Manhattan Jet Charter based at Farnborough is seriously looking at adding long range capability to its fleet after bringing the U.K.'s first Premier 1A into service.

Trevor Jones, md, who was inspired to enter aviation by round-the-world yachtsman and famous pilot Sir Francis Chichester, says: "It is our fifth Premier aircraft and the Premier fleet is now at an optimum size so we have no plans to expand it further. However we are researching the market to establish the best way to service longer range demand as well. We enjoy great facilities at Farnborough. It is a very good place to grow an expanding business and we need to take advantage of the availability of first class facilities."

He adds: "I have to say that we are close to taking this next step. We have put a great deal of effort over three years into making sure that we service the Premier market properly. We do need to develop our fleet further to work to full capacity and meet client demand.

"The Premier is very good for destinations that can be reached in two hours flying time but a flight to Cairo would involve refuelling. Therefore we tend to restrict our charter bookings to the Mediterranean or to destinations such as Stockholm and Warsaw in northern and eastern Europe rather than take on trips to Moscow. I make it very clear to clients what our best range is. During four days over Easter, three of our aircraft were flying in and out of Palma de Majorca each day."

The 1A, which is configured for six passengers, offers an enhanced cabin layout which makes it seem even more spacious than its predecessor although the dimensions are the same, Jones says.

"Another of its major attractions is speed. It has the same performance as a Learjet 45 and a cabin size that is the largest available in aircraft of its type. Most people are surprised at the space and comfort available when they see the interior for the first time.

"It is rather like the Tardis telephone box in the Dr. Who television series that is much bigger inside than it appears from the outside. The 1A is also available at a reasonable price and cost-effective to operate."

Jones points out that the focus on one type of aircraft has maintenance pluses. "The addition of a fifth means we can ensure very good availability for our clients.

Any owner of a Premier aircraft is looking to get 500 hours flying time in a year and this must be our aim. I would estimate 70:30 business and leisure."

Manhattan Jet Charter took delivery of the first UK-registered Premier 1 at the Farnborough International Air Show back in 2004. The company chose the aircraft to replace its turboprop fleet and meet the growing demands of its clients.

Jones started out as an airline pilot in 1980 but work was scarce and he moved into private aviation. "I was inspired to become a pilot by Francis Chichester's book Alone Across the Tasman Sea."

As well as being a round-the-world yachtsman, Sir Francis was a famous airman. His attempt to fly round the world ended in a crash in Japan but he flew a Gypsy Moth with a range of 500 nm from northern New Zealand to Sydney, a distance of 1,500 nm. He lined up two islands at 500 nm points and navigated using a sextant.