full story page 12.

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Dubai-based Executive AviationGroup (EAG) and Grand AviationKuwait have launched a joint venturewhich aims to attract a significantmarket share of the luxury Middle Eastjet charter market.

Hussein Al Asousi, deputychairman and md of Grand AviationKuwait, says: “Grand Aviation Dubaiwill start with two executive jets withfour more planned. While scoutingaround for the aircraft, the companywants to ensure that they are top in safety; have the widest stand upcabin in their class; have long range and high altitude flyingcapability and full technical supportfrom the manufacturers.”

Grand Aviation Dubai will be basedat the Dubai airport but will soonexpand its services to include theMaktoum Airport at Jebel Ali.

The Dubai-based Fliteport Fzco isbeing acquired by Grand AviationKuwait to provide aircraft handling,refuelling and full flight dispatchservices for the clients of GrandAviation Dubai. These will includevips, business executives, corporatepassengers, government officials, high

net worth individuals and familiestravelling for events, businessmeetings and holidays.

Abdulla Atatreh, vice-chairman of EAG, says Grand Aviation Dubai can draw on the best talent from both groups, including officers withover 20 years of experience in theaviation industry.

Bara’a Al Jenaei, chairman of GrandAviation Kuwait, points out that Dubaiis now a “global city” with over 20 percent growth in the aviation industryand a 50 per cent rise in businessexecutive and vip travel. “GrandAviation Dubai expects to take a largechunk of this fast growing business,”he says. The new company plans a

launch fleet of a shorter range jet thatwould be chartered for Dh16,529(US$4,500) per hour and a longerrange jet that would be charged atDh23,876 (US$6,500) per hour.

“We will increase these two aircraftto six shortly,” said Capt. Sulaiman AlWazzan, md of Grand Aviation Kuwait.The plan was to configure the midsizejet for seven passengers for a four-hourtrip and the long range jet for up to 12passengers for a seven-hour trip.

Grand Aviation Dubai also plans tooffer charter flights through leasinglarge aeroplanes for groups ofpassengers going to destinations thatare ignored or under-serviced bycommercial flights.

The formal agreement for the jointventure was signed in Dubai by Al Jenaei and Abdulla Atatreh. The ceremony was attended byMohammad Ahli, director general ofthe Aviation Authority Dubai, Jamal Al Hai, vp Dubai airport strategy unit,and Anita Mehra, vp marketing forDubai airport.

Grand Aviation Dubai waslaunched with an initial capital ofAED100 million (US$29 million.)

Grand plans aim to capture a bigshare of luxury private jet market

Danish operator Uni-Fly, whichplans to increase its fleet to fivehelicopters in 2009, believes that itcould the holder of a world record. It has recorded 215 hoist cycles in six hours and six minutes on one day.

“I think it is certainly a worldrecord where offshore wind turbinesare concerned,” says Capt. NielsPeter Kjeldahl who flew the missions with hoist operator ClausDahl Joergensen.

He adds: “The exceptionalnumber of hoists was completedduring the 2007 yearly inspection ofwind turbines. Combined with thenormal transfer of technicians, morethan 55 of the 80 wind turbines werevisited in just one day.”

Since 2002 Uni-Fly has used itsEC135 T2 to transport maintenancetechnicians and tools to the NorthSea wind turbines. But during anormal working day, the number ofmissions is usually around 35.

Capt. Kjeldahl says there are plansto add another EC135 to its fleet offour which includes two EC120s.

Operator claims‘wind turbineworld record’

PlaneChartering plans to build a fleetof four longer range aircraft afteraxing from service the Dornier 328and two Beechcraft Premier Is thatcame with its purchase of Club 328.

Paul Crowther, PlaneCharteringgroup ceo, says: “There has been nochange to the original business plan.The client feedback is that the rangeof these aircraft is not sufficient so weare moving to other aircraft such asthe Falcon 50EX and we are investingin a Hawker 800B as we build a newfleet of four aircraft.”

PlaneChartering, which operatesfrom London Biggin Hill, has laid off14 of its pilots and Crowther is takingover from Club328’s ceo Elaine Youngwho is leaving. It acquired Club328,then based in Southampton, fromCorporate Jet Services last October.The fleet included one 328Jet, twoPremier Is and a Hawker 800B.

Crowther says a main benefit from the acquisition was notPlaneChartering’s aircraft but itsAOC. “We always intended to operate our own chosen type ofaircraft and remove the others,”Crowther says. “However, the Dornier328 was signed on a six-month leaselast December and we tested it in the marketplace.”

That arrangement, he adds, hasenabled PlaneChartering todiscontinue the 328 in favour of what the company feels are morecommercially viable alternatives.Crowther adds: “Our business plan isbased on selected core types and ourpriority now is to dispel any negativefears or concerns.”

PlaneChartering, the tradingname of Mitre Aviation, initially builta client base that includes travellersbetween homes and bases in southeast England and southern France.But yacht owners from the Cannes/StTropez/Monte Carlo and St. Jean/CapFerrat regions initially also turned toMitre for a taxi service.

PlaneCharteringlays off pilots

as it implementslong-range plans

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Arab nationals are fuelling private jetdemand. Photo Eryl Crump.

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Iron maiden makes cast-ironcase for business page 3European police modernisehelicopter fleets page 4Arab Wings benefits from Global Vision page 5Seaplanes float new wave of business page 9Adventure charter reachesnew peak with EverestSkydive page 10

SPECIAL FOCUSES

Regional focus: The Balkans page 6Charter operators take medical advice on board page 8VLJ fleets face the clients’ verdict pages 12-13

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MARCH 2008 3EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

Anniversary target: PremiAir, which has expanded its managed fleet to 17 helicopters, is undertaking a major redevelopment of theLondon Heliport at Battersea which it manages and operates. The official inauguration is planned for the spring of 2009 to coincidewith the heliport’s 50th anniversary. The latest helicopter to join the fleet is an EC155, chosen says bdm David Langton, because of its fast cruise speed of 275km/hr, 810km range, and “capacity to seat up to six people in wide-body comfort.”

Astraeus, which is managing andoperating a Boeing 757 passenger-cargo combination privately for rocksupergroup Iron Maiden, reportsincreasing interest from other groups and companies in making asimilar arrangement.

Shaun Monnery of Astraeus saysthe combination for Iron Maiden,whose lead singer Bruce Dickinson isa pilot for the airline, is currently theonly one of its type.

Capt. Dickinson will fly the bandand support crew in the 757 on someof the tour sectors. The aircraft hasbeen painted up in “Iron Maiden –Somewhere back in time World Tour2008” livery. It has also undergone acertificated interior modification,which Monnery says has majorsignificance for the worldwidelogistics and events industry.

“There has always been an issuewith flying passengers and cargo inthe same part of an aircraft, however,we worked closely with Bruce andIron Maiden, and we have createdthe world’s first and only Boeing 757‘combi’.” Monnery adds: “On the IronMaiden tour it will feature 20business class seats, 54 premium

economy seats – and a cargo areawhere the last ten rows of seats wouldhave been in the rear compartmentof the aircraft.

“This cuts days off the turnaroundtime between concerts on this tour,because the band, crew and essentialequipment – up to 12 tons of it – canall travel together, meaning a two dayroad or sea trip can be dispatched inhours or even minutes.”

The tour visits India, the Far East,Australasia, the Americas and Europein February and March 2008.

“The conversion is designed such

that we can convert the aircraft oneway or the other from combi to 100per cent passenger aircraft in three

days,” says Monnery. “That opens upa whole new area of opportunity forother touring bands, as well asorchestras, for product launches,company events and conferences –and in many cases will massively cuttravelling and down-time costs.”

Iron Maiden played in Mumbai onFebruary 1, and then travelled toPerth in Australia for a show onFebruary 4. “The band was able toplan on the basis of hours betweenlocations, not days. That meant they could rehearse, refine the show –or relax between gigs, with much of the pressures of deadlinescompletely eradicated.”

UK independent airline Astraeus,which began operations in 2002,employs more then 300 people and operates a fleet of Boeing 737and 757 aircraft from a number of UK airports.

Iron Maiden has a fan base thatspans countries including France,Italy, Sweden, Spain, New Zealand,Denmark, Finland and Germany. Theband’s DVD ‘Live After Death’ wentstraight into the UK music DVDcharts at number one after itsFebruary release.

Iron Maiden combi has a style that couldplay to a wider private hire audience

The Iron Maiden’s combination promises to play to new business strengths.

Iron Maiden’s Capt. Bruce Dickinson hitsthe right notes as a pilot.

Avcon Jet, launched in the summer oflast year, is enjoying “above average”utilisation of its aircraft. Head-quartered in Vienna, it has alreadyexpanded its fleet to six aircraft withthe delivery of a Citation XLS and aCitation Bravo. They become part of a fleet, including two CJ1s and twoCJ2+s, one based in Bucharest, that hasan average age of less than one year.

Christian Lang, Avcon Jet cfo, says:“At the moment most of our aircraft arebased in Vienna which is a perfecthome base to achieve our aim tosucceed in the Eastern Europeanmarket. The just-arrived XLS has theoptimum range for operationsthroughout Europe but we are puttingthe emphasis on Eastern Europe,where it is the perfect aircraft to serveour customer base.”

Lang points out that new chartercompanies have to take into accountdelivery times when building a fleet. “But for us it was also veryimportant to use reliable aircraft with good conditions of maintenance.In fact we intend to get a wide range of different aircraft depending on cabinsize and range to meet our customers”expectations.”

Vienna, Lang points out, is locatedcentrally between the two majorEuropean markets to the east and tothe west. “We are able to use ouraircraft above the average utilisation inEurope. There is an increasingacceptance by companies that it isnecessary to utilise business jets asthey seek to streamline the travel timeand costs of their executives, andtherefore we are seeing an increase inshort and medium haul flightsthroughout Europe, which in turnmeans less downtime for our jets.

He says Avcon Jet has the funds and the determination to continueinvesting in its fleet and services.

Avcon buildsmodern fleet to

target markets tothe east and west

Xclusive Jet reports rising demandfor its seven-seater CJ2. The U.K.private charter and managementcompany has moved into new offices at Southampton airport tofacilitate expansion.

Steve Loveridge, md, says thatdemand in Xclusive Jet’s immediateEnglish south coast catchment area is buoyant with clients showing a decided preference formodern aircraft.

“The CJ2 typifies the company’smoves into the younger operatedaircraft, meeting the requests of its longstanding client base whohave been pressuring for newer,more efficient and cosmeticallycleaner and tidier aircraft,” saysLoveridge. “There will be othersimilar types of aircraft enteringservice in the near future.”

Details have still to be finalisedbut it is understood that Xclusive Jet is assessing the addition of asecond CJ2, a CJ2+ and thelikelihood of a mid-size jet entering service early in 2008.“Another Citation Bravo is on thecards,” says Loveridge. “It is aquestion of moving with the times.All in all, younger aircraft were in the past synonymous with the‘classic’ Citation IIs and older King Air types.”

The CJ2 was operated privatelyfor its owner while Xclusive Jetworked with the CAA to gain thepublic service AOC. “The owner cannow achieve the typical revenuerequired,” says Loveridge.

Xclusive Jetbenefits fromCitation fleet

modernisation

Xclusive’s move to Southampton hasbeen a success.

Munich and Frankfurt-based JetExecutive, which boosted its fleet bypurchasing a Challenger 600 fromPremium Aviation at the end of 2007, is planning further developmentof its fleet.

“The aircraft was upgraded by acomplete interior refurbishment andpaint job together with technicalupgrades over a three month period,”reports the marketing and salesdepartment’s Günter Krahé. “This isnormal company policy for acquiredaircraft but the Challenger 600upgrade was significant because it isthe first large cabin executive jet in thefleet. It offers a unique variety ofseating configurations from 11 to 16passengers in a state-of-the-artrefurbished cabin with full galley,closed refreshment room andindividual DVD players.”

The aircraft, he says, hassuccessfully performed its firstcommercial flights and “is ready toface the challenging market ofEuropean and worldwide individual

charter traffic requirements.”Jet Executive, operating as an air

taxi operator since 1990, has expandedits fleet to six aircraft – a King Air B200, three Learjet 35As, a Learjet 55,and the Challenger 600.

Krahé stresses: “These are allcompany owned, not managed forexternal owners only.”

Jet Executive’s charter offersinclude a commitment that confirmedand definite availability will normallybe available in less than 30 minutesafter booking. “Take off can be realised in no more than 90 minutesfrom confirmation,” says Krahé. “Theunusual range of different aircrafttypes in the fleet – from King Air up toChallenger – makes it possible to meetalmost any customer demand. We findthis ranges from landing at shortrunways close to final destinationswith the King Air B200 up toperforming worldwide charters for upto 16 clients.”

