THE
Spring 2012 / ISSUE NO. 7
GLOBAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT MAGAZINE
Quality Product, Support Means He’s a Hawker for Life As a 30-year-old based in Monaco and working for U.S.based hotel brands Sheraton and Loews, Willy de Bruyn spent a lot of time at 40,000 feet. He frequently traveled via commercial airline back to the United States, throughout Europe and in the Middle East building his reputation as an international executive in the hotel and hospitality industry. So imagine the predicament Willy found himself in when at age 30, he suddenly and inexplicably developed a fear of flying. Fortunately, two events occurred. First, there was no snow that year in the nearby Mediterranean Alps, so rather than his usual one-hour drive to fulfill his passion for skiing, he had to drive more than six hours to the north. While there, he noticed a small airplane take off nearby and discovered that if he could overcome his fear of flight, he could reach snow-packed slopes in an hour’s flight. “I also happened to be reading a book at the time and was inspired by the author’s ability to cure himself of a phobia,” Willy said. “The key was that instead of running away from your phobia, you must face it.” That’s exactly what he did. The first few flights were frightening but soon he discovered a second passion in flying. So much so, that he quickly progressed from his private pilot’s license to a commercial license, then an
What’s Inside?
Airline Transport Pilot License. Wanting to fly as often as possible but unable to afford his own airplane, Willy was spurred to operate an executive charter company in Nice, France. Eventually, he did purchase his own jet, a 15-year-old Hawker 3B that he acquired around 1980. “In my charter life, I had the opportunity to fly and experience many other jets but I stayed with Hawker,” Willy said. Not only did he stay, he settled in and made himself comfortable.
“I’ve stayed with Hawker because they make a solid airplane and because maintenance is very well controlled, especially with Support PLUS™.”
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Chester facility named as authorized Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization — Pg. 7
Two new service centers to open this year — Pg. 9
Composites expertise since the 1980s — Pg. 4
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