DASSAULT FALCON 2000LX

05 March April 2011

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Nothing can make the air perfectly smooth, but nothing can touch the incredible Falcon 7X
for smooth Áying. Its Digital Flight Control System — the business-jet evolution of our
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Visit us at Falcon7X.com
Or call: Hong Kong +852.6623.6772 Beijing +86.132.6011.4882
S
UDDENLY THE SKY IS MADE OF SILK.
 NOTAM

SHOW
DOWN
A
"MANUFACTURERS viation shows are turning into the single fastest growing segment
of our industry, especially so in the Asia-Pacific it seems. The issue you
ARE DEMANDING are holding in your hand right now is distributed at two of them –
Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong in March and SIBAS Shanghai this
A CONSOLIDATION coming April. They are followed closely by EBACE in Geneva in
May, where the next issue of JETGALA will be distributed.
OF ASIA'S PRIVATE The industry at large is less than pleased, and for good reason.

AVIATION SHOW
Mushrooming air shows mainly benefit one stakeholder group — the organisers.
For the rest of our industry, still in recovery mode after two very challenging years,

LANDSCAPE" the benefits are rather elusive. Instead of one substantial regional private aviation
show, such as NBAA in the US, EBACE in Europe, and even the much smaller
MEBA in Dubai, exhibitors have to make difficult choices as to which Asian show
to attend and why.
The result is a series of ineffective shows, none of which draw a critical mass
of visitors. Manufacturers have taken note and put their foot down in a recent open
letter, demanding a consolidation of Asia’s private aviation show landscape. We at
JETGALA fully support this effort, as we too understand that limited resources
need to be deployed in the most cost-effective way.
Speaking of air shows, it struck me again at MEBA how uniformly private jets
are usually painted. Nine out of ten aircraft are white, with a few nondescript lines
or swirls. As a private jet is the ultimate expression of individuality and a bespoke life,
I can’t really understand this. Luckily, some people are addressing the issue, such as
Dassault Falcon who have launched a custom design paint scheme for their clientèle.
Another contender is Happy Design in France, which offers a range of avant-garde
design options.
I am keeping my hopes up that we will soon see bolder visual expressions at
private jet shows. Life is short enough. The least we can do is to keep it colourful.
Happy reading of this, our fifth issue.

Rainer Sigel
PUBLISHER

4 JETGALA
 CONTENT

18 24

ontents
05 4

10
NOTAM
Show Down
CREW
14 LOUNGE
What’s New & Exclusive
22 WINGS
24 COMPACT CLASSIC
The Dassault Falcon 2000LX
30 BIG BUSINESS
Stephen Taylor —
Boeing Business Jets
34 COMPOSITE FLIGHT

34 40

44
Bombardier’s Learjet 85
FLY GAL
Aerobatic Pilot Patty Wagstaff
GLOBE PLOTTERS
Round The World In A
Phenom 100

44 50

54
STRAITS CHARTER
Capt Earnest Koilpillai –
Dnest Aviation Services
SIGNATURE SPACE
Design Q Interior Design
60 RECORD ROTATION
VIP Helicopters Of The Future
62 WINGS ON WATER
The Catalina Flying Boat
68 CAPTAIN SPEAKING
Why Do We Still Need
Pilots Anyway?

6 JETGALA
 CONTENT
70 LIFE

114 72

78
SUITE SEOUL
A New Decade Of Affluence
REGAL RESORT
St Regis Lhasa
84 PEAK OF TASTE
At.mosphere At The Burj Khalifa
86 HIMALAYAN HIGH
Skydiving Above Everest
90 PRIORITY ACCESS
Mercy Relief Foundation

ontents
92 SPHERES OF CONFLUENCE
Desert Glamour
100 SKY CANDY
Ballooning Over Red Rock Canyon

05 106 LUXE
108 POWER PURSUIT
Bijan Of Rodeo Drive
114 HAUTE TIMES
Top Timepieces Of SIHH 2011
120 LOCKED AND LOADED

78
Armoured Cars
124 GLOBAL QUEST
The Flying Trimaran
128 SCARLET FEVER
Crimson Gems At Auctions
130 SHADES OF THE PAST

128 Fine English Company’s

Bespoke Services
137 AIRBORNE
138 BRIEFING
Business Aviation In Brief
144 JET OPTIONS
Jet Fuels Of The Future
146 PLANE SPEAK
Executive Aviation Glossary
150 AIR SHOW DIARY
152 TAILHOOK
Last Roll

8 JETGALA
 CREW
CONTENT
MANAGING EDITOR Kim Lee
BUSINESS EDITOR Rainer Sigel
ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Sylvia Weimer (Spacelab Design, Sydney)
ASSISTANT EDITOR Tricia Lim
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katrina Balmaceda
CONTRIBUTORS
Jeremy Cox, Paul de Berjeois, Christine de Felice, Carol Lee,
Paris Libby, Radha S Menon, Liz Moscrop, Ong May Anne,
Anne Osno, Allen Roche, Mike Ruiz, Steve Slater,
Charlie Streeter, Kirsten Tan, Alvin Wong, Flora Wong
COMPANY
PUBLISHER Rainer Sigel
MANAGING DIRECTOR Michelle Tay
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Susan Ng
EVENTS MANAGER Lee May Ling
CIRCULATION & PROMOTIONS Caroline Rayney
ACCOUNTING Winnie Lim
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, GREATER CHINA Gene Chee
CONTACT
12 Prince Edward Road, #04-10B
Bestway Building, Podium B, Singapore 079212
T: +65 6222 1415 F: +65 6222 1465
EMAILS
ADVERTISING business@oriental-publishing.com
results@oriental-publishing.com
EDITORIAL jetgala@oriental-publishing.com
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, GREATER CHINA
hongkong@oriental-publishing.com
EVENTS events@oriental-exhibitions.com
CIRCULATION circulation@oriental-publishing.com
ADMINISTRATION office@oriental-publishing.com
WEBSITES
MAGAZINE www.jetgala.com
GROUP www.orientalmediagroup.com
SINGAPORE www.oriental-publishing.com
VIETNAM www.oriental-media.com
EVENTS www.oriental-exhibitions.com
TWITTER www.twitter.jetgala.com (Aviation News)
FACEBOOK www.facebook.jetgala.com (Luxury News)
LINKEDIN www.linkedin.jetgala.com (Aviation Updates)
RSS www.rss.jetgala.com (Aviation News)
JETGALA is published bi-monthly and circulated throughout
the Asia-Pacific. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors
and not necessarily endorsed by the Publisher.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All rights, including copyright, in the content
of this publication are owned or controlled by Oriental Publishing Pte Ltd,
Singapore. You are not permitted to copy, broadcast, download, store in any
medium, transmit, show or play in public, adapt or change in any way the content
of this publication for any other purpose whatsoever without the prior written
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TRADEMARKS NOTICE: The masthead logo ‘JETGALA’ is a Registered
Trademark of Oriental Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights are cumulatively
reserved by Oriental Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore. Their protection will be
pursued to the full extent of the law.
Printed by KHL Printing Co, Singapore MICA (P) 252/03/2010
PPS 1775/10/2011 (028317)
PHOTO CREDITS
COVER Mike Ruiz
SECTION OPENER WINGS Image courtesy of Dassault Aviation
SECTION OPENER LIFE Image courtesy of St Regis Lhasa Resort
SECTION OPENER LUXE Image courtesy of L’Hydroptere
SECTION OPENER AIRBORNE Image courtesy of
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
www.orientalmediagroup.com
10 JETGALA
Paul de Berjeois is an accomplished event,
on-location and commercial photographer, based
in Colorado in the United States. Both the Greater
Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and
Colorado Balloon Classic have named Paul their
official photographer. His photos can be found
in the pages of Ballooning Magazine as well as
Alegria Living Magazine.
Jeremy Cox has over 36 years of diverse aviation
experience as pilot, engineer and businessman. He
holds valid A&P IA FCC Licenses and Commercial
and Instrument Ratings. Cox is currently the Vice
President at JetBrokers, Inc, a professional aircraft
sales company, and involved with the Greater St. Louis
Business Aviation Association, The National Business
Aviation Association, the Experimental Aircraft
Association, and is President of the St. Louis Air &
Space Museum.
World renown photographer Mike Ruiz has worked
with a long list of celebrity clients, from Beyonce to
Prince. He also takes on the roles of TV personality,
former model, actor and director, and has done music
videos for artists such as Vanessa Williams, Kelly
Rowland and Traci Lords. He made his feature film
directorial debut in 2007. Since then, he has starred
in several reality hit television series as a celebrity
photographer. He as been guest judge on Canada’s
Next Top Model and currently stars in his own reality
show, The A-List: New York.
Sylvia Weimer is a leading international art director and
designer, especially in editorial design. She has worked
with Motorola European Headquarters in Germany, before
relocating to Sydney to art-direct special book editions
for Black and White Magazine. Since then, Sylvia has art-
directed and designed numerous magazines in Australia,
Asia and Europe, and built a portfolio of prestigious
clients: Indesign Group, DesignSpace, Autore Magazine,
Folio Lumiere, Fabergé, Pro Jeweller, Cast Photography
Magazine, Cream Magazine, and more.
Flora Wong is a qualified gemologist specialising in
gemstones, and period and contemporary jewellery.
As Sotheby’s Deputy Director, Senior Specialist of the
Jewellery Division based in Hong Kong, she participates
in Sotheby’s major jewellery sales, sourcing and
appraising jewellery, and advising private clients on
buying and selling at auction. Flora’s passion for art and
jewels began at an early age, fuelling her enthusiasm to
discover the auction industry and build her own art and
jewellery collection.
 LOUNGE

SPY FASHION
Akillis brings spy fantasies to reality with its new belt.
LINES OF FIRE
Not for the meek, the buckle of the new Akillis belt
Playing with fire has rarely been so beautiful. The
merges high glam and espionage with seven diamond-
Fire Line Automatic by Planika is a fireplace that can
encrusted Kalashnikov rifle bullets — empty, of course.
be displayed in several different ways. It can be wall
While it is the centrepiece, the buckle is not the only
mounted like a picture frame, used free standing, or
exquisite feature, as the belt is made of fine alligator
even incorporated as part of a shelf or coffee table in a
skin. Rumour has it that it is one of the most expensive
see-through bell jar. Fuelled by Fanola® — a renewable
belts in the world. http://akillis.fr
plant-derived liquid bioethanol, this particular model
offers the option of flame size regulation and automated
extinguishing via remote control. www.planikafires.com

Love My Trunk
If there was one thing that Sharon Stone and Ernest Hemingway
had in common, it was that they travelled with personalised Louis
Vuitton luggage. Their trunks are among 100 unique pieces featured
in the book Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks. At least 600 images
bring the craftsmanship of Louis Vuitton to life, spanning a century
that includes luggage like a trunk-bed, caviar box, library trunk
and tea case. The book’s deluxe edition comes with a hard slipcase
designed with the LV monogram and stamps, looking like a well-
travelled trunk itself. www.louisvuitton.com

WINGED WHEELS
Cars can be nostalgic. High on the list of bygone icons is the gull wing
car, a vehicle with doors hinged at the roof rather than at the sides.
GWA-Tuning, which specialises in reworking vehicle designs, revives
the gull wing with its new production, Ciento Once. It is largely based
on the C111, a Mercedes-Benz-prototype that fuelled gull wing fans’
fantasies in 1970. The Ciento Once has a 408 HP Mercedes V12 engine
that can be admired through the car’s glass-topped rear deck. The rest
of the body is in aluminium, with carbon fibre frame seats. This may be
a one-off production. www.gwa-tuning.com

14 JETGALA
Ambition in Wealth
Management.

For us, wealth management means having the ambition

to exceed expectations. Also yours: +65 6532 5325 (Singapore)
or +852 2913 7678 (Hong Kong) S W I S S W E A LT H M A N A G E M E N T S I N C E 175 5
 LOUNGE

SNAKE
SPEEDSTER
Automobile
aficionados, be
thrilled. The Cobra
Shelby — the so-called
Corvette beater of the
1960s — is hitting the
road again. Its maker,
Shelby American Inc,

is recreating 50 models
of this vehicle to
celebrate its 50th anniversary. Speed seekers will find
the car a satisfying ride as it was originally made for
automobile racer Carroll Shelby. It surprised audiences
with its swiftness on the competition circuit, with a
top speed of 185 mph on a Ford 427 engine. According
to the grapevine, it was a reason why the UK created
national speed limits. www.shelbyautos.com
MARINE MEET
The 10th annual ‘Asia Superyacht Rendezvous’
was held from 16th to 18th December
in Phuket. Nine sail and motoryachts
participated, amongst them S/Y Ananta,
M/Y Noble House and S/Y Perseus.
www.asia-superyacht-rendezvous.com

Skiing should feel effortlessly natural, like

a smooth ride in a fine car. Zai wants to
create this experience for users of its Zai for
Bentley skis. Craftsmen for Zai’s handmade
skis say its geometric structure lessens the
effort needed to accelerate and manoeuvre.
Zai likes using a wide range of materials.
Carbon fibre, chromium steel, cedar wood
and a thermoplastic composite were all used
in making the skis. Lightweight poles and a
stylish leather bag complete the set. Only
250 pairs are available. www.zaiforbentley.com

Gresso’s iPad case is two centuries old.

The luxury mobile phone manufacturer
has framed the iPad with wood taken
from a 200-year-old African Blackwood
tree, a material Gresso has used in other
products and is said to be one of the world’s
most valuable trees. The rich, black case
is a striking backdrop for the Apple logo,
fashioned in 18K gold. Gresso says because
no two trees are identical, no two African
Blackwood iPad cases will be the same.
www.gresso.com

16 JETGALA
LANG LANG

GLOBAL PERFORMANCE
He was born with the gift of natural ability. And when he debuted, some 10 years ago, he rocked the world

of classical music. Today, Lang Lang has embarked on another “journey of a thousand miles” – to bring music to

children and inspire them to perform. In bringing music and learning to less fortunate nations and communities,

he has taken his gift and chosen to give back.

In support of his selfless performance, Bombardier* proudly contributes to the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.

* Registered trademark(s) or trademark(s) of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. © 2011 Bombardier Inc. All rights reserved.
 LOUNGE

Two
TITANIUM TAKES
If the new Leica M9 ‘Titanium’ reminds you of a streamlined Audi,
here’s why: Walter de’Silva, chief of the Audi Design Team, is

Timer
For jet-setters, keeping up with the
various time zones is pertinent.
Blancpain’s new dual-time zone
watch, the Villeret Demi-Fuseau
Horaire, not only displays time for
two time zones, it is also sensitive
to half-hour time shifts. Apart
from displaying a reference time
and date, the watch shows the
half-time zone at 12 o’clock and its
corresponding date at 6 o’clock.
A sapphire crystal case back
reveals the watch’s complicated
movements, encased in red gold.
The watch will be unveiled at
Baselworld 2011. www.blancpain.com
behind this 500-piece limited edition. De’Silva introduces elements
that few, if any, other cameras have. For starters, the body and lens
are made of titanium, a metal that requires extra skill on the part
of craftsmen. The camera’s trim, a type of leather typically used for
Audi interiors, improves grip. A LED light illuminates the frame in
the viewfinder, and the camera’s monitor is covered with a scratch-
resistant sapphire-crystal glass. www.leica.com
DIGITAL DJ
The Metronome Technologie’s Kalista
Ultimate SE is made for music lovers. The
device transports and extracts digital data
from CDs by detecting various layers and
subtleties of sound, and transmits this to an
audio player or sound system. This gives the
listener more choices for tailoring sound
and enjoying music, a flexibility especially
useful to video producers, party throwers
and regular music enthusiasts. The device is
no toy. It features a Philips CDM12 PRO 2
pickup mechanism, and its main unit, base,
stand and power supply total 80 kilograms.
www.metronome-technologie.com

MOON TIME
By the timekeeping reckoning of moon gazers, this is year
1431. Moon gazing can be difficult on cloudy nights, so
watchmaker Parmigiani’s solution is its new calendar clock
that can determine the precise position of the moon. Able to
run continuously for over 30 years, counting lunar leap years,
it has a solid silver base and a ruby indicator for the power
reserve. For decorative detail, Parmigiani uses quartz and black
obsidian. Only 10 pieces will be made. www.parmigiani.ch

18 JETGALA
I AM GLOBAL
Introducing the new Bombardier Global aircraft family
The Bombardier* Global* aircraft family delivers best-in-class performance, with every seat, the best in the house.
Offering sufficient power to efficiently escort leaders to distances unmatched by competing aircraft, it is an ideal
solution for those whose dedication knows no borders.

MORE ADVANCED MORE COMFORT MORE FREEDOM MORE RESPONSIBLE

Be Global – to learn more about the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and to make a donation,
visit www.IAmGlobal.Bombardier.com

* Registered trademark(s) or trademark(s) of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. © 2011 Bombardier Inc. All rights reserved.
 LOUNGE

MIDAS PUTT
Barth & Sons understands that
unfamiliarity is an enemy on the putting
BACK TO SCHOOL
green, and that a putter that can make Refined and practical, Salem is a satchel for the accomplished man.
or break a game. This is why its Golden Part of Peter Nitz’s latest men’s creations, it is a combination of black
Putter is custom made for each owner. matte alligator and Barcenia calf leather. With fully customisable
Precise and personal, the Golden Putter interiors, this allows for more or less, bigger or smaller, wider or
has a handmade grip and a 24-karat gold narrower compartments, as one pleases. The Salem’s solid brass
plated putterhead, on which one may lock ensures privacy while its hand stitching reinforces sturdiness.
have one’s name engraved. To better Ladies get their pick, too, with a mini satchel made of matte alpine
dazzle and distract opponents, there is crocodile, adorned with a diamond bee pin. www.peternitz.com
also the choice to encrust the shaft with
gems. www.thegoldenputter.com

OPEN SWING

DIAMONDS & Lamborghini inspired a cult following when

it came out with cars with front doors that
opened by swinging upwards. Now car
owners can enjoy that concept with any
In honour of martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, luxury pen-maker car. LSD-Doors makes ‘Lambo style door’
Montegrappa has released a limited edition Bruce Lee pen within kits for different types of vehicles, like a
its latest ‘Icons’ series. The nib of the fountain pen features a profile Porsche 997, Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 and
of Lee in his famous move, a high jump with fist and foot extended. a Volkswagen Passat Sedan. Unless you
A dragon’s body, in silver or gold, decorates the pen. Montegrappa are a car modification pro, LSD-Doors
will make 2010 pieces, with 24 in solid yellow gold with choice of recommends having a mechanic install the
black diamonds, rubies or emeralds for the dragon’s eyes. Ten sets of doors. www.lsd-doors.de
a fountain pen, roller ball pen and solid gold inkwell studded with
white diamonds will also be produced. www.montegrappa.com

20 JETGALA
 THE MAGICAL EXPRESSION
OF THE OPEN MIND AND
OPEN HEART

Shamballa exclusively available at Glajz, The Hour Glass ‘Malmaison’, Knightsbridge Orchard Road, Singapore
WINGS
 WINGS

DASSAULT FALCON 2000LX

by Liz Moscrop

COMPACT
CLASSIC
A CUSTOMISED PERFORMER
SOARS ABOVE ITS CLASS

24 JETGALA
Although the smallest of Dassault’s fleet, the
long-range Falcon 2000LX is capable of city pairs
such New York to Moscow and Paris to Delhi

JETGALA 25
 WINGS

26 JETGALA

OPPOSITE PAGE
Passengers lack neither space nor
technology for business needs aboard
the Falcon 2000LX
Seats onboard can be configured
according to one’s preference
THIS PAGE
In-flight technology improves
productivity, from making phone calls
to presenting multimedia proposals
The Falcon 2000LX soars with two
ever-reliable Pratt & Whitney engines
MORE THAN 80 PER CENT OF EACH NEW
AIRCRAFT CAN BE CUSTOMISED — WHETHER
IT BE INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS,
FABRICS, THE FLOOR PLAN OR WOODS USED
D
assault Falcon jets are
design classics, and its
current family consists
of sleek long-leg
powerhouses capable of
carving up the world in
a few hops. The 2000LX
is the smallest of the
French manufacturer’s in-production
aircraft, but that does not mean it is a
small plane.
With a spacious cabin height of
6 feet 2 inches and width of 7 feet 8
inches, the 2000LX allows for easy
movement, a godsend on long working
trips. The sense of space is enhanced
by pale cream walls and overheads,
as well as large windows that let in
plenty of natural light. There are
four standard layouts offered with a
standard equipped 2000LX, with the
option to customise.
Standard configurations include
all the necessities of business and
niceties of entertainment. Layouts
include areas that multi-task for
working, meeting, eating and sleeping.
All Falcons come with Aircell phone,
fax and Internet service, allowing
passengers to stay connected while
aloft. At the front of the cabin, a
full-scale galley stands ready to
accommodate several sittings on
long trips. There are also pullout
beds if needed, offering restful
sleep on overnight trips. For even
more convenience, there is an easily
accessible baggage compartment and
dressing room.
More than 80 per cent of each new
aircraft can be customised — whether
it be inflight entertainment options,
fabrics, the floor plan or woods used.
Dassault’s own 3-D CATIA software
creates a series of lifelike renderings
for customers to assess the interiors
until they are completely satisfied and
have the best idea possible on what
to expect.
New owners can get their 2000LXs
equipped at Dassault’s Completion
Facility in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Working with the company’s expert
designers, owners can select finishings
from among the richest leathers and
rarest woods, the finest fabrics and
carpets, and the best crystal, china
and silver. >>
JETGALA 27
 WINGS

SPECIFICATION IMPERIAL METRIC

LENGTH (EXTERNAL) 66.4 FT 20.23 M
WINGSPAN 70.2 FT 21.38 M
HEIGHT (EXTERNAL) 23.2 FT 7.06 M
CABIN LENGTH 26.2 FT 7.98 M
CABIN WIDTH 7.8 FT 2.34 M
CABIN HEIGHT 6.2 FT 1.88 M
MAXIMUM RANGE (1) 4,110 NM at long 7,610 KM
WITH IFR RESERVES range cruise with
8 passengers
MAXIMUM (PASSENGER) SEATING 19
MAXIMUM CRUISE SPEED MACH 0.84
CERTIFIED CEILING 47,000 FT 14325.6 M
TAKE-OFF DISTANCE 5,585 FT AT MTOW 1,702 M
MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT 33,500 LB 19,142 KG

