European Business Air News October 2012

ISSUE 230

OCTOBER 2012

IBAC appoints Edwards to leading role

Business operators fly the African skies Pages 12-13

Apps and digital media

Kaan brings the AW169 to Turkey

Kaan Air has placed orders for two AW169 helicopters, the first in Turkey, plus one AW139 with further options for both types. Celebrating the deal are Ferda Yildiz of Kaan Air and Emilio Dalmasso of AgustaWestland.

See full story on page 3.

The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has appointed Kurt Edwards (pictured) as its new director general with immediate effect.

“Kurt Edwards brings to the organisation substantial experience in international aviation issues,” says IBAC chairman Peter Gatz. “Previous to coming to IBAC, he served in high-level capacities with the International Affairs and Environment Offices of the US Federal Aviation Administration. He also led FAA outreach efforts while based in Brussels and Paris, as well as at ICAO on environmental matters.”

Edwards replaces Donald Spruston, the previous director general who served from 1999 to the present. Spruston announced last year his intent to step down. Since that time the IBAC board has conducted a comprehensive global search to find a replacement with the capability of continuing the development of business aviation policies and interests on issues such as safety, security, air traffic management and the environment.

IBAC is the international nongovernmental organisation that represents the interests of business aviation operators from around the world in international forums, primarily ICAO. Its members, including the EBAA and other European and Middle East groups, are national and regional associations that work together to coordinate global policies and positions for the business aviation community and to represent the community in international rule-making and policy-making work. IBAC’s principal office is located in Montreal, Canada, in the headquarters building of ICAO.

Manhattan corners the market in Premier 1s Farnborough-based AOC operator Manhattan Jets has signed a new contract to manage a third Premier 1 jet, expanding its fleet to five aircraft.

As a result Manhattan Jets says that it now manages every UK-registered Premier 1 aircraft available to charter.

The company has also taken on the operation of a Learjet 45 on behalf of air ambulance operator CEGA. The newest addition to the Premier 1 fleet is available to charter alongside two Learjets (40 and 45XR) and two existing Premier 1s which the company has managed from new. “With the same six-seat, club four plus two configuration, a spacious cabin and plenty of luggage space, the Premier 1 model is one of the fastest light jets in

Pages 9-11

its class capable of speeds of up to 470mph with a range of 2,345 miles, making it an ideal choice to reach a variety of key cities in Europe for leisure breaks and time-saving business trips,” says md Steve Westlake.

The company was the first operator to take delivery of the new Premier 1 in Europe, 19 years ago. “Premier 1s are our expertise. We have grown up with them and know the aircraft inside-out.

Our crew are very experienced and we have more Premier 1 rated pilots than anyone else in the country,” Westlake says.

“Adding a third Premier 1 to the fleet makes perfect sense. With the launch of our new flight commitment programme, Manhattan

Skytime, the demand from businesses for fixed-cost short-hop flights to Europe is growing and the Premier 1 model with its advantageous speed, bigger cabin and luggage capability is an ideal aircraft to service our business customers.”

The air ambulance Learjet, newly acquired by CEGA (as reported in EBAN, August 2012), is expected to benefit clients through its capacity to carry not just patients and medical crews, but also an accompanying relative or employer. Its generous interior makes it suitable for the most complex critical care cases, while its auxiliary power unit provides a climate controlled cabin, even on the ground.

The new jet, which extends CEGA’s

international reach, will join the Bournemouth-based company’s fleet of three Beech King Air 200 aircraft providing air ambulance and repatriation services.

“This significant investment has been made to meet the growing demand for longer distance critical care transfers, particularly from emerging and remote destinations back to Europe,” says Graham Ponsford CEGA group chief executive.

“Our combined fleet now enables us to offer clients optimum air transfer capabilities, within and well beyond Europe; with seamless medical care and communication enhanced by our integrated assistance operation.”

Continued on page 4

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EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

OCTOBER 2012 3

Welcome on board, business aviation professionals of Africa This issue of European Business Air News is the first to go to 566 extra people, hand-picked because they are responsible for 1,950 business aircraft, fixed wing and turbine rotary, across the great continent of Africa. From now on they too will be receiving monthly news about their peers in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and their own region, and we hope they find it interesting and valuable.

In the 23 years since this magazine launched we have reported on the emergence of

business aviation in eastern Europe, followed its modernisation in Russia and the CIS, and tracked its transition into a business tool for overseas investment from the Gulf States. Now we expect to bear witness to the birth of business aviation around the wider Middle East, and its blossoming around the whole of Africa.

Our coverage will now have a new diversity. We will continue to be the leading magazine for business aviation news throughout the hugely valuable and increasingly

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Managing director of Gama Engineering Harry Lees with Trevor Pegrum, EMEA aviation manager, Garmin (Europe).

Belgian coastguard upgrades Islander with Garmin A BN Islander aircraft operated by the Belgian coastguard has received a major enhancement with the installation of a Garmin G600 EFIS system.

The upgrade was made possible by the 50th STC obtained by the design offices at Gama Engineering, which worked on behalf of ASP Avionics in Belgium. “It has been a most rewarding and productive first year for the Gama Engineering

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For now, Air Zermatt will be keeping its crews current on both types, as all of the EC pilots have a lot of experience on it. “We are a small team of pilots, and like this we keep the planning more flexible,” adds Aufdenblatten.

The EMS equipment is yet to be certified, this being expected in midOctober, so the 429 is not currently fully operational.

“Air Zermatt’s selection represents the culmination of efforts from a dedicated team at Air Zermatt and Bell Helicopter,” says Danny Maldonado, executive vp of sales and marketing at Bell Helicopter.

“This is a significant milestone for the 429. It reflects our commitment to the European market and our dedication to providing the right products for our customers.”

Air Zermatt’s selection of the Bell 429 was driven by its requirements for a reliable, fast and manoeuvrable helicopter capable of performing emergency missions at altitudes as high as 15,000 feet, says Bell. A flight demonstration on the top of Matterhorn Mountain (14,690 feet), one of the highest peaks in the Alps, is said to have proved the Bell 429 could successfully complete the mission.

The Bell 429 has conducted extensive flight demonstrations in every continent, except Antarctica, and has been certified in more than 40 countries.

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Istanbul where it has its own dedicated heliport and maintenance complex to support its growing number of customers.

Emilio Dalmasso, svp commercial business, AgustaWestland, says: “The contract for another AW139 demonstrates the continued success of this model in the vip/corporate market. There are now three AW139s operating successfully in Turkey where the aircraft’s high performance, cabin size and modern safety features are recognised as key advantages over the competition. A fourth AW139 will be delivered to a corporate customer in late 2012.”

The first AW169 performed its maiden flight in May and civil certification is expected in 2014 with deliveries commencing in 2015.

team,” says md Harry Lees.

“I am especially pleased that the growth of our Fairoaks activities has resulted in us employing three new engineering trainees and that our design office has completed a remarkable number of STCs, reaching the 50th milestone.”

The company held a special fly-in event for existing and prospective customers at its Fairoaks base in September.

Air Zermatt has taken delivery of the first Bell 429 helicopter in Europe equipped for emergency medical missions. The Alpine rescue expert selected the type for its ability to operate at high altitudes and in extreme conditions.

Recently the fleet has comprised various Eurocopter types, but the company is no stranger to Bell models. It started operation with a JetRanger in 1968, and also used a 412 at the beginning of the 1990s, but this proved too big for its operation and was sold a few years later.

The 429 is the first Bell product Air Zermatt has flown in about 20 years.

“The most important criteria for us is the performance,” says flight operations post holder Daniel Aufdenblatten. “Here, the 429 is significantly stronger than the EC135.

We do rescue missions up to 15,000 feet, and in summertime, sometimes with conditions up to ISA+30, the EC gets very weak and we have to start unloading the medical equipment.

“Also, the rotor system of the EC has certain disadvantages. In bumpy conditions, as it is often the case in the Alps, it can get quite uncomfortable for the patient. The mast moment limitation on the EC can be additional workload for the pilot especially in difficult visibility, such as white out conditions. We hope to get a good improvement here with the Bell 429.”

B

Kaan brings the AW169 to Turkey AgustaWestland distributor Kaan Air has ordered two AW169 and a further one AW139 helicopter for corporate operations in Turkey.

Chairman Ferda Yildiz says: “We are very proud to buy helicopters that are best suited to the demanding Turkish operating environment.

AgustaWestland helicopters are the most powerful and the fastest in their class, which makes them the preferred aircraft in Turkey.”

A fleet of over 20 AgustaWestland helicopters including the AW119Ke, AW109 Power, GrandNew and AW139, are now operating in Turkey performing a wide range of roles including vip and corporate transport, air ambulance, utility, aerial tours and filming.

Kaan Air’s headquarters are in

be consulted online, and will form an important new part of our printed handbook next May. We kick off coverage this month with a brief introduction to African business aviation (pages 12-13), and news of the fledgling African Business Aviation Association, as well as first reports of the continent’s operators in our news columns.

These are exciting times, from Svalbard in the north to Cape Town in the south, and EBAN will be there to cover it all.

David Wright, Editor

Air Zermatt takes Europe’s first Bell 429 for EMS

Expanding Perfect moves to larger hangar Perfect Aviation SA is to move its UK subsidiary Perfect Aviation UK to a bigger, 1,066 square metre hangar and offices located at Biggin Hill airport as the company moves to further expand its maintenance capabilities. It has also achieved EASA Part 145 approval enabling it to take Learjet 45 maintenance in-house.

The new facility has been extensively renovated and the move gives the company additional ramp parking – big enough to park four mid-sized business jets.

Perfect’s aircraft maintenance activities are headed by director of maintenance Nigel Cooper who previously ran a Bombardierapproved maintenance facility for Learjet 40/45 and Challenger 300 types from the same facility. The company already holds approval for Learjet 40/45 maintenance and plans to expand its capability to other types as demand grows. Together with its EASA Part-M Subpart CAMO status it can also offer its services to third party operators.

