execujet - issue 14
DESCRIPTION
Inflight Magazine of the ExecuJet Aviation GroupTRANSCRIPT
‘For a Life That is Beautiful Inside and Out...’
Rougemont InteriorsShop
Huus am BachPromenade 3
CH-3780 Gstaad
Phone +41-33-744-9030
Rougemont InteriorsHead Office
Seefeldstrasse 279ACH-8008 Zürich
Phone +41-44-201-1144
EXECUJETINTRO
On the one hand, we talk about manufacturing, fuel efficiency and new technologies. But we also stress the human touch, our personal efforts in providing stellar service, and our focus on detail. We believe that both aspects work hand in hand, especially in a field like business aviation that combines the high-tech world of flying machines with high levels of service.
Our main editorial also talks about combining two worlds. Dieter Burmester has been making high-end audio systems in Berlin with prices that rival luxury automobiles. He has branched out to car manufacturers now so that high-end enthusiasts no longer have to choose between owning a stunning sound system or owning a stunning car — they can now have both. In a way, he is doing what we are dealing with every day: how to deliver service excellence, comfort and quality in a confined space. How to work with this space rather than being restricted by it. Burmester builds audio systems that come as close as they can to the sound of live music, and make the listener forget the wires between him and the sound. He is able to create a place of refuge in which people can enjoy some peace from day-to-day demands. Similarly, we want to make our clients forget that they are on a plane. They might as well be in their office, a lounge or at home.
Burmester talks of the growing importance of Asia to his business. It was surely no coincidence that late last year, Mercedes simultaneously launched the Maybach in the US and China. We are happy to announce that ExecuJet has just opened an office in Singapore to service our Asian clients better. We are opening this office in the Chinese Year of the Ram. According to the Chinese Zodiac, those born in the Year of the Ram are thought to be tender, polite, filial, clever and kind-hearted. “Rams” are wise, gentle and compassionate, and can cope with business cautiously and circumspectly. These are an excellent set of strengths for any provider of business aviation services.
I wish you a harmonious new quarter and Happy Landings.
Regards,
Gerrit BassonPresident ExecuJet Aviation Group
2 EXECUJET
BLOG FACEBOOK TWITTER GOOGLE+ YOUTUBE LINKEDIN
The 118By application only
Independently Owned and Operated by High End Real Estate LLC. ORN 12521
t +971 4 818 4999 e [email protected] dubaisir.com
Inviting Residencein Downtown Dubai
A private home that welcomes you from the moment you arrive at The 118. Encouraging you beyond its extraordinary entrance into the unique rooms, and statement spaces
which artfully unite to create your residence.
Sanctuary in the centre of downtown Dubai, the gateway betweeen east and west.
9
22
38
2 INTRO OPPOSITES ATTRACT
9 SOUND FOR THE SENSES Burmester’s Audio Systems —
Live Music Heard The Right Way
New & Exclusive
22 THE FLAGSHIP FACTOR
Dassault’s Exciting New Falcon 8x
28 SPACE EXPLORATION
Greenpoint Designs Wide-Body Aircraft Interiors
32 FUTURE SIGHT
Airbus Presents The E-Fan Concept
34 BAPTISM BY FIRE
The Story Behind The Iconic Flying Tigers
38 BIRDS OFF THE WIRE
Civilian Drones, The Future Of Flight?
46 VERTICAL HORIZONS
Avia Club Nepal Explores The Himalayas
48 THESE WINGS ARE MADE FOR WALKING
The Renaissance Of Wing Walking
50 BATMAN’S BIKE
The Aerofex, The Next Best Thing To A Flying Car
52 FROM Q WITH LOVE
The Flaris, A New Category Of Lightweight Jets
54 A CULTURE OF PASSION
The Annual Asia Aviators Gathering
56 HOMEGROWN & PROUD
Pacific Flight’s Private Charter And Aero Medical Travel
58 RETRO MODERN WINGS
The SAM LS, A Nostalgic Light Sport Aircraft
EXECUJET CONTENT
4 EXECUJET
This isn’t a big step. This is the next step.Progress is always worth investing in. And it’s closer than you think.
The all-new Flying Spur V8 places power and superb levels of craftsmanship at your fingertips.
The new 4.0 litre V8 engine has a top speed of 295 km/h, and with countless optional refinements the Flying Spur will become your Flying Spur.
For the first time, the world’s most exhilarating sedan is available at AED 12,499 per month* through
Bentley Financial Services, powered by ENBD. Your next step up is not only possible – it couldn’t be simpler.
Please contact Bentley Emirates on +971 4 294 4492 (Dubai)or +971 2 222 2445 (Abu Dhabi) for more information.
The new Flying Spur V8. Closer than you think.
*Terms and Conditions apply. The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2014 Bentley Motors Limited.
BENTLEY EMIRATES
96
78
62
62 INNS OF SERENITY
Inside Japan’s Luxury Ryokans
68 THE WORLD IS WATCHING
BaselWorld’s Newest Must-Have Timepieces
74 ONE KNOT HIGHER
A Round-Up Of The Latest Greatest Megayachts
78 GRAND ITALIAN HERITAGE
Damiani’s Stunning Openwork Jewels
82 RETRO ROADSHOW
ICON Trucks Revives Motoring Legends
86 CURATED GROUNDS
Art Basel Hong Kong & Asia’s Growing Art Boom
90 THE STYLE HIGH CLUB
Airborne Luxury From The Golden Age Of Flight
94 STREAMLINED NOBILITY
Carreducker’s Bespoke English Shoemaking
96 BREATHING FIRE
The Aston Martin Vulcan
100 ORIGINAL SIN
To’ak’s Fascinating Indigenous Chocolate
104 THE MAGIC MEKONG
Aqua Mekong’s Luxury Indochina Cruises
106 FOR SERIOUS PLAYERS ONLY
Casa Fagliano, Boot Makers In Polo’s
Argentinian Hometown
108 STEAMPUNK SUPERCRAFT
Mercier-Jones Futuristic Amphibious Vehicle
110 MAKE-BELIEVE
Bending Reality by Elisabeth Toll
118 BRIEFING
Business Aviation In Brief
122 PLANE SPEAK
Aviation Glossary
126 AIR SHOW DIARY
128 TAILHOOK
The Treehopper Drone
EXECUJET CONTENT
6 EXECUJET
90
PIONEERING. GRACEFUL. DARING.
Multi award-winning 67 m Vertigo is one of the most impressive and adventurous sailing superyachts on the water and is the largest ever yacht built in the Southern Hemisphere. There is a dedicated space for a specialist oceanographer, who can be brought onboard at any time to help guests discover the wonders offered by the unique underwater landscapes. The captain has extensive cruising experience of the South Pacific and brings with him expert knowledge of some of its best secret bays and anchorages. The custom loft-style interior, designed by the renowned French design-house Christian Liaigre, is one of her star attractions, sporting an ‘urban at sea’ ambience. On deck, she boasts an oversized 10-person Jacuzzi with retractable sunpads, Bimini covers and glass screens for sun and wind protection, air-conditioning and a midarette gymnasium with direct access to the sea. She sleeps 12 guests and will soon be heading to Antarctica for the first time before cruising to the South Pacific.
BRIGHT. SOPHISTICATED. SOCIAL.
Designed with all the seas in mind, the 56 m Panthalassa’s exquisite light-infused interior, designed by Foster + Partners, takes the yacht into a class of her own. Her central oval staircase and floating bar in the main salon are artworks in their own right. An immensely popular charter yacht, Panthalassa can accommodate 12 guests in nearly equal sized cabins, and offers business options for professionals. Attended by a 10-man strong crew, she is ideal for business or pleasure and is available for charter in the Eastern Mediterranean this summer.
SUMPTUOUS. CONTEMPORARY. AWARD-WINNING.
The award-winning 62 m Sealyon fuses high glamour with contemporary design. With opulent detailing throughout by Candy&Candy, the yacht offers a wide array of luxury amenities to guests. She boasts a split-level master suite, elevator, gym, and a media room featuring a 103-inch Plasma screen, full blackout and a revolving solar system model on the ceiling. Her sundeck, with a large revolving circular sunbed, outdoor cinema and misting system, is one of the best on the water.
CHARTERED CRUISERS FOR THE HIGH LIFE ON THE SEAS
For more information, contact Y.CO Monacotel:+377 93 50 12 [email protected]
Y.CO
EXECUJET ADVERTORIAL
7EXECUJET
For all our regional contacts please go to our website:
EXECUJET LOCATIONS FEATURED IN THIS EDITION
ExecuJet Aviation GroupHead Office ZurichExecuJet Aviation GroupExecuJet Aviation CentrePO Box 18058 Zurich-AirportSwitzerlandTel: +41 44 804 1616Fax: +41 44 804 [email protected]
ExecuJet AfricaJohannesburgExecuJet South Africa Pty LtdEntrance 1Lanseria International AirportJohannesburg, 1748South AfricaTel: +27 11 516 2300Fax: +27 11 659 1071 [email protected]
ExecuJet Latin AmericaMonterreyExecuJet Mexico S de R. L de C.VGeneral Mariano Escobedo International AirportPO Box 11 Apodaca, N.L.CP66600 MexicoTel: +52 81 83 69 09 09 Fax: +52 81 83 69 97 56 [email protected]
ExecuJet Middle EastDubaiExecuJet Middle East LLCDubai Airport Free ZonePO Box 32072DubaiUnited Arab EmiratesTel: +971 4 601 6300Fax: +971 4 299 [email protected]
ExecuJet AustralasiaSydneyExecuJet Australia Pty LtdHangar 394 Ross Smith AvenueMascot NSW 2020Sydney, AustraliaTel: +61 2 9693 0800Fax: +61 2 9693 [email protected]
EXECUJET LOCATIONS
www.execujet.com
8 EXECUJET
www.orientalmediagroup.com
CONTENTMANAGING EDITOR Rainer Sigel
ASSISTANT EDITOR Koh Chuin YingASSISTANT EDITOR Maripet Ledesma PosoEDITORIAL ASSISTANT Syahmin Ritzwan
ART DIRECTOR | DESIGNER Sylvia Weimer (Spacelab Design, Sydney)
CONTRIBUTORSJim Simon, Katrina A. Balmaceda, Jim Gregory, Steve Slater, Sandy
Tan, Carol Lee, Sam Koh, Marcus Kingsley, Gay Hsiu Ping, David Yip, Charmaine Tay
COMPANYPUBLISHER Rainer Sigel
MANAGING DIRECTOR Michelle TayASSISTANT MANAGER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Gynn LeeASSISTANT MANAGER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Edna ChaiCIRCULATION & PRODUCTION MANAGER Caroline Rayney
OFFICE MANAGER Winnie LimMARKETING ASSISTANT Anne Goh
CONTACT 120 Lower Delta Road #13-11
Cendex Centre, Singapore 169208T: +65 6273 0620 F: +65 6273 0632
EMAILS
ADVERTISING [email protected] [email protected]
CIRCULATION [email protected] ADMINISTRATION [email protected]
WEBSITES SINGAPORE www.oriental-publishing.com
www.jetgala.com | www.solitairemagazine.com | www.solitairexuan.com www.solitaireindonesia.com | www.solitairethailand.com
VIETNAM www.oriental-ltd.comwww.thoigianmagazine.com | www.deluxevietnam.com
www.gourmet-vietnam.com | www.rest-relax.comPRESSPAD APP ANDROID android.jetgala.com
PRESSPAD APP APPLE apple.jetgala.comDIGITAL EDITIONS digital.jetgala.com
FACEBOOK facebook.jetgala.comINSTAGRAM instagram.jetgala.com
TWITTER twitter.jetgala.comLINKEDIN linkedin.jetgala.com
EXECUJET JETGALA is a special edition of JETGALA and is published in cooperation with JETGALA and distributed globally, including on aircraft operated by the companies of the ExecuJet Aviation Group. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily endorsed by
the Publisher.
COPYRIGHT AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS NOTICE:All rights, including copyright and all other intellectual property rights, in, out of and to the content
of this publication are owned or controlled by ExecuJet Aviation Group AG, Switzerland, respectively by Oriental Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore, as applicable. You are not permitted to,
by any means or technology including without limitation any electronic means, copy, broadcast, upload, download, store in any medium, transmit, show or play in public, adapt or change in any way
the content of this publication or any part thereof for any purpose whatsoever without the prior written permission of ExecuJet Aviation Group AG, Switzerland, respectively of
Oriental Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore, as applicable.
TRADEMARKS NOTICE:The masthead logo ‘JETGALA’ is a Registered Trademark of Oriental Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore. The logo ‘EXECUJET AVIATION’ and ‘EXECUJET AVIATION GROUP’ and the words ‘ExecuJet’, ‘ExecuJet Aviation’ and ‘ExecuJet Aviation Group’, in whatever form are Registered Trademarks of ExecuJet Aviation Group AG, Switzerland, and/or of its subsidiaries. The rights and title to other logos and trademarks contained in this publication are the rights and title of the respective title
holders. All rights to their respective Registered Trademarks are cumulatively reserved by Oriental Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore, respectively by ExecuJet Aviation Group AG, Switzerland, as
applicable. The protection of all rights will be pursued to the full extent of the law.
MCI(P)014/05/2015
PHOTO CREDITSCOVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Elisabeth Toll
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: Charli LjungSTYLIST: Birgit Schlotterbeck
HAIR & MAKEUP: Sebastien LeCoroller & Alexandra Schiavi / Airport AgencyLOCATION: South Africa
SECTION OPENER WINGS Image Courtesy of Dassault AviationSECTION OPENER LUXE Image Courtesy of Aqua Mekong
SECTION OPENER AIRBORNE Image courtesy of Embraer Executive Jets
BURMESTER AUDIOSYSTEME GMBH
LIVE MUSIC HEARD IN A BRAND NEW WAY
A Burmester audio system
9EXECUJET
or 37 years, Dieter Burmester has been making high-end audio systems in Berlin that can cost as much as a luxury car. But for several years now, sound fanatics have been able to buy mobile versions of his systems to be installed in luxury cars. High-end enthusiasts no longer have to choose between owning a stunning sound or a stunning car — they can now have both.
Just in time for spring, Mercedes-Benz’s new top-of-the-line Maybach S-Class hits the showrooms, featuring the latest iteration of Burmester’s creations: a high-end 3D surround sound system. The move marks a deepening of Burmester’s relationship with the luxury carmaker, which seems untainted despite the former’s ongoing partnership with Mercedes’ rival — and Germany’s other Stuttgart-based carmaker — Porsche.
Burmester founded the company in 1978 after building himself a high-end amplifier that friends also came to love. An accomplished guitarist who has been playing seriously since his teens, he talks about his twin passions, music and electrical engineering. Burmester wants to build audio systems that come as close as they can to the sound of live music and make the listener forget the wires between him and the sound. To this day, each product is
hand made, each component tested before being used. A car stereo will certainly struggle to match the sound
quality of stationary high-end equipment, which can be as bulky as they are expensive. Burmester speakers can weigh 128 kg each.
Compared to that, Burmester’s 3D system for Mercedes is a lightweight. Firstly, it has to keep its weight down to keep the S-Class’s performance up, and it costs just under 8,000 as an optional extra for the non-Maybach models. But an in-car sound system doesn’t require all the bits a stationary high-end system needs. Such a system is tailored for three or four cubic metres of unchanging car interior, not for rooms of all sorts of sizes and furnishings.
“Inside a car, you can create a sound you would never be able to produce in a living room,” Burmester says. His company spent three years working on the system as the S-Class was in development. As a result, the 3D-system has high-pitched speakers on the ceiling, tweeters on the front doors that spin out on activation, and intensely resonant basses in the front footwells.
The car fills “directly with sound”, says Burmester. Indeed, his surround sound and 3D systems for Mercedes have been well received by car and audio enthusiasts alike. Burmester says increasing mobility — and, perhaps,
Burmester speakers are as bulky as they are expensive, weighing up to 128 kg each
EXECUJET
10 EXECUJET
EXECUJET
ensuing congestion — have made the car an ever more important “place of refuge” in which people can enjoy some peace from day-to-day demands. That’s why more and more people want high-end car sound systems.
To that end, carmarkers and audio companies are working together to offer mobile high fidelity. Audi works with Denmark’s Bang & Olufsen, Bentley with Naim, Cadillac with Bose, and Lexus with Mark Levinson. Consultancy company IHS Automotive reckons almost a quarter of cars sold in North America this year will be fitted with branded audio systems. Among premium vehicle brands, it will be one car in two. So has the world gone audiophile?
A visit to Mercedes’ huge “Mercedes World” in central Berlin, six km from Burmester’s workshop and its 50 employees, suggests this may not be the only cause. On the top floor, a living-room-style space is reserved for the S-Class — and a Burmester high-end system for the home. Its highly polished surfaces reflect the contours of the elegant cars, just as some of them mirror the Burmester system’s distinctive angularities. >>
Burmester’s audio systems feature highly polished surfaces and distinctive angularities
11EXECUJET
SOUND VISION
The secret to Dieter Burmester’s success is widely held
to be the combination of his passion for music and his
skill as an electrical engineer.
