Altitude European Edition - Feb / Mar 2016

VNE

Gulfstream G500 Innovation brought to life

FOCUS

February/March 2016

DESIGN

COMLUX AMERICA Completes a green Airbus ACJ320

EUROPEAN EDITION

Aerion AS2 It’s about time!

WOMAN

Gabriella Somerville Managing Director ConnectJets

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C O N T E N T S February/March 2016

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36 9 Editor’s Note 10 News Tarmac 32 Snapshot 34 Shopping 36 Timepieces 40 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference 19-22 January 2016, Tampa, Florida 42 Focus AERION, the still in development AS2 supersonic jet announced its first customer with Flexjet placing a firm order for 20 aircraft. Ernie Edwards, Senior VP and CCO speaks about the jet’s progress

46 Market The year ahead: there is a hint of renewed optimism about the global business aviation market, says Richard Koe, WINGX Advance 50 Women in aviation

Gabriella Somerville, Managing Director ConnectJets was recently made Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Commerce and Manufacturing with regard to her contribution to Aviation in the UK and her Charity work 54 VNE Gulfstream’s G500 expected to be certified in 2017 is an example of ambitious engineering ideas and innovation brought to life

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CONTENTS

60 60 Business Offshore investments: a second passport is becoming an important tool for many wealthy individuals 64 Escape Courchevel is the winter destination of choice for avid skiers and lovers of mountain life with a twist for chic 66 Design Comlux America creates a home away from home, revolving around work and family life for the owner of a green Airbus ACJ320

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72 Hotel Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, is an iconic California luxury hotel first established at the turn of the 20th century, which has been brought back to its former glory following a seven year restoration 76 Brokerage 78 Distribution 82 Address Book

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EDITORIAL

THE GOLD RUSH

By Sylvie Péron

T

here is something of the gold-rush in the online charter space, as investors from outside the industry gamble on finding virgin territory for another über,” writes WINGX’s Richard Koe. Innovative mobile app now allow users to book private jets from their smartphones, further

expanding flight offerings at a lesser cost, making private flying even more accessible to the business and leisure travellers. As the industry continues to grow, the competition likewise is adding more pressure to the small brokerage model. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the market is saturated right now, and there is a need for consolidation in both the brokerage and operator market. “We have to take a sober look at what the consumer wants and build a strategy that offers flexibility and service in line with consumer needs,” says Gabriella Somerville, of ConnectJets in an interview conducted at her company’s new Berkeley Square address this January.

“Competition is positive –iron sharpens iron and as an industry we need to embrace it and not fear it,” she adds. “Undoubtedly the digital disruption has arrived and we cannot deny that we need to face the elephant in the room.” Technology is here to stay, however it needs to be treated with some caution!

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Rockwell Collins’ VenueTM upgrade p.22

Falcon 8X Cabin Completion p.24

Mercedes-Benz Style VIP Cabin Floorplan p.30

TARMAC NEWS

Marco Tulio Pellegrini (left) and Stéphane Ledermann

EMBRAER & SMART AIR First European Legacy 450

A day before New Year’s Eve, December 30 2015, Embraer delivered its first EASAregistered Legacy 450 to Luxembourg-based Smart Air SA, which will manage the aircraft on behalf of a customer. The twinjet, operated by ASL, will be based in Brussels and is available for charter. “We are pleased to welcome Smart Air SA as the first European company to manage a Legacy 450,” said Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Marco Tulio Pellegrini.

Established in 2014, as a result of the merger between the Belgian bizjet operator ASL and the Dutch JetNetherlands, ASL/ JetNetherlands group operates a fleet of 30 aircraft, ranging from the very light Cessna Citation Mustang, to the intercontinental Challenger 605 or Falcon 2000LXS aircraft.

The clean-sheet midsize jet received EASA certification in September, just weeks after

obtaining approval from Brazil’s ANAC and the FAA. The aircraft is the first in its class to feature digital flight controls and full flyby-wire capability, with a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.83 and a ceiling of 45,000 feet. At the NBAA Convention in late November, the manufacturer announced that the airplane’s range is 2,900 nm; the initial projection was 2,575 nm.

“Being driven by innovation for more than 25 years helps me to address the business aviation management and advisory role with a new approach for the benefit of my customer,” said Stéphane Ledermann, Smart Air SA Founder and CEO. “We recommended the Legacy 450 to one of our partners long before all the very positive reports from pilots and journalists. We are convinced that this aircraft will be very successful and we can’t wait to fly it soon.”

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TARMAC NEWS

HONDA AIRCRAFT

HondaJet first delivery Late December, Honda Aircraft Company made the first delivery of the HondaJet to an undisclosed customer at the company’s Greensboro, N.C. headquarters, where the light jet is manufactured. The type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration FAA was received on December 8.

“We are very excited to commence deliveries of the HondaJet, fulfilling Honda’s commitment to advancing human mobility through innovation,” said Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “Honda Aircraft has now extended this commitment skyward with the delivery of our first aircraft, and I hope we soon will begin to see many HondaJets at airports around the world.”

Honda Aircraft has established a worldwide dealer network in 11 countries across North America, South America and Europe, which will provide customer support, supplementing Honda Aircraft’s 90,000-sq-ft customer support facility in Greensboro. Pilot training is being conducted with a full-motion level-D flight simulator at the FlightSafety Honda learning center co-located at the Greensboro campus.

The HondaJet incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration that dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag.

According to the company, the OTWEM design also reduces cabin sound, minimizes ground-detected noise, and allows for the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity, and a fully serviceable private aft lavatory. The twinjet is equipped with a sophisticated glass flight deck, the Honda-customized Garmin® G3000. This is Honda’s first commercial aircraft.

SYBERJET AIRCRAFT

Rheinland Air Service GmbH (RAS) Rheinland Air Service, based in Germany is to become an authorized SyberJet Customer Service Center.

Headquartered at Mönchengladbach Airport near Düsseldorf, RAS becomes the first SyberJet international authorized service center with initial service in Germany and the surrounding region.

“As we begin to deliver SJ30i aircraft, we want to deliver on the promise to the owner/operators for a fully supported world-wide service network. Bringing Rheinland Air Service on board is the first step in that process, but it will not stop there,” commented SyberJet Director of Sales and Service Mark Fairchild.

RAS CEO Johannes Graf von Schaes-

berg added: “We have been watching the SJ30 program with great admiration and are excited to see the company expand its service and support into the European market.”

SyberJet Aircraft is an MSC Aerospace company and a U.S. based producer of the SJ30, a fast long-range seven-seat light business jet. The single pilot FAA certified jet has a top speed of Mach 0.83 (486 kts / 560 mph) and a 2,500 nautical mile range. It maintains sea level cabin pressure up to 41,000 feet (maximum flight ceiling is 49,000 feet).

RAS specializes in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), as well as sales, support, and fueling. With over 40 years of technical expertise, including both EASA and FAA Part 145 certifications, RAS employs 230 people across Europe and Africa and is a dealer for HondaJet, Daher TBM 900, Quest Kodiak and WACO Classic aircraft. The RAS companies serve business, general and commercial aviation.

MAX SPEED: MACH 0.885 • MAX RANGE: 12,501 KM • MAX ALTITUDE: 15,545 M

AIR of CONFIDENCE When the demands of world travel become daily business, the Gulfstream G550™ is ideally suited to deliver. The aircraft can fly from London to San Francisco in 11 hours and 5 minutes or Beijing to Moscow in 7 hours and 45 minutes. The distance will fly by as you relax in a handcrafted cabin of meticulous design. The G550—proving that life is as much about the journey as the destination.

To contact a Gulfstream sales representative in your area, visit gulfstream.com/contacts.

GULFSTREAMG550.COM

All cruise performance is based on the NBAA IFR mission profile, standard en route conditions, and eight passenger payload. Actual performance will be affected by ATC routing, operating speed, weather, outfitting options and other factors. Flight durations are estimated at best cruise speed and account for 85% annual winds conditions.

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TARMAC NEWS

DELTA WORLD CHARTER

Instant information with private jet search facility Delta World Charter has added new private jet search capabilities to state-of-the-art corporate website:http://dwc.aero.

This new functionality allows private jet travellers anywhere in the world to search for aircraft availability on their desired date, time and route. The search results will include instant price estimates, aircraft pictures and specifications, Travellers will also be able to see available flights within a few hours.

Dmitriy Korshunov, CEO of DWC, said: “We are excited to be able to offer instant live information to customers and provide a snapshot of available options in seconds. Our representative will contact the inquirer promptly, confirming the estimated price along with the finer details, and seek further information on the requirements.”

“We want to offer private jet customers the best in private travel and keep it in line with the most imperative requirements – time saving, convenience and luxury,” he added.

Akbar Al Baker (left) & Mark Burns

GULFSTREAM G650ER

Qatar Executive Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. delivered a Gulfstream G650ER to Qatar Airways in a ceremony at Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah on 11 December 2015. The delivery is the first of up to 30 Gulfstream aircraft Qatar Airways has agreed to purchase. The sale, a combination of firm orders and options, includes the flagship G650ER as well as the G500 and G600. “It was a pleasure working with Qatar Airways on this project, because we share their drive to provide unmatched safety, speed, quality, performance and cabin comfort to customers,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “It is an honor to be the first Gulfstream G650ER air charter operator in the Middle East,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. As part of Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, Qatar Executive, created in 2009, assures its clients an excellent charter experience.

The G650ER, an ultra-long-range aircraft, can travel 7,500 nm/13,890 km at Mach 0.85 and 6,400 nm/11,853 km at Mach 0.90. Its cabin shares the same features and amenities as the G650 and provides passengers the healthiest and most comfortable cabin experience. The aircraft has the largest purposebuilt business-jet cabin and offers passengers wider seats, more aisle room, 16 panoramic windows, low cabin altitude and the ability to control the cabin entertainment, temperature and lighting with a smart device. Passengers can stay connected with Internet, phone and on-board printing capabilities.

EMBRAER EXECUTIVE JETS

Business boost for Brazilian manufacturer Embraer has released encouraging performance figures up to the end of 2015. The company delivered 33 commercial and 45 business jets, 25 of which are light jets and 20 are large, during the fourth quarter of 2015. They ended the full year with 101 aircraft delivered to the commercial airline market and 120 to the executive aviation market, totalling 82 light and 38 large business jets. The total of 221 aircraft for both markets represents the highest volume of deliveries in the last five years. With such figures, Embraer has fulfilled its aircraft delivery guidance disclosed to the market in business aviation and delivered one aircraft above the estimated range in commercial aviation. On December 31, the firm order backlog reached US$22.5 billion.

In the executive aviation segment, the quarter highlights were the first deliveries of the Legacy 450 and a contract with Emirates Flight Training Academy, which signed a firm order for five Phenom 100E business jets, plus options for five more aircraft of the same model. In December, Embraer also delivered the first Phenom 100E to a customer in China.

TARMAC NEWS JETSMARTER & JET LINX

Five-year partnership

Sergey Petrossov, CEO of JetSmarter

JetSmarter, the innovative mobile app that allows users to book private jets from their smartphones, has entered a five-year partnership with Jet Linx, a US-based private jet management company. Jet Linx will offer JetSmarter customers extensive flight options with a fleet of 54 jets across the U.S., at no cost for members, in cities including, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Washington D.C. and many more.

With this joint venture, JetSmarter’s flight offerings will be further expanded, opening the door for more U.S. customers and making private flying even more accessible.

For JetSmarter members, this partnership will significantly increase the supply of free flights on Jet Linx’s aircraft, by offering over 20,000 pre-purchased hours on 54 jets over

the next five years, with plans to have over 100 aircraft by 2020. JetSmarter continues to establish significant alliances within the private aviation industry and has also partnered with trip planning company Jetex Flight Support to provide clients with first class travel experiences from the ground up.

Jetex provides a comprehensive range of trip support services such as aircraft fueling, ground handling, trip planning, concierge services and more. It also operates lounges and FBOs in several global airports – including Paris, Dubai, Shannon, Kiev, and Toluca, Chile. In total, the company has over 37 locations in 27 countries including an Operations base in Miami, Florida.

Under the agreement, JetSmarter aims to fly most of its worldwide charter flights out of Jetex facilities. The partnership will also see Jetex customers receive an exclusive offer to become part of the JetSmarter membership experience.

Every Jextex member who joins the JetSmarter network will be offered a month’s free extension.

THE REGISTRY OF ARUBA Crystal Cruises

The Registry of Aruba has entered an agreement to work with Crystal Cruises to develop an Aruban AOC for Crystal’s expanded brand extension Crystal Luxury Air, which will feature a B777-200LR Boeing Business Jet and a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

The twin-aisle Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which typically seats up to 400 and 300 passengers, respectively, will be redesigned to accommodate just 88 and 52 guests, respectively, with flat-bed first class seats and beautifully appointed lounges and bars.

The planes will boast the premium luxury that discerning global travelers have come to expect from Crystal, including copious amounts of guest space, plush amenities and Crystal’s world-class ser-

vice and crew. Trips will range from 14 to 28-day around the world itineraries, and include accommodations at the world’s most luxurious hotels, the finest Michelin star-level cuisine prepared by celebrated chefs and fabulous local cultural entertainment. Additionally, the aircraft can be arranged for special charters.

Established in 1995, the Registry of Aruba was the first privately managed aircraft registration program rated Category-1 by the FAA, which has regulatory framework in compliance with the In-

ternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The Registry of Aruba is available to private, corporate, and commercial operators with aircraft with a minimum MTOW (Maximum Takeoff Weight) of 5,700 kg as well as turbine helicopters with a minimum MTOW of 1,000 kg.

Lighter aircraft with a MTOW below 5,700 kg. can also be registered in Aruba under special DCA (Department of Civil Aviation) approval depending on the type and area of operation.

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TARMAC NEWS

AERION CORPORATION Axon Aviation appointed for Russian Federation

Aerion Corporation, the leader in commercial supersonic technology, has announced the appointment of AXON Aviation as its exclusive authorized sales representative for the Russian Federation. Based in Mayfair, London, the company specializes in transactions involving the very upper end of business jet aircraft.

“AXON Aviation and its partners Kurosh

Tehranchian and Niki Rokni have a stellar track record in representing buyers and sellers of the largest business jets.

They have earned the confidence of principals and aircraft operators in the Russian Federation,” said Ernie Edwards, Aerion’s chief commercial officer. “We welcome them to the most exciting program in business aviation.”

The Mach 1.5 Aerion AS2 business jet will fly more than 4,750 nautical miles (8,800 km) at a combination of subsonic and supersonic speeds, and carry eight to twelve passengers in a large cabin. The aircraft saves three hours across the Atlantic versus today’s subsonic jets, and more than six hours on long trans-Pacific routes. The AS2 will make its first flight in 2021 and enter service with customers in 2023. It is under development in collaboration with Airbus Group.

