above™ first Phenom 100 completes re-registration
Change programme with the UK CAA is progressing

Birmingham, UK — above™, a new UK entry jet provider focused on domestic and European on-demand executive charter flights, has registered its first Embraer Phenom 100. Previously on the German registry, the former Arcus Air aircraft is now G-FABV for Fly Above, marking a key step forward in above’s progress.

Its journey to service start, however, is taking longer than first envisaged, highlights Founding CEO Vince Essex. Regulatory matters requiring the UK CAA’s attention, relating to aircraft survey work, have yet to conclude. The aircraft is currently undergoing engineering work and inspection at Inflite Engineering at London Stansted Airport as part of the UK CAA’s change programme. Fellow Embraer operator SaxonAir at Norwich has been engaged to assist on the CAMO side.

“We are a couple of months behind but do hope for service entry in early May, ahead of the peak summer period,” noted Vince Essex. “Commercially, we’ve been actively strengthening our foundations for launch, finalising competitive city-pair pricing strategy to ensure a strong market entry.”

XLR Executive Jet Centres will be Fly Above’s home

above™ has selected XLR Executive Jet Centres, Birmingham, as its home, equidistant from London and Manchester Airports, where, in addition to executive charter requests, it is well placed for airline support work, capable of ferrying AOG parts, crew and medical-related flights. Its Phenom 100 has four club seats and is a lean jet alternative to scheduled services.

“XLR Birmingham is delighted to soon have a Phenom 100 light business jet available for charter directly from our base,” commented Chris Beer, Director, XLR Executive Jet Centres. “With a flying capability of 1 to 2.5 hours, it’s an ideal aircraft for both business and leisure trips across the UK and near-Europe. We very much look forward to supporting above™ as they launch their new operation here at Birmingham.”

above™ has also been building relationships with charter brokers and operator peers. Vince Essex will be attending The Air Charter Association Spring lunch and the British Business and General Aviation Association’s annual conference next week. At the latter, he is speaking on a media panel on the ‘Evolution of charter,’ hosted by Hunt & Palmer.

above™ has also been progressing with its digital and sales infrastructure, including completing its Avinode integration ahead of commercial launch.

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Media Contact:

Emerald Media

For Fly Above Aviation Ltd & Above Aero AOC Ltd
alison.chambers@emeraldmedia.co.uk

liz.danner@emeraldmedia.co.uk

Phone: +44 (0) 1420 560094

www.aboveaero.com

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 career in aviation and has worked in most areas of our industry with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc currently 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 Continued Airworthiness Group and with the Association for Remotely Piloted Aviation Services (ARPAS). 

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 six years to continue our good work for industry. With the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to undertake this work with the regulator including regular discussions and a full industry day with the CAA each year.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum, which allows industry in the UK to discuss the financial plans for the CAA and look closely at the services being delivered to industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

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. 

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. Moving into 2026 we are seeking to further develop the pathways to enter aviation, and this effort is being supported with development of multimedia platforms with the organisation Metaverse. This multimedia approach is being developed so that it is more relatable to the next generation of people wishing to join aviation in a myriad of roles.

In the role of President (honorary) Marc can support the BBGA in many aspects and continue to ensure that we retain the right connections across industry, with regulators in the UK, regulators in the EU and wherever possible help hold government and its departments to account using normal channels, and where necessary utilise All Party-Political Groups for aviation.

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James Carroll

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver