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Sometimes life just sucks 
My work day yesterday included the privilege of meeting Embraer’s brand ambassador Jackie Chan. He was at the OEM’s headquarters in São José dos Campos to take delivery of his new ‘baby’ as he called it. The delivery ceremony was typically Brazilian – upbeat and fun and incorporating a traditional Capoeira martial arts sequence. Afterwards both Jackie and Frederico Curado – Embraer’s CEO – danced to to the podium in a spoof Kung Fu standoff for the official gift exchange. Which is exactly why I love the Brazilians. There’s a huge sense of fun and energy complementing the sheer hard work taking place in Sao Jose.
The following press conference was punctuated with laughter and questions about Jackie’s many injuries sustained during his pratfalls. Since he was born in the year of the Dragon, the aircraft is painted in Jackie’s own distinct dragon livery. And of course this year is the Year of the Dragon in his home country.
Hong Kong born Jackie has won worldwide acclaim with numerous film awards, both in China and internationally. He is now recognized, worldwide, as the most influential Chinese kung fu movie star. In recent years, he has shifted his focus more and more to charity causes. In recognition of his contributions to social welfare, Jackie has been presented with awards by various public institutions, including “one of the 48 most philanthropic people in Asia” by Forbes Asia in 2010, and was named the International Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF/UNAIDS in 2004. As one of the best-known Chinese citizens, Jackie Chan also commits himself to promoting Chinese culture around the world and was named Goodwill Ambassador for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Promotion Ambassador for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
He will help Embraer to promote its entire line of executive aircraft. Ernie Edwards, president, Embraer Executive Jets said,“This delivery is a moment of historical importance to Embraer because it solidifies an already long and successful relationship between China and Embraer. To have the first Embraer Legacy 650 in China go to Jackie Chan, a world-renowned movie star, business man and philanthropist, illustrates how the cutting-edge technology, comfort and productivity of this aircraft allow operators in China to travel throughout the world with more efficiency and ease.”
Jackie pointed out that the aircraft will help him with his business and personal life, especially with his charitable work. He said, “I chose the Legacy 650 because its large three zone cabin, offering incredibly quiet performance and luxury. I am honored to join the Embraer Legacy 650 family of users. I believe that Embraer is poised to become a major player in the Chinese executive jet market and thrilled to fulfill my role as brand ambassador for this great Company.”
The Legacy 650′s range is 3,900 nautical miles (7,223 kilometers) meaning it can fly nonstop between Beijing to Dubai, or Hong Kong to Adelaide, carrying four passengers. The cockpit is equipped with the Honeywell Primus Elite avionics suite. The aircraft also features advanced Wi-Fi technology and significantly reduced cabin noise. The cabin also includes a fully equipped wet galley and the largest in-flight accessible baggage compartment in its class. In addition to Jackie Chan’s delivery, Embraer has taken orders for 13 more of the type from China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing.
I had a fabulous day, which wound up kung fu demonstrations and a big hug from Embraer’s new brand ambassador. Did I mention I love going to Brazil?
Like many in the aircraft sales business Steve Varsano is a pilot by inclination. He has eschewed flying for a living in favour of making bigger bucks buying and selling bizjets. However, his love of technology and all things aeronautical permeates his new showroom in Grosvenor Place London. Doorhandles are designed to look like engine cowls, branding is based on isogonal lines on aviation charts and his business address includes the shop’s latitude and longitude coordinates.
He prefers today to sit in the back, as he says, “sipping wine and enjoying the journey.” (Just as well he’s not in the cockpit then). What he’s offering clients is a supercharged broker experience and “raising the game” for aircraft sales and acquisition. 20% of his business is from new customers, so he is working with bizjet manufacturers.
People new to jet ownership, or even old hands, can source an aircraft that meets their needs in minutes, rather than months, courtesy of an app he’s designed that offers graphical comparisons projected onto a huge screen the size of a Gulfstream G550 cabin. The design is simple and takes the viewer easily through a series of questions, such as ‘how far do I want to go?”, ” How much should I spend?”, and ”how many people will I have on board?’ .
Aircraft floors and cabins are overlaid on top of each other and the viewer can stand in front of the screen to get a true idea of cabin height and width. Once the field is narrowed down, Varsano pulls up a list of available aircraft on his books, for which he has lots of photographs and specs.
Like any brokerage, there is a full time team of analysts sourcing aircraft. Varsano is also offering his showroom to manufacturers should they wish to take their clients there to take a detailed look at their product range.
The back of the shop contains a full-size mockup of an Airbus ACJ, outfitted by Design Q (they of the camper jet fame), which is stunning. Varsano took me through the differences in dB levels on board, with an app that does just that. Each 5 dB really does make a huge difference. I mean I knew that – but I never really knew how much difference each increment makes. 10 minutes of playing – er testing – was a revelation.
More wizadry and fun comes with a special secret entrance behind the shop for clients who really don’t wish to be seen, and a dimmable window that clouds the front window, hiding what’s going on inside from prying eyes. Expect startled drivers for the next wee while as the hologram beaming out from the reception window engages people driving past. With offerings from each of the major bizjet manufacturers, the planes seem to fly out to the road. In the five days the room has been open Varsano has pulled in two prospects on spec -a Canadian and a someone from the Middle East.
The Jet Business is aimed at upping the customer experience. If clients are unable to meet at the shop, the team will travel to any destination in the world and bring a mobile version on a specially customised IPad. Next stop is China. Varsano is also keen to develop the app further, moving into interiors, with what he calls the “Star Trek” version.
Will it work? Having invested what he says is ‘the price of a small jet’ into the concept, Varsano believes so. If it does, it will change the face of used aircraft sales forever. Well worth a look.
First big story of Asian Aerospace is that Airbus has appointed the Aircraft Engineering Company Ltd (TAECO) as its first approved cabin-outfitter in Asia-Pacific and eight such centre worldwide.
The milestone appointment is an act of courage and faith on both parts and the result of three years of hard work behind the scenes training staff to exacting Airbus standards.
TAECO is a subsidiary of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Ltd. (HAECO), specialising in heavy and line maintenance, freighter conversion, component overhaul, engineering design, parts manufacturing and training in Xiamen, Mainland China.
Outfitting business jet cabins, such as the Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) and A320 Prestige is a new venture for TAECO, which has already built a cabin mock-up to showcase its capability in the field. See image below.
TAECO’s CEO Patrick Healy said: “We are pleased to be approved as Airbus first completion centre in the Asia Pacific, which is a recognition of TAECO’s expertise and experience in the aircraft engineering field.”
He added: “Expanding into cabin completions for Airbus corporate jets is an important and exciting new business opportunity for us, and we look forward to receiving the first Airbus corporate jet to be fitted out at our completion centre.”
TAECO’s approval follows a complete Airbus audit of the company and its capabilities. Airbus executive vice president, programmes, Tom Williams said: “Our customers expect a quality Airbus Corporate Jet from us, even when the cabin is outfitted by another company, and we are determined to help them achieve that, which is why we encourage them to choose an approved completion centre.”
Airbus was incredibly frank today about its plans for the region and the Taeco appointment. The agreement is not an exclusive one – Taeco is free to work with other OEMs. The airframer’s attitude was a refreshing change after my being booted out of an NBAA meeting (to which I had been invited) where the US association was discussing developing business aviation in Asia.
Having worked with the Asian Business Aviation Association – whom I find to be extremely cooperative and open – for several years now I was a little surprised at the Americans’ stance.
