Post published:19/01/2023
Post category:Latest Member News
Reading time:5 mins read

Adds new Liverpool, UK base

Air Charter Scotland Ltd (ACSL) has ushered in the New Year with additional charter capacity in the shape of two brand new, super mid-size Embraer Praetor 600 business jets. G-MCEN is positioned out of London Luton Airport at Signature Flight Support’s FBO, while G-GDAB’s main base is at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Embraer’s Praetor family has been hailed as a gamechanger in its size category. With a range of 4,000nm (7,408km), the Praetor 600 is capable of operating direct flights from London to New York in 7.5 hours and London to Dubai in 6.5 hours. Since coming online in October and December 2022 respectively, Air Charter Scotland’s aircraft have undertaken charter flights to the Caribbean and the Middle East.

“We are delighted to have introduced these technologically-advanced aircraft into service and on the G-register,” said Air Charter Scotland COO Derek Thomson. The Praetor offers a generous, exceptional cabin for nine passengers. It is ideal for shorter runway airports too, including Cannes Mandelieu, enabling great flexibility for our clients.”

“Private air charter has been embraced by many new customers these past 24 months,” he added. Leisure travel has been the prime reason, but since the autumn, business executives and corporates are coming back too. “Whether it’s peace of mind for health, wishing to avoid queues and delays at hub airports, not having to stay overnight for a business trip, or the fact that a once regular air service is no longer – the level of charter interest we are experiencing remains strong.”

The two new Praetor 600s feature a state-of-the-art air quality management system which deliver 100% fresh air throughout the cabin, further bolstered by HEPA filters which filter out bacteria and viruses. Both aircraft are fitted with MedAire’s Universal Precaution Kit, offering further protection for passengers and crew.

High-speed broadband inflight connectivity features courtesy of Satcom Direct, enabling Air Charter Scotland charter clients to benefit from tailored service packages and global 24/7/365 customer support. Supporting the arrangement Viasat’s Ka-band In-flight Connectivity enhance passenger productivity, or relaxation, through high-speed cabin WiFi capabilities, which can be accessed through their personal devices.

The introduction of the latest aircraft builds on a solid 14-year relationship flying Embraer executive jets, which started with Legacy 600 G-WCCI, one of the first Legacy aircraft into the UK.

With recently added CAMO accreditation in the UK and Europe with sister company Air Charter Scotland Europe, Air Charter Scotland was able to facilitate the formal handover of both aircraft in Melbourne, FL. Having an experienced inhouse CAMO team is beneficial for aircraft owners whose aircraft they manage, being fully conversant with the flux in regulations supporting aircraft in the UK and European markets.

Air Charter Scotland Europe was one of the first UK air charter companies to be established in Malta in early 2021, enabling its France and Malta based business jets to operate individual with the EU without having to request a permit.

Editor’s notes

Headquartered in Glasgow, with operational bases at London Luton, Glasgow Airport, Liverpool and Malta, Air Charter Scotland commenced charter flights 22 years ago. It has a fully worldwide operation following the creation of Air Charter Scotland Europe in January 2021, when it acquired a new European AOC. Air Charter Scotland manages 11 business jets – an Embraer Legacy 650; an Embraer Legacy 500; two Embraer Praetor 600’s; a Citation Latitude; a Falcon 7X; a Citation CJ2 and Citation CJ1. It has three aircraft on the Maltese Registry – two Citation XL’s and a Bombardier Challenger 350. The fleet is all offered for third party charter.

Air Charter Scotland is a member of the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) and The Air Charter Association (ACA) where Derek Thomson is a Board member.

www.aircharterscotland.com

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Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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