7-Jan-2013 Source: HeliHub.com
British Formula 1 driver Dr Jonathan Palmer has recently upgraded from a Eurocopter AS355NP Twin Squirrel to an AgustaWestland AW109S Grand – buying a 2006 aircraft previously owned by Sir Peter Ogden – joint owner with Palmer of MotorSport Vision “MSV”. (Mr Ogden has replaced the Grand with a new GrandNew – see article)
Palmer entered 88 Formula 1 Grand Prix events between 1983 and 1989, finishing eight times in the top six. He subsequently became a Grand Prix TV commentator for the three seasons 1994-6 in the early years of building up his own motorsport businesses.
MSV owns five UK motor racing circuits – Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park, Snetterton and Bedford Autodrome and is heavily involved in running Formula Two for the FIA, plus the UK-based championships for Superbikes, Formula Palmer Audi and Formula Three.
A long time helicopter user, Palmer started out sharing an Enstrom F28 before buying his own JetRanger G-AWOL in 1987 which he later re-registered to G-REVS. Looking for something a little larger in 1996, he then had an AS350B G-PROM, before moving on five years later to twin-engined operations with a new Eurocopter AS355NP G-JPAL, bought through a Eurocopter dealer in France.
Palmer also owns Beech B200GT turboprop G-OMSV which is managed for him by Synergy Aviation.
Jeremy Parkin, HeliHub.com