“From Moscow, AXON’s clients can fly nonstop to Seattle, Singapore, Tokyo and Johannesburg, combining high subsonic portions over land and supersonic segments over water,” noted Rokni, who serves as AXON head of sales. “To cover these vast distances and save hours doing so is pure genius. It creates precious time for the more important things in life and business.” Tehranchian adds, “Our customers are constantly in motion. Aerion calculates that the AS2 can save them up to 17 twelve-hour workdays a year—and that is based on average subsonic aircraft utilization. Many of our clients fly much more than the average flight department.

They will find the AS2 an indispensible mode of travel.”

JET AVIATION BASEL

Pro Line 21 Avionic upgrade Jet Aviation Basel recently installed two Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Avionic upgrades: one on a Dassault Falcon 2000, the other on a Dassault Falcon 2000EX. The company has also developed a Pro Line 21 support kit to reduce expected downtime of such installations to six weeks.

The Pro Line 21 support kit is based on modern instrument panels and cable looms that can be customized to the various aircraft types supported by Jet Aviation Basel’s in-house shops. These prefabricated kits are set up before the aircraft arrives to save valuable time. They also can be used to support outsourced installations worldwide.

“With our Pro Line 21 support kit, we demonstrate our engineering and manufacturing capabilities and our ability to adapt new technologies efficiently,” says Johannes Turzer, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Maintenance Center in Basel. “Reducing required time for supply chain processes clearly benefits our clients by enabling a shorter installation.”

DASSAULT

Additional customer support at global events Dassault will offer an expanded range of on-ground services to support customers at this year’s major events. In addition to standard onsite troubleshooting provided by Dassault, dedicated technical teams and offsite resources will be available at nearby Falcon Authorised Service Centres. The teams will be backed up by a dedicated Falcon 900 Airborne Support aircraft that, in addition to AOG support, can offer alternative lift to customers.

The special event support effort kicked off at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Dassault will also provide operator support at other special events this year, including Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California; the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida; the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia; Art Basel in Switzerland; the European Soccer Cup, France; and the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Don’t miss out on your issue of Altitudes Global Guide 2015!

US ct r a t e conD orD Y P n o a rc U Yo

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TARMAC NEWS

TEXTRON AVIATION

Aircraft Support Textron Aviation Inc., has bolstered its customer service offering with the launch of 1Call, which provides a single point of contact for Beechcraft, Citation and Hawker customers during unscheduled maintenance events. Customers can access the dedicated 1Call team by dialing +1-316-517-2090.

“Our enhanced call center means simplified, quick access to Textron Aviation’s customer service team for our owners needing immediate support.

From the initial call to progress reports to after service follow-up, customers will encounter a streamlined process and a level of service that you get only from Textron Aviation,” said Brad Thress, senior vice president, Customer Service. “Customers calling this dedicated line will be able to receive prioritized technical support, order expedited parts, have alternative lift quickly dispatched, or even schedule a mobile service unit.”

With technical support services available 24/7, Textron Aviation’s 1Call team oversees every step of a maintenance event using visual display boards that track all calls, air response aircraft and mobile service units through issue resolution.

Textron Aviation, through its Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, has a global service network dedicated to complete life-cycle support. Its support organization includes 21 company-owned service centers located around the world with expert service engineers offering maintenance, inspections, parts, repairs, avionic upgrades, equipment installations, refurbishments and other specialized services. In addition to its company-owned footprint, Textron Aviation’s jet and turboprop customers have access to a global network of nearly 200 authorized service facilities. Textron Aviation also offers a mobile support program featuring more than 60 mobile service units, three dedicated support aircraft, and on-site service technicians and support.

COMLUX KZ

IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) Comlux AZ, the Central Asia branch of Comlux Aviation Group’s VIP airline division, based in Almaty Kazakhstan, is now registered in the IATA ISSA registry.

The ISSA program extends the benefits of operational safety and efficiency of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) to the commercial operators, which are not in an IATA Audit registry.

With 3 aircraft today in operation (2 Legacy 650 and 1 Challenger 850), Comlux KZ is the first airline in the world to successfully complete the ISSA audit process.

“Our Association is launching the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA), which enables the industry to address the need for a

global operational safety standard for operators that are not eligible for IOSA. The fact that Comlux KZ is the first airline in the world to receive ISSA Registration is very important for the airline industry of Kazakhstan. Comlux KZ has demonstrated that any carrier from Kazakhstan can be prepared for a robust audit and ready to prove conformance with internationally recognized safety standards,” said Jordan Karamalakov, Regional IATA Manager in Kazakhstan.

“During the audit, our teams have worked closely with IATA representatives on both the central and regional level,” added Irina Pay, Chief Operating Officer Comlux KZ and Comlux Malta.

“The ISSA registration combined with the development of our SMS both assist us in enhancing the operational safety of our VIP flight operations around the world.”

TARMAC NEWS

46TH WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM Davos, 20-23 January 2016

As the most important gathering of the world’s powerful and resourceful leaders in business, politics, education and innovation, the World Economic Forum drew business aviation traffic from around the world.

This year’s WEF at Davos attracted 1098 business aviation movements (arrivals and departures) to the four principal airports, Zurich, Dübendorf, Altenrhein, and St. Moritz, according to WINGX’s analysis.

WINGX Advance is a data research and consulting company which provides actionable market intelligence to the business aviation industry.

From the19th to 23rd January there was on average 220 daily business aviation movements at these airports, compared to 235 the previous year, a 6.5% decline in comparable activity. During the WEF event, there were 440 individual business aviation aircraft handled at Davos airports, 62% of those aircraft were handled through Zurich. The 5 most frequently operated business jets were the Gulfstream V/G550, Bombardier Global Express, Cessna Citation

XLS, Dassault Falcon 2000 and Falcon 7X. Airports in Germany and France were the most popular origin airports for flights into Davos, generating 34% of the arrivals. This year the shares of departures from Switzerland and from Russia were down.

ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group and the only operator with two FBOs for WEF passengers, reported record traffic and fuelling at Dübendorf Airport (LSMD), the military airport just 5nm north of Zürich secured for overflow traffic, and the predicted high level of traffic and fuelling at its fixed FBO at Zürich Airport. ExecuJet offers private hangar parking at Zürich Airport, extremely popular this year due to the cold weather conditions. “The World Economic Forum is one of the busiest times of the year for business jets travelling to Switzerland. The Forum presents a full month’s work of traffic in a single week,” says Basil Gamper, ExecuJet’s Zürich FBO Manager. “This year, we handled 250 aircraft movements and 430,000 liters of fuel across our two FBOs. Thanks to our size, we were able to relocate ex-

perienced staff from other European bases to help at Zürich and Dübendorf.

Streamlining our services at both FBOs makes a fundamental difference to our customers. We were able to offer private limousines to Davos, seamless private helicopter transfers and lounge facilities as well as aircraft handling, fuel, catering, cleaning and towing services.”

Jet Aviation Zurich spent months preparing for the surge of VIP customers.

The company handled 612 movements and 1,830 passengers and 306 aircraft while supporting fuel sales of 1.5 million liters.

“Maintaining the highest service standards while dealing with these kinds of numbers in such a short timeframe requires total commitment and careful planning,” says General Manager of Jet Aviation Zurich Monica Beusch.

“We received high praise from a number of customers who depend on our personalized services and I am very proud of the team. I was particularly pleased by their professional cooperation with the Authorities and Security, which helped ensure seamless handling for our guests.”

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TARMAC NEWS

CHAMBÉRY SAVOIE AIRPORT Newly renovated terminal

Jonny Nicol and Co-Pilot, Cecilie Øyås

STRATAJET

Launches in the USA Stratajet, the world’s only instant, online marketplace for private jets has arrived in the USA to launch its state wide campaign. Stratajet CEO, Jonny Nicol, and team landed in Maine on their own Piper Chieftain aircraft and will be touring around the U.S. to meet with charter operators.

Stratajet will be visiting Operators and FBO’s at key airfields across the United States; from coast to coast. In addition to meeting agents at their bases, the team will be attending a number of industry events in the region. The company successfully launched its groundbreaking pricing technology in Europe and has already reached its European aircraft capacity.

The technology links directly with operator’s pricing systems. No interaction from brokers or other middlemen is required to provide charter pricing to customers. Stratajet CEO Jonny Nicol said, “After such a successful campaign in Europe we are now more than ready to bring this industry changing opportunity to operators and FBOs in the USA. Our proposition was validated from our very first booking when a customer achieved a 40% discount, on a traditional broker flight booking, because we were able to include a partial empty leg. This is the opportunity to grow our stagnant industry that all operators need.”

This winter, Chambéry Savoie Airport, which becomes the 6th busiest business aviation airport in Europe over the winter season, has a newly- renovated FBO. As part of the investment program assigned to VINCI Airports for the new airport concession, a sum has been dedicated to the business aviation terminal in order to meet one of VINCI Airports’ main objectives: improving the quality of service provided to passengers. The departures area of the terminal has been renovated this year – in-

cluding bathrooms, a boutique and bar area as well as improved signage. The building will be provided a new exterior later this year. The business aviation terminal reopened on Friday 5 December 2015, offering a large selection of services customized to the needs of each individual client. These include catering, seamless transfers by limousine or helicopter, hotel and taxi reservations, and more. Each partner has been selected with the greatest care in order to ensure the passengers total satisfaction.

JET AVIATION VIENNA

EASA approval for Gulfstream GV-SP Series aircraft Jet Aviation Vienna has received authorization from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to provide line maintenance to the series of GV-SP aircraft, which includes the Gulfstream G550. The company also provides line and base maintenance and AOG services to the Cessna Citation series and Bombardier Challenger 300 aircraft, as well as line maintenance services to Bombardier Learjet and Global 5000 aircraft. “The GV-SP series has a strong

track record in the large-cabin category and is often seen in Europe,” said Dennis Kohr, managing director of Jet Aviation Vienna. “We are pleased to expand our service offerings to meet the needs of Gulfstream G550 owners and operators flying in the region.”

Jet Aviation Vienna was founded in September 2014 when Jet Aviation entered agreements with GATE V and FAME, the previous MRO and FBO service providers at Vienna International airport.

From a newly constructed 4,000 square meter hangar facility, the company operates a Cessna Authorized Service Center that provides scheduled and unscheduled maintenance to Cessna Citation aircraft, in addition to off-site AOG services. Jet Aviation Vienna also supports line and base maintenance and AOG services for Bombardier Challenger 300 aircraft, as well as line maintenance for Bombardier Learjet and Global 5000 aircraft and the Gulfstream GV-SP series.

The MRO facility has 2,000 square meters of shops and office space. FBO amenities include an operations office, a crew lounge and access to a VIP passenger lounge.

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Altitudes Asia_Advert.indd 1

3/29/15 2:10 PM

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TARMAC NEWS

GLOBEAIR

New Year Resolutions FRENCH RIVIERA AIRPORTS

Record Traffic Bizav in 2015

Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur (ACA) saw record business aviation traffic last year at the three French Riviera airfields that the company manages, reporting a combined 46,000 movements at Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez Airports.

Growth at Cannes and Saint-Tropez more than offset a slight decline in aircraft movements at Nice.

The economic and geopolitical context has been challenging, said Michel Tohane, director of ACA’s general aviation business. The aftermath of the terrorist attacks in November in France has created a latent stress in air transport. In addition, political tension between France and Russia has resulted in a 25-percent drop in business aviation traffic from Russia, a major impact for Nice Airport.

For 2016, Tohane hopes the lifting of the mtow restriction for business jets from 22 to 35 metric tons (48,500 to 77,100 pounds) at Cannes Airport will have a positive influence on traffic.

The new weight limit, in effect since October 1, could boost traffic by 2 percent, but the airport operator has not yet seen a change since most business aviation activity takes place in the summer and runway projects are ongoing.

An exclusive helicopter terminal opened on January 1 at Nice Airport and could further spur rotorcraft traffic this year, after experiencing 2-percent growth last year.

According to the European Business Aviation Association, (EBAA), the private jet sector has gradually lost activity in Europe in 2015.

During the same time, the Cessna Mustang demand at GlobeAir has shown a clear gain with an overall sales increase of 20% YOY, with a peak of requests in July.

GlobeAir’s success is partly due to a general growing demand for small-cabin aircraft as a new trend towards downsizing emerges. “We’re pleased with our results. With commitment, financial discipline and strong execution, we closed the fiscal year with €17,5m net sales, although the most relevant indicator of our positive performance is the noticeable growth of the operating income achieved this year,” says Bernhard Fragner, CEO of GlobeAir. The Austrian headquartered operator, who operated over 6 000 revenue flights in 2015,

has recently completed the acquisition of 2 Mustangs and has firm plans to grow its fleet to 20 jets by the end of 2016, showing confidence in the market and its unique business model.

“We are making strong progress in our ambitions to deliver a smarter and faster way to travel in Europe ” adds Fragner.

“Since GlobeAir was founded in 2008 we have noticed a substantial change in the traveler’s approach. Now, more than ever, passengers are aware of the different alternatives available in the market and they want to pay fair rates for the service requested. As customer interest in affordable air charter solution is increasing, our mission is to become the reference point for the short-haul flight on-demand. ” The company is hiring highly qualified team members and releasing a cutting-edge API for instant on-line booking, while growing it presence in Europe with 14 jets available at most of the main airports.

WYVERN

New requirements for PASS programme Wyvern has released a revision to the charter industry’s leading safety benchmark, The Wingman Standard, which allows operators greater flexibility to assign flight crew with varying levels of experience, while ensuring requirements for its Pilot and Aircraft Safety Survey (PASS) criteria are met.

Specifically, the pilot recency requirements for 90 and 365 day periods in the PASS programme will be reduced to reflect continuing advancements in flight training, avionics capabilities, maintenance practices, and organisational commitment to safety management.

Art Dawley, CEO at Wyvern, said: “Wyvern has relied on eight years of data which support the adjustment of pilot flight time recency requirements to a more appropriate level in this release given the pilot training requirements of the standard.

This will have an immediate positive impact on the success rate of PASS reports being run and hopefully result in increased business opportunities for our customers.”

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26

TARMAC NEWS TAG AVIATION EUROPE

New CEO Daniel Christe has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of TAG Aviation Europe. He succeeds Christof Späth who has stepped down from the role due to personal circumstances.

Christe started his career at TAG Heuer where he swiftly advanced to the position of Chief Financial Officer.

Following the sale of TAG Heuer to LVMH Group in 1999, Mr Christe became the CFO of TAG Aviation Holding and since that time has served with distinction in a number of different capacities within the Holding and its subsidiaries.

“I am very enthusiastic to take the lead of TAG Aviation Europe which enjoys an unrivalled reputation in the business aviation industry,” said Christe.

“I remain mindful about the challenges ahead in the current difficult economic environment but am privileged to have

beside me the dedication and support of a very experienced management team.”

Roger McMullin, Chairman, TAG Aviation Europe, Board of Directors, commented: “During Mr Christe’s tenure with TAG Aviation he has demonstrated a sound understanding of the aviation business and earned the respect of his fellow colleagues and TAG shareholders alike based on his knowledge, work ethic and professionalism. I am confident that he has the leadership and business skills required to advance TAG’s reputation as the finest business aviation company in the industry.”

