CAP Camarat has taken delivery of a brand new Citation Excel, which the owner had flown back via a rather indirect route. “We passed through Alaska, Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Bangkok, Calcutta, Bombay, Dubai, Greece and then back.

“I told a few people that the compass didn’t read east, but that’s not quite true. The boss wanted to see the Far East so we brought him back via the long way round and it was marvellous. The aircraft behaved beautifully and worked its way around with no problems,” said David Beechcroft-Kay, director of flight operations.

CAP Camarat is a fully commercialised charter company, which comes under the AOC of Jet Club in Zurich. Based in Cannes, the company also has a Citation Bravo. “The Bravo is now up for sale, because we only really want the one aircraft. We’re not trying to start up an airline here, it’s just a small commercial outfit and this is basically an upgrade,” explained Beechcroft-Kay.\r

The owner originally used the aircraft purely for his own purposes before deciding to go fully commercial in 2000, according to Beechcroft-Kay.

“We’ve been inundated with charter requests; in fact the boss gets a bit cheesed off because sometimes he wants the aircraft and can’t use it,” he said.

The company’s owner originally expressed a preference for the BBJ, but this exceeded the 22-tonne weight limit for landing at Cannes Mandelieu Airport.

“The owner and I looked around and with regards to value for money, the Excel is a tremendous machine. It has a stand-up cabin, APU and a 2,000 mile range, which is just perfect for Europe.

“Money wasn’t the problem, but he has family members who also own Citation jets and I think that’s what led him in this direction. Cessna are excellent, they have a good back-up and support service provided

by pleasant and fair people. It’s basically a very good product as we proved by flying around the world, without a hitch.

“There’s been a tremendous amount of interest for the Excel, and we have a good base down here in the South of France. As you can appreciate, there are a number of potential clients from Monaco down to St. Tropez and we seem to have established a good name here, which has attracted some regular clientele,” he added.

CAP Camarat named its own specifications for the aircraft and Beechcroft-Kay explained that the owner had fixed ideas on how he wanted the interior and exterior: “It’s a classic aircraft and not too jazzy, with a tasteful interior which would suit almost anyone. Our Bravo has a beige interior, which is not very practical for corporate jets, because people get in with wet feet and it stains the carpet.”

The Excel will generally be flying within Europe, but can make it over to Russia. “2000 miles basically takes you from St. Tropez up to Iceland, which is quite some coverage,” he added.