Air Charter Scotland highlights expanded EASA CAMO approval

Air Charter Scotland Ltd (ACSL) and its Malta based European subsidiary Air Charter Scotland Europe Ltd (ACSE), are pleased to be able to offer full Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) services both in the UK and Europe, following regulatory approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Europe’s EASA. The accreditation is a culmination of 18 months’ work started just before the UK’s departure from the EU.

ACSL and ACSE, a leading air charter and aircraft management company, now has a team of seven engaged in CAMO activity, overseen by Continuing Airworthiness Manager Richard Rooney. Stephen Pollock, Continued Airworthiness Manager – Europe, is looking after the European side of the operation, based out of Malta and sub-contracting out to the UK team.

With expanded CAMO approval in the UK and Europe Air Charter Scotland can liaise with regulators for an aircraft owner, appraise aircraft manuals, address airworthiness directives/service bulletins and support maintenance with preferred MRO companies, as well as perform on site surveys and audits.

“This means we can do much more activity inhouse, expanding our managed charter fleet with wider expertise, including offering technical services in the UK and Europe to third party operators and to owners. We can ensure that every aircraft we manage for them is compliant with full safety standards.” commented Richard Rooney.

“This is significant as we add more aircraft owners. They have peace of mind we are fully conversant with the flux in regulations supporting both the UK and European markets.”

Air Charter Scotland’s foray into third party CAMO support occurred this summer when it helped European charter operator Elit’Avia. ACS supported the transfer of a UK-registered Embraer Phenom 300 onto the 9H Maltese aircraft registry. As a G-registry operator, it supported Elit’Avia with the process of achieving an export certificate of airworthiness, assisting with communications between the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Transport Malta. COO Iain Houseman approached Air Charter Scotland COO Derek Thomson to assist with the process of full research on the aircraft’s records, including inspection and preparation for commercial operations. The goal was achieved inside three weeks, concluding a very complex administrative situation.

Two new Embraer Praetor 600 business jets join managed charter fleet

“We are delighted to have this widened CAMO capability,” said COO Derek Thomson. “Congratulations to Richard, Stephen and their team for all their hard work.

The timing of its CAMO accreditation proved especially opportune, enabling an Air Charter Scotland team, headed by Derek Thomson, to fly to Melbourne, FL to complete the formal acceptance of its first of two Embraer Praetor 600 business jets – ahead of a ferry flight to its new home at Liverpool John Lennon Airport – this week.

The super mid-sized jet (G-GDAB) will be managed and offered for charter on behalf of a private owner out of Liverpool and London Luton Airports. It will be joined by G-MCEN arrives at the end of October.

In addition, a Cessna Citation CJ1 with Tamarack winglets which previously operated with the company is now back and available for charter, under the registration G-COBN. Positioned out of London Luton Airport, the aircraft will be marketed by Embracing Executive Travel and will be floating one when on charter.

Editor’s notes

Headquartered in Glasgow, with operational bases at London Luton, Glasgow Airport and Malta, Air Charter Scotland commenced charter flights 21 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 10 business jets – an Embraer Legacy 650 and Legacy 500; a Citation Lattitude; a Falcon 7X; a Citation CJ2; Citation M2 and Citation CJ1. It has two Citation XLs and a Bombardier Challenger 350 on the Maltese Registry. 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

Media Contact:

Emerald Media

Liz Danner. E: liz.danner@emeraldmedia.co.uk. T: +44 (0) 1420 560094

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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