Perfect Aviation is marking its third year of operations and reports that it has already built up a solid customer base. It prides itself on its highly personalised service and says it delivers a fully transparent operation for the owners of the aircraft it manages.

integrated European arena, but we will also be charting opportunities and developments in some of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Africa has not simply found a place on our masthead, it will also be an important and integral part of all our coverage. Our own directory, the Handbook of Business Aviation (www.handbook.aero), is already being expanded to include African airports, handlers, charter, maintenance and training organisations. This information can

CLOSE TO THE HEART OF LONDON

4 OCTOBER 2012

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

Manhattan corners the market in Premier 1s Continued from front page Publisher and editor: .......... David Wright Sub editor: ........................ Kate Woods Designer: .............................. Chris Carr Advertising manager: .......... Mark Ranger Subscriptions: ................ Janet Edwards Administrator: ...................... Hilary Tyler

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Ignaz Gretener of Pilatus presents Kadri Muhiddin of AMAC Aerospace with an elaborate Swiss cowbell.

The opinions expressed by authors and contributors to European Business Air News are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher. Articles appearing in European Business Air News may not be reproduced in whole or part without the express permission of the publisher. European Business Air News is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork.

Aircraft management operator and Pilatus PC12 sales distributor for the Middle East AMAC Aerospace has opened a new hangar at Istanbul Atatürk airport with a special ceremony during the Airex show in September.

A cocktail reception, hosted by ceo Kadri Muhiddin and coo Atilla Guney welcomed around 200 guests, including leading aviation executives, members of Turkey’s aviation

Turkish base will provide support for Pilatus in Middle East region

Tanzanair to add King Air 350 to the mix Tanzanair is in the process in buying outright a King Air 350, reports md John Samaras. This will join other Beechcraft models in the fleet which already comprises two King Air 200 and two Beech 1900D, along with two Reims F406 Caravan II and two Cessna 208B Caravans.

Established in 1969, the company operates flights for the mining companies, crew changes for oil and gas companies, medevac, aerial surveillance for antipiracy and vip transport as well as providing flights to the bush, using unpaved airstrips for big game hunting clients.

Tanzanair also maintains some 65 aircraft, including all Cessna and Beechcraft piston and turboprop types, as well as managing and maintaining a Dash 8-300 on behalf of a large gold mining company in Tanzania.

authority and Turkish media.

The facilities, which include hangarage, offices and shop-floor space will be dedicated initially to carrying out maintenance support on the PC12-NG. AMAC operates a variety of aircraft types under management for a number of customers, from its bases in Switzerland and now Turkey.

AMAC exhibited at Airex in conjunction with Pilatus, positioning

its privately owned aircraft to showcase on the static display. The PC12 is reported to have generated considerable interest from show visitors. “We are very excited about the prospect for sales in the Middle Eastern region and initial response to the aircraft has been very positive.

Potential clients become even more interested when they appreciate maintenance can be carried out as close as Turkey,” says Guney.

Oryx brings managed Challenger onboard for charter London-based aircraft management and charter company Oryx Jet has added a Challenger 604 to its managed fleet of business jets.

The aircraft entered service in September and is managed from Oryx Jet’s headquarters within affiliated partner Rizon Jet’s FBO/MRO facility at Biggin Hill airport. “This latest addition to our growing fleet boasts one of the widest and quietest cabins in its class and provides an ideal environment for inflight business meetings or relaxation,” the company says.

Mike Russell, ceo, is delighted with the new arrival: “We are excited to welcome the Challenger to our growing fleet, as it further expands our long range capabilities and allows us to continue to offer our clients unparalleled vip service.”

The Challenger 604 can accommodate up to 10 people and is equipped with on-board entertainment and a satellite telephone. It has transcontinental range and is capable of flying non-stop from London to New York.

Oryx Jet’s existing Hawker and Falcon 50 fleet is also complemented by single and twin turbine engine helicopters. It says it is one of an elite group of UK aircraft operators that can fly with a paperless cockpit, and

Manhattan is delighted to have been selected to operate the aircraft: “We directly employ our own Learjet 40XR/45XR rated pilots and are responsible for training the CEGA crew who will fly the new air ambulance,” says Westlake. “All crew undergo an individual focused training process and rigorous crew selection guidelines in line with Manhattan Jets’ bespoke training mandate, ensuring full compliance with standard operating regulations.

CEGA are in the business of saving lives and we are delighted to play a part in this important work.”

CEGA’s new aircraft has been added to Manhattan Jets’ AOC licence. The company will provide an operational support contract, which means Manhattan Jets is responsible for operating the aircraft, selection and training of crew and all aspects to do with flight operations.

Westlake continues: “CEGA has a massive reputation both in aviation and medical repatriation.

The company is the best at what it does having flown its own aircraft for almost 40 years. Both we and CEGA take a very practical approach to doing things properly. This is a great opportunity for us to bring another aircraft under our expertise and undertake missions that are different to our usual vip charter.”

CEGA’s investment in the Learjet 45 supports its recent launch of a global private repatriation division; created to serve individuals in need overseas who either do not have travel insurance or find that their policy does not cover them.

Manhattan believes it offers particularly effective cost-control for managed aircraft customers. “We understand the need to proactively manage the costs associated with all aspects of aircraft ownership, management and charter,” the company says. “For example, monitoring fuel costs, exchange rates and payment options each week to find the most cost-effective airport to uplift fuel and the best way to pay for it, often making considerable savings.”

GainJet extends Boeing fleet

Mike Russell believes charter customers will appreciate the wide-body cabin of the Challenger 604.

its charter aviation service was this year recognised as ‘best charter’ in Europe in The Business Destinations 2012 awards.

“Our business is gaining a reputation for excellence and we are constantly striving to improve our service levels and our customer experience,” adds Russell. “The aircraft management arm of our business is going from strength to strength, and we are confident this latest addition to our fleet will prove a popular choice for business and leisure travellers.”

Athens-based GainJet has acquired an additional Boeing 737 and intends to refurbish it with a stateroom and 54 club class seats to supplement its fleet of vip large capacity aircraft.

Plans include the installation of long range fuel auxiliary tanks to increase flight range to about nine hours.

The 400-series model was previously operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and its sale was brokered by Cabot Aviation.

GainJet already has a longrange vip Boeing 757 with a stateroom, as well as 737s with interiors for 48 and 60 passengers respectively.

GainJet ceo Captain James McBride recently made a video presentation in support of his company’s bid to become the national finalist in the European Business Awards.

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EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

6 OCTOBER 2012

Russia poised on the brink of major business aviation growth The number of business jets in Russia could grow massively to around 1,700 by 2030, according to a report commissioned by the JetExpo show in Moscow.

Modest growth in the fleet is continuing despite world economic concerns and global operations are playing their part, as exemplified by the announcement that Gama Aviation has added two further aircraft management contracts, a Bombardier Challenger 850 and a Boeing BBJ2, to its Russia-based portfolio.

The company’s worldwide portfolio now exceeds 80 aircraft and includes a number of Boeing, Bombardier, Falcon and Gulfstream aircraft based in Moscow.

“We have been supporting the needs of our Russian clients for over 15 years,” says Tom Wells, general manager of Gama Aviation. “Our clients respect our knowledge of the Russian market, our hands-on experience of all major business aircraft types and the global coverage of Gama’s operations. I am proud that the Gama team is able to deliver to Russia’s continuously growing business aviation community our tailored solutions in a safe, servicedriven and cost-efficient manner.”

With nearly 30 years of experience in Europe, USA, the Middle East, and from this year Asia, Gama offers its clients a wide range of aircraft management, charter and maintenance services. It was one of the first business aviation service providers to support Russian customers in the 1990s and says that the market today remains key to its continued development.

General manager Tom Wells and commercial manager Paul Cremer of Gama Aviation were both on hand at JetExpo 2012 in Moscow at the end of September.

The company exhibited at the JetExpo show in Moscow, where organisers revealed the results of a market review. This showed that the most popular aircraft in Russia currently are the Legacy 600, Challenger 300 and Challenger 604/605. The report also revealed that to order a vip charter can be cheaper than flying first class in Russia.

There are 158 business jets registered in Russia according to official data; 83 per cent of these aircraft are owned by companies

operating business and charter flights as well as corporations which operate them for their own needs. Seventeen per cent are managed by operators on behalf of private owners.

The report claims that larger corporations (such as Gazprom, Norilsk Nickel, Severstal) usually purchase larger aircraft like the Falcon 900 or Gulfstream 450/550. These jets often operate flights in accordance with companies’ top management business schedules.

Russian businessmen tend to use jets such as

Citations, which are more economical, while private owners prefer to purchase aircraft such as the Legacy 600 and use it mostly for personal travel, the report says.

Most business traffic is concentrated in the European part of Russia with more than 63 per cent of business traffic at the Moscow airports. About 23 per cent of business flights are operated to St Petersburg.

Vip charters are becoming more popular with Russian business travellers. An average price of business

ExecuJet bases aircraft at new facility in Lagos ExecuJet Africa is responding to rising demand for business aviation in Nigeria with the opening of a new base in Lagos, where two of its own jets will be based for charter service.

Located at Murtala Muhammed International airport, the facility has direct access to the main runway and taxiway and will offer a comprehensive range of services including maintenance, FBO, charter and aircraft management services.

The FBO has modern ground support equipment, a vip lounge and 24-hour support capabilities.

Mark Abbott, group FBO director, says: “ExecuJet’s new Lagos FBO is a direct response to the vibrant growth taking place in this business gateway.

The facility will offer the same

RUBAA urges business aviation to harness media

outstanding customer experience as our award-winning FBOs in Cape Town and Lanseria, with full MRO and technical support capabilities.”

Etti Poggi, md of ExecuJet Africa, comments: “Africa needs modern, safety-regulated aviation services to facilitate the expansion of many industry sectors. ExecuJet is committed to meeting that requirement and contributing to the advancement of an efficient, highgrowth African economy.”

ExecuJet Africa has recently added a fully refurbished Falcon 900EX to its charter fleet, which has long range capabilities providing a travel solution particularly to clients travelling into West Africa, the Middle East and India.

Beechcraft owners fly in for birthday celebration

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charter is 40-45 per cent more expensive than a group flight in first class. However, when a company is ordering a short distance charter flight with a VLJ class aircraft for a group of six to eight people, it can be cheaper than to buy first class tickets for the same number of passengers on a regular flight.

The report estimates that 525 business jets will be purchased in Russia and the CIS by 2020, and 1,016 aircraft in the period from 2021 to 2030.

