Courtesy of Farnborough-based Executive Jet Charter, the UK's first Citation X will be available for charter from the end of September, 1999. Barry Johnson, EJC's director, told EBAN: "It's the first aircraft to be delivered to the UK, the first to be owned in the UK, and we're now in the process of developing a charter market for it. We think with a 3,000 mile range, flying at 47,000 feet, at Mach 0.8 to 0.9, and with eight passengers and baggage, there's a niche market for it."\rThe aircraft is owned by Yorkshire-based boat and aircraft charter company, Red Aviation Services Limited, which in turn is owned by entrepreneur Barry Rubery. Rubery, whose professional exploits include ownership of Huddersfield Town football club, said of his recent acquisition: "In looking around for the most suitable aircraft, there seemed to me to be no choice but the Citation X and my personal use of the aircraft in the relatively short time I have owned it, has well justified the decision."\rRed Aviation's chief pilot, Capt Paul Henderson, added: "Since taking delivery of the aircraft in July, I have undertaken trips to Japan, Thailand and the east and west coasts of the USA. The aircraft is a delight to fly and exceeds our expectations." \rEstablished in 1994, Executive Jet Charter currently offers a Falcon 900B and Hawker 800B to charter customers. It is somewhere in between these two aircraft that Johnson envisages a market for the Citation X. He said: "The Hawker's got a range of 2,200 nautical miles, the Falcon 4,500nm and the Citation X has one of 3,000. From our own company point of view, it fits right in the middle of our modus operandi."\rJohnson believes the Citation X has one attribute which truly stands out. He said: "The speed is phenomenal. We can do London to Jeddah in five hours, London to Moscow in less than three and London to Lagos also in five hours. In addition, it can fly one stop to the US very quickly. "For say three or four people flying to the Middle East, it will suit them down to the ground."\rAs far as the interior is concerned, Johnson says the aircraft is extensively appointed with in-flight entertainment systems consisting of DVDs, CD and Airshow. In addition to the double club four arrangement, the aircraft can also be configured with a settee which converts into a bed for overnight flights. From the CAA Safety Regulation Group's viewpoint, this Citation X is the first of its kind to seek a charter licence. To give a brief overview of the process, Johnson explained: "We have to submit a new section of the operations manual to the CAA, who then approves the changes. Then we have to do some initial base training on the aeroplane followed by a proving flight for the CAA. That process will be complete in the next 15 to 18 days, after which we will be issued a variation on our air operator certificate, to include the Citation X."\rEJC says it has a target market in mind for the Citation X but will not be leaving it to chance for business to develop. Johnson told EBAN: "Its only got 150 hours on the clock and we believe it will appeal to major Plc companies, entertainers and sports personalities. You also have to bear in mind that it's a new aeroplane and clients like flying in new aeroplanes. Once people have flown in it, we will be working very hard on repeat business." Barry Johnson is very excited about the Citation X's prospects but not so much so that he has lost a sense of realism. He said: "It's an untried mission. We feel there's demand for the aeroplane but I don't know what kind of demand because it's difficult to estimate that against market forces and competition. That said, there's a great excitement and kudos factor involved just in developing a market for it."\rAs to the near future, Johnson says that EJC will be concentrating on expanding its charter fleet in Europe. Barry Rubery is also chief executive of Red Corporation Limited, a Hong Kong-based media and technology company, and a major shareholder in Keystone Developments Limited, a Barbados-based property company.