Four aircraft are based at Munichand the others at Frankfurt.

Jet Executive Challenger 600adds long range dimension

European Business Air News (USPS 009-091) is published eleven times each year,monthly except January, by Stansted NewsLimited, 134 South Street, Bishop’s Stortford,Hertfordshire CM23 3BQ, England.Periodicals postage paid at Rahway, N.J.Postmaster: Send address changes toStansted News Limited c/o Mercury AirfreightInternational Ltd., 365 Blair Road, Avenel,New Jersey 07001. Company registered inEngland no. 2224522. Printed by Stones. ISSNnumber: 0959-1311.

Page 03 25/2/08 1:53 pm

4 MARCH 2008 EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

Police and border patrol agenciesthroughout Europe are upgradingtheir helicopter fleets while Spain is introducing a fixed wingdimension to its patrols. Spain,France, Germany, Italy and Hollandare among countries that arestrengthening their capacity to fight crime and combat illegalimmigration into Europe.

The Spanish interior ministry hasordered two CASA CN-235 aircraft inmaritime patrol configuration foroperation by the Servicio Aereo de laGuardia Civil. “These will be the firstfixed wing aircraft to serve with thesehitherto helicopter forces,” theGuardia Civil notes. One aircraft willbe based in the Canary Islands and the other in the south of Spain.They will combat drug traffickingand illegal immigration as well asconducting border patrol andmaritime search and rescuemissions. The first CN-235 will bedelivered in mid-2008 and thesecond in the spring of 2009. Bothwill be equipped with FLIR and anEADS CASA FITS (Fully IntegratedTactical System).

In France, the DelegationGenerale pour l’Armement (DGA)has ordered additional BK117C2 andEC145 helicopters designed toenable the Securite Civile to phaseout six remaining Sud Alouette IIIhelicopters from January 2009 andboost its EC145 fleet to 30.

Meanwhile, in Germany, theBundespolizei (federal police), whohave officially stood down the SudSA318C Alouette II after more than 45 years of service, are nowusing the EC120B Colibri for training. The SA318C entered service with the border guard,Bundesgrenzschutz in 1962.

AgustaWestland has delivered thefirst batch of AW109Ns to the ItalianCarabinieri. The aircraft wereaccepted by Col. Luca Corbo, chief ofaviation and naval services, ItalianCarabinieri military service, at thecompany’s Vergiate plant in Italy. Hesays: “The AW109N will greatly

enhance the carabinieri’s homelandsecurity operational capabilities andis being incorporated as the ‘newgeneration’ light twin helicopter,replacing older models.”

The Netherlands Police Agencyhas ordered two AW139 twinturbines. They will be used by theDutch police KLPD (Korps landelijkepolitiediensten) for law enforcementand homeland security. The KLPD says: “The AW139 lawenforcement has the largest cabin inits class with large sliding doors toenable easy and quick access and toperform fast roping.

“The cabin also allows easyconfiguration changes to meetoperational requirements. TheAW139 internally and externallyaccessible separate baggagecompartment of 3.4m3 is largeenough to carry a multitude ofmission specific equipment. With a maximum speed of 165 knots

and excellent range and endurance the AW139 can be quicklydeployed to any crime scene oraccident location.”

The KLPD is also bringing sixEC135 P2i light twin-enginehelicopters into service. The aircraftare to be delivered in 2009 and willreplace the BO105s currently inservice. The KLPD says: “The newEC135 can accommodate a pilot andsix or seven crew or two pilots andfive or six crew. With night visiongoggle compatible cockpits, it iscapable of night-flight operationsand is certified for single pilot IFRflight.” For specific missions, thehelicopters will be fitted with FLIR, avideo downlink system and a 20-inchoperator screen with “picture inpicture” system.

Additionally, the Dutch CoastGuard has temporarily increased itscurrent fixed wing fleet of Dornier228 aircraft to three.

Spain adds fixed wing dimension to police and maritime patrols

Col. Luca Corbo, chief of aviation and naval services, Italian Carabinieri militaryservice, formally accepts the AW109Ns at a ceremony also attended by AlessandroParrini, senior vp Italian government business unit at AgustaWestland.

Steve Billet, ceo and chief pilot of CTC Aviation Services, (left) with Capt. Keith Heron of corporate executive jet services.

CTC Aviation Group is launching anexecutive jet operation from itsSouthampton, U.K., base. Capt. SteveBillet, head of the new CTC AviationExecutive Jet Services, says: “We have already secured a significantcontract and commenced operationswith a major global corporation tooperate a fleet of Falcon 2000EXEASys and Hawker 800 and 900s. Welook forward to working with bothexisting and new clients.

“The new operation is a turnkeyservice. All our clients need to do istask us. We will then provide everyelement to complete that task: pilotsand cabin crew, catering, operationalsupport, management accountingand maintenance.”

He adds: “CTC is in discussion withother potential clients for the EJSdivision which would result inadditional aircraft being added to thefleet. A further natural progression

will be for CTC to bring forward someof its innovative solutions now activein the training area. This includes costeffective type ratings and recurrenttraining, the provision of cadet pilotsand type rating executive jetsponsorship schemes.”

CTC believes that the widespreadintroduction of VLJs will providefurther business opportunities. (Seealso this month’s detailed VLJ briefingon pages 12 and 13).

CTC in talks with potential clients to expandexecutive jet operation’s customer base

BB Heli AG Zurich is targeting thepurchase of an EC135 or Bell 429 toexpand its operations. Its currentaircraft include a 206 JetRanger andtwo EC120B Colibris.

“Either helicopter wouldcomplement our fleet and help usservice demand,” says BB Heli’sMarkus Baumann.

He says all areas of activity – whichinclude charter, survey andsurveillance, photography and film,aerial works, sightseeing and leisureare expanding. Many of the sight-seeing tours start from Kloten butvary from taking in an islandmonastery to viewing glaciers.Baumann also reports rising demandfor BB Heli’s pilot training courses.

The private aviation boom isencouraging the launch of newdedicated business and generalaviation shows and exhibitions withthe growth areas of Russia and easternEurope featuring strongly.

United Business Aviation Assoc-iation takes place in Moscow on 11April at the Renaissance Hotel.AeroExpo is inaugurating a Pragueshow on 25 to 27 April 2008. “Theorganisers have selected Praguebecause 70 per cent of all European GAtakes place within a 500-mile radius ofthe capital,” says show director PaddyCasey. He predicts that the AeroExpoat Wycombe Air Park near London willattract around 20,000 for its thirdannual event.

Meanwhile the inaugural MiddleEast Aviation Outlook Summit,launched in Abu Dhabi by the Centrefor Asia Pacific Aviation, is to be heldannually. Peter Harbison, executivechairman of the centre, predicts that the Middle East will be at theforefront of the next generationaviation evolution.

Helitech 2008 is planned for 14 to16 October 2008 at Cascais, Portugal.Organiser Reed Exhibitions says theairport “offers excellent access forboth rotary and fixed wing aircraft.”

Europeanbusiness aviationexhibits progress

BB Heli reviewsmerits of EC135

and Bell 429

EBAN APRIL 2008

The wide-ranging editorial coverage ofEBAN's April issue will include:

•Fleet operator review of Germany

•A look at upgrades and their impact on the private aircraft market

•The rising demand for aircraft management

•The latest news from European, Middle East and Russian charter operators

Page 04-05 25/2/08 9:24 am


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Arab Wings executives are planning further fleet expansion. Pictured are Arab Wings gm Sameer Hdairis (left)and Khader Mattar, regional vp, sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier business aircraft.

Mohammed Abu Ghazaleh,chairman of Arab Wings, hasordered a high-speed Global5000 equipped with the GlobalVision cockpit, making him theMiddle East launch customerfor the new flight deck.

Scheduled for delivery in2011, the aircraft will beoperated by Arab Wings andavailable for charter from its Amman, Jordan, base. “TheGlobal 5000 jet offers aluxurious cabin, a sleekinterior and exceptionalperformance,” says SameerHdairis, gm, Arab Wings.

Established in 1975, ArabWings says it is the first andoldest executive jet chartercompany in Jordan, serving the Arab Gulf region, thebroader Middle East and partsof Europe.

Hdairis says: “The Global5000 business jet combinessuperior comfort, speed andthe most technologicallyadvanced cabin in the superlarge segment. It is capable of executing transcontinentalmissions at speeds up to Mach 0.89.”

He points out that the

Global 5000 features the first-ever ethernet-basedAirshow 21 cabin electronicsystem application includingentertainment options andbaseline high-speed dataconnectivity.

“The Global 5000 jet canlink Amman-Tokyo with three to four crew and eightpassengers on board,” Hdairis says.

The Global Vision flightdeck is scheduled forcertification in the thirdquarter of 2010 and entry intoservice in 2011.

Arab Wings to add GlobalVision to fleet attractions

Aero-Dienst ceos Martin Bauer and Oliver Weissenberger are continuingfleet modernisation.

Fleet modernisation paysoff for Aero-Dienst

Aero-Dienst reports that theongoing modernising of its fleetwith the recent addition of aFalcon 900EX and a Learjet45XR is paying businessdividends. “The 15-seater900EX is very popular and itsrange of up to 4,500 n.m. givesus a lot of scope for bothmedium and long haul charterflights,” says joint ceo MartinBauer.

The 45XR is configured forup to eight passengers. “Bothaircraft are approved for the so-called ‘steep approach’ sothey can fly, for example, to the centrally located LondonCity Airport,” adds OliverWeissenberger, joint ceo. “New jets are replacing oldermodels but we are keeping the company fleet number ateight aircraft.”

Part of the Aero-Dienst fleetis also used for air ambulanceflights. Bauer says: “2008 is asignificant year: the companywill celebrate its 50thanniversary. Our AOC D-002confirms that we are Germany’soldest business jet operator.”

The construction of the newthird maintenance hangar isscheduled to be completed bythe summer. “It will givesufficient room for Aero-Dienst’s own fleet and for clientaircraft from around the world,”says Bauer.

Aero-Dienst has justbecome an authorised servicecentre for aircraft including the900EX and 900EX EASy. “All lineand maintenance work onthese two aircraft can now becarried out in Nuremberg,”Bauer confirms.

Europeanoperators

expand anddiversify

European charter operatorscontinue to expand anddiversify. Austria’s JetAlliancereports that its move to a new4,650 sq. m. headquartersnext to the small airfield atBad Vaslau was necessitatedby expansion.

Lucas Lichtner-Hoyer saysthe new building reflectsJetAlliance’s growth and will house the new simulators of the flightschool, meeting rooms,offices and the company’sfinancial department.

“JetAlliance has emergedfrom a one jet company in1996 to a dynamic and fastgrowing group of aviationcompanies,” he adds. It nowoperates 37 jets for charter.

Spain’s Executive Airlines,awarded one of the licences to manage the new El Prat terminal atBarcelona airport, says itplans to be operationallyready by July. It will manageFBO 2, a 321 sq. m. facility that will accommodatehandling agents and offer viplounges, crew rest areas and offices.

Executive Airlines, whichreports “incredible growth”last year also plans to addeight more jets to its 14-strong fleet during 2008.

Page 04-05 25/2/08 9:28 am

aerial work, offshore and passengercharter flights.

Croatian operator Trade Airperforms charter and ad-hoc flights aswell as the transportation ofdangerous goods out of Zagreb.According to Trade Air’s Sanja Ples, thecompany acquired two Fokker 100aircraft in 2004 for use on mid-rangecharter routes.

It began operations in 1999 with itsown L-410 aircraft followed by twofurther L-410s the year after. Plesexplains: “All our aircraft are quick-change commuter aircraft, which areable to convert between cargo andpassenger interior in about one hourand are upgraded to match all EUaviation standards. Currently Trade Airoperates two Czech-made L-410 UVP-E aircraft between Ljubljana, Zagreband Sarajevo on a daily basis. All othercargo and passenger flights areoperated on a case-by-case basis.”

One of Trade Air’s most interestingprojects, says Ples, were short termoperations with Fokker 100 aircraft inAustralia last November, with flightsperformed under diplomatic clear-ances. The flights were organised toprovide reliable and flexible oper-ations for the press gallery followingthe prime minister and oppositionleader to major election venues.


an old horse. When you buy an oldaircraft with many hours ofoperations and maintenance therearen’t so many surprises. Withyounger aircraft you often have a lotof service letters and changes to themaintenance programme.”