The 69-year-old was born in Austria, but soon moved
to West Germany. After an apprenticeship as a radio and
television technician, he studied electrical engineering at
university in West Berlin.
After university, Burmester stayed in Berlin and
founded a small engineering bureau that specialised in
medical measuring devices. In 1977, a fruitless search to
replace some of his own audio equipment led him to
adapt one of his medical devices to make an amplifier.
This pre-amplifier formed the cornerstone of the
Burmester range.
EXECUJET
12 EXECUJET
>> Each brand reflects on the other. Mercedes claims a piece of Burmester’s exclusivity, just as the latter lays claim on some of the carmaker’s global reach. For Burmester, the move seems particularly astute. His hope is that car audio might foster a new generation of high-end enthusiasts by introducing car owners’ children to pure sound. But he also talks of the growing importance of Asia to his business. It was surely no coincidence that late last year Mercedes simultaneously launched the Maybach in the US and its now second-biggest market — China. www.burmester.de
Burmester founded his company in 1978 after building himself a high-end amplifier that friends also came to love
13EXECUJET
EXECUJETSNIPPETS
14 EXECUJET
ExecuJet Aviation Group has launched helicopter charter services at the company’s fixed base operation (FBO) at Cape Town International Airport, in partnership with Acher Aviation, leaders in off-shore helicopter operations. ExecuJet will operate a six-passenger Bell 407 helicopter from Acher Aviation, an aircraft known for its reliability, speed, performance and manoeuvrability.
Luxury tea brand Tea Forte has launched the ICON Au Gold Pyramid tea infuser. The non-reactive 23k plated gold helps preserve the unique characteristics of fine loose tea. Simply remove the silicone base, fill the infuser with tea, and replace the base and steep. The infuser also comes with a monogrammed, ceramic tea tray. www.teaforte.com
ExecuJet Aviation Group has expanded the company’s Australian managed and charter fleet with the addition of a Bombardier Challenger 604, and a Cessna Citation VII to be added in the coming months. Both aircraft will be based in Sydney. ExecuJet’s Australasian managed fleet has grown from 10 to 18 aircraft in the last 12 months, with 10 aircraft under full management in Australia and New Zealand and a further eight aircraft in Southeast Asia.
VIU sets out to revolutionise the market for corrective glasses. The young Swiss venture is overthrowing existing structures and sells directly to their end customer. The reinterpretation of classical shapes are designed by Zurich’s own design duo Aekae and manufactured in over 80 manual steps in a traditional manufactory in the Italian Dolomites. VIU offers a full range of sun and correction glasses. www.shopviu.com
VIU
EXECUJET HAS HANDLED A RECORD NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT FOR WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
EXECUJETSNIPPETS
MUNICH LIMITED has combined fresh and untamed art with exquisite silk made in Italy. The result is a limited collection of unique silk scarves inspired by young artists from the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. Every 90 x 90 cm scarf is personally signed, numbered and presented in a handmade box that includes a brochure with a certificate and more details on the artists. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the young artists and the art academy. www.munichlimited.com
ExecuJet Aviation Group’s fixed-based operation (FBO) at Zürich Airport, Switzerland, handled a record number of aircraft for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting at Davos-Klosters.ExecuJet handled almost 400 aircraft movements for VIP passengers travelling to and from the event, including a high proportion of long-range business jets. ExecuJet once again had an exclusive agreement with Dübendorf Airport (LSMD), a military facility located 5 nm north of Zürich Airport, to facilitate additional capacity requirements during the event. For the first time, ExecuJet was able to offer its full range of FBO services at Dübendorf, in addition to the customary aircraft parking facility, including customs clearance and border control conducted by Swiss authorities.
16 EXECUJET
Roses & Sparkles has been established to make the “Art of Giving” easy and inspiring. Set in a beautiful location in Zurich-Kloten, the company invites you to look for special gifts for your loved ones, friends or business colleagues while enjoying the world’s most loved champagnes from Moët & Chandon and the exclusive prosecco from La Gioiosa. Items include O bags (the “must-have” fashion bags from Italy) and various home and living accessories. You can rely on Roses & Sparkles to have the right item for any occasion. rosesandsparkles.ch
WINGS
DASSAULT FALCON 8X
by Jim Simon
The Falcon 8X
WINGS
22 JETGALA
23JETGALA
assault Aviation, the venerable French aircraft manufacturer, has sold over 2,300 Falcon business jets since sales began in the 1960s. Cementing its legacy of success has been its ultra-long range Falcon 7X — Dassault’s fastest selling jet in the company’s history. Faced with strong
competitive headwinds from the Gulfstream G650 and Bombardier’s Global 6000 (along with the coming 7000/8000 series), Dassault is betting big. The direction the company is taking with the 8X is clear — incorporate advances in technology to deliver improved range, efficiency and cabin comfort, while retaining unique capabilities such as short and “hot” airport access.
“Dassault’s tradition of innovation and excellence helps explain the success of the Falcon 7X. More than 250 aircraft have been built in the seven years since service introduction, and demand remains strong. We anticipate a similarly bright future for the 8X,” says Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. The 8X was unveiled at EBACE 2014 and is expected to have a respectable range of 6,450 nm plus reserves, while cruising at Mach 0.80. That is a whopping 500 nm more than the
FROM TOP
Pictures from the Falcon 8X rollout ceremony (first to third photo)
The Falcon 8X’s first flight took place on February 6 (fourth and fifth photo)
The Falcon 8X cockpit
WINGS
24 JETGALA
The 8X will have the largest cabin in Dassault’s history
7X and will enable the 8X to fly city pairs such as London-Cape Town, Beijing-Los Angeles, and New York-Tel Aviv for up to 16 passengers plus crew.
To maximise cabin comfort for ultra-long distance flights, the 8X will have the largest cabin in Dassault’s history. Customers are offered over 30 flexible interior configurations that take full advantage of the 8X’s generous cabin size. In addition to standard features, such as a galley and lavatory, owners will be able to further maximise passenger and crew comfort by opting for extras such as an onboard shower and dedicated crew bunks. Furthermore, passengers can expect to arrive at their destination feeling fresh and alert, thanks in part to an onboard equivalent altitude as low as 3,900 ft. Dassault’s FalconCabin HD+ state-of-the-art cabin management system keep passengers both informed and entertained. Using Apple wireless
devices, passengers can track their flight progress using a simple app. The integrated Skybox™ wireless media server allows passengers to individually stream music and videos throughout the cabin.
Dassault Aviation is the only business jet manufacturer to market tri-jet models. With twin-jet engine reliability improvements, the main benefit of a tri-jet design is the ability to utilise airports with short runways as well as airports with high-density altitudes, such as airports in mountainous regions. In turn, the most common argument against tri-jets is cost of operation. Taken in sum, three engines typically consume more fuel than two engines for a similar aircraft travelling the same distance and speed. Moreover, engine maintenance is typically based on hours of usage. Therefore, the maintenance of a tri-jet can run higher than a comparable twin-jet. >>
RANGE 6,450 NM
MAXIMUM OPERATING MACH 0.90 M
MAXIMUM OPERATING ALTITUDE 51,000 FEET
FAR 91 LANDING DISTANCE AT TYPICAL LANDING WEIGHT 2,150 FEET
CABIN LENGTH EXCLUDING COCKPIT AND BAGGAGE 41.67 FEET
MAXIMUM HEADROOM 74 INCHES
ENGINES PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA
COST APPROXIMATELY US$58M
SOURCE: DASSAULT AVIATION
25JETGALA
The 8X is poised to earn the crown as the flagship Falcon
>> It may then come as a surprise that Dassault purports that the 8X will be “up to 35 per cent more fuel efficient than any other aircraft in the ultra-long range segment, thereby offering a like reduction in operating costs”. Efficiencies will be realised by leveraging the latest engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada and a lighter yet strong wing design.
When the 8X takes to the skies, it will arguably have one of the most sophisticated and elegant cockpits in the air, based on EASy, Dassault’s custom implementation of Honeywell’s Primus Epic System. EASy improves pilot situational awareness through technologies such as synthetic vision, thereby substantially enhancing safety. With some fanfare, Dassualt Aviation announced that the Falcon 8X maiden test flight was successfully executed in early 2015.
“Throughout the (maiden) flight, the Falcon 8X demonstrated excellent handling qualities, the hallmark of all Dassault Aviation aircraft,” says Eric Gérard, Dassault Aviation’s test pilot. “We reached each of the performance objectives set for the first mission and, in a few cases, surpassed target goals.” He adds: “This early achievement
reflects Dassault Aviation’s half century of experience in the business aviation industry. Dassault Aviation’s state-of-the-art military aircraft know-how enables us to design and build business jets that combine exceptional reliability, flight handling and technical capabilities with unmatched cabin comfort and operating economics.”
As all business jet manufacturers, Dassault Aviation is proactively searching for ways to best its own previous accomplishments. Given the expected improvements in performance, comfort and efficiency over the already highly acclaimed Falcon 7X, the 8X is poised to earn the crown as the flagship Falcon.
WINGS
26 JETGALA
WIDE-BODY AIRCRAFT INTERIORS FOR THE DESIGNATED FEW
GREENPOINT TECHNOLOGIES
by Jim Gregory
WINGS
28 JETGALA28 JETGALA
hen a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) needs character and personality, the people behind Greenpoint Technologies get to work. This dynamic group designs, engineers and builds custom aircraft interiors for heads of state and privileged
high-net-worth individuals, and excels at creating bespoke interiors with a single-minded focus on the customer.
Fashioning elite aircraft interiors for Boeing’s stellar line of large scale, continent-hopping executive jets is Greenpoint’s Design Director’s speciality. Annika Svore Wicklund comes equipped with a degree in art and mathematics, and a career development stint at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. She has put her talents to work on numerous BBJs over the past 10 years.
Case in point: Greenpoint’s latest 747-8 interior completion that is a design tour de force. From the warm
FROM TOP
The 747-8 stateroom
Greenpoint’s Design Director Annika Svore Wicklund
OPPOSITE PAGE
The aft lounge of Greenpoint’s latest 747-8 interior completion
29JETGALA
toned understated elegance of the impressive dining room with ample room for 14 diners, to the stately and relaxing lounge finished in muted tones, its colour palette is both a visual and sensory experience. Individually designed and finished staterooms comport to the stylishness of the interior experience. The spacious lounges — one in the main cabin and a private one on the 747’s signature upper deck — contribute to the plane’s persona and personality.
“We work with clients from all over the world, so one of the most challenging parts of the design process is embracing each culture and establishing an interior that meets their intrinsic passions”, says Wicklund.
Each plane takes on a persona of its own that’s centred on the influences of its owner. The personality often depends on the owner’s involvement. “If the vessel is for their personal use, you may be able to write a novel about its creation. If it’s a corporate interior, a short story may do”, she says.
The purpose of a business jet interior, from Greenpoint’s perspective, is the starting point for design. The easiest form solution, for example a box, is not typically the designer’s best choice. Materials and technologies constantly evolve to allow more options to fit function into different shapes and sizes. Greenpoint balances those influences to achieve a symphony of both art and form in the sky.
“The teams at each facility work together on every program, representing true vertical integration. Our clients receive the same dedication, quality and on-time delivery they expect from Greenpoint”, says CEO Scott Goodey. The company’s strategic goals emphasise the customer experience by incorporating quality, commitment and craftsmanship into every BBJ that passes through its hangar doors.
GREENPOINT BALANCES THE EVOLUTION OF MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES TO ACHIEVE A SYMPHONY OF BOTH ART AND FORM IN THE SKY
The aft stateroom
The lounge and master suite lounge area
WINGS
30 JETGALA
T: +971 (0)4 870 1800 | www.dc-aviation.ae | an Al-Futtaim joint venture
AN EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE, EVERY TIME
Passion for excellence is our trademark. In everything we do, our goal is to meet and surpass your expectations. Our highly trained staff is always on hand to ensure your complete satisfaction, both on the ground and in the air. And our unrivalled facilities
guarantee your comfort and convenience every time you fly.
HOW FAR CAN A ONE-HOUR FLIGHT TRULY TAKE YOU? In the case of the Airbus E-Fan, far into the future. This is not just another timid foray into the high-potential arena of electric flight. Airbus — accustomed to future-gazing and able to develop concepts with their engineering capabilities, experience, and industry relationships — took a look at existing e-flight projects, saw what could be done better, and decided to do it. They created a design from scratch, and demonstrated to the world at last year’s Farnborough International Airshow that they had been likely right to do so.
AIRBUS E-FAN
by Katrina A. Balmaceda
AN ELECTRIFIED VISION, DESIGNED FROM SCRATCH
WINGS
32 JETGALA
FROM TOP
The Airbus E-Fan
A view of the thrust concept
An artist’s impression of the E-Fan
OPPOSITE PAGE
The E-Fan can remain aloft for about an hour at a maximum speed of 160 km/h
AIRBUS TOOK A LOOK AT EXISTING E-FLIGHT PROJECTS, SAW WHAT COULD BE DONE BETTER,
AND DECIDED TO DO IT
At the core of the E-Fan design is its all-electrical propulsion, says Emmanuel Joubert, head of the propulsion system team at Airbus Group Innovations. This is provided by two ducted, variable-pitch fans, each spun by an electric motor powered by a series of rechargeable 250-volt lithium-ion polymer batteries. Ducting improves thrust while the location of the engines close to the aircraft’s centreline ensures better controllability.
With a combined power of 60 kilowatts, the engines enable the 600 kg, two-seater prototype to remain aloft for about an hour at a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Taxiing and acceleration reach 60km/h during take off, with the aft main wheel powered by a separate six-kilowatt electric motor, thus reducing the toll on the propulsion engine. This also allows runway operations to be conducted without the typical roaring noise of aircraft — a future possible advantage for flight planning.
This sense of a whisper, as well as the lack of cabin vibration, continues throughout the flight, implying prospective applications for passenger aircraft. “There are other electric airplanes available but with glider properties. This really has more of the properties of a standard private plane,” says Detlef Müller-Wiesner, Airbus’ head of e-aircraft programme, in a video on the manufacturer’s website. While the current demonstrator targets pilot training, Airbus’ longer-term vision includes a four-seater E-Fan, an all-electric helicopter, and a 90-seat passenger regional airliner with fully electric or hybrid propulsion. The company also aims to meet the European Commission’s Flightpath 2050 targets for aircraft, which include a 75 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions starting from the year 2000.
33JETGALA
THE FLYING TIGERS
by Jim Gregory
THE PLANES THAT WENT TO BATTLE WITH BARED TEETH AND GUNS BLAZING
The 3rd Squadron “Hell’s Angels” flying over China in 1942
WINGS
34 JETGALA
hey were mercenaries who flew for a few short months only after World War II began. But the Flying Tigers, known officially as the American Volunteer Group (AVG), established a sterling air combat record over China and provided a ray of hope for a world
reeling from armed aggression on a global scale. During some of the darkest days of the Second
Sino-Japanese War in the late 1930s, Japanese bombers targeted Chinese cities that had not yet been overrun by Japanese forces intent on acquiring economic resources, food and labour.
The Chinese Air Force at the time seemed incapable of fighting back the aggressors.
China’s Madame Chiang Kai-shek (also known as Soong May-ling) reached out to Claire L. Chennault, then a captain in the US Army Air Corps. He retired from active duty and began a confidential mission to survey the Chinese Air Force.
As the air war started to deteriorate in 1941, Chennault overcame resistance from the US military establishment and talked President Franklin D. Roosevelt into supplying 100 ill-equipped Curtiss-Wright P-40B fighters. Roughly the same number of paid mercenaries joined up, recruited from the ranks of former US Army Air Corps, Navy and Marine pilots, along with necessary ground support and maintenance crews.
FROM TOP
A P-40 Warhawk painted with the Flying Tigers shark face at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Flight leader and fighter ace Robert “R.T.” Smith stands next to his P-40 fighter. The “Flying Tiger” insignia was created by the Walt Disney Company
35JETGALA
Chennault threw out conventional wisdom on how to fight aerial combat. Using his knowledge of Japanese bomber and fighter tactics, along with applying flight characteristics of his less agile but more heavily armoured P-40Bs, Chennault’s men outmanoeuvred the enemy. His pilots assaulted enemy aircraft in teams from an altitude advantage, since their P-40s were not as nimble or numerous as the Japanese fighters they faced.
The world famous Flying Tigers shark teeth painted on the noses of their P-40s originated from an illustration in India Illustrated Weekly depicting a British squadron in the Libyan Desert with shark-nose P-40s. Before that, some German Messerschmitt 210 fighters sported a shark-tooth design.
Chennault himself never knew where the Flying Tiger name originated. The group first saw combat 12 days after Pearl Harbor. It achieved notable success during the lowest period of the war for American and Allied Forces, giving hope to Americans and Chinese that they would eventually succeed against the Japanese.