TAG Aviation Europe offers a broad range of business aviation services including aircraft management, charter, maintenance, FBO/handling and bespoke crew training. Operating from bases in Switzerland, the UK and Spain, the company manages Europe’s largest fleet with over 80 aircraft, of which nearly 50 are available for charter.

EXECUJET AVIATION GROUP

Acquires Munich FBO The number of FBOs in the Luxaviation Group reaches 21 following the acquisition by ExecuJet Aviation Group of the former European Business Aviation Services’ (EBAS International GmbH) facility at Munich International Airport.

The Munich FBO is ExecuJet’s second handling facility in Germany after Berlin Schoenefeld, and will begin operation on 1 February 2016. “Germany is one of Europe’s largest business aviation markets and we are very excited to begin operations in our second FBO in the country,” said Gerrit

Klaus Bader, Monika Petereit, Jochen Petereit, Sigrun Leidel, Niclas von Planta

Basson, CEO ExecuJet Aviation Group.

“Strategically, Munich is the perfect location because the international airport is one of the largest in Europe and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) is the most popular private jet airport in Germany.

We look forward to offering our business customers ground handling and concierge services at the new facility as well as continuing to serve former customers of EBAS. We are very happy to add this FBO as a next step to actively growing our FBO network further.” ExecuJet is part

of the Luxaviation Group, the second largest corporate aircraft operator in the world, with Patrick Hansen as CEO. ExecuJet’s Munich FBO facility is the biggest handling area at Munich’s GAT, covering an area of 200 m². The ground floor facility is easy to find from the entrance and offers customers a ‘meet and greet’ area, a passenger lounge, VIP service to and from the aircraft as well as convenient limousine and car rental services. There is also a crew lounge and administration office for staff.

TARMAC NEWS

AMIRA AIR

Acquired by Niki Lauda

CEDAR EXECUTIVE

Launch Legacy lands in Lebanon MEA Group is celebrating the arrival of their VIP charter division’s first aircraft – an Embraer Legacy 500.The new jet, delivered from Embraer in São José dos Campos Brazil, will inaugurate the charter services at Cedar Executive, Middle East Airlines subsidiary dedicated to VIP private jet travel. “The Legacy 500 brings the comfort, technology and performance that will enable us to offer customers a premium travel experience,” said Fouad Fawaz, CEO of Cedar Executive. “The onboard

features and amenities make this aircraft the ideal charter jet for our market and our customers. For example: the Legacy 500 allows our clients to fly direct from Beirut to London City Airport.” The Legacy 500 is a super mid-size aircraft, able to carry nine passengers in a modern conformable cabin, with four seats able to be berthed into beds. It incorporates the most modern technologies currently available including fly-by-wire flight controls. It can cruise at 45,000 feet and at MACH 0.82 speed.

Niki Lauda, former Formula 1 word champion has purchases Austrian private jet operator Amira Air. According to several articles in the Austrian media, the sale was completed during the Christmas period, with Lauda reportedly saying that the purchase was “Insanely expensive” Lauda formed NIKI after acquiring Aero Lloyd Austria. The airline eventually merged with Germany’s Air Berlin into the airline in 2011. Lauda’s interests in business aviation continued, and in 2010 he was announced as the launch customer for the Bombardier Global 5000 with the Global Vision flight deck. Lauda went on to operate a Challenger 300 and a Global 6000, and currently holds an order for a Global 7000.

Amira Air were setup in 2004 by Croatian born businessman Ronny Pecik. Starting from a small fleet, the operator currently holds 14 aircraft under its AOC. The majority of these are all Bombardier build aircraft, however the fleet also includes a solitary Cessna Citation CJ2.

BOMBARDIER BUSINESS AIRCRAFT

Sales and distribution taken inhouse Due to a change in Bombardier’s strategic approach to aircraft sales, Bombardier and TAG Aeronautics have ended their contractual agreements. This ends nearly 40 years of TAG Aeronautics as Bombardier’s exclusive sales representative and distributor for new Challenger and Global series aircraft in 21 Middle Eastern and North African countries. Bombardier will now take on all sales activities previously held by TAG Aeronautics.

“We are adapting our business model to capitalise on growing market opportunities around the world and will focus on direct interaction with our customers,” said Alain Bellemare, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. “We appreciate Bombardier’s new philosophy and sales

approach in response to changing market conditions,” said Mansour Ojjeh, CEO, TAG Group Limited. “I am pleased to say that reaching a mutually beneficial agreement for both parties was uncomplicated thanks to the shared respect engendered by our longstanding and very productive relationship. The TAG Group remains a Bombardier Business Aircraft customer and believes without question that Bombardier has the best product line in the business.”

Over the past few decades, TAG Aeronautics and Bombardier have worked together to develop and expand the business aircraft market in the Middle East and North Africa. In the last five years, approximately one third of overall business jet deliveries in the region have been Bombardier aircraft.

“Bombardier is firmly committed to the Middle East and Africa, and our in-region sales team is well equipped to ensure all customers find the ideal business jet for their needs,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft.

“We are confident that private aviation in the region will continue to grow.”

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TARMAC NEWS

VICTOR & ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Blurring the lines between private and commercial aviation Etihad Airways has announced a new partnership with Victor, an on-demand private jet charter company, to complement and promote its exclusive The Residence and First Apartment cabins, both available on the airline’s Airbus A380 fleet.

The partnership allows customers the convenience of chartering a private aircraft connection to or from their international A380 flights.

Etihad Airways is the first scheduled airline to partner with private jet charter providers worldwide to promote specific scheduled flights on its extensive global network. Victor, which has bases in London in the UK, and in New York and California in the USA, provides realtime availability, fully discloses transaction fees and gives specific operator and aircraft details, offering customers total transparency and control with no upfront commitments.

The Victor mobile app, which launched in April 2015, allows travelers to search, compare, book and board a private jet entirely from their smartphones.

Members of Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’s frequent flyer program, will be provided with access to the Victor app, and an incentive offer of a Victor card with a value of US$1,500 as a discount toward their first private jet charter booked using the app.

The 125sqf Residence provides a private threeroom cabin, including a living room, double bedroom, private bathroom, dedicated Savoytrained butler and onboard chef.

The Etihad Airways A380 fleet is configured with nine First Apartments, featuring a private living space with a reclining lounge chair and an ottoman that converts to become a separate 80.5in-long fully flat bed. The onboard chef provides First Apartment guests with ‘à la carte’ dining or a menu tailor-made from a larder of fresh ingredients. Guests enjoy full inflight connectivity, including wi-fi and mobile services, advanced personal entertainment systems and luxury chauffeur transfers to and from airports served by the Etihad Airways A380 fleet.

YASAVA SOLUTIONS SA

Design commissioned for two Falcon 7Xs Yasava Solutions has been selected by an undisclosed customer for the design of a new aircraft exterior and interior, based on the Astral design, which includes the Aïana Wave seat. The deal is initially for two Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft, and may increase to five aircraft as the customer expands their business.

Carefully selected leathers and textiles, illuminated granite floor features, carbonfibre elements and liquid metal details will be used to blend between urban contemporary and classic luxury.

Each seated passenger will be able to enjoy individual amenities, including sleeping comfortably on the Aïana Wave seats. The galley will be optimised for an on-board chef, allowing freshly prepared meals to be served, in addition to catered food. The aircraft will feature on-board WiFi with AVOD streaming to

personal devices. “We are very proud to have been selected by the client. Our innovative approach, design excellence, choices of interior layouts, immersive 3D virtual technology and attention to detail were partly responsible for Yasava being selected,” said Christopher Mbanefo, Founder and CEO of Yasava. ”However, what ultimately made the difference was when the customer sat in the Aïana Wave, and for the first time experienced a level of comfort that was beyond his initial expectation.”

While corporate jets typically accommodate a maximum of only six sleeping positions, Astral interiors provide up to 10 sleeping positions, depending on the design layout selected by the client. An optional “Day Lounge” can be selected, which converts into a private suite with a double bed. Astral aircraft are distinguished by a unique external asymmetrical paint livery, which is customisable by the client, yet remains instantly recognisable as an Astral.

Join thousands of top business aviation leaders, entrepreneurs, and other purchase decision-makers for the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2016). Visit the ABACE website to learn more and register today.

REGISTER NOW: www.abace.aero/altitudes

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TARMAC NEWS

Igor Bublovski, Moscow Sky, Feven Tewelde, Jet Aviation, Dr. Leonid Gorodnitski, FCG Flight Consulting, Maria Maruna, Jet Aviation, Roman Sharkov, FCG Flight Consulting Group

JET AVIATION

Daniela and Thierry Boutsen with Josephine Dalgaard, Feven Tewelde and Sanda Pomaski, Jet Aviation

Liz Moscrop, Rob Smith, Sylvie Péron, Oliver Bergsch, Sanda Pomaski

Vienna Roundtable On a chilly night in late January, a fine assortment of major players in the business aviation community gathered in Vienna. Hosted by Jet Aviation’s President Rob Smith, the cocktail party took place at the Palais Coburg for the second time. The event was founded seven years ago by Oliver Bergsch, VP Sales & Customer Relations EMEA MRO & FBO, with only ten participants sharing thoughts over drinks at a round table. This year over 240 guests attended, including owner representatives, OEM’s and MRO’s, operators, aircraft brokers, insurance companies, financial bankers and lawyers. Savoring drinks and finger food to the live Brazilian music of Bé, guests were still enjoying themselves long after they were served a midnight buffet.

Oliver Bergsch

Daniela Boutsen, Dagmar Grossman, CEO Grossman Jet Service; Rob Smith; Nabila Safti, Boutsen Design; Adil Zebdi, Bombardier

Bé’s Brazilian music

Dassault’s Denis Leculee, Elodie Ngo, Eloi Dufour, Gilles Gautier with Robert Smith, President, Jet Aviation, Christophe Van Den Broek, Dassault ; Oliver Bergsch, Jet Aviation

Join European business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, corporate aviation department personnel and all those involved in business aviation for the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2016). Visit the EBACE website to learn more and register today.

REGISTER TODAY: www.ebace.aero/altitudes

32

SNAPSHOT

BELL 407 COURCHEVEL DEBUTS Photos Christian Arnal

SNAPSHOT

“Early January in Courchevel, guests of Bell Textron’s Robin Wendling, and Jet Transfer’s CEO Alexander Evdokimov were invited to discover the high performance Bell 407” Each year Courchevel celebrates the Russian Holiday Season with panache during the first week of January. Robin Wendling and Alexander Evdokimov, CEO Jet Transfer, respectively Western European and Russian representatives of Bell Textron, the American helicopter manufacturer, invited customers and prospects vacationing in the French Alps winter resort to fly-test and discover the high performance 407.

The helicopter, which is able to cruise at 140 knots (259km/hr) with up to 6 passengers, showed its maneuverability as it landed on the terrace of the Pilatus, the restaurant located just above the Altiport. A hundred dinner guests were treated to the sound of Russian DJ Smash, flown in from Moscow for the evening, as they toasted themselves with Château Dassault Saint Emilion gran cru, another big name in aviation!

Landing on the terrace of the Pilatus, the Bell 407 attracted the attention of the hundred guests dancing to the sound of DJ Smash, just flewn in from Moscow

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SHOPPING

01

High fashion skis

Bespoke hand-made skis adapted to the owner’s wishes and level of skiing, designed by former champion Frank Mougel, a ski instructor who was born and raised in Courchevel. Limited edition, price on demand Contact: fmougel@aol.com

02 Tailor-made performance

Enjoy the best of opera and classical music, performed live by some exceptional talents right in the heart of your home, or in the cabin of a private jet. A personal experience not to be forgotten, whether for an intimate evening for two or a corporate event, Paris-based MyPrivateOpera will perform anywhere… www.myprivateopera.com

S H O P P I N G

04

Happy Valentine!

A little something from Tiffany…

Paloma’s Sugar Stacks ring in 18k rose gold with pink sapphires.

Price: 5.200 €

03

French Skiwear

Created in 1952, Fusalp radically changed the skiwear industry in creating the first modern “fuseau” pants, a slim-fit pair of trousers elegantly adapted for ski racing. Cultivating its unique “couture” savoir-faire, the brand’s unique collection of “après-ski” products combines technical fabrics with fashion urban designs www.fusalp.com

Paloma Picasso Love & Kisses cuff links in sterling silver. Price: 320,00€

Knot cuff links in 18k gold.

Price: 3.450 €

Tiffany Victoria earrings in platinum with diamonds.

Price: 9,850 €

05

Nom d’1 piste

Courchevel born and based-photographer Christian Arnal, an experienced skier and artist, with the support of historian David Dereani, joyously deciphers in this small book the melodious syntax of the names of runs familiar to so many… www.christianarnal.com

06 Cheers!

Travel in style with this leather champagne bottle and flute carrier.

Foglizzo’s luxury goods from Turin, Italy, are exclusively available at Monaco-based Boutsen Design www.foglizzo.com www.boutsendesign.com

07

Everlasting Heritage

A dream that comes to life in slightly different shapes, growing on its own terms, from fathers and mothers to daughters and sons, it runs in the family… Etnia Barcelona vintage collection pays a tribute to independent culture Price on demand www.etniabarcelona.com

08

Goodwood Motor Circuit

From a magnificent Mercedes to a macabre hearse, the exceptionally diverse single-owner Kingsley Curtis Collection will be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting sale on Sunday 20 March 2016.

Leading the collection is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, estimated at £800,000-1,000,000.

Entry to Bonhams auction by catalogue only www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

36

TIMEPIECES

STAND TO ATTENTION Watches inspired by the military forces

Longines

Heritage Military COSD When you’re jumping out of a plane behind enemy lines in the dead of night with only a silk parachute to break your fall, you want a watch that’s built for the job. This battle tough piece from the Swiss brand Longines was used by British paratroopers in the Second World War, as well as Special Forces, and has been reissued today. The NATO khaki strap is durable and lightweight – ideal for the men who wore them – while the arrow on the dial signified that the watch was Government property. longines.com

TIMEPIECES

Arnold & Son

Victory special edition Perhaps the most famous battle of them all, the Battle Of Trafalgar in 1805, was paid a special tribute by Arnold & Son with this elegant timepiece. The historic British watchmaker, which, remarkably, has been in existence since before the battle itself, created a one-off watch depicting the battleship HMS Victory, the craft sailed by Lord Nelson in his famous victory over Napoleon. The 18 carat rose gold piece, with 22 carat solid applique, now sits in the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth in England. arnoldandson.com

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TIMEPIECES

MB&F

HM4 Razzle Dazzle The curvaceous pin up girls painted onto the fuselage of World War II bombers by their American crew were the inspiration for this memorable watch from MB&F. The Razzle Dazzle is made from titanium with aeroplane rivets and features women hand painted by artist Isabelle Villa. The right dial shows hours and minutes while the left displays the power reserve (72 hours). The strap, meanwhile, is made from vintage military bags and echoes the flying jackets worn by fly boys during the war. mbandf.com

TIMEPIECES Bell & Ross

BR03 Military Type Constructed entirely from ceramic, this Bell & Ross timepiece is super lightweight, which we imagine comes in handy when you’re engaging in a spot of hand to hand combat. The khaki dial yells military like a sergeant major when you’re late for parade, while the red ‘MT’, which stands for ‘Military Type’ adds a pop of colour. There’s no need to worry about damaging this 42mm aviation watch as the sapphire crystal is scratch resistant. Two straps are available: black rubber or the ultra tough khaki canvas seen here. bellross.com

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FLASH

SCHEDULERS & DISPATCHERS CONFERENCE 2016 TAMPA, FLORIDA The 2016 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2016) concluded Friday, Jan. 22 at the Tampa Convention Center with a record 2,800-plus attendees and 517 exhibitors taking part in the annual conference, which included dozens of innovative education sessions, various networking events and ample opportunities to give back to the local community.