28 JETGALA

Intuitive flight management techno-
logy for all Falcon aircraft was
designed in consultation with pilots,
aviation authorities and safety experts
EASY
DOES IT
The Falcon 2000 family
benefits from the intuitive
EASy flight-deck technology
developed for all Falcon aircraft.
It is designed to simplify flight
management tasks, improve
crew coordination and provide
unsurpassed situational
awareness at all times. Based
on the Honeywell Primus
EPIC platform, EASy displays
information on four 14.1-inch,
flat-panel LCD screens arranged
in a T-shape. Input errors are
reduced by limiting the time
spent punching numbers into a
flight management system and
having a common workspace
that allows the crew to work
better as a team. EASy is the
result of extensive input from
pilots, aviation authorities and
safety experts.
OPPOSITE PAGE
Important information is easily accessible
to pilots, via the 2000LX’s avionics
suite and its 14-inch LCD screens
The winglet design helps reduce
drag for a swifter flight
THIS PAGE
One can customise materials,
configuration and technology
for the seats
NO OTHER PRIVATE
JET IN THE WORLD HAS
>> Dassault uses a system called THE BENEFIT OF THE
the Product Lifecycle Management TALENT, EXPERIENCE
process to keep its aircraft in shape. AND SEAMLESS HIGH
Designers create a completely accurate
virtual model, which drives the
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
entire manufacturing process. With FROM MILITARY TO
a full digital model of the aircraft’s COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS
specification, the airframer is able to
build cabinets or install wiring, for
example, that exactly fit the aircraft’s
shell. Each aircraft has a unique serial demanding short runway. To help
number matching Dassault’s own EASy achieve this, Dassault developed a
software that drives it, making it quick unique autobrake feature for the
to pinpoint precisely where a problem Falcon 2000EX and 2000LX which
is, should one arise. Another bonus is reduces landing distances by as much
that despite the ultra-modern technology as 300 feet on steep approaches, which
on offer at Little Rock, the workforce is are required for the airport. The steep
highly skilled in traditional crafts. approach procedures require landing
at a 5.5-degree angle as opposed to the
PEDIGREE standard 3.0 degrees.
The 2000LX has a strong pedigree. Pan John Rosanvallon, President
Am began marketing the first Falcons and CEO of Dassault Falcon said,
in 1963 — and Dassault has been “Flying into London City is not only
building them ever since with some of a challenge for aircraft performance;
the world’s most advanced fighter jets. aircraft are also required to be good
The company also manufactures the neighbours and must abide by strict
supersonic Mirage and Rafale, which noise procedures. Meeting these
are designed by the same engineering requirements is not an easy task but
teams, assembled in the same factories the convenience of flying into the heart
and test flown by the same pilots as of downtown London is highly valuable
the business jet fleet. No other private for business jet operators.”
jet in the world has the benefit of the
talent, experience and seamless high
technology transfer from military to
commercial products.
The aircraft has a range of 4,000
nautical miles, which means it can fly
from Hong Kong to Sydney, Muscat
or Tehran. It also has the abilities to
fly slowly at low altitudes and fast at
high, which are hallmarks of the Falcon
family. For owners, this translates into
getting in and out of smaller airfields
more easily.
The Falcon 2000LX received EASA
and FAA certification in April 2009.
The 4,000 nm range 2000LX offers
the same spacious, quiet interior as its
predecessor, the Falcon 2000EX, and
the capability to serve more extensive
city pairs. It offers a 10 to 15 per
cent improvement in climb speed in
comparison to the Falcon 2000EX, and
allows the aircraft to reach 41,000 feet
in just 18 minutes.
Last year, the 2000LX was certified
to land at London City Airport’s
JETGALA 29
 WINGS

BOEING BUSINESS JETS

BIG BUSINESS
BOEING BUSINESS JETS TURNS 15 THIS YEAR WITH 127 AIRPLANES
DELIVERED OVERALL. STEPHEN TAYLOR, BBJ’S PRESIDENT, GIVES
HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THE COMPANY AND THE INDUSTRY.

Q: How did the idea for the first
BBJ come about?
In the mid-90s, Boeing was
developing the 737NG family and
General Electric, through their GE
Capital arm, was negotiating for a
large purchase of 737s. Meanwhile,
GE’s then Chairman, Jack Welch, was
looking at replacing their corporate
G-IV’s with either G-V’s or Globals.
Mr Welch had seen other converted
Boeing airplanes and he realised what
a terrific value the Boeing product
represented when compared with
purpose-built business jets. So,
he called our then Chairman, Phil
Condit, and asked about developing a
unique version of the 737 to compete
in the market. Once we studied
the market a bit, we found that by
combining the 737-700 fuselage with
the wing of a 737-800, auxiliary fuel
tanks and high-thrust engines, we had
a competitive product that offered
three times the cabin space for a
comparable price and operating cost.
Q: How has BBJ weathered the
recent years?
I think Boeing Business Jets has done
a very good job of managing through
a challenging market. We have had to
work through a couple cancellations,
but we’ve kept our backlog strong
and have been able to place all of the
positions that opened up with other
solid business. We did a great job of
predicting the emergence of the market
in Asia and put extra focus on it, which
has proven to be fruitful.
Q: Tell us about BBJ in Asia-Pacific.
In 2010, Asia-Pacific was our strongest
market. (I) expect that the region is going
to continue to be a very good market for
our product over the next several years.
While we’ve had BBJs in the region for
many years, we now have BBJs certified
and available for charter in both Hong The Boeing
Kong and Mainland China. We expect Business Jet is one
of today’s most
those charter airplanes will help us competitive aircraft
introduce new clients in the region to in terms of range,
space, comfort
our product, so I see even more growth and business
opportunity in the region. productivity

30 JETGALA

Q: How do you see your overall target
market change in view of Airbus’
re-engine plans for the 320?
We’ve always enjoyed a considerable range
advantage over the ACJ when comparable
interior weights are considered. The new
engine option is the competition’s way to
address the value advantage we have. I
don’t expect…a significant impact to our
FROM TOP
business over the next couple of years.
The BBJ 787 is
available as fully
customised VIP Q: Considering the comparatively l
jet with all the
comforts of home
ower price point of the Embraer Lineage
or the office 1000, what impact does it have on the
BBJ President BBJ, and in which markets?
Stephen Taylor The Lineage 1000 serves a slightly
is also a widely
experienced, different part of the market than the BBJ.
qualified pilot In our experience, most customers want
“IN OUR EXPERIENCE, MOST
CUSTOMERS WANT TRUE
INTERCONTINENTAL RANGE
IN THIS CLASS OF PRODUCT”
true intercontinental range in this class
of product — it’s a long way from Beijing
to London and airplanes like the Lineage
and the ACJ can’t make that mission
against the typical headwinds.
Q: How and where do you see the biggest
impact from the long line of new market
entrants in the 100-150 passenger
jet segment — the Sukhoi Superjet,
Bombardier C-series, the Chinese-made
Comac C919, and even the smaller
Mitsubishi Regional Jet?
I think it will be quite some time before
any of those products are mature enough
to make a significant mark in the VIP
market. One of the huge advantages the
BBJ enjoys is its commonality with the
737 — from training to maintenance
to spare parts — all over the world.
The reliability of the product and the
capability of the support network make
the BBJ a superior product. >>
JETGALA 31
 WINGS
Privacy in one’s workspace is captured
in this BBJ interior design concept
UP CLOSE
What is one thing that
surprises people about you?
I’m older than I look.
How did you earn
your first dollar?
Delivering newspapers in
Junior High School.
What dream are you
shooting for now?
Adding a 757/767 Type rating
to my license, so that I will have
737,747,757/767,777 and 787.
Name someone you admire
as a hero.
My father, a retired Boeing pilot,
engineer and manager, who at
89 still flies his own airplane.
What is your pet peeve
about flying/travel?
While I appreciate the safety
mission of the TSA, it has taken
away any glamour that ever
existed in commercial travel.
What do you love most
about flying?
Freedom. I fly to get away
from everything else.
Words to live by —
what are yours?
My first boss told me always,
“Don’t do nuthin’ dumb.” I still
strive for this every day.
What do you do for relaxation?
Fix or fly old airplanes.
32 JETGALA
Customised interiors create an ambience that lets you mix business with pleasure
>> My crystal ball says that some of
the (market entrants) mentioned won’t
prove to be commercially viable, and
only one or two of them will emerge
as winners…but our product will also
evolve over the coming years. I think
our experience in this market will serve
us well in this arena.
Q: Can you share some innovations for
Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner Business
Jet you are most excited about?
The 787…already has many of the
features that traditional business jet
manufacturers tout. For example: lower
cabin altitude, larger windows and a
humidification system — items that are
frequently a compromise for large cabin
airplanes, but will be part of the basic
airframe for 787 Business Jets. As a
pilot, I’m really excited about both the
performance of the airplane and flight
deck. It is really something special
to fly and the range capability is just
awesome — it’s able to connect almost
any city pair non-stop and it’s fast with
a normal cruise speed of Mach 0.85.
Q: What is the profile of a large
luxury jet customer?
When we first entered the market
15 years ago, they were all very high
profile people whom you could
identify pretty easily. Today, our
customers are much more diverse.
The product that has a well-defined
customer set is the 747-8I for our
head-of-state customers. The smaller
airplanes have customers ranging from
royalty to wealthy individuals to multi-
national conglomerates — a really
broad appeal.
Q: Can you share some anecdotes
from BBJ customers — like unique
missions or tasks performed?
Two examples come to mind. The
first is the 2009 mission that one of
our customers (AvJet Corporation of
Burbank, CA) performed to take former
President Clinton to North Korea
to retrieve two journalists who were
being detained. The trip illustrated
the unique capability of the BBJ to
transport a large team great distances
very comfortably, (on) a very demanding
schedule. No airplane other than the
BBJ could have done that mission on
the timeline they needed.
The other example occurred last
year. We had arranged with a customer
to display their BBJ C (Convertible)
at the FIDAE Airshow in Santiago,
Chile. Two weeks before the Airshow,
Chile was stuck by an earthquake and
a tsunami. Because of the flexibility
of the BBJ C, our customer was able
to convert the airplane to the freighter
mode overnight and we delivered
11,500 pounds of relief supplies. It felt
great to be able to assist those folks in
the devastated region.
Jet Aviation Asia Pacific:
Enjoy the convenience of owning
your aircraft while letting us
safeguard you and your investment

Owning your own aircraft and flying with the confidence that you can count on a global company that
understands all your aviation needs, no matter where and when you travel, provides you with peace-of-mind.
44 years experience and an unsurpassed level of talent at our operations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala
Lumpur and 24 locations worldwide – offer you our global support, whether you are an aircraft owner,
operator or charter client. Satisfying all your travel needs with our uncompromising dedication to quality,
safety and service is one commitment that will never change. Personalized to Perfection. www.jetaviation.com

Call Sebastian Groeger at +65 9816 2293

24/7 AOG +65 9030 9663
 WINGS

Bombardier says its Learjet 85

is “the aircraft of the future”

34 JETGALA
 BOMBARDIER LEARJET 85

By Liz Moscrop

COMPOSITE
FLIGHT
LIGHTER, TALLER, FASTER
AND EVER MORE LUXURIOUS
JETGALA 35
 WINGS

The new Bombardier Learjet 85 will

feature enhanced aerodynamics

W
hile the world’s eyes are
on the all-composite
Boeing Dreamliner 787,
Canadian manufacturer
Bombardier has an THE LEARJET 85
exciting ‘plastic plane’ of
its own in the pipeline. The airframer WILL PROVIDE
announced its new ‘clean sheet’ all-
composite USD18.25 million Learjet A MORE
LUXURIOUS
85 just over three years ago at the
National Business Aviation Association

JOURNEY THAN
Convention, with a mock-up on display
at the same show one year later.

ITS CURRENT
Thanks to its bright spacious
interior, Bombardier expects the

COMPETITORS
Learjet 85 to provide a more luxurious
journey than its current midsize cabin
competitors. The cabin features a
double-club seating arrangement with
full lie-flat seats and fold-down tables.
Every element is designed to optimise
Interiors are intended to be both spacious and
productivity and comfort. As well as a sophisticated, with roomy seats that recline fully
large galley to the front, there is a vanity
unit and lavatory aft, and three large
cupboards for extra on-board storage.
The Learjet 85 aircraft’s cabin
is taller, wider and larger than any

36 JETGALA
The Learjet 85 outdoes predecessors
in cabin height, width and size

current Learjet. It offers a maximum

height of 5 feet 11 inches, and a
maximum width of 6 feet 1 inch. In
addition, it provides plenty of baggage
space, equally useful for ski or golf
trips. Each aspect of the Learjet 85’s
interior has been designed to optimise
en route work or leisure. With
approximately 30 inches (76.2 cm)
between each seat, passengers have
plenty of room to stretch their legs
and relax.
Should they wish to dine during
flight there is an ergonomically designed
galley, which is approximately 36 inches
(91.4 cm) wide. This means there is
ample room for porcelain tableware and
crystal glasses, as well as for drinks and
ice storage. The galley can also house an
optional microwave oven. Further back
in the plane, the lavatory is beautifully
appointed and in keeping with the
design of the main cabin. For extra
passenger comfort, there is a tap and
basin with pressurised water supply and
Seats with tuck-away water tank, as well as a vanity cabinet
storage with lighted mirror. >>

JETGALA 37
 WINGS
Three 15-inch, high resolution LCD monitors make
the advanced flight deck easy on pilots’ eyes
>> For that all-important office in
the sky, the Cabin Electronic System
controls at each passenger location
provide the ultimate in convenience
and ease. Passengers can make calls
via a satellite phone on board. The
in-flight entertainment system includes
a DVD player, HD bulkhead monitors,
XM satellite radio capabilities and
wireless access points. It also enables
the use of personal devices, such as
iPods. Additionally, there is the option
to have Internet connectivity, although
by the time the aircraft enters service,
this will doubtless be a necessity for
work. The aircraft also comes with
personalised LED lighting, which
includes individual table lighting for
getting down to business, or a reading
light for relaxing with a favourite book.
The Learjet 85 fits between
the midsize and the super midsize
segments of the market. Engineers
and designers are now hard at work
building it in Bombardier’s newest
production facility in the Queretaro
Aerospace Park in Mexico and in
the manufacturer’s plant in Wichita,
in which it plans to invest USD600
million.
It looks like the aircraft will meet
its production deadlines. Ralph Acs,
Vice President, Learjet 85, Bombardier
Business Aircraft, said, “The Learjet 85
aircraft programme is on track. The
system design has matured and its
installation and integration are
on target.”
The Learjet 85 will have a high-
speed cruise of Mach 0.82 and a
transcontinental range of up to 3,000
nautical miles (5,556 km). This bodes
38 JETGALA
The plane’s avionics suite is designed to
give pilots improved control and security
well for the future, since Bombardier
says that it is the aircraft’s speed and
rate of climb that sets it apart from its
competitors, along with the size of its
cabin. Able to seat up to 10 passengers
when a divan is installed, there is also
100 cubic feet of external baggage
space and another 30 cubic feet of
interior space — more than twice the
space of the Learjet 45.
THE LEARJET 85
AIRCRAFT'S
CABIN IS TALLER,
WIDER AND Passengers can control LED lights for
LARGER THAN
the table, aisle and for reading
Onboard dining options expand with
ANY CURRENT
the aircraft’s generously-sized galley
LEARJET
Bombardier has also bought a
Learjet 85 full-flight simulator from
training partner CAE to help refine
the design of the aircraft. The Learjet
85 simulator will be housed at
Bombardier’s aircraft training centre in
Montreal, Canada, and used to support
the twinjet’s testing and certification
programme. Meanwhile customer
training on the new simulator is to
begin in the first quarter of 2013.
This may be a plastic plane, but there
is nothing remotely gimmicky about the
Learjet 85, which is all set to become a
modern design classic.
COMPETITOR COMPARISON CHART

LEARJET 85 GULFSTREAM G150 HAWKER 900XP CESSNA SOVEREIGN

LENGTH 24.75 FT 17.67 FT 21.30 FT 25.30 FT

HEIGHT 71 IN (6) 69 IN 69 IN 68 IN
With more space and
VOLUME 665 CU FT 465 CU FT 604 CU FT 556 CU FT
headroom than its
TOTAL BAGGAGE 130 CU FT 80 CU FT 50 CU FT 135 CU FT midsize competitors,
the Learjet 85 gives a
more enjoyable flight

SPECIFICATION IMPERIAL METRIC

LENGTH (EXTERNAL) 68.4 FT 20.84 M
WINGSPAN 61.5 FT 18.75 M
HEIGHT (EXTERNAL) 19.6 FT 5.97 M
CABIN LENGTH 24.75 FT 7.54 M
CABIN WIDTH 6.08 FT 1.85 M
CABIN HEIGHT 5.91 FT 1.8 M
MAXIMUM RANGE (1) 3,000 NM 5,556 KM
WITH IFR RESERVES
MAXIMUM (PASSENGER) SEATING 8
MAXIMUM CRUISE SPEED MACH 0.82
CERTIFIED CEILING 49,000 FT 14,395 M
TAKE-OFF DISTANCE 4,800 FT 1,463 M
MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT 33,500 LBS 15.195 KG

The seating layout makes the cabin

conducive for discussions and meetings
among passengers during flight

JETGALA 39
 WINGS

Wagstaff has flown more than 750 aerobatic performances since 1984
Photo courtesy of Patty Wagstaff Airshows, Inc

40 JETGALA
 PATTY WAGSTAFF

by Ong May Anne

FLY
Wagstaff describes her flying as being hardcore, rock and roll unlimited aerobatics
Photo by Greg Gibson

GAL
AWARD-WINNING AEROBATIC PURSUITS

JETGALA 33
41
 WINGS

IF ANYONE WAS BORN TO FLY, PATTY WAGSTAFF

WAS. With both her father and sister making a living as
commercial airline pilots, her earliest recollections are of
sitting with him in the cockpit. At age 10, her passion for
aviation was well and truly ignited when her dad let her take
the controls of a DC-6.
No surprise then that Patty, famous for her low-level,
hardcore aerobatic routines that entertain spectators at air
shows every year, went on to become the first woman to
garner the US National Aerobatic Champion trophy, an
honour she went on to win three times.
After attending her first air show in Abbotsford,
Canada, in 1983, she was hooked on the idea of performing
aerobatics. “I was blown away by the excitement of the flying
and the camaraderie of the air show performers — and knew
that I wanted to be on the other side of the fence and not
be a spectator.”
With this goal firmly in her sights, she took lessons,
bought a training aerobatic airplane (a Super Decathlon) and
practised every day. Soon, she was flying in air shows and
competing. With grit and determination, she earned a place
on the US national aerobatic team.
In this again, family played a crucial role. “I was very
lucky to have a lot of (family) support because no one
thought that I was crazy to want to compete in aerobatics
and fly air shows,” she says. “We all need to be surrounded
by people who have faith in us.”

Wagstaff’s aerobatics have won the ‘Sword of Excellence’,

one of the air show industry’s most prestigious awards
Photo by Mike Shore

“AEROBATICS IS THE
ULTIMATE IN FLYING”

Faith has taken her far. Her achievements in aviation

have won an impressive list of awards, and seen her
inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
Her airplane, a Goodrich Extra 260, is displayed at the
Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, right next
to Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Vega.
A well-rounded pilot in every sense, she earned her
Commercial, Instrument, Seaplane and Commercial
Helicopter Ratings; is a Flight and Instrument Instructor;
and is rated and qualified to fly a diverse range of airplanes,
from World War II warbirds to jets. So why her passion
for aerobatics?
Wagstaff’s German-built Extra 300S comes with a
smoke system for added visual surprise in airshows
Photo by Charlie Stewart

42
32 JETGALA
 “Aerobatics is the ultimate in
flying,” explains Wagstaff. “There is
great freedom in flying an airplane like
my Extra 300S. It is capable of doing
almost anything that the pilot can
think of, so it’s great fun. I also like
that it focuses me and requires a lot
of training and practice to be very
good at it.”
This includes the issue of ‘G’ toler-
ance, a G being a measure of the force
of gravity. Wagstaff says that she pulls
about 10 positive (downward directed)
Gs and seven negative (upward
directed) Gs in her air show routines.
This is the reason aerobatic pilots need
to keep themselves fit — to endure the
physical stress of multiple G forces.
Wagstaff has been representing the US in Olympic-level international competitions since 1986
Photo by Mike Shore
Wagstaff is quick to dispel the
myth that aerobatic pilots are reckless
daredevils. On the contrary, she
believes that learning aerobatics makes
a person a safer and more competent
pilot. She cites the example of Captain
Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, who
made the headlines when he piloted
an Airbus A320 to a safe ditching
in the Hudson River in 2009. While
he did not use aerobatics in that
particular emergency, Wagstaff believes
that Sully’s aerobatic training in the
military probably contributed to his
ability to fly the airplane by feel, giving
him an advantage that other pilots
might not have had.
“I admit it looks a little crazy at
times when you see a professional air
show pilot put their airplane through
its paces,” says Wagstaff. But she
emphasises that air show pilots are
professionals in every sense of the
word. “The ones who are not often
don’t survive.”
In keeping with this, Wagstaff’s
pre-flight rituals are about safety rather
than superstition. Besides completing
a checklist, she always visualises her
routine. This can change with every
flight because variable conditions
such as wind direction, temperature,
humidity and elevation of the airfield
can affect the performance of her
airplane.
This disciplined approach has
served her well in air shows and
competitions all over the world,
including some in exotic locales like
Iceland. Although she’s logged about
9,000 hours of flying time, Wagstaff
is not yet ready to take a break. She
declares, “I would like to fly an air
show in Antarctica, so that I can be the
first person to fly an air show on all
seven continents!”
AT AGE TEN, HER
PASSION FOR
AVIATION WAS
WELL AND TRULY
IGNITED WHEN DAD
LET HER TAKE THE
CONTROLS OF
A DC-6
This summer, Wagstaff will be fighting
forest fires alongside California’s finest
in fire safety
Photo courtesy of the California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection
WIDE RANGER
She may be best known for her
aerobatic exploits, but Patty
Wagstaff keeps things interesting
by pursuing a variety of flying
jobs. She is a familiar face at
international air shows not only for
her aerobatics, but also as a demo
pilot for Raytheon Aircraft, flying
their military trainer, the T-6A/B
Texan II. She has also worked as a
stunt pilot and aerial coordinator
for the film and television industry,
and has given bush and recurrency
training to the pilots of the Kenya
Wildlife Service. In the 2011 fire
season, she will be involved in
aerial firefighting by serving as
an Air Attack Pilot with the
California Department of Forestry
and Fire Protection.
JETGALA 43
33
 WINGS

PHENOM 100 WORLD TRIP

by Radha Menon

GLOBE
PLOTTERS
AROUND THE WORLD IN A PRIVATE JET

Flying over Kodiak, Alaska, on a round-the-world trip via private jet

44 JETGALA
Pilots Jim and Betsy Frost in the cockpit of their Phenom 100

"FLYING OUR THE WORLD HAS BEEN CIRCUMNAVIGATED FOR CENTURIES, by ship,
balloon, motorbike, car, sail boat, and of course, by multi-stop airline ticket.

