South African property developer New Africa Developments (NAD) has acquired a pre-owned Beechjet 400A to transport its staff to meetings across southern Africa. The company also has a PC-12 in the fleet, which is often required to land on dirt strips and other unpaved runways.

“Scheduled flights don't often work for us,” says CEO Japie van Niekerk. “Using this aircraft helps us because our directors can get a lot of business done while airborne. After the meetings on the ground we don't have to wait around for a flight. Instead we can get back on the aircraft, head to the office and continue working. It makes our lives much easier and more productive.

“We had just the Pilatus before for travelling to our construction sites at least once a week with our profes-sional team of architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, project managers and letting staff. But there was often a conflict of meetings which necessitated the additional aircraft.”

He believes that the Beechjet comfortably has the biggest cabin in its class. “Operating costs are also very cheap, and parts are available anywhere because there are thousands of them around. It is a very fast and reliable aircraft capable of 450 kts at FL420, which is fantastic. We had a look at some Learjets and Citations but none of them are as comfortable inside as the Beechjet. It requires two pilots, but that is not a big problem for us. The speed and comfort were deciding factors.”

He says that business is good for his shopping centre developments: “We are very busy and it will certainly stay that way for the next three years. Along the way we will reassess and see what we need. But our fleet is working very well for us right now.”