To own a small jet normally costs up to US$45 million, but a new sleek beauty that has been offering demonstration flights in Seychelles retails at only US$5.7 million.

The elegant Premier 1 during flight

That's because traditionally, jets tend to have longer ranges and more seats than many operators generally use.

For many of the usual trips, the relatively shorter, the yet still incredible 2,759-kilometre range of the new Beechcraft Premier 1 certainly suffices. It has, for example, just easily completed a leg around the Indian Ocean islands.

For many purposes, the six extra-comfortable passenger seats on the modern aircraft are quite adequate.

The Premier 1 carries six passengers in luxury and comfort

It nearly came as no surprise, therefore, when executive director Graeme B Conlyn of NAC told Business Nation that 100 of the beautiful aircraft have already been delivered to retail customers around the world since the jet was launched a mere 18 months ago.

Seven of them have been sold in South Africa, where NAC (National Airways and Finance Corporation Limited) is based.

Economical to run

"There is more to the fuel economy of the Premier 1 than the efficiency of its two 10.2 kN thrust apiece Williams-Rolls engines," Mr Conlyn said, palpating the sleek body of the aircraft.

"You see, there are no rivets. That's because the fuselage is not made of metal, but carbon composite fibre that is three times stronger than aluminium, yet 20 per cent lighter in typical aviation applications," he said.

"Composite construction also eliminates the need for the traditional metal fuselage skeleton of ribs and stringers. This allows the cabin of the Premier 1 to be larger without increasing the outside fuselage diameter or sacrificing structural integrity," he told Nation, saying with a take-off field length of only 1,156 metres, the Premier 1 can land on and take off from many of our smaller islands.

Mr Conlyn was accompanied by NAC's marketing manager for the Indian Ocean, Mr Born Hanssen and also the marketing manager of NAC's 43 Air School, Mr Frik Schoombee.

Without giving names, Messrs Conlyn and Hanssen said they met a number of interested parties during his demonstration itinerary that took them from Lanseria, South Africa, through Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.

"Anybody who requires mobility, for example those in the export and import business, would do with a Premier 1, which can easily and quickly reach the mainland," he said, when asked who, for example in Seychelles would be in need of the unique aircraft.

"With a speed of 835 kilometres per hour, it cuts travel time dramatically compared with conventional aircraft," he said, adding that to reach Mauritius from Seychelles would take him only two hours and 20 minutes.

This is not the first time we have had contacts with Seychelles," he said, explaining that his company, which supplies, maintains and repairs aircraft, supplied the aeroplane used by Island Development Company.

Mr Schoombee said he was happy to point out that many of Seychelles' pilots have been trained at 43 Air School and some have since risen to the rank of "Captain."

He proudly pointed out that the co-pilot of the Air Seychelles Boeing 767 that brought him here recently, Captain Paul Bell, was trained at the institution.

Aviation training

The manager said that  43 Air School is specialised in training pilots for the private, the commercial, the military and the airline sectors of the aviation industry.

"We train pilots, for among others, the South African Airways, British Airways Comair and Kenya Airways," he said, adding that the schol, which at the moment has 155 trainees is very highly regarded in aviation circles, not only in South Africa but also further afield.

"We also offer helicopter pilots' training, and our school's reputation of emphasis on quality is well known," he said.

He said that any Seychellois  who wishes to sponsor himself for training at the school only needs to be 18 years old, pass an aviation medical test and have passed mathematics and, optionally, a science subect at "A" level.

"The rest is sheer hard work and dedication for the 11-month course in the fully residential school where fees in general averages 280,000 rands, which includes accommodation and three meals a day," he said.

The school's marketing manager can be reached through email address frik@43airschool.com while details on NAC feature on the website www.nac.co.za.

Feature sponsored by NAC                                                                      

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