Air Ban was one of the firstcompanies in Bulgaria to providemedevac services. The idea for itsestablishment arose in 1992, whenthe economic conditions in thecountry made it possible for such aservice to be developed. So, based onthe experience of the Swiss companyREGA, and German ADAC, thecompany was established anddeveloped. The principle oftransporting medical assistancedirectly to the scene of the accidentwas revolutionary in Bulgaria. Whatbegan as a small concern has in thecourse of 10 years developed into a24-hour operation.

The 105s are equipped with fourseats, providing excellent visibility tothe ground. Thanks to the small andcompact size, the helicopters canland on surprisingly narrow helipads.

Humanitarian missionsUnlike its counterparts who operatemostly within Europe, Heli Air Servicesof Bulgaria is currently based inSudan, where it performshumanitarian missions for the UnitedNations, specifically in the troubledDarfur region. Its fleet consists of fourMI-8T helicopters, one of which isleased, and six L-410 aircraft, rangingfrom 15-18 seats. Although it alsooperates two L-410 aircraft withinEurope for passenger and cargocharter operations, most of the fleetoperates out of Khartoum. Thecompany has assisted with UN WorldFood Programme missions in Sudan,as well as working with a US statecompany on a “government project”in Afghanistan. Previous work alsoincludes food or peacekeepingmissions in Angola, Mozambique, EastTimor, Kosovo and Pakistan.

In Romania, Regional Air Servicesoperates a fleet of ten aircraftincluding two Bell 206 helicopters, aSuper King Air 200 and a BN-2 Islanderaircraft. Its most recent acquisition is aDA 40 TDI which it hopes to have inoperation in the coming weeks. Thecompany, which is located at Tuzlaairfield, 25 km south of Constanta,offers a range of services including airambulance, skydiving, banner towing,

The future looks bright for charteroperators in the Balkan region.Serbia-based company PrinceAviation acquired a Citation 560 XLSlast month with another due inApril. It also hopes to add fourCessna Mustangs to its existing fleet,followed by two Citation IIs nextyear and a Dassault Falcon in 2010,to provide a non-stop servicebetween Belgrade and New York.Add to that plans to develop thebusiness’s training and main-tenance arm and it seems that forthe next couple of years at least,Prince Aviation will be thriving.

Charter operations in the regionare growing fast, the company claims.Managing director VladimirJovanovic explains: “With only a smallnumber of operators, we don’t justcover Serbia, our market includes the whole of the former Yugoslavia.We fly more than 1,000 hours a yearper aircraft and although we don’texpect it to continue to grow at such ahigh rate, we’re confident demandwill increase.”

Despite difficult workingconditions during the nineties, PrinceAviation has survived the break-up ofthe former Yugoslavia, and gone on toaccrue an eight-strong fleet,including two Citation 550s. It hasalso expanded services to Europe, theMiddle East and North Africa. Withrelatively few competitors in theregion, the company has won muchof the business available.

“We have two main competitors inSerbia,” he says. “For such a smallcountry that might be considered alarge number but we’re the oldest andbiggest operator now so we don’tconsider them real competitionbecause it hasn’t affected ourbusiness. More and more people arelooking for services like this. It’s not aluxury anymore, it’s a necessity formodern businesses and more and

more companies can now afford it.”There are few new charter

businesses starting up, he explains.As the demand for passenger servicesincreases, existing businesses areable to upgrade their fleet or developthe business further.

Slovenia: At the helmThe secret to survival according toSlovenia-based charter operatorSolinair is not to be too ambitiousand take whatever work is available. Acompany spokesman explains: “We’rea small company and we want to staythat way.” Solinair’s fleet consists oftwo L-410s and one Piper twin pistonaircraft. It currently employs 12 pilotsperforming mainly cargo/freight-based missions out of the capital city

Ljubljana; it has one other base inPortoroz. Fortunately for Solinair,business rivals are few and farbetween. “Slovenia is too small tohave any competitors,” he says.

An EU member since May 2004,Slovenia is one of the mostprosperous countries in the region.Current holder of the EU presi-dency until June this year, operatorsand handlers at Ljubljana airporthave been experiencing a significantincrease in VIP and executive air traffic.

Wolfram Pinhammer, from flightplanning firm Air Routing, saidoperators will be working hard duringthe course of the presidency to ensurethat everything runs smoothly if andwhen EU ministers and otherdignitaries fly into the country.According to Pinhammer: “The EUPresidency of Slovenia has resulted insignificant business growth for AirRouting’s area office in Ljubljana, inboth state VIP and business aviationflights.” Corporate clients from up to500 companies also form a largepercentage of business air trafficflying into Slovenia.

Ljubljana recently opened a newgeneral aviation terminal at theairport and the timing could not havebeen better. With the region showingsigns of unrest once more followingKosovo’s attempts to break free fromSerbia, and emergency UN SecurityCouncil meetings already beingdemanded, charter operators [hereand in other parts of Europe] areready to respond to any last minuterequests for private transportation.

Looking aheadIn Bulgaria, business flight specialistAir Lazur operates out of the capitalSofia and on the coast in Varna. Thecompany has gradually expanded itsfleet to include three Challenger 604s,a Challenger 600 and a Super King Air

200. Kiril Georgiev, director ofmarketing and sales at the company,is optimistic about charter operationswithin the region.

“2008 will be as strong as 2007 ifnot stronger with regard to businessaviation in Europe,” he predicts. “TheRussian market is still growing anddue to taxation laws in the RussianFederation most Russian companiesprefer to lease or simply charterEuropean operators instead of buyingaircraft themselves. The preferredaircraft types especially in this marketare wide body heavy jets such asChallengers. In the European market,I see a big demand for businessaircraft which have more than 12seats. For these reasons, Air Lazurcontinues to expand its fleet. Thecompany recently bought its nextChallenger 604, manufactured in2006. We already have a Challenger600 14 seater, one Challenger 604 10seater and one more 604 with 12seats. We expect to buy another 604later this year.”

Also operating in Bulgaria, Air Ban specialises in helicoptermedevac work. It acquired a BO105 inDecember 2003, another in May 2004and a Eurocopter Dauphin one year later.

Chief engineer Savko Kusmanovspoke highly of the company’s fleet:“We’re very satisfied with the 105,” he says. “Although it’s not a newaircraft it’s very reliable. It’s like

Russia, Sudan, Australia: the Balkan region sets its sights worldwide

Air Lazur: 2008 will be as strong as 2007 for business aviation in Europe.

A new general aviation terminal hasopened at Ljubljana airport.

BALKANREGIONALREVIEW

The 2007/08 EBAN Handbook ofBusiness Aviation in Europe, nowavailable, covers the Balkan Statesand contains useful details aboutcharter operators. It also detailsbusiness aviation facilities andservices including airports, FBOs andmaintenance centres. The details canbe accessed through a search ofaircraft operated or the airport bases.For more information please visitwww.ebanhandbook.com

The new edition is out now.

Balkan States charter, handling and maintenance

Prince Aviation has ambitious plans toexpand its eight-strong fleet.

Page 06 25/2/08 3:20 pm

Project1 21/2/08 11:51 am Page 1


EBAN is available by postal subscription for eleven issues.Simply send your credit card details and authority for UK£30within Europe (UK£55 outside Europe) to our subscriptionsdepartment, or call +44 (0)1279 714505. EBAN is sent withoutcharge to qualifying business aviation professionals. Please call

the telephone number above to request an application form.

The opinions expressed by authors and contributors to European Business Air News are not necessarily those ofthe editors or publisher. Articles appearing in European Business Air News may not be reproduced in whole or partwithout the express permission of the publisher. European Business Air News is not responsible for unsolicitedmanuscripts, photographs or artwork.


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Gama Aviation and TheFirstCall(TFC) are implementing a pacesetting bespoke “expertise andequipment” action plan to deal withon board medical emergencies.Dave Edwards, Gama commercialdirector and gm, says that thepartnership is designed to ensurethat Gama has exactly the rightequipment on board. “There is alegal minimum requirement tocarry certain items of medicalequipment. However, what is addedto the basic kit is down to individualoperators. TFC excels at putting a pack together based on evidence as to what likely causesmay occur, rather than us carryingunnecessary equipment that we’llnever need or use.”

The initiative comes as majormedevac operators expand servicesand look for further efficiencies.German air ambulance specialistFAI rent-a-jet AG reports a recordairtime utilisation of 6,350 hours in2007 and says it is expectingbusiness to grow by more than 20per cent in 2008. It is expanding itsfleet of six Learjets to eight adding a35A and a 60.

Abu Dhabi’s Royal Jet, whichclaims the kudos of being theMiddle East’s first licensedcommercial medevac provider, hasappointed Dr Frank Porter asmedical director charged withdriving business forward.

President and ceo Shane O’Haresays Royal Jet Medevac Operationsexpects another “tremendouslysuccessful” year based on utilisingits fully medevac-equipped Lear 55and modern long range aircraftincluding Gulfstreams, Lear 35s andBoeing 737 business jets.

“Royal Jet can handle up to threeintensive care patients in a singleaircraft at any one time, and it also has an extensive range ofairworthy-approved critical careequipment and dedicatedspecialised medical teams andcabin crew,” O’Hare points out.

Leading medevac companies

such as FAI and Royal Jet pay greatattention to ensuring that medicaland communication equipment isfocused and relevant.

But this is far from always thecase across the industry. TFC’s DrJames Ferguson confirms: “Mostmedical kits are designed for every eventuality. The differencebetween a corporate jet and acommercial airliner is that generallypeople on board business jets tend to be fairly fit and are aware of any health issues they have. This means that business jetoperators are in a unique position totailor care in the air to theirpassengers’ requirements.”

Ferguson, based at AberdeenRoyal Infirmary, warns: “Bringingcomplex medical kit on board a jetwithout a doctor’s presence oradvice to go with it is like buying aplane but not hiring a pilot orhaving a pilot’s expertise available.”

Edwards says that medicalemergencies are just one aspect ofGama’s varied pre-planning aimedat dealing with all forseeableeventualities. “From our extensivework with air ambulance flying inScotland we’d heard about TFC and,after various discussions, it wasclear that they could develop abespoke and comprehensive servicefor us, which would be tailored toboth the response needed and thekit that we carry on board.”

Gama, celebrating its 25th year ofoperation, has also worked closelyon other projects with the AberdeenRoyal Infirmary, where TFC is based.

TFC recently completed a five-year clinical study which showedthat the vast majority ofemergencies can be treated withsimple remedies, like oxygen. Theevidence also indicated that mostemergencies were the result of pre-existing conditions.

TFC recommends generallycarrying less kit, but if, for instance,it is known that a passenger has aheart condition, take an extracardiac pack on board, Dr Ferguson

advises. Gama’s Edwards says: “It isreally the grey areas where we needexpert advice. For example, what ifwe are carrying a pregnant womanand she has severe abdominal pain?This is where a direct to doctor linkis invaluable.”

In the case of a diversion, thecaptain and the doctor worktogether to deliver a solution that isin the patient’s best interests andsafety. For example: “Sometimes it ismore appropriate to stay in the airan extra ten minutes and have thepatient met by an ambulance, ratherthan land as soon as possible andrisk an extremely ill personspending extra time on the groundbefore going to a remote ruralhospital that may not have adequatefacilities,” says Dr Ferguson.

Edwards says: “We are using anevidence-based system to refine themedical support that is reallyneeded on board our aircraft. It willenable us to give an improvedservice and one which we believewill have cost advantages.”

Farnborough-headquarteredGama has bases in the UK, the UAE,North America and Europe and afleet of 32 business aircraft rangingfrom the Learjet 45 through to the Boeing Business Jet. It operatesthe air wing of the ScottishAmbulance Service, carrying over2,500 patients a year.

Gama takes on board TFC medical emergency advice

Gama’s Dave Edwards and Sarah Woods with Roderick Macdonald of TFC, celebrating their collaboration ‘James Bond style’.

TFC is perhaps best known forbeing the advanced medicalconsultant to James Bond films.The company partnered withcreator Eon Productions onCasino Royale and are currentlyworking on the latest Bondcreation, provisionally titled“Bond 22.”

Headquartered at the accidentand emergency department atAberdeen Royal Infirmary, itprovides global medical advice,education and training, andmedical supplies to the aviationindustry and those remote fromquality medical advice worldwide.Medical advice is delivered live,24/7 by telephone, sat phonevideo-conferencing or emailsystems to the medical incident,using senior doctors employed bythe National Health Service in theUK. TFC pays the NHS for thedoctors’ time and expertise.Doctors at The InternationalCentre for Emergency Medicinehave been trained to understandthe operational challengesencountered in the air.

