Biggin Hill-based Air Touring, the sole UK and Ireland distributor for Aerospatiale Matra Socata, has appointed airline training captain Steve Adamson as director of operations. He joins a management team led by md Mike Pearce.

Adamson assumes responsibility for demonstration of the latest Socata aircraft to flying schools and private pilots in the UK.

Adamson, who flies his own Socata TB20, learnt to fly at Air Touring in 1971 in Socata Rallye aircraft. He said: "Socata are producing high performance aircraft which compete favourably with the US manufacturers in both price and specification.

"We encourage anyone in the market for a new aircraft to fly one of our demonstrators and appreciate the difference."A company spokesman said: "The French-built range of Socata light aircraft, including the TBM700 turbine-powered model, are proving to be a popular choice for British business and private pilot owners."