Stefan Kukura, one of the original pilots flying for ABS Jets in the Czech Republic, has received the NBAA Pilot Safety Award for 5,500 flying hours without accident, incident or damage and injury to people and property.

Kukura has been with ABS Jets since 2004 and is responsible for developing ABS Jets' training and safety programmes, and ensuring that all safety rules and regulations are implemented.

"This is a great honour for me," he says. "For my work to be recognised by NBAA is something I could never have imagined, and I am very happy to receive this award."

ABS Jets itself has also picked up an award; the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award, for its record of eight years and 19,938 consecutive flying hours without accident, incident, injury or damage.