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    PremiAir and Hawker Beechcraft Celebrate Opening of Center of Excellence for Beechcraft MRO at Oxford

    April 28, 2009
    Occasion celebrated with an open house; new employment opportunities expected.

    KIDLINGTON, OXFORD, UK -- On April 28, PremiAir officially inaugurated its newest facility at Oxford Airport, UK – a new fixed-wing maintenance center for the Hawker Beechcraft family.

    It marked the occasion with an open house for some 90 guests. including UK Beechcraft operators, customers, suppliers, and operators, hosted by PremiAir Group Managing Director David McRobert and Director of Engineering and Maintenance, Barry Stone. Hawker Beechcraft was represented by Vice President Product Support, Greg Graber; Vice President International ASCs, Steve Porte; Divisional Vice President, International Field Operations, Peter Hall and Model Director Premier 1/1A, John Szelenyi.

    The fixed wing maintenance operation completed its move from Blackbushe to the newly refurbished 20,000-square-foot hangar at Oxford Airport in October 2008. Approved for EASA Part 145 base maintenance, the hangar is now fully functioning as the new home of PremiAir's fixed wing business and the hangar is full with work. The new facility is now home to 20 personnel, including three newly appointed engineers. PremiAir expects to add more positions in the near future.

    Hangar No. 1, formerly operated by CSE Aviation, has been completely refurbished to PremiAir's exact specifications, fitted with bespoke electrics, lighting, heating, and modern insulation. Representing a £1 million investment, the facility includes new workshops, customer reception areas, office space, and dedicated car parking.

    "We are delighted with our new Oxford Airport facilities, where fixed-wing engineering on Hawker Beechcraft products will be our core business," says David McRobert, PremiAir Group Managing Director. "Our company's relationship with Hawker Beechcraft spans 25 years and we're very proud to be associated with the manufacturer and be part of their worldwide Authorised Service Center network."

    Earlier this year, PremiAir's Oxford base received an additional boost when it was granted Authorised Dealer status for the Raisbeck range of performance-enhancing aerodynamic upgrades which are increasingly popular with King Air operators around the world.