OWN PLANE But very few, if any, have done it like Jim and Betsy Frost — by flying their
very own private jet.

GAVE US A Jim Frost is a self-described “detail oriented, computer savvy engineer who
loves to fly.” His wife Betsy is a “straightforward analytical girl who likes to have

TREMENDOUS
a good time” and shares Jim’s passion as his “favourite co-pilot in the air and on
the ground.” Inspired by their dream of returning to places they had visited, like

AMOUNT OF
Palau and Phuket, they decided to buy a private jet for their personal pleasure tour.
The intrepid couple took delivery of Embraer’s very first Phenom 100 on

FLEXIBILITY"
December 31, 2008. “We chose this airplane because it was a ‘clean sheet’ design
that offered the performance we were looking for at a very attractive price. The
Phenom was a great plane for this trip,” said Jim.
“Flying our own plane gave us a tremendous amount of flexibility…(like) being
able to choose what country we visited on what day,” says Betsy. “Travelling to
all the countries we did, in the two months it took, simply could not have been
accomplished using traditional airlines. We would have spent one month sitting
at airports.” Besides, there were no airline connections between some of the
destinations the Frosts wanted to go to, like from Bali in Indonesia to Ayers Rock,
Australia. >>

JETGALA 45
 WINGS

"WE HAD TO RELY UPON ONE

ANOTHER THROUGH THE
GOOD AND THE BAD, AND IT
HAS MADE US STRONGER"

The sunset on Phuket island was among the Frosts’ most memorable experiences on their trip

Their journey brought them to several wonders of the world — the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, was one

46 JETGALA
 “If your destination is more than Few have the chance to fly over Ayers Rock, the world’s largest monolith and sacred Aboriginal site
one fuel stop away, always get a in Uluru, Australia
boxed lunch from the hotel so you
have something to eat” — Jim and
Betsy Frost

TRIP NOTES

The Frosts’ first round the world

trip in a Phenom 100:

Started August 29, 2010

Completed October 24, 2010
22 countries and 42 stops
within 56 days
31,462 nm covered in
The Frosts made Cairo, Egypt, another destination on their trip to visit the pyramids of Giza
98 flight hours
Average speed — 321 knots
Average leg — 749 nm Flying the 31,462 nautical mile trip in a little jet “might be difficult for a couple
to do if one spouse was not a pilot, but it is great if both are, as you can share all
Best hotel —
the Burj Al Arab, Dubai the experiences,” said Jim.
A great deal of work and planning was required before and during the journey
Best overall hotel stay —
Amanpuri, Phuket
for this trip of a lifetime. “When flying your own airplane, there is a long list of
important things that must be accomplished before every flight. Checking the
Favourite stop —
weather for the route is at the top of the list. International flights require planning
Palau, Micronesia
for permits, customs details and handling,” Jim pointed out. The Frosts borrowed
Most unusual stop —
a survival pack consisting of shelter items, tools, blankets, hand warmers, power
Kangaroo Island, Australia
bars and more. They also packed a life raft equipped with an Emergency Locator
Best Meal — Terasa U Zlate
Transmitter as well as a desalination kit before setting off.
Studne restaurant, Prague
Adds Betsy, “It helped that both of us are pilots to share the workload, for
Best Handler — planning as well as for flying. This is a trip to take with your spouse. We had to rely
Japan, with Bali a close second
upon one another through the good and the bad, and it has made us stronger.”
Best Surprise — With meticulous planning and blessings from the weather gods, the couple flew
Handling in Russia & India round the world with little misadventure. “The plane exceeded our expectations
Best Value — regarding reliability. There was a bad experience with several snake charmers in
Best Western Hotel in Kodiak Marrakesh, and the driver in Bali whom I thought would kill us before the day was
over. Interestingly enough, most of the narrow squeaks had nothing to do with
flying,” recalls Betsy. >>

JETGALA 47
 WINGS

The geothermal Reykjanes lava fields, a warm oasis in subpolar Iceland, was another stop

"MOST OF THE
NARROW SQUEAKS
HAD NOTHING TO
DO WITH FLYING"

>> Jim shares another precaution they took — to

The Frosts took in the Charles Bridge, one of the most visited sites in the
Czech Republic
Some of the best handling on the journey was provided in Tokyo, Japan
pack some spare parts with them as they were visiting
many remote places. However, they still ran into a small
mechanical situation in Australia when they had to call
Embraer. The manufacturer, who was following their
journey on a daily basis, was quick to track the problem
to a faulty Generator Control Unit and sent a mechanic to
their next stop with a replacement.
What were some of the best moments of their world
trip? “Sitting on the beach at Ku De Ta in Bali at sunset
was a magical experience, as was visiting the Great
Pyramids and walking into the centre of one, and scuba
diving in Palau,” recalls Betsy wistfully. So it comes as no
surprise to hear Jim say, “While we may not go around
the world again, we do plan to go back to some of our
favourite places in our plane.”

48 JETGALA
Above The Clouds: Aviation Business Index
Know more about aircraft ownership at your single best source: aviationbusinessindex.com

Know More.
800.553.8638 +1.315.797.4420 JETNET.COM
Worldwide leader in aviation market intelligence.
 WINGS

Dnest Aviation caters to the growing recognition in Malaysia of private planes as productive business tools

DNEST AVIATION

STRAITS
CHARTER
AFTER 12 YEARS AS A MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE PILOT,
CAPT EARNEST KOILPILLAI FOUND HIMSELF FLYING PRIVATE JETS
IN MALAYSIA. TODAY, AS CEO OF DNEST AVIATION SERVICES,
HE SHARES INSIGHTS ON THE INDUSTRY’S PROGRESS IN MALAYSIA.

50 JETGALA
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JETGALA 51
 WINGS

WE HAVE AIRCRAFT THAT CAN TAKE YOU FROM

SUBANG TO AN AIRPORT IN AFRICA NON-STOP, OR
TO ANY PART OF CHINA OR EUROPE NON-STOP

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EFSYXGLEVXIVMRKETPERIJVSQ]SY#
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aircraft services
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a vision for private aviation in Malaysia JP]-HSVSXEXIEMVGVEJXSREVIKYPEVFEWMW
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UP CLOSE
What is one thing that
surprises people about you?
That I was a one-man show from
the beginning, and that I have
set up a legacy for private and
corporate aviation in Malaysia.
What dream are you
shooting for now?
To take private aviation in
Malaysia to the next level.
Name someone you admire
as a hero.
My former Prime Minister, Tun
Mahathir. He is a visionary… and
an ardent supporter of aviation.
What is your pet peeve
about flying?
Bad weather.
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about flying? ERHXLI'MXEXMSR;LIVILIPMGSTXIVW WXERHMRKXSWLEVILMWEMVGVEJXJSV
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Two things: “The hand that 5;LEXEVIGPMIRXVIPEXMSRWPMOI# JIIPSJXLIGSRZIRMIRGI%RH[LIRLI¸W
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And, “Don’t wait for the ship to
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come home, row out to meet it.”
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TVSZMHIWXLIVERKIXLEX(RIWXHSIW FYWMRIWWXSSP

52 JETGALA
 HANOI SAIGON
SEPTEMBER 2011 DECEMBER 2011

ORIENTAL EXHIBITIONS PTE LTD

VIETNAM: info@oriental-ltd.com I Tel: +84.8 3844 1612
SINGAPORE: events@oriental-exhibitions.com I Tel: +65 6222 1415

www.salondeluxe.asia/vietnam
58 2010|2011
 WINGS

DESIGN Q

by Tricia Lim

SIGNATURE
SPACETWO DESIGNERS MOVING UP,
FROM HOT CARS TO FAST JETS
54 JETGALA
One option in a world of bespoke aircraft design
possibilities by Design Q in the Airbus A380 ‘Flying Palace’

JETGALA 55
 WINGS

T
he term “design cue” is used
in automotive design to A HANDPICKED
describe the special quality
that gives a brand its very own TEAM OF
signature look. British design
consultancy Design Q draws INDUSTRY
EXPERTS
its fundamental work ethos from there.
The ‘Q’ in its name, however, also

DELIVERS
pays homage to James Bond’s gadget
master sidekick — the ever so cranky

‘Q’ — without whom Mr Bond would
probably not have survived his many
scrapes with destiny.
Founders Gary Doy and Howard
Guy started Design Q in 1997, giving
up plum roles as principle designers
at Jaguar Cars for their adventure.
Barely a year into the company’s
existence, work began to come in
from the aircraft industry. A four-year
contract with Virgin Atlantic Airways
saw the successful launch of the widely
acclaimed Upper Class Seat. Shortly
after, a contract arrived to redesign all
classes throughout the fleet of Cathay
Pacific Airways. As the company’s
reputation for translating radical ideas
STATE-OF-THE-
ART DESIGN
CONCEPTS
into reality grew, design commissions
followed for luxury interiors in aircraft
and helicopters of VIPs, royalty and
celebrities.
Although the certification and
engineering requirements are broadly
the same in most aircraft interiors,
every Design Q VIP interior is
specifically tailored for a client’s
FROM TOP
The ABJ Fusion was designed to function as
a flying limousine service for corporate VIPs,
celebrities, sports teams and musicians
The bespoke VIP interior of this converted
Avro RJ70 features a very high quality
entertainment system to be enjoyed from
a curved sofa
The wide body of the Avro Explorer Four
allows for spacious seating

56 JETGALA
 individual needs and tastes. To
understand the full extent of what that
means, Doy takes us through their
design process. “All customers are
different,” says he. “Some have a clear
view and others prefer to see where
the design process takes them. To help
the customer and the design team,
a ‘personality map’ is developed to
visually define the customer’s style.”
According to Doy, this includes
various aspects of the customer’s
lifestyle, from the car they drive, to
their favourite hotel and restaurant.
Scenarios in which the aircraft may be
used are also considered in creating
the layout and mood of the interior.
Another important consideration is
whether the owners will be leasing the
aircraft for charter or are sensitive to its
resale value. If so, a timeless appeal will
A peek into the private A380 that Design Q says will
soon be known as the world’s most luxurious aircraft
be integrated into its design, in keeping
with industry trends.
Once the brief and overall theme
for the interior have been established,
photorealistic computer generated ren-
derings, based on the plane’s actual >>
The front lounge of the Avro Explorer One features curved sofas wrapped
around a coffee table which conceals a retractable television

JETGALA 57
 WINGS

Spacious conference rooms are an option in larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380

The ultimate in exclusivity — a private

lounge inside one’s own private plane

58 JETGALA
>> airframe, are created of the entire
interior. These images, presented with
material boards of the surface finishes,
give customers a strong idea of the
design and how it feels. Full detailed
documents of clients’ expectations are
sent to the refurbishment centres, and
updated during the engineering and
realisation steps. This helps to ensure
“no surprises at the end of the pro-
gramme,” according to Doy.
THE COMPANY'S
REPUTATION FOR
TRANSLATING
RADICAL IDEAS
INTO REALITY GREW
The aviation industry has been
moving towards more innovative use of
space in the creation of contemporary
interiors, and the use of higher quality
finishes. Doy equates this to the influx
of “younger and more design aware”
customers who are looking for the
same values in their executive aircraft
as in their luxury homes, cars and
yachts. “Some VIP manufacturers who
have recognised the trends are now
responding with new contemporary
interior concepts to pull the new
customers over to their product.”
One such manufacturer is
Bombardier, who commissioned
Design Q to design the Global Flight
Deck. Its successful customer launch
led to another commission, this time
to design the full interior of the
Learjet 85 aircraft. In this, Guy points
text to come
out that sometimes the biggest hurdle
in the exploration of new ideas is the
client. “There is a fear factor, a fear of
losing customers, a fear of not getting
new ones and a fear of departing from
methods and styles that have been
around and consistent for some time.”
While understandable, this resistance
prevents new development and
progressively erodes customer interest,
which can harm the brand in the
long run.
Bombardier surprised them. Guy
says, “I was impressed with Bombardier
Learjet’s courage to select a more
contemporary design for the 85,
and for building the interior exactly
as it was conceived. It was also a
welcome surprise to see it launched
in contemporary European colours.
This vision has generated a great deal
of interest from prospective customers
and secured a considerable number of
(orders). Customers commit to an ever-
increasing waiting list, due to demand.
This is the reward for good design —
but it needed courage and confidence.”
Recently, at the 2010 NBAA show
in Atlanta, Georgia, Design Q launched
their third of five concept planes
commissioned by BAE Systems. The
ABJ Fusion Jet seats up to 19 in mood-
lit cabins separated by three distinct
lounge areas with entertainment
systems that encourage socialising.
“This is aimed at the charter aircraft
market: product launches, sports teams,
musicians, celebrities, exclusive travel
market and corporate VIP,” says BAE
Systems spokesman David Dorman. “It
is akin to a flying limousine service that
guests enjoy from the time they board
through to arriving at their destination,
and then fly back after the event.”
Fourteen years since the company
started, it has now come full circle.
According to Guy, leading automotive
companies they work with have grown
more appreciative of aircraft interiors
and “would like the influence of leading
jet interiors and flight decks to enhance
their top luxury automobiles”. Just as
well for them and their clients, Design
Q is here to help.
The rear lounge of the Avro Explorer
One can extend out to become a
viewing deck
HIGH LUXURY
Other VIP jet projects by Design Q
Avro RJ70
In collaboration with BAE
Systems and Inflite Engineering
Services, this modern revamp
of the Avro RJ70 features a
mood-lit cabin with double club
4 executive seating, dining and
divan area, and a separate 12-seat
business class seating cabin.
The Avro Business Jet Explorer
One and Explorer Four
The first two of five commissions
by BAE Systems for the Avro
Business Jet, these bold and
innovative concepts deliver a
range of exceptional interiors
for different VIP aircraft market
segments.
Airbus A380 — The Flying Palace
Teaming up with German
engineering specialist Case4de,
Design Q submitted an interior
proposal for the A380 owned
by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal
bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. The
design features for aircraft with
more than 557 sqm floor space
include a grand entrance hall with
floating spiral staircase, a private
elevator, two main decks, a
‘Flying Carpet’ room that projects
a bird’s-eye view of the ground
below onto the floor within, and
the very latest in communication
technology.
JETGALA 59
 WINGS

The Eurocopter X3, a hybrid high-speed helicopter, can fly at heights of 3,810 metres and is capable of 60 degree turns

VIP HELICOPTERS

RECORD
by Allen Roche

ROTATION THE DAWN OF THE SUPER-FAST LUXURY HELICOPTER

60 JETGALA
I
n the world of private aviation,
the helicopter has always been
the smaller, noisier and less
luxurious alternative to the
private jet. But in spite of lesser
comfort and a slower cruise
speed of about 260 km/h, its ability
to land and take-off vertically in
tight spaces has made top corporate
executives recognise the helicopter as
an essential complement to private jets.
That perception of helicopters
is set to change. Two of the world’s
best-known helicopter manufacturers,
Sikorsky and Eurocopter, are en route
to producing helicopters with edge The X2 demonstrator set an unofficial helicopter speed record by flying at 463 km/h in September 2010
enough to compete with commuter and
private jet services.

HELICOPTERS
Sikorsky’s X2 prototype, developed
as a light tactical helicopter, has a two-

WITH EDGE
seat airframe fitted with a pair of four-
bladed helicopter rotors mounted one

ENOUGH TO
above the other. These turn in opposite
directions, resulting in a quieter ride.

COMPETE WITH
At its tail, the highly unconventional
six-blade rotor faces backward like

COMMUTER AND
a boat propeller to provide thrust
and improves acceleration. This

PRIVATE JET
revolutionary configuration minimises Sikorsky’s X2 prototypes are committed
to advancing military rotary wing
vibrations, enhances low-speed technology and operations

handling, improves hovering efficiency
and enables simple transition to high
speed — all characteristics successfully
demonstrated during test flights.
In September 2010, the X2 hit
a speed of 460 km/h in level flight,
marking an unofficial speed record
for a helicopter and a victory in
Sikorsky’s goal to make the world’s
fastest helicopter. “Our primary key
performance parameter has been met,”
said Jim Kagdis, Program Manager
for Sikorsky Advanced Programs.
Until then, the world’s fastest
helicopter has been the British
Westland Lynx ZB-500, which set
a record of 400.8 km/h in 1986.
Barely two weeks after the X2’s
record, Eurocopter revealed its X3,
a demonstration hybrid high-speed
helicopter. Tests have confirmed the
X3’s excellent vertical takeoff and
landing capabilities, as well as stability
and ease of handling. It is expected to
prove a cruise speed of 410 km/h when
tests resume in March 2011. “We do
not aim at breaking the speed record
but to offer to our customers cost
efficiency at high speed,” says Jean-
Michel Billig, Executive Vice-President
of R&D at Eurocopter.
SERVICES
The X3 sports a generous airframe
that allows for a much larger cabin for
cargo or several passengers. Two Rolls-
Royce engines drive a five-blade rotor
system, complemented by two five-
blade propellers set on short-span fixed
wings to reduce the drag of the rotors.
The result is an unusual but stylish
helicopter with jet-like features.
These advances in rotor technology,
noise reduction, safety through state-
of-the-art guidance systems, and
business and communication tools are
slated to come with VIP standards in
cabin comfort and executive style.
For high-powered executives who
demand optimised travel time, flying
to the doorstep of a business meeting
without having to wait for taxi and
takeoff times is a tempting proposition.
While the promise of the X2 and
X3 prototypes will take some years
to translate into commercially viable
aircraft options, what is certain is that
the face and pace of helicopters in
private aviation has been marked for
change.
INSIDE SPEED
A peek at what makes the
Sikorsky X2 an airspeed
record-breaking helicopter
Vibration Reduction System
Detects vibrations and counters
them with a force that moves in
the opposite direction. Lessening
vibrations gives a sturdier,
speedier flight.
Fly-by-Wire Control
Integrated fly-by-wire computer-
aided electronics enhance
pilot control of the helicopter.
Faster, easier and safer flight
becomes possible by eliminating
heavy mechanical and hydraulic
connections that would otherwise
aid control of the helicopter.
Pusher Propeller
Sikorsky’s radical high-speed
pusher prop gives the X2 more
thrust and acceleration than
conventional helicopter tail
propellers, boosting its speed.

JETGALA 61
 WINGS

A Catalina on a memorial flight in honour of Royal Australian Air Force squadrons that served in World War II
Photo by LAC Leigh Cameron, Australian Department of Defence © Commonwealth of Australia

THE CATALINA FLYING BOAT

by Steve Slater

WINGS ON
WATER FLYING BOATS, FADING LEGENDS
OF HUMAN FLIGHT

62 JETGALA

Wartime Catalina
crews often spoke of
placing their faith in
the Holy Trilogy: “God,
Pratt and Whitney”
Jesse Rhodes Waller, a World War II
Aviation Ordnanceman, on his way to
install a M1919 Browning machine gun
in a US Navy PBY plane in August 1942
Photo by Howard R Hollem for the United States
Office of War Information
M
ention flying boats,
and an era of bygone
travel romance is
evoked. Born of the
grand art-deco era
of the 1930s, these
‘boats’ were the
mainstay of long
distance aerial transport before faster
land-based aircraft. The creation
of long runways during the Second
World War marked their swansong.
One flying boat, however, was
destined for longer-lasting success.
More than 2,000 examples of the
Consolidated PBY, better known as
the Catalina, were built and around
20 are still flying after more than
seven decades of unmatched civil and
military service on every continent.
The original PBY patrol boats,
designated ‘PBY’ by the US Navy,
entered service in 1936 and set records
by flying from their base in San Diego
to as far as Cuba and Hawaii. To
achieve this level of performance,
the PBY pioneered innovations which
are still in use on current aircraft.
The 31.7-metre span wing, mounted
on a central pylon above the fuselage,
was one of the first examples of a
‘wet wing’ structure. Instead of using
individual tanks to carry fuel, the whole
wing structure is sealed to take fuel.
This allows about 5,500 litres to be
carried, sufficient to keep the aircraft
in the air for up to 36 hours at a time.
The PBY is powered by two
Pratt and Whitney R-1830 Twin
Wasp radial piston engines, whose
reliability became legend. Wartime
Catalina crews often spoke of placing
their faith in the Holy Trilogy: “God,
Pratt and Whitney”. >>
JETGALA 63
 WINGS

While the earlier examples were

pure flying boats with no ability to
operate on dry land other than to be
beached for maintenance, in 1939, the
PBY-5A model combined a tricycle
undercarriage with a floating hull
to create an amphibian capable of
operating from land and sea. It was this
model which predominated through the
dark years of the Second World War.
Even before Japan’s attack on
Pearl Harbour, the British, Canadian
and Australian air forces had taken
delivery of PBYs, naming them
‘Catalina’ after the island off the
California coast. The name was
subsequently adopted in America.
The aircraft’s parasol wing and large
waist blisters gave superb visibility.
This, combined with the PBY’s long
range and endurance, made it well
suited for maritime patrols in search
of German U-boats whose attacks were
decimating shipping convoys crossing
the Atlantic.