Privately-owned Beechcraft piston aircraft lined up at Hawker Beechcraft’s EMEA headquarters at Hawarden airport in Broughton recently. The fly-in event was the first of its kind hosted in the UK by Hawker Beechcraft and marked the manufacturer’s 80th anniversary.

Aircraft owners from across Europe met, shared experiences and discussed the market. Two-thirds of all manufactured Hawker Beechcraft aircraft are still in operation today, the company says.

If a business aviation company does not interact with the media, this probably indicates hidden internal flaws such as poor service or inappropriate levels of staff training, and has a negative impact on the efficiency of the company. This was the conclusion of a round-table meeting ‘Media and business aviation’ hosted by the Russian United Business Aviation Association (RUBAA). The round-table discussion gathered representatives of the Russian media specialising in business aviation.

“In this age of information technology, companies need to communicate with the public through the media,” says Alexei Korolev, analyst at Upcast Media agency. The only exceptions, he says, may be the private companies that work for just one client. “If a company works on the open market and avoids contact with the media, sooner or later it will affect the efficiency of its activities,” Korolev adds.

Yellow angels stay faithful to Eurocopter ADAC Air Rescue is continuing the process of introducing EC145 and EC135 helicopters as replacements for its BK117 fleet, and placed orders for 14 EC145 T2 and three EC135 P2e, to be delivered 2013-2017.

“ADAC’s commitments for new helicopters and their associated SAR equipment represent an investment of over €130 million in the future of air rescue operations in Germany,” managing director Stefan Wessling explains. “Eurocopter is providing an aircraft with unbeatable performance characteristics to replace our BK117 helicopters over the long-term.”

Eurocopter’s Wolfgang Schoder says: “We are very pleased that ADAC has once again chosen Eurocopter, marking a continuation of more than 40 years in our close and successful cooperation. With the EC145 T2, ADAC will be operating the newest aircraft in the light twinengine helicopter category. It was developed in close consultation with air rescue organisations with the specific aim of further satisfying operators’ exacting safety and performance requirements.”

With an existing fleet of 49 helicopters, ADAC is one of

Eurocopter’s largest European customers in the emergency medical services market segment.

The “yellow angels,” as ADAC’s helicopters are sometimes called, operate from more than 35 helicopter bases across Germany.

The new helicopters will be fitted with medical equipment and the communication tools needed for rescue operations. Sporting ADAC’s classic yellow livery, they will be deployed as air ambulances for transporting intensive care patients from one hospital to another, as well as in rescue missions.

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

Management team at MENA is strengthened for international expansion MENA Aerospace Enterprises of Bahrain has made a number of management appointments to support its sustained growth and regional expansion.

Dr Mohamed Juman, md, says: “We are pleased with the progress our business units have made in Bahrain.

However, like most companies, we need to focus on markets throughout the region. With these appointments, we are aligning our key management structure in a way that allows us to focus on the regional and international aviation business opportunities while solidifying our base in Bahrain. These changes will allow us to expand our service offering and markets in a manageable and measured manner.”

Ralph Eisenschmid, previously ceo, has been appointed to the role of executive director. He has been part of the management team since the company’s founding in 2004, and will continue to be responsible for business development and strategic planning with the addition of caring for the groups’ corporate affairs and regulatory compliance.

OCTOBER 2012 7

Seventh base hosts flight instructor academy Heli Air is now fully operational at the most recent of its seven bases, at Gloucestershire airport.

The company is Europe’s largest Robinson helicopter distributor and operations at Gloucester are expected to expand to include a five-seat R66 and a Bell 206 JetRanger in the near future, followed by additional R22s and a Bell LongRanger.

The Gloucester base will be home to Heli Air’s new flight instructor academy. Captain Mike Buckland, a specialist in training commercial pilots to become helicopter flight instructors will be the base manager.

He has extensive knowledge of piloting, flight instruction and pilot skills testing and examinations as well as public transport capabilities, and will be responsible for all Heli Air activities at the base, including its ongoing development.

Brian Kane, head of sales and marketing, says: “The company has been expanding continuously over

An open day marked the launch of Heli Air’s new base.

the past two years and when the opportunity arose to secure a newly built facility adjacent to the control tower, we were quick to seize it.

Jet Aviation is about to add a Moscowbased Global 5000 to its fleet of managed aircraft. The company is working in close cooperation with the Swiss FOCA to bring the aircraft onto its AOC, and expects it to be available for charter in December. It will be managed by Jet Aviation and available as soon as approval for commercial transport is secured. It will comfortably accommodate 10 passengers for a range of up to 9,000km.

“We are thrilled to make this Global 5000 available to our charter customers in Moscow, where longdistance, wide-body business jets are preferred,” says Claudio Peer, vp of sales for aircraft management and charter, EMEA and Asia.

Ian Ludlow, general director at Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo, says: “Having entered into a spare parts agreement with Bombardier, we have an excellent working arrangement and are committed to upholding the highest service standards.”

OUR FAMILY OF CUSTOMERS | A LETTER SERIES

FlightSafety: Enhancing Safety for Generations

Omar Mattar steps up to the role of ceo for all operations in Bahrain.

Matt Simpson Chief Pilot

Ralph Eisenschmid, with the company since its foundation, becomes executive director.

Omar Mattar, formerly general manager, has been promoted to the role of ceo responsible for all divisions and operations in Bahrain.

Mattar spent 31 years with Gulf Air before joining MENA during last year.

Khalid Albinfalah has been appointed to the role of general manager of SA MENA Avionics, the group’s avionics installation and repair division.

The corporate group consists of MAE Aircraft Management which operates business jets and airliners under its Bahraini AOC; MAE Jet Charters Company which sells and coordinates vvip travel on chartered business jets; SA MENA Avionics and MAE Aviation Real Estate.

Gloucestershire airport is very centrally located, close to the M5 and the A40 roads, and has a large helicopter presence already.”

Jet Aviation’s Moscow fleet goes global

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8 OCTOBER 2012

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

MEBAA highlights the vital role that business aviation plays in humanitarian work The Middle East Business Aviation Association is showing its support for the United Nations World Food Programme by supporting the Fourth Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference in Jordan, while promoting business aviation as a critical component in the supply chain that delivers food to people in territories where no other form of transport has access.

Presented by the World Food Programme, the event has government backing from the UAE and Jordan, ICAO, the Flight Safety Foundation and the respective national and international aviation authorities, joining together to discuss how aviation can help eradicate world hunger.

The event offers a platform to debate programmes and projects related to aircraft certification, maintenance, operations, training, and aviation safety.

Speaking about the partnership Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, founding chairman of MEBAA, says: “Business aviation is not generally associated with its humanitarian efforts, as it goes about playing a silent but incredibly

significant role. Our members’ aircraft can often provide the fastest way to deliver humanitarian assistance during emergencies caused either by man-made or natural disasters.

Coupled with this is the importance of aviation safety in order to avoid any accidents that may add further stress to what could already be considered as volatile situations.

“So for MEBAA, the Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference is the perfect platform to promote our members’ value and expertise in humanitarian efforts, and to participate in on-going dialogue regarding aviation safety globally.”

The conference also gave a platform for the first Humanitarian Aviation Awards Ceremony organised by the WFP. The award categories are ‘The humanitarian leadership award’, ‘The aviation safety advocacy award’ and ‘Humanitarian aviation safety supporting partner recognition’.

These symbolic awards will be presented to an individual or organisation within the aviation industry that has excelled in contribution towards a humanitarian cause.

Twinjet’s Keeble looks back over thirty highly eventful years Twinjet Aviation has marked the 30th anniversary of its establishment in 1982 by chairman John Keeble and original co-founder Paula Downes at Luton airport, where the company maintains a permanent base and operations department to this day. The business originally began as an international aircraft brokerage, but has developed into aircraft management and subsequently aircraft operations with the opening of a dedicated operations department in 1999.

Over the years, Twinjet has achieved a number of aviation firsts in the UK. In 1999, it was issued with a public transport AOC and a type A operating licence by the UK CAA, the only UK-based private jet operator to be awarded this licence, certifying the company to the same operating standards as commercial airlines.

Twinjet was also the first UK operator of the Airbus A319 type and currently has an ACJ and a Challenger 604 under full aircraft management.

In 2008, Twinjet Aircraft established its first overseas base in Dubai. Established to serve existing clients in the Middle East region, it enabled the company to extend aircraft sales and management services into Asia, the former Soviet Union and the Far East.

Keeble’s recollections are vivid: “When we launched Twinjet, we began business with one telephone and one aircraft to sell. We are now an international and multilingual team of aviation professionals with offices around the world.

“In 1982, the market for corporate jets was quite well established in both Europe and North America and was beginning to take off in the Middle East and Africa. However, the business jets available were mostly what we now call mid-size – largely the Falcon 20 and HS125.

“Public perception does seem to have changed from the 80s where most owners tried to hide ownership.

I think that fractional ownership schemes have helped with image problems, although there are several major British household names that do not publicise ownership – especially in the supermarket arena!

“The most significant change to the brokerage world was the introduction of the internet. No longer could dealers control the market;

John Keeble established Twinjet in 1982 with a staff of three, but the company has grown considerably since then.

Twinjet in action – before the desks arrived.

anyone can type in ‘Gulfstream 550 for sale’ and obtain ten hits!

“My original partner, an ex Marines F4 Phantom pilot, Richard C Jones, summed up the early days of brokerage with the phrase: ‘John, we have to create and maintain an air of ambiguity.’ No longer possible with internet coverage.

“I have met and made friends with many characters during the past 30 years, both as professional brokers and customers. One of my first clients was a Nigerian chief who insisted on acquiring a Hawker 125-1B. I tried to advise him that for his extended family, this would not do the job. First flight from Luton, a truck appeared with the luggage – 17 trunks, a 12 feet square carpet, many baskets of catering and 11 passengers. I resold

the aircraft later that month!

“A Spaniard, Carlos Fanhul, came by mistake to our office in Halcyon House, Luton, looking for Rogers Aviation, Cranfield. A cabbie dumped him and left. Together Carlos and I sold eight corporate jets to Spanish clients over the next three years.