Before disbanding in July of 1942, the Flying Tigers became the stuff of legends. Of their extraordinary combat performance, Chennault said “Although the AVG was bloodied over China, it was the air battles over Rangoon that stamped the hallmark on its fame as the Flying Tigers. The cold statistics for the 10 weeks the AVG served at Rangoon show its strength varied between 20 and five serviceable P-40s. This tiny force met a total of a thousand-odd Japanese aircraft over Southern Burma and Thailand. In 31 encounters, they destroyed 217 enemy planes and probably destroyed 43. Our losses in combat were four pilots killed in the air, one killed while strafing and one taken prisoner.”
That kind of exceptional performance in the rigours of combat earned the Flying Tigers worldwide fame and gratitude that lives to this day.
FROM TOP
A Kittyhawk Mark III of 112 Squadron, taxiing through scrub at Medenine, Tunisia
The Flying Tigers
A “blood chit” issued to the Flying Tigers. The Chinese characters read: “This foreign person has come to China to help in the war effort. Soldiers and civilians, one and all, should rescue and protect him”
Claire Lee Chennault in his Kunming office in May 1942
WINGS
36 JETGALA
You have made your mark in the world; now let it show in your aircraft. AERIA Luxury Interiors can capture your distinctive style, personal taste, and particular vision with exquisite craftsmanship and uncompromising quality. The AERIA team specializes in Boeing and Airbus airframes with VIP completions on more than 50 aircraft. Visit us at www.aeriainteriors.com or call +1 210 293 6925.
Turn your private luxury dreams into your trademark.
AERIA Luxury Interiors, 9800 John Saunders Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216, U.S.A. The Luxury of Experience.
WINGS
38 JETGALA
CIVILIAN DRONES
by Steve Slater
THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT, AS WE NEVER EXPECTED TO SEE IT
TODAY’S FASTEST GROWING MARKET IN AVIATION? Composite aircraft with geared turbofans? Or supersonic business jets? Think again, because winged innovation is truly reaching for the skies now, while leaving the flight deck safely on the ground. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), widely referred to as drones, are taking off in droves. Drones have moved on from military spyware or glorified toy helicopters, to smart and practical devices used for business or pleasure — and military applications, of course.
With sizes ranging from that of a business card, to behemoths made for heavy lifting, the variety of drones and their numerous purposes are staggering and growing. Better batteries and gyro stabilisers, and fast-improving camera and control techniques mean they are improving with every generation. And while governments, as always, lag woefully behind in their quest to regulate this advancing technology, Jetgala takes a look at some of the more recent models.
Drones are now taking off in droves with new launches and updates every other day
39JETGALA
A state-of-the-art quad-rotor design, with an auto-stabilised flight control system which features ‘one-click’ take off and landing controls. A payload of up to 800 g allows the X-Star to carry a stabilised three-axis gimbal-mounted camera. A key feature is an ‘Ultra Intuitive’ mobile app, which allows GPS waypoint flight navigation, remote camera control and flight configuration — all controlled from a mobile phone.
The X4 is produced by the Shenzhen Hubsan Technology Company, originally a research, production and sales company for hobbies and toys. But the X4 Pro is anything but a toy. It carries a high-definition 1080p camera mounted on a three-axis gimbal mount, which can rotate laterally through 145 degrees to allow vertical views to be shot. It can also stream real-time images from up to 1000 m away and should contact with the vehicle be lost, a parachute is automatically deployed to allow a safe recovery without damage to either the drone or those below.
SAFETY AND LEGISLATION
The use of drones, both privately and
commercially by surveyors, utilities, news
organisations, farmers and delivery firms
(Amazon and DHL are exploring their use
for high-speed parcel delivery) has grown,
but so have concerns regarding safety risks
and illegal use. In a number of countries, air
space regulators are increasingly clamping
down on the misuse of unmanned aerial
vehicles.
There are already signs that both
fools and malicious minds have been
finding a use for drones. In Dubai, an
airport was recently shut down for nearly
an hour because of a recreational drone
flying too close to the runways. Last
year, a drone carrying more than three
kg of methamphetamine was found after
it crashed near the San Ysidro border
between Mexico and the US.
In January, a major worry for security
services was highlighted by the arrival
of a drone on the lawns of the White
House in Washington. Apparently, the
small recreational drone strayed into the
residential grounds by accident, but the
incident raised a serious question: what if a
drone were to be used by terrorists to harm
others?
The Federal Aviation Administration
recently issued basic rules for private
drones which include staying below a
height of 500 ft, operating at speeds less
than 100 mph and staying away from
populated areas and airports, as well as
keeping the craft in view at all times. Similar,
and oft-times tougher, regulations apply
elsewhere. Commercial operators of small
UAS weighing less than 55 pounds will also
have to pass an FAA knowledge test every
two years and their aircraft will have to be
registered under regulations proposed in a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released by
the FAA and the DOT Sunday. The simple
rule to follow is this: before buying a drone,
make sure it is legal to use it.
WINGS
40 JETGALA
U.S. +1.844.44.TXTAV | International +1.316.517.8270 | Beechcraft.com
©2015 Beechcraft Corporation. All rights reserved. Beechcraft and King Air are registered trademarks of the Beechcraft Corporation.
Weight. Take more.
Take off in your new King Air® 250 with 870 lb of extra payload.Another 870 lb of allowable payload to set you free. Bulk up your cargo. Extend your trips.
Multiply your missions. Because your max takeoff weight just soared from 12,500 lb to
13,420 lb. Just order the Enhanced Payload option on your new King Air 250. And put
another 870 lb in your flight plans.
The Ghost drone is created by Ehang, an international team of flight enthusiasts and adventurers who are committed to removing the barriers to drone use, so everyone can enjoy aerial filming. They claim that the Ghost is the world’s easiest drone to fly, because it’s controlled by a smart phone app — meaning there is no bulky RC controller to carry around. Simply direct the drone through one-click commands on the phone.
The Trace takes quadcopter and camera technology to new levels with an integrated smart camera that can select and automatically follow a subject, capturing exceptional video and, if required, instantly broadcast it to online social networks. The TraceR1 camera is slotted into a purpose-made high-speed quadcopter base which then uses the company’s proprietary technology to lock on to the desired subject and automatically follow its every move.
WINGS
42 JETGALA
David Coulthard.13-time Formula 1 Grand Prix Winner and Wings For Life Ambassador.
FATE DOESN’T ASK. IT COULD ALSO BE ME. OR YOU.
SPINAL CORD INJURY MUST BECOME CURABLE.In funding the best research projects worldwide focusing on the cure of spinal cord injury, the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation ensures top-level medical and scientific progress. We assure that hundred percent of all donations are invested in spinal cord research.
Your contribution makes a difference.
Donate online at www.wingsforlife.com
Free advertisement.
FOR THE GLOBAL GOOD
In February 2015, a new international
competition demonstrated the ability of
drones to enhance life across the planet.
The inaugural “Drones for Good” contest —
created in association with the government
of the UAE — received over 800
submissions from 57 different countries.
The goal of the competition is to
highlight advanced research into drones and
accelerate their application in humanitarian,
development and public service applications.
A notable semi-finalist aimed to tackle
global climate change by planting one billion
trees per year with a fleet of drones. Mining,
agriculture and urban expansion destroys
26 billion trees per year. But Oxford-based
BioCarbon Engineering has developed
“precision forestry” planting technologies
integrated with unmanned aerial vehicles. In
contrast to human planters, who typically
plant up to 3,000 seeds a day, the drones
can plant up to 36,000 seeds a day, even in
otherwise impenetrable locations.
But the winner of the USD 1 million
prize for the best use of civilian drones for
improving people’s lives was the Gimball drone by a Lausanne, Switzerland-based
company called Flyability. The small
lightweight drone can be used in disaster
relief operations. It has unique capabilities of
being able to collide with obstacles without
losing its stability and of being safe to fly in
contact with humans.
Awards were also given to a team from
NYU Abu Dhabi, who created a ‘Wadi drone’
capable of documenting the diversity of the
UAE’s wildlife by gathering images of different
wadi’s flora and fauna. Etisalat, the Emirates
Telecommunications Corporation, also
received an award for the best government
service using drones. The Etisalat drones
can instantly extend network coverage,
which can be used to save lives by linking up
inaccessibly remote locations, such as off-
shore oil rigs or ocean vessels.
Built by 3DR, North America’s largest personal drone company, the Iris+ is designed to automatically fly itself wherever you tell it to go, while keeping its GoPro Hero 4 camera dead steady with two-axis gimbal stabilisation. Tablet-based software allows you to simply highlight the destination on a map, fly to it and film the area. As a safety precaution, the Iris+ will land itself automatically or return to a pre-designated home point if it travels out of range or runs out of battery power.
Developed in California, the AirDog is the world’s first autonomous personal action sports drone. No remote control skills are needed: simply unfold and switch on the drone, strap the programmable remote on your wrist or helmet and the AirDog will automatically launch and follow you wherever you go. Active gyro stabilisation guarantees that the GoPro video footage is stable, smooth, and always level with the horizon. Zipping along at up to 70 km/h, AirDog can keep up with even the speediest of action sports.
The Gimball drone by Flyability
WINGS
44 JETGALA
The World Leader in Aviation Market Intelligence800.553.8638 +1.315.797.4420 jetnet.com
KNOW MORE.
GARY DUNN Client since 1996 Vice President of Sales, Aviation Partners, Inc.
“Knowing more has helped us become the world leader in advanced winglet technology, so we rely on JETNET’s world-leading information for market research and prospecting.
“We provide outstanding products and build trusting business relationships with clients, and JETNET does the same for us. Their team always comes through—they’re indispensable.”
VISIT THE JETNET EXHIBIT AT THE EBACE SHOW, MAY 19-21 IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, BOOTH #Y077
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A LOVE FOR NATURE AND THE BEAUTY OF FLIGHT, set course for the town of Pokhara in Nepal to enjoy an ethereal experience amidst the mountains and over the meandering rivers.
In 1996, Ms Natasha Shrestha decided that Nepal was an ideal location to offer a wide range of flight tourism services, heralding the launch of Avia Club Nepal. After nearly 20 years of operation, her dream has become a soaring success: almost 30,000 customers have since logged nearly 15,000 flight hours.
Avia Club Nepal offers a wide range of experiences and services, such as ultralight scenic flights, paragliding, paramotoring and skydiving. Their commercial customers include film and television studios such as the BBC, whose program Himalaya about a six-month trek around the mountain range was hosted by British television personality, Michael Palin. The company also aids scientists to conduct studies in areas such as climate change.
EXPERIENCING THE HIMALAYAS IN A MOST PERSONAL AND UNFORGETTABLE WAY
AVIA CLUB NEPAL
by Jim Simon
WINGS
46 JETGALA
The most popular flight service offered by Avia Club Nepal is ultralight flight, as no pilot experience is required
While these commercial aspects of the business are steady, Avia Club Nepal’s flight tourism services are responsible for putting the company name on the map. The most popular service is ultralight flight, as no pilot experience is required. One of the Club’s pilots will simply sit side by side with the customer and traverse some of the most incredible scenery, such as the snowcapped twin peaks of Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail) Mountain.
With a necessary emphasis on safety, Avia Club Nepal employs a team of 12 experienced pilots. The club’s ultralight aircraft can also glide should there be a power interruption. And for an added layer of safety, each ultralight is equipped with a ballistic parachute that assures a soft landing, even in inhospitable locations. Customers are also advised in advance that they should be prepared for a shorter than planned, or even scrubbed, flight if flying conditions are not ideal.
To add to an unforgettable ride, Avia Club Nepal loans out GoPro cameras for you to record videos of flights on. Customers may also use their own cameras during flight if doing so falls under safety regulations. aviaclubnepal.com
47JETGALA
AEROBATIC TACTICS
by Sandy Tan
ASPIRING AVIATORS TAKE LICENSE TO SOAR AND SURF THE WIND
WINGS
48 JETGALA
RICHARD PICKINS FIRST FELL IN LOVE WITH FLYING AT THE AGE OF FIVE, WHEN HIS FATHER PAID TEN SHILLINGS OR 50 PENCE FOR A 15 MINUTE JOY RIDE. Today, Pickins has over 40 years of pilot experience, including over 25 years as a member of the British Unlimited Aerobatic Team. When asked how he imagines the future of aviation, Pickins says that once sonic boom can be reduced, supersonic flights will take off and more automation is inevitable. “But I do not see the time when the cockpit will not have a pilot on board,” he adds.
Four years ago, Pickins joined Aerobatic Tactics, a company that provides opportunities to experience the joy of flying by signing up for training, experience flights and wing walking. The company, based in Headcorn, Kent, was founded in 2010 by chief pilot Tony Richards. He has flown a wide range of aircraft — from gliders to World War II fighters — and has been a wing walk pilot for over 10 years. Aerobatic Tactics also hosts aerobatic displays and provides services for filming and television.
OPPOSITE PAGE The wing walking experience lasts 10 minutes
Get strapped to a five-point harness atop an aircraft for an unforgettable view from the air
Experience flights range from 20 to 60 minute durations in which one learns to control the aircraft when flying straight, level or in a turn. These can be counted towards obtaining a private pilot’s license. Licensed pilots can hone their experience in tailwheel conversions, advanced handling and safety training, aerobatics loops and rolls, competition aerobatics, formation flying and display pilot training. Wing walking flights, considered an alternative to parachute jumping, includes zooms and climbs of up to 130 mph (209 km/h).
Some of the popular aircraft flown by Aerobatic Tactics include the Boeing Stearman, a 1930s American military trainer fitted with a rig for wing walking. The Tiger Moth, a 1930s vintage biplane — used to train pilots leading up to and during World War II — is ideal for nostalgia flights around southern England. “Flying around England in the summer is just beautiful,” says Pickins. “Flying home in the evening when the air is calm with perfect visibility is such a privilege.”
UP CLOUD SURFING
The Wyp Wingboard, while still in development, may possibly
enable aviators and adrenaline junkies to soar through the
sky. Shaped like the wings of an albatross, the Wingboard
is created by aeronautical engineer and flight test engineer
Aaron “Wyp” Wypyszynski, who founded Chicago-based
Wyp Aviation. A rider would assume a snowboarding or
wakeboarding position on the wing while being towed by an
aircraft. A key design feature is its Y-shaped tow rope that
improves aerodynamics and provides stability to the rider. The
Wingboard would be solely controlled by the rider’s position
— by leaning backwards, forwards and rotating to the sides —
and supported by force sensors embedded in foot bindings
and the tow bar. Pending first full scale manned flights, the ride
would launch from a rolling take off, similar to gliders. Riders
may either choose normal landing or disconnect from the tow
line and deploy the parachute for landing.
49JETGALA
ANY SELF-RESPECTING SCI-FI MOVIE WILL MAKE IT A POINT TO FEATURE FLYING CARS RACING ABOUT IN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL SETTING. It is a highly alluring concept, especially to people whose daily commute includes a grinding stint on a gridlocked highway. And it is one of the favourite subjects for futurists, brought up on a diet of The Jetsons or Starship Enterprise. But look around you, and all you see is that we are still driving around in surface-bound vehicles, not much different from those piloted by our parents and grandparents.
Yet, there is something inevitable about sexy technology, which has a way to materialise when its time has come. And now, for US$85,000, you can apparently buy your very own flying motorcycle, and have it delivered to you as early as 2017. Built by California-based Aerofex Corp, their Aero-X is a hovercraft they claim will ride like a motorcycle, and is designed for low-altitude sport and utility, bridging the gap between a light aircraft and an all-terrain vehicle.
The concept sounds very familiar, of course, and many will argue that the Hoverbike by Malloy Aeronautics is rather a similar invention. But there are key differences between the Hoverbike, which is still in the prototype stage, and the Aero-X. The former can hover at more than 10,000 ft, travel at almost 280 km/h, and can even fly unmanned. The Aero-X, on the other hand, comes with a maximum altitude of 12 ft, and a maximum airspeed of 72 km/h respectively. It also requires a hands-on pilot to manoeuvre it. Inevitably, the type of excursions and how they are used will be vastly different. Either way, it bodes well for those of us who can’t wait to take off from our front lawn. Read about Mercier-Jones’ hovercraft on p108. aerofex.com
LOOMING ON THE HORIZON, THE NEXT BEST THING TO A FLYING CAR
AERO-X
by Koh Chuin Ying
Images courtesy of Aerofex
WINGS
50 JETGALA
FLARIS JET
by Jim Gregory
FLYING ON THE GO IN A NEW CATEGORY OF LIGHTWEIGHT JETS
WINGS
52 JETGALA
EVER SINCE ROGER MOORE DEFTLY PILOTED THE EXTREMELY SMALL BD-5J JET THROUGH OVERWHELMING DANGER in the opening sequence of the 1983 Bond film Octopussy, the dapper set has fantasised about a personal light jet of their own. In the film, Bond evades anti-aircraft guns, cruise missiles and manages a narrow escape through the enemy’s hangar — all in a bid to eventually get the girl.
Since then, an even dozen Very Light Jet programs have been cancelled or fell dormant, victims of high development costs, technical issues or a weak market. Few have succeeded, and none that have a lone engine. That is, until the four passenger “very very” light jet Flaris LAR 1.
As the lightest jet on the market with characteristics of a glider, it weighs (without fuel) about the same as Daimler’s tiny two-person Smart Car.