By Sylvie PĂŠron

T

o many attendees of the SDC2016, held this past January in Tampa, Florida, USA, Booth #827 sat rather inconspicuously and unassumingly amongst rows and rows of operators, caterers, and a wide variety of other vendors. To those who took the time to investigate a bit further, there is a “stunning jewel” just waiting to be discovered on the eastern seacoast of New Hampshire.

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (KPSM) and Port City Air, the field’s sole fixedbased operator (FBO), are an ideal purposebuilt location for North-Atlantic crossings.

“With an 11,321 foot runway and 24/7/365 hours of operation, we have the capability, infrastructure, and equipment to handle any aircraft at any time,” said Ned Denney, Port City Air’s Chief Executive Officer.

So what does differentiate KPSM and Port City Air from the “tried and true”, well-known, and usual technical stop options? “Time, money, energy, and happiness are the keys that unlock the Portsmouth, NH gateway,” says, the FBO’s Director of Sales, Robert R. Coleman.

“We save time by providing the fastest turn time possible with line service technicians and a dedicated fuel truck available for every international arrival and departure. We also save money by offering the lowest fuel and ground handling costs in the area. Additionally, there are NO landing or other fees imposed by the airport authority. Finally, we save energy by making the process safe and efficient. A Charter Operations Representative is scheduled for every international arrival, no matter what time day or night, to ensure the needs of the crew and passengers are met and expectations are exceeded. Finally, our effective coordination and constant communication with the airport stationed U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer(s) guarantees an expedited clearance process. This well-orchestrated effort produces a harmonious outcome – resulting in our customers’ satisfaction, those in the front as well as those in the rear of the aircraft.”

The city of Portsmouth, NH, an ocean-front community is picturesque and rich with historic beauty and New England character. If and when a crew swap is required, domestic and international scheduled services are available from three (3) airports, all within an hour driving time. Flight crews enjoy a multiplicity

Portsmouth, NH, Airport Team

WITH AN 11,321 FOOT RUNWAY AND 24/7/365 HOURS OF OPERATION, WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND EQUIPMENT TO HANDLE ANY AIRCRAFT AT ANY TIME

Save the date NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference February 7-10, 2017 Fort Worth, Texas

of great experiences – including shopping, dining or visiting local breweries and museums.

Whether corporate/business, military, charter, or cargo, the outstanding teams of professionals at Portsmouth International Airport (KPSM) and Port City Air are ready to accommodate any operation. n

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FOCUS

AERION

IT’S ABOUT TIME The still in development Aerion AS2 supersonic jet has just announced its first customer, with Flexjet placing a firm order for 20 of the groundbreaking aircraft. Ernie Edwards, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, spoke to Altitudes about the jet’s progress.

By Jill Stockbridge

Supersonic flight will save three hours across the Atlantic and more than six hours on longer trans-Pacific routes.

FOCUS

AERION

THE AERION AS2 HAS A TOP SPEED OF MACH 1.5, WHICH IS 67% FASTER THAN THE TOP CRUISE SPEEDS OF CURRENT OR ANTICIPATED LONGRANGE SUBSONIC JETS.

T

he team at Reno, Nevada-based Aerion are celebrating. Thirteen years after the company suggested the idea of supersonic private aviation, the first jet has been sold. In fact, 20 of them have been sold, with a firm order from Flexjet valued at US$2.4 billion. Delivery is due to begin in 2023.

It is the next step in a long progress. Ernie Edwards, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, explained: “The Aerion Supersonic 2 is the second iteration of the aircraft. The company was formed in 2002, with the original concept of a twin-engined slightly smaller aircraft.

However, just as Robert Bass, our chairman and founder, was gearing up to go forward with that aircraft, the recession hit. Progress slowed right

down, as we waited for the market to pick up.”

The company used their downtime to conduct a series of market surveys. The results showed that a slightly longer-range aircraft was required.

Edwards explained: “We now have a target range of 4,750 nautical miles at Mach 1.4, which is our high speed cruise. And a long-range cruise of 5,300 nautical miles target at Mach .95, which is still faster than anything flying today in the civilian world. We are going full bore now, in collaboration with Airbus, to develop the aircraft.”

The first flights are planned for 2021.

Additional information from the customer survey indicated the need to be able to operate out of some of the shorter fields in the US, that also have either weight or wingspan restrictions, such as Teterboro or Aspen. Aerion addressed the problem by adding a third engine.

Edwards said: “We haven’t finally selected the engines, but we are pretty confident that the end result will be a shortly balanced field length of about 6,000ft at around 100,000lbs. And that will meet the weight requirements of Teterboro and Aspen.

Our wingspan is not an issue, since the wing isn’t as wide as some of the other aircraft that regularly go into there.” The wing is part of Aerion’s USP. The company, in conjunction with NASA and other leading aeronautical institutions, has developed advanced wing technology in the area of supersonic natural laminar flow (SNLF).

It is not just about speed, it is also about efficiency. Aerion’s SNLF wing reduces total airframe drag by as much as 20 per cent compared to a delta wing configuration, such as that used by the Concorde. Less power and fuel are therefore required to sustain supersonic flight, enabling a substantial reduction in gross weight for a given mission. But the SNLF wing also has excellent low drag characteristics at subsonic speeds, allowing it to cruise efficiently on overland routes where supersonic flight is prohibited.

SUPERSONIC VS SUBSONIC And it is important for Aerion that the AS2 is also recognised for its speed and efficiency in subsonic flight, given that supersonic flight is restricted over the contiguous USA. Edwards said: “It is about noise pollution and the sonic boom. Over water, flying over the Atlantic, there are not many people on the surface who can hear it, but over land there may be. We believe that we have minimised that, through our wing design and the new wing technology. Supersonic jets with the wing that we have, subject to certain weather

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FOCUS

AERION

Designed by Inairvation the aircraft interiors will have capacity for eight to twelve passengers

conditions, will be able to fly supersonic at about Mach 1.2, which we have dubbed Boomless Flight.”

Despite the restrictions, the AS2 can offer some serious time savings, using a combination of subsonic and supersonic flight. Edwards explained: “You will still be able to shave 2.5 hours off your flight day from New York to London. You will be able to have breakfast in Paris, fly to Washington DC, have a five hour meeting and get home in time for bed. So, the transatlantic flights are a great draw.

“However, you will also be able to fly coast to coast in the US at .95, which is faster than anything else.

The longer the flight the better is the speed advantage, with almost seven hours saving from San Francisco to Sydney, for example,” he added. “The aircraft will create vastly more productive time for the region’s business leaders.”

THE AIRCRAFT AIMS FOR A RANGE OF 4,750 NAUTICAL MILES AT SUPERSONIC SPEED AND 5,300 NAUTICAL MILES TARGET AT .95 MACH.

ACCEPTING ORDERS

Aerion’s SNLF wing reduces total airframe drag by as much as 20 per cent, compared to a delta wing configuration

With first deliveries due in 2023, orders are being taken with a current list price of US$120 million; roughly double the list price of the wide-cabin, ultra-long-range G650.

AERION

FOCUS

Edwards is happy with the market reaction.

“The important thing for us is that we are not getting resistance to the price. The general reaction is that it kind of makes sense. What people really want to know is why it is taking so long.

“Just a regular aircraft today, from announcement, to certification and delivery takes five years. And sometimes that five-year program can take up to 10 years, when things don’t go well.

So saying seven years from now is not unrealistic, considering what we are trying to do.” The aircraft will have capacity for eight to 12 people. Edwards states that in discussions potential clients have requested as few as four seats. “We have not had a request for 12 passengers yet. Eight seems to be a typical load request.”

The company has appointed Inairvation, a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and F. ListGMBH, to develop cabin interiors for the AS2, as well as manage their certification and production. For the first sales, Aerion and Flexjet will work together to design unique interiors for the AS2, continuing the tradition of premium interiors such as those in Flexjet’s recently launched Red Label fleet.

BUILDING ON COLLABORATION While the company is relatively new, the pedigree of those gathered into it is impeccable. Edwards himself is a former president of Embraer Executive Jets, held senior management positions with Cessna and Gulfstream and is the former president of Swift Aviation Group. He points to the company’s founder and chairman, Robert Bass. “If you were to meet him, you would immediately realize that he absolutely knows what he is talking about when he talks about this aeroplane. And he is financially, emotionally and intellectually committed to the aircraft,” he said. Before mentioning other senior board members, such as Brian Barents.

However, it is the collaboration with Airbus that seals their credentials. Edwards added: “This would not have developed as it has without them looking into the technologies that we have, and agreeing that they can benefit from learning about some of the things we are doing. As we can learn from them what they are doing from the engineering perspective.”

Airbus has recently announced increased involvement with the project, with support from the group operations in North America now including engineering, procurement and supply chain management, logistics planning, program management and government relations. These

new resources augment the engineering support from Airbus Defence and Space in Spain.

“The collaboration between Aerion and Airbus Group has been extremely beneficial and productive,” said Allan McArtor, Chairman and CEO of Airbus Group, Inc. “The further we proceed along the development path with Aerion, the greater our enthusiasm for this program and the deeper our commitment. Under our new agreement, our two companies are working as one to bring Aerion’s supersonic AS2 to the business jet market,” he added. n

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MARKET

GLOBAL BIZAV

THE YEAR AHEAD

Risks remain, but the US market should provide momentum. There is a hint of renewed optimism about the global business aviation market this year. Of course this tends to happen every New Year, and at every EBACE and NBAA since 2008. Mostly, disappointment has ensued as growth has stalled or relapsed. But the last 18 months have looked a little more positive. The trends have not been uniform by any means, but there were definitely signs of a battered business getting back to its feet in 2015.

More of the same this year looks like a pretty reasonable expectation, so long as the wider economic risks do not encroach.

By Richard Koe

T

he business aviation industry in Europe has been longest in the doldrums. Flight activity fell more than 25% in the wake of the recession in 2008. This was an over-correction, as shown by the partial recovery in 20102011. But a good part of the pre-2008 market did not come back, and in retrospect much of the peak demand is now considered a one-off bubble. Then came the double-dip in 2012, with recovery blown off course by the sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone. As this was contained, activity regained impetus, then again lost momentum as the Ukraine crisis and subsequent economic recession undercut demand in Russia and Turkey.

By the end of last year, the previous twelve months growth rate had flat-lined. But the flat year

belied a weakening trend for business jets specifically, this activity decreasing 3% during 2015. Prop activity – turboprop and piston flights, some 40% of total business aviation activity by WINGX definition – was up 5% for the year. With its user base largely in Western Europe, the Prop fleet’s activity had collapsed back in 2012, but then recovered in line with the upswing in the Eurozone. Without the exposure, which jets – especially large cabin – have had to Eastern Europe, Turkey and Russia, Prop activity has maintained growth since 2013 and should continue to do so in 2016.

JET SIZE AND TYPE Activity trends also differ for jet size and type since 2008. What stands out is the consistent growth in the Ultra Long Range Jet segment. The activity trend for ULR jets barely touched zero after

MARKET

GLOBAL BIZAV

Chart 1: Business aviation flight activity in Europe Chart 1: Business aviation flight activity in Europe

Chart 2: Business aviation flight activity in Europe by Chart 2: Business aviation flight activity in Europe, by aircraft type aircraft type

2008, before recovering swiftly, reaching a peak growth rate of over 25% in 2011.

ULR flights were still growing 15% when the recession in Russia undercut demand.

And even then, ULR flights increased in every month of 2015 in Europe, ending last year with 5% growth. The robustness of demand for ULR jets testifies to the resilience of this cabin’s typical buyer profile, whether ultra-high net worth individual or multinational corporation.

The ULR upwards trend corresponds to industry surveys which consistently show demand remains strongest for newest and largest jets. That is backed up by new aircraft deliveries, which have favored large jet OEMs such as Bombardier and Gulfstream over the smaller aircraft manufacturers in the Textron group. This bifurcation has been with us since 2008, with jets valued under $25M, representing 50% of delivery value pre-2008, falling to under 25% of delivery value by 2013. But we may now be moving beyond this paradigm, at least in activity terms. The Heavy Jet segment, as distinct from the ULR platforms, slumped in the last 18 months. Meanwhile Light Jet activity has stabilized and even slightly grew in 2015.

GRADUAL RECOVERY

Chart 3: Business aviation activity in North America Chart 3: Business aviation activity in North America 2013-2015 2013-2015

The gradual recovery of the Light Jet market is the most encouraging news for the European market. Light Jet users were the mainstay of business aviation before 2008, the entrepreneurs and SMEs who value private jets as business tools. They were the most sensitive to falling revenues, restrictive lending and the public stigma of flying private. The return of this market suggests these customers have regained confidence.

Mustang and Phenom very light jets have been in strong demand, so too have older light jets such as the CJ1 and CJ2, also turboprops such as the King Air 350.

Medium Jet activity fell back significantly in Europe after 2012. This is where OEMs have felt the sharpest cut backs from corporations and fractional operators. The largest fleets of super light and midsize aircraft – Hawker 700-900 series and Lear 60s – are increasingly idle, activity falling some 15% last year. Realizing how shrunk this addressable market had become, Bombardier

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pulled the Lear 85 introduction early last year. The Medium Jet decline in activity would be much steeper were it not for the popularity of recently launched Super-midsize Challenger 350 and Gulfstream 280. Next year the segment should at last reflate as the Citation Latitude and Embraer 450 get some traction on both sides of the Atlantic.

The combined effect of demand for different aircraft types should produce at least some activity growth in Europe in 2016, perhaps not more than 1% overall, more in Western Europe. North America, which accommodates five times the fleet and flight activity, should also grow. Like its economy, the US business aviation market is at a more mature stage of recovery than Europe.

That said, aircraft deliveries are well below prerecession levels, and although overall activity has caught up, aircraft utilization is still below par.

Some 12% of the fleet was promoted for sale last year, but at least 30% of the fleet is effectively idle. Flight activity still grew last year, but the pace is down on 2013-2014.