“An Essex based painter and decorator, who made money in the North Sea oil platform business, bought a Hawker from me and insisted on painting it matt black. The cabin temperature soared when parked in the south of France such that the aerosols on board exploded.

We resold that later in white.

“Finally, I delivered a beautiful Saudi-owned Boeing 727-200A to a Crown Prince, resident in Geneva. At the closing meeting, 22:00 hours in the palatial residence overlooking Lake Geneva, the financial advisor whispered to HRH to request confirmation that all the technical records were available for inspection.

‘Yes, they are in the stores at the airport,’ I said. ‘I would like to see them here before I pay over the bank draft,’ said HRH. Two hours later, 300 kilos of records, in stained wooden cases, were deposited on HRH’s 18th century Persian carpet. He paid.

“I think that the scale of financial pressure is much greater today than those recessionary periods of the early 80s and mid 90s. In the early days, I could stop paying the salaries because there were only three of us.

We have today, in the group, more than 40 employees with mortgages and families. So, I have to work very hard to ensure that their positions are not compromised – a huge incentive.

“To summarise, the job of the broker even in the electronic world is to be available 24/7 to take telephone calls, be you in a ski chalet, a beach or a remote African airfield; personal service sells aircraft.”

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE Me & My Aircraft:

Super midsize jets NOVEMBER 2012

OCTOBER 2012 9

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

APPS AND DIGITAL MEDIA

Oryx Jet and Rizon Jet are embracing mobile media and developing their own app, planned for launch early next year. Pictured is Oryx Jet ceo Mike Russell.

Luddites or realists?

Business charter is yet to embrace new media The average business aircraft owner or operator spends his working life in close proximity to technology at the cutting edge.

Whether it is fly-by-wire, glass cockpits, flight planning and tracking or satellite communications, it can all be part of everyday flying.

So you might expect such technophiles to also be at the forefront of new media, building business by providing new and exciting ways for customers to be in touch.

For the most part, you would be wrong.

In this survey we asked helicopter, turboprop and business jet charter companies across the EMEA region to tell us about their new media experiences. We found that most felt it was essential to have a professionallooking web site with pictures and facts about the fleet and capabilities, some thought it was useful to supplement this with Facebook or Twitter offerings to promote new developments, but very few have taken the next step to provide users with mobile apps.

Even the social media users were fairly evenly split between “it’s not very useful” and “it is good for driving up traffic to the web site.”

Virtually nobody makes sales through it.

And so it is that the iTunes store and the Android marketplace remain uncluttered by air charter operators, with the early adopters few and far between.

Premium Jet is one of the industry’s app pioneers, and makes use of Avinode’s iPhone app that allows customers to search for regular business jet charter round trips and empty legs. Sales and marketing director Marcel Wepfer reports that it has found some popularity, with several hundred customers downloading it since it hit the iTunes store. He says: “We were Avinode’s first customer. The development was easy for us, since Avinode was doing the programming; we just had to send in pictures and colour codes so that it fitted to our corporate identity.”

In Premium Jet’s case, the app is certainly

Social media users help promote the Rizon Jet brand, says ceo Captain Hassan Al-Mousawi

helpful. “This is measurable since we get requests (and bookings) through it every now and then,” says Wepfer. “However, sometimes it’s impossible to find out how a new contact got to know us – maybe through the iPhone app, maybe by personal recommendation, through our web site or otherwise.”

On the web site, users can find an online charter quoting tool and all available empty legs, both features developed by Avinode.

Avinode’s apps were first developed two years ago when it was looking into new ways for member charter companies to reach their customers. Versions are available that allow the operator to provide quotes for all charters, empty legs only, and to offer just its own fleet or the whole Avinode system.

As publicly-distributed software, tail numbers are not quoted and on the broker version the operator name is not quoted, but the figures and availability are real. To date, ten operators are using the apps. Avinode reports that, in general, members are happy about the marketing effect it has, helping to spread awareness of their brand. “However, success is not automatic and it has to be seen as part of a broader strategy,” says the company.

Some apps are simpler than others. Henley Air is a helicopter and flight training centre based at Rand airport in Johannesburg and its iPhone app HenleyCam features frequently updated panoramic views of the activities taking place on the helipads.

Webmaster Marc de Fontaine reveals that HenleyCam has proved successful and continues to draw in users. “During periods of downtime for the app we have had requests from as far afield as America, Australia and the UK asking when the webcam will be functional again,” he says. “From a more local point of view, the app has provided an important safety feature for pilots flying into and out of Rand airport. They are able to see the weather conditions here and plan flights accordingly.”

Although Henley Air has both a Facebook page and Twitter account, de Fontaine finds it difficult to say whether these social media tools have improved charter business, but he does believe they have increased the profile of the organisation in general. “Henley Air recognises the importance of being on these platforms and they link in well with the web site to provide good coverage to all our users.”

He suggests that a good web site is essential to any business nowadays and even more important in the competitive world of helicopter charter and training in South Africa.

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EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

APPS AND DIGITAL MEDIA Continued from preceding page

particularly well but for a different reason: our web site does not have all the fancy programming features of major graphics. We find these are time consuming when the web site loads and can be very irritating to users.”

Rizon Jet’s charter business is currently developing an app which it expects to be available early next year.

In the meantime, the company’s offerings in terms of charter availability are covered by third party broker apps. “We recognise the importance of an enhanced web and mobile presence to help brokers and direct clients find better charter deals,” says ceo Captain Hassan Al-Mousawi.

Doha-headquartered Rizon Jet has Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles to raise awareness of the brand and gain a competitive edge.

Al-Mousawi says: “If we can encourage our customers to share their experiences and talk about our brand, we will be one step ahead of our competitors who have yet to fully embrace the opportunities presented by social media. We don’t necessarily see these platforms as sales generators, but we appreciate the advantages of having ‘brand ambassadors’ spreading the word about Rizon Jet.” Al-Mousawi does not believe that a fancy web site will attract customers: “What’s important about a web site is the user experience. Innovative features are great if they enhance the experience, but there’s no point being too innovative if the user doesn’t want clever gimmicks.”

Developing an app that meets the need to customise each flight to the client’s requirement is the challenge facing Anastasios Economou at Athens-based ICSS SA. Once the app has been launched, Economou believes that a considerable number of customers will make use of it. “However, as our service is very customer oriented and every flight takes a large amount of personal customisation, it is hard to set up something standardised that the customer will find useful.”

Planned for launch in time for next summer’s seasonal traffic, it will work on both iOS (Apple mobile operating system) and Android platforms.

Features will include alerts about the flight; an update on helicopter location; weather updates; request for quotation; suggested destination; safety of flight information; and things to see at your destination.

“Our business has a Facebook and Twitter account. We think it will be helpful in the future to gain new charter business, as social media marketing is one of the latest methods of advertising on the internet,” says Economou. “We try to use these tools not only to attract new customers but also to increase the traffic on our web

Qatar Airways ceo Akbar Al Baker says the company’s Russian language web site meets the needs of a key market.

site, and we try to make use of the biggest advantages of social media tools – the speed of communication and the ability to tailor marketing messages to the audience.”

Economou believes that a web site is the face of a company: “A lot of people do online research before purchasing something and an attractive web site can draw more and more users to visit it. The more traffic our web site has, the better the chances are to generate higher profits.”

Another company working towards making an app available is Arab Wings, based in Jordan. Head of sales and marketing Manal Obeid says that the company’s Facebook and Twitter presence do not give a lot of return in new business, while its web site is updated regularly to give potential customers a good idea of what Arab Wings is about.

Qatar Airways’ private jet division has launched a Russian language web site to promote its product in the buoyant Russian market where luxury travel is on the rise. Akbar Al Baker, ceo, says: “Russia and the CIS nations are one of our key markets due to the continuing booming economy in the region. The launch of a Russian language site improves Qatar Executive’s ability to serve existing customers in the region and attract new clients.”

Chel-Avia in Russia has a Facebook page that, while not utilised for its charter business, is helpful for its training and sightseeing side of the business. Irina Manatina believes that the ideal web site should offer a medium through which the customer can find answers to all their questions.

Cost is the barrier to the development of an app at Oya Vendée Hélicoptères, according to Nicolas Boltoukhine. Alongside that, the company would like to connect its web site to its helicopters in-flight, ideally via iPad, although again cost is

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Premium Jet was Avinode’s first app customer according to Marcel Wepfer.

proving prohibitive. “We are still dreaming,” says Boltoukhine, adding that Facebook and Twitter accounts have not boosted business at all.

One of the most obvious issues that a fully functioning app in charter business presents is the loss of direct contact with customers, the point at which a more suitable service or aircraft could be offered. Ghaith Semaan at Nasjet (SA) reports that, while its commercial airlines makes full use of all forms of mobile and social media, the private aviation side is better suited to a more personal approach. “We are already one of the largest operators for private jets in the region with more than 30 operating aircraft. Facebook and Twitter help more when a business is new and growing. Personally, I am unsure how it would help when the organisation has been established for over 20 years and has a very large client base.”

Emphatically stating his case against booking through an app rather than over the telephone is K5-Group’s Erik Scheidt: “I am aware of a lot of fancy apps and features but we decided at K5 that we should concentrate on our business of flying passengers from A to B. “None of our clients ever managed to get to B by swiping along on the iPhone! I leave it to others to develop apps that tell you what to do and how.

Those apps are counterproductive concerning communication.

I appreciate talking to people and perhaps finding out that there is another airport close by which suits them better. Or by talking about their last flight we can improve on the next trip.”

Turkish Helicopter operator Sancak Air has a Facebook account which is used mostly for the latest company and aircraft news. General manager Yavuz Murat Yüzgen looks on an effective web site as an important tool: “The information you provide and the initial impression of the web page attracts customers.

Having a good and up-to-date web page takes the company one step above its competitors.”

Kenya’s Phoenix Aviation has a

news section and video on its web site, an element that Ingrid Strahammer believes gives added confidence to those making bookings. “I feel a good web site is the key to gaining confidence in potential clients,” she says. “Most people will look at the web site of a company before making any enquiries, especially in aviation in Africa. Internet in Kenya is not quite what it is in Europe. We are slowly but surely getting there and the internet speeds are improving every day.”