The secret to Flaris’ performance, anticipated at 700 kph with a 2,600 km range with two passengers and baggage, is its composite construction and modern wind tunnel tested aerodynamics. The jet’s manufacturer, Metal-Master has yet to announce its selection of a jet engine.
Flaris LAR 1 is designed to takeoff and land on short 250 m grass airstrips or small airports. This permits future owners to avoid large airports and land closer to their destinations. The wings can be detached in five minutes, which will permit storage in a large garage and transport on a trailer to a close runway.
Pre-orders for the plane begins this May
OPPOSITE PAGE
The Flaris Lar 1 jet
FROM TOP
The first Flaris flight will take place this year
The avionics of the jet
The European Aviation Safety Agency is expected to certify the Flaris after its test flight regime. In the meantime, Metal-Master plans to validate the aircraft under the Polish Civil Aviation Authority’s experimental aircraft designation for more eager customers. New aircraft deliveries might begin as early as 2016.
The jet set now has something to look forward to.
53JETGALA
WINGS OVER ASIA
by Rainer Sigel
THE ANNUAL ASIA AVIATORS GATHERING DRAWS AIRCRAFT, OWNER-PILOTS AND ENTHUSIASTS
One of the Daher TBM900 & TBM850 turboprops flown in by a WOA member who attended the event
WINGS
54 JETGALA
ORGANISED BY SINGAPORE-BASED WINGSOVERASIA, THIS YEAR’S GATHERING OF GENERAL AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS DREW OWNERS, PILOTS AND FLYING BUFFS FROM AROUND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. It was held at the opulent Rancho Charnvee Resort, located 100 km north-east of Bangkok in the Khao Yai hills, complete with its very own 1,200 m runway, 18-hole par 72 golf course with club house, horse riding facilities, and a well-run resort with 62 deluxe rooms and private villas.
The two-day gathering was attended by Jetgala, and attracted several private aircraft, flown in from
as far away as Singapore, and representatives of Cessna, Cirrus, Piper and Daher. WingsOverAsia Founder Ng Yeow Meng organises these annual events as part of his greater vision to promote a strong and vibrant General Aviation sector in Southeast Asia www.wingsoverasia.com
FROM TOP
The resort style valet pick-up for the private aircraft arrivals
Jetgala magazines on display at the event
FROM TOP
Thai WOA pilot member and Asia PGA professional golfer Pariya Junhasavasdikul test flying the Cirrus SR22G5
Pariya Junhasavasdikul arriving at the private airfield within the Rancho Charnvee Golf Resort
55JETGALA
INCORPORATED IN SINGAPORE IN 1990, PACIFIC FLIGHT SERVICES (PFS) IS A FULLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ST AEROSPACE. Based at Seletar Aerospace Park, PFS is one of the largest aircraft charter companies in the Asia Pacific region, with a busy fleet of Gulfstream, Learjet and KingAir aircraft. PFS also prides itself as a socially responsible company, dedicating its resources to aero medical evacuation. PFS’s General Manager, Ms Loke Geok Wan, is responsible for the direction, growth and leadership of PFS.
Q: What kind of services does Pacific Flight Services (PFS) offer?PFS offers a full suite of air charter services ranging from executive and leisure travel to aero medical evacuation operations worldwide. PFS manages close to 10 business jets, covering a seating capacity of six to 16 passengers and a flight range of 2,500 to 12,500 km. From Singapore, direct flights can be arranged to cities in Asia and
PACIFIC FLIGHT
CREATING SYNERGY BETWEEN PRIVATE CHARTER AND AERO MEDICAL TRAVEL
Australia, as well as most destinations in Europe. Farther locations like San Francisco or New York only require one fuel stop. PFS also offers air ambulance and charter flights to multiple destinations.
Q: How is PFS unique from other aircraft management and private charter companies and why?PFS strives to ensure successful mission delivery for both executive travel and aeromedical evacuations globally. For executive travel, PFS aims to provide customers with the ability to travel anytime, anywhere. Seats can be converted to full-flat beds or even a queen-sized bed. Leather seats, wooden finishes and luxurious amenities also render the journey more pleasant for the customer. Passengers can also enjoy in-flight entertainment, thanks to impressive audio-visual systems with the latest movies in-store.
When it comes to aero medical evacuation, time is of the essence. Within three hours of activation, the aircraft can be deployed with a stretcher system, medical equipment and
WINGS
56 JETGALA
PFS also offers air ambulance and charter flights to multiple destinations
The aircraft can be deployed with a stretcher system, medical equipment and supplies on-board
supplies on-board. In the aircraft, the patient is attended to by a two-person medical team comprising of a doctor and a nurse. PFS performs around 400 medical emergency flights regionally a year, in partnership with key medical and insurance specialists worldwide.
In addition, PFS has the advantage of leveraging the ST Aerospace group’s MRO leadership position and global network. PFS is able to perform aircraft technical management effectively within a very quick turnaround time. Equipped with a cabin crew and flight operation department that are both capable and efficient, PFS aims to provide integrated jet charter services with the utmost security, without making any compromises to flight safety.
Q: You provide aeromedical services, complementing ST Aerospace group’s traditional MRO activity. Are these services a way to expand your international reach?Since 1975, ST Aerospace has been traditionally focussed on engineering and MRO activities and has established a proven track record in the sector as well as an extensive global footprint. In order to keep up with the times, the group has also been steadily moving up the value chain over the years to provide integrated aviation services like aircraft leasing, pilot training, commercial and VIP cabin interior reconfiguration, and passenger-to-freighter conversions.
In 1990, PFS started flight operations to complement ST Aerospace’s core businesses and to venture into a new sphere of activity. Today, PFS has helped expand the group’s business portfolio beyond MRO and widen the customer base, which mainly included airlines and freight forwarders. By providing aeromedical services, PFS has entered the health care and insurance arena, where time is crucial and every second counts. With the support of its medical partners, PFS has flown patients to destinations all around the world.
Q: How are the travel demands of VIP clients today different from five years ago?The nature of executive charter has evolved from pure luxury expenditure to a kind of lifestyle and/or corporate need. Clients are gradually seeing the benefits of ‘time saving’ through the use of air charter flights. The Asia-Pacific region, for instance, is a region of fast-growing economies, where the trend of chartered flights is slowly picking up. Clients are starting to appreciate the benefits of taking multiple private flights a day in order to meet their corporate business objectives.
There is also an increasing number of VIP customers who are making use of executive charter to organise family trips and devote quality time to their loved ones. Customers today have also become more concerned with the quality of technical maintenance administered on the charter aircraft in order to be assured of utmost flight security onboard.
Q: What are your thoughts on Singapore’s private aviation scene? Where can it be improved and why?The local private aviation scene has grown extensively thanks to the government’s policy to attract high value industries to set up headquarters in the country. At the same time, Seletar Aerospace Park has become the base for numerous private jet operators. As a regional aviation hub with a high-traffic airspace, I am convinced that Singapore has the necessary infrastructure and pre-requisites to allow private aviation to grow in the region.
Q: What can we expect from PFS in the next five years?Our key objectives are to strive for business expansion in the Asia Pacific region, expand our aircraft fleet, enhance our aircraft management portfolio and continue building our aircraft type capability to serve new customers.
Q: Why do you like being in the aviation business?Since young, aviation has always been my passion. After graduation. I started working at ST Aerospace as an avionics design engineer. Through embarking on a major aircraft upgrade project, I realised that aviation projects go way beyond pure engineering work. Later on, I learnt about the commercial and legal aspects involved in an aviation project, as well as valuable knowledge about industrial regulations, supplier management, customers’ expectations etc. When I took over the management of PFS, I went on to discover the sphere of dynamic and volatile business negotiations, which was completely new to me.
57JETGALA
The SAM LS aircraft
FLYING TAKES OFF FOR A NOSTALGIC SPIN IN ONE OF THE LATEST LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT
SAM LS AIRCRAFT
by Jim Simon
WINGS
58 JETGALA
AT FIRST GLANCE, ONE MAY MISTAKE THE SAM LS AIRCRAFT FOR A WELL-MAINTAINED WARBIRD FROM BYGONE TIMES. In fact, the SAM LS is an ultramodern yet retro looking plane for the light sport aviation enthusiast.
Designed and manufactured near Montreal by SAM Aircraft, a small Canadian company, this all-metal beauty has room for both pilot and co-pilot in a tandem seating arrangement. The design also incorporates a traditional greenhouse canopy top, complete with funky Art Deco wheel pants. For an especially invigorating experience, pilots may remove the canopy before flight to feel the rush of air and enjoy natural air conditioning.
While the SAM LS exterior appears retro, the interior integrates some of the latest advances in avionics and safety. The front seat includes a 10” Dynon SkyView LCD multi-function display (MFD) that incorporates the traditional “six pack” instruments plus terrain and position information. As a backup, critical analogue instruments are on standby. Other key safety features include a welded protection cage and an optional aircraft parachute.
As is common with light sport aircraft, the SAM
LS derives its power from a reliable 100 hp Rotax 912s engine. Sipping fuel at approximately five gallons per hour, the SAM LS has a four hour endurance enabling pilots to travel close to 500 miles between refuelling stops.
SAM Aircraft was founded in 2009 as a privately-owned company with financial backing by the Canadian and provincial government. Founder and President Thierry Zibi shares his inspiration for launching the company: “The power of dreams is a powerful force in aviation. It gave me the strength six years ago to envision SAM Aircraft as it is today. The SAM LS is fun, safe, unique and stylish. It will touch your heart.”
But sometime late last year, Mr. Zibi announced that he is seeking to sell his company. “Why, after so much work — design, fixturing, a successful flight test, certification, and orders — would it be a good time to sell the company?” asks Zibi. “I came to the realisation that I love designing airplanes, but I am not so keen on running a production company.”
SAM LS continues to be available for purchase in several different liveries from the factory. A typically configured aircraft runs about US$131,000. www.sam-aircraft.com
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
An aerial view
The aircraft’s interior features some of the latest advances in avionics and safety
A SOLIDWORKS design of the aircraft
59JETGALA
LUXE
A LOOK BEHIND THE PAPER WALLS OF JAPAN’S LUXURY RYOKANS
JAPANESE RYOKANS
by Syahmin Ritzwan
LUXE
62 JETGALA
LUXE
An aerial view of Oyado the Earth
63JETGALA
But perhaps doing so as a gesture of kindness, generosity and homecoming is the time that one looks forward to the most. To experience this in its most sincere form, Jetgala invites you to stay at one of Japan’s many ryokans spread across the scenic spots of the country.
These traditional Japanese inns are usually found on the outskirts of cities. Overshadowed by the bright lights of Tokyo or Osaka, it is often forgotten that less than 10 per cent of the country’s land area account for residential and industrial use. Instead, looming mountains and dense forests cover the greater part of Japan. These areas are considered objects of worship and deemed of great value to Japanese culture — and where our exploration of some of the best hotels and resorts in the world takes us to this issue.
These inns have a history of over 1,300 years since the country’s Edo period (1603-1868) and are usually family-run businesses passed down through generations. Most of them resemble caves and were initially built to provide a sheltered place for travellers to rest and stay. Now, they have become choice destinations for those in search of secluded retreats.
Simplicity is key in Japanese culture and many traditional Japanese inns practice the art of minimalism — from interior to food décor. This enables guests to fully immerse themselves in nature and allow for sensory indulgence.
When staying at ryokans, expect to witness the beauty of the changing seasons. Fall in love with the true taste of ocha (green tea) served by graceful ladies draped in yukata (traditional Japanese clothing). And experience the finest omotenashi — the traditional spirit of hospitality that has been around for centuries and is still practised to make guests feel completely at home during the duration of their stay.
These inns are where Japanese hospitality can be at its finest, and nature at its most beautiful. Jetgala takes you on a journey to some of the top ryokans in the Land of the Rising Sun.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
The Tsuyama Castle
An abalone dish popular during Summer
LUXE
64 JETGALA
LUXE
One instantly observes the Zen-inspired interior of Beniya Mukayu, with its clean lines and spacious open-air areas. The space, true to its name mukayu — which means non-existence or the natural state — plays with natural shades and light with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow guests to connect with the natural surroundings.
Located on a hill overlooking Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture (famous for hot springs), the traditional inn houses 17 Japanese- and Western-style rooms, each with an attached open-air hot spring bath. ‘Less is more’ is the design concept of the rooms as the focus is definitely on the onsen. While having a dip, guests can take in the spectacular views of an authentic Japanese garden where old cherry trees augustly stand.
Beniya Mukayu encourages guests to rest and relax by attending the complimentary daily morning yoga lessons conducted at the Horin Meditation Hall. Alternatively, you may want to consider trying the signature Yakushiyama (“Mount of the Healing Buddha”) treatment at Entei Spa. The award-winning spa uses hot spring water and various medicinal herbs and plants for reinvigoration and rejuvenation.
Ryokans typically also promote the quality of their food. At Beniya Mukayu, fine fare like Kaga-style kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine) consisting of the freshest seasonal seafood and ingredients promise hearty meals and rave reviews.
Beniya Mukayu is a member of Relais & Châteaux — a global fellowship of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants — for excellent service and amenities. Guests are encouraged to visit in April to catch the pink cherry blossoms in full bloom.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT
The Wakamurasaki Suite
The medicinal herbs and plants used at Entei Spa
The outdoor area of Horin Meditation Hall
Take a stroll along the authentic Japanese garden within the premise
65JETGALA 65
ANTI-CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
An attached outdoor bath to its suite
A Bizen sword-making session
“Zei no Gozen” kaiseki course
A private lodge
Observe the swaying and rustling sound of bamboo trees
An attached outdoor bath facing the bamboo forest
Coexist with nature at Takefue, surrounded by lush bamboo forests. Nestled in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, the 32-acre hot spring ryokan provides a secluded yet warm sanctuary for nature-loving guests. The inn accommodates 11 lodges and has a total of 23 baths, both public and private. Takefue’s hot spring water derives from a natural source generated by the same geological processes of the largest active volcano in Japan, Mount Aso.
The tranquillity of the inn’s Takezono garden is worth special mention. In Japanese culture, bamboo symbolises purity, innocence and is believed to be a passage between heaven and earth. As Takefue aims to provide a private haven for guests to experience total bliss, observing the swaying and rustling sound of bamboo trees promises to inspire a sense of peace — like heaven on earth.
Visit the Zen Spa lodge house located within the ryokan premise. Choose between three health-beneficial pressure massages recommended by a professional masseuse — Kiwami (anti-aging), Satori (detox) and Ku (slimming) — which are all catered to relieve bodily discomforts and stress.
Situated at Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Kifu no Sato is located in the middle of the ancient province of Bizen. It is also the birthplace of the renowned swordsman and r nin, Miyamoto Musashi.
The ryokan consists of traditionally decorated rooms and suites, with its biggest suite accommodating up to eight people with an en suite open-air hot bath. The furnishings and baths in the rooms are made from light, lemon-scented Hinoki Japanese cypress wood. Known for its relaxing and antibacterial benefits, Hinoki cypress wood eases agitation and tension in the mind and body. It also relieves congestive ailments such as sinuses and stuffy noses.
Guests can dine at the Yama Boshi dining hall which features dedicated dining areas for groups up to six. You may also arrange to dine privately in your own room. Kifu no Sato serves various kaiseki courses, such as the luxurious “Zei no Gozen” kaiseki course that offers fresh lobster sashimi and tender local premium beef.
If you’re particularly interested in learning about Japanese culture, Kifu no Sato promotes the beauty and preservation of cultural practices such as flower arranging and traditional arts and crafts by local artists and craftsmen. Kifu no Sato also takes pride in its samurai history — having been located in one of Japan’s main centres for sword smithing for several centuries now — and conducts Bizen sword-making and pottery-making sessions for guests. Other activities include taking a historical tour to Himeji and Tsuyama castles and learning about how the structures have weathered over time.
66 JETGALA66 JETGALA
LUXE
Located on the coast of Toba City, Mie Prefecture, Oyado the Earth spreads across 180,000 square metres within Ise-Shima National Park. Oyado — an alternate name to ryokan — houses seven types of suite rooms that sleep up to four, each with an attached open-air hot spring bath. The furnishings feature contemporary minimalist designs and low lighting reminiscent of Japanese lanterns that lend a cosy, authentic feel.
