Smart Jet in Poland is offering fully fledged charter operations on a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle having recently attained its AOC in autumn 2014. Founders Tomasz Malec and his father Andrzej are both experienced pilots; Andrzej has been flying for 40 years and has 25,000 hours to his name on types including the Cessna 421C, various helicopters and larger aircraft such as the ATR72, Embraer 145 and 175, Boeing 767 and 787. Having operated Smart Aero, a pilot school based at Warsaw Modlin, the pair have found the location to be an ideal base for charter.

“We specialise in private and business charter flights within Europe,” says marketing manager Maia Banska. “We view ourselves as an air taxi provider, so our aircraft is always ready to fly. Within three hours of making the reservation the aircraft can be in the air with passengers. Unlike most companies on the market, we have transparent prices, so our clients can check the price while planning their trip with us. Our online search helps them to find the route and check out the cost of the flight.”

The Golden Eagle can accom-modate up to six passengers, and comfortably seats five. It has a pressurised cabin allowing it to perform flights in difficult weather conditions. “Our aircraft has had additional noise-dampening and its cockpit is equipped with modern avionics and a number of systems improving flight safety,” adds Banska.

“Achieving our AOC is a guarantee for our customers that the flights they book with us are safe, that the aircraft is maintained in perfect technical condition, serviced constantly and that our pilots have qualifications, are trained properly and are reliable.

“It did take us quite a long time to get the certificate as the procedures are very detailed and the amount of documentation required is really huge. But it is worth it, and we are glad that we can offer the highest standard to our customers.”

The operator believes that its small size enables it to provide a personalised service which is often lacking from larger operators: “Our consultants co-operate closely with our flight planning specialists and pilots. Rather than being a large operation, we wish to be close to our passengers' needs and act as a private concierge on their behalf.”

The company views Poland as a growth market but one which is young and not particularly well-regulated. Banska says that some private owners with a 'touristic' licence are posing problems by offering passenger charter illegally, without an AOC. “Unfortunately this area is out of control at the Polish CAA, because it is only keeping an eye on certified operators,” she concludes.