64 JETGALA
British, Canadian and Australian air
forces named the PBYs ‘Catalina’ after
the island off the California coast

The Royal New Zealand Air Force 6

Squadron’s Catalina at Halavo Bay,
Solomon Islands
Photo courtesy of the Jenny Scott Collection
www.Flickr.com/photos/Adelaide_Archivist

TWICE
THE FUN

“To handle a flying boat, one

RNZAF 6 Squadron takes off from a seaplane base in Segond Channel in October 1943
Photo courtesy of the Jenny Scott Collection www.Flickr.com/photos/Adelaide_Archivist
Catalinas destroyed 40 U-boats, but
they suffered many losses to their own.
Pilots pressing home their attacks in
the face of heavy defensive fire won
two Victoria Crosses. An RAF Catalina
also located the German battleship
Bismarck on May 26, 1941, foiling her
attempts to evade Royal Navy forces.
OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE In June 1942, Catalinas spotted the
FROM TOP LEFT
Japanese fleet approaching Midway
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) 205
Squadron used Catalinas to patrol
Island, marking the beginning of the
the Far East during World War II Battle of Midway.
Photo courtesy of RAF © UK MOD Crown In the Pacific, several squadrons of
Copyright 2010 Catalinas were modified to operate as
Beaching crew bring a RNZAF night raiders. Painted matt black to aid
Catalina onto land at Halavo Bay,
Solomon Islands, 1944-45
their stealth, the ‘Black Cats’ attacked
Japanese supply convoys at night,
Photo courtesy of the Jenny Scott Collection
www.Flickr.com/photos/Adelaide_Archivist sinking 112,700 tons of shipping and
A US Navy Consolidated PBY damaging 10 Japanese warships.
Catalina at the Naval Air Station The Royal Australian Air Force
Corpus Christi, Texas (USA), in
August 1942 also operated Catalinas as night
Photo by Howard R Hollem for the United States
raiders, mounting operations deep
Office of War Information into Japanese-held territory. To
This Catalina, bought and restored make up for a shortage of bombs, the
by the Catalina Club of New
Zealand, is now the only air-worthy
crews became notorious for dropping
PBY-5A in Australasia empty beer bottles with razor blades
Photo courtesy of the Catalina Club of NZ inserted into the necks. The high-
needs to combine flying skills
with the marine knowledge of a
ship’s master,” says Keith Sissons,
one of the last licensed flying
boat captains, and with over 40
years experience flying Catalinas.
For example, once both
engines starts and the craft
moves, it needs to taxi in circles
as they warm up. In calm
conditions, the wake created
can help takeoff by breaking the
suction under the boat’s hull,
speeding acceleration.
“Every Catalina flight is
different,” says Sissons with a
twinkle in his eye. “Nothing beats
messing about in boats”.
pitched screams made as they fell kept
Japanese soldiers scrambling for cover.
There was similar heroism from the
crews of Search and Rescue Catalinas,
often picking up sailors or downed
aircrew in the face of enemy fire. In
August 1945, a single PBY, designed to
carry a crew of six, rescued 56 sailors
from the USS Indianapolis after the ship
was torpedoed.
Before the war ended, commercial
air travel had begun to use Catalinas
as well. In terms of time aloft, the
weekly Qantas flights flown between
1943 and 1945 from Perth to Colombo
in Sri Lanka made aviation history.
Dubbed ‘flight of the double sunrise’,
its passengers saw two sunrises during
their non-stop 5,652 km journey, which
took between 28 and 32 hours. >>

JETGALA 65
 WINGS

This RNZAF 5 Squadron Catalina

was withdrawn from service in 1953

During the 1940s and early 1950s,

as military examples were disposed
of, many airlines added Catalinas to
their fleets. They were among the first
aircraft used by Garuda, Indonesia’s
national airline, as well as Cathay
Pacific, whose Catalinas plied between
Hong Kong and Macau.
Other Catalinas were used for
‘Guardian of the sea, guardian of the sky’ was the motto of the UK
aerial surveys or converted into private Royal Air Force (RAF) 240 Squadron, which operated this Catalina
flying yachts. Most surviving aircraft Photo courtesy of RAF © UK MOD Crown Copyright 2010

today, however, are carefully restored

museum pieces. A few continue to
work as flying fire fighters.
The Catalina pioneered fighting
isolated forest fires by skimming a
“Every Catalina flight is
lake’s surface to scoop 4000 kg of
water into a tank, to be dumped on
different, nothing beats
the fire. It is an amazing testament
to these veteran craft that as many
messing about in boats”
as 120 of these touch-and-go landings
a day can still be handled by their
venerable structures. Long may
they continue.

66 JETGALA
 EFFICIENCY,
MEET PERFORMANCE.

It has always been in a class of one: the only single-engine business jet with a combined speed,
range and payload that outperforms the twin-engine jets in its category. Now the industry leading
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height and width in the cabin which now rivals, and in many cases surpasses, the interiors of the
largest twin-engine VLJs. Best of all, the PiperJet still costs an average of 25% less to operate
per hour than comparable current production VLJ aircraft.* Introducing the PiperJet Altaire, where
efficiency meets performance.
Contact your Piper dealer, or visit piper.com/piperjet.

Cruise: 360 ktas (667 km/h)

Range with 800 lb payload: 1200 nm (1,381 km)
Operating ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,668 m)
Single Williams Turbofan FJ44-3AP engine
Garmin G3000 Avionics Suite +1.772.299.2403
Optional 7th seat, lavatory or entertainment cabinet piper.com

© 2011 PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC. PiperJet Altaire is a trademark of Piper Aircraft, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.
*Source: 2010 Aircraft Cost Evaluator by Conklin and De Decker.
 WINGS
by Charlie Streeter
CAPTAIN SPEAKING...
WHY DO WE STILL NEED PILOTS ANYWAY?
W
hen imagining the aircraft of the future,
one of the older aviation jokes comes
to mind. It goes like this: “In the ideal
cockpit there would be two animals, a pilot
and a dog. The pilot will be there to feed
the dog, and the dog will be there to bite the pilot if he
tries to touch anything.”
There is some truth behind the humour. Today’s jet
pilot is trained to let aircraft automation fly the plane
— to sit back and watch the big picture of the flight
unfold, and resist the temptation to do all the flying
himself. This prevents the hazard of micro-managing
his way to distraction and developing tunnel vision,
often the first link in what safety experts call the “error
chain”.
In this regard, most would agree that cockpit
automation is an airplane’s best safety feature. In fact,
in order to pack more airplanes into our congested
skies, today’s airspace systems mandate that pilots use
the autopilot. This is because planes are allowed to
fly closer to each other only if they can navigate more
precisely. In this case, the computer does a better job of
flying than the pilot.
Yet the idea of a computer controlling an aircraft
always seems to disappoint people. It busts the
romantic myth of the fearless aviator shoving the
throttles forward, grasping the yoke and hurtling
his flying machine into the skies, cheating fate with
a cocktail of skill, luck and the occasional tap on an
instrument window while pleading, “Come on, baby!”
That gets people wondering: “Don’t you get bored
just sitting there watching the autopilot fly the plane?”
Well, the secret is that boredom is usually a good thing
— it means that everything is going according to plan.
There is another secret though — nothing ever goes
according to plan.
68 JETGALA
It’s usually small stuff that happens during
flight, perhaps a low-priority malfunction, but the
autopilot and flight computer provide relief in the
modern cockpit, freeing the pilot to fully focus on
troubleshooting the problem at hand. Otherwise, even
our mythical fearless aviator could get distracted and
turn a simple issue into a big accident.
But what happens in a scenario unanticipated by
aerospace engineers? A software glitch in a flight
computer could have tragic consequences because a
computer is only as smart as the information it gets. It’s
the ‘garbage in, garbage out’ theory — and reason enough
for us pilots to take a cautious view of computers.
Proof of that was recently witnessed in Singapore
when an Airbus 380 experienced an uncontained engine
failure. Early reports showed that almost all major
aircraft systems were damaged. Fortunately, there was
a crew of several senior captains on board who quickly
realised that the emergency checklist did not have an
answer for their situation.
One of the procedures even (incorrectly) instructed
the pilots to transfer fuel into the leaking tank. Only
the sheer awareness, experience, inventiveness and
improvisational skills of the pilots got the airplane back
on the ground safely, stopping with just 150 metres of
remaining runway. It was a feat no computer could have
accomplished.
There have been a few times, during a long flight
when, slipping across the night sky staring down at
the vastness of the Pacific Ocean and listening to the
co-pilot’s stories I’ve heard 50 times before, I drift
off and wonder about that flying dog in the joke.
However, each time I think the dog might be a better
conversationalist, I consider the potential for human
resourcefulness, and decide I still prefer to have my dog
at home. Not in my cockpit.
“THERE IS ANOTHER SECRET THOUGH —
NOTHING EVER GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN”

JETGALA 69
LIFE
 LIFE

PRESIDENTIAL SUITES

by Carol Lee

SUITE
SEOUL
THE CAPITAL OF SOUTH KOREA ENJOYS
A NEW DECADE OF AFFLUENCE

72 JETGALA
The Seoul National Capital Area is the world’s
second largest metropolitan area
Photo courtesy of Korea Tourism Organisation

JETGALA 73
 LIFE
The Extreme Wow suite bedroom
at W Seoul - Walkerhill
WOW TIME
You know you are in for a different
experience with a suite called
Extreme Wow. This stylish residence
at the W Seoul – Walkerhill gives
you all creature comforts and
more. Located on the 13th floor, it is
shamelessly filled with indulgences.
Enter the 237 sqm suite and you
are ‘wowed’ by a view of the Acha
Mountain and Han River. A dash
of whimsy shows in the 10-person
dining room with an LED-illuminated
floor that changes from red to green
to blue. And if one 50-inch plasma
TV is good, then three is better.
There is also a well-stocked wine
cellar and a four-person Jacuzzi.
The W signature bed and its 400
thread count sheets help you get
a good night’s sleep. The hotel is
15 minutes away from Seoul’s city
centre but that is little to complain
about when you get to luxuriate in
fresh mountain air and all that luxury.
74 JETGALA
SOUTH KOREA, A HARD WORKING
ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE TO
BE RECKONED WITH. GROWING
INTERNATIONAL STATUS, HIGHLY
EDUCATED PEOPLE AND EFFICIENT,
FORWARD THINKING MANUFACTURING
ENTITIES. THAT KOREA IS NOW ALSO
ENJOYING A RENAISSANCE OF STYLE
AND GLAMOUR, REFLECTED IN THE
GROWING APPRECIATION OF KOREAN
POP CULTURE AROUND THE WORLD.
One of the largest cities in the world, Seoul lies at the heart of the country.
This modern capital, often dubbed as the ‘miracle on the Han’, has over 10
million inhabitants in unabashed competition with North Asian neighbours,
Tokyo and Shanghai.
There is an unstoppable energy in this city, which thankfully also has
many top-notch places to accommodate those with demanding business
schedules — and corresponding tastes. The best suites in the city often offer a
distinctive blend of East and West. Visitors can pick from traditional Korean
accommodation or contemporary residences. Some rooms offer views of the
surrounding mountains and river, a soothing respite from the city’s hustle and
bustle. Whatever your choice, Seoul offers a unique Asian flavour that must be
savoured to be truly appreciated.
The 1,200-year-old Bongeunsa Temple
amid high-rises is symbolic of Seoul —
modern, but with a heart for its heritage
Photo courtesy of Korea Tourism Organisation
 The Royal Suite living
room at The Plaza

Newly renovated and located in the heart of downtown Seoul,

The Plaza reopened just last year as a luxury boutique
business hotel boasting convenience and style for the high-end
business traveller. Its finest room is the Royal Suite, classically
European in design, with warm colours and Asian motifs.
The living room is gracefully furnished and fitted with luxury
conveniences. Business is made easy with a study equipped
with high speed internet and Wi-Fi. A 12-person dining room
is more than adequate for entertaining business partners and
guests. However, it is not all work at the Royal Suite. Sweet
The Plaza’s Royal Suite dining room
dreams come easily when you go to bed in the master bedroom
works well for business or pleasure
under a fine goose down duvet, after washing off the stresses of
the day in the bathroom’s oversized tub, pampered by Hermès
bath amenities. >>

SEOUL OFFERS A UNIQUE ASIAN FLAVOUR THAT

MUST BE SAVOURED TO BE TRULY APPRECIATED

JETGALA 33
75
 LIFE

>> Sited conveniently opposite the COEX

Convention and Exhibition Center, the
Park Hyatt is a modern 24-storey building.
Check-in for its Presidential Suite happens in
the lobby on the 24th level. Floor-to-ceiling
views of the city help you relax in the suite’s
160 sqm of luxury. There are living, dining,
dressing and work areas, as well as a fireplace,
pantry and bar. Guests are further spoilt by a
50-inch flat screen TV, high speed Internet,
Bang & Olufsen stereo, 24-hour concierge
services, and a bedroom with a king-size bed.
In the bathroom, an oversized granite bath
features a rain shower, spa tub, stone massage
table and a yukata robe and slippers.
Park Hyatt’s plush yet contemporary
Presidential Suite living room

For business privacy, the Royal Suite at Lotte Hotel Seoul appears
to have an edge. It is possibly the reason why it has been the choice
THE BEST SUITES IN THE
of numerous celebrities, VIPs and top diplomats over the years. CITY OFTEN OFFER A
An exclusive elevator carries you and your entourage to the suite in
the new wing of the hotel. You step out into a huge 460 sqm suite,
DISTINCTIVE BLEND OF
decorated in earthy beiges and browns. State-of-the-art facilities EAST AND WEST
installed include a security system and conference room with
projector. A bedroom for your secretary, a personal dry sauna, fitness
equipment and personal butler service complete the experience.
Only phone reservations are accepted for the Royal Suite.

The Royal Suite living room

at the Lotte Hotel Seoul

76 JETGALA
 The Presidential Suite living room
at the Westin Chosun Seoul

CONTACTS

Park Hyatt Seoul

995-14 Daechi 3-dong Gangna -gu
Seoul 135-502
The Presidential Suite at The Westin Chosun Seoul earned its name quite T: +82 2 2016 1234
literally, being once home to former Korean President Syngman Rhee. The suite is F: +82 2 2016 1200
now a spacious haven for travelling high-powered individuals. Located conveniently E: seoul.park@hyatt.com
in downtown Seoul, the 310 sqm suite is designed like a luxury Manhattan W: seoul.park.hyatt.com
penthouse, with high ceilings and modern décor for an opulent ambience. Guests
have a full kitchen with designer appliances at their disposal, a bedroom with Lotte Hotel Seoul
the Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed, and a living room. A networked ‘Strategic 1 Sogong-Dong, Jung-Gu
Meeting Centre’ makes communicating and doing business easy. Seoul 100-721
T: +82 2 759 7311
F: +82 2 773 4910
www.lottehotelseoul.com

The Plaza
23 Taepyeongno 2-ga, Jung-Gu
Seoul 100-864
T: +82 2 771 2200
F: +82 2 755 8897
E: theplaza@hoteltheplaza.com
www.hoteltheplaza.com

The Shilla Seoul

202 Jangchung-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu
Seoul 100-856
T: +82 2 2233 3131
F: +82 2 2233 5073
E: reserve@shilla.net
www.shilla.net

W Seoul – Walkerhill
175 Achaseong-Gil
Gwangjin-Gu
Seoul 143-708
The living room The term ‘fit for a king’ certainly applies after reading the T: +82 2 465 2222
of the Presidential F: +82 2 450 4989
guest list of the Presidential Suite at The Shilla Seoul.
Suite at The
Several former US and Russian presidents, UK’s Princess E: wseoul@whotels.com
Shilla Seoul
Anne and Spain’s King Juan Carlos have stayed here. Guests www.wseoul.com
are welcomed by a reception area featuring a 3-metre high
The Westin Chosun Seoul
ceiling, Austrian crystal chandelier, sculptures and art pieces.
87 Sogong-Dong, Jung-gu
Warm earth tones accented with gold motifs put guests at Seoul 100-070
ease, aided with fine facilities and a 24-hour butler service. T: +82 2 771 0500
The suite is equipped with a living room, office, private sauna F: +82 2 752 1443
and bathroom with Jacuzzi. A small banquet can be prepared E: crm@chosunhotel.co.kr
in the kitchen if you choose to entertain and relax in the www.echosunhotel.com
dining room.

JETGALA 33
77
 LIFE

78 JETGALA
 ST REGIS LHASA

by Ong May Ann

regal
r eso r t
THE ROOF OF THE WORLD WELCOMES
A LUXURIOUS NEW HAVEN

Rising from the site of a former royal palace, the majestic

Potala Palace and its rugged location epitomises Tibet

JETGALA 79
 LIFE

The St Regis Lhasa, Tibet’s first luxury property, makes a stunning first impression

"ABODE OF THE GODS" IS A

REFERENCE TO LHASA'S ALTITUDE
AND SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

D
azzling sunshine throughout the year, sweeping
panoramas and an enduring ancient culture. If
this is your idea of paradise, Lhasa could well
be nirvana. The political and cultural centre of
Tibet, it is perched over spectacular mountainous
terrain and boasts equally majestic man-made attractions.
Rising 3,650 metres above sea level, this storied city
is often referred to as the ‘Roof of the World’ for good
reason. The locals, on the other hand, call it “Abode of
the Gods”, a reference to its altitude and spiritual significance.
The UNESCO World Heritage sites of Potala Palace,
Norbulingka and Jokhang Temple are all here.
Potala Palace was the principal residence of Tibet’s
spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, until 1959 when the 14th
(and current) Dalai Lama moved to India in self-imposed
exile. This intriguing building, the labour of 8,000 workers,
is now a museum housing stunning relics as well as the
remains of previous Dalai Lamas.
Nearby Norbulinka — literally meaning ‘The Jewelled
Park’ — was the traditional summer residence of the
Dalai Lama. The spiritual crown jewel of Tibet, however,
is Jokhang Temple. Pilgrims trek here daily to rub their
foreheads against sacred images in an act of devotion, while
tourists soak in the reverent ambiance capable of softening
the most hardened cynic.
A short drive away, the mountains give way to the
seemingly endless expanse of one of China’s most scenic
lakes, the aptly named Heavenly Lake Namtso.
These wonders used to be but a distant dream for
travellers unwilling to rough it out in relatively spartan
conditions. That is, until the St Regis Lhasa Resort opened
its doors in November 2010.
As the first luxury property in Tibet, the St Regis Lhasa
Resort has made even the most jaded travellers sit up and take
notice. No effort has been spared in creating all the amenities
and atmosphere that one would expect of a top-tier hotel.

80 JETGALA
 The garden, with its lake and view of Potala Palace, lures guests from their rooms

At the same time, the resort retains the strong flavour of

its unique location, mere minutes from the city’s heritage
sites. For starters, one is struck by how the awe-inspiring
landscape is reflected in the architecture of the St Regis
Lhasa Resort. This includes a lake as well as a roofline that
mimics the backdrop of Himalayan peaks. In addition, the
A ROOFLINE MIMICS
property design is notable for incorporating many sustainable
and eco-friendly features. For example, technology that
THE BACKDROP OF
harnesses solar and geothermal energy, and an underground
system that recycles water. Even the restaurants and spa at
HIMALAYAN PEAKS
the resort use locally-sourced produce and herbs.
Internally, resort decor echoes the traditional shapes
and colours that are instantly recognisable hallmarks of
local culture. Warm timbers are evident, punctuated by red
lacquer pillars and precious objects dotting the reception
and dining areas. Although brand new and brimming with
modern facilities, the building successfully conveys a sense
of timeless tranquillity.

JETGALA 81
 LIFE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

Potala Palace is located minutes away from the St Regis Lhasa Resort
Jokhang Temple fuses architectural influences from Indian monasteries,
the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Nepalese designs
Photo by Wilson Loo www.flickr.com/kwloo

Two gilt-bronze golden deer flank the ‘Wheel of Doctrine’ on the roof
of Jokhang temple Photo by Namealus www.flickr.com/namealus
Traditional Tibetan motifs, like the artwork on the walls, adorn each room

82 JETGALA
 The lobby’s glass walls perfectly frame the view of the garden, and Potala Palace beyond it

Guest accommodation consists of 122 rooms, 12 suites and 28 private

villas, all fitted with custom-designed furnishings. Despite the remote
location, they boast creature comforts such as luxurious linens, high-speed
Internet access and plasma television sets, not to mention sprawling marble
bathrooms with rain showers.
The resort’s lavish Tupo Presidential Suite offers generous living spaces
spread out over 254 sqm. Named after an ancient Tibetan dynasty, looking
out the windows, the views of Potala Palace are a picturesque reminder of
the living history that surrounds the resort. Inside, occupants can expect
to be cocooned in complete privacy and luxury accented by artifacts
Relax in the Iridium Spa’s resplendent
recounting Tibet’s rich culture and heritage. The two bedrooms come
golden-tiled pool
with king-sized beds, while the bathroom features Bulgari amenities and
a Jacuzzi. The grand living room, 15-seater dining salon and full kitchen
create the perfect environment for entertaining. In-room entertainment
throughout the suite comes courtesy of a Bose 5.1 home theatre system
INNER PEACE
complete with five flat screen televisions, including a 52-inch screen.
Another pampering feature of the resort is the renowned St Regis butler
service. At the beck and call of guests, personal butlers extend a gracious The tranquillity of Lhasa presents
welcome, unpack suitcases, and take care of requests ranging from dinner visitors with the opportunity to
reservations to excursions and shoe shining. unwind and reconnect with their
No luxury stay is complete without satisfying the palate. With this in inner selves. For this, the Iridium
mind, the St Regis Lhasa Resort is home to three diverse restaurants, each spa at the St Regis Lhasa Resort
one specialising in a particular cuisine. Aside from familiar international offers delightful assistance.
An indulgent serenity is
favourites, traditional Cantonese and Sichuan dishes are served amidst
whispered throughout the entire
unspoilt vistas. More adventurous diners may opt for authentic Tibetan and
spa: in the glowing golden tiles
Nepalese food. For a romantic tete-a-tete or discreet business negotiations, of the heated pool, the peaceful
guests can request private dining rooms. meditation garden, and in private
An elegant wine bar and a relaxing tea room complete the gastronomic treatment rooms. Therapists use
experience. Oenophiles and casual tipplers alike will appreciate Decanter locally cultivated botanicals such
by Haut-Brisson. Done in the style of an intimate private club, the bar as cypress and azalea leaves to
carries an extensive range of wines, liquors and cigars, the widest selection give traditional Tibetan herbal
anywhere in Tibet. In the Drawing Room, guests may imbibe local, treatments, ensuring that guests
imported and even vintage tea blends, while those with a sweet tooth can receive a truly distinctive and
explore the assorted pastries and desserts. memorable spa experience
unavailable anywhere else in
The St Regis Lhasa Resort sets out to bring its guests an “exotic yet
the world.
familiar” experience. It succeeds superlatively by marrying the rugged,
remote beauty of Tibet with unadulterated luxury and style.

