Cirrus Aviation is taking delivery of a new Lear 60, after two members of the Cirrus Group combined

forces to purchase the aircraft. It will become available for charter almost immediately for charter

and is expected to fly around 600 hours a year.

“We chose this aircraft because it’s fast, economic and has a good range. You can reach almost anywhere

in Europe with a non-stop flight,” said md Reinhard Geister. “I think it will mainly appeal to heads

of corporations. Although it’s configured for eight passengers, this type of aircraft will usually only carry between four and six.”

The aircraft joins a large fleet including: An Embraer ERJ-145, a Dash 8-300, three Dash 8-100s, two Dornier 328s, a Lear 55, two Piaggio Avantis, a Citation I and II, a Beech King-Air 90 and 200 and two Piper Cheyennes. All of the aircraft are owned by the company except for the Avantis, which are operated on behalf of their owner. “I’m sure the market is moving towards mid-range jets and it is the newer models they are after. On the used market you don’t get exactly what you expect from an aircraft, since the previous owner would have had his own ideas about cabin layout. Clients are now asking for the year when the aircraft was built, so operating a new aircraft makes sense,” said Geister.

The cabin layout on this Learjet 60 is a factory set-up. There is a divan opposite the entrance, one single

seat on the front right-hand side and a double-club configuration. Customers hail from both sides of the Channel, with a great deal of work coming from English brokers. Geister told us: “We have the certification to operate the aircraft, and now only need final approval from the LBA, which will take only two or three days. The first flight on this aircraft has already been sold and will set off about a week after delivery.”

Despite conflicting reports from the German market, Geister remains positive about the future. He said: “In our experience, most people who flew in business jets before September 11 have flown even more since then.

“And I think that company chiefs now prefer to pay a little more money for a new aircraft.”