Phoenix has made a conscious decision not to involve itself in social media. “We decided to keep away from Facebook and Twitter, which might indeed gain us new business but we decided to not follow the ‘migration’. It definitely has its pros and cons but I decided to steer the company away from this. I might look into an app for Phoenix though!”

Another believer in the power of a good web site is Carol Sobey, ceo of JNC Helicopters in South Africa. “It is a very strong business tool – it’s the only way of getting your name out there internationally as well as locally.

The would-be student and client gets a good understanding of what the business is like, size of fleet, and prices.” Online tools include the weather and student videos.

Ari Tiittanen, managing director and pilot at Finnish operator Heliwork Oy, is also focusing on a strong internet presence. “A good web site is very important, this is the way you are found today. You have some idea (name of the owner, type of work wanted, name of the company, etc) and then you use Google. We are still working on our web pages.”

Hangar8 does not have its own app, but commercial director Andy Baker has prior experience having set up an app around two years ago for his company Air1Charter. Simple screen shots of the site and a direct contact page where a press of the screen can call in or email an enquiry are available to users.

ARINC’s app delivers a paperless cockpit experience.

Baker is one of the few respondents who felt that a web site was not of great importance: “People don’t read web sites any more, it’s how you present your quote and listen to the needs of the client. Industry knowledge, ability and flexibility are key,” he concludes.

“Our company Grossmann Jet Service is indeed friendly with social media,” says marketing manager David A Couto. “However, we have decided that it is best to use it only to strengthen brand awareness, to increase transparency and to improve our reputation.”

“There is something we need to be careful about in our industry, namely the privacy our clients require.

Therefore we discounted the apps which could have a negative impact, such as those based on geo location or the ones to share pictures, even when there is a good chance we would benefit from an indirect endorsement since we travel often with celebrities.

There are times when they chose to make their life non-public.”

The use of Facebook to indicate a company’s popularity can be misleading. Couto cites the instances where some are happy with getting ‘likes’ in high volumes which may be entirely irrelevant to the business. He adds: “Twitter is unfortunately not widely used in the CEE countries, although we do have it and use it from time to time.”

Efficient customer care, a good service, and continuous affordability are more important than a good web site, according to MyJet marketing manager Laura Rossi. Facebook and LinkedIn accounts do not help the company gain much business, although Rossi admits that it is not very active in this area.

Will Banks, chief pilot at Cheshire Helicopters, believes that his company’s Facebook and Twitter pages do not generate any bookings directly but do help to raise the main web site up the search engine rankings. “I wouldn’t say we have any innovative features, but we have a very dynamic, professional site,” he says.

“Web sites must be kept up-to-date to encourage people to revisit,” says Christopher Mace, md of SaxonAir Charter, which has a Facebook page, with Twitter to follow shortly.

“Facebook is a source of information, and we use it as a tool to update our clients about the company, new offers and services.”

Mace reports that the company’s own online charter quote system, a form that generates a personal call back, works well and receives many enquiries: “It is a chance to showcase the company; we at SaxonAir feel this is a very important aspect of our overall marketing and brand image awareness.”

A six-month trial of the Avinode Broker link had its pros and cons, according to Mace: “While it was an excellent tool and gave an indicative price and filtered many of the requests, the filtering system also cut out any direct client liaison which we felt was more important.”

For Executive Air in Harare, Zimbabwe, the most universal form of electronic communication, the humble email, remains king. “Being in the bookings office, we are constantly on our email and frequently get simple requests from clients as regards aircraft capacity and routes flown, for which we can refer clients to our web site,” says Lara Langlois.

“In my opinion a good web site is very important for a company, especially in a world where so much research is now done over the internet. Our site is useful in that we can refer clients to it to look at our aircraft, find out about our fleet, pilots and maintenance support.

“We do have a Facebook page, but find most of our business is generated by email. Facebook is really only a

OCTOBER 2012 11

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

place where existing customers view an updated status, or pictures of recent flights posted by our pilots,” Langlois says.

Baltimore Helicopter Services does not have its own app, but does make use of Twitter, Facebook, Yelp, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube frequently. Jessie Bowling, director of sales and marketing, says: “I believe social media plays a large role in establishing brand credibility, especially for our regional helicopter charter services in the US and Israel; while many of our followers may not lead to a direct sale, I think it is important to make the service known and desirable to everyone in the area.”

Bowling feels there are similarities here with the marketing strategies of luxury goods brands in that social media helps create value to clients by offering them a product that is desired by many but obtainable by only a few.

“More importantly, using social media has been a great way to improve our online visibility and search engine optimisation. When a client is looking for your service, it should be right at their fingertips.

Social media offers the chance to have a multitude of web sites advertising your service while only spending a few man hours to update and keep pages interactive,” adds Bowling.

“This has certainly led to more people finding our service and, subsequently, more charter sales.”

Web and social media form part of an integrated marketing strategy at Cello Aviation. The airline says it has total belief in its product but as a relatively new operator, having just celebrated two years in business, raising awareness is a key objective.

UniNet Mobile is Universal Avionics’ mobile version of its web site.

Cello’s sales team reports that it is almost unheard of now for those they speak with not to have some awareness of the airline. Social media like Twitter is used to ‘drive’ traffic to the web site. As well as providing vital information about the airline, there is also a YouTube link featuring a variety of company footage and a regularly updated news section.

Cello recognises that the web is the first port of call for people looking for information about a business and believes that an attractive and informative web presence is essential.

Using a Facebook page to lead clients onto its web site is a strategy that works for ACM Air Charter.

Director of sales and marketing Jonas Kraft says: “We designed a new web site in spring, where we show our customer an interactive 3D hangar in the style of our facilities at our Baden airport base, with useful anchor points to zoom to the different services offered, such as charter, fleet, handling, maintenance, training etc.

“We also have a fleet navigator to get a comparison of our different aircraft in terms of range, space, baggage space, age etc.”

The company web site is the modern day equivalent of the business card, suggests Kraft. “The first impression is very important to get a feeling of the company. But it

APPS AND DIGITAL MEDIA

Vladimir Petak, ceo of ABS Jets, is a proponent of the user-friendly web site as a key marketing tool.

must also have useful information and images.”

Agreeing with Kraft’s belief that the web site has replaced the business card is Bjorn Mollet of ASL Private Jets. “A good web site is very important, it’s a way people can start to know your company and we have just built our new one.”

Vladimir Petak, ceo of ABS Jets, explains why the company does not have an app for its charter business: “The main reason is that charter business is not our core business, therefore we didn’t set preference for it when we were creating our new web pages.

“We started our Facebook account several years ago to keep our customers updated about our news and achievements, but I don’t think it generates new business for us.”

ABS Jets launched its new web site just weeks ago. Petak feels it is very important to offer clients a credible source of company and corporate information. “It describes our services, introduces the team, shows the latest news, company achievements etc. It is very modern, elegant, offering plenty of information; at the same time it is user friendly and easy to check on iPads or smartphones. In the customer zone, our customers can get all necessary documentation.”

Privatair has plans to develop its own app in 2013. Also in the pipeline, but currently under wraps, is an online project for charter: “It is too early to talk about it,” says Tanya Molskaya. “We also have a new web site up to the latest standards of design that we are very pleased with.”

Take your pick from the commercial apps Those providing services to business aircraft operators have been rather more eager than the operators themselves to invest in new media communications.

A professional pilot who took an app he developed for his flight department and turned it into a commercially-available product believes the iPad is revolutionising the aviation industry. President of Cockpit Apps Robert Creek says: “Pilots on everything from a Gulfstream 550 all the way to a Cessna 152 are using the iPad. We have just scratched the surface with respect to using its full capabilities. It is having a positive impact on flight operations, in terms of efficiency and saving money.”

We found a variety of companies with apps already well established in their marketing or product support strategies and these are just a few: • Cessna’s Citation Performance Calculator maximises takeoff and landing data and offers a tool for determining engine-out performance. It is FAA-approved on the PC and in the process of FAA approval on the iPad. Cessna’s Loading Calculator uses an aircraft-specific weight and balance file to determine takeoff and landing weight and centre of gravity

after entering passengers, cargo and fuel load. Cessna is currently working on the Electronic Operating Manual, which uses a worldwide airport and navaid database to plan a route, calculating time, fuel and distance.

• ARINC Direct’s iPad app provides a paperless cockpit experience. It gives access to the flight plan, with Bluetooth simultaneous annotation for pilots, GPS moving map with radar weather overlay, access to weather and NOTAM information, European and North American AIP charts and approach plates available.

• Multi Service Aero’s smartphone app of its FBO Locator allows pilots and flight planners to locate Aero Card accepting merchants around the globe. A variety of fields including IATA, ICAO, country and city can be searched. The map utility zooms into an area, showing all accepting merchants there.

• Colt International has released a trip-planning app that provides customers with the same information digitally that they could get by calling in for updates.

• TAG Farnborough airport’s iPhone app gives pilots information about the airport, including METAR/TAF feeds and radio frequencies, services and facilities available locally. Users are able to submit handling requests and find lists of useful contacts.

• Duncan Aviation has improved its contact app. The AOG Service app enables stranded operators to find the nearest location and offers 24/7 phone numbers and tech representative contacts. Mobile-friendly versions are available of myDuncan aircraft project management web site and the parts search site.

• Universal Avionics offers UniNet Mobile for Android, a mobile version of the UniNet web site. It allows operators to browse account information, view orders/invoices, download database subscriptions and access customer support information.

Remote operators are able to update FMS navigation data remotely.

• G-OPS has revamped its image and web site to better reflect the company’s international reach. A new navigation system and home page layout allows operators and flight dispatchers to quickly send a handling request online.

• Cockpit Apps iLOG provides flight crews with a simple alternative to traditional pen-and-paper flight logs.

The app follows a crew through a typical day, tracking components like duty and flight time, VOR checks, and RVSM altimeter settings. ■

O P E R AT I O N S N E W S . . .

Universal renovates Stansted FBO Universal Aviation UK has inaugurated its renovated FBO at London Stansted with a celebration attended by clients, airport officials and media. The refurbishment includes all-new crew and passenger lounges, a business centre and video conferencing facility, two client meeting rooms, private screening facilities, and ultra-modern showers and changing rooms. “This facility may have a new look and feel, but we’ve had a presence at Stansted for 28 years and in Europe for almost 40,” says chairman Greg Evans. “In the last two years, we’ve added two new European Universal Aviation locations in Venice and Girona, bringing our total in Europe to 11. And, through the acquisition of Air Culinaire, we now have two owned kitchens in London and Paris.”

