Best VIP UK Based Charter Firm?

[rotorspin]

Wonder if you could help chaps, was asked this question the other day and was stumped for an answer...

Who in your opinion is the best VIP corporate helicopter charter firm in the UK and why?

[FloaterNorthWest]

Haughey Air Ltd :}

[Bravo73]

rotorspin,

Er, define 'best'.

In the eyes of the customer, 'best' unfortunately often comes down to 'best price'. So regardless of reliability, punctuality, aircraft condition, pilot deportment etc etc etc, the 'best' is often seen as 'best value for money'.

So, any of the London operators would struggle to be the best VIP corporate helicopter charter firm for Scotland. (And vice versa).

Or, why Haughey Air Ltd would really struggle to be the best for the SE! :} (Or anywhere outside of the NW, really).

'Best in the UK'? It wouldn't be possible to determine (IMHO).
'Best for each major region in the UK?' Now, there's a discussion worth having!

[handysnaks]

Starspeed have been going a fair while now, and have coped easily with at least one stock-market crash. If i could afford it, i'd use them!:p

[JerryG]

They've come and they've gone over the past thirty years. Remember the days when Air Hanson and Alan Mann ruled everything? They were both inspirational when I started Castle Air.

But for sheer grit, professionalism and dedication you have to take your hat off to DV and all the boys at Starspeed. From one 206 and a telephone box to the impressive fleet of new corporate twins they run today, they've never missed a beat.

They've stuck to one thing and always done it well, instead of being jack of all trades and master of none.

To achieve all that and still be a true family firm is no small achievement. My hat is off.

[Bravo73]

<snip> still be a true family firm <snip>

Erm, didn't DV sell up recently? :confused:

[bolkow]

You started castle air? I first got to know that name watching Anneka Rice doing whatever it was called on TV. I well remember the two jetrangers, G-SPEY and G-????

[Brilliant Stuff]

Well Starspeed's latest Website upgrade (which I personally find a fantastic piece of PR) has got DV on it. But I also was told he had retired.

[212man]

I thought it was Premiair that sold up (to Von Essen).

[Brilliant Stuff]

Yes they did indeed.

From what I have gathered DV is a real Gentleman.

[Bravo73]

re Starspeed. I think that DV did sell up but remained in place as Chairman.

This is (kind of) confirmed by a post by AlanM in the 'Rotorheads Around the World' thread in response to why he had taken a number of air-to-air shots of Starspeed's aircraft:

Jed A1 - new owners, new branding etc.

And, yes, PremiAir were also recently bought (by the owner of the Von Essen hotels group).


:ok:

[CDME]

Starspeed was bought by Gary Butcher, a couple of the other pilots there and a silent partner.

[JerryG]

Bolkow - The other was B-BHXU (our second aquisition after the 206L1 G-LRII), but XU is sadly now languishing at the bottom of the English Channel.
Bravo 73 - He sold it to his loyal pilots....I'd call that keeping it in the family!
Flungdung - Here here.

[BLEED-AIR]

PremiAir without doubt the BEST VIP Corporate Operator in the UK. Pure Professionals at least on the CREWING aspect with a great selection of aircraft. A true onestop operator. Atlas rates a close second and Starspeed third especially now Gary Butchers on board.:)

[Bravo73]

Bravo 73 - He sold it to his loyal pilots....I'd call that keeping it in the family!

Indeedy. I wasn't aware that Gazza B was now the head honcho. Good on you, G. :ok:

(Shows how good my grapevine is. Not). :(



PS Rotorspin - are you after the best 'corporate' operator or the best 'charter' operator? Although a lot of companies do both, some specialise in one market whilst others specialise in the other...

[FloaterNorthWest]

Bravo73,

Gary is one of the partners. He works 2 on 1 off, the day to day running is carried out by the other partners.

BLEED AIR,

I think Starspeed have a far better selection of VIP aircraft not a fleet of old 76s and lots of ex-Police squirrels.

FNW

[finals09]

There are many good operators out there, very difficult to differentiate

IMHO

Starspeed - DV a legend, true gentleman and now run by equally
capable people (RE, IF, GB, C & R) who as I understand
it are oing just as well

Atlas - MB, AB and RB have gone through a very difficult
period recently but sill producing the goods. Can’t say enough about Mike, has the drive to go on and on. Exactly what the industry needs.

PremiAir - Has a very useful benefactor. They probably have the
widest variety of aircraft and closest to main heliport. Always the most competitive when I was running the main heliport, or always used to be !!

Alan Mann - My starting point. Alan the God Father of all helicopter
operators. Knows more about it than anyone else (no point arguing about it !) Went down hill in the last few years but now on the up, some very long standing staff, LS, CH and of course Barry who taught me all I know !!

Who ever does it, not an easy industry and much criticism from everyone else. We need them all and anyone else that wants to start.

If you need fuel don’t forget to ask !!!!

[Bravo73]

Thanks, FNW.

[helidriver]

Jerry G,

A friend of mine owns G-SPEY. It is immaculate and very well looked after, inside and out, even the engine bay is spotless, and yes it does fly frequently before anyone thinks it's a 'hangar queen'. It has just had a respray which I haven't seen, however I do believe the Castle Air logo has finally been erased. I do have some pics in its old colours with your badge resplendant. If you pm me your email address I forward them on.

Regards,

h

[AlanM]

Bravo 73 has hit the nail on the head of course with regards to the Starspeed set up. DV is indeed a real gent (and I live in the same village as him!) and is still involved at the high end. Despite my obvious bias, I do like the new branding of the organisation. (Clearly, top piccies too!)

From the other side of things, the PremiAir and Starspeed chaps are very much on the ball when we talk to them on the RT. (As are Air Harrods) 'Nuff said about the Haughey Air chancers........!!! :) We know we can trust them and they have the experience of the London Zones to accept changes in routing etc. They have never let me down or been ar$ey despite the commercial pressures. :D

[206 jock]

"It has just had a respray which I haven't seen"

Err, no it hasn't. Unless he changed his mind again!