Dr James Ferguson, a seniorconsultant at the universityteaching hospital Aberdeen RoyalInfirmary, and a leading TFCclinician, recently presented theresults of a five year clinical studyat the Royal Society of Medicine inLondon. He told his peers that,when it comes to air to groundmedical services, many in thesector are “still working ondecisions based on assumptionsmade 20 to 30 years ago.”

Dr Ferguson advocates the useof ‘evidence based’ medicine –care based on historical dataanalysis – rather than ‘best guess’diagnosis of symptoms as theypresent. He advocates a standardindustry-wide diagnostic formused when in-flight medicalemergencies occur. Anonymousdata taken from the forms shouldbe collated and made available toall EMS providers.

TFC believes that a global datasharing system across the aviationindustry would save lives, makemedical care efficient and couldkick-start a wider global database.Says ceo Roderick MacDonald:“Such a system would benefitremote services providers acrossmany industries. The aviation andthe marine industries alreadycollaborate on engines, safety andinteriors development, so why notin something as crucial ashealthcare?”

Says Dr Ferguson: “Withcorporate flights, we tend to getcalls for something out of the bluewhere a passenger is suddenlyunwell with chest pains or isbreathless. This is often becausehigh powered people will just keepon going even when they’reunwell. When it is finally time torelax, they start feeling ill. Thiscould be due to a chest infection,where you feel the symptomsmore at altitude.”

TFC developsemergency bondbetween doctors

and privateaircraft crews

M E D E VA C F O C U S

Dr James Ferguson takes emergency'direct to doctor' calls at the AberdeenRoyal Infirmary.

Royal Jet focuses on the right blend ofadvanced equipment.

FAI jets outside the company’sNuernberg hangar.

Page 08-09 25/2/08 8:59 am


CEOs on TrainingA SERIES

The company’s belief in the many benefits andadvantages of business aviation and the passion DeVoshas for aviation continue today. He may have retiredfrom the day-to-day responsibilities of running Amway, buthis retirement hasn’t slowed him down. When he flies –which he does often as a business leader, philanthropistand speaker – his flight crews are FlightSafety trained.As far as he’s concerned, it’s the only way to go.

“At Amwaysafety is our toppriority. That’s

why we’ve insistedon FlightSafety’s

professional trainingfor more than

30 years.”

fter more than 80 years, Rich DeVos still looksforward to each day with the same “can do” attitudethat propelled him to become one of the world’s most

successful entrepreneurs. He was barely out of high schoolwhen he returned from overseas after service in World War IIto start an aviation business with his friend Jay Van Andel.That business and other ventures together took off, andthey eventually founded Amway from their homes in 1959.Amway within a few years was a household name, knownfor pioneering the sales of products through independentdistributors. Today the company records over $6 billion inannual sales in more than 80 countries.

Serving a growing global operation required fast, efficientworld travel. Amway established a flight department andturned to FlightSafety for aviation training.

“We’ve been fortunate that Amway has enjoyed tremendoussuccess,” DeVos says. “Success requires confidence andpersistence and demanding the best of ourselves and others.That’s why our flight department insists on FlightSafety’sprofessional, safety-focused training for our jets and helicopters.”

For more information, please contact any of our Learning Centers or call

Scott Fera: 636.532.5933. Our headquarters are at the Marine Air Terminal,

LaGuardia Airport, New York 11371-1061. Email: [email protected]

flightsafety.com

RICH DEVOS

Amway co-founder, NBA Orlando Magic owner and chairman

Rich DeVos co-founded Amway Corp. in 1959 and acquired with his family

the Orlando Magic in 1991. He continues to serve on his company’s

board and travel to deliver his inspirational messages to independent

Amway distributors and other audiences. He is the author of Believe!,

Compassionate Capitalism and Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life,

which was inspired by his heart transplant at the age of 71 in 1997.

A

Water touchdowns are key to theprivate charter business expansionplans of Loch Lomond Seaplanes.“We will continue to expand thecorporate side of our business withour nine seat Cessna 208,” says mdDavid West. “We have been doingcharter for the last four years with ouramphibious Cessna 206. The aircraft isused for golf charters to five starcourses on the islands such asMachrie, as well as dropping clients atfive star loch-side restaurants andhotels. We also drop clients at theiryachts and at marinas.”

Capt. West points out thatseaplanes have environmentalbenefits. “There are no contrails, nospent fuel in the high atmosphere, noairport to build – just the use of thewater and an existing floatingpontoon. If we take just threepassengers off the road our flights arecarbon neutral.”

In Canada and Alaska small floatplanes are used almost like buses

serving remote coastal communities,and in Scotland, which has 6,200 milesof coastline with more than 700

islands and 560 large fresh water lochs,the possibilities of replicating such aservice are substantial, he adds.

Loch Lomond Seaplanes operatesregular daily flights to destinationssuch as Oban and Tobermory.

Fiona McPherson, Tania Grundy and Capt. Darren Hansen celebrate the Caravan's first water landing in the UK near the village of Lusson Loch Lomond, around 15 miles northwest of Glasgow.

Seaplanes surf a wave of environmentally friendly businessEuro Flight Service’s Europeanbusiness development plans aremaking rapid progress with a CitationVII set to operate from London and a Citation III that was refurbishedin Germany, reinforcing the fleet.

“The London base, andconsequently the operational strategyof the Citation VII, will be finalisedthrough negotiations currently takingplace,” says Capt. Davide Golnelli, gmItaly. “We are very keen to service thegrowing business demand in the U.K.”

The Citation III was ferried to Italy by Captain Jourgen “AJ” Boeck after registration formalities has been completed.

Capt. Golnelli says: “The ‘new’ C650is actually a Citation III that wascompletely refurbished, interiors andexteriors, in aircraft maintenance’sworkshop in Monchengladbach, underthe supervision of Chris Boeck.”

EFS to set upLondon base

The burgeoning jet charter market inthe Arab Gulf is not only attracting newforeign operators but is developing to provide new career paths forenterprising nationals.

Twinjet, headquartered at LutonAirport, is opening a base in Bahrain,where it will initially operate aChallenger 604, and is currentlyrecruiting flight and cabin crews.

Keith McMann, ceo, says: “TheMiddle East is a key market for us andthe region’s continuing growth makesan on-the-ground presence fromTwinjet a sensible and attractiveproposition. We hope to furtherexpand our business in the region inthe near future.”

Twinjet, established in 1982, plansto begin servicing the Middle Eastmarket from Bahrain in May. Otheroperators recruiting to meet expandingbusiness include Abu Dhabi’s Royal Jetwhose recent appointment confirmsthat private aviation is now a careerpath for Arab nationals. It haspromoted UAE national Capt.Mohamed Saif Al Mazroui to director offlight operations. “The appointmentcomes as part of the company’smanagement restructuring, aimed atreadying itself for a major anticipatedincrease in new business,” says RoyalJet’s vp operations, Capt. Andy Bray.

Capt. Al Mazroui worked for AmiriFlight for a total of 20 years, Gulf Air forsix years and Oman Air for two yearsbefore returning to Amiri Flight. He haspiloted aircraft including the Boeing737, 767, Airbus A300-600 and 320.

Al Mazroui says: “I have three keyobjectives – to ensure the safety ofRoyal Jet’s extensive fleet of aircraft, tobe in charge of real situationassessment centres when hiring pilots,and making sure pilots follow standardprocedures whilst working to thehighest standards possible.” Another ofhis key objectives is the “Emiratisationof the flight crews” – providing careerpaths for nationals.

Arab Gulfcharterers offer

career paths

Al Mazroui: role in hiring and developing pilots.

Page 08-09 25/2/08 9:16 am

Swissboogie Parapro is enjoying risingdemand for the private adventurecharter of its two PC-6s – with thehistoric Everest Skydive among thisyear’s carefully planned events.

“If the request for aircraft missionscontinues to increase, we’ll soon haveto invest in a new aircraft,” saysfounder Henri Schurch. He waspreviously in the lumber business butSwissboogie quickly grew to take upall his time. Schurch jokes: “As I am 66 years old, and Swissboogie has still a lot of growth potential, I guess I will stay in this business! But you never know…”

Nigel Gifford, mountaineer,skydiver and organiser of the EverestSkydive, says he chose Swissboogiebecause of the company’s specialistexpertise and the load, stability,power, reliability, and wide doors ofthe PC-6 and the mounted internaland external cameras.

Everest Skydive, which maybecome an annual event, is to befilmed by Leo Dickinson fordistribution worldwide and willinclude the world’s highest evertandem charity jump to raise fundsfor Global Angels (globalangels.org).

Swissboogie was chosen partlybecause of its expertise intransporting skydivers – either fromits home base in Switzerland or fromother countries including France andCyprus. But it also carries out lasermeasuring and photo missions fortopography analysis and undertakessignal transmission for live televisionsport events and border and ocean surveillance.

“The needs of our clients are verydiversified,” says Schurch. “We alsowork for the Swiss Air Force: everysummer we train young pre-paratroopers for the civilian skydivinglicence.” He adds: “The demand forcommercial flights is increasing everyyear and also the leisure flights –mostly skydiving – are very lucrative.New business sectors includemonitoring the effects of globalwarming on the environmentincluding tracking movements ofground in the mountains or glaciers.”

Schurch is excited about beinginvolved in Everest Skydive. OrganiserNigel Gifford says: “We will decideafter October 2008 whether it willbecome seasonal but it lookspromising. The event has attractedlicensed skydivers from all over the world.”

They will make their way by 22September to Kathmandu where agrass-based airstrip is being preparedat 12,350 ft. for the take offs andlanding. Each party of six jumpers willbe accompanied by two jump

masters who will act as cameramenduring freefall.

Gifford has organised the skydiveon the 29,035 ft. high Mount Everestso jumpers can enjoy views into Tibetand the Khumbu glacier and icefall inNepal. “This adventure surpasses anyexperience in skydiving so far,” saysGifford. “Skydiving on to the Northand South Poles and Angel Falls inVenezuela were fabulous and awe-inspiring adventures in their ownright, and as such they were thehistoric building blocks for this new and exciting challenge. But theEverest Skydive pushes the

boundaries harder and higher, for thisis a challenge, taking skydiving intotwo harsh and extreme environments– high altitude plus extreme cold.”

The jump dates in Nepal avoid the200 mph jet stream that roars acrossEverest’s summit, and the Drop Zoneis the highest in the world.Swissboogie was the favouredcharterer but there were lengthydiscussions on logistics before hire.

Launched in 1987, Swissboogie hasalways operated PC-6s which Schurchsays are reliable aircraft with goodshort take off and landing skills. “ThePC-6 can carry up to 10 passengers or1,000 kg cargo,” he points out. “ThePilatus factory is based very close toour home base which is anotherimportant factor and Pilatus is a verygood and trusted partner.”

Expansion may bring jobopportunities. But Schurch says: “Ourcompany needs a very special kind ofemployee with specific abilities tomanage all the diverse missions soSwissboogie educates and trains its personnel.”


Swissboogie Parapro is enjoying increasing business ranging from private adventure hire to missions designed to help assess theeffects of global warming.

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Swissboogie charter rises to greaterheights for historic Everest adventure

The Everest Skydive, which draws onthe knowledge and skills of skydivers,some of whom are also Everestmountaineers, is the culmination oftwo years of meticulous planning and preparation.

The team includes Leo Dickinson,adventure cameraman, who wasamong the first to skydive on to theNorth Pole, and Andy Montriou, partof the team that took the record to 357 skydivers, linked in freefall inFebruary 2004 and then on to 400 inFebruary 2006.

Also taking part is Andy Elson, thefirst balloonist to fly over MountEverest in 1991, who designed andbuilt capsules for internationalattempts to be the first to fly aroundthe world.

Organiser Nigel Gifford is founderof the U.K.-based High and Wild and has more than 30 yearsexperience in the professionaladventure world including rafting the Great Siang gorge of theBrahmaputra in the tribal areas ofIndia, participating in the Saamireindeer migration in the frozenNorth, and the first ever trek toEverest’s Lho La.

Also in the party is Dave Wood, mdand chief instructor of the CornishParachute Club, who holds the BPAAdvanced Instructor Qualification,Ben Wood, freelance skydivinginstructor and aerial freefallphotographer, along with Ryan Dukewho works as a specialist machineoperator in optical materials.