Middle Eastern 747-8 is a first for AAC Associated Air Center in Dallas has signed a contract for the vvip interior completion of a wide body aircraft for a Middle Eastern country. It is the first Boeing 747-8i series completion for AAC and its sixth wide-body completion project. AAC will take delivery of the green aircraft during the fourth quarter of this year.

ABS celebrates 7,000 During September ABS Jets celebrated the 7,000th aircraft to be handled since they started as a handling agent in 2008. The landmark customer was an Embraer Phenom 300 which stopped overnight in Prague en-route.

Jan Kralik, ground operations director, says: “The team at ABS Jets initiated a strategy to ensure that our handling department is perfectly placed to manage the increased demand. We opened our new hangar in the latter part of 2011 and have expanded our handling department with an increased number of agents. The team is performing extremely well, it is great to see our plans turning into record breaking results.”

ExecuJet expands Dubai FBO ExecuJet Middle East has expanded its FBO at Dubai International airport by taking over the largest dedicated business aviation

terminal in the Middle East. Its facilities now include the terminal building previously managed by Executive Flight Service and offer additional lounge space, expanded customs and immigration services, including e-gate services and dutyfree shopping. In a further service enhancement, ExecuJet manages all ground handling for aircraft using the FBO. Mike Berry, md, ExecuJet Middle East, says: “Our introduction of full ground handling services in Dubai is another important development, giving us an enhanced level of control over aircraft arrivals and departures. This change will enable ExecuJet to offer an even more efficient service to passengers and crew.”

New FBO owner commits to Luton RSS Enterprises Ltd has acquired Ocean Sky Jet Centre and its subsidiary companies Ocean Sky Engineering, Ocean Sky Aircraft Interiors and Ocean Sky Jet Centre (Prestwick).

RSS has appointed Eddie Allison as group managing director to oversee the development of the business including the commitment to the on-going new build of the flagship FBO at Luton airport. The businesses will be rebranded as RSS Jet Centre, RSS Aircraft Engineering, RSS Aircraft Interiors and RSS Jet Centre (Prestwick) respectively.

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EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

12 OCTOBER 2012

Major western operators see the potential of the African market and get in early

AFRICAN REGIONAL REVIEW

The continent of Africa clearly has massive potential for business aviation; long distances between commercial centres, large raw material reserves in remote locations, and a huge population.

EBAN’s own subscriber database lists 1,926 aircraft, including all turbine helicopters, turboprops, business jets and piston twins – although our records are patchy with regard to the latter – and these are very unevenly spread. In fact over 800 are registered in the dominant business aviation centre, South Africa, with Kenya (150), Nigeria (149), Angola (93), and Tanzania (80) following up. The least developed nations are often home to only a handful of aircraft.

It seems highly likely that future growth in GDP across the continent, predicted to be in excess of six per cent on average per year, will push this number higher.

The leading international business jet operators have already recognised that there are good opportunities in bringing European standards of aircraft operations into emerging markets, where overseas investors and growing domestic industries

The King Air series is popular throughout Africa.

need effective transport.

Hangar8 currently has four African bases in Johannesburg, Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria and Pointe Noire, Congo. Currently, over 70 per

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cent of the Hangar8 charter fleet is based there. Activity has grown significantly in only 18 months of operating in the continent.

Chief executive Dustin Dryden says: “Africa is a vibrant emerging region and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Oil, mining and food industries are all growing; air travel in Africa is up 9.8 per cent this year. With a consumer market of one billion people and a $1.6 trillion forecast consumer spend by 2020, we see a healthy future for business aviation.’’

The majority of charter bookings are made by passengers flying intraAfrica, to the Middle East and Europe.

Travel domestically and to destinations in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in particular are growing in demand, Dryden notes. Hangar8 has recently added medical evacuation flights to the types of services offered to its client base.

The company has line maintenance facilities in Lagos, Abuja and Pointe Noire.

One of the challenges of operating within Africa is that some of the domestic destinations can be ‘off the beaten track’ and therefore more operationally challenging than those of more developed continents.

Hangar8 has tackled this issue by ensuring that the right aircraft for the environment have been based there.

Traditionally Hawker 125 series and Challenger 600 series tend to be more resilient to the environmental conditions found in Africa.

As a public company, Hangar8 has had an ‘open book’ approach when entering the market and has striven to communicate effectively with the right departments within the governments of the local areas.

Hangar8 demonstrates serious and professional intentions to grow in the regions where it operates.

Dryden adds: “Basing aircraft in Africa can double the charter benefit for an owner due to the increasing demand in the area.”

As the reputation of Hangar8 grows, forecasts suggest that one aircraft a month will be added to those based in Africa, from both the charter and managed aircraft fleet.

As reported elsewhere, ExecuJet is expanding its presence in Nigeria, having already built up FBO businesses in Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa. VistaJet has also been targeting Nigeria for growth in its international charter network.

Avjet Corporation has added two new Part 91 aircraft manage-

Hangar8 is active throughout the region, under the guidance of its Africa ceo Chris Perry.

ment bases in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria, operating a Gulfstream IVSP and Gulfstream 450 in support of the aircraft owners’ worldwide operations.

There are home-grown charter businesses with an eye for expansion as well. Namibia-based Westair Group has acquired a 19-seat Beechcraft 1900 passenger airliner which will initially be used domestically to accommodate the needs of the growing oil and gas producing industry. “When the initial contracts expire, it may be used either in the charter market or in the wider context of contract flying in different parts of the African continent,” the company reports.

Westair has also recently expanded into the Tanzanian market by purchasing a 50 per cent share in a Tanzanian-based company. A Reims F406 has been earmarked to start this operation from the end of July next year and the group is looking at adding a Cessna 208 to the fleet. Westair foresees this as a growth area with a lot of potential for further development.

The group, after four years of planning and development, now holds a Tanzanian AOC as well as aircraft maintenance organisation licenses and will be based on the island of Zanzibar where a permanent crew will be housed.

Brokers such as Air Charter International, the Dubai-based aircraft charter and leasing company, are experiencing an upward trend in the number of requests from the African continent. “We’ve seen charter requests from the African continent raise by 25 per cent,” says Caroline Jongma, charter sales.

ACI has been working with outsized charter for over 20 years as it regularly ships machinery and equipment for the oil trade to Nigeria, Angola and Sudan. This year, however, it has seen an increase in business charter from the African continent. “We believe the higher demand is resulting from businesses realising that executive charters, as well as cargo charters, are valuable tools that can underpin their day-today work,” says Jongma.

“Passengers can land conveniently close to their destination, some of which are quite remote, at the time that they want, with the people they need to be with, which is valuable from a security perspective for the region. They are also familiar with our service and know that we have an excellent set of contacts in the region.

“We often win deals as we manage to source aircraft that others cannot and through bespoke knowledge can provide alternatives to meet the clients’ needs,” adds Jongma. Already a growing market, ACI anticipates that the African continent will become an increasingly important source of business, particularly for reliable, well-maintained and secure charter aircraft.

There are over-flight issues, lack of infrastructure, high fees....

Trip support company and charter broker United Aviation Services understands the tremendous value of investing in the African aviation market and says it has been making an impact in Africa for over a decade. “For many of our clients, Africa has been a popular destination. The continent surely appeals to those seeking an exotic and premium travel destination, whether it’s an all inclusive South African safari tour or a lush eco-tour in Madagascar,” says marketing executive Zamzam Ibrahim. “It isn’t only the vip travel segment that UAS has been chartering to Africa; business travellers are also making up a large proportion of incoming traffic in African airways. In recent years, Africa has clearly attracted the interest of foreign investors, due to its abundance in natural resources and its developing economy, with several African nations boasting double-digit GDP growth rates. In UAS’ daily operations, this has been evident as

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

we have had an increase in demand for charter services, diplomatic flights and business aviation to Africa.”

Despite the heavy traffic into the continent in terms of aviation, there are key challenges in operating to and from Africa. Infrastructure, fuel shortages, communication (fixed and mobile) are just a few of the factors UAS urges operators to consider when trip planning to Africa.

For the aircraft manufacturers, Africa is opening up a whole new marketplace. AgustaWestland has recently sold another AW139 to an undisclosed southern African customer for vip/corporate transport operations. This latest sale follows the sale of AW139s in vip/corporate transport configuration to customers in several southern African countries including Namibia, Zambia, Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda and South Africa.

The continent also continues to provide business opportunities for aircraft support and refurbishment.

Completions specialists Associated Air Center has signed an agreement for the maintenance and interior refurbishment of a Boeing BBJ for a West African head of state. The work will take place over the next several months.

The customer is a repeat customer of AAC, since it delivered the aircraft from new back in 2006. “The return of this aircraft to AAC, for this first major work-scope since initially entering into service, was possibly due to the reliable interior and interior systems installed by AAC and the support it has provided this customer for the last six years,” says Chris Schechter, vp and general manager.

AfBAA makes progress Moves to establish an African Business Aviation Association are progressing well since its first meeting in December 2011.

Launched at the EBACE show this year, where it was hosted by Gainjet, it

OCTOBER 2012 13

has the goal of establishing business aviation as an asset that is recognised, valued and supported by governments, their respective civil aviation authorities and enterprises throughout Africa.

At that time it estimated that 368 business jets were registered in the 56 countries on the African continent, the majority of them long range, large cabin aircraft.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know there are challenges to business aviation in Africa,” association chairman Tarek Ragheb says. “There are over-flight issues, lack of infrastructure, high fees and a lack of consistency in regulations.”

Ragheb, a senior marketing advisor to business jet manufacturer Gulfstream, has led the drive for the creation of a pan-African organisation. A US citizen of Egyptian origin, he was also involved in the formation of the Middle East Business Aviation Association.

In recent years, Africa has clearly attracted interest from foreign investors A former NBAA president is assisting with the formation of AfBAA. Jack Olcott is serving as a consultant to help structure the mission statement, bylaws and policies.

