bop Aero Services has selected Elite Aircraft Services as the preferred Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet flight training provider for owner-pilots in bop Aero's shared ownership programme. The announcement is made in conjunction with Elite's release introducing its SF50 type rating training programme.

bop Aero Services operates a shared ownership programme for Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet owner-pilots from its headquarters in Florence, Kentucky. Elite Aircraft Services is an aircraft sales, management and training company based at Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford, North Carolina.

Under a memorandum of understanding between the companies, Elite will serve as the preferred training provider for SF50 owners participating in bop Aero's programme, covering both initial qualification and recurrent training. bop Aero has also been designated as the commercial launch customer of Elite's SF50 programme.

Elite's programme offers initial and recurrent training in Elite's own SF50, with the option for training to be conducted in an owner's aircraft. Owner-pilots can complete initial type training, including time in Elite's simulator and in-aircraft training, and fulfil their Introduction to Operating Experience (IoE) requirements in 10 days.

“Owners in our shared programme need a consistent, high-quality training standard, and Elite's programme and location support that. We believe our owners will enjoy the fully customised programme that Elite has designed for them. This programme allows an owner to complete their initial type training, which includes time in both their state-of-the-art simulator as well as invaluable in-aircraft training time, and fulfil their IoE requirements in 10 days,” says Raymond Chase, president and CEO, bop Aero.

As part of the relationship, Elite has entered into an options agreement for one or more shares in bop Aero's programme. Elite intends to evaluate that option as a means of supporting long-term aircraft availability for its training clients as the training programme continues to expand.

“We're excited that bop Aero has recognised that our innovative training programme can provide real-world training for its owner-pilots. Another part of this agreement that we're excited about is the ability to offer existing Elite customers a path to Vision Jet ownership that doesn't require the outright purchase of an entire aircraft through bop Aero,” concludes Matt Walsh, CEO, Elite Aircraft Services.