FAI Aviation Group’s Global Express Project Pearl starts new life in USA – with Planet Nine

Tuesday 1st February 2022

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FAI Technik GmbH, the expanding German MRO supplier and part of FAI Aviation Group, has completed the sale of its award-winning, refurbished Bombardier Global Express Project Pearl to an undisclosed private US buyer.    The aircraft, previously flying as D-AFAL, has been re-registered as N822VP, under the management of leading Part 135 charter and management company Planet Nine, based at Van Nuys, California. 

The sale was overseen, including pre-buy and inspection in Guernsey, by Cayman Islands, Dubai and UK based Aircraft Trading, a pre-owned Bombardier aircraft specialist, headed by Nicholas McHaffey, who has collaborated with FAI for several years.  He acted on behalf of the private A list celebrity buyer, liaising closely with Planet 9’s Co-founder Matt Walter.   Financing and administration were processed by London’s The Air Law Firm. 

A team from FAI Technik helped ready the aircraft for sale, undertaking minor interior refreshments.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Aircraft Trading and Planet Nine to transition our stunning aircraft to a new home in Los Angeles.  Project Pearl is a beautiful aircraft, its interior a tribute to the professionalism of our engineers at our MRO division FAI Technik working to the vision of designer Tim Callies.   It will continue to be a highly desired aircraft for private trips and third party charter,”  said FAI  Technik’s Managing Director Michael Axtmann.   

“ We are honored to take on this outstanding Global Express into our managed aircraft fleet for a long-standing client.  Thank you to all the parties who worked hard to get this transaction completed,” said Matt Walter, Co-founder of Planet 9.

Following 10,000 manhours of work, the Global Express entered service with FAI in autumn 2020 and has successfully completed 800 hours of charter operations all around the world. It has been lauded around the world by guests flying on business and leisure.  FAI Technik  scooped the Innovation in Engineering Category at the 2021 Middle East Aviation Awards for its work on the aircraft .

The aircraft’s custom interior was designed by FAI’s design partner, award-winning German design specialist, Tim Callies.   With an all-new cabin and latest cabin management and entertainment systems, the Global Express offers VIP seating for 12 passengers in two tone grey leather. A further two three-seat sofas are upholstered in anthracite Armani fabric. The interior also features stylish heated grey-white marble stone flooring in the galley and VIP toilet areas which matches the granite countertops of the galley and bathroom. Galley appliances include a wine cooler, coffee maker and oven. Its striking customised exterior paint scheme was also designed by Tim Callies .

        

Bombardier Global Express Project Pearl

 

About FAI Aviation Group:

FAI Aviation Group operates Germany´s largest fleet of Bombardier business jets which brings with it significant operational and cost benefits. In addition to five Global Express jets, FAI´s fleet includes one Challenger 850, six Challenger 604s, nine Learjet 60s, together with one Premier 1A light jet.

FAI runs a 14,000 m² carbon-neutral fixed-base operation at its Nuremberg, Germany headquarters, employing a staff of 250 people, including 60 mechanics and engineers at its in-house MRO FAI Technik GmbH.  FAI´s Group revenues in 2021 were close to € 100 m with a fleet utilization of more than 14,000 hours of airtime.

FAI was proud to receive the Diamond Safety of Flight Award from the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) in May 2018, marking the highest safety recognition awarded by EBAA to member companies operating business aircraft for 50 years or 100.000 hours without accident.

In 2019 FAI received a 10-year anniversary award from MEBAA, reflecting the fact that 20 % of its flying activity is now in the Middle East and was honoured with an Aviation Annual Achievement Award, in recognition of its 30 years of air ambulance and special mission flying.

In 2020 and 2021 FAI received the prestigious Award “Air Ambulance Company of the Year” from ITIJ Magazine.

In 2021, FAI was awarded the Pandemic Response Special Award in recognition of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

FAI is official supplier of the McLaren Formula 1 Team.

www.fai.ag

 

About Planet Nine  

Planet 9 is headquartered at the iconic Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, California and maintains a presence in New York, London and Lisbon. It  flies corporations, family offices and UHNWs from the West and East Coasts of the USA to destinations including Europe, Russia and the Middle East.  It is led by a highly experienced team of aviation professionals and its business plan utilizes a ‘floating fleet’ model.  Planet 9’s aircraft all feature sparklingly refurbished cabin interiors, including high-speed WiFi.

Its managed aircraft fleet includes:  Four Global Express’; one Global 6000; two Dassault Falcon 7X; three Gulfstream GV; four Gulfstream GIV SP; one Gulfstream G650; one Gulfstream G550 and one Challenger 350.

Planet 9 holds ARGUS Platinum safety certification, closely followed by the endorsement of IS-BAO Stage 2 (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), duly satisfying IBAC it is consistently delivering high operational standards in all aspects of its business.   Planet 9 first obtained Wyvern Wingman status under its onsite flight leader program in October 2018.  In October 2021 it was elevated to Wyvern Wingman Pro.

www.flyplanet9.com