Peak input from specialists

Everest skydivers pictured at a training session, from left, insurer John Barlow,adventurer Andy Elson and Nigel Gifford of High and Wild.

Angel D’Arrigo over the Drop Zone of theEverest Skydive.

Austria’s A-Jet is planning the purchaseof a pre-owned Global Express XRSand a Challenger 300 to bridge the gap between launch charter demandand the long lead times for newaircraft deliveries.

A-Jet’s parent company A-TecIndustries has an XRS scheduled fordelivery in 2010 and two Challenger300s arriving at the end of 2011 orbeginning of 2012. A-Jet, which has anunrestricted worldwide AOC, willoperate the aircraft.

The operator expects that itsChallenger 604 will operate largelybetween Russia, mainly Moscow, andthe “generally requested” point-to-point destinations such as Nice, Paris,London, Malaga, Rome, Cannes,Zurich and Geneva. A-Jet is assessingthe potential of the route betweenAlmaty in Kazakhstan and London,and the growing demand in theUkraine and India. It has also lodgedan FAR 129 application to enable it toservice demand for US flights.

“Our experience also showsdemand between the Middle East andthe major European metropolis,”according to sales director ThomasZauper. “We are also prepared forflights to the so-called holidaydestinations and skiing resorts such as Innsbruck and Chambeaux. Most of our customers have Russiannationality, however, we also want to

evaluate and ‘develop’ other marketsin order to achieve a more balancedcustomer portfolio. At the moment it is too early to say whether thedemand is more in business or leisure.Our target is to create demand for both occasions.”

A-Jet says the 604 was chosenbecause of its widebody comfort,excellent reliability, cost effectivenessand reasonable range even whenoperating on long haul routes. “TheGlobal will complement the hugedemand for ultra long range routesboth in leisure and business, while the300 will play its role as cost effectiveperformer within continental Europe.All maintenance can easily be donewithin less than one flying hour fromour home base Vienna,” Zauper adds.

A-Jet’s business target is 700 charter flying hours within the first 12months. It also wants to “establish a reputation as a reliable andcompetent partner when it comes toaircraft management.”

Zauper says: “We have the expertiseto arrange and support individualaircraft management requirementsand needs.” A-Jet, launched inSeptember 2007, received its AOC in January. Its owners include flightinstructor Peter Tutschek who is ratedon the Challengers 500, 550, 560, 604, 650, Falcon 900 and the Global Express.

A-Jet seeks pre-owned XRS to combat lengthy wait for new aircraft

LNT’s striking car-helicopter “combination.”

Racing car launch fast trackshelicopter charter appeal

LNT Aviation’s racing car andhelicopter charter operations areforging ahead in tandem, according tomd Damian Roberts. “There’s been abig increase in interest in ouroperations following the launch of thenew Ginetta G50 racecar this year. Ithas benefited the racing team andincreased demand for the helicoptercharter operations that haveconsequently become even busierthan usual in 2008.”

Roberts adds: “The Dauphin’srange and comfort means that even inrecent windy conditions, we deliveredexecutives ready to do business.” TheDauphin’s operational flexibilitymeans that business meetings withother ‘time-limited’ individuals can bescheduled quickly “improving accessto key decision makers.”

Executive Aircraft Services, a charter,aircraft management, and groundhandling company based at Beirut’sRafic Hariri airport, is building andreadying its own hangar for operationsfrom June. “The hangar will helpprotect aircraft from corrosiveenvironmental factors such ashumidity and heat,” says NaelChehab, operations and salesmanager. Clients using EAS facilities,he says, include COLT International,NetJets, TAG Aviation, ExecuJetEurope, GAMA Aviation, Dasnair,SAMCO Aviation, Jet Aviation, MidEastJet, Arab Wings, PWC Aviation andAlkan Air. “Our FBO has the latesthandling equipment and a very stylishand modern vip lounge. We are alsocovered by a ground handlinginsurance that exceeds IATA norms.”

Chehab adds: “Our fleet is stillexpanding with the arrival of a brandnew Falcon 2000EX as well as a GlobalXRS. They will add to the choiceprovided by our Hawker Siddeley andmanaged Global Express 5000 whichare very popular with a range of clients.”

EAS expandscharter fleet

-11 25/2/08 9:42 am Page 10

ABS Jets, one of the largest business jetoperators in the new EU countries, isopening an office in Bratislava as itcontinues to expand its fleet and itsarea of operations. Commercialdirector Jan Vana says: “We takedelivery of a fourth Legacy in March2008, a fifth and sixth in January andFebruary 2009 and a second Learjet60XR will arrive in August 2009.”

Vana says a 60XR brought intoservice recently is proving popular inthe burgeoning Czech and Slovakmarket, and demand for flights isincreasing and originating inBratislava as well as Prague Ruzyne.

Vana adds: “ABS Jets is one of thefirst business jet operators in Europeto introduce the 60XR which has only comparatively recently acquiredthe EASA certificate for commercial air transport.”

He says moves to expand charterand FBO services are going well. “Ourstrategic plan is to build a one stop

shop for private jets.” ABS Jets is amember of the EBAA and is a Part 145maintenance and repair organisation,he points out. The company is also

an Embraer executive aircraft servicecentre and, from April 2008, will start providing handling andhangarage at Prague Ruzyne.

ABS Jets operates three Legaciesand two Bravos as well as the 60XR.Vana says further jets could join theABS managed fleet in 2008.


ABS liaises with authorities over expansion plans. From left are Capt. Roman Cepek, Learjet pilot; Capt. Patrik Rypka, Learjet chief pilot;Jaromir Novotny, CZ CAA technical and airworthiness inspector; Frantisek Budin, ABS base maintenance; Marian Jancarik, ABS Jets ceo;Jitka Ungerova, CZ CAA aircraft registration and CAA legal issues; and Jaroslav Seyfried, CZ CAA technical and airworthiness inspector.

Bratislava base underpins ABS regional growth

Staffordshire’s new air ambulance willstart operating across the countyfrom April. County Air Ambulancesays that, initially, the StaffordshireAir Ambulance will be setting up atemporary base at Tatenhill Airfield,near Burton in east Staffordshire.

Ian Clayton, air ambulanceoperations manager, says County AirAmbulance managers are workingclosely with the landowner and thelocal authority to develop apermanent base at Hixon Airfield.

Last October the County AirAmbulance Charity launched a £1 million appeal to support the heli-copter service in the county over thenext 12 months. Serving a populationof eight million, it has bases at EastMidlands airport, RAF Cosford nearWolverhampton and StrenshamNorth Services on the M5 motorway.

London’sBiggin Hill

keeps gettingbigger

New U.K. airambulance gets

starting date

London’s Biggin Hill airport isexpanding fast to service growingprivate jet business. Air Partner hasbeen given the go-ahead for a175,000 sq. ft. high security privatejet enclave and the airport isbuilding a new 85,000 sq. ft. FBOand hangar complex with a capacityfor up to four BBJs, by the end of theyear. “Meanwhile we have upgradedthe existing terminal and added 50more car parking spaces so now wecan park up to 250 cars,” says bdmRobert Walters.

David Savile, Air Partner ceo,says: “With other private jet airportsstraining at the seams and turningaway existing business, we havedecided to consolidate our plans atBiggin Hill and build one state-of-the-art site. Biggin Hill’s locationand capacity, combined with AirPartner’s managed fleet and clientbase, will enable us to develop apremier private jet base that fulfillsall of our client’s needs, and attractsnew corporate users to the facility.”

Air Partner’s new site, illustratedby artist’s drawing, is designed byairport architects 3DReid and is dueto be completed in late 2009. It willbe accessed via a secure approachroad and will comprise ground floorvip aircraft handling linked to amezzanine flight operations centre,office suites for associated airport-related businesses, and further areas dedicated to private jetmaintenance operations. The hightech hangar will have a 94 metredoor span, and will accommodate amix of more than 20 jets, up to andincluding the BBJ. “Marketing ofthese facilities will start in May2008,” says Savile.

High security facilities at Biggin Hill forAir Partner’s clients.

Page 10-11 25/2/08 9:44 am


The Mustang as unveiled by LEA during its recent official ceremony.

Fleets of VLJs begin operations inEurope this spring and summer andthe market response and businessreturns will decide whether theenthusiasts or the doubters are right.VLJs, including Mustangs andPhenoms, are inspiring innovativecorporate strategies but opinion is stilldivided on whether they will be anunqualified success.

Centreline Air Charter has analysedthe business potential of the Mustang

but shelved its plans to build a fleet ofVLJs “for the foreseeable future.” PhilipBrockwell, md of the Kingair and CJoperator, told EBAN: “As a privatelyowned and flown aircraft the Mustangis perfect, however as a publictransport offering it will need a coupleof years depreciation or investors with a longer term view on return. Aspart of a larger GA company, ourengineering and crew training com-panies are still assessing opportunitiespresented by the new aircraft.”

He adds: “The operationallimitations of range and payload werealways a concern, but would not beprohibitive on almost 50 per cent ofour business. However, the overridingopinion that has been stated by ourexisting client base is that fewpassengers would want to travel morethan an hour in an aircraft that doesnot have a separate toilet in the cabin.”

Centreline’s existing CJ flies about800 hours a year, a figure thatBrockwell believes would be halved “ifthe limitation was the size of thepassenger’s bladder as opposed to thealready limited performance ofCessna’s new offering.”

“In designing the Mustang, Cessnaundertook extensive customerresearch that included asking aboutcabin amenities such as an enclosedlavatory,” says Trevor Esling, Cessna’sVP of international sales. “Given thatthe aircraft’s most common missionsdictate a flight of about two hours,feedback indicated that the marketplaced greater value on a roomiercabin and on the overall value madepossible by this relatively compactaircraft. Nevertheless, in true Citationstyle, Cessna opted to include acurtained lavatory for use on longerflights. The large four passenger cabin,ample baggage stowage, advanced

flight systems in the cockpit, Cessna’srenowned product support, and theinclusion of the lavatory truly set theMustang apart from the rest in thisentry level category.”

Cameron Ogden, co-founder ofBlink, which has put its managementteam in place, says the availability of a toilet on the Mustang was one of the key reasons that it “chose theMustang as opposed to the Eclipse for instance.”

Douglas Gass, flight operationsdirector and chief pilot says: “TheBlink operations team will handle theaircrew selection, pilot training anddevelopment of flight operations inconjunction with Blink’s operationalpartner TAG Aviation.”

Redvers Blake and Graham Howardare, respectively, gms flight trainingand fleet standards. Peter Leiman,Blink co-founder, says: “It is anincredibly exciting time as we buildtowards our May 2008 launch a yearahead of any competitors.” And BasBikker, pilot with Bikkair, says VLJs ingeneral, and the Mustang in particular,is the “ideal transportation tool forbusiness executive travel for distancesbetween 400 and 2,000 kilometres.

But Centreline’s Brockwell says:“We have studied the Mustang, havingdismissed the Eclipse based on

support infrastructure at an earlystage. Our calculations show that theMustang would need to be sold at£1,200 per hour, the same price as weoffer our CJ, and the CJ does so muchmore for the money.

“We have recently purchased oursecond CJ, a 1995 aircraft at just underthe cost of a new Mustang, the aircraftis recently repainted, has a brand newinterior and other avionics advantagessuch as TCAS. As a business, the effectsof depreciation on our balance sheetare critical and the purchase of brandnew equipment has always been aconsideration in controlling thegearing of our business.”

However, Nick Davis, head ofaviation at the U.K.’s GrangeInternational Aviation based in Poole,Dorset, predicts the Mustang will beamong popular VLJs operating on U.K.and short haul European routes“being both cost effective andcomfortable in the two to threepassenger role based on an average 75minute sector.”

And Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraerevp, executive jets, says: “Spain is avery interesting market with newbusiness models coming out, whichmay eventually transform the way wesee executive aviation.” Pepe Jets, anew subsidiary of Spain’s GlobaliaGroup, will have a strong focus onVLJs. Embraer and Globalia Grouphave signed a contract for 11 executivejets. “The new airline we are launchingis a response to the growing call for ondemand charter flights frombusinessmen and entrepreneurs whowant both flexibility and comfort,”says Juan Jose Hidalgo, Globaliaexecutive president. “We will offer thereliability of an airliner with thecomfort of a real business jet.”

The order includes eight Phenom100s, two Phenom 300s, and oneLegacy 600. Globalia also owns AirEuropa, Spain’s second largest airline.The Phenom 100 deliveries arescheduled to begin in October 2010, and the first Phenom 300 will be available in April 2011. The aircraft are for charter and on demand operations.

