News
05/21/07 - Grob Aerospace appoints Northern Executive as service partner on the spn in Europe
Grob Aerospace has appointed Northern Executive Aviation (NEA) in the UK as a factory-authorized service partner for its spn light jet to support customers in Europe. Based at the UK’s third largest airport in Manchester, EASA 145 certificated NEA boasts 40 years’ experience supporting business aviation customers on a wide range of aircraft and has held Bombardier Authorized Service Centre status for 10 years.
NEA has been selected for its close understanding of business aircraft operators’ needs and customer service capabilities. It will be able to offer spn customers a full range of services from its modern facilities, including inspection, maintenance, repair, modification, parts and services. NEA is UK CAA licensed for wheel and brake maintenance and in addition boasts an on site avionics workshop. Its FBO facilities include fuelling, hangar and conference amenities, as well as passenger services and maintenance operations. NEA also has an operation and charter service and currently manages a fleet of five aircraft on behalf of corporate owners and private individuals.
In Europe NEA will complement support currently provided by ExecuJet Aviation Group in Copenhagen, Denmark, which has EASA 145 approval. Further facilities will be appointed in Europe in due course. Grob Aerospace itself will support the service center network in Europe and be able to perform maintenance work from its facility in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany.
Deliveries of the spn in Europe are scheduled to begin immediately after EASA certification in Q2 2008. Grob Aerospace is forecasting a market of more than 120 aircraft for Europe in the coming 10 years.
“Europe is going to be an important market for us, as early sales of the spn have demonstrated. Hand in hand with securing a sale comes the requirement for first class product and customer support. We are extremely encouraged with the experience and capability of Northern Executive Aviation and are confident that NEA will deliver to our customers an attentive service”, said Niall Olver, CEO, Grob Aerospace.
“We are delighted to be partnering Grob Aerospace on its very exciting spn program and provide first class maintenance and technical support to its growing number of operators in Europe,” commented Mike Foley, Managing Director of Northern Executive Aviation. “Not only is this aircraft very aesthetically pleasing, with terrific ramp presence, it will offer its operators immense versatility: the spn in Executive Configuration, Business Configuration and with the capability of quick cabin change for high value cargo and medevac roles, for example and all at an extremely competitive mid-range price. It ticks all the right boxes,” he said.
The spn will be certified d initially for a service life of 28,000 hours. Its dedicated use of carbon fiber means that the spn incurs significantly less risks of corrosion and fatigue than an alternative aluminum-built light jet. Grob Aerospace will offer its spn customers a comprehensive maintenance by-flight-hour package.
About the spn
The spn, boasts an impressive range and payload for an aircraft in its class. With six passengers and single pilot, the aircraft can serve 1,800 nm (3334 km). The aircraft features a total cabin volume of 405 cu.ft (11.5 m³) – the largest in the light business jet class by a fair margin, and a large passenger door.
Early sales success for the industry’s new generation light business jet has raised market interest with its unique operating characteristics. For example, it can operate on unimproved runways (gravel or grass), traditionally the domain of a turboprop, requiring a balanced field length of just 3,000 ft (914 m) at maximum take off weight.
The spn will also be certified for single pilot operation, and is equipped with an avionics suite more advanced than that of any other aircraft close to its class. Honeywell’s integrated all glass cockpit sets new standards for simplicity, reliability and technology. Two rear-mounted FADEC controlled Williams FJ44-3A engines deliver 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg) of thrust. The aircraft carries a price tag of €5.8 million.
Grob Aerospace – 35 Years of Aviation History
Since 35 years Grob Aerospace is one of the world’s largest and most experienced composite aircraft manufacturers. The company is headquartered in Switzerland but maintains its own purpose built airfield in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany that accommodates its manufacturing and assembly facilities. In 2007 Grob Aerospace established a wholly-owned US subsidiary to provide a complete, world-class ownership experience to North-American customers. Grob Aerospace‘s central base in the United States is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with several regional sales offices throughout the USA. It has delivered more than 3,500 aircraft that have flown over seven million hours on five continents.
About Northern Executive
NEA is one of the most experienced corporate, charter and maintenance companies in the UK and offers a complete range of services from its base at Manchester Airport. With a trading pedigree dating back to 1960, it has undertaken hangarage and charter since 1963 and maintenance since 1970 - backed by award-winning customer service. NEA was named EBAN Magazine Best Handling Agent 2004.
NEA operates a fleet of Lear 45/40's/60 and is a registered Bombardier Learjet centre, covering the Lear 60, 45 and 35 aircraft. NEA provides comprehensive FBO Handling services from its own terminal. Its in-house maintenance facility has one of the most experienced and best equipped JAR 145 Certified engineering bases in the business. In addition to UK CAA approvals, NEA also holds European JAA 145 and Fujairah CAA Certification, covering such aircraft as the Global Express, Falcon 900 and Challenger 604. Its maintenance services include an avionics workshop, wheel and brake maintenance, battery overhaul and on-site repairs for trim and interiors.
For further information contact:
Elisabeth Palander
Grob Aerospace AG
+41 44 876 56 82
elisabeth.palander@grob-aerospace.ch
Alison Chambers/Celia Turner
Emerald Media
+44 1962 736600
alison@emeraldmedia.co.uk