JETGALA 83
 LIFE

Enjoy the view from 122 floors up at the world’s highest

restaurant the At.mosphere, at the Burj Khalifa, Dubai

AT.MOSPHERE

by Katrina Balmaceda

PEAK OF
TASTE
MOOD, FOOD, AND A VIEW TO BEAT

84 JETGALA

Chef Dwayne Cheer’s 15-year
culinary journey has taken him
from a fish-and-chip shop to the
rare circle that embraces world’s
highest fine dining restaurant
EVEN THE MOST
JADED DINER WOULD
FIND IT DIFFICULT TO
MOCK A VIEW FROM
442 METRES UP A
FRONT ROW SEAT TO
IN THE RACE FOR SUPERLATIVES,
Dubai seems to be getting the last
laugh — again. The world’s tallest
performing fountain, world’s largest
floating cruise restaurant, even the
longest wooden chopsticks — this
city in the Middle East has grabbed
the world’s attention. Now here is
yet something new: At.mosphere, the
world’s highest restaurant. And where
else would it be located, of course, but
in the world’s tallest building, the Burj
Khalifa.
Ambience is a part of any fine
dining experience, as it is for
At.mosphere. Even the most jaded
diner would find it difficult to mock
a view from 442 metres up — a
front row seat to one of the world’s
more dynamic cities, cradled by the
Arabian Gulf. The sight is particularly
recommended in the late afternoon
colours of dusk, or at nightfall, as the
city lights up.
Yet, the At.mosphere is not only
memorable for its view, but also for its
food. Executive Chef Dwayne Cheer
challenges himself with the menu, to
channel his creativity and culinary flair.
One tempting offer at At.mosphere
is its choice of two dining options.
Depending on the mood or occasion,
one can relax and mingle over tapas
and drinks in the lounge, or enjoy a
heartier meal over at the grill. For a
more intimate gathering, the lounge’s
private room seats up to 35 guests. Be
it for business or for pleasure, smaller
groups can also savour the barbecued
goodness of Cheer’s creations at the
grill’s private room with a chef’s table
for 12.
For all the opulence at the
At.mosphere, restraint is exercised
when it comes to sourcing ingredients.
The restaurant serves organic poultry
and imported lamb from New Zealand,
and avoids endangered species like
bluefin tuna. A New Zealand native,
Cheer consciously avoids using
creatures from the red fish list, a tally
of over-fished species compiled by
environmental advocate Greenpeace
NZ. But this is no restraint to being
creative and experimental. One of the
restaurant’s most unique dishes, says
Cheer, is roasted seabass served with
dolce forte sauce with pears, celeriac
and baby gem lettuce. The beef is also
a must-try, as it is done in a charcoal
grill oven that imparts a smoky,
barbecued flavour that electrical grills
can’t imitate.
Many have been drawn to
At.mosphere since it opened in
January for the experience of dining
in the highest restaurant in the
world, and to feast visually on a city
known for beautiful architecture. But
once diners have had their fill of the
novelty, will they return? Given the
talk At.mosphere is generating among
circles of fine diners, new heights of
culinary pleasure are expected.

ONE OF THE WORLD'S

MORE DYNAMIC CITIES,
CRADLED BY THE
ARABIAN GULF

A chef’s table for 12 provides a VIP setting

for the enjoyment of grilled specialties

JETGALA 85

ARCTIC
 LIFE

EVEREST SKYDIVE

by Christine de Felice

Jumping from an oxygen-thin altitude, skydiver Peter Rotelle is one of the rare few to see Everest as a drop zone

HIM A LAYA N
HI G H
TAKING THE PLUNGE FROM THE WORLD’S HIGHEST PEAK

32
86 JETGALA

The word ‘Everest’ evokes thoughts of the conquest of the
world’s highest peak by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. But
IS A HALO SKYDIVE”
for an elite group of extreme sport types, it now symbolises
the world’s highest drop zone. It involves jumping out of
a small plane over 100 metres above the icy peak, followed
by a freefall past frozen slopes to land at an altitude where
normal skydiving begins.
Skydiving over Everest is unlike parachuting over
anywhere else in the world, according to Wendy Smith,
pioneer and now chief coordinator of Everest Skydive. She
points out, “Everest Skydive is a HALO skydive.” HALO
is a military acronym for High Altitude-Low Opening or
High Altitude-Low Oxygen, which paints well the extreme
conditions for this sporting adventure.
Smith says, “That means we need a complete fitted
oxygen system to survive during the jump. We take off at
12,400 feet (3,780 metres) — the normal exit altitude for a
regular skydive, and exit at 29,500 feet (8,990 metres) where
temperatures range from -20 to -45 degrees Celsius. Special
thermal suits, gloves and goggles are required not only
When the parachute opens, one slows down to enjoy a view that very few ever get to see
All photos courtesy of www.wendysmithaerial.com
“EVEREST SKYDIVE
to protect against the extreme cold, but also to withstand
speeds of up to 400 km/h, (keep the equipment) on and
functioning correctly during freefall.”
Despite complex logistic difficulties, an inaugural expe-
dition and jump was first attempted in 2008 by a team of
international skydivers — both amateurs and professionals.
A year later, another team returned, brought together by
Suman Pandey, owner of Explore Himalaya, one of Nepal’s
top trekking and Everest expedition companies. The
team consisted of three from the 2008 expedition (Wendy
Smith, Tom Noonan and Dr Ryan Jackson) and others with
extensive skydiving experience. After 22 days in Nepal,
they concluded that the concept of skydiving at Everest
was commercially viable. So, with the full support of the
Nepalese government, military, tourism board and the
nation’s people, Everest Skydive was born. >>
JETGALA 87
33
 LIFE
“WE WERE SO HIGH UP THERE, SO CLOSE TO MOUNT
EVEREST, THAT WE COULD SEE THE CLIMBERS”
>> It brings an adventure of a lifetime to just 25
people a year.
For this, participants must provide their measurements
on registration, so that personal flight suits and expedition
jackets can be customised. Specially designed for comfort
and warmth, they are the result of consultations with various
skydiving specialists, and are commissioned and produced
in Nepal. Everest Skydive takes pride in supporting Nepal’s
economy as much as possible. They are also training
Nepalese guides, skydive instructors and even pilots, all of
whom have made summits in the Everest region.
The company offers two skydiving experiences. Solo
jumpers with a parachuting D licence can jump and land
at 5,240 metres, and jumpers with more than 200 jumps
under their belt or C licence experience can land at 3,780
metres. Those who have never jumped before or lack
sufficient experience can do a tandem jump with one of the
company’s experienced skydivers, landing at 3,780 metres on
Everest — majestic, foreboding and mesmerising — painted in the last rays of sunlight for the day
88
32 JETGALA
Syangboche, reputedly the world’s highest airstrip.
In October 2010, the third Everest Skydive expedition
saw tandem jumps done by USA National Geographic
photojournalist Chris Rainier, Canadian journalist Joanie
Nasher, Klaus Gatcher from Switzerland and Le Mans
racecar driver Nick Leventis from the UK.
Two experienced skydivers, Roger Hoe from England
and Peter Rottelle from Germany, made solo jumps. Hoe,
who turned 65 a few weeks after his jump, holds the record
for being the oldest skydiver to jump solo from 28,000
feet (8,535 metres). Both men described their jump as the
experience of a lifetime — “beautiful and unforgettable.”
Rottelle, who has made 2,500 jumps since 1968, said, “We
were so high up there, so close to Mount Everest, that we
could see the climbers.”
The next chance to skydive over Everest is in October this
year. As Smith explains, “October is the best season for stable
weather in the Himalayas, and also summit season for Everest.”
 Happy skydivers enjoy Kala Patthar, the
5,530-metre Himalayan summit known
for its spectacular views of Everest

FLIGHT NOTES

Without the required skydiving experience to solo, Canadian journalist Joanie

Nasher enjoys the thrill through a tandem jump with a veteran instructor Everest Skydive has philanthropy
The point of no return as its primary focus — it supports
the local Nepalese people and
raises funds for the international
“WE TAKE OFF AT 12,400 FEET — THE NORMAL children’s charity, Global Angels.
Skydivers jump from the Swiss-
EXIT ALTITUDE FOR A REGULAR SKYDIVE” manufactured Pilatus Porter PC6,
flown by Tara Air. Participants stay
The whole adventure lasts for 14 days, and includes at five-star hotels in Kathmandu
sightseeing and trekking in this breathtakingly beautiful and at Sherpa lodges on the
World Heritage National Park. Three to four days are mountain during their high-altitude
set aside to ensure getting good jump weather and for trekking sojourn.
Sites visited include the
acclimatisation in the mountain environment. Participants
Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist
get video recordings and photographs of their jump as a
stupa in Nepal, and the 15th
permanent record of their achievement. Truth be said, it’s century Palace of 55 windows.
unlikely any of them will ever forget the adrenalin high of
falling through thin air and crippling cold to defy death over www.everest-skydive.com
one of the most amazing wonders of our planet.

JETGALA 89
33
 LIFE
MERCY RELIEF
by Kirsten Tan
PRIORITY
ACCESS
HOW PRIVATE AVIATION CAN SAVE LIVES
DIRECT AND FAST PRIVATE JET
CONNECTIONS to business and holiday
destinations are a key perk of the very
privileged, but for a charity organisation
such as Singapore-based Mercy Relief,
such access can make the difference
between life and death.
Established in 2003, this independent
humanitarian charity assists disadvantaged,
impoverished and distressed communities
in Asia regardless of country, culture or
creed. It maintains a 72-hour response
time to get relief to disaster-stricken
communities from the point of appeal
for aid by local authorities of the affected
locations. Foremost is the provision of
90 JETGALA
Small aircraft from
Susi Air helped fly
in relief observers,
like Singapore’s
Speaker of
Parliament
Abdullah Tarmugi,
to the Meulaboh
tsunami site in
Indonesia in 2004
medical relief services and basic survival
needs such as food, clean water and
shelter for survivors.
Governed by a board of directors
comprising corporate and social leaders
from diverse religious and ethnic
denominations, Mercy Relief’s long-term
aid programmes include development
projects for impoverished communities
to empower them to transform their
environments for a better life. To date,
the organisation has touched lives and
hearts in more than 20 countries — from
Indonesia in the south, to China in the
north, and reaching west across South
Asia through to Palestine.
 Aid in the form of
food, medicine and
winterwear bound for
Yushu, China after the
2010 earthquake

"TELL THEM NOT TO WAIT FOR

DISASTERS TO HAPPEN TO
STEP FORWARD WITH AID"

When the Indian Ocean tsunami

struck on Boxing Day in 2004,
Mercy Relief’s chief executive, Hassan
Ahmad, led the first response team into
the devastated district of Meulaboh,
Aceh, to distribute relief supplies and
conduct medical reconnaissance. This
would have not been possible without
dedicated air support.
In most major disasters, land
routes are commonly disrupted due to
damaged roads and collapsed bridges,
hindering access to affected areas and
communities. Timely intervention is
crucial to saving the injured, stabilising
the ground situation and mitigating
the risk of epidemics. Fixed and rotary
wing aircraft make it possible for
humanitarian aid workers to reach and
attend to affected communities.

TIMELY Mercy Relief’s goodwill ambassador Stefanie Sun, a popular Singaporean singer, distributed
play packs to children affected by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China

INTERVENTION
IS CRUCIAL
“Just like someone suffering
from cardiac arrest, how early the
intervention is determines the
effectiveness of relief efforts. Some
of the crisis areas are mountainous.
Roads get cracked in earthquakes,
so even heavy vehicles cannot pass.
Thus, rotary wings are very useful, and
airdrops are really important for supply
distribution,” says Ahmad.
Access to these areas also enable aid
workers to convey valuable information
on the situation on the ground to
other incoming humanitarian players,
allowing them to equip themselves
appropriately and circumvent mismatch
of resources and wastage.
Small private jet aircraft are equally
important. Ahmad recalls, “Susi
Air provided us access to Meulaboh
and some of the islands during the
tsunami. They can even help transport
personnel because they have the
flexibility that scheduled flights with
legacy carriers don’t have. Smaller
aircraft can be more helpful as
earthquakes can crack a runway, and
they need less runway length to land.”
Another area where more support
is crucial is in logistic services.
“Ground transfers of relief supplies
can be expensive and we would love to
receive help in this area,” says Ahmed.
“Logistic companies can have large
vehicles which are very useful.”
Ideally, Mercy Relief aims to have
standing agreements with airline
companies willing to make available
smaller aircraft to ferry relief personnel
for the crucial first penetration into
affected zones. Another would be with
airlines willing to make cargo space
and seats available to ferry supplies
and relief workers close to crisis zones,
as SilkAir did by flying supplies to
Yangon every day during the Cyclone
Nargis relief effort.
According to Ahmed, “About 70
per cent of the disasters which happen,
happen in Asia, exacerbated by the
poor infrastructure in impoverished
communities. My message to your
readers would be to tell them not to
wait for disasters to happen to step
forward with aid.”

JETGALA 91
 SPHERES
OF
CONFLUENCE
Photography by Mike Ruiz
Styling by Paris Libby
Text by Tricia Lim

92 JETGALA
BARE AND ARID, THE LUNAR LANDSCAPE of California’s Mojave Desert spiked the imagination of
photographer Mike Ruiz and stylist Paris Libby for this futuristic spread. Both have an abstract sense of
creativity and work closely pursuing original concepts and expressions, in the process finding innovative
ideas to overcome limits that would baffle others.
The biggest challenge of this particular shoot was to create the right movement with the model to
cast interesting reflections on the metallic spheres. Sheer luck brought a windy day for the shoot, giving
the visual impact they sought to create.
Comfortable both in front and behind the camera, Ruiz began his career as a model. After a decade
in the industry, he turned to photography after finding a camera under the tree one Christmas. Since
then, the self-taught photographer has taken on roles such as TV personality, actor and even director.
Ruiz maintains his boyish charm and sense of humour throughout his busy schedule, and is known
to stash, not trash, unflattering pictures taken of his celebrity clients, such as Katy Perry, Jennifer
Lopez and Justin Timberlake. www.mikeruiz.com

JETGALA 93
94 JETGALA
JETGALA 95
96 JETGALA
JETGALA 97
98 JETGALA
JETGALA 99
 SKY
Photography by Paul de Berjeois
Text by Katrina Balmaceda
Text by Katrina Balmaceda a

CANDY

100 JETGALA
 THE BALLOON WAS MAN’S FIRST SUCCESS AT FLIGHT, and the Red Rock
Balloon Rally celebrates that in the city of Gallup, New Mexico, USA, every first weekend
in December. Locals and tourists come to watch 200 balloons ascend from Red Rock
Park, where rich red sandstone formations cast a striking backdrop.
Photographer Paul de Berjeois took his first hot air balloon photographs in 2004,
when he joined the Colorado Balloon Classic photo competition, and got hooked on it.
He won that year, and the next two years. Today, he is that event’s official photographer,
as well as for Red Rock Balloon Rally.
To get the shots he wants, he is up at dawn when the first balloons rise, glowing
against a dark sky. During the day, he shoots from a hot air balloon, photographing
the changing visual tapestry created as they weave through red canyons. He’s back on
the ground in the afternoon sharing his passion in photography workshops for the
festival’s visitors. At night, when the balloons are inflated but on the ground, he captures
people’s reactions to the heat and roar at the balloon stands, which blow air into the
balloons “like small hurricanes”.
De Berjeois also shoots lightning and landscapes. His nature photography appears
in government and tourism promotional materials and websites.
More at www.colorbandit.com

Balloons inflating in the night, colouring the

Mexican desert landscape with their warm glow

JETGALA 101
 Balloons weave in and out of canyons, among smooth bluffs and jagged rocks

It may be a small town festival, but it is the second largest balloon rally in the world

102 JETGALA
The rally is also a celebration of Native American beauty, with Apache dances and Indian art displays as part of the event

"THERE'S A LOT OF
STIMULUS, A LOT OF NOISE,
A LOT OF SENSATION"

The Red Rock Balloon Rally has been going on for 30 years

JETGALA 103
 The calm dawn air and the December cold are ideal conditions for hot air ballooning

"AT DAWN, THE BALLOONS

CAN JUST HANG IN THE SKY
AND BE A VISUAL SPECTACLE"

Balloons flying at dawn light up the sky like large glowing balls

104 JETGALA
 "PEOPLE FLY IN THE
AREA JUST BECAUSE
IT'S SO SCENIC"

Red Rock’s formations inspired an 1870s Colorado judge to name the park ‘Garden of the Angels’

JETGALA 105
LUXE
 LUXE

BIJAN PAKZAD

by Alvin Wong

OWER
URSUIT
MOVERS, SHAKERS, AND THE
WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE TAILOR

AS A CHILD, TEHRAN-BORN DESIGNER BIJAN PAKZAD regarded his

businessman father as a model of sartorial style. Every morning, young Bijan
would observe him as he got ready for work; the older man a figure of propriety
in a sharp double-breasted suit with matching tie and pocket square, fine-looking
watch, and well-polished shoes. “I was so impressed,” Bijan recalls. “I thought
his image represented perfection.”
Today, the suave 67-year-old appears to have distilled his father’s style and
shaped it in his own image, one that’s writ large in the décor of his boutique
on Rodeo Drive, a fastidiously ostentatious milieu dubbed — without contest —
‘the most expensive boutique in the world’. >>

From his cars to his

collections, Bijan’s
love for all things
yellow stands out

108 JETGALA
JETGALA 109
 LUXE
Bijan’s fragrances, jewellery, cars and
clothing have established his reputation
for spontaneity and glamour

>> A universe unto itself, Bijan’s boutique is decorated

with Italian and French antiques, Persian rugs and rare
artwork, including a Botero painting aptly named ‘The
Rich’. In it, ruling as tailor to the planet’s most powerful
men, Bijan welcomes only high-net-worth customers with
appointments.
His work is bold and unabashedly upscale. It offers
neither apologies nor compromises whether it takes the
form of a king-sized chinchilla fur bedspread, or a bespoke
baby crocodile leather jacket. Yet, often in interviews, Bijan
is inclined to describe himself as “just a simple man” who
“designs clothes, fragrances, jewellery and automobiles.”
Of course, Bijan, who has gone by his first name since
starting his luxury empire in 1976, is understating things.

"EACH PIECE OF
In truth, the man is a guru of personalised opulence
with a clientele that spans presidents to A-list Hollywood

CLOTHING IS ESPECIALLY
celebrities. “I dress an exclusive, elite customer base —
maybe one-tenth of the one per cent of the richest men on

TAILOR-MADE AND
the globe,” he remarked at another interview.
In Bijan’s world, Barack Obama, George Bush and the
Shah of Iran are all happy, privileged denizens, as are the
INDIVIDUALLY paragon of men’s fashion like Giorgio Armani and Tom Ford.
More pertinently, this exclusive cognoscenti of the world’s
DESIGNED, SIGNED most moneyed and influential keeps coming back for more.
Bijan believes this is so because he understands the
AND NUMBERED -VERY philosophy of bespoke luxury like no one else can. He
is dedicated to granting his clients undivided personal
HAUTE COUTURE" attention, and deems no request too outrageous or
impossible.
Legend has it that when former President Ronald
Reagan wanted something warm to wear on the family
ranch, Bijan designed mink-lined jeans for him. And when
LEFT TO RIGHT a certain Middle Eastern family couldn’t afford the time
The House of Bijan on Rodeo Drive, to come to his boutique, Bijan packed crates of his latest
Beverly Hills creations, along with a team of his personal tailors, and flew
Bijan has dressed some of the them on his private jet to meet the client. >>
world’s most powerful men, including
past US President George Bush

110 JETGALA
There’s a Bijan
collection
for every
occasion to be
found within
the colour
coordinated
closets
at Bijan’s
boutique

JETGALA 111
 LUXE
A display of famous customers and
iconic Bijan creations greets guests at
the exclusive Bijan boutique

112 JETGALA
 "A CLASSIC LOOK IS
ALWAYS MY GOAL,
SIMPLICITY IS THE KEY TO
BEING WELL-DRESSED"
This 2011 Limited Edition Rolls-Royce
Phantom by Bijan carries yellow inside
and out

ELITE
INDULGENCES
More Bijan creations to perk
your imagination:

Rolls-Royce ‘Bijan Edition’

Bijan’s latest collaboration with
Rolls-Royce is a commission to
design a series of 30 Rolls-Royce
Collections laid out according to colour schemes allow customers Phantoms. First delivery is due in
to select perfectly colour-coordinated outfits with ease the first quarter of 2011.

>> How far does Bijan push the envelope? “In early 2000, I designed a Colt .38 Special Revolvers
Created in the 1980s, one of Bijan’s
range of topcoats, peacoats, and sports jackets for a member of a royal family.
most capricious designs is a series
Each design came in three different colours — all made from Peruvian vicuña.
of .38 Colt revolvers with 24K gold
The price came up to about USD1.5 million,” describes Bijan of one of his inlay and leather handgrips. Housed
most expensive tailored collections. His creations have included mink-lined in mink pouches and Baccarat
silk raincoats and suits with 24K gold pinstripes. crystal cases, only 200 units were
Bijan purports to be the only men’s designer who creates summer and produced.
winter collections simultaneously. “This is because my clients usually have
several residences,” he reasons. “When it is winter in Brazil or Argentina; it Bijan Fragrances
Fragrances are the other pillar in
is summer in the US. I must cater to these clients and offer them a variety of
Bijan’s luxury empire. It started
collections for different seasons. Each piece of clothing is especially tailor- in 1981 with a masculine woodsy
made and individually designed, signed and numbered — very haute couture.” fragrance in hand-blown Baccarat
Yet, for all his apparel’s heart-stopping extravagance, Bijan’s designs crystal flacons. Bijan has since made
also emanate timelessness and classicism in a blend of well-appointed scents for both sexes, including the
contemporary chic and old-world Hollywood glamour. Michael Jordan line and the award-
A good example of this refinement can be found in his ‘private collection’ winning DNA collection, named
after his children (Daniela, Nicolas,
on the boutique’s second level. It boasts a range of mood- and colour-
Alexandra).
coordinated mini-wardrobes comprising everything a modern cash-flush dandy
could possibly need — coats, jackets, shirts, ties and belts in the finest fabrics Phantom Watch
and leathers. Taking two years to craft, the
Despite the extreme price tags, Bijan’s luxury is never visibly decadent. Phantom is Bijan’s paean to the
Rather, the Bijan experience goes deeper; one might find it in the pleasure world of haute horlogerie. Limited
of a perfectly fitted silhouette, or the tactile sensuousness of a precious fabric. to 50 pieces, the world-time watch
displays 24 different zones at a
“A classic look is always my goal,” sums up the designer. While he
glance, and comes sheathed in a
claims to favour bold colours and stripes on dark colours as signature design
24K gold case with customisable
elements, it appears that time-honoured dapperness remains a vital core of dial, hands, strap and buckle.
his work. “Simplicity is the key to being well-dressed,” he stresses. His father
would’ve been proud.