The North American market is also showing a more robust demand for small and medium sized aircraft. The Phenom 300 has sold extremely well in the US in the last couple of years, with Embraer's 450 now joining the mix. NetJets will take delivery of a large fleet of Citation Latitudes in the next few months. Turboprop activity has kept growing, with Wheels Up exploiting the versatility of the King Air 350. They and a host of other start- ups – Rise, Surf Air, Beacon - have introduced new membership models to repackage business aviation for a larger market. There's also a technology play, with online brokers like JetSmarter and Stellar raising millions to bring Expedia-style booking engines into play.

GOLD-RUSH

NORTH AMERICA US activity this year will take its lead from the economy. That should stay on track, buoyed by low oil prices, relatively low interest rates and recently high corporate profits. There are however growing risks. Normalization of interest rates, begun in December, appears to be weakening already struggling developing economies in the rest of the world, drying up US export markets, China most important of all. The first impact of this concern is already being seen in tumbling stock markets. With the US presidential election also due, the economic horizons are clouding up for US corporations. In this climate, the caution embedded by the 2008 recession could be tilted to a further year of wait-and-see when it comes to business jet purchases.

This impact may be felt hardest in the large cabin segment. This part of the market has done best the last few years in North America, but sales have slowed even as activity has continued to grow in the last year. The lower oil price has subdued demand in the energy sector, where the larger corporate fleets tend towards heavy jet requirement.

Purchasers may also wait out 2016 for the arrival of the Falcon 8X. In the meantime, bargains abound in the pre-owned market, with a surge in the number of ULR jets for sale in the last 12 months. US buyers are also finding great deals in the overseas markets. The active European fleet shrunk at least 2% last year and we can expect further repatriation of US-manufactured aircraft in 2016.

Richard Koe is joint Managing Director of WINGX, taking the lead on strategy, business development and sales initiatives. Together with Christoph Kohler, Richard has grown WINGX to be the leading provider of market intelligence to the global business aviation industry.

As well as managing WINGX, Richard is a regular speaker, panelist and moderator of industry conferences worldwide, writes on a wide range of business aviation issues, and works closely with regional regulators and industry associations.

WINGX is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany and operates a further office in Geneva, Switzerland. www.wingx-advance.com

There is something of the gold-rush in the online charter space, as investors from outside the industry gamble on finding virgin territory for another uber. Even so, there is little question that the business aviation industry should be reaching out to a much bigger demographic than ultra-high net worth individuals. As they consolidate around larger airports and aircraft, scheduled airlines are leaving an increasing number of small communities without any other connectivity. Taking the car is not the answer; according to the US Centre for Economics and Business Research, highway congestion cost more than US$120BN in 2013. So in the year 2016 we should start to see whether the new air taxi models can start exploit this opportunity.

Between them, North America and Europe contribute well over 80% of the global business jet fleet and flight activity. Latin America, Russia and the Middle East have fairly mature business jet markets, and fastgrowing new markets in China and West Africa have excited OEMs the last few years.

But China's slowdown and the associated fall in oil and commodities, has put all these markets in the shade. It now looks all too certain these regions will continue to disappoint business jet forecasts in 2016. So whilst Europe should not disappoint in eking out some revival in business aviation this year, growth in business aviation in 2016 will, more than ever since 2008, come down to what happens next in the US market. n

W A N T I T N O W. H AV E I T K N O W S A I L I N G • F L Y I N G • D R I V I N G • H O R O L O G Y • R E A L E S T A T E • T R AV E L CANNE S- COLLECTION.COM

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EXEMPLARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP GABRIELLA SOMERVILLE MANAGING DIRECTOR CONNECTJETS LTD

Starting her career with Virgin Atlantic as Cabin Crew, Gabriella Somerville was selected for the carrier’s prolific promotional team, hosting VIP Inaugural flights to several U.S. cities, as well as Hong Kong and Japan. She then moved to British Airways, before running her own boutique events management company. In 2006, she was appointed Client Relationship Manager for Bombardier’s company Skyjet International, honing her customer relationship skills and aviation knowledge to evolve an innovative Jet Membership program, before joining successor company VistaJet as VP Program sales.

In 2009, Gabriella founded ConnectJets with her own seed capital, a business she continues to run today, always expanding its charter/sales activity.

Charity work is close to her heart and ConnectJets has raised over £ 150,000 for the Children’s Hospice and Military Charities.

By Sylvie Péron

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tall, model-figure all clad in black Gabriella Somerville greeted Altitude on a chilly winter morning at her new office on Berkeley Square, in London.

Her career in aviation has been so impressive that it seems debatable what she would be most proud of.

“There have been a number of highs and lows over the last 26 years since beginning my career in aviation,” says Gabriella. “The most rewarding is undoubtedly the work with our designated charities. There is no greater joy than changing the life of an individual and aviation has allowed me to

Charity has and continues to play a hugely important role in my life. Thanks to Bombardier, private clients and operators we were able to take 33 Children, Parents and Siblings on two Learjets and one Gulfstream to Disneyland

do that. The personal success brings its own reward and of course recognition is something that we all aim for. I was particularly delighted to have won the European Honorary Global Exemplary Award for Entrepreneurship in 2015.

The award has opened a number of doors both here in the UK and further afield to be a spokesperson for the industry. In 2014 I also took up the role of mentor for Virgin Unite, the not for profit foundation group of the Virgin Company/ Brand.”

Undeniably, bringing a feminine touch to the work place does play to one’s advantage. “However, being a woman in a male dominated environment can hold its challenges,” states Gabriella.

“There has always been a resistance within the industry towards women taking up key roles,

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particularly in aircraft sales and other stem fields.

I am delighted that organizations such as EBAA/ BBGA/ BACA/WIA are beginning to challenge the status quo by giving women a voice to create and implement change at every level.

As a company and female CEO I was delighted to have been awarded the exclusive agency agreement by Piaggio Aerospace in 2014, where we duly went on to introduce their first UK client in 2014. I think this is a clear testament that women can and do make a huge contribution in our industry.”

AVIATION ON THE ROAD MAP The second child in her family, Gabriella’s father was keen to have a son.

“Whilst he was unquestionably delighted that I was a girl, he had already prescribed a road map that would include the integration of aircraft into my formative years. My father was both a designer and architect and his love of carpentry led him to design and construct a number of wooden aircraft with rotors and blades.

These planes brought much amusement and joy to me as a young child and I guess it was then that my passion was birthed.

My father was also an avid air show groupie, and the fact that we had a relative in the Red Arrows team was part of his desire to attend, so this played a key part in the journey as well. The formative years of any child’s life are pivotal and very much lay the cornerstone for their future destiny.”

Gabriella landed her first role as a flight attendant for Virgin Atlantic in 1989 to the envy of all her friends. “It was a girl’s dream job in the 80’s” she says.

“Richard (Branson) brought back the romance of air travel, and it was truly wonderful to be part of something that was so exciting and cutting edge.

Remember these were the heady days of the onboard butler, catwalks at altitude, inaugural parties over the Atlantic! It was truly wonderful and I cannot remember a day when I wished I was doing something else.

Richard’s personality and desire to challenge the status quo made him an overnight success in the media. His PR strategy was on spec and paid dividends over the prevailing years.”

CABIN CREW MANAGEMENT According to Gabriella, crew management does require a level of diplomacy. “The conditions for crew today are rigorous, including long hours, less pay, increased service demands, short layovers and sleep deprivation.

It requires a certain individual and temperament to manage the long, unsocial hours along with working at altitude in a tight piece of aluminum tubing! I take my hat off to them all – they do a grand job.”

Moving from Virgin to BA was a complete culture shock. “The move was a strategic one as I needed to explore and develop my career in a large corporate to progress up the ladder. I knew I needed to experience both the entrepreneurial and corporate ship. Both served me well in terms of experience and I am convinced they were duly instrumental in the eventual set up of my own company and its prevailing success.”

“CONNECTJETS IS A SMALL BOUTIQUE BROKERAGE; I LIKE TO THINK OF US AS THE SAVILE ROW OF BUSINESS AVIATION”

ENTREPRENEURISM

“It was by default and not intention that I moved from Bombardier to VistaJet, due to the takeover of Skyjet by VistaJet. Within the space of a few weeks I went from being a client relationship Manager at Bombardier to VP of sales at VistaJet. The transition was not without its challenges but it was a wonderful opportunity under the leadership of Thomas Flohr to enter the aircraft sales arena. Bombardier and BA fell into the same category in terms of process and procedure at a corporate level and Virgin /Vistajet introduced me to the school of entrepreneurism.”

So what made her decide to start ConnectJets in 2009, right in the middle of a major economic downturn?

“I have always embraced a challenge. To be fair, it was a combination of factors, including the sale of my chalet in Chamonix, combined with turning a certain age that inspired me to make my mark in Aviation. I am also a believer that during a recession/downturn there are huge opportunities.

The market tends to shrink, the competition starts to decrease and marketing budgets are cut - there you have your golden opportunity to maximize your brand in a tired market. I also saw opportunities where clients were looking to downsize or sell their fractions; there was a secondary market available that offered us a clear space in the industry. We went on to turn over 4m GBP in our second year of operating with zero debt. I think this is confirmation that starting in a downturn can have its advantages.”

ConnectJets is a small boutique brokerage. “I like to think of us as the Savile row of business aviation,” says Gabriella. In 2012 the company was awarded a commendation for their services and have since

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gone on to receive further awards and letters of acclamation. Customer service is at the very core of ConnectJets. “Where there is tough competition, service has to be your differential. I also like to think we are innovative, having serviced a full wine menu for our clients where we instructed a wine tasting at altitude with some of the UK’s finest sommeliers. We are currently working with a Harley Street nutritionist to source and develop menus that will complement our clients’ dietary requirements at altitude and promote well-being.

We have also developed an on-board wash bag with luxury brands to further enhance our offering.

It is the totality of the experience that leaves a lasting memory.”

With regard to aircraft sales, ConnectJets are the financial advisors of the aviation sector. In such a complex market the process has to be kept simple while developing a level of trust with clients. “Our honest and unbiased approach has served us well,” says Gabriella. “I will only sell an aircraft if I am wholly convinced the client is financially aware of the full cost implications, including management, maintenance and depreciation. Purchasing an aircraft is undoubtedly one of most important purchases in a client’s life and it is important we help them to get it right; they will come back if you do.”

EXPANDING THE CHARTER/SALES ACTIVITY ConnectJets are looking to expand their charter model and adopt a new technology platform that will enable them to provide an online solution for clients who prefer to shop from their smart or iPhone. “We will continue to enhance the client experience both on and off- board by increasing our portfolio of products and services.

The whole experience has to be totally holistic from the point of booking to our client’s arrival at their destination. I believe the new brokerage

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model has to be a hybrid of the human and the tech. One without the other will fail.”

Today, the company is keen on supporting its aircraft sales activities in the pre-owned aircraft market, while also engaging in a number of consultancy projects in China, Bahrain and Africa.

As the industry continues to grow, the competition likewise is adding more pressure to the small brokerage model. “We have to take a sober look at what the consumer wants and build a strategy that offers flexibility and service in line with consumer needs. These needs continue to change and develop as the market matures.

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the market is saturated right now and there is a need for consolidation in both the brokerage and operator market. As an industry we also have to look at our charter pricing strategy; margins of 3% 4% will not create sustainability in the long term and will undermine our position going forward, potentially destroying the industry. The big players are willing to sell at zero margins in order to obtain market dominance – by doing this they create a false economy and do our clients an injustice if we continue along this path. Competition is positive - iron sharpens iron and as an industry we need to embrace it and not fear it. Undoubtedly the digital disruption has arrived and we cannot deny that we need to face the elephant in the room.

Technology is here to stay and therefore we have to create space for it, however we also have to treat it with some caution.”

ConnectJets are shortly to engage and implement a new digital platform that will provide a one-stop shop for the smaller to medium size brokerage. This new system will allow access to the digital arena for all brokers (regardless of size or budget) to compete on an equal playing field.

A SUCCESSFUL MODEL “Primarily we are in the service industry and therefore it is paramount that we provide the highest levels of service, safety and security for our passengers,” says Gabriella.

“The key components to running a successful brokerage are employing staff with loyalty, discretion, knowledge and experience. People who exhibit a strong sense of service bring a core set of values and business ethics to their work. Experience is paramount, there are so many variables and challenges in aviation it requires an experienced and cool head to manage the complexities of any operation.” n

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GULFSTREAM G500

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The new Gulfstream G500 is an example of ambitious engineering ideas and innovation brought to life.

It also conveys an exceptional flexibility in design choices. While the G500 is undergoing a series of tests, Gulfstream designers continue to fine-tune the interior to anticipate the wishes of prospective owners.

By Veronika Sipeeva

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The G500 will be the first business jet with active control sidesticks instead of the traditional yoke

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hen the all-new Gulfstream G500 rolled out under its own power at the launch presentation in October 2014 in Savannah, Georgia, the public received it with great applause. The new addition to the Gulfstream family, along with its sister aircraft the G600, came as a surprise, resulting from the five-year secretive development program.

What was even more impressive was that the business jet offered outstanding speed performance, without sacrificing cabin size and comfort.

The G500 is designed to have a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925, equal to the company’s flagship G650. As the flight test program is progressing, the aircraft is already proving it can fly near the speed of sound.

“We began to fly the airplane in May 2015, and since that time, we’ve completed 85 flights and accomplished over 330 flight hours as of January 2016,” Said Mark Kohler, vice president for ad-

GULFSTREAM G500

vanced aircraft programs at Gulfstream Aerospace. “This is part of the flight test program as we expand the envelope. We’ve done that up to 50,000 feet, and we have also achieved a highest speed of Mach 0.995. That’s a margin on top of the designed top speed.”

While such aircraft performance often comes at a cost, the company designers know that speed cannot downplay comfort. Besides, the G500 will be capable of travelling long distances, which means that a spacious, comfortable cabin is of vital importance. Compared to the G550 and the G450, the G500 features a larger cabin cross-section, with a height of 6 ft 4 in (1.93 meters), and width of 7 ft 11 in (2.41 meters). Add huge oval windows, which have become a Gulfstream trademark, fresh air, replenished every two minutes, low cabin altitude, and wide seats, and you have a reimagined home in the sky.

Since the beginning of the program, Gulfstream Aerospace held many consultations with customers, representatives of flight operations and maintenance departments, pilots and flight attendants, constantly looking for feedback to refine the design. The first thing that you’d probably notice, when you step on board the new G500, would be the airy and uncluttered look of the cabin. Nothing will interfere with serenity here. “When you’re standing, walking into the cabin, you don’t see the controls,” said Tray Crow, director of interior design at Gulfstream. “As soon as you seat yourself, all the controls you need are here.

It’s very clean, uncluttered, elegant, and simple graphics.” A similar approach was chosen for multiple storage options. For example, the niches for personal device storage are almost hidden in the sidewalls behind the seats. To allow for ample storage inside the credenza, the company replaced a pop up monitor with one that tilts to be stored.

