Family-owned and run Executive Aviation Services has added a further two Citation Bravos to its management and AOC business bringing its fleet to 12. Chairman and head of training, Captain Peter Turner says: "The success of EAS is greatly assisted by the tight-knit staff. They have all been with us for many years and work well as a team. That's a very essential ingredient for a 24-7 operation such as ours."

The day-to-day management of the operation is controlled by daughter Kirstie Turner. Son James is the company's senior co-pilot and wife Linda a director and the company secretary. Capt Ken Wilson is the chief pilot who runs the administration of the flying. Other key personnel are deputy chief pilot and training administrator Peter Hamlet, deputy operations manager Lavina Holmes and bdm Kyle Millar.

Capt Turner says: "The majority of our fleet are under our direct management with the remainder being managed by Dragonfly Air Charter at Cardiff and Catreus in the London area. However all operations are overseen and strictly controlled by our staff at our head office at Gloucestershire airport."

In addition to the charter and management aspect, EAS operates as a consultant and is a JAA approved TRTO for the Cessna 500/550/560 series. Cap Turner senior, as head of training, is a type rating instructor and examiner and conducts the majority of tests.

EAS was formed in 1986 operating an HS125 series 1B and Cessna Citation I out of Staverton - now renamed Gloucestershire airport. The fleet slowly expanded over the years and now stands at an XLS, an XL, four Bravos, a Beech King Air 350, two Beech King Air 200s and a Britten-Norman Islander on private duties. "Other additions to the fleet are being considered," says Capt Turner. "The company has just had its busiest quarter ever and I see bright future business prospects."

Capt Turner took up flying almost 50 years ago when he was 14 and will continue to fly the line until his 65th birthday in less than 15 months. "The change will take some getting used to," he says.

He first started gliding with the air cadets. At this point he was awarded an RAF flying scholarship and so completed his PPL. Capt Turner later helped to set up the Achilles School of Flying at Weston-Super-Mare, gained his flying instructors rating, becoming manager and chief flying instructor of the school at the age of 21.

After gaining his CPL he flew Navajos and Aztecs single crew around Europe for Bristol Air Taxis. The Colt Car Company (now Mitsubishi Motors) asked him to set up their executive flying operation which quickly grew to a charter and maintenance operation called Colt Aviation and Capt Turner was promoted to aviation director.