Valencia-based Wondair has ord-ered 24 Phenom 100 jets and placed anoption for an additional 12 which alsoallows Wondair to convert its positionsto Phenom 300s. Deliveries to Wondairwill start during the second half of2009. Javier Diez, Wondair ceo, says:“Our fleet will expand to more than 45aircraft and at least six permanentbases will be operative, covering the

The great debate that will be decided by business returns from customers

Germany’s DC Aviation, formed afterthe merger of Cirrus Aviation andDaimlerChrysler Aviation, is planningto expand into the fast emergingmarkets of the Middle East and India.Dieter Heinen, ceo, says: “We are in aposition to more than satisfy thedemands of our German andEuropean business customers as wellas those of charter clients and thehigh-level expectations ofinternational aircraft owners.”

Prior to the merger Cirrus Aviationwas predominantly focused on charterbusiness in Russia while DCA’s keybusiness, apart from the transatlanticshuttle for DaimlerChrysler, wasGerman and European corporatebusiness. Heinen says: “Of course wewill continue to strengthen ourposition in these markets, but we alsointend to focus increasingly on newmarkets like India and the UAE.” Buthe adds: “The top priority for DCAviation, however, will first be toconsolidate existing business.

The private charter business hasdeveloped massively since millionaireDr. Lutz Helmig joined the CirrusGroup in 2007 and DaimlerChryslerAviation was acquired. DC Aviation isalready operating aircraft including anAirbus 319, Gulfstream 550, GlobalExpress, Global 5000, Falcon 900 DX,Challenger 604, Legacy 600,Challenger 300, Citation X, CitationXLS, Learjet 60 and a Learjet 40. “Thefirst Gulfstream 150 in Germany is arecent addition to the fleet. Furtheradditions to the fleet are expected for2008,” Heinen says.

LEA’s Mustang fleet is launched. Pictured, left to right, are Roger Whyte, senior vpsales and marketing Cessna; Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, ceo LEA, and GeorgeGalanopoulos, md LEA.

Cameron Ogden: Good decision.

V L J F O C U S – PA R T I IDC Aviationready for newdevelopments

-13 25/2/08 1:24 pm Page 12


��

whole country.”Embraer has included a sliding

door that separates a dedicated spacefor toilet facilities.

Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) ofAbu Dhabi has ordered four Phenomsin an order mix that also includes threeLegacy 600s and one Lineage 1000.The first Phenom 300 will be availablein the second quarter of 2011.“Embraer executive jets allow us tocover all segments with aircraft thatoffer spacious cabins and comfort,”says H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan, FAS owner and ceo.

Ireland-based Premier Aviation’sfour Phenom 100s will be configuredwith four seats and a fully-enclosedlavatory. The aircraft will be availablefor both fractional ownership andconventional charter operations,according to md Alan Nee.

JetBird now plans to headquarterits pan-European low cost executivejet service in Dublin instead ofSwitzerland as originally envisaged,based on an order for 50 Phenom 100jets and an option for an additional 50aircraft. The contract allows JetBird toconvert its positions into deliveries ofeither the Phenom 100 or the Phenom300. JetBird is scheduled to takedelivery of its first aircraft in April 2009.Domhnal Slattery, founder andchairman, predicts JetBird will helprevolutionise the executive travelmarket in a manner similar to the waythat low cost airline transformed thecommercial air travel market.

Grange International Aviation’sNick Davis cautions that supply anddemand coupled with slots andairspace restrictions in Europe willhave to be addressed. But PatrickMargetson-Rushmore, LEA ceo, says:“It is unlikely that VLJ bases in Europewill quickly reach saturation point,particularly in the short to mediumterm, given the present volume ofEuropean orders and manufacturers’backlogs. A major attraction of VLJs isthat they can avoid the most con-gested locations, typically requiringjust 1,000 metre runways. Therefore, inthe UK, places like Fairoaks would beable to handle VLJ traffic.”

He adds: “LEA will pitch theMustang at a price level comparablewith a turboprop, allowing for theshorter flight time required for manyjourneys. We expect this to bring arange of new customers into thecharter market.”

Stefan Vilner, JetBird’s md, says: “Icome from a low cost airlinebackground and I am absolutelyconfident that we will be able to atleast halve fares from those now inexistence. The size of our fleet will giveus economies of scale and we willmaximise profitable aircraft use andbuild business drawing on thesuccessful strategies that Ryanair andEasyJet have implemented. We willoperate on our own AOC and keep avery tight control on costs.”

LEA’s Margetson-Rushmore says:“The Mustang creates excitingopportunities for companies like LEA,who want to operate larger fleets onhigh utilisation air taxi businessmodels. However, we believe there willstill be plenty of room for firms withone or two VLJ aircraft.”

A major issue involves operationalbases and how regional and smallerairfields with a stronger emphasis onpiston traffic will deal with VLJs andwhat investment will be made innavaids to make them more attractive.Vilner says JetBird, which will build itscore business around peak demandradiating out from London, Paris,central Germany and northern Italy, isextremely confident about clinching

good deals from airports based oninitial negotiations.

But some believe that operators ofsmaller VLJ fleets might facedifficulties in busy private aviationcountries such as the U.K. Daviswarns: “The chances of TAG allowingfurther valuable slots to be eaten up byVLJs is remote, Biggin Hill is near airtraffic capacity in the summer season,Stansted and Luton detract from theunique selling point of VLJs due to thecost of landing and handling, butShoreham, Blackbushe, Fairoaks,Elstree, and others lack either thenavaid investment or service andinfrastructure required to really bringthe VLJs into their own in respect ofreliable AOC operations. Also, will theregional and smaller airfields ownedby councils and private individuals

wake up to the requirement andincome generation these jets canbring the regions?”

Much will depend on the choice ofheadquarters. Vilner says that Irelandhas the advantages of being in theEuropean Union, a flexible andpositive regulator, and airports with apositive attitude to VLJs.

Grange International Aviation,Davis says, will promote the vision ofVLJ operations at regional airports andsupport owner pilots as well asmanage aircraft and broker flights. Buthe predicts the average charter ratewill be around £900 to £1,400 per hourplus landing and handling. “They cannever be much cheaper than existinglight jet rates because the fixed cost ofoperating in Europe bears littlerelation to the actual aircraft value.The direct cost of operating the VLJswill still be identical to the likes of aCitation II, the pilots will still be thesame price, the insurance the sameprice, the depreciation the same, andso on. The only discounted items willbe lower fuel cost, lower euro charges,and slightly lower maintenance costwhile the aircraft are still new andunder warranty.”

But, despite reservations, he

More than 100 additional VLJs couldcome into service each year in Europeleading to 700 being operational by2015, according to Eurocontrol.

There are about 440 VLJs currentlyon order for operation in Europe. Ofthese, at least 230 are expected fordelivery by the end of 2010, accordingto Alex Hendriks, Eurocontrol’s deputydirector of ATM strategies. “Themajority of VLJs are expected to beused for air taxi type work,” he pointsout. “Typically, this would result ineach aircraft making an average of twoto three flights a day, adding 200 to 300extra flights per day each year. Thegrowth in VLJs adds a significant extradimension to the complexity of airtraffic in Europe. VLJs have verydifferent speeds and cruising levelsfrom current commercial jet aircraft,so we need to conduct an impactassessment to see how they will affectthe network as a whole. We also needto assess the technical requirementsfor onboard systems, includingexamining whether there is arequirement for ACAS.”

VLJ manufacturers are makinglong-term plans to ramp upproduction to meet increasingdemand. Eclipse Aviation andEuropean Technology and InvestmentResearch Center (ETIRC) Aviationhave announced in Ulyanovsk, Russia,

the firm progress of plans to set up anEclipse 500 manufacturing facilityoutside the US. And the FAA hascertified the company’s second LevelD Full Motion simulator. Vern Raburn,Eclipse ceo, says: “We can now train 20pilots every two weeks entirely insimulators and the first customerpilots have already completed theirinitial type training. By April 2008, weexpect to have a third simulator inoperation. This will allow thecompany to train up to 60 pilots eachmonth exclusively in simulators.”

The agency is taking into account

possible further increases in VLJorders and manufacturer output as itpromotes debate on its European VLJsintegration platform set to assess andpropose solutions for integrating VLJsinto the European air traffic system.

Some VLJs may not make it intocommercial production. AdamAircraft has voluntarily filed Chapter 7bankruptcy in the U.S. The court hasappointed a trustee to liquidate assetswhich include the type certificate forthe A500 piston twin, several A500s invarious stages of production and threeflying A700 very light jets that Adam

was using for certification trials. ButVLJ production is still likely to increaseoverall – manufacturers are holdingjob fairs in Denver, seeking to hire over500 skilled employees that AdamAircraft laid off.

The European Business AviationAssociation and VLJ manufacturersand operators are participating in theEurocontrol forum and the agency ispreparing a simulation to assess theimpact of VLJs. EBAA’s EricMandemaker, says: “We are convincedthat the services that these additionalair taxi operators provide will onlyenhance the business travel industryin the region and the travel optionsopen to customers.”

Hendriks says: “An initialcomparison of published VLJperformance and that of commonly-used commercial jet aircraft indicatesthat, for some of the phases of flight,the VLJs have very different speedsand cruising levels. For that reason, itis likely that VLJs will have a consid-erable impact on at least the take offand en-route parts of the network.Analysis will also be carried out on thetechnical requirements for onboardsystems, as it seems that there may bedifficulties in adapting some of thefully-integrated avionics systemscurrently employed in certain VLJs toparticular navigation requirements.”

Russian ramp up: From left to right, Vern Raburn, ceo and president of EclipseAviation, Sergey Morozov, governor of Ulyanovsk; Sergey Stepashin, chairman of theaccounts chamber of the Russian Federation; Sergey Ryabukhin, auditor; Roel Pieper,ceo of ETIRC; and Alexander Livshits, translator. An Eclipse 500 production facility inRussia will help meet growing VLJ demand.

Eurocontrol anticipates a substantial debate on the issues of integration and safety

believes the overall impact of the VLJwill be positive. “The take-up hasalready been huge and the confirmedorders which I am aware of tally nearly40 privately owned VLJs coming to theU.K. for private operations and over 70AOC/charter aircraft within the next24 months alone, and I expect thatnumber to be closer to 80 within threeyears.” Private owners looking forprompt delivery have ensured anextremely competitive response toauctions (see panel).

Davis predicts a rationalisation indemand for VLJs. “Charter operators I think will quickly reduce their firm options so that deliveries peak at about 10 per organisation. That is a manageable number, and allowsup to half a dozen sensible sizecompanies all having enough hours tomake commercial sense for them andtheir inevitable owners or financiers,”he says.

Everybody, it seems, has a differentopinion on which VLJs will prove mostpopular and how many will be able tooperate at a profit. However, in thecoming months, it is the passengerswho will decide which predictions areright as VLJs supplement and varytheir private jet options.

Bikkair: promises interior comfort.

