DragonFly staff are delighted that operations manager Tracy Evans is about to return to work after a kidney transplant carried out in January. The welcome success of the operation was especially poignant in that Evans, despite being in need of a transplant herself, has despatched and managed a considerable number of organ transplant flights, and so was able to directly help many others to receive life-saving transplants while waiting for one herself.

Meanwhile ceo Howard Palser reports that DragonFly itself is also in good health, and has benefited from strong growth in the turboprop sector of the charter market. Last year was a record year for the company both in terms of turnover and charter hours flown, and saw total charter hours flown pass the 5,000 hours mark since the company was formed in 2004.

DragonFly has been restructured as a limited liability company in place of its former structure as a limited liability partnership in order to facilitate future expansion, and it secured a line of finance to fund its growth. It is now pursuing a policy of development of its core turboprop services that broadly encompasses corporate clients, high net wealth individuals, celebrities and sporting personalities and organ transplant support, as well as seeking to acquire additional types of aircraft.

The company owns two Beech King Air turboprops which are operated on a genuine multi-crew basis under the AOC of Executive Aviation Services.

Until recently DragonFly managed and operated a third King Air 200 but this has recently been sold by its celebrity owner and the company is actively seeking a replacement aircraft to satisfy demand for the company's services.

Palser is delighted to have his operations team back up to strength: "Although few were aware of the fact, Tracy, although only in her 20s, has suffered from chronic kidney disease which was progressive and which for sometime required her to carry out self-dialysis in the office three times each day. Despite this, Tracy performed her duties without ever complaining or indeed anyone becoming aware of her problem.

"Despite the absence of such a key individual, DragonFly has been able to maintain its full 24/7 charter response and I would like to express my thanks to the other members of the team for their assistance in enabling the company to continue to provide a seamless service to our clients."