Whilst chatting to EBAN’s Mark Ranger at a reception at this year’s NBAA convention in New Orleans, I let slip that I had been a subscriber to EBAN since the very first edition and that I was sure that I still possessed every copy somewhere in my office! Amongst much mirth at me admitting to being such an ‘anorak’ (English readers will know what this expression means), Mark mentioned that they were looking for ‘human interest’ contributions for the 100th issue and would I mind penning one? Fuelled by alcohol, I agreed!

When the magazine was launched back in 1989, I was the marketing manager for Memrykord Ltd (eventually to become Jeppesen UK Ltd). I considered that the concept of a publication dedicated to furthering the interests of and reporting on the issues facing the business aviation industry in Europe was long overdue. Up until that time, the market was dominated by publications that, albeit excellent in their own right, were US-based and focused.

I agreed, therefore, to advertise in the very first issue in October 1989 and in 1991 to exhibit at the first European Business Aviation Show (EBAS) held at Stansted. I can vouch for the fact that both actions certainly helped to raise the profile of the company. The relationship with EBAN and EBAS was maintained when I moved to AirData Ltd in 1994 and continued after its acquisition by Baseops Europe Ltd in 1995.

That EBAN is now issued on a monthly basis and that managing editor David Wright and his team had the vision, early on, to harness the power of the internet to get their message across, is testament to the fact that they have got the concept right.

Working for a service provider that specialises in Business Aviation, I firmly believe that EBAN (and now its sister publication, Global Business Jet) reports on issues factually and in a very readable format. They continue to be sources of excellent leads. In fact they are probably the only two magazines that I actually make the time to read from cover to cover!

I’d like to congratulate David and his team on reaching the 100th issue milestone. Keep the good work up!

Tim Lester, deputy managing director, Baseops Europe Ltd