Many design solutions were driven by customer feedback. The team made every effort to increase the configurability of the galley and to introduce delightful elements in the design. The flight attendants can now opt for different placement of the refrigerator and have it below or above the countertop. “The benefit of having a refrigerator higher is that it gives you more storage below, and it puts the refrigerator in the position where you don’t have to bend down much,” explains Crow. “The benefit of having it below the countertop is that it gives you more prep surface area to work – all maintaining the cubic footage inside.” Another feature designed to increase the functionality of the galley is a glass rack that elevates at the back of the counter surface. Each glass is lit up, which creates an elegant, luminous look and evokes a nice surprise at the entrance. The rack can go down to give additional surface area for a flight attendant to prepare meals.

The tranquility of the cabin is always essential. With the G500, Gulfstream takes this to the next step, not only focusing on noise reduction, but also on the quality of sound. Ideally, mechanical elements – clicks and latches – should sound in harmony. The new dining table by MSB Design is set to meet these sound requirements. To lower the table or raise it, the flight attendant can simply pull the handle below the tabletop to hear a noble click, inherently familiar to luxury car owners.

“WE HAVE ACHIEVED A HIGHEST SPEED OF MACH O.995. THAT’S A MARGIN ON TOP OF THE DESIGNED TOP SPEED”

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GULFSTREAM G500

“A CLEAN, UNCLUTTERED AND ELEGANT CABIN INTERIOR, WITH NICHES FOR PERSONAL DEVICE STORAGE ALMOST HIDDEN IN THE SIDEWALLS”

Interestingly, for the G500 Gulfstream has chosen a table with a mechanical operation. “The market, in terms of design, is always pushing to do the next greatest thing, but the customer feedback tells us the majority of people want a manual table, something that they can easily deploy on their own.

It’s not to say that we won’t continue to work on that, because some of our customers really like electric tables – it’s still an option on the G650 – and we expect that this could be an option that we will develop for the G500 and the G600 as well,” said Tray Crow. The focus on flexibility is seen in every detail of the G500 interior design, from numerous ways of cabin configuration to china storage options or whether a passenger wants to have an individual monitor mounted. As Crow put it, “the

The flight attendants can now opt for different placement of the refrigerator and have it below or above the countertop

mockup is just a snapshot in time,” and where the company will be in the design process when it is finished depends on the customers’ feedback.

It was that loyalty to customers that inspired major changes in the cockpit. The G500 will be the first business jet with active control sidesticks instead of the traditional yoke. “We wanted to do this for about a decade, but we could never get satisfied with the loss of situational awareness having passive side sticks,” recalls G500/G600 test pilot Scott Evans. “With the passive sticks, when I do the input on the left, there is no change to the stick on the right, so we lose situational awareness, and for pilots, being able to see how one is flying the aircraft is unspoken language to us. Now when you move one stick, the other follows.”

Like with columns and yokes, there is no priority between the sidesticks. If both pilots end up on the stick, one of them calls “my airplane” and takes control. According to Evans, the system is very intuitive to fly, and you only need five minutes to get used to the sidestick. “Think about how we fly an airplane today. We have one hand on the yoke, and the other on the power levers, so we’re already flying one-handed,” said Evans.

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Loyalty to customers inspired major changes in the cockpit

Along with the active control sidesticks, the next-generation flight deck, named Gulfstream Symmetry™ and based on the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics, features touchscreen displays that replace most of the traditional switches. The displays, unlike the iPhone and iPad, incorporate resistive touch technology. This means that a gentle touch won’t activate the screen – it needs 100 grams of pressure to make a valid touch.

“In the cockpit, when you have a lot of turbulence and vibration going on, hand stabilization become critical to make touchscreen usable. In addition to hand stabilization, the design needs to prevent inadvertent activation. That’s why our touchscreen incorporates design hand stabilization and resistive touch technology makes them easy to use during all phases of flights,” said Douglas Martens, product management director for Honeywell’s avionic product portfolio.

These essential details are the result of extensive testing on the ground. As for the flight test program, it’s progressing very well. The second and third test aircraft have already joined the program. n

“THE MARKET IS ALWAYS PUSHING TO DO THE NEXT GREATEST THING, BUT THE CUSTOMER FEEDBACK TELLS US THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WANT MANUAL DEVICES”

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CITIZENSHIP THROUGH INVESTMVENT In addition to increased freedom to move around the world, a second passport is becoming an important investment tool for many wealthy individuals.

Citizenship through investment is currently a blazing hot topic and while investigating the various options available, Altitudes talked to Heads of State and Ministers of the countries offering leading programs.

By Jake Townsend

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n order to serve the needs of high net worth individuals whose country of origin, business or unique economic or political circumstance may require enhanced freedom of movement or a second, or even third, passport, a growing number of nations are offering citizenship or residence in exchange for inward investment.

For fees ranging from just $40,000 to $10-Million USD, nations large and small have made secondary citizenship a relatively straightforward asset to acquire for those with the desired criteria. Whether requiring the purchase of property, substantial investment in the economy or in some cases, physical residency, an additional passport is fast becoming one of the most powerful tools in the global citizen’s attachÊ.

There are few aspects of contemporary identity that seem more innate than that of citizenship. After death and taxes, the inevitability of nationality was heretofore an immutable facet of individual identity, but for a select group of successful people citizenship is a decidedly global affair and the acquisition of multiple citizenships affords the ability to move about the world with enhanced ease and security. Whether seeking more favorable economic climates, safer locales or better visa-free access across borders, countries have opened doors to those exemplary people with means. The impetus

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for the acquisition of an additional citizenship and by extension a second or third passport is often, first and foremost, to overcome visa restriction. For example, passport holders from the United Kingdom or the United States have visafree access to 147 countries, while those holding a passport from Myanmar or South Sudan have access to just 80. Second passports, in some cases, can potentially double this number.

Citizenship is typically granted based on some very basic criteria: birth within national boundaries, ancestry, marriage or naturalization. And though most countries offer routes to citizenship for wealthy or well-connected individuals, there are currently seven countries whose citizenship by investment programs are considered to be the strongest: Austria, Malta, St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Cyprus, and Grenada. Additionally, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Portugal, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States offer a path to citizenship after an extended period of residency and/or investment.

HENLEY & PARTNERS Among these countries, it is the citizenship by investment programs of Malta, St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda that were designed by

Several nations like Antigua offer Citizenship through Investment in the Caribbean, attracting applicants from around the world

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Henley & Partners, the world’s leading citizenship and residency planning law firm. Henley has worked with most of the governments who have sought to implement these talent-attracting citizenship programs.

“At Henley and Partners, we work with leading countries,” says Christian H. Kalin, the Group Chairman of Henley and Partners and a pioneer of the citizenship by investment program. “In our field, there is a spectrum from very professional firms to idiots and crooks, and a spectrum of clients. We only work with top countries—they want the best.” Among the best programs, it might surprise a few, is Austria. “Austria for citizenship is the maximum solution and the most expensive,” says Kalin. “In order to obtain Austrian citizenship you must have an impeccable reputation, go through an exhaustive background check and of course have the means.” The process requires an outlay of at least 10-million Euros invested where the capital is at risk; either in a venture capital fund or in business assets.

MALTA “However, if EU citizenship is what is desired,’ says Kalin, “a second good option is Malta; it is less expensive than Austria and very efficient. The total outlay is 1-million Euros, and the applica-

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tion process, while rigorous, is the most efficient in the world.”

In a telephone conversation with Malta’s dynamic young leader, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, he told us: “We identified the areas where we knew were are committed to deliver more of what we need: we saw that Malta would benefit from attracting talent. We have just a million people in Malta; our size is one of our natural drawbacks, but we are a highly talented people and we want to increase that talent pool by attracting other talented people and highly networked people. Part of that strategy was the introduction of the Individual Investor Programme. This is not about the money: this is about strengthening Malta’s already rich talent pool,” he says.

Applicants to Malta’s program are required to make an investment of €1.15m, including a contribution of €650,000 of which 70 percent of that investment goes into a national development and social fund run by a board of trustees—similar to the Sovereign Wealth Fund in Norway. The remainder of the money goes to a consolidated fund. Applicants are also required to make a property investment of €350,000 or take a €16,000 annual rental (both on five-year contracts), plus €150,000 investment in bonds or shares kept for five years in Malta. The program

has been capped at 1,800 total applications. In response to our question regarding concerns that such programs could be open to abuse, Prime Minister Muscat assured us the application process is very thorough, and includes an extensive background check. “We have worked hard for our reputation,” he states. “We won’t allow it to be tarnished for a couple of million Euros.”

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS Another increasingly desirable citizenship program is that of the idyllic Caribbean nation of

Malta’s PM: “We won’t allow our reputation to be tarnished for a couple of million Euros.”

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St. Kitts and Nevis. Though programs had been previously in place in the country, it wasn’t until Kalin partnered with the government of St. Kitts and Nevis in 2006 that its highly sought after citizenship by investment program took off. “St. Kitts and Nevis’s citizenship by investment program was designed in 1984 and has gone through several iterations since, but it’s the oldest program of its kind in the world,” the Honourable Mark A.G. Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation of St. Kitts and Nevis told us. “As a small country we sought to leverage our resources to the benefit of our people,” he says. “We have sought to use citizenship as a tool to acquire investment in the country.”

In order to become a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, there are two tracks available: through the purchase of property or a direct investment in a sovereign fund. For a minimum investment of USD $400,000 (plus the payment of government fees and taxes) in property developments like the Four Seasons Resort or Christophe Harbor, the government will begin an exhaustive due diligence process which, if passed, will result in the rewarding of citizenship and a passport. Applicants can include their spouse and children in application based on the same investment, who go through the same due diligence process. The registration fees per individual are $35,000 USD for the head of household and $15,000 for each dependent. “Our program,” says Minister Brantley “is priced so that it would only permit people with a certain financial level to enter.”

A second route is a USD $250,000 investment in the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation, which was set up to generate pool of capital meant to be used for social programs and economic development on the islands. “The threshold is lower,” says Minister Brantley of the investment option, “and you don’t have the issue of owning real estate in a foreign country if that is not part of your plans.”

When we enquired as to the origin of those applying for the St Kitts and Nevis programs, Brantley tells us: “Applicants come to our country from all over the world. They come from the US, Russia, the UK and many countries in the EU, the Middle East and from China. It really is an eclectic mix, but they have one thing in common: they tend to be business people and are high net worth individuals.” The St Kitts and Nevis passport currently allows visa free access to 131 countries. Subsequent to our conversation we met up with Minister Brantley in Porto Cervo, Sardinia

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during the Perini Navi Cup. We were both aboard Maltese Falcon as guests of the charter client of the yacht, Chinese investors in the islands, bearing out Brantley’s reports of demographic diversity and financial substance. In an interesting twist for yacht owners, the program also extends to fully managed berths in excess of $400,000 acquired in the Christophe Harbor development, and very appealing proposition indeed.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

There are currently seven countries whose citizenship by investment programs are considered to be the strongest: Austria, Malta, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Cyprus, and Grenada

The application process in the neighboring Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is similar in strength to that of St. Kitts and Nevis in terms of investment criteria and the travel quality of the passport. The most economical option to obtain an Antiguan passport is an investment of $200,0000 USD to Antigua’s national development fund, or like St. Kitts and Nevis, make a minimum $400,000 investment in designated real estate developments.

Inevitably, there is often a question of legality and criminality, as there are certainly those with unsavory backgrounds or activities who would desire alternate citizenship. “Provided that the person carrying the documents is a legitimate person,” says Christian Kalin, “it doesn’t matter which passport you carry, it matters who you are.” n

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ESCAPE

COURCHEVEL

L’APOGÉE COURCHEVEL KOORI RESTAURANT

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his winter season is marked by the launch of the Koori restaurant at L’Apogée Courchevel, supervised by Executive Chef Jean-Luc Lefrançois and pastry chef Eve Moncorger. Dining in the ultra-modern restaurant, that hosts up to fifty guests, is an experience in luxury, savoring authentic, highly refined and inventive cuisine.

A theatrical double staircase leads to the restaurant’s dining room. In the center, surrounded by a wine cellar displaying Jeroboams of the best wines, sits a marble counter topped with two huge glass candleholders created for the Barcelona 1992 Olympics. This is the place to start a journey into the heart of Japan.

A true athlete, Executive Chef Jean-Luc Lefrançois is fervently dedicated to solitary ski-trekking rides, on his time-off during the winter. “I need the physical effort, being immersed in nature, to clear my thoughts,” he told us, as he came out for a chat after dinner. Come summer time, he’ll be running marathon-style from his residence in the city of Vence, up the hill to the Château Saint Martin where he also heads the kitchen. The later resort and L’Apogée are both members of the prestigious Oëtker Collection. Originally from Normandy, Chef Lefrançois traveled recurrently to Japan whose culinary traditions he cleverly translates, presenting a

Crowning Le Jardin Alpin L’Apogée Courchevel, is a masterpiece in the Oetker Collection

varied menu enhanced with undisputed creations, in particular ‘The Koori Carpaccio’ or ‘Black cod in miso sauce’, along with a selection of sushi and other Japanese specialties.

In synergy with the Chef, Pastry chef, Eve Moncorger, offers a menu of sweet delicacies, including ‘Pearls of Japan in coconut milk with fresh mango cubes’, not to be missed!

The extensive selection of sakes and varied tea collection must be discovered in the elegant atmosphere and plush surroundings created from fine materials by designer Joseph Dirand.

The Koori restaurant is open every evening until 02 April 2016.

LA SIVOLIÈRE ‘FAMILY SPIRIT’ LUXURY HOTEL

It’s always a pleasure to be back at La Sivolière, the chalet-style 5* hotel nestled among snowy pines in the heart of Courchevel 1850. Manager Florence Carcassone and her youthful staff of professionals greet you with a warm, heartfelt welcome that immediately makes you feel right at home. The 24 rooms, 11 suites and 2 recently remodeled apartments blend old-world charm with style and comfort. The combination of traditional and modern styles, with extensive use of natural material such as wood and stone, which dominate the lobby, provides a rustic yet modern atmosphere. Art is everywhere, in small touches as in large sculptures, such as the phenomenal custom-made ‘Sifel’ red chair adorning the entrance courtyard, the work of Caroline Corbeau.

In fact, over thirty art pieces were specially created for La Sivolière, including works by designer Kevin Reily, Gaetano Pesce and Frederique Morrel, while Tristan Auer, a disciple of Philippe Stark and Christian Liaigre, designed the new contemporary look, during a complete renovation, back in 2010.

The result is a warm and cozy ambiance, inside, with a view of the surrounding nature all-around.

Chef Bilal Amrani offers a highly creative, savory cuisine at ‘1850’, the “3 Michelin forks awards” gourmet restaurant. There is a spa with a counter current swimming pool, and a cutting edge ski-shop, and nothing is more rewarding after a day’s spent on the ski-slopes than sipping a hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire. Children are welcome and so are pets! La Sivolière is Courchevel’s best-kept secret!