JETGALA 113
 LUXE

HAUTE HOROLOGY

haute
by Jim Corr

TIMES
THE TOP TIMEPIECES OF SIHH 2011

114 JETGALA
T
he annual Salon
Internationale de Haute
Horlogerie (SIHH) is a
vortex that draws serious
watch connoisseurs from
around the globe to Geneva
each January. Nineteen
of horology’s most prestigious brands
officially launched their latest timepieces
at the 20th edition of this luxury event,
organised by the Richemont Group. Here
are five of 2011’s top watches that are
thrilling watch aficionados.
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso
Répétition Minutes À Rideau
Jaeger-LeCoultre breaks new ground with
the Reverso Répétition Minutes À Rideau,
an iconic watch design that captivates
anew. The diminutive dimensions hold
four facets for this watch, and they
elegantly include that most exulted of fine
watchmaking complications — a minute
repeater function.
Under the gentle pressure of a finger,
a sliding curtain hides or reveals one of
the two watch faces at a time. The action
also triggers the minute repeater to strike
the time. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmakers
have created a distinctive mechanism
featuring ‘trebuchet hammers’ to enhance
the acoustics of the chimes. Instead of
a simple hammer, leverage from a two-
arm hammer increases the force of the
strike. This transmits about 80 per cent
of the energy from the spring that drives
it, compared to the 10 to 30 per cent from
traditional systems. The quality of the
chime depends on the gongs. In search
of the purest, most melodious acoustics,
Jaeger-LeCoultre has developed a special
alloy for its gongs, which are machined
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Répétition Minutes À Rideau
Reference Q2353520, 75-piece limited edition
Movement:
t
.FDIBOJDBM
NBOVBMMZXPVOE
NPWFNFOU

+BFHFS-F$PVMUSF



$BMJCSF


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Functions:
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PO
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t
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Dial:
t
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UIF
SFQFBUFS


NFDIBOJTN
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CSJEHFT
t
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Case:
t
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NN
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CBS

NFUFST
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,
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from a single block of metal. The gongs
are square instead of round, to allow
greater surface contact with the hammer
for greater strike force.
After assembly of this highly
complicated watch — 340 parts for the
new movement invented for it, and
270 parts for the case — the Reverso
Répétition Minutes À Rideau is subject
to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 1000 Hours
chronometry test to ensure its reliability.
The result of this, one of Jaeger-
LeCoultre’s most exclusive offerings ever, is
a visual, tactile and auditory timepiece that
thoroughly captivates the mind and senses.
Vacheron Constantin’s Quai de l’Ile
Retrograde Annual Calendar
Vacheron Constantin offers exquisitely
crafted watches, but they are hardly
watches you’d wear for a casual, sporty
weekend with the boys. Its Quai de l’Ile
collection, which debuted in 2008, was
intended to fill in that blank. This year
Vacheron Constantin offers the Quai de
L’Ile Annual Calendar in a contemporary
design that captures the classic spirit of
the brand. For true individuality, it offers
unique customisation options.
A new Calibre 2460 QRA has been
created for this retrograde annual
calendar watch. The annual calendar
and the retrograde date are horology’s
two oldest complications and Vacheron
Constantin has them down to a fine art
— the retrograde date is considered a
speciality of the manufacture. The Quai
de L’Ile Annual Calendar’s moon-phase
indicator will outlast your life — it is said
to be accurate for 122 years. For yet more
precision, the new calibre features a stop-
seconds device for setting time. >>
JETGALA 115
 LUXE

>> Housed in an untraditional

43 mm cushion case, it offers new dials
with a variety of finishings, and a choice
of month and date indications. The dial
features an invisible security feature: a
sun motif printed inside a disc reveals
itself between the 4 and 5 o’clock
position only under ultraviolet light.
The sun motif was inspired by the clock
tower of the Tour de I’lle, which stood
next to Vacheron Constantin’s historic
headquarters in Geneva.
The man who really knows what he
wants can choose from 700 potential
variations for his Quai de L’Ile Annual
Calendar — from the metal for the case
and its seven part components, ranging
from flanks, lugs, inter-lugs and dial
elements.

Audemars Piguet’s Millenary

Vacheron Constantin’s Quai de l’Ile Retrograde
Annual Calendar 3FGFSFODF

Movement:
t
/FX
QBSU
7BDIFSPO
$POTUBOUJO
$BMJCSF



23"
TUBNQFE
XJUI
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(FOFWB
)BMMNBSL

t
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Functions:
t
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KVTU
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ZFBST
t
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EFWJDF
GPS
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Dial:
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[POF
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Case:
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Hand-Wound Minute Repeater
Michael Schumacher heralds a new
era at Audemars Piguet as its latest
ambassador. The living Formula One
(F1) legend brings to bear his imprint
on the Audemars Piguet Millenary
Hand-Wound Minute Repeater. The
huge 47 mm titanium watch houses
the slim 10 mm Calibre 2910, which
boasts the reliability of an F1 machine
without the pit crew.
The unconventional styling might
be the reason some people acquire
the Millenary Hand-Wound Minute
Repeater, but under the ‘hood’,
its lubrication-free escapement
thrills timepiece technophiles. The
device, based on a mid-18th century
design, was modified and updated
by Audemars Piguet. In addition,
the watch also offers a new balance
wheel construction for power. Putting
the two together means a system that
delivers higher efficiency with the
robustness of the proven Swiss lever
escapement.
Unsurprisingly, the Calibre 2910
has two power stores — one that

t
4DSFXEPXO
CBDL
XJUI
TBQQIJSF
DSZTUBM
supplies energy to measure time, and
Strap: another to drive the minute repeater.
t
$PNFT
XJUI
UXP
TUSBQT
‰
CMBDL
PS
CSPXO
IBOETUJUDIFE The efficiency of the system gives

TBEEMFGJOJTIFE
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BOE
CMBDL


PS
CSPXO
OBUVSBM
SVCCFS the watch a power reserve of almost
a week (165 hours), housed in two
barrels — the first power store.

116 JETGALA
 Audemars Piguet Millenary Hand-Wound Minute Repeater
3FGFSFODF
5*00%$3
Movement:
t
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"VEFNBST
1JHVFU
$BMJCSF

t
IPVS
QPXFS
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Functions:
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Dial:
t
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HSFZ
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t
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HPME
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t
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Case:
t
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DBTF

NN
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Strap:
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TRVBSF
TDBMFT
5JUBOJVN
"1
GPMEJOH
DMBTQ

The third barrel, the second power mainspring. Popular in 19th century
store, is more than twice as large clocks and pocket watches, but bulky
as normal, to operate the striking and difficult to build, it was phased out
mechanism of the minute repeater. when wristwatches arrived.
Audemars Piguet has made minute A. Lange & Söhne has successfully
repeaters and Grand Sonnnerie miniaturised the fusee and chain with
(grand strike) timepieces since its new technology. Its appeal, apart from
founding in 1875, in an era before masterful mechanics incorporating what
electricity that necessitated some amounts to a miniscule bicycle chain
way of telling time in the dark. This in its 636 parts, is its ability to maintain
expertise led it to make the first a high level of accuracy whether the
minute repeater wristwatch in 1892, mainspring is fully wound or not.
and for Audemars Piguet to be one of Raising the ante, the new watch
the first manufacturers to revive the has a one-minute tourbillon with
complication in the late 1980s. stop-seconds. In addition, while
three subdials for hours, minutes and
A. Lange & Söhne’s Richard Lange seconds are not revolutionary, their
Tourbillon Pour le Mérite arrangement is uncommon. Especially
A. Lange & Söhne’s Richard Lange Tourbillon delightful is the cutaway seconds
A. Lange & Söhne’s first fusee and
Pour le Mérite 3FGFSFODF

SPTF
HPME


PS

QMBUJOVN
MJNJUFE
UP

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chain wristwatch, the highly prized subdial that shows the tourbillon. The
Movement: Tourbillon Pour le Mérite in 1994, set ‘missing’ segment of the hour subdial
t
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-

t
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a new standard — the Pour le Mérite pivots to reveal itself under the cutaway
Functions: distinction. The fourth watch to earn it between the hours of 6 to 12 o’clock,
t
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TVCTJEJBSZ
TFDPOET

is the Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour completing the subdial then.
POFNJOVUF
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TUPQTFDPOET
Dial: le Mérite. Although an interpretation All this is driven by A. Lange &
t
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GPS
SPTF
HPME
NPEFM

PS
of a historic timepiece, it is beautifully Söhne’s Calibre L072.1, a movement
SIPEJVNFE
TPMJE
TJMWFS
QMBUJOVN
NPEFM

t
1JOL
HPME
PS
SIPEJVNFE
HPME
IBOET
Case:
t
3PVOE

NN;
/PO
XBUFSSFTJTUBOU
Strap:
t
)BOETUJUDIFE
DSPDPEJMF
TUSBQ
4PMJE
QJOL
HPME

or TPMJE
QMBUJOVN
-BOHF
EFQMPZBOU
CVDLMF
wrought and elevated with novel touches.
As with all Pour le Mérite
timepieces, it features the fusee and
chain, one of the oldest methods
of transmitting power from the
of 351 parts. Including the fusee and
chain, it amounts to 987 parts — all
impeccably finished and decorated,
all adding to the connoisseur allure of
the watch. >>

JETGALA 117
 LUXE

Piaget Emperador Coussin

Tourbillon Automatic
Piaget’s history with thin mechanical
movements began with the hand-
wound Calibre 9P in 1957. Its latest
addition in its Emperador Coussin
collection sees it laying down
another fine chapter in its pioneering
finesse with ultra-thin watches —
the Emperador Coussin Tourbillon
Automatic, which sets a new world
record as the thinnest self-winding
tourbillon ever.
The watch measures just 10.4 mm
in thickness, thanks to the ingenuity
behind the new Calibre 1270P, a mere
5.55 mm thick. It was born out of a
‘marriage’ between Piaget’s Calibre
600P, the world’s thinnest hand-
wound tourbillon movement, and the
Calibre 1208P, the world’s thinnest
self-winding movement with a micro-
rotor. A thin self-winding tourbillon
is particularly complicated because
the oscillating rotor that drives a
self-winding movement usually adds
thickness. Yet, the 1270P, composed of
a surprisingly lean 269 hand-finished
parts, is almost as slim as hand-wound
ultra-thin movements.
Where it comes to style, here too
the Emperador Coussin Tourbillon
Automatic sets tongues wagging.
The dial is unexpectedly showy for
Piaget, but the laser engraved sapphire
Piaget Emperador Coussin Tourbillon Automatic crystal exposing the movement works
3FGFSFODF
(0"
SPTF
HPME

PS
("
XIJUF
HPME

Movement: delightfully. The offset tourbillon

t
1JBHFU
1
VMUSBUIJO
NFDIBOJDBM
TFMGXJOEJOH
and the micro-rotor overlap subtly to

UPVSCJMMPO
NPWFNFOU
IPVS
QPXFS
SFTFSWF
t
'SPOUNPVOUFE
TPMJE
HPME
FOHSBWFE
BVUPNBUJD
NJDSPSPUPS

form the lucky figure ‘8’ as they reveal
Functions: motion in the watch. In addition,
t
)PVST
NJOVUFT
TFDPOET
GMZJOH
UPVSCJMMPO
two accent colours, instead of just
Dial:
t
TVOCVSTU
TBUJOCSVTIFE
HVJMMPDI¯
NBJOQMBUF one, cleverly come from the exposed
t
CFWFMMFE
BOE
IBOEESBXO
CSJEHFT red sapphire crystals and blued steel
t
.JEEMF
EJBM
JO
FUDIFE
DSZTUBM
0GGDFOUSFE
UJNF
EJTQMBZ
screws. Better known for hiding its
t
(PME
HVJMMPDI¯
PTDJMMBUJOH
XFJHIU
FOHSBWFE
XJUI


1JBHFU
DPBUPGBSNT beautiful movements behind closed
t
1PMJTIFE
i1w
PO
UIF
UPVSCJMMPO
DBSSJBHF case backs, Piaget surprises yet again
t
)BOECFWFMMFE
DBSSJBHF
BSNT
Case: with a case back with two windows,
t
NN
XJEF
BOE
NN
UIJDL
,
XIJUF
PS
one for the power reserve indication

SPTF
HPME
DVTIJPOTIBQFE
DBTF
and the other to show off the
t
8BUFSSFTJTUBODF
UP

CBS

NFUSFT

Strap: tourbillon carriage.

t
#SPXO
BMMJHBUPS
MFBUIFS
TUSBQ
XJUI
,
HPME
GPMEJOH
DMBTQ The result is a watch of resolutely
contemporary character underpinned by
traditional haute watchmaking.

118 JETGALA
 Rare and desirable
...sealed with a kiss

GLAJZ Collection Privée exclusively at The Hour Glass Malmaison, Knightsbridge Orchard Road Singapore
 LUXE

ARMOURED CARS

LOCKED
by Anne Osno

AND
LOADED BULLET PROOF WHEELS THAT COULD
BECOME THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE

Beyond luxury looks, the subtle but capable armoured protection offered by cars like this
Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard are an attraction for people in high positions

78
120 JETGALA
 US President Barack Obama and Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev in Cadillac One
C
ustomised luxury vehicles
bring to mind touches like
plush interior finishings,
one-of-a-kind paint jobs and
performance modifications. But there is
something much more serious on offer
in bespoke autos, and its main hallmark
lies largely in being unnoticeable —
armoured protection.
President Obama rides in a custom-
built Cadillac referred to by the Secret
Service as Cadillac One, or simply
‘The Beast’. Protected by military grade
armour over 13 cm thick, it sports
run-flat tires and has a leak-proof fuel
tank invulnerable to explosions. Its
glass windows are transparent armour
so thick that they exclude most natural
light, making necessary a fluorescent
halo lighting system in the headliner.
Undetectable at first glance are two
holes on the underside of the vehicle’s
front bumper that can emit tear gas,
and a system that can fire a salvo
of multi-spectrum infra-red smoke
grenades as a countermeasure
to anti-tank grenades. In turn, for
close to a million US dollars, Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
chose an armoured Audi A8L, and
Pope Benedict XVI opted for a secure
Volkswagen 450-hp Phaeton as part
of his papal fleet.
For the less endangered, armoured
vehicles need to serve three essential
purposes — to protect, counter and
escape. Passenger protection levels
range from B4 (protection against
handguns) to B5 (against the AK-47
and M16) and to B6 and B7 (resistance
against heavy rifle fire). For individuals
needing high levels of personal
security, such modifications buy peace
of mind, and may one day make the
difference between life and death.
Although high-security vehicles
are built to be as discreet as possible,
on closer inspection they can be
identified by 6-cm thick glass windows
wrapped by thick black steel borders.
Heavy 150-kg steel-reinforced doors
further protect against gunfire, and
an armoured shell encompasses the
passenger cabin. A communications
system is often in place, as well as
a fire extinguishing system and separate
ventilation system should cabin air
be compromised. Increasingly,
companies in vehicle security are
emphasising reinforcement of the
floor and roof of their top-of-the-line
models to withstand even mine and
grenade attacks.
Vehicles like Jaguar’s latest XJ
Sentinel boast Kevlar backing and blast
protection against close detonation
of 15 kg of TNT. Meanwhile, BMW’s
7-series High Security line offers
government officials and embassies
the option of extra storage space for
weapons, such as machine gun cases
in the centre console. >>
JETGALA 121
33
 LUXE
LIFE

The body shell thickness and

resistance of the Mercedes-Benz
E-Guard can withstand attacks
from a .44 Magnum firearm

SECURITY
SMORGASBORD The Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard comes with the comforts of
home, like a 9-inch flat screen display, DVD player and refrigerator

A sampler of what’s available:

Mercedes-Benz
Choose from the E-Guard,
G-Guard, S-Guard and the
flagship Mercedes-Benz S 600
Pullman Guard — a total of eight
models ranging from B4 to B7
level protection.

Maybach
The Maybach Guard is a hefty
550-hp 12-cylinder bi-turbo
engine whose output and torque
are among the highest of any
series-production saloon engine
in the world.

Rolls Royce
Carrying the highest level of
protection, the Phantom features
a strengthened aluminium space
frame chassis and suspension
components, and 453 hp of
power.
BMW
Three High Security models are
offered — the 355-hp X5 Security
Plus; a V8, 407-hp 750Li High
Security; and a V12, 544-hp 760Li.
Land Rover
The Discovery 4 Armoured is
equipped with a 375-hp 5.0-litre
LR-V8 direct-injection petrol
engine, which replaces the
2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel in the
previous model.
A High Security BMW has a panel of security
options that can be activated by a push of a button
>> All this extra armoury and
specialised equipment add to the
ARMOURED
vehicle’s weight. On average, a high VEHICLES SERVE
security limousine can weigh 3.5 tons.
This means that substantial power is
THREE ESSENTIAL
needed to accelerate for a quick escape. PURPOSES —
The Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard
Pullman is capable of 517 hp, while TO PROTECT,
the Audi A8 Security pulls 450 hp and COUNTER AND
the Jaguar XJ Sentinel, 380 hp.
While these cars represent a ESCAPE
segment of security and luxury, John
Killick, director of Bentley’s bespoke
Mulliner division, puts it in perspective:
“Bentley makes armoured cars, not cars
that have been armoured.” >>

78
122 JETGALA

The close up of a thick, steel-reinforced
bulletproof window of an armoured BMW
The armoured Rolls Royce Phantom can withstand
an extensive range of ballistic and gas attacks
>> Bentley incorporates armour
plating and energy absorbent materials
into the vehicle from the first stage
of production, not after production,
which adds to the appeal of Bentley’s
armoured cars. The suspension,
brakes, traction control and stability
programmes are re-engineered and
upgraded to match the armoured body
shell, and to make sure the vehicle
still handles like a Bentley. Most other
manufacturers offer armour added as
‘bolt on’ extras, usually outsourced to
specialists. It is believed that additions
made at production stage are more
durable than after-market conversions.
However, coach builders and
armour specialists like Centigon have
been offering military and ‘personal
defence solutions’ to prominent
members of society for over 100
years. In addition to Jaguar, they’ve
helped Land Rover develop the latest
Discovery 4 Armoured, with blast
protection against 15 kg TNT and
under floor protection for up to two
DM51 hand grenades.
The protection offered is certified
by QinetiQ, a globally recognised
independent blast and ballistic testing
organisation. “Rather than relying
on testing the individual armour
components, we have ensured that
the entire vehicle is independently
certified to B6 standards, so that we
can be completely confident of its
ballistic integrity,” said John Graham,
Land Rover’s Commercial Manager
Armoured Programs.
Car brands have identified Latin
America as the largest armoured car
market in the world. In Latin America,
In the 1930s, Japanese Emperor Hirohito
trusted his red Grand Mercedes Type
770 to carry him through the streets
SERVE AND
PROTECT
One of the earliest examples of
a prestigious armoured vehicle
was the Mercedes-Benz 770, built
from 1930 to 1943. Mercedes-
Benz was the only manufacturer
then able to offer factory-built
armoured passenger cars. The
770 was highly regarded by
governments all over the world
and used as state vehicles. It was
personally used by high-ranking
Nazi officials such as Adolf Hitler
and Hermann Göring. Protective
elements include thick armour
plates, bullet-proof glass and
tires that shielded passengers
from firearm and explosive
attacks. Hitler was said to have
personally tested its effectiveness
by shooting one of his specially
ordered rides, which still bears
a nicked side window.
South Africa and southern Europe,
most buyers opt for High-Protection
vehicles (resistance level B4). In Central
Europe and the former Soviet states,
however, Highest-Protection Guard
models are preferred (resistance level
B6/B7).
Sales of armoured vehicles may
wane in relation to a country’s political
security, but the cars have grown to
become another symbol of affluence
and status. From heads-of-state to
high-profile military personnel and
Russian oligarchs, all have found
armoured vehicles the perfect
accompaniment to their ultra-wealthy,
high-profile lifestyles.
JETGALA 123
33
 LUXE

L’HYDROPTÈRE

by Katrina Balmaceda

The l’Hydroptère started breaking speed records in 2008 and continues to do so

G LO B A L
Q U EST
THE SAILBOAT THAT WAS BUILT TO FLY
32
124 JETGALA
 The quest to create the fastest sailing boat has brought
together the passions of sailors, engineers and scientists
Image © Guilain Grenier
SHE RELIES ON THE WIND, and smashes the wind
barrier. She defies the drag of water, and surpasses world
speed records. She flies.
She is l’Hydroptère, the ‘flying boat’. This trimaran has
wings that lift her hulls out of the water for speed. Her
records are strong: she was the first sailboat to exceed the
50-knot wind barrier — tantamount to the sound barrier for
aircraft. In September 2009, she beat the 500-metre speed
record for boats of her class by sailing at 51.36 knots. In the
nautical mile category two months later, she broke the record
by cutting 50.17 knots.
For all this, the l’Hydroptère is only a prototype. The
ultimate dream of her maker, Frenchman Alain Thébault, is
to sail around the world in just 40 days — the ultimate test. In
the roughness of the oceans and their erratic winds, can one
break the circumnavigation record without breaking the boat?
Thébault thinks he can. After all, he has been designing
this flying sailboat since 1975. It is based on the principle of
CAN ONE BREAK THE
CIRCUMNAVIGATION RECORD
WITHOUT BREAKING
THE BOAT?
hydrofoils, in which foils attached to the hulls of the boat act
as wings. They help the boat overcome drag forces, which
oppose and slow down the craft as it moves through water.
To defeat drag, part of the boat needs to rise above water.
This is where the foils are vital. Shaped like a U, V or inverted
T, the foils are initially submerged. As the craft speeds up,
water flows more quickly over the foils’ surface, creating a
difference in pressure between the upper and lower parts.
This difference results in an upward force that lifts the foils —
and thus, the boat. Having less contact with the water,
the boat achieves minimal drag and greater speed. >>
JETGALA 125
33
 LUXE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

Thébault seeks scientific solutions to prepare
this flying sailboat for the ocean
The crew won’t stop until the l’Hydroptère
maxi becomes the fastest boat to sail around
the world
Sailor and innovator Alain Thébault designed
the dream with French yachtsman Eric
Tabarly as his mentor
One challenge for the l’Hydroptère team is to
build a boat that is versatile whether in calm
or chaotic waters
Images © Guilain Grenier

>> Still, hydrofoils of the past ran on engines. The
l’Hydroptère in Thébault’s mind was to be built for the wind.
It needed to be strong yet light enough to fly; but composite
materials involving carbon and titanium had yet to be tested
and refined. The craft also required a stable design to prevent
it from flipping over. A group of aeronautical engineers and
aircraft parts manufacturers joined Thébault in research and
design, all volunteers who had worked in companies like
Dassault, Airbus and Assystem.
The team began building a model from 1987 to 1992. On
1st October, 1994, the 18.28-metre l’Hydroptère trimaran flew
for the first time in the bay of Saint-Nazaire, France. This
first flight was a success. With each subsequent test flight,
the team improved the design. They installed an on-board
measurement system that revealed the amount of load and
strain placed on the boat when in flight. A 3D stimulator
developed by Dassault Aviation’s Philippe Perrier provided
a way to predict the boat’s flying range. When rough seas
led to the loss of the windward crossbeam in 2002, the team
installed a shock absorber to protect the boat’s structure in
both calm and choppy waters.
After 10 years of tests and design improvements, the team
launched a new l’Hydroptère in 2004 with one goal: to be the
fastest offshore sailing boat. Spirits soared when it achieved a
record in 2005 by crossing the English Channel in 34 minutes
and 24 seconds at 33 knots, faster than aviator Louis Blériot
did in 1909. But the celebration was short. The next year, the
boat crashed with an unidentified object in a record attempt
at a crossing between Cadiz, Spain and San Salvador, El
Salvador. The impact nearly meant the l’Hydroptère’s death.
Swiss bankers Thierry and Adrien Lombard saved the
project. Both avid sailors, they invested in the l’Hydroptère
and connected the team to the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). The
school, with its scientists and laboratories, has since been the
project’s official scientific advisor.