Peter Leiman: “Exciting times”

Page 12-13 25/2/08 1:26 pm


Marketplace

AGUSTA

A109 Grand

2008, Full factory warranty, single pilotIFR, pilot ICS, Honeywell 3 axis duplexAFCS. Full Bendix/King IFR avionics,Copilot EADI and EHSI, Honeywell FZ702flight director, Honeywell AA300 radaraltimeter, Artex C406 ELT, Airconditioning, RDR 2000 radar. Tel: +1 954771 1795. Aero Toy Store Inc. Web:www.aerotoystore.com. Email:[email protected]

AW139 Executive

2008, S/N 41008: 2nd quarter 2008delivery. Exclusive Pininfarina editionpaint & interior. Loaded with options.Nine pax capacity, new warranty. Fullcocoon by ACI. Four camera system,Sagem fifth display & more. Tradeswelcome. Tel: +1 954 771 1795 Aero ToyStore Inc. Web: www.aerotoystore.com.Email: [email protected]

BEECHCRAFT

Baron 58

1973, TTAF Engines 1215/1215 SNEW1994. Props Zero/Zero. Full deice. Dualcontrols. 2nd altimeter. All logs. HSI.Mode S. A/P w/Flight Director. SkyforceGPS. GBP£89,950 (+ VAT whereappicable). Tel: +44 1747 825378 Fax: +441747 826870 Derrick Ings Aircraft Sales.Web: www.derrickings.com . Email:[email protected]

BELL

206B Jetranger III

1992, Only 3000hrs, fresh Inspection, goodcomponent times. One owner since new.Deluxe interior, Bendix King Avionics,Autopilot KAP 150, slaved compass, ELT406. Tel: +49 6332 97200 Winair. Email:[email protected]

BOEING

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Aircraft for sale

Individual pre-owned aircraft may be advertised for sale here with up to40 words and a colour photograph for a discounted price of UK£50Sterling. Full details and picture are also included on the EBANmagazine web site.

warranty, Collins Pro-Line 21 avionicssuite. Dual FMS’s, Dual IRS’s, EnhancedMaps on MFD, LDS. Galley and cabintouch screen control panels, Airshow ASX,Two 18” Flat Screens, Ten Passenger. Tel:+1 954 771 1795 Aero Toy Store Inc. Web:www.aerotoystore.com. Email:[email protected]

Challenger 605

2008, S/N 5728. 2nd quarter delivery.Extensive options, Pro-Line 21 Avionics.Triple IRU, 25 hr recording FDR, Dual VHFCOM w/8.33 Spacing, Dual Collins 4000NAV, CVR, Datalink, 4-Tube EFIS,Honeywell EGPWS, EVAS, Two 21”Monitors, ten-passenger interior. Tel: +1303 444 6766 J. Mesinger Corporate JetSales Inc. Web: www.jetsales.com. Email:[email protected]

CRJ-200LR

S/N 7990: TT only 2,368 hours, 2000nmrange. Engines & APU on condition, longrange fuel, dual FMS’s, dual IRS’s,HGSCAT IIA, digital L3 FDR, EGPWS, 406ELT, 52 passenger, two galleys. Tradeswelcome, financing available. Tel: +1 954771 1795 Aero Toy Store Inc. Web:www.aerotoystore.com. Email:[email protected]

Global 5000

S/N 9241: New warranty, Jar-Opscompliant, International Direct TV,Primus 2000XP 6-Tube EFIS, Triple NA-2000 FMS, dual auto throttles. Primus 880weather radar, SATCOM, CAIMS, Iridiumtelephone system, 14 Pax, Airshow, GlobalOffice and more! Tel: +1 954 771 1795.Aero Toy Store Inc. Web:www.aerotoystore.com. Email:[email protected]

Global XRS

2008, S/N 9262: 1ST quarter 2008 deliveryJar-Op’s Compliant, HUD, EFB, TripleFMS/IRS, SATCOM, ACARS, LSS, FourExecutive Chairs Forward, ConferenceGroup and Single Seat Executive WorkStation Mid, Two Single Seats & ThreePlace Berthable Divan Aft. Tel: +1 954 7711795 Aero Toy Store Inc. Web:www.aerotoystore.com.. Email:[email protected]

BRITTEN NORMAN

Trislander BN2A-III

G-OJAV, For sale or lease. Long-NoseTrislander. £240,000 or Lease (3 years min)£14,400 security, £4,800 PCM + reserves .Will sell at £100K “As is” (no SB190/500hour L&R engine and props need OH).2nd a/c also available. Tel: +44 (0) 1797322655 Atlantic Bridge Aviation. Web:www.atlanticbridgeaviation.com.

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N737GG, S/N 29136. 3,500 hours/1,400cycles. Fresh C inspection and shop visit.Unusually high level interior completion.New exclusive listing! Wendy Bierwirth -Tel: +1 301 869 4600. Wentworth &Affiliates, Inc.. Web: www.wentworth.aero.

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Super 27-200 Exec

S/N 22825, VP-tbd. 4500 Hours/3000Cycles. 2nd to last VIP 727-200RE. Hasnever seen commercial Service. 45-passenger VIP interior. 2008 delivery withfresh heavy inspection, new paint andStephen Faulk designer interior! WendyBierwirth - Tel: +1 301 869 4600.Wentworth & Affiliates, Inc. . Web:www.wentworth.aero.

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Challenger 605

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Contact Mark Ranger on: +44 (0)1279 714509 [email protected]

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BUSINESS AIR NEWS

E U R O P E A N

Squirrel hops between

Greek islands

Page 4Geneva managers add604 to roster

Page 6PC12 fractional scheme

grows apace

Page 8Venerable helicopteroperator clocks upthree million

Page 10German broker offersCheyenne II for sale

Plus our full Danish review

Page 16 - 18

ISSUE 108 SEPTEMBER 2001

Leeds-Bradford based Multiflight will be the first UK owner of a BBJ2 when the green aircraft is handed over at the end of September. See full story on page 12

www.bizjet.com/eban

More than two and a half years have

elapsed since Muk Air started putting

a VFW-614 aircraft on the Danish

register. With TCAS recently installed,

the aircraft is now available for freight

and passenger charter but says owner

Ruben Werjefeldt, he’d never have

tried in the first place if he’d known

how long it was going to take.He said: “It’s been a long and

somewhat political fight. Early on,

problems which we had to overcome

included both support and

maintenance issues.“It took me a year and a half to

convince Airbus to cooperate but

since then, over the last year and a

half, they have been very supportive.

“During the certification process,

an educated crew went elsewhere and

the loss of revenue went into seven-

digit numbers. If I’d known it was

going to take this long, I’d never have

tried to do it. There are more

attractive things you can do.”Muk Air’s 614 aircraft can be

configured to accommodate 18 or 44

passengers or for the purposes of

freight. It is the latter which Muk Air

hopes to pursue the most. Said

Werjefeldt: “There’s less trouble in

freight. If you’re delayed, you don’t

have to book hotel rooms for 44

passengers; if it is a little bumpy, no

one vomits; and if you fly in a

turboprop, no one wants a refund.”

With regard to the vip market,

Werjefeld says one of the aircraft’s

main strengths lies in its ability to

land on short runways. He told EBAN:

“In an 18-seat configuration fully

loaded, I can land at any airport that a

Citation II can land at. We can get

down as short as 800 metres if we are

light – which is unheard of for a

46,000 pound aircraft.”The incentive for vips to fly in a

614, says Werjefeld, does not end

there. “It has a fully stand-up cabin,”

he said. Helmut Kohl preferred the

614 a lot more before the Challengers.

“You have a big first class seat, you

have a hot oven, refrigerators, large

stand-up toilet and big mahogany

tables where you could play roulette if

you wanted.“In the business jet market, it’s for

people who want the extra space. It’s

more than you have in a Dornier 328

JET, it’s larger than the Gulfstream

and if you consider the square area of

the plane, it’s only beaten by the BBJ

and ACJ.”Asked whether potential charter

customers may fret over the safety of

an old aircraft, Werjefeld said: "The

aircraft has been maintained in the

same way as the British Queen’s

Flight; everything has been half-

normal life-cycle.” In terms of economics, Muk Air is

confident that for the right customer,

the 614 could present a huge saving.

Werjefeld explained: “If you compare

it with business aircraft which offer

similar capability and space, and you

want to go somewhere where the size

of the runway might be an issue, then

the price is half what others would

ask. A Global Express, Gulfstream or

Falcon 900 would all have a challenge

getting down on La Maule in St

Tropez. I don’t have any problem and

I’m half the price.“Conversely, if you’re considering

an international trip, we couldn’t

compare with any of these

three aircraft. With 1,300 nautical

miles, we’re way too short

for intercontinental range but

for intra-European trips, we’d be

very competitive.”Muk Air has another 614 which has

been on a US register for two

years and will soon be added to the

Danish register.

‘Supremely-maintained’ VFW-614finally joins Danish register

Leeds awaitsUK’s first BBJ2

Adamantis has purchased a Falcon

900, which is currently managed

by charter and sales broker

Air Entreprise. Vice president Arnaud Poisson

said: “The owner chose the 900

because he wanted a long range

aircraft with a large cabin. We were

also keen to have such an aircraft

available in our charter fleet, as many

of our customers were asking to

charter a long range aircraft.” So far the Falcon’s destinations

have included Africa, the West Indies

and the US. Air Entreprise also manages a

Falcon 50 and owns a twin jet

Aerospatiale Corvette. Poisson

added: “The Falcon 900 is very good

for our image. We have a mixture of

private individuals, company

presidents and show business stars,

so obviously such an aircraft will

attract a great deal of interest.” The

aircraft is an addition to the

existing fleet.Air Entreprise has a large

hangar and a private terminal at

its Le Bourget, Paris base,

combined with handling and

maintenance departments. Poisson said: ”We are currently

working on expansion plans, but have

yet to decide what level of investment

to put in. “The French charter market is

strong and not particularly affected

by economic variables, so we don’t

feel that the investment will be

affected by the US slow down.” The company has found that the

market has remained stable, Poisson

explained: “The private jet market is

very special, as it only concerns a

small number of people world wide.

Consequently it’s difficult to

introduce new ideas onto the market,

although fractional ownership

appears to be succeeding.” The company has found the sales

market to be relatively buoyant also,

and believes it will continue to grow.

“The price of aircraft is currently

being pushed down by the deflated

US market, which has knocked onto

Europe and increased demand,”

he said.

Air Entrepriseoffers long haulflights with itsFalcon 900

Air Taxi has purchased a King Air 200

from Regourd Aviation. Ground

operations manager Jean Pierre

Florent said: “The company chose the

King Air because it suits our needs

perfectly. The range of the aircraft is

around 1,500 nautical miles and the

cabin holds between seven and nine

passengers, depending upon our

configuration.”Air Taxi is based in Tours, France

and operates as a charter company

concentrating solely on a French

client base. The company has already

made a number of domestic and

international flights, particularly

cross-channel, including: Oxford,

Inverness and Farnborough.

Customers are generally vips, ranging

from corporate executives to private

individuals and celebrities. “The

French charter market is not very

strong at the moment. I don’t really

know what has led to the present

climate but it is possibly the influence

of the US market,” explained Florent.

When asked why the company had

chosen a particularly slow time to

purchase an aircraft, Florent replied:

“If a company cannot offer a

sufficient number of aircraft for

charter then customers will look

elsewhere. We bought the aircraft

despite market conditions, because

we are hoping and expecting for a rise

in demand in the foreseeable future.”

Air Taxi startsfleet build-upwith King Air 200

An example of the VFW-614, now offered

by MukAir for charter.

Leeds awaitsUK’s first BBJ2

BUSINESS AIR NEWS

E U R O P E A N

Pilatus makescomplaint to JAA

Page 4Swedes launch websitefor air charter

Page 5Portuguese delightedwith Citation X addition

Page 9Plus: Where and who tocharter in Ireland

Pages 12-13

ISSUE 117 July 2002

An EBACE press conference provides the setting for Signature Flight Support to join forces with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in establishing a handling facility at

Toulon-Hyeres Airport. (L-r) Jonathan Soper (Signature), Bernard Lecat, Bernard Stouff (both CCI), Louis Demarque and Peter Whitehead (both Signature). Full story, page 14.

www.ebanmagazine.com

All for one at ToulonOne of Europe’s largest real estate

developers has placed an order

with Embraer for a Legacy aircraft.

Spain’s Fadesa made the announce-

ment at this year’s EBACE, adding

that the aircraft would replace the

company’s existing Hawker 700 in

September of this year.The Legacy will be based in La

Coruña, where the company has its

headquarters, and will carry out

corporate missions to Spain,

Portugal, Romania and Morocco,

where Fadesa is currently active.

“We were looking for a larger

aircraft,” said Jose Luis Macia, Fadesa

financial director. “Our main criteria

were reliability, cabin volume and

value. The Legacy very quickly

became the best, that is to say the

only choice.”Speaking to EBAN's Richard Evans

at the show, Embraer vice chairman

Sam Hill said: “Most of Fadesa's

missions will fall in the category of

2,000nm or under although they will

occasionally need to fly 3,000nm.

They’ve already got several trips

planned to the US.“We’re delighted with the order

and see it as a real breakthrough for

us to start selling and delivering

airplanes in Europe. We’re also

delivering our first airplane into

Europe next month and although

we’re unable to disclose the

customer’s name, the operator will be

GV Executive of Zurich.”

Embraer is now waiting for JAA

certification, which Hill says he

expects next month. While the Fadesa

order brings the total order book for

the Legacy to 74 firm orders and 94

options, we asked Hill about the

Legacy’s popularity specifically in

Europe. He said: “We’ve just started

making inroads into the European

marketplace. We’re delivering two

airplanes into Europe this year which

may not seem like much but for us,

it’s a beginning and we think it's going

to grow substantially. “At the current time, the US is still

the largest market, followed by South

America, where we’ve had some

sales in Brazil.” An extra incentive for operators

in Europe to buy Legacy aircraft is

the announcement of the Total

Legacy Care (TLC) maintenance

programme. The programme covers

scheduled and unscheduled airframe

maintenance during the five-year

period after the delivery of a

customer’s aircraft. When selecting the TLC program,

the customer or operator of a Legacy

pays a fixed hourly rate for the

airframe maintenance based on the

hours flown and operational

parameters. Said a spokesman: “This

covers virtually all the airframe line,

base and heavy maintenance

operations leaving the customer free

to concentrate on the best utilisation

of his Legacy.” TLC is based on a minimum of 400

Spanish developer ready todeploy Europe’s second Legacy

TAG Aviation used this year’s EBACE

to showcase its new handling and

office facilities at Geneva Airport.

