Farnborough-based Gama Aviation has taken delivery of a Challenger 601. The managed aircraft joins the company’s fleet which comprises a BBJ, Gulfstream IV, Challenger 601 and 604, Hawker 800 and 1000 and King Air B200.

“We had great success with our first Challenger 601, which joined the fleet back in January 2001,” said Gama Aviation’s general manager Dave Edwards. “Our Challenger 604 is flying all the time and adding an additional 601 gives us more charter capacity to meet our current demand requirements.”

The aircraft is based at Farnborough Airport and seats nine passengers in a standard club four at the front of the passenger cabin and club two and a three-place bench at the rear.

“For the majority of the time, the Challenger will be ready to fly within just two hours and we envisage it operating the same sorts of routes as our current Challengers, namely around Europe and Russia.”

The aircraft was chosen for a number of specific reasons. “The aircraft is good in that, unlike the majority of managed aircraft, it is primarily a charter machine which gives us the ability to sell it without any owner’s release issues.

“Another one of the great features of Challenger aircraft in general is that no matter what model you have, the cabins are so similar that it makes them a very popular type.”

The company’s early experience with the aircraft seems positive: “Well, the aircraft joined the

AOC yesterday lunchtime and it’s just about to launch on a flight to Jeddah, so I think we can be happy with that turnaround!”

As its fleet continues to grow, the company is preparing to open a division in North America. “It has certainly been challenging entering the North American market which has so many similarities, yet so many differences,” said Edwards.