A combination of old-world charm with today’s stylish chic provide a modern and cosy atmosphere

Copyright: Christian Arnal

‘LA CASSEROLE’ Nothing beats taking a break for a great bite to eat, during a long day on the frigid slopes of Les 3 Vallées ski-resort. Newly opened, La Casserole is the endeavor of Nils Tournier, 3rd generation heir to Courchevel’s well-respected dynasty. Getting a tan on the south-facing terrace or savoring the authentic and tasty Savoie cuisine indoors, the altitude restaurant is accessible to skiers only, although Nils will arrange a snowmotor-bike pick-up if needed. La Casserole, the ‘it place’ in Courchevel this season, can also be privatized for special events!

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DESIGN

COMLUX AMERICA

“A HOME AWAY FROM HOME”

Comlux America, the Completion and Services center of the Comlux Group based in Indianapolis, Indiana, recently completed their 9th VIP interior completion on a green Airbus ACJ320 aircraft meant for private use only.

The open working relationship with the client resulted in a cabin revolving around work and family life offering a home away from home, in the air.

By Sylvie Peron

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DESIGN

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n a mid-summer day last July Comlux America delivered a beautiful ACJ320 to its owner.

This was the Indianapolis facility’s 4th ACJ interior completion since becoming an authorized service center for Airbus in 2010. The modern interior balanced with a classic European flare reflects the customer’s desire for a residential feel onboard his brand new aircraft.

COMLUX AMERICA

The design was already in place while the aircraft was being built in Toulouse. Once in the USA, the wiring and interior could be fitted

COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT A strong partnership between Fiona Riddle of Inflight Cabin Solutions, the client’s representative on the project and Lauri Church, head of Comlux Creatives, the sister company to Comlux America responsible of interior designs, was the driving force behind the project.

“Fiona and I hit it off from the moment we met,” says Lauri Church. “This relationship and work experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was truly a pleasure to work with her. After we first met, it was easy to understand her design inspirations and the overall look she was looking to achieve. Fiona knew exactly what she wanted and never wavered.”

The Cabin Definition process began in November of 2013 when both ladies began reviewing design concepts from various inspirations to develop

Client’s representative Fiona Riddle of Inflight Cabin Solutions

DESIGN

COMLUX AMERICA

DUAL FUNCTIONALITY Special consideration was given to how the aircraft would be used. Most importantly, the interior had to be comfortable for family use as well as business meetings. Consequently, the layout of the aircraft allows both to happen at the same time without compromising the overall look and comfort of the cabins. The end user may enjoy all the creature comforts one would expect to have at home while retaining an open feel that does not feel cramped or confined.

“The floorplan was initially laid out specifically for the end customer’s wants and needs,” explains Lauri Church. “He was heavily involved, probably more so than most. The overall flow and usage aspects were exclusively designed for him. Many of the rooms are multi-functional and have the ability to transform the aircraft from having one bedroom to three with queen-sized beds.”

Fiona Riddle, the customer’s representative, was instrumental in the way the aircraft would function. It was her responsibility to ensure the proper materials were used to achieve the design style and the aesthetics she expected, knowing what the customer was looking for, notably a very warm and inviting environment.

OPEN AND INVITING the overall ambience the cabin was to have at time of delivery. These loose concepts evolved into the cabin design in a very short amount of time thanks to the close partnership shared between Comlux and the entire team representing the client.

“We worked extremely well together – it was love at first sight!” confirms Fiona Riddle. “Both Lauri and I understood that this was an extremely special project for us. I had some strong ideas that I wanted incorporated into the design. While I was keen for the aircraft to have a residential feel, I also wanted to include stand-alone pieces of bespoke furniture, without compromising the comfort of the cabin. Lauri was able to see my vision very clearly and I believe, our mutual understanding was crucial in creating the interior we have today.”

Textures and materials were a key part of the design process. Wood veneers and fabrics were carefully selected and a few individual wall art pieces were commissioned to compliment the forward lounge and dining room. “Lauri and I hand-picked the most beautiful wood veneers and fabrics – heavy linens, classic mohair and glove-soft leathers – to capture a residential ambience,” says Riddle.

Lauri Church, Head of Comlux Creatives

The master bedroom comes equipped with a queen size bed that is adjacent to a master lavatory complete with a full size stand up shower with teak flooring and a rainfall showerhead. Two open dining/living spaces allow for multiple locations to gather around a table for conferences or gourmet meals that have been prepared in any one of the two large galleys in the aircraft.

“This cabin is an exceptional example of how to effectively blend classic details into modern lines to create a very open and inviting cabin. The usage of the Wenge and quarter-cut Khaya veneers provide a stark contrast to the light tones of the silk fabrics that adorn the bulkheads throughout the aircraft without overpowering the senses. This balance of color, associated with the comforts the interior pro-

“THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE SPACE HAS TO WORK FOR THE CLIENT”

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DESIGN vides, strikes a sense of familiarity as soon as you walk in. It seems… as one is walking into an elegant home and not a flying machine,” says Rich Byfield, program manager at Comlux America, who coordinated the cabin’s construction.

ULTRA-QUIET CABIN The 27.51 meter long cabin of the Airbus ACJ320, which typically seats 150 passengers in a two-class cabin or up to 180 in a high-density layout for lowcost and charter flights, is currently certified for 27 passengers, 3 crew and 3 cabin crew.

“Each area has its own unique elements, while maintaining a muted color palate to allow the flow between rooms to feel natural and relaxing,” says Church. The interior was designed to maintain comfort and has a family friendly environment. It could also serve as a traveling business office. The owner also has his own private quarters in the Master Suite. For business meetings and long trips the aircraft includes Business class seating in the staff area, and a forward lounge.

The later, in the front of the aircraft, accommodates a quiet and comfortable environment where private meetings can take place. This is also a relaxing space to spend time with the family. There is a separate bedroom suite, with a queen size bed and a large bathroom with shower, with two floor length wardrobes. The soft muted tones of the area keep the atmosphere of the bedroom calm and restful.

COMLUX AMERICA

DISCREET RETREAT A separate dining area allows for lunch and evening meetings as well as boardroom consultations. Each zone can be completely closed off to other areas making it discreet for confidential matters to be discussed.

Cabin noise levels were kept strictly under control, to keep the cabin as quiet as possible. “When passengers travel on such a frequent basis the noise level should be minimized to ensure a comfortable and restful journey,” says Riddle.

“Because of the nature of cabin noise levels, I consulted our Engineering Department to best answer this question,” explains Church. “We have proprietary technology under systems modifications that contribute to cabin noise levels significantly as well as weight. Our engineering developments support and control cabin sound environments. Our approach encompasses our proprietary weight reduction and to ensure that neither sound nor weight is compromised in the interest of the other.”

Throughout the cabin various shades of white and cream contrast beautifully with the dark veneer.

IN FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT The aircraft features an IFE system that has Airshow for real time map and flight information. The IFE can be streamed wirelessly to the IPADs available on board the aircraft. In addition to IFE, throughout the aircraft there is a unique lighting system, which offers an infinitely variable color palette to choose from including mood lighting. This aircraft comes equipped with everything a client might want or need to have while traveling and serves as a home away from home.

“We have 3 large 42” monitors throughout the aircraft. Each passenger has their own iPad, which controls everything from the lighting, window shades, to which movies to watch either on the monitor or on their individual iPad. Each client has an iPad Air 3 which I designed new cases for. This approach provided the opportunity to personalize the iPad covers adding to the “home feel” of the aircraft,” says Fiona Riddle.

DESIGN CHALLENGES According to the design team, some of the unique requests and design challenges included having airline galleys that had a more residential look and feel, but still be able to withstand the extreme abuse that they endure during flights. “Another challenge was to find storage space as Fiona was very particular about having excess storage,” explains Church. “We were able to accommodate both these requests and storage was found in every possible space. There were certain materials that are state-of-the-art and new to the market that helped us reduce weight.

We also achieved a lighter weight cabin by the collaborative efforts between our Design and Engineering departments as we work closely together at Comlux, which allows to continuously achieve and beat the customer’s requirements for overall interior weight.

COMLUX AMERICA

The overall style of this private ACJ320 can be classified as Modern European.

DESIGN

The ACJ320 was a beautiful aircraft to design, with a spacious interior allowing for endless possibilities of cabin design. However the most important thing to remember is that the space has to work for the client!”

CONTINUED PROGRESSION

Rich Byfield, Comlux America’s Program Manager coordinated the cabin’s construction

“Since day one, we have been very engaged with the customer at every step on this program. We were able to meet their individual tastes and needs while delivering a one-of-a-kind, modern, ACJ 320 interior on time and at the highest level of quality. We continue to demonstrate that Comlux has a major worldwide presence in the completion industry,” concludes Scott Meyer, Comlux America’s CEO. “The completion of this aircraft, along with the arrival of our first VIP wide body aircraft, an A330 which is currently being completed, further demonstrates the continued progression of our enterprise worldwide. n

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HOTEL

EL ENCANTO

BELMOND EL ENCANTO SANTA BARBARA

The iconic luxury hotel, first established at the turn of the twentieth century, was a popular venue with artists of the Plein-Air school of paintings, Hollywood celebrities and affluent guests from the East Coast. Following a long and meticulous restoration, which brought back all the romance and glamour of a bygone gilded age, it reopened just a couple of years ago, to the delight of the Santa Barbara community and holiday-makers who venture to its tucked away setting. Ninety-two California-styled bungalows dot the lush, terraced grounds with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

By Sylvie Peron

EL ENCANTO

HOTEL

The size (600sqf) of the bungalow was impressive. The high ceilinged wellappointed main room included a sitting area, with a couple of glass-top coffee tables, a divan and chairs facing each other in front of a gas fireplace, a desk and a minibar with a Nespresso machine, and some lovely, round-bottom pebble-shaped lamps. Wool and cotton rugs thrown on wood floors invited walking in bare feet. The Japanese-style headboard was exceptionally pretty, featuring inlaid mother-of-pearl cherry flowers on a dark background. An arresting gouache of Big Sur’s dramatic vistas along Highway One stood out on the white walls. The ensuite dressing room connected to a huge bathroom with a tub deep enough to drown in, along with a vast glassed-in rainfall shower in light grey marble and a separate toilet. Perhaps the most appealing feature was the large private patio, complete with coffee and breakfast tables and several rattan chairs and sofas with plush cushions overlooking the manicured garden.

AMERICAN RIVIERA

A divan and chairs, coffee tables and desk provide a comfortable and relaxed environment

D

riving past the commanding building of the Old Mission, my driver, a longtime friend and resident of nearby Montecito, negotiated the steep, sinuous road, lined with an assortment of Eucalyptus and oaks trees, extensive bougainvillea and plumbago bushes concealing opulent villas. We missed the discreet sign entry to the property and had to turn around before entering the circular driveway of the hotel.

A welcoming team was standing at attention, greeting us with kind words and broad smiles. I was showed to my spacious Spanish Colonial Revival bungalow along little red brick paths winding on seven acres of lushly landscaped grounds. We walked by a wishing well and a trellised-lined arbor and lily pond, which I was told, was restored using the original material it was built in, back in 1903. Unsurprisingly, the romantic setting is often used to celebrate weddings and remarkably, a growing number of wows renewal exchanges.

Santa Barbara, is situated on a south-facing section of the central California coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, with the steeply rising Santa Ynez Mountains as dramatic backdrop. The area benefits from a microclimate, often described as ‘Mediterranean’ and has been promoted as the ‘American Riviera’. Beyond the Sierras unfurls the Los Padres National Forest, known for some of its areas in remote wilderness.

Downtown, Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. On a nearby hill, Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786, houses Franciscan friars and a small museum.

FILMS AND AVIATION Santa Barbara housed the world’s largest movie studio during the era of silent film. Flying A Studios, a division of the American Film Manufacturing Company, operated on two city blocks centered at State and Mission between 1910 and 1922, with the industry shutting down locally and moving to Hollywood once it outgrew the area, needing the resources of a larger city.

During this period, the Loughead Aircraft Company was established on lower State Street, and regularly tested seaplanes off of East Beach. This was the genesis of what would later become Lockheed.

Earle Ovington, a pilot who lived in the neighborhood known as ‘Samarkand,’ meaning ‘the land of heart’s desire’ after a nearby deluxe Persianstyle hotel, established the Casa Loma Air Field with a 1,500-foot (460m) Photo Sylvie Péron runway that was used by

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HOTEL

legendary pilots Lindbergh and Earheart.

During World War II, Santa Barbara was home to Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, and Naval Reserve Center Santa Barbara at the harbor.

Up the coast, west of the city, was the Army’s Camp Cooke, the present-day Vandenberg Air Force Base.

In January, SpaceX, Elon Musk’s venture to outer space by private industry launched from Vandenberg.

Many “clean” industries, especially aerospace firms such as Raytheon and Delco Electronics, moved to town in the 1950s and 1960s, bringing employees from other parts of the U.S. UCSB itself became a major employer.

In addition to being a popular tourist and resort destination, the city economy includes a large service sector, education, technology, health care, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, and local government.

EL ENCANTO

ROMANTIC SETTING

Overlooking Santa Barbara, El Encanto’s terrace is a favorite address of the ’in-theknow’ crowd

Perched on a hill overlooking Santa Barbara, El Encanto is a short drive from the airport (SBA) and about 100 miles from Los Angeles. It has been a favorite retreat of Hollywood movie celebrities over the years.

In 1912 James Warren, President of the County National Bank, built dormitories and cottages on his four-acre property across the street from the State Normal School.

These are all part of El Encanto today. His intention for the cottages was to house faculty and students. The architects were E. Russell Ray and Winsor Soule, with well-known landscape architect Charles Frederick Eaton.

One of the great old California hotels, El Encanto Hotel opened in 1918, having hosted its first dinner on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1917. During the thirties it became a Hollywood

EL ENCANTO

Little red brick paths winding on 7 acres of lushly landscaped grounds, with a wishing well, a trellised-lined arbor covered in wisteria and lily pond

Photo Sylvie Péron

Belmond El Encanto opened in March 2013, following years of renovation

hideaway highly popular with stars such as Hedy Lamarr, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. President Franklin D. Roosevelt stayed there as well.

HEAVENLY MASSAGE Although I had made earlier plans to go shopping downtown, just minutes away, I postponed my visit, preferring instead to lounge on my private terrace in the mild November sunshine, sipping a fine glass of local Pinot Noir and relaxing before a 90 minute massage appointment at the Spa. Under the expert hands of Kelly, my therapist, I experienced the ‘Life is Good treatment’, consisting of a full-body scrub with an espresso cacao body smoothie, followed by a full body massage with essential oils (my choice was lavender, recommended for good breathing). Made in Arizona by the Lotuswei Company, this totally organic product leaves the skin smooth and mouthwatering!