“Having an ‘umbrella’ organisation allows the African business aviation community to speak with one voice, and have the gravitas that I think is important for advocating the benefits of this form of transportation,” Olcott says. “This will be a very positive development for Africa, and for the global business aviation community.”

In addition to MEBAA, which represents business aviation interests for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the Business Aviation Association of Southern Africa (BAASA) represents operators in that country. That leaves most of the rest of the continent unrepresented,

Olcott notes. “Everyone in business aviation has a common objective: to increase acceptance of business aviation as a valid form of transportation,” he says. “We don't see this as competition with other groups, but rather as collaboration.

“There is precedent, as EBAA (the European Business Aviation Association) has been very effective in broader Europe, though there are regional European associations as well,” Olcott notes. “North African operators could benefit from additional representation, and the feeling is that a more Africa-centric organisation would be beneficial to the area as a whole.”

AfBAA will apply for membership to the International Business Aviation Council, which represents the world’s business aviation associations. “We hope to use that venue to have active communication with the whole business aviation community,” says Olcott.

Z-Aviation Services, based in Egypt and with an office in Sudan, is keen to see the association make progress. “Our company is engaged in ground handling services in Egypt, North and South Sudan. I can say that regarding the Egyptian market, the charter sector has been very low in the past 18 months due to the political changes which have been occurring,” says md Omar Zarkani.

“Z-Aviation Services has recently become a founding member of the new association, and other members range from operators, aircraft manufacturers, fuel suppliers, trip support companies and FBOs.” Zarkani goes on to list them: “Afrijet Business Service, Air BP, BestFly Flight Support, Crystal Ventures Limited, DALIA AIR Private Jets, Embraer Executive Jets , Evergreen Apple Nigerian, ExecuJet Aviation, Gainjet Aviation, Gulfstream Aerospace, Hawker Beechcraft, NEXUS Flight Operations Services, Paramount Group, Piero Scarpellini, Satcom Direct, Skyjet Aviation Services, Tarek Ragheb, Universal Weather and Aviation and ourselves.” ■

Gaining the raw experience: bush flying in sub-Saharan Africa Bush flying through the more desolate parts of Africa remains a firm choice for pilots seeking raw, unadulterated flying experience.

Indeed, it has long been an attractive route for CPL holders fresh out of flight school looking to build up their flying hours.

However, bush flying jobs have also managed to draw a sizeable number of experienced airline pilots looking to escape the relative monotony of their work. Nowadays, there are opportunities for expatriate pilots in Africa with as little as 300 hours on a Cessna 208/210 or King Air 100/200, although salaries remain somewhat low (ranging from $800 to $1,700) for a joining co-pilot. Fitting to this theme, it raises the question: what challenges could one expect from a bush flying career in subSaharan Africa?

The term ‘bush flying’ is used to describe aircraft services operating out of makeshift airfields, typically in remote locations. In many instances, ground infrastructure is poor or otherwise non-existent and flying conditions routinely quite basic. In the case of Africa, regional airline pilots are presented with a unique variety of occupational hazards. Not the least of these is the constant uncertainty in all aspects of flying, whether the pilot works for an emergency relief operation, on

by Skaiste Knyzaite, ceo of AviationCV.com

contract with outreach mining companies or charters tourist flights for foreign visitors.

Bush pilots might regularly contend with airfields that are nothing more than grassy woodland clearings. Additionally, the runway threshold could be marked with merely a few painted stones. The standard lack of perimeter fencing means that roaming elephants, impala, or other wildlife present a very real hazard.

Indeed, this may necessitate

perhaps more than the one flyover to persuade them to vacate the landing strip, while sparking fear in disillusioned passengers.

Even once the aircraft is safely on the ground, failure to surround the tyres with thorn bushes may render them chewed to pieces by hyenas and lions. However, as some pilots have reported, that alone won’t suffice in deterring a nearby elephant from wreaking havoc.

In addition, hazards may present themselves in the form of disappearing ground infrastructure.

Pilots have recounted arriving at an airfield only to find the windsock and the pole it was attached to missing after merely days of being re-erected.

Routine is something bush pilots in Africa can be sure to avoid. For example, a morning flight might involve the delivery of pork products to expats living in an Islamic subdivision while the return trip could see the carriage of extensive weaponry. Expatriate pilots working in the region may also be exposed to the dangers of war, banditry, substandard maintenance as well as a host of diseases including hepatitis, malaria, Ebola and dysentery.

However, while there are numerous challenges facing the bush pilot, the rewards and experience gained are priceless.

CHARTER BROKER NEWS... coordination of the return flights after the finish of the race proved to be a challenge, the company reports: “Almost all aircraft parked at crowded Le Mans airport tried to depart at about the same time.”

Jet Assist merges

Avolus boosts Russian presence Avolus has appointed Ekaterina Kryukova (pictured) as general representative for Russia/CIS, and formed a Russian non-executive advisory board for Avolus Vostok.

Registered and based in Russia, Avolus Vostok will arrange domestic charter flights and can accept payment in Rubles. Kryukova previously worked from London where she developed Russian business so that it now accounts for over 45 per cent of the company’s turnover.

“The Russian market has always been a strategic part of our business. In fact, we were the first international broker to become a member of the Russian Business Aircraft Association,” says ceo Alexis Grabar.

Jet Assist, Northern Ireland-based broker of aircraft charter and sales, has merged with Almac Aviation to form Jet Mach Aviation Europe (not to be confused with Jet Mach in the US).

“The aim of this joint venture is to offer aircraft charter worldwide at excellent rates as well as make use of the personal relationship we have with aircraft owners,” says director Ian Morrow.

“Almac Aviation was formed in 2007 by Mark Crawford who is a qualified and practising aircraft engineer. We had been working together for a while and it made sense to create this merger.”

BACA asks: is bigger really better?

Would having fewer aircraft operators with larger fleets benefit the air charter market? A panel chaired

by BACA’s Dick Gilbert and consisting of brokers Alex Berry from Chapman Freeborn, Sandy Boyer from Hunt and Palmer, and Mark Green from Oxygen Aviation, pondered this question at the Business Aircraft Europe event, Biggin Hill.

Berry thinks that Europe still lags behind: “In the US, an operator with 50 aircraft would be considered a ‘mom and pop’ business. In Europe, it is treated as though it was the ‘world’s biggest operator’. These small operators with two or three aircraft are financially completely unworkable.”

Boyer wonders if there should be more regulation of air charter brokers, especially with so many new brokers entering the market over the last two or three years.

“Maybe there should be a certification for brokers, which would ultimately be a benchmark of achievement and help to weed out the weaker brokers?” he asks, while calling for similarly high standards among operators. “Too many instances arise when a broker has not been at fault but loses the client when the operator fails to take responsibility.”

ProAir works for winning team at Le Mans ProAir was appointed by Audi to organise charter flights for its guests for the Le Mans 24-hour race weekend. The majority were scheduled to Le Mans airport, and on to the racetrack, but some jets were routed to an alternate airport nearby due to the insufficient length of the runway. The

Chapman Freeborn opens office in Sweden Chapman Freeborn has opened a sales office in Sweden, headed by Christian Stridsberg (pictured) who was previously sales manager for Sweden’s largest GSSA. “Sweden has a huge potential in the field of aircraft charter flights for both passenger and cargo,” says Stridsberg. The company successfully opened a similar office in Denmark in 2011.

Property investment brings new charter opportunities With continued euro instability, recent reports show that the investment interest for Germany’s 800,000+ millionaires is being increasingly pushed towards property, and to the top end of the market. So says online charter business PrivateFly ceo Adam Twidell. “This is having an impact on private charter flight bookings and patterns, as illustrated by the emergence of Sylt as a rising private aviation hotspot, with its Westerland airport.

“The North Sea island houses some of Germany’s most expensive and sought-after addresses, and we have seen a striking increase in private charter bookings to and from Sylt in the last quarter, from the private and business aviation markets. A growing number are private property investors.”

Twidell sees this correlation between real estate and private aviation happening as a wider trend: “We are seeing notable growth of private charter by the real estate industry in Europe and also globally.”

14 OCTOBER 2012

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

AIRCRAFT NEWS...

TBM parties in La Baule The TBM Owners and Pilots Association welcomed 40 participants in La Baule, France, for its European chapter’s yearly convention in September. A total of 19 TBM pilots landed their aircraft at St Nazaire airport, arriving from Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK for three days of meetings and social events.

Bombardier gathering in Berlin Following similar events in Frankfurt in 2011 and Amsterdam in 2010, this year’s Bombardier maintenance and operations regional conference was held in Berlin and drew more than 250 Bombardier business aircraft operators and suppliers.

The three-day programme featured more than 50 hours of technical updates individually tailored to each of Bombardier’s Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft platforms.

executive aircraft. It would also provide a solid presence at the city’s largest airport, which is projected to experience rapid growth.

Falcons are currently serviced by Dassault Falcon’s satellite service centre at Vnukovo airport. This satellite service station has been in operation for seven years and will shortly move into a new facility at the Vnukovo-3 executive aviation terminal.

Eclipse adds anti-skid brakes An anti-skid braking system will soon be available as a new option for the Eclipse jet and will be offered as a retrofit to the existing fleet. In-aircraft testing is complete with certification and availability expected within six months.

ABS allows for maximum braking energy and skid control without the need for a conventional hydraulic system, which is unique to the Eclipse Jet.

Global 6000 tour continues in Africa

The Gulfstream G650 has received a type certificate from the FAA, and the first fully outfitted aircraft are expected to be delivered to customers before year-end. The company has received more than 200 orders. The G650 offers a full three-axis, fly-by-wire system that delivers a number of benefits, including flight-envelope protection, passenger comfort, increased redundancy and reduced maintenance.

Bombardier’s Global 6000 jet has made its African debut with a 16-city tour intended to take in 12 countries. “A particular highlight of this tour is our four-day stop in Nigeria where we are seeing a growing interest in private jet travel,” says Khader Mattar, regional vp sales, Middle East, Africa and India. “This gives us the perfect opportunity to highlight the advantages of business aviation. We know that once our customers have experienced the Global 6000, they’ll truly value its importance as a tool for business.”