Facing Ise Bay, the ryokan features an observatory. Guests can walk to the beach via the Promenade passageway, or lounge at Library MAZE in the day. At night, the library converts to Bar MAZE. Dining consists of healthy and bespoke meals that feature Ise-Shim’s seasonal ingredients at Ran, the hotel’s in-house restaurant that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
For jewellery enthusiasts, Oyado the Earth offers a trip to the famous Mikimoto Pearl Island to visit the Mikimoto historical pearl museum and learn how cultured pearls are produced. Alternatively, stroll through the gravel lanes of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrines at Ise Jingu. Situated in the city, Ise Jingu comprises of two shrines: Geku (Outer) and Naiku (Inner). Discover minimally decorated shrine structures amidst wild green growths that reflect the religion’s belief in the connection between culture, nature and deities (kami). The sanctity of the shrine will encourage you to seek serenity and peace.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
The Ryunosu hot spring
The Ran restaurant
An attached outdoor bath
DIRECTORY
Beniya Mukayu55-1-3 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga, Ishikawa
922-0242, Japan
T: +81 (0)761 77 1340
Fax: +81 (0)761 76 1340
Kifu no Sato180 Yunogo, Mimasaka City,
Okayama 707-0062, Japan
T: +81 (0)868 72 1523
Fax: +81 (0)868 72 4365
Takefue5725-1 Manganji Minamiogunicho, Asogun,
Kumamoto 869-2402, Japan
T: +81 (0)570 06 4559
Fax: +81 (0)967 44 0847
Oyado the EarthJapanese Ryokan The Earth Ryunosu,
Nakanoyama, Ijika-cho, Toba-city, Mie 517-
0026, Japan
T: +81 (0)599 21 8111
67JETGALA
BASELWORLD 2015
HOROLOGICAL DESIRES TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST WATCH EXHIBITION
LIKE THE OSCARS THAT FOLLOW THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS, the annual March BaselWorld is the much larger and more diversified rival to the annual Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva. SIHH typically provides first clues to trends that will come to full bloom at BaselWorld. The timepieces introduced at BaselWorld 2015 show that diversity is the trend to watch. Here are some of the timepieces that have impressed us most.
LUXE
68 JETGALA
For a dose of nobility, look to Blancpain’s Villeret watches — a collection endowed with classical designs, exquisite hand-finishing and technical competence. The Villeret Grande Date is a great reminder of this lineage. An amalgamation of purity and class, the timepiece’s quiet aesthetics amplify its luxury, from the 40 mm double pomme red gold case, to the opaline dial with applied gold numerals. Elsewhere, the open case back displays a new in-house automatic movement, constructed with a silicium balance spring, twin barrels for 72-hour power reserve, and extra-large twin date mechanism that aids shock resistance.
This watch will surprise Patek Philippe purists who are accustomed to the brand’s elegant and refined creations. The Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, while constructed and finished to impeccable standards expected of a Patek watch, is unusually tough looking, flaunting aesthetics that reference old-school pilot’s watches. Nostalgia and masculine design aside, the engine that powers this watch is resolutely modern, anchored by a patented two-time zone mechanism that allows for local time to be set forwards or back in one-hour increment, without affecting the amplitude of the movement. The movement also features a balance spring made of Silinvar, a silicon-material, which ensures optimum robustness and longevity at the timepiece’s regulating heart.
The tourbillon aside, the open-faced Tradition watch is Breguet’s most iconic design approach. The Tradition is distinguished by an open-worked dial, which shows off the movement mechanism such as bridges, wheels, escapement, barrel, and most famously, the pare-chute mechanism at ‘4’ that protects the balance assembly from shocks. This year’s Tradition Automatique Seconde Retrograde features several upgrades. They include an automatic movement with a hammer-shaped rotor inspired by the winding mechanisms in Breguet’s vintage perpetuelle automatic pocket watches, and escapement with silicon pallet fork and hairspring. The latter improves performance and precision with its lubrication-free and ultra-hardy qualities.
69JETGALA
To answer the obvious question, the ‘deadbeat’ suffix refers to a feature known as independent seconds, where the second hand makes a small, precise jump every second to provide extremely accurate time measurement. This feature was invented in the 18th century and is ostensibly complex to construct. Bestowed the spotlight in the new Grande Seconde, it is represented by a central second hand traversing the collection’s signature dial with off-centred displays. The dial’s inimitable design — anchored by a grand feu enamel dial and framed by a polished red gold case — runs on an automatic movement with 40-hour power reserve.
Two icons — one old and one new, dominate Bulgari’s BaselWorld release. We have the Bulgari Bulgari, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Famous for its twice-engraved logo on the bezel, the collection is enhanced in the men’s version by a 41 mm stainless steel case with sapphire blue dial and matching alligator strap. The Octo range, launched in 2012, also comes with a sapphire blue dial like the Bulgari Bulgari, but with an added touch of regality, thanks to a stainless steel case and bracelet. A handsome timepiece that pairs well with office wear, it is powered by Bulgari’s proprietary Solotempo automatic movement.
Famed for chiming watches, Christophe Claret unveils another sonic complication this year called the Allegro. Like previous models, the Adagio and Soprano, the Allegro offers top-notch aural pleasure with a minute repeater complication with Westminster chimes. The timepiece’s pristine sound, activated on demand, is made possible with cathedral gongs. Made in traditional drawn steel, the gongs circle the movement twice instead of once, meticulously constructed to minimise vibrations for more crystalline chimes. Complemented by GMT, big date, small seconds and day/night displays, the timepiece’s handcrafted ethos is matched by modern aesthetics like the partially open worked dial that flaunts a rhodium-plated nickel silver or pink gold movement, both framed by an imposing 45 mm case.
LUXE
70 JETGALA
Gents who are familiar with Harry Winston’s restrained Midnight range of timepieces will be pleasantly surprised by this new addition to the family. The Midnight Feathers 42 mm is the men’s version of the brand’s Premier Feathers collection for ladies from 2012, which feature artfully arranged plumes on the dial. Know as feather marquetry, the ancient decorative technique requires the craftsman to carefully select, shape and arrange each feather on the dial, such that it results in a spectacular arrangement of colours and textures. The watch is available in a rose gold case, and features an automatic movement with skeletonised rotor, finely bevelled bridges and Geneva Stripe decoration.
Modelled after 19th century regulator clocks, which feature the hour and minute hands on individual axes, the L.U.C Regulator exudes nobility and balance. A revamped version of a 2006 model, this variant allocates the myriad displays in neat quadrants: power reserve, hour indicator, seconds indicator, and 24-hour GMT display at ‘12’, ‘3’, ‘6’ and ‘9’, respectively. The minute hand circles the dial, accented by well-proportioned markers that recall the look of vintage car dashboard instrument panels. The timepiece’s regality is rooted in classical aesthetics, evinced from its elegant round gold case to its refined hand finishing. On the underside, one can admire the sophisticated in-house automatic movement with 216-hour power reserve up close; a mechanism that is both chronometer- and Geneva Seal-certified.
A once-forgotten classic dating back to the 1920s, the Cellini Time was given a new lease of life last year, when it was redesigned and re-introduced with a round case (it was previously rectangular) that bears the discreet refinement of its forebears. Other upgrades include improved magnetic and shock resistance, thanks to Rolex’s in-house automatic movements with Parachrom hairsprings, as well as greater regality. This year, the Cellini Time is endowed with more opulence thanks to diamond-set models, the stones framing either single- or double-row bezels. We are particularly enamoured by the version in an Everose gold case. The gentle blush of Rolex’s proprietary metal sets off its pink sunray finished dial brilliantly, while elsewhere, 62 diamonds festooned in an 18k yellow gold bezel add polished sparkle.
71JETGALA
Multiple time zone watches appear to dominate this year’s watch fairs and for those with a thing for glitter, Graff offers a blinding option with the Diamond MasterGRAFF Grand Date Dual Time. As the name suggests, the watch pairs a flying tourbillon with dual-time zone feature. While the double-complication, courtesy of an in-house movement that took 2,000 hours to develop, is a thing of marvel, equally stunning is the timepiece’s carat count. The 43 mm gold case and dial are paved with 329 diamonds totalling 13.7 cts. What’s more, the stones are set using Graff’s proprietary technique, which replicates the facets of a perfectly cut diamond.
The Jaguar E-Type, one of the carmaker’s most iconic rides, inspires the Jaguar MK I and MK II timepieces by Bremont. They feature dial designs that recall the car’s rev counter on the dashboard, complete with the same fonts and the red zones between ‘3’ and ‘4’. The MK I is a three-hand automatic version housed in a 43 mm stainless steel case with open case back that showcases the movement’s rotor shaped like the E-Type’s steering wheel. The MK II, on the other hand, is driven by an automatic bi-compax chronograph movement, based on the industry standard Valjoux 7750.
A great example of a timepiece as mechanical art, the HL 2.0 is a sublime ticker that creatively reinterprets time telling without sacrificing legibility. The watch’s distinctive features — a half-trailing jumping hour display set on a chain-link, and retrograde minutes dial — awe the user with visual drama while allowing him to easily read the time. These polar objectives are married by a complex movement comprising several patents, including one for the complete escapement system, which rotates 360-degrees to negate the effects of gravity on the movement’s unusual construction. Launched in 2011, the HL2.0 is now into its fifth, and arguably most captivating, edition. This year’s version comes in a super lightweight titanium case weighing just 49 g. Thanks to its black-and-red colour combination on the DLC-treated case and time indicators, respectively, the watch rocks with sporty machismo.
LUXE
72 JETGALA
The unapologetically imposing Big Bang, which propelled Hublot into the A-league of contemporary sports watch brands 10 years ago, shows no signs of slowing down. The Big Bang Ferrari Black Ceramic and Ferrari Grey Ceramic, created in collaboration with the Italian car marque, demonstrate enduring dynamism with trademark features such as large 45 mm cases with ceramic bezels, proprietary UNICO chronograph movements, and eye-catching race car-inspired aesthetics.
On the front, the watches sport new partially open-worked dials with mesh grille similar to those found on a Ferrari. At the back, the movement’s rotor is shaped like the spokes found on a Ferrari’s wheels. The lugs come with a seatbelt-inspired ‘one-click’ attachment system to make changing of the straps a fuss-free affair. Both timepieces are limited to 250 pieces each.
Less is definitely more when it comes to Girard-Perregaux’s 1966 collection, famed for its discreet sophistication. In fact, it seems impossible to add to the timepieces’ carefully unadorned design without seeming like one is sabotaging their quiet refinement. The new 1966 watches are wonderfully — and subtly — ornate, brandishing guilloche dials with simple web-like pattern that set off the timepieces’ faces without being overly ostentatious or out of place. Available in 38 mm pink gold case for men, it’s powered by Girard-Perregaux’s in-house automatic movements.
In the spirit of progress, Chronoswiss — which one usually associates with classically rooted timepieces — offers a modern and sporty timepiece, backed by a two-time zone complication to entice the well-heeled. For the first time in its history, Chronoswiss employs a ‘new’ material — carbon — that features on the watch’s multi-layered dial for a more textured look. High legibility is ensured with prominent hands and indexes for the home time, and a distinctive skeletonised hand that points to the second time-zone indicated by a 24-hour scale. Capped with a plus-sized onion-shaped crown — a Chronoswiss signature — the stainless steel watch comes in another option with DLC coating, and can be paired with a bracelet or rubber strap.
73JETGALA
SUPERYACHTS
by Katrina A. Balmaceda
THE LATEST SUPERYACHTS TO TAKE THE SEAS IN AWE-INSPIRING LUXURY
The Quattroelle superyacht
LUXE
74 JETGALA
LUXE
WHEN IN DOUBT, SEEK REFUGE IN NUMBERS. Anyone wondering if last year’s global turmoil has dampened the thirst for ultra luxurious watercraft should find comfort in knowing that 412 superyachts were sold in 2014, with figures from April to May emerging as the highest quarter-sales since 2009.
But with more and more buyers of pleasure vessels, differentiation and liveability stand out as key factors in creating and choosing superyachts. Just ask the maker and buyer of the 88 m Illusion, which has interiors that could easily be mistaken for a modern boutique hotel in Shanghai. Fine woods, rare natural stones and metals define the aesthetics of the six-deck behemoth, which offers an ocean lounge, VIP suites, and a state room for the owners, among others. A helipad and swimming pool also grace the roof deck. As all this luxury requires reliable power, the builder, Pride Mega Yachts has chosen a Rolls-Royce diesel electric propulsion engine. It is scheduled for delivery in 2016.
The designs of recent and upcoming deliveries seem to indicate a move back toward glamorous and clean aesthetics, away from the rustic luxury that has been a trend in the past years. After breaking records in China with Illusion, the largest yacht to be built in the country, Pride Mega Yachts announced a new project towards the end of 2014 — the 115 m Estatement, which will feature fine woods, precious stones and backlit onyx and walls patterned after the Golden Ratio. The five-deck yacht will come with eight double cabins, two VIP cabins and an owner’s penthouse,
The Quattroelle superyacht is 88 m long
The interior of the Solemates luxury yacht designed by Glade Johnson Design
The 12-passenger Solemates was completed by famed German shipbuilders Lürssen in 2010
WITH MORE AND MORE BUYERS OF PLEASURE VESSELS, DIFFERENTIATION AND LIVEABILITY STAND OUT AS KEY
FACTORS IN CREATING AND CHOOSING SUPERYACHTS
75JETGALA
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
The pool and deck on the Quattroelle
The Illusion superyacht
as well as crew-members’ cabins, and will cruise at a maximum speed of 17.5 knots.
But one can never resist a party at sea, and yachtbuilders and owners are beginning to offer much more than the usual diving platforms, jet skis, speedboats, sea bobs and surfboards. The 60 m Solemates by Lürssen boasts an inflatable floating trampoline, while Quattroelle, from the same builder, features a salon for onshore primping. Outdoor discos are becoming a bigger trend, as seen on the 65 m Pestifier by Feadship and on Solemates — the latter convertible from a gym room. Onboard cinemas are also getting larger — Royal Denship’s Pegasus V has two and the one on Feadship’s 75 m Ocean Victory seats 12.
Gym rooms, Jacuzzis, saunas, and spa areas have long found their way on deck, but owners are looking to new, smarter systems for keeping track of such facilities, and
The outdoor disco area on Solemates is convertible from a gym room
The owners salon area on the Quattroelle
LUXE
76 JETGALA76 JETGALA
The exterior of the Illusion yacht
fdzskflajskljk
even for controlling the boat itself. Custom-made iPad apps allow owners to manage functions — from essentials such as steering and alarms, to minute ones like lighting and television — remotely, even when a short distance away from the boat. A corporate sensibility, akin to private jets, is also surfacing, with luxury yachts — including Illusion, Pegasus V, and ICON Yachts’ ICON 225 — offering office spaces and meeting rooms.
Even bigger milestones in recent years — such as the construction of superyacht Adastra by John Shuttleworth using a carbon-fibre superstructure, and experiments with hybrid engines — point to greater efficiency without sacrificing speed and style. Shipbuilders and owners, after all, like to outdo not only their competition, but also themselves.
The luxurious owners area on the Quattroelle
The master stateroom onboard the ICON 225 (Image courtesy of ICON©)
The ICON 225 yacht (Images courtesy of ICON© & Andrew Clelland©)
77JETGALA
A DELICATE ANATOMY COMES TO LIFE IN STUNNING OPENWORK JEWELS
DAMIANI
by Carol Lee
LUXE
78 JETGALA
THE SENSE OF MOVEMENT AND MICROSCOPIC PATTERNS IN BUTTERFLY WINGS HAVE BEEN AN INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR JEWELLERS FOR DECADES. For Damiani, a 2013 Butterfly Masterpiece collection proved so successful
that “we decided to launch another collection inspired by the world of butterflies”, says Silvia Damiani, vice president of the Damiani Group.
But this is not just another case of déjà vu. Unlike the 2013 collection that featured the winged creatures in their entirety, this new offering focusses on the intricacy and beauty of their wing veins. Named Battito d’Ali (which translates to “beating of wings”), the collection boasts fluid lines punctuated by colourful gemstones and negative space outlined by diamonds that mimic the lightness and delicate flutter of butterfly wings.
Consisting of rings, earrings and pendants in white or pink gold, embellished with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, blue topazes, peridots and amethysts, the new pieces combine a modern setting with the spontaneity and playfulness that is characteristic of nature-inspired jewellery.
OPPOSITE PAGE
The Battito d’Ali Collection ring in pink gold with diamonds, and in white gold with diamonds, amethysts and topazes
THIS PAGE
Silvia Damiani, vice president of the Damiani Group
The Battito d’Ali Collection pendant in pink gold with diamonds, amethysts and peridot, and in white gold with diamonds, amethysts and topazes
D
GS
E
ORR
utterfly ion
ul
asts dhe
79JETGALA
Spanning across cultures and time, the butterfly has spawned many symbolic meanings. For some, the metamorphosis this creature undergoes symbolises change, powerful transformations or new beginnings — not unlike what the brand has experienced itself.
Founded in 1924, Damiani has evolved from a single goldsmith’s laboratory in Valenza into a world renowned brand with boutiques and points of sales in major cities. “Creativity, design and entrepreneurship are the key elements that have driven the Damiani family for nearly a century”, with third generation Guido, Silvia and Giorgio Damiani now at its helm.
“Our success depends on our tradition, excellence and know-how accumulated over 90 years of history”, says Silvia, emphasising that while the strong tradition of craftsmanship guarantees exceptional quality, they prefer innovative design, as well as production, marketing strategies and communication to express the “Italian style” worldwide.
FROM TOP
The Battito d’Ali Collection pendant in white gold with diamonds and sapphires
The Battito d’Ali Collection ring in white gold and diamonds, and diamonds and sapphires
“We are the only jewellery company born as a manufacturer, while all our competitors were retailers who acquired factories over the last 10 years. I think this is a great value add for us to help reach the top of the jewellery market. We believe that the family control guarantees quality and makes tradition possible to continue. We are proud to still be an Italian company.”