32
126 JETGALA
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP LEFT
Sailors work with
high hopes on the
maiden journey of
the l’Hydroptère.ch
The Groupama 3 crew crosses the
Image © Guilain Grenier
finish line in their quest for the Jules
The l’Hydroptère Verne trophy, a prize for the fastest
toured Europe in sailors to circumnavigate the globe
2010 Photo by Arnaud Pilpré of Studio Zedda

Image © Guilain Grenier

A plane carries the

l’Hydroptère.ch for
its first sailing session AROUND
in October 2010
THE WORLD
Image © Gilles martin Raget

ITS TOP RECORDED SPEED SO Jules Verne was a French author

who wrote Around the World
FAR HAS BEEN 56.36 KNOTS in Eighty Days. The book was
published in 1873, a time when
submarines and space shuttles
The improved l’Hydroptère made an indelible mark on had not yet come of age, but
sailing history. It broke speed records in the 500-metre and railways had begun to link
nautical mile categories in 2007; again in 2008; and yet again countries. The novel described
in 2009, shattering records it had previously set. It surpassed two men who travelled around the
the 50-knot wind barrier, setting a record 56.36 knot top world in 80 days by riding trains,
speed in 2008 during a 45-knot wind. cars and steamboats.
Today, the Jules Verne
But if the l’Hydroptère is to go around the world in 40
Trophy awards sailors who make
days, it needs to do more than just be fast. Thébault knows
the fastest circumnavigation.
this, and this is why the team has once again gone back to
There are no restrictions on
the drawing board. Two new boats are in the works. The the type of yacht used, as long
sensor-equipped l’Hydroptère.ch, launched in October 2010, as it is powered only by the
is 10.85 metres long with a 10.40-metre span. For stability, wind and natural forces. The
its foils are now adjustable, and it is a catamaran rather latest record belongs to French
than a trimaran. It is an experimental craft for the future yachtsman Franck Cammas, who
l’Hydroptère maxi, which will be three times its size. It is sailed around the world on his
the l’Hydroptère maxi that will fulfil the dream — not just of Groupama 3 trimaran in 48 days,
Thébault, but of the team — of circumnavigating the world seven hours and 45 minutes.
in liquid flight.

JETGALA 127
33
 LUXE

AUCTIONS

by Flora Wong

SCARLET
FEVER
FIERY GEMS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT AUCTIONS

PRECIOUS STONES DAZZLED IN 2010, with diamonds breaking world auction records
one after the other. In Hong Kong, an auspicious pair of 10.88-carat diamonds went for
USD221,649, the highest auction price per carat for any round white diamond. In Geneva,
The Graff Pink, a spectacular 24.78-carat intense pink diamond emerged from Mr Harry
Winston’s private collection after 60 years, to set a world record of USD105,047,918 for
any diamond and jewel. This year, with more fine gemstones surfacing in upcoming sales,
coloured stones promise to take centre stage.
Colour is a most beautiful manifestation of light, all the more fascinating when
discovered captured in gemstones created over millions of years. Hidden in the earth like
Mother Nature’s elusive treasures, only a handful of precious stones are of remarkable size
and quality. Beyond size, clarity and cut, these stones are desired for their range of colours,
for richness and purity of hue that give each gem its unique captivating personality and
capacity to stir our emotions.
The shifting colours of a cat’s eye alexandrite, for example, evoke marvel and mystique.
The stone appears reddish purple under incandescent light and bluish green in daylight.
It gets its name from its characteristic ‘chatoyancy’ property, a peculiar and spectacular
reflective optical effect that brings a stone to life with the impression of a distinct and lively
feline eye, particularly in cabochon-cut stones. Other than Brazil, no other mines produce
cat’s eye alexandrites of significant quality and size. Only a countable few currently exist in
the market.

128 JETGALA
 OPPOSITE PAGE
An exceptionally rare 1.92 carat red diamond
slated for Sotheby’s Hong Kong April 2011
Important Jewels and Watches auction

THIS PAGE
Very rare 23.19-carat Brazilian cat’s-eye
alexandrite and diamond ring
A Burmese ruby and diamond necklace,
with matching earrings, totalling 29 rubies
weighing 75.56 carats

THIS YEAR...COLOURED GEMSTONES

PROMISE TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE

SEEING RED

The finest rubies are described

as being of ‘pigeon’s blood’ for
their colour intensity and crimson
glow. The glow comes from the
UV fluorescence of the stone
under visible light. Beautiful rubies
exhibit a velvety visual softness
due to tiny needle-like inclusions
that scatter light. As over 90
per cent of newly-mined rubies
Some of the most enigmatic coloured gems are the red stones. owe their fine colour and clarity
Closely associated with love, power and passion, the colour red in to heat treatment, the value of
diamonds is exceptionally rare. Caused by unique features within top quality untreated stones
the diamonds’ crystal lattice interspersed with minute amounts of continues to grow, especially with
nitrogen, only a few specimens exist in the world. Found only in fewer mines yielding significant
the collections of kings and princes, most are flawed and rarely stones. The most coveted rubies
exceed a carat in weight, making the finer stones that show up at are non-heat treated natural
auctions ever more desirable. stones of noteworthy size, well
Another highly coveted red gemstone is the ruby. Prized for proportioned cut, and distinctively
intense red hues and fiery reflections, a superb suite of rubies is red in colour — a combination
by far more difficult to come by than their equivalent in flawless of pure red and strong red
white diamonds. Burmese rubies, especially those from the fluorescence, and a velvety
fabled mines of Mogok, are most desirable for their quality — the softness like fine silk that stops
ultimate benchmark against which all rubies are judged. Rubies short of affecting the high clarity
exceeding 10 carats without thermal enhancement are extremely of the stone.
rare, as mines no longer produce stones of such a significant size
and quality.
As mines play out and collectors hoard special pieces, gem and A 27.67-carat Burmese ruby and
diamond ring by Bulgari
jewellery auctions will continue to prove a fine source of precious
coloured gemstones that are ever increasing in value.

JETGALA 129
33
 LUXE

FINE ENGLISH COMPANY

by Radha Menon

SHADES
OF THE PAST CRAFTING THE RARE, TRADITIONAL AND EXOTIC

A raw oak frame, Moroccan tan hide and genuine Burchell’s zebra skin make this ottoman one of the Fine English Company’s finest pieces

130 JETGALA
 Chesterfield furniture, upholstered in hides from the UK and hand-dyed chestnut
brown, are British classics
Founder Benedict Wormald, believes that
great British elegance lies in classic designs
and materials that have proven themselves
over 150 years
Individuality and authority expressed in a personalised signet ring and seal
T
he term bespoke, coined in
the 1300s to describe made-to-
measure men’s apparel from
Savile Row, means a product
has been made specifically to a
customer’s requirements — has
‘been spoken’ for, in other words. Over time,
the term extended to extraordinary items
deemed essential to a gentleman’s lifestyle.
Picking up on this challenge in today’s world
is the Fine English Company.
Although it conjures shades of a bygone
past, this relatively new luxury product house
established in 2009 has already managed to
make a name for itself. Not simply because it
provides bespoke services and endeavours to
please every client, but also because it soars
above average in terms of material, design and
work ethic. Demanding perfection with every
detail not only includes sourcing the finest
raw materials and engaging the best craftsmen
to fashion exquisite items, it also covers the
names these objects eventually bear. Like the
Percival, a wingtip chair with hand-carved
black walnut ball and claw feet. It takes its
“OUR SUPPORT IS TARGETED
VERY SPECIFICALLY TO
BENEFIT THE COMMUNITIES
WE SOURCE FROM”
name from the legendary 18th century hunter
Philip H Percival, whose clients included
Ernest Hemingway, Gary Cooper and Baron
Rothschild.
Nestled in the heart of the English
Cotswolds, Fine English’s bespoke services
extend from the creation of small personal
items to completing entire interiors of rooms
or yachts. For the discerning in search
of a special something that reflects their
individuality, a visit to the company’s creative
area is called for. Here, clients can select
from samples of rare, traditional and exotic
materials, and view the quality of bespoke
commissions. A library of reference books,
antiques and furniture, along with samples of
exotic leathers, woods and carved items help
inspire the imagination. >>
JETGALA 131
 LUXE

>> “It’s a place where clients can spend time to refine

their thinking and research their projects,” says founder
Benedict Wormald. The tactile nature of this process allows
clients to know what they’re getting into — whether it’s a
full-sized Saber Tooth Tiger skeleton for display or a knife
with Woolly Mammoth Ivory scales.
According to Wormald, “I think it’s important to stress
here that our quality is second to no one — that was always the
guiding principle. The recession has in fact helped us because
people are spending very wisely and challenging this brand led
ethos — very poor quality mass-produced products stamped
Elegant and eccentric, these velvet slippers can have
with prominent branding. I can walk a client through my entire monogrammes, initials or family crests stitched on them
process — from the sheep in the fields in Northumberland
to the hill farm to the tweed mill where it is woven into our
bespoke tweed, to the craftsmen that make our furniture by
hand — every nail, joint, dowel and screw. Very few can
offer that.”

“THE MONEY THAT WE PAY FOR

MANAGED SPECIES PAYS TO
PROTECT THOSE IN DANGER”

A royal warrant company established in 1820, Howard and

Sons of London, was one of the best furniture makers of the
Victorian era. Trusting the past and accommodating modern
expectations, Fine English chesterfields use sturdy Howard
frames, lowered to provide a more comfortable seat level than
The goal in making the Percival, a fusion of
traditional antique sofas.
African safari and English refinement, was
Delivery of a giraffe steamer trunk — unusual, eclectic and to create an inimitable piece of furniture
functional, would certainly cause a splash. But is this politically
correct in an age of growing environmental concern?
“We have a number of policies in place so that our support SAFARI CHIC
is targeted very specifically to benefit the communities we
source from,” explains Wormald. “We volunteer annually as
a company to provide skills that would not necessarily be a
priority for communities, such as dental work. Most of our Dedicated to the best in bespoke
projects aim to be self-sustaining — for example, water projects luxury, reminiscent of Britain’s colonial
or schools. We work with well-established sources of hides past and hinged with contemporary
inside well-managed reserves such as KZN (KwaZulu-Natal), and flair, the wingtip Percival chair took
any support that we give takes the form of tangible donations the Fine English Company two years
to complete. A reincarnation of the
such as VHF radios, first aid kits and backpacks for the game
finest African safari furniture, Fine
wardens. The money that we pay for managed species pays
English’s version of the entirely
to protect those in danger. We do not venture anywhere near handmade chair consists of a beech
species such as lions, tigers, elephants, leopards, etc. Any work wood frame, horsehair stuffing and
that we do with taxidermy in this area is antique and pre-1947.” hand-stitched canvas, finished in
Fine English Company’s reflection of Britain’s rich colonial brown aniline distressed leather and
history, heritage and aesthetic goes in tandem with a passion for trophy-grade Burchell’s zebra skin.
cultivating and maintaining traditional trades, skills, methods Only 10 were made and only four
and designs, while encompassing modern lifestyles and remain. The next series will feature
contemporary attitudes — the perfect combination for extreme giraffe skin.
luxury products.

