EscapeTime has announced the award by the UK CAA of the first single engine turbine (SET-IMC) AOC to its exclusive charter provider Heli Air Limited, a part of the British European Aviation (BEA) group of companies. Utilising the Piper PA-46 M600 SET, this approval is the first of its kind in the UK, giving BEA customers the chance to fly in comfort, safety and speed.

EscapeTime's aircraft can take four or five passengers from London Wycombe Air Park to Paris on their own schedule in under one hour. The service cuts out hours of waiting at major airports and is offered to hundreds of destinations around the UK and Europe.

The Piper PA-46 M600 is capable of full IFR operations flying at 28,000 ft at 275 kts. The cabin has ample leg room while large windows afford an excellent view for passengers.

The launch of SET-IMC operations is a major development in general aviation and coincides with the launch of the CAA fly legal campaign. The BEA Heli Air team has been working with the CAA for three years to ensure the safety and quality standards required for operations are exceeded prior to the issue of the AOC.

The Piper M600 was identified as the highest quality, best value, SET aircraft available, and it was selected to be operated by BEA Heli Air, which can also provide full pilot training and engineering support in-house.

The BEA group of companies can also support private and corporate ownership of the Piper M600 aircraft through its exclusive leaseback scheme. Leaseback can generate sufficient revenue to cover the full operating cost of the aircraft including BEA's complete aircraft management package, resulting in the corporate or private customer having its own flying at zero cost.