The Spa at El Encanto offers a full range of treatments and services including a romantic couples treatment room, mani-

Photo Sylvie Péron

HOTEL cure/pedicure, dedicated facial suite, massage and wet rooms, private outdoor terrace and relaxation lounge.

There is also an infinity-edge heated freshwater outdoor pool with panoramic ocean views.

Early the next morning, refreshed after a good night sleep, I awoke to the song of hummingbirds chirping in the first rays of sunshine. Tossing away the multiple pillows embossed with my last name initials, I resisted staying in bed any longer and bravely joined the gym class led

by Ben, the instructor. Each day a different program is offered, alternating between Yoga and Pilates.

Indulging with cappucino and eggs benedict for breakfast afterwards, somehow did not feel quite as bad. The Dining room & Terrace serves coastal cuisine with a 180-degree ocean view, and is a favorite of local Santa Barbara residents and visitors from Beverly Hills and beyond. After all, it was a very long time before the former grounds of University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) were brought back to their former glory.

In March 2013 El Encanto re-opened as an Orient-Express Hotel, following several years of extensive renovation, in cooperation with Santa Barbara’s Historic Landmarks Commission, to ensure that the hotel continued to reflect its original design. The gardens with many old trees were also restored. In 2014, when Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. changed its name to Belmond Ltd, the hotel was renamed Belmond El Encanto. Truly an enchanting getaway! n

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BROKERAGE

Opus Aeronautics

Cabot Aviation

DASSAULT FALCON 7X S/N 128

BOMBARDIER CHALLENGER 850 S/N 8091

Opus Aeronautics, one of the leaders in sales, acquisitions and trades of large business jets, proudly represents exclusively this Dassault Falcon 7X #128.

This rare aircraft had only two previous owners and is EASA-JAR OPS and FANS compliant.

It entered into service in October 2011 and flew 938 hours and 515 cycles since new.

Cabot Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Partner PLC. is happy to offer for sale a beautiful example of this aircraft type which is uniquely fitted with a shower. This 2.200-hours aircraft has only had one owner from new. It was completed in 2010, and seats 11 passengers.

ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDE: • EVS • Head Up Display • New paint accomplished in 2013 • Engines and APU are enrolled under MSP

SOME OF THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS TO S/N 128 ARE: • High speed data installed.

• EASY II upgrades installed.

• This Falcon is in impeccable condition and has one of the highest specifications of any 7X ever built.

For more information, contact: Opus Aeronautics (www.opusaero.com)

HIGHLIGHTS: • Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 six-screen EFIS • Two-screen EICAS • Dual Flight Management System (FMS) 4200 • Dual Global Positioning System (GPS) • Dual Inertial Reference System (IRS) • Dual DME / Dual ADF • Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) • Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II) For more information, contact: Tim Barber on +44 1293 844 759 (direct), +44 7836 352 676 (mobile) tim.barber@cabotaviation.com www.cabotaviation.com www.airpartner.com

BROKERAGE

Boutsen Aviation

ACASS

2015 EMBRAER LEGACY 650 S/N 14501201 – REG: OE-IZA

2007 GLOBAL XRS S/N 9189

HIGHLIGHTS:

TOTAL TIME: 2,796 HOURS • LANDINGS: 870

• Fresh from Delivery (12/2015): 30 TSN • On JSSI (Engines & APU) • 13 Pax (LOPA A) • Swift Broadband High Speed Data System • Fwd & Aft Lavatory • Cabin Curtain Divider • Extended Paint & Corrosion Warranty • FAA/EASA • Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) • ADS-B out - LPV/WAAS • FANS 1A CPDLC “In my career as a Formula One Driver, I have discovered the importance of working with a highly professional team, capable of achieving the best results.

Today, the core of our reputation lies in our team of experts who understand that an advisory and personalized approach is something both our sellers and buyers expect.

This is the reason why we have sold more than 315 aircraft with a success rate of 95%.

If what you are looking for in your business jet transaction is quality, speed and above all security, then Boutsen Aviation is the answer.”

Thierry Boutsen Chairman For more information, contact: Dominique Trinquet on +377 93 30 80 02 sales@boutsen.com

HIGHLIGHTS: • Engines enrolled on Rolls Royce CorporateCare • APU enrolled on MSP • Airframe enrolled on Honeywell HAPP • Batch 3 update • Excellent maintenance history • 12 passenger configuration • Securaplane security system, CAM-14 camera unit This aircraft M-YSAI is configured for twelve passengers. The cabin features a three place 9G fully berth-able divan (not certified for takeoff and landing) opposite a wide single seat followed by a four place conference with hi-lo table opposite wide single seat. The aft cabin features dual three place berth-able 16G divans. A forward galley is equipped with Nespresso coffee machine, microwave and hi-temp oven. Crew lavatory located in the forward cabin and fully enclosed passenger lavatory is located in the aft. The exterior is overall white with a light gray design and red striping.

ACASS is a worldwide provider of highly customized support services for business aviation. For over 20 years, we have been empowering leaders and visionaries to own their journeys with world-class expertise and best-in-class services, including sales & acquisition, contract crew, aircraft management, and entry into service. ACASS’s international experience is particularly extensive in India, the Middle East, Russia, Africa, China, Southeast Asia, and South America.

For more information, contact: Zipporah Marmor on +1.514.636.1099 zmarmor@acass.ca

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DISTRIBUTION If you are a supplier in the business aviation industry or an operator, or if your company has direct or indirect links with the industry (like hotels, restaurants, etc.) and you are keen on partnering us to extend Altitudes’ distribution to passengers or clients, please contact Samuel Richomme at: s.richomme@luxmedia-me.com. We take into consideration any request.

BELGIUM Antwerp Wevelgem Zaventem THE NETHERLANDS Eindhoven

FRANCE Courchevel

FRANCE

Toussus le Noble

SWITZERLAND Basel

CZECH REPUBLIC Prague 6

FRANCE Montfavet

GERMANY Mainz

ITALY Roma Ciampino

ISLE OF MAN Douglas LUXEMBOURG Luxembourg

CZECH REPUBLIC Prague

GERMANY Rheinmûnster

FRANCE Le Bourget

GERMANY Nuremberg

FRANCE Le Castellet

GERMANY Munich

SWITZERLAND Zweibruecken

MALTA St. Julian’s MONACO Monte Carlo UNITED KINDOM London Luton

FRANCE Cannes Mandelieu

AUSTRIA Salzburg

TURKEY Izmir

FRANCE Viviers le Lac

ITALY Milano

AUSTRIA Salzburg

FRANCE Anglet

FRANCE Colmar-Houssen Airport

THE NETHERLANDS Schiphol Airport

FRANCE Cannes Lyon

MONACO Monaco

FRANCE Nice AUSTRIA Hörsching

FRANCE Lyon Bron

TURKEY Istanbul

FRANCE Toulouse SAUDI ARABIA Jeddah

FRANCE Paris Le Bourget

FRANCE Saint Tropez - La Mole

SAUDI ARABIA Jeddah

AVIATION INSURANCE BROKER

FRANCE Asnières sur Seine

FRANCE Courchevel

AUSTRIA Vienna

GERMANY Munich

FRANCE Paris Le Bourget

FRANCE Le Bourget

FRANCE St Etienne de St Geoirs

SWITZERLAND Meyrin

AUSTRIA Vienne

POLAND Warsaw

DISTRIBUTION

GERMANY Munich Airport

SPAIN Barcelona

SLOVAKIA Bratislava

FRANCE Le Bourget

FRANCE Cannes-Mandelieu Paris Le Bourget

GERMANY Berlin SWITZERLAND Oberwill

SWITZERLAND Zurich

MORROCCO Casablanca

Couleur du logo DASNAIR: bleue Pantone 288

SWITZERLAND Geneve Airport

HUNGARY Budapest

FRANCE Le Bourget

UNITED KINGDOM Birmingham

UNITED KINGDOM Langley Berkshire

FRANCE Carpiquet - Nantes

GERMANY Stuttgart Airport MALTA Malta Airport

SWITZERLAND Samedan

GERMANY Munich

FRANCE La Courneuve Marignane

ITALY Caselle Torinese

AUSTRIA Klagenfurt

UNITED KINGDOM Itchingfield - West Sussex UNITED KINGDOM Cheltenham FRANCE Lyon Bron SWITZERLAND Agno CHINA Hong Kong SWITZERLAND Zurich

GERMANY Munich

FRANCE Le Bourget

ITALY Milano

FRANCE Chambery

LUXEMBURG Luxemburg

SPAIN Barcelona Gerona Ibiza Valencia

THE NETHERLANDS Schiphol Airport BELGIUM Antwerp

UNITED KINGDOM London Cambridge SWITZERLAND Geneva Zurich

POLAND Warszawa

SPAIN Madrid Valencia

UNITED KINGDOM UK London - Middx

UNITED KINGDOM Exeter - Devon

GERMANY Frankfurt am Main

THE NETHERLANDS Eindhoven

UNITED KINGDOM London

GERMANY Nuremberg

SWITZERLAND Zurich Airport

\ FRANCE Le Bourget

GREECE Athens

GERMANY Stuggart

GERMANY Berlin Tegel Berlin Schoenefeld Dusseldorf Frankfurt Main Frankfurt Egelsbach Hamburg - Munich

ITALY Catania

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DISTRIBUTION

SPAIN Alcobendas, Madrid

UNITED KINGDOM Farnborough - Hampshire

FINLAND Vantaa

MALTA Malta

UNITED KINGDOM London

FRANCE Le Bourget

UNITED KINGDOM London

GERMANY Hamburg Airport

FRANCE Paris Le Bourget

MONACO Monaco

SWITZERLAND Geneva

GERMANY Cologne

CZECH REPUBLIC Prague

AUSTRIA Vienna

UNITED KINGDOM London Luton London Stansted

FRANCE Nice

BELGIUM Spa Zaventem

FRANCE Merignac

SWITZERLAND Glattbrugg

SWITZERLAND Geneva

UNITED KINGDOM Essex

GREECE Peania

FRANCE Paris Le Bourget

GERMANY Dusseldorf SWITZERLAND Basel Airport Geneva Zurich Airport UNITED KINGDOM London

PORTUGAL Lisbon THE NETHERLANDS Eindhoven Rotterdam Schiphol Airport

SWITZERLAND Geneva

FRANCE Annemasse - Paris

UNITED KINGDOM Kidlington

SWEDEN Lidköping

SPAIN Palma de Mallorca

FRANCE Paris Le Bourget

GREECE Athens

FRANCE Le Bourget Nice Côte d’Azur

UNITED KINGDOM Romfor - Essex

UNITED KINGDOM Biggin Hill, Bromley

ITALY Milan Linate Milan Malpensa Rome Ciampino Venice

AUSTRIA Schwechat

MONACO Monaco

FRANCE Paris Le Bourget UNITED KINGDOM London Luton

MONACO Monaco

GERMANY Filderstadt

SWITZERLAND Geneva

SWITZERLAND Geneva

GERMANY Munich SWITZERLAND Geneva Airport

UNITED KINGDOM London Luton Manchester Prestwick

DISTRIBUTION

FRANCE Albertville

UNITED KINGDOM Norwich

ITALY Napoli Roma Ciampino Venice Milano Tessera Malpensa

UNITED KINGDOM Southend on Sea - Essex

FRANCE Le Bourget

SWITZERLAND Zurich

FRANCE Paris Le Bourget GREECE Athens

DENMARK Copenhagen THE NETHERLANDS Schiphol Airport

FRANCE Archamps

Business Aviation Professionals

AUSTRIA Vienna FRANCE Paris Le Bourget Hyeres GERMANY Frankfurt Berlin Shรถnefeld Munich

CANADA Mississauga - Ontario ITALY Naples

GREECE Heraklion Thessaloniki IRELAND Shannon Airport UNITED KINGDOM Aberdeen Birmingham Bournemouth Cardiff East Midlands Edinburg Gatwick Glasgow Heathrow Inverness London Luton Southampton

GERMANY Speyer

FRANCE Annecy Angouleme Chalon Cherbourg Dijon Le Havre Nimes Rouen Reims Tarbes Lourdes Toulouse Tours Troyes Vannes

SWITZERLAND Geneva AUSTRIA Wien-Flughafen

BULGARIA Sofia CYPRIUS Pahos FRANCE Nice GREECE Athens - Corfu Heraklion Kalamaria

IRELAND Dublin - Shannon ITALY Milano Linate Milano Malpensa Roma Ciampino SPAIN Gerona Madrid Barajas UNITED KINGDOM London Stansted - Essex

SPAIN Malaga Valencia SWITZERLAND Basel

ITALY Venice

UNITED KINGDOM UK Fairoaks Airport Surrey

AUSTRIA Salzbourg FRANCE Nice SWITZERLAND Zurich

SWITZERLAND Geneva

UK London

UNITED KINGDOM Hampshire THE NETHERLANDS Lelystad Airport FRANCE Le Bourget UNITED KINGDOM Southampton AUSTRIA Innsbruck

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ADDRESS BOOK DESIGN Comlux America www.comluxaviation.com ESCAPE L’Apogée Courchevel www.lapogeecourchevel.com La Casserole www.courchevel.com La Sivolière www.hotel-la-sivoliere.com FLASH 2016 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference www.nbaa.org/events/sdc/2016 FOCUS Aerion Corporation www.aerionsupersonic.com HOTEL Belmond El Encanto www.elencanto.com MARKET WINGX-Advance wingx-advance.com SHOPPING Tiffany & Co www.tiffany.com SNAPSHOT Christian Arnal www.christianarnal.com TARMAC Aerion Corporation www.aerionsupersonic.com Amira Air www.amiraair.at ASL/JetNetherlands www.asl.be Axon Aviation www.axonaviation.com Bombardier www.bombardier.com Cedar Executive www.mea.com.lb Chambéry Airport Savoie www.chambery-airport.com Comlux Aviation www.comluxaviation.com Dassault Aviation www.dassault-aviation.com Delta World Charter dwc.aero

Embraer www.embraer.com Etihad www.etihad.com ExecuJet Aviation Group www.execujet.com Globeair www.globeair.com Honda Aircraft www.hondajet.com Jet Aviation www.jetaviation.com Jet Aviation Vienna www.jetaviation.com/Vienna.

JetSmarter www.JetSmarter.com.

Jet Linx www.jetlinx.com L’Apogée Courchevel www.lapogeecourchevel.com Qatar Executive qatarexec.com.qa Port City Airport www.flyportsmouthairport.com Port City Air www.portcityair.com Rheinland Air Service www.ras.de Stratajet www.stratajet.com SyberJet Aircraft www.syberjet.com TAG Aviation www.tagaviation.com The French Riviera Airports www.frenchriviera-cb.com The World Economic Forum www.weforum.org The Registry of Aruba www.airsafetyfirst.com Textron Aviation Customer Service http://txtav.com/en/service Victor www.flyvictor.com Wyvern www.wyvernltd.com Yasava yasava.com VNE Gulfstream Aerospace www.gulfstream.com WOMAN ConnectJets www.connectjets.com

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