132 JETGALA
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AIRBORNEBRIEFING
BUSINESS AVIATION IN BRIEF
MJets has been certified as an authorised
Cessna Service Facility in Thailand. An
official ceremony was held last December
at the company’s flight operations centre
in Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport Private
Jet Terminal. “Our certification...will
further strengthen MJets’ position. We
will continue to expand our capabilities
and facilities to remain the leading
maintenance and service provider to
meet the ever-changing demands of
the industry, and to serve the growing
number of business aircraft in Thailand,
Southeast Asia and the region,” said
Mark Thibault, CEO, MJets.
At the Aero India 2011 airshow in
Bangalore, India, on 10 February,
Gulfstream spoke of infrastructure issues
to overcome in India. These include
a shortage of fixed base operations,
expanded ramp space and hangar
facilities, and curfews in major cities
that limit operating slots for business
jets. “These are the challenges of a fast-
growing economy, and we expect they
will be addressed, because business
aviation is an important component of
the transportation system,” said Roger
Sperry, Regional Senior Vice President
International Sales, Gulfstream.
Embraer announced at Aero India 2011
that it expects its business in India to
grow four-fold to USD8.9 billion by 2020.
“We see (India) as the main market in
Asia-Pacific,” says Embraer Asia-Pacific
Executive Jet Sales Director Manfred
Baudzus. Jose Eduardo Costas, Asia
Pacific Vice President Marketing and
Sales, Embraer, pointed out that India’s
high import tax on business jets shows a
“narrow vision”, but adds that regardless
of taxes, the company is confident
that there is demand. That demand is
currently favouring its medium and
large size business jets like the Lineage.
138 JETGALA
Embraer maintains that its Phenom
aircraft will also remain popular due to
its subcontinental range.
A Gulfstream GIV SP is ExecuJet
Malaysia’s first signed aircraft under
management since announcing its
joint venture with Dnest Aviation
in September last year. The aircraft,
privately registered and signed to
Execujet for full management in January
2011, will be based out of Subang
International Airport in Kuala Lumpur,
home of the ExecuJet and Dnest offices
and MRO facility. This is the second
aircraft under Execujet’s management
in the Asia region. It has a Gulfstream
G5 currently under management in
Singapore, managed in Sydney by
ExecuJet Australia.
Amid the tensions in Cairo, Egypt,
last February, Private Jet Charter flew
hundreds of individuals out of the
city to the safety of various worldwide
destinations. “In times of emergencies
and crises, demand for private jet charter
services shoots up,” said Chief Executive
Hugh Courtenay. Elie Abdo, Managing
Partner Middle East, Private Jet Charter,
added, “Our aim is to help private
individuals and corporates get out of
Egypt safely and with speed.”
TrueNorth Avionic’s compact, plug-in
hardware module TrueNorth Express
has received certification by Transport
Canada via Mid-Canada Mod Center,
the brand’s dealer of the year for 2010.
TrueNorth Express allows those on
BlackBerry smartphones to send and
receive emails worldwide over existing
Iridium satcom phones. It provides
global coverage and convenience more
affordably than other units currently in
the market.
British company Air Partner flew 200
Britons from Cairo, Egypt, to London
Gatwick on 3 February 2011, on the
UK government’s Boeing 757 charter
aircraft. The flight, for the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office, comes under
Air Partner’s four-year contract as the
sole provider of passenger and freight
air charter services for the Department
for International Development. As
of 3 February, Air Partner had flown
over 2,800 people out of Cairo, Luxor,
Alexandria and Hurghada to a variety
of safe destinations including the UK,
Dubai, Bahrain, France and Germany.
Aircraft used ranged from Hawker
900XP and Embraer Legacy private jets
to commercial airliners such as Airbus
A320s and B737s.
Last December, Embraer celebrated the
10th anniversary of its regional office in
Singapore. Currently, there are over 100
Embraer aircraft in operation in the Asia-
Pacific. In other news, on 7 December
2010, Embraer delivered the first Lineage
1000 to VIP charter company Falcon
Aviation Services of Abu Dhabi, United
Arab Emirates. It was the first of two
Lineage 1000 jets ordered by the company
in November 2007 at the Dubai Air show,
with commitments for more Embraer
executive jets.
Air Works Pvt Ltd was appointed
by Embraer as its authorised service
centre for the Phenom family of jets in
India. Headquartered in Mumbai with
bases including Delhi, Bangalore and
Chennai, Air Works has been providing
maintenance, repair and overhaul
(MRO) services for all Phenom 100 and
300 jets in the country since January
2011. The company aims to provide
the best-in-class service and customer
support network, as well as to continually
improve customer support activities and
grow with clients in the region.
BUSINESS AVIATION IN BRIEF
On 9th February, Hawker Pacific
announced the development of a
USD11.6 million Customer Sales and
Service Centre at Seletar Aerospace
Park. This expansion adds to the growth
of its relocated Seletar operations at
East Camp, Singapore, as its regional
headquarters. The 9,400 sqm Private
Jet Centre includes a fully equipped
Heavy Maintenance Jet Service Centre,
Spares distribution, Re-paint facility, VIP
reception and FBO, customer and crew
lounges, as well as dedicated undercover
jet parking. Moving-in is targeted for
December 2011, with an official opening
ceremony to coincide with the Singapore
Airshow in February 2012.
Dubai-based private aviation operator
Empire Aviation Group (EAG) has
joined forces with RMSI, the Dubai-
based MEDEVAC to launch a new
Intensive Care Ambulance Service. The
agreement states that EAG will manage
and operate a specially converted air
ambulance configuration of a Hawker
800XP business jet on behalf of RMSI.
The service is targetted at RMSI clients
in the region, including global insurance
patients, governments, corporate and
private clients, as well as patients in
hostile situations and remote locations.
ExecuJet Aviation Group reported
handling 330 movements in support
of visiting jets to the World Economic
Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland,
from 26th to 30th January 2011. As in
previous years, ExecuJet secured an
exclusive agreement with military-owned
Dübendorf Airport to allow aircraft
to be parked at the airfield during
the WEF, with all passengers being
handled through the Zurich FBO. A
high majority of the movements were
attributed to Bombardier Global Express
and Gulfstream aircraft. The five-day
WEF meeting consisted of over
2,500 delegates including overseas
ministers and presidents from more
than 75 countries.
On 27 Jan 2011, Flying Colours
Corp delivered their first Bombardier
Challenger 850 aircraft to China. First
out of five to China-based clients, the jet
will be operated and managed by charter
company Metrojet in Hong Kong. “The
Challenger 850 is an ideal aircraft for
the China business jet market and we
are looking forward to long term growth
in this region,” stated John Gillispie,
President, Flying Colours Corp.
Flight Display Systems has released
an iPad Arm Mount that allows for
easy upgrade of in-flight entertainment
systems. The arm of the device fits into
the same mount as pre-existing seven-
inch Flight Display Systems LCD display
screens so no additional mounting is
required. Besides from being able to
rotate from portrait to landscape mode,
the arm also provides charging of the
iPad batteries when attached. In other
news, the company has also recently
launched the first Android software
application for use with its Select Cabin
Management System. It allows passengers
to control all cabin functions from any
“Android 2.0 powered mobile phones
or tablet computers with Bluetooth,”
says Jonathan Pinson, resident Android
Technician, Flight Display Systems.
British charter company Air Partner
celebrates 50 years of success this year,
along with the renewal of their Royal
Warrant as Supplier of Aircraft Charter
to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II until
the winter of 2014. Highly coveted
globally and a recognised mark of
excellence, the Royal Warrant is granted
by HM The Queen, Her Royal Highness
The Duke of Edinburgh or His Royal
Highness The Prince of Wales.
JetNet LLC has recently launched
JetNet iQ, a members-only forecasting
and advisory service for the business
aviation market. Consisting of three main
components, JetNet iQ Reports provides
analytical reference, JetNet iQ Summits
allows networking opportunities for
members, and JetNet iQ Consulting is
a project-by-project basis customised
research and analysis tool. This aims to
fill the need of customers “to support
investment decisions in businesses,
aircraft programs, aviation infrastructure
and inventory”, as explained by Vincent
Esposito, JetNet President. >>
JETGALA 139
AIRBORNEBRIEFING
BUSINESS AVIATION IN BRIEF
Some aircraft today are being sold at
almost half the price that they were five
years ago, according to Gretchen Collins,
Vice President of Special Contracts and
Business Development at CSI Aviation
Services, Inc. Collins adds, “This is
the year for companies and business
professionals to invest in aircraft. It won’t
stay this way for long as the aviation
market gets rolling again.” CSI has over
30 years of experience in procurement
and leasing of aircraft for companies and
government, specialising in MD83, 737,
757 aircraft, and including executive jets
and turboprops.
Eriko Fukuoka, Aircraft Handling Department,
JAS Services
JETGALA Magazine is now uplifted to
business jets coming through JAS Services
at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan.
Australian-based software developer
iApps has launched FlightBOX, a free
aviation application (app) that allows
pilots to complete extensive pre-flight
planning and checklists. FlightBOX
also offers graphical route charting,
flight intelligence, calculations and
conversions, NAIPS weather, practice
for BAK and PPL exams, and logs all
flight data. Available for the iPhone and
iPad, the next update of the app will
include extended global weather services,
calculations of fuel, wind and weight and
the option for an e-log of flight data to be
securely stored on a server via the app.
General Electric Co’s (GE) business
jet lending and leasing unit forecasts
solid demand in 2011. “I’m very much
140 JETGALA
encouraged for a much better 2011,”
says Dave Labrozzi, President, Corporate
Aircraft Finance of GE Capital, the
conglomerate’s finance arm. “This market
is completely driven by corporate profits
and the economy,” both of which are on
the upswing. He also attributes a good
year ahead as prices for business jets are
currently at or almost at rock bottom,
having dipped 35 per cent over the past
three years. This means that companies
holding out for the best deals no longer
have a reason to delay purchase.
Gulfstream has broken yet another
city-pair record. On 21 December 2010,
a G200 set not one but two city-pair
records connecting Savannah to Keflavik,
Iceland, and Keflavik to Vnukovo,
Russia. The National Aeronautic
Association confirmed the flights as
US records and sent the figures to the
Federation Aeronautique Internationale
in Switzerland for approval as world
records. Since the delivery of the first
G200 in January 2000, the aircraft has
amassed 12 city-pair speed records.
Swiss maintenance and revamp company
SR Technics is the latest player to join
the few that do Airbus and Boeing
corporate jet completions. Previously
focused entirely on the airline MRO
sector, the Zurich-based firm has a long-
term cooperation agreement with another
Swiss company, Geneva-based TAG
Aviation. TAG Aviation will provide sales
contacts and offer completions as part of
its portfolio of service to business owners.
“It’s a win-win for both companies and
allows us to complete the circle,” says
Michael Gringmuth, Sales Manager, VIP
Aircraft Services, SR Technics.
ASI Entertainment Inc reported on
20 December 2010, that AsiQ Limited
Australia has launched what they claim
to be the world’s most expensive mobile
phone application. AsiQ, the licensee for
SafeCell inflight mobile phone system,
says the new application is a voice and
data solution for private jet owners. It
will allow them to use mobile phones
inflight through an onboard satellite link
via bluetooth. Priced at USD12,500, the
initial release of the application is for
Blackberry, Nokia and all Symbian-based
mobile phone and PDAs. An Android
version will soon follow.
Dassault Falcon Jet Corp has launched a
new sales and marketing office in Beijing,
China, on 14 December 2010. CEO John
Rosanvallon mentioned at the day’s press
conference that the brand is targeting
big corporate clients in Greater China,
including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
Its business jet division is expecting
annual sales of USD1 billion over the
next five years, equivalent to 10 aircraft
a year. This accounts for 20 per cent of
its global deliveries, double its current
contribution today.
Training with FlightSafety International’s
recently qualified Dassault Falcon 7X
full flight simulator started in January
2011, at the company’s Dallas/Fort Worth
Learning Centre. “Qualification of our
Falcon 7X simulator by the FAA, GACA
and EASA demonstrated our advanced
design and high quality manufacturing
capabilities,” said Bruce Whitman,
President and CEO, FlightSafety
International. “We recently delivered
our 100th Falcon 7X, and customers
will enjoy having the option to train
with FlightSafety International,” added
John Rosanvallon, President and CEO,
Dassault Falcon. >>
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AIRBORNEBRIEFING
BUSINESS AVIATION IN BRIEF
Cirrus Aircraft has opened an FBO in
Zhuhai, China that will operate under the
name Zhuhai Cirrus FBO. The facility
will offer traditional FBO services for
based and transient aircraft, and serve
as Cirrus Aircraft’s Sales Centre. It will
provide Flying Club, Service, Training
and Import services. Zhuhai Tianyi
Aviation Trading Co has bought three
SR22s for use at the FBO. The 2,806 sqm
hangar and facility will be based in
Jinwan District’s Aviation Industrial Park
and provide key services to over
50 airplanes.
Bombardier Aerospace announced on
8 December 2010 that they had received
firm orders for five Learjet 85 and
two Challenger 605 jets from multiple
companies, all part of Munich-based
Jet Air Flug for principal operation
in Germany. On 23 December 2010,
Bombardier announced that Dubai-based
Gama Aviation FZC has become the
first to register a Challenger 850 jet in
the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The
certificate of airworthiness (CofA) for
the jet was issued on 16 December 2010.
“The first CofA for this type of business
jet in the UAE demonstrates the growing
interest in business aviation in this region
and a crowning achievement for our
newly launched Middle Eastern division,”
said Dave Edwards, Managing Director,
Gama Aviation.
142 JETGALA
Since 1 December 2010, aeronautical
charges at Al Bateen Executive Airport
in Abu Dhabi were reduced by 35 per
cent on landing fees and by 17 per cent
on parking fees for all aircraft. Along
with plans to develop new hangars and
improve its utilities and runways, new
retail facilities and commercial space
will soon be available for lease by MROs,
manufacturers and other businesses. An
onsite hotel is also in the works, aimed
for completion within the next 18 months.
Currently home to key operators in the
region, Al Bateen’s fleet includes the
region’s first Lineage 1000. It is expecting
two Airbus and Embraer jets, and up to
six scheduled jets to be added in 2011.
ExecuJet Middle East is now in
partnership with Al Faisal Holding for
a new business aviation company in
Doha. The new company is slated to be
named ExecuJet Qatar and be operated
by ExecuJet Middle East. The AOC
application process for the new company
is underway and is expected to be in place
by early 2011.
Comlux Aviation Group announced
on 08 December 2010 an order for two
Bombardier Global 7000 long-range
business jets. The Global 7000s will
operate alongside Comlux’s current
fleet of 12 Bombardier Challenger 605,
Challenger 850, Global 5000 and Global
XRS jets.
Rizon Jet’s new MRO facility and FBO
Terminal formally opened in January
2011 in Doha, Qatar, in the United Arab
Emirates. The new facility boasts direct
access to the apron and a VIP terminal
that features four enclosed private
lounges and an open lounge with a water
feature, indoor garden and duty-free
section. Joining the team as Director of
Operations is Captain Javed Latif, who
has flown a large variety of business jets
in his military career. Simon D’Oyly
is also newly appointed as Director
of Sales and Aircraft Management,
formerly Managing Director of Aircraft
Management with National Air Services
in Saudi Arabia.
Boeing will make a decision on
modifications to its 737 in 2011.
SteveTaylor, President, Boeing
Business Jets (BBJ) stated that the
company has “been doing re-engine
studies.” He added, “When I look at our
airplane and we’re already at 6,200 nm,
I think, if we could add 10 per cent
range to that, that really opens up some
city pairs.” This decision has been put
on hold in recent months due to the
lack of customer demand, but BBJ
is still looking into the possibility of
readjusting the existing airframe to
accommodate engines for double-digit
improvements in fuel efficiency.
The Luxury Network Hong Kong
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AIRBORNEJETOPTIONS
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
by Jeremy RC Cox
ALTERNATE
POWER
THE SEARCH FOR THE JET FUEL OF THE FUTURE IS ON
THE PLANE IS PAID FOR AND THE MATH IS CLEAR.
No matter how you look at it, fuel is the single biggest
operational expense when you fly your plane. As the world’s
supply of fossil fuel slowly expires, the aviation industry is
scrambling to find affordable and sustainable alternatives
to kerosene. Not only because green fuels are kinder to the
environment, but — aside from nasty recessions — rising jet
fuel prices are its biggest enemy.
There are of course biofuels, created from both food
stocks (corn, sugar cane and beets), and non-food sources,
such as algae, grass, and oil-rich seeds from the palm and
jatropha plants. These alternative fuels can be used mixed
with conventional jet fuel without adaptations to the aircraft’s
propulsion systems. Engines powered by biofuel mix have at
times even shown signs of improved efficiency.
Taking things further, in April this year, Lufthansa will start
a six-month trial with an Airbus A321 on scheduled commercial
flights between Hamburg and Frankfurt to study the long-term
effects of biofuels on engines. Other organisations working on
144 JETGALA
alternative fuels include the US Air Force, which is developing
Bio-Jet, a synthetic fuel produced from coal in collaboration
with NASA. Originally formulated in Germany during World
War II, Bio-Jet’s drawback is that it is only a viable fuel source
when burnt in a 50/50 mix with conventional jet fuel. That
aside, Air New Zealand is working in cooperation with Rolls-
Royce to encourage the production and use of algae-derived
Bio-Jet fuel.
Not far behind in the push for greener aviation fuel is Virgin
Airlines. Before inking orders for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner
aircraft, Boeing and engine supplier General Electric had to
pledge that the aircraft delivered under this contract would be
capable of operating on Virgin’s brand of Bio-Diesel.
Scientists continue to search for the best renewable bio-
fuels. Aside from the near-term hope that viable solutions will
emerge soon, there is growing excitement about the most likely
propulsion systems of the future — electric power, instead of
combustible fuels. The car industry is showing the way.
Will jet aircraft follow?
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AIRBORNEGLOSSARY
ABSOLUTE ALTITUDE Measurable height
of an aircraft above the actual terrain.
ABSOLUTE CEILING The maximum
altitude above sea level at which an
aircraft can maintain level flight under
Standard Air conditions.
AGL (Above Ground Level) Altitude
expressed as feet above terrain or airport
elevation (see MSL).
AILERONS An aircraft control surface
hinged to the rear, outer section of each
wing for banking (‘tilting’) the aircraft.
AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT Comprehensive
services provided by a management
company for an aircraft owner. Details vary.
AIRFOIL The shape of any flying surface,
but principally a wing, as seen in side-view
(cross section).
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE Official
notification to aircraft owner/operators
of a known safety issue with a particular
model of aircraft.
ALTIMETER A highly sensitive barometer
that shows an aircraft’s altitude above
mean sea level by measuring atmospheric
pressure.
ANGLE OF ATTACK The angle between
the airfoil’s chord line and the direction in
which the aircraft is currently moving.
AOG (Aircraft on Ground) Aircraft
unfit to fly, in need of repair. Owner’s
worst nightmare.
APPROACH (DEPARTURE) CONTROL
Radar-based air traffic control, usually
at an airport tower, providing traffic
separation up to 40 miles.
APRON Hard-surfaced or paved area
around a hangar. Also, ‘ramp’.
ATC (Air Traffic Control) Service providing
separation services to participating
airborne traffic and clearances to land,
take off or taxi at airports.
AVIONICS The electronic control
systems airplanes use for flight such as
communications, autopilots, and navigation.
BLOCK RATES Pre-paid hours for air
charter at a contracted price.
CARBON OFFSET monetary contributions
to renewable energy research and
production projects to ‘offset’ carbon
emissions of an airplane.
146 JETGALA
PLANE SPEAK
CHARTER The ‘renting’ of an aircraft with
crew for a personal, business, or cargo
flight from one point to another.
CHARTER CARD Pre-paid air charter
plan, either for a block of charter hours
at a pre-defined fee, or a set debit
balance in dollars.
CLASS I NAVIGATION Operation of
aircraft under visual meteorological
conditions (VFR) primarily based on ‘see
and avoid’ procedures.
CLASS II NAVIGATION Any en route flight
operation that is not Class I, i.e. instrument-
based navigation (IFR).
CLEARANCE Formal instructions from
air traffic control authorising a specific
action (climb or descend, entry into
controlled airspace).
CONTRAILS Streaks of condensed water
vapour created in the air by aircraft flying
at high altitudes; a.k.a. vapour trails.
CONTROLLED AIRSPACE An airspace of
defined dimensions within which air traffic
control service is provided.
CRUISE SPEED The normal speed attained
at altitude once the aircraft is no longer
climbing and is en route.
CRUISING ALTITUDE A level altitude
maintained by an aircraft while in flight.
DEADHEAD To fly the return leg of a trip
without cargo or passengers.
DRAG Resisting force exerted on an
aircraft in its line of flight opposite in
direction to its motion. Opposite of thrust.
DUTY TIME That portion of the day when
a crewmember is on duty in any capacity
(not just in the air), limited by regulations.
EFIS (Electronic Flight Information
Systems) Glass cockpit avionics that
integrate all flight parameters into one
optimised instrument.
ELEVATOR An aircraft control surface
hinged to both rear horizontal stabilisers,
changing the aircraft pitch attitude
nose-up or nose-down.
EMPTY LEG Also known as ‘one-way
availability’. Usually posted as available
for travel between two airports during
a certain time period.
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
The Department of Transportation’s
agency for aviation.
FBO (Fixed Base Operator) A business
operating an airport terminal for
non-airline, general aviation aircraft.
FERRY FLIGHT A flight for the purpose of
returning an aircraft to base or delivering
an aircraft from one location to another.
FLAPS Hinged surfaces on the inboard
rear of wings, deployed to increase wing
curvature (and thus, lift).
FLIGHT PLAN Filed by radio, telephone,
computer, or in person with Flight
Service Stations.
FLIGHT TIME Portion of the trip actually
spent in the air.
FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP The purchase
of a ‘share’ of an aircraft.
FUSELAGE An aircraft’s main body
structure housing the flight crew,
passengers, and cargo.
GENERAL AVIATION Part of civil aviation
comprising all facets of aviation except
scheduled air carriers.
GLASS COCKPIT See FIS
GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite-
based navigation system operated by
Department of Defence.
GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning
System) System designed to alert pilots
if their aircraft is in immediate danger of
flying into the ground.
GROUND SPEED Actual speed that an
aircraft travels over the ground also called
‘shadow speed’.
HANGAR An enclosed structure for
housing aircraft. Originated with lake-
based floating homes of the original
German Zeppelin airships.
HEAVY JETS See ‘Large-Cabin Jets’.
HORSEPOWER The motive energy
required to raise 550 lbs. one foot in one
second, friction disregarded.
HUD (Head-Up Display) A transparent
display that presents data without
requiring the user to look away from
his or her usual viewpoint.
IATA CODE International aviation code for
international airports.
ICAO CODE Civil aviation codes for airports.
AIRBORNEGLOSSARY
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) Rules
for flights into clouds and low visibility,
by reference to cockpit instruments and
radio navigation.
ILS (Instrument Landing System) A
precision instrument approach system
permitting aircraft to land with low ceilings
or poor visibility.
JOINT OWNERSHIP Purchase or lease of
an aircraft by a number of owners, often
through a partnership or limited company.
KNOT (Nautical Mile per Hour) Common
measure of aircraft speed equalling 6,080
feet or about 1.15 miles. (For mph, multiply
knots by 1.15.)
KTAS True airspeed, in knots.
LARGE-CABIN JETS The largest size
aircraft that doesn’t require a major airport
runway. Typical capacity 9-15 passengers.
LAYOVER A night spent in the middle of
the trip in a city other than home base for
the aircraft and crew.
LEG Describes one direction of travel
between two points. Commonly used in
referring to a planned itinerary.
LIGHT JETS See ‘Small-Cabin Jets’.
MACH SPEED A number representing the
ratio of the speed of an airplane to the
speed of sound in the surrounding air.
MAYDAY An international distress signal
to indicate an imminent and grave danger
that requires assistance.
MID-CABIN JETS Typical capacity
7-9 passengers.
MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul)
Company licensed to provided services for
the upkeep and airworthiness of airplanes.
NAUTICAL MILE Defined internationally
as equivalent to 1,852 meters or 1.15
statute miles.
NDB (Non-Directional Beacon) A radio
transmitter at a known location, used as an
aviation or marine navigational aid.
PAN PAN International call signal for
urgency, indicating uncertainty and usually
followed by the nature of the alert.
PART 91 The parts of Federal Aviation
Regulations on non-commercial operations
covering corporate flight departments.
PART 121 The parts of Federal Aviation
Regulations on scheduled airline operations,
including the publication of a schedule.
148 JETGALA
PLANE SPEAK
PART 135 The parts of Federal Aviation
Regulations on non-commercial operations
covering charter carriers.
PART 145 Certificate allowing an
organisation to perform maintenance and
alterations on US-registered aircraft.
PATTERN The path of aircraft traffic
around an airfield, at an established height
and direction.
PAYLOAD Anything that an aircraft carries
beyond what is required for its operation
during flight.
POSITIONING Ferrying aircraft for departure
from other than originating airport.
RADAR System that uses electromagnetic
waves to identify the range, altitude,
direction, or speed of moving and fixed
objects.
RAMP The apron or open ‘tarmac’ in front
of an FBO or terminal facility. This space
is busy, used for deplaning, parking of
aircraft, etc.
ROLL One of three axes in flight, specifying
the action around a central point.
ROTATE In flight, any aircraft will rotate
about its centre of gravity, a point which is the
average location of the mass of the aircraft.
RUDDER Aircraft control surface attached
to the rear of the vertical stabiliser (fin) of
the aircraft tail. Forces the plane to veer
left or right.
RUNWAY HEADING Magnetic direction
corresponding to the centre line of the
runway.
SLATS Small, aerodynamic surfaces on the
leading edge of the wings of fixed aircraft
which allow the wing to operate at a
higher angle of attack.
SLIPSTREAM The flow of air driven backward
by a propeller or downward by a rotor.
SMALL-CABIN JETS Typical capacity
5-8 passengers.
SQUAWK A four-digit number that a pilot
dials into his transponder to identify his
aircraft to air traffic controllers.
STATUTE MILE A unit of length equal
to 5,280 feet.
SVS (Synthetic Vision System)
A technologies that use 3D to provide
pilots with intuitive means of
understanding their flying environment.
TAIL NUMBER An airplane’s
registration number.
TARMAC A paved airport surface,
especially a runway or an apron at a hangar.
TAXI TIME Portion of the trip spent
rolling between the gate, terminal,
or ramp and runway.
THRUST The forward force produced in
reaction to the gases expelled rearward
from a jet engine. Opposite of drag.
TRAILING EDGE The rearmost edge
of an airfoil.
TRANSPONDER An airborne transmitter
that responds to automated air traffic
control interrogation with accurate
position information.
TURBINE Engine that uses compressed
air to generate thrust to spin a metal shaft
inside the motor, used in jet engines and
turboprop aircraft.
TURBOPROP An aircraft in which the
propeller is driven by a jet-style turbine
rather than a piston.
VERY LIGHT JETS (VLJ) Small jet aircraft
approved for single-pilot operation,
maximum take-off weight of less than
10,000 lb (4,540 kg).
VFR (Visual Flight Rules) A defined set
of FAA regulations covering operation
of aircraft flying by visual reference to
the horizon.
VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range)
Ground-based radio navigation aid.
VORTICES Regions of high velocity that
develop at the tip of a wing as it flies
through the air.
WIND SHEAR Large changes in either
wind speed or direction at different
altitudes that can cause sudden gain or
loss of airspeed.
WINGLET A small, stabilising, rudder-like
addition to the tips of a wing to control or
employ air movement, thereby increasing
fuel economy.
YAW One of the three axes in flight,
specifying the side-to-side movement of
an aircraft on its vertical axis.
YOKE The control wheel of an aircraft, akin
to an automobile steering wheel.
AIRBORNESHOWDIARY

NBAA 2010, Atlanta. Photo by www.williamsonimages.com

MARCH 2011
01-03 MAR BUSINESS AIRPORT WORLD EXPO 2011 FARNBOROUGH AIRPORT, LONDON, UK www.businessairportworldexpo.com
01-06 MAR AVALON 2011 AVALON AIRPORT, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA www.airshow.net.au/avalon2011
08-10 MAR ASIAN AEROSPACE ASIAWORLD-EXPO, HONG KONG (SAR CHINA) www.asianaerospace.com
INTERNATIONAL EXPO AND
CONGRESS 2011

APRIL 2011
05-07 APR AIRCRAFT INTERIORS EXPO 2011 HAMBURG MESSE, GERMANY www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com
13-15 APR SIBAS 2011 (SHANGHAI SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL HONGQIAO www.shanghaiairshow.com
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AIRPORT, SHANGHAI, CHINA
AVIATION SHOW)
13-16 APR AERO 2011 MESSE FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, GERMANY www.aero-expo.com

MAY 2011
17-19 MAY EBACE 2011 PALEXPO, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND www.ebace.aero
27-29 MAY AVIATION EXPO, EUROPE 2011 BITBURG AIRPORT, GERMANY www.expo.aero/europe

JUNE 2011
20-26 JUN PARIS AIR SHOW 2011 LE BOURGET, PARIS, FRANCE www.paris-air-show.com
17-19 JUN AEROEXPO, UK 2011 SYWELL AERODROME, UK www.expo.aero/uk

JULY 2011
14-17 JUL EXPO AERO BRASIL DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACIAL SCIENCE AND www.expoaerobrasil.com.br
TECHNOLOGY, SÃO JOSE DOS CAMPOS , BRAZIL

AUGUST 2011
11-13 AUG LABACE 2011 SAO PAULO, BRAZIL www.abag.org.br/labace2011

SEPTEMBER 2011
21-24 SEP BEIJING AVIATION EXPO CHINA NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, www.beijingaviation.com
BEIJING, CHINA
29 SEP-01 OCT CEPA EXPO 2011 VODOCHODY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, www.cepaexpo.com
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

OCTOBER 2011
10-12 OCT NBAA 2011 LAS VEGAS, NV, USA www.nbaa.org/events/name

NOVEMBER 2011
13-17 NOV DUBAI AIRSHOW AIRPORT EXPO, DUBAI, UAE www.dubaiairshow.aero

JANUARY 2012
19-21 JAN BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW SAKHIR AIR BASE, KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN www.bahraininternationalairshow.com

FEBRUARY 2012
14-19 FEB SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2012 CHANGI EXHIBITION CENTRE www.singaporeairshow.com
28 FEB-01 MAR ABACE 2012 (ASIAN BUSINESS HAWKER PACIFIC BUSINESS AVIATION CENTRE, www.abace.aero
AVIATION CONFERENCE & HONGQAIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,
EXHIBITION) SHANGHAI, CHINA

150 JETGALA
 EBACE2011
BUSINESS AVIATION – LINKING COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES

to:
www.ebace.aero
AIRBORNETAILHOOK

US Air Force photo by

Captain John Peltier

LAST ROLL
by Rainer Sigel

AS SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS ARCS AWAY AT OVER 1,600 KM/H INTO SPACE,
an F15 Strike Eagle appears as if frozen in awe in mid-air.
This launch on 14 May 2010 from Kennedy Space Center was Atlantis’ last flight. Atlantis
is one of three surviving Space Shuttles, along with Discovery and Endeavour. Discovery was
scheduled to make its last flight in February 2011. Endeavour will fly its last mission this April
2011, closing the era of the Space Shuttle.
Two other shuttles were lost in flight. Challenger went after take-off on 28 January 1986,
and Columbia disintegrated during re-entry on 1 February 2003. On both missions, all seven
crew members perished.
There was a sixth shuttle, the less known Enterprise. First built for NASA as part of the
original Space Shuttle test flight program, it was constructed without engines or a functional
heat shield. Incapable of spaceflight, it was retired and partially disassembled in 1977. Certain
parts were reused in other shuttles, and the hull went on an international exhibition tour.
In November 1985, Enterprise was shipped to Washington, DC, where it found a permanent
home at the Smithsonian Institution.

152 JETGALA
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Breguet, the innovator.
Invention of the Tourbillon, 1801
With the Classique “ Grande Complication ” Tourbillon Messidor
wristwatch, Breguet reinvents its most spectacular invention, the
tourbillon, designed to compensate for the effects of gravity. Held
between two sapphire crystals, the tourbillon floats weightless
inside its carriage, while the sapphire dial offers a transparent
vision of the complex proprietary movement and its meticulous
hand finishing. History is still being written …
www.breguet.com/inventions

B R E G U E T B O U T I Q U E – B 1 - 11 9 T H E S H O P P E S A T M A R I N A B A Y S A N D S 2 B A Y F R O N T A V E N U E S I N G A P O R E + 6 5 6 3 3 8 6 0 0 6 – W W W . B R E G U E T . C O M