UK-based Palmer Aviation has recently added a Navajo to its line-up of managed aircraft. The piston twin became fully operational in the middle of September, after receiving a full respray, brand new leather interior and the latest Garmin avionics.

As with the company’s other managed aircraft, which comprise more Navajos, Senecas and de Havilland Doves, Palmer will operate this latest addition throughout the UK and over to northern Europe.

Said general manager and pilot, Glen Heavens: “We predominantly carry businessmen but we also do the occasional pleasure trip. Our base at Fairoaks airfield is very close to London, just near Heathrow, so we pick up a lot of people from the airport in a chauffeur-driven car, bring them to our facilities here and whisk them away in our aircraft.”

Heavens continued: “All of our aircraft are in tip-top condition with leather interiors and air conditioning. What’s more, we operate our piston twins to big jet standard, serving fine Champagne and food and operating the aircraft multi-crew as company policy.”

While one of Palmer’s de Havilland Doves is operated privately, the other is a public transport aircraft. Produced in 1948, it has recently been refurbished with a luxury interior, four large armchairs in club arrangement and two slightly smaller seats at the front.

Palmer has its own passenger handling and operations room at Fairoaks. The company operates between 0700 and 2200 and as the only fixed wing operator there, says availability is excellent.

Palmer shares the airport with helicopter operator and airfield owner, the Alan Mann Group.

The airfield is limited in what size aircraft can land there and with this in mind, Palmer is eyeing

up Farnborough as the airport from which to operate its next two managed aircraft.

Said Heavens: “We’re assisting two customers at the moment, in the purchase of a Citation II and a Hawker 125. They’ve now decided on those aircraft so we’re just going through the process of finding them.”

Asked about prices at the moment, he added: “Jet prices have softened slightly, particularly with the next generation of jets coming through. It’s certainly a good time to be buying, rather than selling, an aircraft.”