The FBO moved just ten metres from

its old premises, which was

considered too small to handle the

increase in traffic passing through.

The company moved into the 300-

metres-squared handling facility and

1,500-metres-squared European

administrative headquarters in April,

a month after completion. Handling supervisor John

Christian said: “We moved because

it’s important to have brand new

facilities in Geneva. PrivatAir and Jet

Aviation were also going to move

here, so it was important to be in this

business centre.” The facilities

include a quick departure lounge and

a larger private lounge with DVD,

refrigerator, coffee machines and

internet access. Along with this is

another spacious lounge with the

same equipment, which can

accommodate a group of twenty. The

crew lounge has a direct view of the

passengers arrival in order to

maximise time efficiency. “We are

TAG reacts to competition at Geneva

Sloane Helicopters has added a Bell

206B helicopter to its AOC in the UK

after what operational services

director Paul Forster described as a

“very long, laborious and painful re-

registration.” The company first spotted the

potential addition in Greece 12

months ago. “We were over there

on a trip and noticed a charter

company had started to cannibalise

two aircraft to keep one of their fleet

flying. We then put a silly bid in for

both machines and they took us up

on it,” he said.The project to make one aircraft

out of the parts was initially

designated for any spare-time that

Sloane’s engineers had. But after a particularly busy year

it was decided that a couple of

workers should be dedicated to

the completion. “From the builders’

point of view it went very

smoothly, particularly as there wasn’t

any real urgency. “It was only after the work had

finished around four months ago

that it became a nightmare due to

Greek bureacracy regarding the

documentation. In fact we eventually

thought it wouldn’t happen, but then

miraculously it came through,”

explained Forster.The Bell will mainly be used for

flight training and charter. “It just

came on the fleet 10 days ago, so it’s

only done some self-fly hire with

some of the members down here but

they’ve all reacted positively to it,”

said Forster. The company didn’t start to

promote the aircraft until the paper

work was completed, so now was the

time to start: “It’s a nice machine –

there’s a brand new interior and it’s

been completely resprayed. “It charters at £480 per hour and

fills the niche for those wanting to go

down to the races (Ascot, Epson), the

Grand Prix and an advantage of

having floats is that it can also go to

Battersea,” he added.This is Sloane’s only Bell 206B and

complements its range of Agusta

109s. “After this I’d like to put a Twin

Squirrel on the fleet (which I know I

could find some good business for)

and also an EC-120,” said Forster.

Sloane proves thatone Bell beatstwo halves

Continued on page 10

JAA certification is expected imminently

for Embraer’s Legacy.

Continued on page 16

Charter operators frustrated by thelong waiting list for their preferredVLJs are showing interest in acquiringa pre-owned Citation S550-2 thatcomes on to the market in Switzerlandin April.

Manfred Brunner, md of theGrowing Group which is handling the sale, says: “It has only been usedfor corporate charter, is in goodcondition and will be ready after someengine maintenance.” The S550-2 wasoperated by WIP Flight Ops, the

corporate flight department of WIPTrading, but the company has nowdecided to use third party aircraft.

Brunner says: “The S550-2, which isfor sale for around US$2.5 million, is not expensive and seats eightpeople. It is therefore a viablealternative to VLJs for those whocannot get one when they want oneand this is a major reason for theinterest we have received.”

See the in-depth VLJ focus on pages 12-13.

VLJ hungry charter operatorsconsider pre-owned S550-2

Aero Air Charter enjoys rising demand for ‘pets charter’

Aero Air Charter is reporting increasing demand for a service that enables its UK-based charter passengers to take their pets on holiday to Europe with them. “Wehave been really surprised how much demand we have had. People obviously likethe pets to be able to accompany them in the cabin,” says Sandra Barnes,operations manager for Aero Air Charter which is based in Gloucester.

Aero Air Charter is registered with the Department for Environment and RuralAffairs to carry pets but PropStar Aviation, the fractional arm, does not itself holda licence from Defra, she adds. EBAN and Aero Air Charter apologise if thisimpression was given in the news item on page 3 of February’s EBAN.

Page 14-15 25/2/08 3:33 pm Page 14


Career opportunities

All advertisements in EBANMarketplace (other than pre-owned aircraft) are available ata cost of UK£39 per singlecolumn centimetre, theminimum depth being fivecentimetres. Advertisers canprovide artwork, or we candesign the advertisement frompictures, words and logos yousupply, free-of-charge. Job

The recruitmentSpecialists

www.businessjetpeople.com

For the latest job opportunities, see:

www.ebanmagazine.com/mag_jobs.html

CESSNA

Citation CJ4

2010, Delivers 4 years sooner than ifpurchased through factory. Williams FJ44-4A engines. Flight deck has fullyintegrated Pro Line 21 avionics consistingof four 8” x 10” displays providing latest ingraphical weather, traffic surveillance andnavigation information. Tel: +1 303 4446766. J. Mesinger Corporate Jet Sales Inc.Web: www.jetsales.com. Email:[email protected]

EMBRAER

Legacy

S/N 145637. Low timed – 2012 Hours/1012Cycles, 12 & 48 month inspection January2007. Only sub-$20M Legacy on themarket. Will deliver on Corporate Care.Chuck Bierwirth, Tel: +1 301 869 4600.Wentworth & Affiliates, Inc.. Web:www.wentworth.aero.

GULFSTREAM

IV

1987, N93AT, S/N 1020, TTAF 6,821 hours,3420 LSN. 100% JSSI coverage. Part 135certified, RVSM compliant. Honeywelland Collins avionics. Executiveconfiguration. Interior: Maroon and beige.Exterior: White with Maroon. Ask:$21,000,000 USD. Aircraft Services Group .Web: www.yourjet.com. Email:[email protected]

HAWKER

800 A

1992, N125GB, S/N 0470, TTAF 6,276, 4290LSN. Engines on MSP Gold Plan. Wingletsinstalled 08/07! Honeywell and Collinsavionics. Part 135 Certified, RVSMcompliant. New interior! Beautiful beigeexecutive cabin. 8 Pax. Exterior new 2004:white and light blue. Ask: $6,500,000 USD.Aircraft Services Group. Web:www.yourjet.com. Email:[email protected]

Premier 1

2004, S/N RB-0116, TT 509 hours, 1ABrake Mod , TAP Elite, On CAMP, SinglePilot Operation, 8.33 Spacing, FMImmunity, TCAS 4000 w/Change 7,Honeywell Mark V EGPWS, L3Communications CVR, 406 ELT, L3 1000EStormscope. Tel: +1 303 444 6766 J.Mesinger Corporate Jet Sales Inc. Web:www.jetsales.com. Email:[email protected]

PILATUS

PC-12/47

2005, S/N 684, 420 h, Home base EDDK inhangar, GPS KLN 90B B-RNAV, WeatherRadar RDR 2000, Radar Altimeter KRA405B, 2x Encoding Altimeter AM250, PilotEFIS 5”, Co-Pilot instrumentation EFIS 5”,VHF Nav/Com KX165A 8.33 kHz, KMD850 MFD, Stormscope WX500, 2nd AHRSLCR-92, KMH880; E-GPWS, TAS, Dual

Garmin GTX330D Transponder Mode S,additional air conditioning, 1st and 2ndBattery NiCad, ELT 406, 6x Cabin 12VDCPower Outlets, 2x Noise cancellingHeadsets in Cockpit, Recognition Lights,Logo Lights, Executive 6-seat interior“Sedona Sky” with BMW Platinumupgrade incl. all seat options, SAT-COMAntenna. Mobile: +41-79-6446100 GeorgLanghans. Email:[email protected]

PIPER

PA-31-350 Chieftain

G-LYDC, For sale or lease Piper PA-31-350Chieftain £159,000 outright or lease (3years minimum) £9,540 security, £3,180PCM + reserves. Lease/purchase, £63,600deposit either 36 months @ £3,308 or 60months @ £2,270. Tel: +44 (0) 1797 322655.Atlantic Bridge Aviation. Web:www.atlanticbridgeaviation.com.

SIKORSKY

S-76B

1989, S/N 760353, TT 4,217 hours, 12429landings. Engine #1 – 4097 TT/Cycles4970, engine #2 3849 TT/Cycles 5451.Gearboxes on Sikorsky PowerTrainAssurance Program, Honeywell avionics,VIP configuration, emergency flotationsystem. Ask: $4,500,000 USD. AircraftServices Group. Web: www.yourjet.com .Email: [email protected]

S-76C+

2000, S/N 760512. TT 1,847 hours. Collinsavionics, Weather radar, GPS, emergencyflotation system. Excellent condition Ask:$7,500,000 USD Aircraft Services Group.Web: www.yourjet.com. Email:[email protected]

S-76C++

2007, Brand new from factory! AvailableJune 2008 – green. Exterior to customer

specifications, FADEC-controlled

Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines, Collins

avionics, excellent opportunity! Ask:

$12,850,000 USD. Aircraft Services Group.

Web: www.yourjet.com. Email:

[email protected]

S-76C++

2007, Brand new from factory! Available

April 2008 – green. Exterior to customer

specifications, FADEC-controlled

Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines,

Collins avionics, excellent opportunity!

Ask: $12,900,000 USD Aircraft

Services Group. Web: www.yourjet.com.

Email: [email protected]

OUR NEXT ISSUE: APRIL 2008

FINAL BOOKING DATE: MARCH 17th

Citation Captains/First OfficersAmber Aviation is currently recruiting for the above flightcrew. Based at Coventry Airport and flying the Citation VIIinitially, additional Citations expected during 2008.Competitive salary and usual benefits.

Jetstream 31 Captains/First OfficersAmber Aviation is recruiting for the above flight crew.Competitive salary and usual benefits.

Operations ManagerAmber Aviaton is recruiting for an experienced OperationsManager for JAR OPS 1 operations. Applicants must becapable of achieving Form 4 accreditation. Based atCoventry Airport with competitive salary and usual benefits

Quality ManagerAmber Aviation is looking for a full time Quality Managerfor JAR OPS 1 operations, based at Coventry.

Part Time flight Attendants – Possibly leading to full time

Amber Aviation is accepting CV’s from qualified cabin crewwho would be interested in flying on board our Citation VIIand J31 aircraft. Initially part time with very goodsprospects of becoming full time relatively quickly. Basedfrom Coventry Airport.

Please send your CV with photograph for the attention of

Paul Forster, ManagingDirector, Amber Aviation,P.O. Box 900, St Albans, AL1 9EQ or e-mail [email protected]

Bristol Eclipse Shares

Three remaining shares for £40,000 (plus £600 pcm &

£350/hr) in this magnificent aircraft cruising at FL370 at

370 KTAS with a PPL or crew, with maintenance, hangars,

training, crews and safety pilots available & H24/ILS/Radar.

2008 Q3 position without early production problems.

FFI [email protected]

Charter BrokerPrivateFly is looking for a Charter Broker to join our salesteam for online private jet bookings.

Experience preferable but strong knowledge and understanding of the Private Jet market is crucial. We'relooking for an enthusiastic, hard working candidate whowould enjoy flexible hours and location (based in Herts officeand from home).

The successful candidate will promote PrivateFly's forward-thinking ethos, representing an exciting new concept inPrivate Jet charter. You'll need excellent customer serviceskills and pro-active sales ability to drive new business.

Package based on performance.Salary + commission + bonus.Send your CV to [email protected]

Global Business Jet Yearbook

Handbook of BusinessAviation in Europe

Handbook of BusinessAviation in Asia Pacific

The reference book for long range business jet

owners and operators worldwide.

www.gbjyearbook.com

The reference book for fixed wing and rotary business

aircraft owners and operators in the Asia Pacific region.

Available June 2008.

www.handbook.aero

The reference book for fixed wing and rotary business aircraft

owners and operators in Europe and the Middle East.

2008/09 edition available May 2008

www.handbook.aero

HANDbook ofbusiness aviation

in Europe

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

0809

Essential reading wherever you are

HANDbook ofbusiness aviation

in ASIA PACIFIC

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opportunity advertisements arealso included on the EBAN website free-of-charge.

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