20-Aug-2013 Source: PremiAir
PremiAir Aviation International, under new ownership and with a strengthened management team, will participate at Helitech International, the largest dedicated helicopter exhibition in Europe next month (September 24-26th) as sponsor and exhibitor. Stand G30 at London Excel. Owner and Chairman Graham Avery, who acquired the company late last year, has spent the past six months diligently restructuring and reshaping the industry’s most prominent UK helicopter charter and maintenance brand. The result is a lean, debt free business, focused on one operational base at Blackbushe Airport in Surrey, an AOC and a team of 60 engineers, technicians, design specialists, admin and sales executives – all eager to rebuild the business.
In parallel he has also acquired a world leading E-learning training organisation for airline pilots – with bases in London (Gatwick), Dubai, Houston, New York, Seattle and Singapore and integrated it into PremiAir to create PALS (PremiAir Aviation Learning Systems). PALS comprises the largest and most comprehensive library of aviation computer-based training and vocational content delivered by a team of airline professionals.www.palsltd.co.uk.
“Helitech, at the new, enlarged London venue, is the perfect showcase to meet with industry and demonstrates that PremiAir is firmly back and ready for business. My goal is to bring the company back to its former glory,” stated Chairman Graham Avery. Graham is not new to the helicopter industry. He was one of the early pioneers of managed helicopter operations when his three owned aircraft helped launch a helicopter charter firm. He has also been involved in the successful development of several aviation firms over the past decade. His entrepreneurial skills have focused largely on the public market sector and developing corporate opportunities. He has appointed Craig Chislett as Director of Marketing, a former RAF officer who has accrued considerable branding and marketing experience as former Export Promoter of Consumer Goods to the USA and Canada with the DTI. Craig has served as CEO of the British Luxury Council and Chairman of the British Jewellery and Giftware Federation Export Board. Alan Howard joins the team as Finance Director.
The new PremiAir also retains Christopher Forrest as Operations Director and Accountable Manager. Christopher, a professional helicopter pilot with more than 6,500 flight hours, has worked for PremiAir and its predecessor McAlpine Aviation Services for nearly three decades. He serves on the committees of the UK CAA, the European Helicopter Association, as well as being a member of the EASA Ops 001 Review Group. Christopher was awarded the prestigious Eric Brown Award from the UK BHA in 2010.
West London Heliport to launch as new helicopter FBO
Christopher is currently involved leading a new initiative to create formal status for its Blackbushe site as the new West London Heliport, offering full FBO facilities, including line maintenance support, fuel and hangarage. PremiAir will host a press briefing during HeliTech giving more details.
PremiAir’s Blackbushe facility has traditionally been one of the world’s largest and most capable helicopter maintenance and engineering centres, at one point supporting a fleet of nearly 30 aircraft. Accordingly, the company is keen to re-establish a strong engineering business. During the restructure PremiAir Aviation Services acquired a new EASA Part 145 authorisation, enabling line and base maintenance for helicopter types including Bell, Sikorsky and Eurocopter to be undertaken. The company has retained its Part M approval and has also received EASA Part 21J approval for design and modification work on all aircraft. Part 21G has been re-submitted under new post holder Trevor Jenkins, a highly regarded aviation professional in this sector and PremiAir hopes to achieve this shortly. To this end PremiAir is actively recruiting to add more licensed engineers. It is also continuing with its pilot training and pilot provision for Police Air Support Units.
PremiAir will acquire its own twin engined helicopters
PremiAir’s expertise is in the operation of twin turbine IFR helicopters and the company intends to build up a managed fleet of helicopters it will both maintain and offer for third party charter. It is in the market to acquire pre-owned machines and accordingly is looking forward to renewing contacts with the OEMs at Helitech.
