Cambridge Aero Club to take over GA movements at Cambridge Airport from January.

Tuesday 6th December 2011

Effective 2 January, Cambridge Aero Club will take over all the handling of most private General Aviation and helicopters at Cambridge Airport. The move follows the arrival of ExecuJet Europe, which takes over the Marshall Business Aviation FBO in an exclusive arrangement from 1 January to take responsibility for all arriving and departing business jets.

The Aero Club is preparing for the responsibility with a recent refurbishment of the existing flying school facilities said Luke Hall, Chief Flying Instructor, Examiner and Aero Club Manager. Cambridge Airport has always offered a full handling service even though this is not compulsory for general aviation aircraft under four metric tonnes. Also new for 2012, the Aero Club will have a direct report to Cambridge Airport and Managing Director Archie Garden.

"These are exciting times for the airport and we look forward to providing an attractive environment for both regular Club users and valued GA customers," said Luke Hall. He also noted that during the time of the Olympics, private flyer students will not be affected by the slot restrictions, being three miles north of the restricted zone.

Cambridge Aero Club is one of the longest established flight training schools in the world and it has been training pilots for more than 80 years. Currently it has more than 150 members, approximately half of which hold flying licences. The Club runs four Cessna 172 SP touring aircraft and an Extra EA200/300 high performance aerobatic aircraft.

The school is also unique in offering full tail wheel and aerobatic flying on high performance aircraft, which it pioneered in the UK five years ago. "Our highly experienced instructor team has an infectious enthusiasm for flying and teaching. Between them, they have amassed an unrivalled level of instructing expertise and have become renowned for delivering expert basic flight instruction to advanced aerobatics," said Hall.

GA flying is permissible between 0700 and 2100 Monday to Friday and 0800 to 1900 at weekends. Movements at other times can be arranged.

"We are very keen to encourage GA flying at Cambridge and welcome this sector as a valued part of our traffic. We have a superb set of facilities for these pilots including full ATC, refuelling, 24 hour security, seven days a week opening and navigational aids including ILS. We have received many positive comments from the sector and continue to build our relationship with the community. The Aero Club will do a great job looking after their needs moving forward in 2012," said Archie Garden.

About Cambridge Airport:

Cambridge Airport is part of the Marshall Group of Companies, a private family business, owned and managed by the Marshall family. The business was founded in Cambridge in 1909, and entered aviation in 1929. The Marshall Group activities include Cambridge Airport, Marshall Executive Aviation, and Marshall Aerospace, focused on engineering and technology.

With a 1965m/6447ft runway accepting aircraft up to Boeing 757 or Airbus 320 it is suitable for intercontinental business jets as well as small cabin aircraft. It boasts CAA Category 7 Fire & Air Traffic Control status and has full navigational aids and communications, which include radar approach coverage up to 30nm. It has invested in a new GPS approach to complement its ILS system.

Cambridge Airport primarily targets the east of England market with a strong focus on Cambridge and its business, academic and industrial sectors. A strong provider to the equine community Cambridge Airport is 10 miles from Newmarket and offers regular services for the transportation of horses.Cambridge Airport is home to a variety of aviation service providers including FBO ExecuJet Europe and the charter operator Marshall Executive Aviation, MEA which operates a Cessna Citation Bravo and Citation XLS as well as a Bombardier Challenger 300.

Other aviation companies include Capital Air Services and several GA flight training operators. It is also home of the East Anglian Air Ambulance service operated by Bond Helicopters. A fully authorised Cessna Service centre is located at the airport.

www.cambridgeairport.com