Silvia’s brother, Giorgio is the Art Director in charge of creation and product development. Along with the creative team, they continue Damiani’s heritage of tradition, craftsmanship, precision and innovation.
But it is the “great passion for jewellery” above all, according to Silvia, that makes the company synonymous with the “Made in Italy” reputation.
ollection gold with
LUXE
80 JETGALA
Ultimately, it is the “exclusivity and the excellence of our products” that speak for the Damiani brand, says Silvia. And while quality jewellery like the Battito d’Ali collection continue to spread their wings to places such as New Delhi, Beijing and Singapore, Damiani remains solidly, and proudly, grounded in their Italian heritage.
The Battito d’Ali Collection earrings in white gold and diamonds
FROM LEFT
The Battito d’Ali Collection ring in white gold with diamonds and rubies
The Battito d’Ali Collection earrings in white gold with diamonds and rubies
81JETGALA
CLASSIC CHASSIS MEETS MODERN MOTOR FOR A UNIQUE TRUCK EXPERIENCE
ICON TRUCKS
by Sam Koh
LUXE
82 JETGALA82 JETGALA
HARDY TRUCKS ARE BUILT TO WORK. TO TAKE THE DAILY GRIND, AND TO LAST. However, time takes its toll, and many a rugged ‘iron-horse’ was laid to rest to make way for bigger and faster versions that were introduced. They included many iconic pickups and trucks who may have disappeared from our roads but not from our memories. And one man in particular took these memories and decided to bring some of these classics back to motoring life.
With the idea to “revisit a wide range of transportation legends”, a speciality shop called ICON was founded. Founded by Jonathan Ward in 2010, and catering to affluent off-road aficionados, the former actor has since expanded his Van Nuys shop to a sprawling 120,000 sq ft factory in Chatsworth, California. Ward finds, restores, modifies and sells four different models of custom vehicles. The underlying philosophy is to “revisit vehicles from our collective past that make us smile in a modern context”. The vehicles are based on classic versions of iconic American and Japanese 4x4s: the Ford Bronco, Jeep CJ, Chevrolet 3100 five-window pickup and the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40. Each 4x4 is designed with one type of customer in mind: buyers who can appreciate craftsmanship, individuality and a modern take on classic off-roaders.
Digitising sets ICON apart from the rest of the car restoration industry. Using technology, ICON builds modern chassis that bolt perfectly onto vintage bodies of these classic trucks. Ward locates the original bodies from across the US, and makes them look as good as new. While the panels are old, the interior is brand new. ICON has thus brought back 4x4s that combine five supposedly conflicting driving elements — speed, agility, comfort, utility, and off-road capabilities. Discover the four main lines that ICON produces and sells.
The ICON Thriftmaster pickup truck is based on the late 1947-1953 Chevrolet 3100 five-window pickup trucks. It is powered by a Magnuson supercharged 5.3-litre V8 engine producing 435 hp and 456 pounds per foot of torque. With all-wheel and ABS-equipped disc brakes, and a six-speed Tremac manual transmission, this truck is made to manoeuvre and move as well as any new 4x4. Adding in an all-LED lighting system, beautiful upholstery, a split bench seat, as well as a touchscreen control panel on the dashboard, and the result is a stunning vintage truck with all the advantages of a modern vehicle.
The FJ and CJ trucks
83JETGALA
case hung on a custom-built suspension. Under the hood is the same 412 hp 5.0-litre V8 found in the Ford Mustang GT, here connected to a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. That’s twice the power of the original truck. The windscreen and door windows use high-tech reflective glass found on skyscrapers. The interior has been updated with aluminium trim, Dakota Digital gauges and tinted plastic sun visors from a Learjet.
IC J
The FJ40 model was introduced in 2012, and packs substantial performance numbers, with 420 hp and 458 pound-feet of torque from a custom-made 5.7-litre
The ICON BR model off-road
IC J
The ICON CJ series is a high-end homage to the original Jeep Willys. This premier package includes Fox shocks, Eibach coil springs and a 200 hp 2.4-litre ECOTEC engine. To showcase the exclusiveness of the vehicle, this 4x4 comes with full LED head and tail lights. Added also is a power winch, a CO2 power tank for airing up power tools or tires, and controls and gauges that are made with hand-crafted CNC alloy. The vehicles are clad in an aluminium body with a Teflon polyester hybrid Cardinal powder coat, normally used in industrial architecture applications, plus jewellery-grade metal for all dashboard controls.
IC R
With the BR series, ICON has introduced an updated version of the first-generation Bronco. It is built on a chassis supplied by renowned car builder Art Morrison Enterprises and has a custom designed Atlas transfer
V8 engine. It comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission and is available in part-time shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive. This allows drivers to shift from four-wheel-drive to two-wheel-drive and back again. ICON has also gone the extra mile to replicate the clean and simplistic design and layout of original Toyota FJ40s. Only a pair of gauges is visible, denoting speed and RPM on one, and fuel level, oil temperature, water temperature and battery voltage on the other.
ICON has managed to tap the well-heeled set’s growing appetite for unique high-end vehicles. But customers have to be both affluent, as well as patient. Ward only sells between 18 and 20 vehicles a year, and each comes with a price tag in the six-figure range and up. All depending on the additional options that owners want.
LUXE
84 JETGALA
[email protected] www.amber-lounge.com +377 97 77 16 34
MONACO22/23/24 May
SINGAPORE19/20 September
MEXICO CITY30/31/1 Oct/Nov
ABU DHABI28/29 November
SPEC IAL IS ING IN LUXURY F1 HOSP ITAL ITY S INCE 2003
V I P A F TER PART I ES L I V E PERFORMANCES F 1 DR I V ER APPEARANCES PADDOCK CLUBCELEBR I TY CHAR I TY FASH ION SHOWS LUXURY YACHT HOSP I TA L I T Y ACCOMMODAT ION
THE OR IG I NAL F 1™ L I F ESTYLE EXPER I ENCE
AMBER LOUNGE IS UNDEN IABLY THE MOST
COVETED & SOPH IST ICATED PARTY ON THE
PLANET. DURING THE GRAND PRIX WEEKENDS
AMBER LOUNGE IS THE ONLY PLACE TO BE.
ART BASEL 2015
by Marcus Kingsley
THE ESSENTIAL ART FESTIVAL AT THE CENTRE OF ASIA’S GROWING ART BOOM
LUXE
86 JETGALA86 JETGALA
rt Basel Hong Kong 20015, now in its third edition, had moved its dates from May to March and introduced its new Director Asia, Adeline Ooi.
Held at Hong Kong’s Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event hosted 233 galleries from 37 countries and welcomed nearly
60,000 visitors from around the world. Galleries reported strong sales across all market levels. David Lin, director of Lin & Lin Gallery in Taipei and Beijing, reported they “sold out 90 percent of the booth in the first two days”. David Zwirner Gallery of New York and London saw their sales expectations exceeded, and Hauser & Wirth of Zurich, London, New York and Los Angeles achieved record sales in the first 48 hours of the opening.
But an art fair is not only about the acquisition of art, but also its appreciation. Art Basel’s Insights and Encounters sectors is a case in point, designed for curatorial projects by galleries, and to premiere large-scale sculptural installations. Highlights this year included curated solo shows of Nilo Ilarde by Artinformal, and Myeong Beom Kim by Gallery IHN, along with new work by Eko Nugroho presented by Arndt, and Xu Longsen presented by Hanart TZ Gallery. >>
Cao Fei’s Same Old, Brand New
OPPOSITE PAGE
Xu Longsen presented by Hanart TZ Gallery
Premiere Artist Talk with Cao Fei and Hans Ulrich Obrist
Eko Nugroho presented by Arndt
The David Zwirner booth
87JETGALA
A standing highlight of all Art Basel shows is Conversations and Salon, its talks program. The Hong Kong edition attracted over 1,200 visitors over three days, and presented globally renowned cultural figures. They included Hans Ulrich Obrist, co-director of Serpentine Gallery in London, Alan Lau, member of Tate’s Asia Pacific Acquisition Committee, Phillip Keir, co-founder of the Keir Foundation and chairman of the Biennale of Sydney, Ute Meta Bauer, founding director of Nanyang Technological University Centre for Contemporary Art in Singapore, and Doryun Chong, chief curator, M+, Hong Kong.
Unique to Art Basel Hong Kong is its collaboration with the International Commerce Centre (ICC). This year, international Chinese artist Cao Fei was chosen and presented a new work titled Same Old, Brand New, which references video games from the 1980s. Same Old, Brand New remains on display every night across the entire façade of Hong Kong’s iconic 490 m high ICC on the Kowloon harbour front until the end of April.
With an excellent showcase and line-up of events and being an anchor for countless satellite fairs, events, exhibitions, openings, talks and parties, Art Basel Hong Kong 2015 has once again proven its mighty stand as the leading international art fair in Asia.
LEFT
The Hauser & Wirth booth
Myeong Beom Kim by Gallery IHN
Nilo Ilarde by Artinformal
A general impression of Art Basel Hong Kong 2015
LUXE
88 JETGALA
UB
AIRLINE: STYLE AT 30,000 FEET
by Gay Hsiu Ping
COLOURFUL AIRBORNE LUXURIES FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF FLIGHT
LUXE
90 JETGALA
PICTURE THIS: PIERRE BALMAIN AIRLINE UNIFORMS, SUNDAY-ROAST DINNERS SERVED OFF SILVER PLATTERS EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK, CUSTOM-DESIGNED PLAYBOY BEDS AND IN-FLIGHT LOUNGES. No wonder people refer to the 60s and 70s as the “Golden Age of Flying”; a time when a seat on Juan Trippe’s Pan Am was coveted rather than commonplace. The novelty of being able to traverse the globe in a matter of days was still palpable and the excitement was very much about the journey and not the destination. Air travel was certainly a high-octane ride.
Nostalgic about that jet age, Keith Lovegrove sought to capture and condense the experience of flying in those post-war days in between covers. His new book, Airline: Style at 30,000 feet is a celebration of the world that man has created amongst the clouds; documenting life in the troposphere through an anthology of advertorials, graphics and photographs from airline archives and personal collections. What it reveals is the unique airborne culture that has flourished to satisfy the needs of men, spanning across categories of food, fashion, interior design and identity; from the elegant and chic to the kitsch and perhaps even comical (like bubble helmets to protect stewardesses’ hair from the elements while walking to and from the terminal).
Lovegrove’s offering is a time capsule, a reminder of the glamour and exhilaration of defying gravity. In particular, the publication focusses on the evolution of the flight attendant as the first public face the airlines put forward, placing great importance on their attire and their perception.
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE
British European Airways stewardesses wore white gloves and red raincoats as part of their uniform
The 1970s Southwest Airlines stewardess uniforms embraced the sexy styles of the era
Keith Lovegrove’s Airline: Style at 30,000 feet book
Images courtesy of Airline: Style at 30,000 feet
by Laurence King Publishing
91JETGALA
For British European Airways, the company opted to maintain classic tailoring even as more exaggerated airline styles became popular by handing out white gloves and red raincoats to every stewardess. In Braniff Airways’ case, advertising executive Mary Wells hired Italian designer, Emilio Pucci to spice up staff uniforms. The airline’s target market was clear: “When a tired businessman gets on an airplane, we think he ought to be allowed to look at a pretty girl”, she said.
At a time when employment opportunities were scarcer for women than today, the prestige and respect that came from wearing knee-grazing pencil skirts and pillbox hats made many young girls vie for a place onboard. But Lovegrove also presents to us a visual treat from the other end of the runway — girls in hot pants, go-go boots and Honey Ryder belts, ready to bring the 60s swing into the cabin. When it comes to style, the sky was the limit.
Airline, in Lovegrove’s own words, is “a rediscovery of the romance of flying”, and ought to be read as a testimony to a different time — where the mechanics of it paled in comparison but the flamboyance alone left one light-headed with thrill. Or was it the champagne?
FROM TOP
A Boeing 747’s first-class Tiger Lounge never made it past its mock-up stages in 1972
Icelandic Airlines stewardesses
The interior of Hugh Hefner’s private DC-9 featured black-leather seating, orange carpeting, and a collection of animal pelts
LUXE
92 JETGALA
THE HAUTE HORLOGERIE EXHIBITION IN ASIA30 SEPTEMBER - 3 OCTOBER 2015
HKCEC - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
CARRÉDUCKER
by Maripet Ledesma Poso
THE ENDURING ELEGANCE OF BESPOKE ENGLISH SHOEMAKING
LUXE
94 JETGALA
CARRÉDUCKER IS A LUXURY MEN’S SHOE LABEL, CRAFTING ELEGANT FOOTWEAR BOTH UNDER ITS OWN NAME, AND FOR CLIENTS OF GIEVES & HAWKES. Started by two people’s slow-burning passion for shoemaking, founders Deborah Carré and James Ducker both worked in very different fields. Leaving public relations and the academe behind, they ventured into bespoke shoemaking. They first met during an apprenticeship with master shoemaker, Paul Wilson. “Men’s shoes have always been our passion, and we are very fortunate to still be doing the thing that we love most“, says Deborah. In 2004, Carréducker started off as a company for made-to-order, hand-welted shoes. It wasn’t long before they went into full bespoke shoemaking.
True to form, the label takes the time-honoured craft of English bespoke shoemaking seriously. The process starts off with a meeting between the client and the shoemaker. “Whenever we first meet up with a customer and take his measurements, there is always much to discuss:” his likes and dislikes for his personal footwear, when he will be wearing the commissioned shoes, the toe shapes, heel heights, materials and finishes”, explains Carré. Once the measurements are taken, they are sent off to the last makers. The customer’s chosen designs are then drawn onto the last and brought to life in leather. “Once we have the shoe uppers, we stretch them over the lasts, ready for the first fitting. Only when the customer is happy with the fit do we finally make the shoes at our workbench”, she says. This is when the hand sewing of the welt and sole, building the heels, and finishing the shoes using hand tools takes place.
Apart from craftsmanship, Carréducker takes pride in the components of its shoes, making sure that the materials are meticulously sourced and selected. “Insoles, soles, heels and all internal fittings in the shoe are carefully prepared and cut from English oak bark tanned leather”, says Carré. The materials of the Carréducker uppers are sourced from different suppliers depending on the styles — from the finest grade box calf from Germany for classic and formal styles; lighter weight calf from Italy for more casual styles; soft deerskin from Scotland for informal shoes, or lizard and snakeskin and crocodiles for exotic styles.
Stitching the sole
James Ducker and Deborah Carré
Welting of the shoe
An antiqued Saddle Boot cut-out
Men’s fashion has seen a remarkable growth over the past 10 years, specifically in London. “In ready-to-wear and sportswear, performance fabrics continue to be a big influence on menswear, and so shoes with lighter soles and performance materials are on trend”, she says. Custom-made shoes, however, are less influenced by fashion. “Our clients are interested in style, in items with longevity”. She adds that some customers now enjoy wearing more relaxed soles, such as crepe, Dainite and Ridgeway, on their bespoke shoes. “So that they can be wearable from business to leisure.”
The English aesthetic — blending contemporary styling with traditional craft, such as hand welting — and attention to details make Carréducker stand out. One of its most popular designs is the Saddle Boot, a low and versatile boot that offers a more relaxed feel than a shoe.
95JETGALA
ASTON MARTIN VULCAN
by Sam Koh
THE ART OF THE BRITISH SUPERCAR EXEMPLIFIED
The Aston Martin Vulcan made its world debut at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show
96 JETGALA
LUXE
TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ASTON MARTIN IS A BRITISH MANUFACTURER OF LUXURY SPORTS CARS AND GRAND TOURERS. Founded in 1913, the brand gained notoriety through the exploits of James Bond, following the unconventional use of the then-latest DB5 model in the 1964 film Goldfinger. Consequently, the world became enthralled with the partnership between the sleek coupé and the sleek agent.
This March, the car maker put forth another lustworthy creation to set your heart racing, called the Vulcan. This US$2.3 million set of wheels is Aston Martin’s most intense creation so far. A very limited edition and track-only hypercar, neither for the faint-hearted nor the thrifty. Only 24 Vulcans will be produced, which according to Aston Martin, will provide “the opportunity to precisely tailor their track-day experience through a graduating scale of detailed power and dynamic performance adjustments”. Big words for a big gamble.
This front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car draws extensively on the brand’s rich GT motorsport experience
The Vulcan is a track-only supercar
97JETGALA
With engineering know-how sourced from the brand’s GT racing initiative, the car features a range of top-grade equipment. Two notable examples are a carbon fibre monocoque and body, constructed by Aston Martin’s manufacturing partner Multimatic, and a racing-spec Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox. Power comes from an adaptation of the company’s V12 engine, developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing. It is 7.0 litres in capacity, and reportedly produces more than 800 hp. To get some measure of relativity, the Aston One-77 — which is the brand’s fastest road-legal car — manages 750 hp from 7.3 litres.
