The founders of Hawkrise Air Services believe an EC130 will bring in business from an under-served charter niche in the UK Midlands. Local businessmen and aviation enthusiasts Steve Verrall and Clinton Smith say the helicopter was initially designed for the US market to offer ultra quiet tours of the Grand Canyon.

Verrall adds: "We identified a niche that the EC130 is well suited for. It is one of the world's most modern and comfortable helicopters. The large cabin provides an unrivalled view for passengers, combined with space and comfort. We believe that this raises the bar in premium travel and offers an exclusive opportunity to travel in style."

Smith says: "Our service is aimed at leisure and corporate clients. The helicopter will comfortably seat six passengers and our clients are guaranteed a first-class service from the moment they meet the pilot until they reach their destination. With a trip from Birmingham to London taking just 45 minutes, and to Edinburgh just over two hours, the EC130 offers business people and corporate clients the opportunity to arrive in style, rested, stress free and to their own timetable."

Verrall adds: "Hawkrise is offer- ing block bookings of flying hours to make business travel more cost effective." The founders, successful in the engineering and IT sectors, have owned and operated helicopters and fixed wing aircraft for personnel use and had an AS350B2 for more than ten years before buying the EC130. Verrall says: "We believe there has been a dearth of modern generation aircraft available to charter in the Midlands area and that aircraft utilisation could be improved by providing a vip commercial service."

The flight crew is headed up by chief pilot Oliver Byard-Jones, who has more than 18 years experience, flying vip charters and has also worked in the police and air ambulance sectors. "The machine is just outstanding," said Byard-Jones, who has qualified as an instructor and examiner on the EC130. "The helicopter has a full vip interior with leather seats, air conditioning and a noise reducing design to make the cabin as comfortable as possible."