Dassault and Avia have plans for Moscow

Piper appoints dealer for Turkey

Dassault Falcon and Avia Group are working on an agreement to establish an authorised service centre at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport in 2013. The centre would enable Dassault Falcon to significantly expand its maintenance footprint in Moscow, a major hub for Russian-based and transient

Piper Aircraft has appointed BAYMAP Aviation at Etimesgut Airport in Ankara as its dealer for new aircraft sales in Turkey.

The companies jointly exhibited two M-Class aircraft at Istanbul Air Show, the Meridian turboprop and the unpressurised Piper Matrix.

G650 receives type certificate

Cessna line-up: regional vp European customer service Walter Berchtold, senior B1 engineer Antonio Santos, AENA director Valencia Julian Camara and senior vp customer service Joe Hepburn.

Valencia open, Doncaster follows Cessna has opened its third European Citation Service Center in Valencia, Spain, and created a fourth in the UK by acquiring the centre previously known as Kinch Aviation Services at Doncaster Sheffield airport.

The Valencia facility will provide around-the-clock customer support services and scheduled maintenance, with capabilities including hydraulic and battery services, parts support and avionics modifications.

The newly-acquired Doncaster centre provides maintenance, modernisation and paint services. It has been a Cessna authorised service facility for the past four years.

BGAD12’s static display aircraft provided a focal point for discussion, including this group gathered around Saxonair’s 900XP.

Successful Cambridge show will bring back seminars for 2013 The eighth UK Business & General Aviation Day – BGAD12 – took place on September 18th at Cambridge Airport. Presented by EBAN in partnership with Cambridge Airport, ExecuJet, Marshall Executive Aviation and Marshall Business Aviation, the event attracted over 450 attendees.

Saxonair Charter’s Chris Mace comments: “It was a good day and the layout and feel was an improvement on last year. We had good feedback on our aircraft and achieved the desired aim to get brokers onto the aircraft to discuss future charter.”

BGAD is a unique event in the UK business aviation calendar, combining a networking opportunity with a relaxed informal atmosphere.

Reaction to this year’s event has been so positive that the date and floor plan for BGAD13 have already been released; the show will take place on Tuesday, September 17th 2013.

Visitors this year met representatives of 46 exhibiting companies from every sector of business aviation and a varied line of aircraft on the static display, ranging from a Falcon 2000LX to a Diamond DA42.

Around 16 aircraft graced the tarmac and shared the limelight with a display of cars including Bentley, Porsche and Mercedes.

John Brutnell, general manager of ExecuJet UK, says: “BGAD was a great opportunity for us to show charter brokers and other visitors the Falcon 2000LX. It really is a fantastic aircraft, both in terms of performance and style, and is particularly popular due to its unique appearance.”

The aircraft is part of ExecuJet’s 50-strong European managed fleet and is available for charter from its base in Billund, Denmark.

ExecuJet’s Cambridge FBO saw a 30 per cent increase in aircraft handled during the Olympic Games and the team at BGAD was also celebrating ExecuJet Europe becoming the group’s latest region to be named a Wyvern Wingman member.

“BGAD prides itself on staging a day that is both productive and enjoyable,” says EBAN’s Mark Ranger.

“We are always delighted when one of

Anthony Cook of Cambridge Aero Club won PrivateFly’s Scalextric challenge

the exhibitors joins in with this concept. PrivateFly created quite a buzz in 2011 with their London bus and this year, they elected to turn their booth into a Scalextric model car racing track, where visitors could see whether their flying skills translated to the track.

There has long been considered a cross over between the markets for business aviation and other luxury goods – cars and boats being the two most obvious. Cambridge’s landlocked location made boats an unlikely option, but BGAD was favoured by an amazing line-up of cars from Bentley Cambridge. Visitors could place their business cards into a bowl for a chance to win a Bentley for the weekend.

The final prize was courtesy of hosts Cambridge Airport, who donated a hamper from UK retailers John Lewis that was won by Grant Feast of Sprung Instant Structures – the company that built the hangar in which the event was staged.

Co-hosts Marshall Executive Aviation recently announced that, under the Pets Travel Scheme, it has been approved as a carrier for the transportation of pet dogs, cats and ferrets into the UK through Manchester and Cambridge airports; in addition to Biggin Hill for which the company was already approved.

Pete Stroud, chief pilot, comments: “We’re delighted to have received this further approval as it enables us to bring our customers and their pets into the UK at

airports which are of greater convenience to them.”

In a separate announcement, the company introduced its US visa waiver approved status.

With a fleet of two Citation jets and a Challenger 300, all of which were on display at BGAD, MEA plans to secure a Canadian Foreign Air Operators Certificate next, to further enhance services between Europe and Canada.

With plans for the 2013 staging of BGAD already under way, the organising team are bringing back the popular seminar programme. “Our audience numbers did not suffer this year due to the lack of meetings, but it is clear that they are a popular element of BGAD’s unique mix.

There are always topics that need to be discussed and this offers an excellent opportunity to provide a platform for focussed debate,” says Ranger.

BGAD13 will also be looking to attract a higher number of potential business aviation users from the East Anglia area. “It is excellent that BGAD appeals to a wide range of industry professionals, but we all need to be selling the concept of business aviation too – to show people how they can make it work for their travel arrangements.

“We always have some excellent aircraft on display, so it makes sense to get future customers in to experience business aviation for themselves, to join the brokers and owners who already enjoy the BGAD atmosphere,” Ranger adds.

Sprung Instant Structures’ Grant Feast left BGAD with a luxury hamper, courtesy of Cambridge Airport’s bdm Jon Harper.

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

OCTOBER 2012 15

Marketplace Contact Mark Ranger on: +44 (0)1279 714509 mark@ebanmagazine.com

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TTAF. One owner since new For more details contact: Atron. Email: sales@atron.ie

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Coming up in EBAN November

Falcon 900EX

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Challenger 604

This aircraft has undergone all recent inspections and is being offered with a fresh 48 month, 96 month and 192 month gear inspection completed.

Enrolled on the GE on Point engine program, CAMP, and an APU service plan, this aircraft is well suited for extensive flying without any significant scheduled maintenance coming due.

Andrew Pearce Tel: +44 7557 237730 Innotech Aviation. Email: andrew.pearce@innotech-execaire.com

1999, D-AFAA, S/N 5397 | EU-OPS 1.

Available for sale or lease. 6,945 hours.

GE OnPoint, MSP Gold, 3-FMS, 12 pax interior refurbished in November 2011.

Contact: Thierry Huguenin - FAI rent-ajet AG at tel: +49 911 36009 375 or +1 561 771 1322 FAI rent-a-jet AG. Web: www.rent-a-jet.de. Email: JetSales@fai.ag

1985, Airframe TT: 8,576, Cycles: 6,755, TSO: 1,304, Pro Line II, GNS-XLS, GPWS, CVR. New windows 2007, RVSM, Freon air, cosmetics refreshed & Perma-guarded. $995,000 As-Is, Where-Is, How-Is. Tel: +1 403 291 9027 John Hopkinson & Associates. www.hopkinsonassociates.com. Email: sales@hopkinsonassociates.com

Learjet 55

1984, D-CUNO, S/N 108 | EU-OPS 1 available for sale. 12667 hours. MSP Gold, Single point refueling, Dual GNSXLS w/GPS. New overall white paint. 7/8 pax w/enclosed aft lavatory. Contact: Thierry Huguenin - tel:+49 911 36009 375 or +1 561 771 1322 FAI rent-a-jet AG. Web: www.rent-a-jet.de. Email: JetSales@fai.ag

Citation Ultra

Citation Ultras available. Honeywell Primus 1000 3-Tube EFIS, Honeywell GNS-XLS FMS, Honeywell MKVII EGPWS, Honeywell TCAS II w/Change 7, w/ski tube. Recently Permaguard.

Recently refreshed interior. Fresh phase 1-5. Zero engine option. Tel: +1 403 291 9027 John Hopkinson & Associates. Web: www.hopkinsonassociates.com. Email: sales@hopkinsonassociates.com

December - MEBA show issue - Business aviation at the crossroads: Europe and the Middle East - Business aviation in Iceland

900XP

2008, MSN HA-0026; TSN 1686.2, CSN 1248. EASA compliant. Eight passenger executive interior. Forward galley and aft belted lavatory. Engines and APU on MSP Gold. Contact: John Keeble, tel: + 44 (0) 1582 733615 Twinjet Aircraft Sales (UK) Ltd.. Web: www.twinjet.co.uk.

Email: jk@twinjetsales.com

OUR NEXT ISSUE: NOVEMBER 2012

FINAL BOOKING DATE: OCTOBER 29th

Learjet 55

1984, D-CUNO, 1984, S/N 108 | EU-OPS 1. Available for sale. 12,667 hours. MSPGold. Single point refuelling. Dual GNSXLS w/GPS. New overall white paint. 7/8 pax w/enclosed aft lavatory. Contact: Thierry Huguenin - at +49 911 36009 375 or +1 561 771 1322 FAI rent-a-jet AG. Web: www.rent-a-jet.de . Email: JetSales@fai.ag

Citation XL

2000, Asking $3,600,000. JAR-Ops, Based in Europe, circa 4,400 TTAF. Engines and APU on JSSI Programs, nine pax. For more details contact: Atron. Email: sales@atron.ie

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S/N 5364, 5,903 TTAF, engines on condition. Collins ProLine IV, Honeywell EGPWS, Collins TCAS II w/Change 7.

Dual Collins FMS-6000 FMS w/dual GPS4000, DVD, VCR, 9 Pax. Tel: +1 403 291 9027 John Hopkinson & Associates.

- Me & My Aircraft Super midsize jets - Business aviation in Italy

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CESSNA

Challenger 604

1999, S/N 048. This aircraft has an excellent pedigree, having been operated on UK registry since new. Operated by TAG Aviation UK on behalf of a London FTSE listed group for last ten years.

Maintained to highest standards. No damage history. Major 2C check and Landing Gear Overhaul January 2012.

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Challenger 604

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Citation S/II

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Citation XL

Citation CJ3

2008, JAR-Ops equipped but never chartered. Based in Europe, circa 650

2002, Make offer. JAR-Ops. Based in Europe, circa 4,800 TTAF. Engines, APU etc on all programs. Ext lav, nine pax. For more details contact: Atron. Email: sales@atron.ie

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