The Vulcan’s design language is likely to be seen in more mainstream models in the brand’s future. Owners will be allowed to fully optimise their colour and trim options and get access to exclusive training, including time with Aston’s GT racers — and even time in Aston’s professional motorsport simulators. Furthermore, the owners will get to participate in a series of exclusive track-day events that will allow them to test their driving skills and the car’s performance capabilities on some of the world’s most famous race circuits.
Owners will be allowed to fully optimise their colour and trim options
Drive is channelled to the 345/30 x 19 rear wheels and Michelin race specification tyres
LUXE
98 JETGALA98 JETGALA
REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE: 3905 SCOTTS SQUARE - SINGAPORE - +65-65389498 - [email protected]
ROME CAPRI TAORMINA PARIS LONDON GENEVA MADRID BARCELLONA VIENNA OSLO ISTANBUL ALMATY KIEV MOSKOV DNIPROPETROVS’K
BAKU DOHA JEDDAH RIYADH DUBAI HONG KONG SINGAPORE NEW YORK BOCA RATON CHICAGO BUENOS AIRES CARACAS MANILA
www.verdigioielli.com
HIGH JEWELLERY EXPERIENCE
TO’AK CHOCOLATE
by David Yip
THE FASCINATION WITH THE TRUE TASTE OF AUTHENTIC CHOCOLATE
LUXE
100 JETGALA
THE SEARCH FOR POSSIBLY THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CHOCOLATE MAY WELL BE OVER. In a quest to preserve the last relics of an almost extinct cacao variety, Ecuador-based To’ak has embarked on a journey to produce an experience of purity, authenticity, and naturalness. Focussing on perfection and very small-scale chocolate making, it has become a prized luxury amongst chocolate connoisseurs the world over.
To’ak (pronounced Toe-Ahk) markets itself as an artisanal chocolate maker. Following their vision to change for the better how chocolate is made and consumed, Chicago-born rainforest conservationist Jerry Toth and Austrian designer Carl Schweizer founded To’ak. The tropical forests of Ecuador, the very birthplace of chocolate, are home to the cacao tree and its bean from which chocolate is made. The ‘Nacional’ cacao bean,
OPPOSITE PAGE
The cacao fruit
The Andes mountains (Image courtesy of Juan Carlos Bayas)
Contents of a box of To’ak Chocolate
native to Ecuador, is considered one of the finest varieties in the world for its rich aroma and complex flavour profile.
Following an outbreak of ‘Witch’s Broom’ disease in 1916 that decimated cacao throughout Ecuador, surviving trees were hybridised with foreign cacao varieties to restore the crop. However, remnant pockets of the original cacao trees survived in the Arriba region of the country, particularly in the remote valley of Piedra de Plata, and were discovered several years ago by Toth and Schweizer. “One of the most exciting moments for us was when we realised that there was actually a 100 per cent genuine Nacional cacao variety in the orchards of Piedra de Plata, which we discovered through DNA analysis”, says Schweizer.
101JETGALA
Carl Schweizer Servio Pachard, the post-harvest master of To’ak
The valley of Piedra de Plata is located in the province of Manabí
To’ak Chocolate
Today, this limited number of trees, some of which are over 100 years old, provide the raw cacao beans for To’ak chocolate. Each year, only an extremely limited number of bars are produced from endangered plants, whose genetic roots stretch back thousands of years. Sourcing from just 14 small farmers in the Piedra de Plata valley, Schweizer and Toth roast the selected beans, de-shell, and grind them into a pulp.
This pulp is then mixed with organic cane sugar, but without any extra cacao butter, emulsifiers, vanilla, milk or added flavouring. From pre-harvest, to harvest, to post-harvest, to production — no less than six different phases
of selection are performed by hand. The latest edition of To’ak chocolate was produced from cacao harvested during the 2014 rainy season. Named the 2014 Rain Harvest edition, a total of 500 kg of chocolate was produced. Ten percent of this amount was used for the first release which produced 900 bars, of which 326 bars were rejected based on appearance, resulting in only 574 packaged bars.
The end result has been likened to possessing the “care of a vintage winemaker and the precision of a premium small-batch whiskey”, according to their website. “We never claim that ours is the best chocolate in the world, that depends on a subjective perception”, Schweizer affirms. “We pursue perfection in all facets and keep our work as authentic as possible. Being so small permits us to be 100 per cent involved in absolutely every step of the process, and make a chocolate bar that expresses the terroir of its birthplace.”
Each chocolate bar of 2014 Rain Harvest edition comes in its own hand-crafted Spanish Elm wood box engraved with the individual bar number. In the middle of the chocolate bar is a single, carefully hand-chosen roasted cacao bean. Akin to pulling a grape off the vine in your favourite vineyard, it is an object that transcends the final product itself. It is a connection to origin.
LUXE
102 JETGALA
SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GIRLS CARRY BOOKS ALL THE WAY TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
www.roomtoread.org
World Change Starts with Educated Chidren.®
In low income countries, a girl doesn’t have a lot of options. At least not when it comes to her education.
Thanks to Room to Read, more than 31,000 girls now have a future that includes the financial support and life skills needed to complete secondary school. That translates into higher wages, lower birth rates, and an end to the cycle of illiteracy.
Educate yourself by visiting our website. And give girls something they’ll carry with them the rest of their lives.
AQUA MEKONG
CRUISE IN LUXURY ON ONE OF ASIA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL RIVERS
LUXE
104 JETGALA
t is said that the rise and fall of the great Khmer civilisation that built Angkor Wat was linked to the Mekong’s tides. Today, roughly 60 million people live, work and play on the Mekong River. As the twelfth longest river in the world and the seventh longest in Asia, the river is an essential trade route between western China and Southeast Asia.
But where the river meanders between Cambodia and Vietnam is where it forms an integral part of life for the Vietnamese people. After all, with one of the world’s most productive fisheries and acres of fertile riverbanks, it is this stretch that provides the people the means for their subsistence and livelihood. It is also where half the nation’s agricultural product is grown.
Now, by the lush green of mangroves and mangoes — where you’re not only close enough to life on the bank to touch it, you occasionally get close enough to become a part of it — a new bijou cruise ship is set to navigate these waters.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
A Design Suite
The Private Cinema
River excursions are part of the experience
OPPOSITE PAGE
The use of local wood and stone on the cruise ship reflects the Indochine spirit of the environment
The Aqua Mekong
The Aqua Mekong —a 62.4 m cruise ship that has to be seen for its beautiful, practical and all-encompassing design — provides sophisticated travellers the luxury of discovering the bustling city of Saigon to the slow pace of Siem Reap. Contemplate the effect of its appearance and you notice something very different, for this is not a typical cruise ship, but a floating five star hotel with all the accompanying amenities. What’s most appealing about the black-hulled vessel is its cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the ever-changing surroundings. The use of local wood and stone as well as the artisanal touches abounds in its construction, reflecting the Indochine spirit of the environment.
The spellbinding Mekong River — with the highlight of Angkor Wat and the long history of the area’s cultures — are the stars of the show. Excursions to floating towns built over stilts, temples and craft centres, as well as bird sanctuaries and village canals are all included in the experience.
Experiences continue in the culinary arena, provided by Michelin-starred chef, David Thompson, who creates dishes that incorporate some of the finest river culture recipes with the day’s catch, as well as fresh produce from local markets. The cruise is an all-round curated experience with a one-to-one staff to guest ratio for its maximum 40 passengers in 20 suites.
Three to seven-day cruise options are available for the Aqua Mekong, with Cambodia and Vietnam as the start and end points of the journey. www.aquaexpeditions.com
105JETGALA
CASA FAGLIANO
by Charmaine Tay
A FINE BOOT MAKER THRIVES IN POLO’S ARGENTINIAN HOMETOWN
A craftsman holds a pair of zip-up boots
LUXE
106 JETGALA
umankind is living in the adolescence of the 21st century — trains are capable of chugging along themselves, planes fly on auto-pilot and robots clean our houses. Like never before, machines and new technology keep the world spinning on its axis. So it is surprising to learn that a modest sized footwear atelier maintains
old values and keeps to time-honoured traditions in the making of polo footwear.
Nestled in the heart of Argentina’s polo hometown Hurlingham, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, is Casa Fagliano’s workshop. Amidst residential properties and graffiti-adorned walls, the humble space maintains an unassuming façade of white walls and red shutters. The workshop produces around 300 pairs of shoes a year, consisting mainly of polo boots and a small selection for rural work. Shelves are piled high with wooden shoe lasts, cowhides give the air a rich aroma, and the clink of century-old tools and machines whirring pervades the space — all of which ensure that the establishment is a treat for the senses.
Making a pair of polo boots starts with getting the right measurements of a client’s feet. Next, the leather is cut and sewn, creating the first semblance of a shoe. A shoe last is then sculpted out of wood according to the measurements and is used to shape the shoe. From there, welting of the insole takes place, and is finished by the sole and heel, put in place with either bronze nails or a simple rubber heel. The last step of the process is to polish the leather until it gleams.
Since the spoken rule of production is not to rush the process, 48 man-hours are required to complete a pair of boots. All things considered, it’s not too long a wait. After all, Casa Fagliano’s eight-man team makes each pair using the very same tools that were first used
After taking the measurements of a client’s feet, the leather is cut and sewn
The sole and heel are put in place with either bronze nails or a simple rubber heel
Casa Fagliano relies on five generations worth of craftsmanship knowledge
The sound of machines whirring pervade the workshop space
in 1892 by the founders, Pedro and Giacomina Fagliano. Some might call it medieval technology, but Germán Fagliano, who works alongside father Eduardo, his uncle Hector and grandfather Rodolfo, knows that the end result is the most important factor. A combination of elaborate craftsmanship that has been perfected over five generations and the use of reliable tools and machines complement each other and drives Casa Fagliano’s success.
While the family certainly works well as a team, disagreements do happen. But the fine line between personal and professional is never crossed, and Germán shares that keeping an open mind is key to solving issues. It’s no wonder that the brand is the first choice for serious players and professionals.
107JETGALA
THE WORLD’S FIRST SUPERCRAFT IS GUNNING TO BREAK THE CURRENT HOVERCRAFT LAND-SPEED RECORD OF 56.25 MPH, AND THE WATER-SPEED RECORD OF 86.5 MPH RESPECTIVELY. With its low profile body, aggressive front end and powerful side thrust ports, Mercier-Jones’ hovercraft looks suited up for the fight. With fixtures and fittings inspired by the styling of the Bugatti Veyron, Maserati Gran Turismo and Audi R8, coupled with high performance materials like carbon fibre and metal alloys, we may even be looking at the future of personal transportation. The patent-pending directional control system further enables easy manoeuvrability. But the main factor in its ability to travel at high speeds across all kinds of terrains is its lightweight body that comes in at just 700 pounds. And yes, it comes in “Gotham Night” black.
MERCIER-JONES
by Koh Chuin Ying
RISE ABOVE THE GRIDLOCK IN A FUTURISTIC AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE
Qatar Executive Global 5000 exterior
LUXE
108 JETGALA
FRENCH SURREALIST PHOTOGRAPHER GILBERT GARCIN ONCE SAID: “IT’S IMPORTANT TO PUT A LAYER OF HUMOUR RIGHT AWAY, TO LET PEOPLE ENTER INTO CONTACT WITH THE SUBJECT”. Photographers are rarely on the other side of the lens, but Garcin places himself at the centre of all his photographs. Be it dangling from puppet strings or standing beneath a towering dandelion, his trench coat-clad figure inhabits this strange world and invites viewers to ponder the meaning of space, time and one’s existence with him.
In this edition of Jetgala, we accept Garcin’s invitation through the work of another acclaimed photographer, Elisabeth Toll. Titled Atlantis and shot in South Africa, giant bowling pins, hula hoops, surfboards and paint puddles were used to lend a playful feel to a vibrant backdrop of desert and sky. Like Garcin’s make-believe images, Toll’s spread defies themes like proportions, gravity and human interference. In every picture, both model and prop play an equal role in pushing the boundaries of reality in an environment that is both welcoming and lighthearted.
No wonder Toll’s favourite photographer is none other than M. Garcin himself. www.elisabethtoll.com | www.lundlund.com/elisabeth-toll
Photography Elisabeth Toll
Text by Koh Chuin Ying
110 JETGALA
111JETGALA
112 JETGALA
““IITTT’’SS IMPORTANT TO PUT A LAYER OF HUMOUR RIGHT AWAY, TO LET PEOPLE
EENTER INTO CONTACT WITH THE SUBJECT”
113JETGALA
114 JETGALA
LLIIKKEE GGIILLBBBEERRTT GGAARRCCIINN’’SS
MMMAAKKEE--BBEELLIIEEVVEE IIMMMAAAGGEEESSS,, TTOOOLLLL’’SS SSSPPPRRREEEAAADDD DDDEEEFFFIIEEESS
TTTHHHEEEMMMEEESSS LLLIIIKKKEEE PPPRRROOOPPPOOORRRTTTIIOOONNNSSS,,
GGGRRAAAVVVIITTTYYY AAANNDD HHUUMMAANN
IINNTTEERRFFEERREENNCCEE
115JETGALA
AUD1
5 BN
D10
RMB1
00 H
KD80
INR
500
IDR8
5,00
0
KRW
10,0
00 K
WD3
MYR
20 N
ZD20
PES
OS30
0 QA
R40
SAR4
0 SG
D8 T
WD3
00 B
AHT2
50 A
ED40
VND
250,
000
February – April 2
01523 CHRISTOPHE CLARET | W
MALDIVES SUPER RESORTS
SCHREINER FINE JEWEL
SIHH 2
LATEST TIME
DC-6 CLOUDMASTE
DE HAVILLAND COM
ASIA AVIATION COM
FLYING WITH JOHN TRA
AIRPLANE REPO | HOV
GULFSTREAM’S
NEW G500 & G600
000 JETGALA 23 COVER Susanne Stemmer.indd 1
SUBSCRIBE TO JETGALA TODAY
It is simple enough. Log on to www.jetgala.com/subscribe.php and fill out a brief and confidential request form.
Once received, we will email you a simple subscription form with several payment options.
Subscription rates are:
SINGAPORE SGD 50MALAYSIA/THAILAND SGD 60BRUNEI/INDONESIA SGD 70VIETNAM/PHILIPPINES SGD 150
HONGKONG SGD 130CHINA/TAIWAN/KOREA SGD 150
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND SGD 150
REST OF THE WORLD SGD 190
Please note:
Annual subscription rates are inclusive of shipping charges. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing.
For further enquiries, bulk orders, etc, please contact us at:T: +65 6273 0620F: +65 6273 0632E: [email protected]
GET ASIA-PACIFIC’S PREMIER PRIVATE JET MAGAZINE DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR DESK
CHCHRIRISTSTOPOPHEHE C CLALARERET T | |
CHCHRHRISRISISTSTOTOPOPHPPHEHE C CLALARRPHEHE CCLCLALARAARERETT
ARERETEETTET |||
MAMALDLDIVIVESES S SUPUPERER R RESESOROR
MAMAMALDLDIVIVESES S SUPUPERER R REE
MALALDLDIDIVDIVEVESES SS SUSUPUPEPERER RR RERRESESORORRESESOSORR
SCSCHRHREIEINENER R FIFINENE J JEE
SCSCHCHRHREREINEINEINENEREER R FIFINENE JJER FR FIFININENE JEE JJEEE JEJE
SSIIHHHH
LLAATTEESSTT TTIIMM
DDDDEDE H HAVAVILILDEDE HEE HHAVAV
E HAHAVAVAVILILAVIILLLL
ASASIAIA A AVIVIATATIOIONN CC
ASASISIAIA AAVAVIVIVIATATIOIOVIAIATATITIOIONON C
FLFLYIYINGNG W WITITH H JOJOHNHN
FLFLYLYIYINYINGNG WGG WWITITH H JOJOHH
G WIWITWITHTH JJOJOHOOHNHNOHNHN
AIAIRPRPLALANENE R REPEPO O || HH
AIRAIAIRPRPLALANENE R REE
AIRAIRPRPLPLALANANENE RE RERREPEPO O | | HHREPEPOPO || H
NNEEWW
000000
0000
00
00
AUD1
5 BN
D10
RMB1
00
HKD8
0 IN
R500
ID
R85,
000
KRW
10,0
00 K
WD3
MYR
20 N
ZD20
PES
OS30
0 QA
R40
SAR4
0 SG
D8 T
WD3
00 B
AHT2
50 A
ED40
VND
250,
000
May - July 201524 AQUA MEKONG CRUISE | ICON TRUCKS
CASA FAGLIANO BOOTS | JAPAN’S RYOKANS
ASTON MARTIN VULCAN | ART BASEL HONG KONG
BASELWORLD’S
NEW TIMEPIECESCIVILIAN DRONES | AIRBUS E-FAN
THE FLYING TIGERS | AEROBATIC TACTICS
DASSAULT’S
NEW FALCON 8X
2/04/15 8:53 PM
AIRBORNE
Solar Impulse 2 departed from its base in Abu Dhabi for an ambitious round-the-world journey on March 9. Piloted by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, the world’s first
solar-powered plane is making the first attempt to fly without any fuel and is already in the third leg of the historic trip.
Jet Aviation Dubai received EASA
Part-145 approval, allowing the company to provide line maintenance to the ultra-long-range Gulfstream
G650. The facility, established in May 2005, has 6,250 sq-m of space that includes the hangar, workshop area and FBO building.
The new Dassault Falcon 8X finally took its first flight in early February after a month of roll out. Dassault
Aviation is aiming to get certification
for the new flagship by the middle of 2016 and enter service in the second half of the same year.
Embraer Executive Jets has delivered the first Legacy 500 to Australia. Used mainly for business purposes, Embraer Executive Jets has authorised Execujet to provide maintenance for the Legacy 500 in Australia. The aircraft was also awarded type certification from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA) early this year.
The fourth quarter of 2014 may not have ended as well as the year before for Textron Aviation due to the 11 per cent decrease in jet deliveries. However, the company, who owns Cessna and Beechcraft, explained that a total of 159 business jets were delivered in 2014, which is a 12 per cent increase from 2013.
Engineers made the world’s first 3D
printed jet engine and showcased it at the recent Avalon International
Airshow in Australia. A collaborative work between Amaero Engineering and Monash University, the printed jet engine is considered a “potential saviour of the declining manufacturing industry”. It is made using high-powered laser and fused powdered nickel, titanium or aluminium that will shape the objects layer by layer.
Hong Kong based HK Bellawings Jet
Limited announced its first private jet delivery, a Bombardier Global 5000. Recently established in 2014, the company offers services including business jet management, aircraft maintenance, travel concierge services and has established a Bellawings Club
membership for frequent flyers who require personalised services.
Cessna Aircraft Company celebrated the roll out of its first production Citation Latitude at the company’s Wichita, Kansas manufacturing facility. Only three years since its announcement in the market, the aircraft is expected to receive FAA
type certification in the second quarter of this year. >>
AIRBORNEBRIEFING
118 JETGALA
IF LUXURY IS YOUR LIFE,WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE
ORIENTAL PUBLISHING PTE LTD120 Lower Delta Road #13-11
Cendex Centre, Singapore 169208T: +65 6273 0620 F: +65 6273 0632
W: www.oriental-publishing.com
ORIENTAL MEDIA & EVENT SERVICES CO., LTD44C Cuu Long Street, Ward 2,Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamT: +84.8 3844 1612 F: +84.8 3846 2296W: www.oriental-ltd.com
Jet Aviation Basel redelivered its 25th Boeing BBJ that boasts the incorporation of its innovative design and state-of-the-art technology. The company developed a sound
insulation optimisation technique that decreases the aircraft’s weight by 30 per cent. The custom VIP cabin interior is modern and minimalistic, made out of the finest materials to emphasise the luxuriousness of the aircraft. Both interior and exterior design concepts were created in-house by the Jet
Aviation Design Studio.
A first in 23 years, FAA has issued a PART 21 production certificate to Honda Aero to produce HondaJet
engines. With full production now in progress, Honda Aero plans to produce and deliver about 100 engines to Honda Aircraft this year.
Vistajet’s last Learjet aircraft departed from Northolt airfield for its new home in North America as the company announced having an all Challenger and Global exclusive fleet. The Learjets, a total of 20 aircraft, have collectively travelled around the world for a total of 500 times over its service of 11 years.
Reaching the 250 aircraft mark after five years of operation, Embraer Executive
Jets has announced that the Phenom
300 is the most delivered business jet
for the second year in a row. The aircraft is in operation in more than 20 countries and has accumulated close to 200,000 flight hours.
Bombardier and new Malaysian airline, flymojo have signed a letter of intent
for the purchase of 20 CSeries 100 jets, with the option for an additional 20. The potential order is worth up to £1.57 billion.
Piper Aircraft’s single-engine Meridian M500 turbine business aircraft features the latest Garmin
avionics. The technology has enhanced safety features and various product improvements such as a new digital pressurisation which fully integrates with the G1000, the Aspen EFD-1000 standby instrument and electroluminescent placards in the cockpit. Designed to be easy to operate, the Piper M500 seats six and has a range of 1,000 nm.
AIRBORNEBRIEFING
120 JETGALA
Asia Pacific’s ultra luxury magazine with a focus
on private jet aviation and bespoke lifestyle for men
Jetgala Magazine @jetgala @jetgala
LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
WWW.JETGALA.COM
ABSOLUTE ALTITUDE Measurable height of an aircraft above the actual terrain.
ABSOLUTE CEILING The maximum altitude above sea level at which an aircraft can maintain level flight under Standard Air conditions.
AGL (Above Ground Level) Altitude expressed as feet above terrain or airport elevation (see MSL).
AILERONS An aircraft control surface hinged to the rear, outer section of each wing for banking (‘tilting’) the aircraft.
AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT Comprehensive services provided by a management company for an aircraft owner. Details vary.
AIRFOIL The shape of any flying surface, but principally a wing, as seen in side-view (cross section).
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE Official notification to aircraft owners/operators of a known safety issue with a particular model of aircraft.
ALTIMETER A highly sensitive barometer that shows an aircraft’s altitude above mean sea level by measuring atmospheric pressure.
ANGLE OF ATTACK The angle between the airfoil’s chord line and the direction in which the aircraft is currently moving.
AOG (Aircraft on Ground) Aircraft unfit to fly, in need of repair. Owner’s worst nightmare.
APPROACH (DEPARTURE) CONTROL Radar-based air traffic control, usually at an airport tower, providing traffic separation up to 40 miles.
APRON Hard-surfaced or paved area around a hangar. Also, ‘ramp’.
ATC (Air Traffic Control) Service providing separation services to participating airborne traffic and clearances to land, take off or taxi at airports.
AVIONICS The electronic control systems airplanes use for flight such as communications, autopilots, and navigation.
BLOCK RATES Pre-paid hours for air charter at a contracted price.
CARBON OFFSET Monetary contributions to renewable energy research and production projects to ‘offset’ carbon emissions of an airplane.
CHARTER The ‘renting’ of an aircraft with crew for a personal, business, or cargo flight from one point to another.
CHARTER CARD Pre-paid air charter plan, either for a block of charter hours at a pre-defined fee, or a set debit balance in dollars.
CLASS I NAVIGATION Operation of aircraft under visual meteorological conditions (VFR) primarily based on ‘see and avoid’ procedures.
CLASS II NAVIGATION Any en route flight operation that is not Class I, i.e. instrument-based navigation (IFR).
CLEARANCE Formal instructions from air traffic control authorising a specific action (climb or descend, entry into controlled airspace).
CONTRAILS Streaks of condensed water vapour created in the air by aircraft flying at high altitudes; a.k.a. vapour trails.
CONTROLLED AIRSPACE An airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided.
CRUISE SPEED The normal speed attained at altitude once the aircraft is no longer climbing and is en route.
CRUISING ALTITUDE A level altitude maintained by an aircraft while in flight.
DEADHEAD To fly the return leg of a trip without cargo or passengers.
DRAG Resisting force exerted on an aircraft in its line of flight opposite in direction to its motion. Opposite of thrust.
DUTY TIME That portion of the day when a crewmember is on duty in any capacity (not just in the air), limited by regulations.
EFIS (Electronic Flight Information Systems) Glass cockpit avionics that integrate all flight parameters into one optimised instrument.
ELEVATOR An aircraft control surface hinged to both rear horizontal stabilisers, changing the aircraft pitch attitude nose-up or nose-down.
EMPTY LEG Also known as ‘one-way availability’. Usually posted as available for travel between two airports during a certain time period.
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) The Department of Transportation’s agency for aviation.
FBO (Fixed Base Operator) A business operating an airport terminal for non-airline, general aviation aircraft.
FERRY FLIGHT A flight for the purpose of returning an aircraft to base or delivering an aircraft from one location to another.
FLAPS Hinged surfaces on the inboard rear of wings, deployed to increase wing curvature (and thus, lift).
FLIGHT PLAN Filed by radio, telephone, computer, or in person with Flight Service Stations.
FLIGHT TIME Portion of the trip actually spent in the air.
FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP The purchase of a ‘share’ of an aircraft.
FUSELAGE An aircraft’s main body structure housing the flight crew, passengers, and cargo.
GENERAL AVIATION Part of civil aviation comprising all facets of aviation except scheduled air carriers.
GLASS COCKPIT See EFIS.
GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite-based navigation system operated by Department of Defence.
GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) A system designed to alert pilots if their aircraft is in immediate danger of flying into the ground.
GROUND SPEED Actual speed that an aircraft travels over the ground also called ‘shadow speed’.
HANGAR An enclosed structure for housing aircraft. Originated with lake-based floating homes of the original German Zeppelin airships.
HEAVY JETS See ‘Large-Cabin Jets’.
HORSEPOWER The motive energy required to raise 550 lbs. one foot in one second, friction disregarded.
HUD (Head-Up Display) A transparent display that presents data without requiring the user to look away from his or her usual viewpoint.
IATA CODE International aviation code for international airports.
ICAO CODE Civil aviation codes for airports.
AIRBORNEGLOSSARY
122 JETGALA
The most recognised magazine title read and collected
by jewellery connoisseurs throughout the Asia Pacific
Solitaire Magazine @solitaire_mag @solitairemagazine
THE FINE ART OF JEWELLERY
WWW.SOLITAIREMAGAZINE.COM
AIRBORNEGLOSSARY
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) Rules for flights into clouds and low visibility, by reference to cockpit instruments and radio navigation.
ILS (Instrument Landing System) A precision instrument approach system permitting aircraft to land with low ceilings or poor visibility.
JOINT OWNERSHIP Purchase or lease of an aircraft by a number of owners, often through a partnership or limited company.
KNOT (Nautical Mile per Hour) Common measure of aircraft speed equalling 6,080 feet or about 1.15 miles. (For mph, multiply knots by 1.15.)
KTAS True airspeed, in knots.
LARGE-CABIN JETS The largest size aircraft that doesn’t require a major airport runway. Typical capacity 9-15 passengers.
LAYOVER A night spent in the middle of the trip in a city other than home base for the aircraft and crew.
LEG Describes one direction of travel between two points. Commonly used in referring to a planned itinerary.
LIGHT JETS See ‘Small-Cabin Jets’.
MACH SPEED A number representing the ratio of the speed of an airplane to the speed of sound in the surrounding air.
MAYDAY An international distress signal to indicate an imminent and grave danger that requires assistance.
MID-CABIN JETS Typical capacity 7-9 passengers.
MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) Company licensed to provide services for the upkeep and airworthiness of airplanes.
NAUTICAL MILE Defined internationally as equivalent to 1,852 metres or 1.15 statute miles.
NDB (Non-Directional Beacon) A radio transmitter at a known location, used as an aviation or marine navigational aid.
PAN PAN International call signal for urgency, indicating uncertainty and usually followed by the nature of the alert.
PART 91 The parts of Federal Aviation Regulations on non-commercial operations covering corporate flight departments.
PART 121 The parts of Federal Aviation Regulations on scheduled airline operations, including the publication of a schedule.
PART 135 The parts of Federal Aviation Regulations on non-commercial operations covering charter carriers.
PART 145 Certificate allowing an organisation to perform maintenance and alterations on US-registered aircraft.
PATTERN The path of aircraft traffic around an airfield, at an established height and direction.
PAYLOAD Anything that an aircraft carries beyond what is required for its operation during flight.
POSITIONING Ferrying aircraft for departure from other than originating airport.
RADAR System that uses electromagnetic waves to identify the range, altitude, direction, or speed of moving and fixed objects.
RAMP The apron or open ‘tarmac’ in front of an FBO or terminal facility. This space is busy, used for deplaning, parking of aircraft, etc.
ROLL One of three axes in flight, specifying the action around a central point.
ROTATE In flight, any aircraft will rotate about its centre of gravity, a point which is the average location of the mass of the aircraft.
RUDDER Aircraft control surface attached to the rear of the vertical stabiliser (fin) of the aircraft tail. Forces the plane to veer left or right.
RUNWAY HEADING Magnetic direction corresponding to the centre line of the runway.
SLATS Small, aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge of the wings of fixed aircraft which allow the wing to operate at a higher angle of attack.
SLIPSTREAM The flow of air driven backward by a propeller or downward by a rotor.
SMALL-CABIN JETS Typical capacity 5-8 passengers.
SQUAWK A four-digit number that a pilot dials into his transponder to identify his aircraft to air traffic controllers.
STATUTE MILE A unit of length equal to 5,280 feet.
SVS (Synthetic Vision System) A technology that uses 3D to provide pilots with intuitive means of under-standing their flying environment.
TAIL NUMBER An airplane’s registration number.
TARMAC A paved airport surface, especially a runway or an apron at a hangar.
TAXI TIME Portion of the trip spent rolling between the gate, terminal, or ramp and runway.
THRUST The forward force produced in reaction to the gases expelled rearward from a jet engine. Opposite of drag.
TRAILING EDGE The rearmost edge of an airfoil.
TRANSPONDER An airborne transmitter that responds to automated air traffic control interrogation with accurate position information.
TURBINE Engine that uses compressed air to generate thrust to spin a metal shaft inside the motor, used in jet engines and turboprop aircraft.
TURBOPROP An aircraft in which the propeller is driven by a jet-style turbine rather than a piston.
VERY LIGHT JETS (VLJ) Small jet aircraft approved for single-pilot operation, maximum take-off weight of less than 10,000 lb (4,540 kg).
VFR (Visual Flight Rules) A defined set of FAA regulations covering operation of aircraft flying by visual reference to the horizon.
VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) Ground-based radio navigation aid.
VORTICES Regions of high velocity that develop at the tip of a wing as it flies through the air.
WIND SHEAR Large changes in either wind speed or direction at different altitudes that can cause sudden gain or loss of airspeed.
WINGLET A small, stabilising, rudder-like addition to the tips of a wing to control or employ air movement, thereby increasing fuel economy.
YAW One of the three axes in flight, specifying the side-to-side movement of an aircraft on its vertical axis.
YOKE The control wheel of an aircraft, akin to an automobile steering wheel.
124 JETGALA
Presenting the Chinese-language version of Solitaire,
exclusively distributed in Singapore and Malaysia
Solitaire Magazine @solitaire_mag @solitairemagazine
THE FINE ART OF JEWELLERY
WWW.SOLITAIREXUAN.COM
NBAA
AIRBORNESHOWDIARY
126 JETGALA
MAY 2015
JUNE 2015
FEBRUARY 2016
MARCH 2016
APRIL 2016
MAY 2016
AUGUST 2015
SEPTEMBER 2015
NOVEMBER 2015
19-21 MAY 015
15-21 JUN015
16-21 FEB
16-20 MAR
29 MAR-3 APR
24-26 MAY
13-16 AUG015
16-19 SEP
8-12 NOV
17-19 NOV
27-30 APR
15th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE)
International Paris Air Show
Singapore Airshow 2016
India Aviation Exhibition & Conference 2016
FIDAE 2016
16th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE)
Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow
16th Aviation Expo / China
Dubai Airshow
National Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA 2015)
Marrakech Aero Expo & Air Show 2016
Palexpo and Geneva International Airport, Geneva, Switzerland
Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, Paris, France
Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore
Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, India
Santiago International Airport, Santiago, Chile
Genève Aéroport, Geneva, Switzerland
B N21 4JJ Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK
China National Convention Center, Beijing, China
Dubai World Central
Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada, United States
Menara Airport, Marrakech, Morocco
ebace.aero
www.siae.fr
www.singaporeairshow.com
www.india-aviation.in
www.fidae.cl/en/home
ebace.aero
www.visiteastbourne.com/airbourne
www.beijingaviation.com
www.dubaiairshow.aero
www.nbaa.org
marrakechairshow.com
Vietnam’s only watch magazine with
a proud and consistent ten-year history
WWW.THOIGIAN-MAGAZINE.COM
Thoigian Magazine
VIETNAM’S FIRST & LEADING WATCH MAGAZINE
AIRBORNETAILHOOK
by Syahmin Ritzwan
THE FLYING JELLYFISH
A MINIATURE FLAPPING-WING ROBOT IS ON ITS WAY TO CHANGE THE FUTURE OF MICRO AERIAL VEHICLES (MAVS). Dubbed The Flying Jellyfish, this hovering prototype is only eight centimetres in diameter, about the size of one’s palm, and is the first of its kind to keep upright without fancy sensors or controls.
Tiny wing robots, known as ornithopters, usually require feedback control systems or an incorporation of tails or sails (similar to an insect’s sensory-motor systems) in order to respond instantaneously to surroundings. This adds unwanted mass and complexity when building miniature aircraft.
Wanting it to be simple to fly, Leif Ristroph and Stephen Childress from New York University took a cue from the oceans and came up with a flying machine that generates opening and closing motions comparable to how jellyfish propel themselves.
The drone consists of four wings that flap at a rate of 20 times per second, drawing air into the spherical space between the wings and pushing air downward at every flap. This keeps the robot stable while hovering in the air. Although the prototype is still reliant on an external hard-wired power source and cannot be steered, it certainly shows that we are far from running out of new ideas to fly.
128 JETGALA
