It's as much about the people

Already the charter enquiries are starting to  filter through. The flight quotation, flight following and operations software   has been system loaded  but commercial are still providing price guides  manually whilst  systems testing is completed


Although Cello anticipated  launching in the quieter 3 months of the year( football and rugby seasons essentially finished and the product launch customers heading into  the summer recess) the enquiries received so far are ahead of expectations for this quarter, considering the brokers are only just starting to get to know the carrier.

The selection of a large 43'pitch 46 seat interior for the ABJ means the European market will  now have a choice  between an economy level on board product and a significantly higher  standard for this aircraft size

There's a little frustration creeping in  across the team because  they want the planning stage over and  now 'just want to  get on with it'

Cabin crew training has been completed at
Farnborough .
Someone substituted  a 'live' life

 jacket for the demonstration  kit

 --Oh how we laughed!!

Grappling with the life raft

- and keeping their feet dry!
 Unlike last week where
 the pool  training
 got everyone pretty
wet-allover!.

Love the lining on this

coat ! Do you have it
 in black?
Trying out the
thermal blankets.

 Flight deck crew sim training will be complete within 7 days. This includes training approvals to operate the ABJ through  London City Airport with its non standard approaches

Route proving flights allow the crew to  get their hands on the aircraft again and are scheduled for 16 April prior to  EBACE attendance in Geneva

http://celloaviation.blogspot.com/

http://www.flycello.com/

http://twitter.com/flycello

tel: 0121 507 8700

It doesn't look much now !, but----------

Cello's pre launch preparations continue.

The refurbishment of the aircraft commenced late last year and although externally similar compared with its previous life,  the interior is seriously different.

    'Where does this bit bolt back on' ??  Early in the refurbishment programme.

Part of the approved maintenance programme prior to external re-spray .

The manuals were completed and submitted to  the CAA last week . Five different manuals are required by the CAA covering all aspects of the operation. Its for them now to review and advise.

The crew enjoyed being dunked in the water at Farnborough as part of their emergency evacuation training. Modesty prohibits the publication of any shots of this(well  maybe we will next week).

At Southend, the  paint scheme is complete and the aircraft  looks  more or less complete externally.

Believe it or not  this unit  will be out of the hangar, complete within 10 days.

Commercial department is  developing  the broker  and retail agent database to target the sports travel, entertainment events and product launch markets to name but a few .

A combined flight planning, operations and customer quotation/invoicing software package is installed at Birmingham and tested.

Modestly  understated!

The exterior can carry  customer branding if required.

Interior customer branding is also available together with bespoke cabin service.

In the event of a cabin
depressurisation!

Seeing an aircraft in an unfinished state is not everyones cup of tea.
 But when an aircraft gets stripped back, it just has tobe seen ! Back in January the interior including seats, overhead bins and interior liners are removed in preparation for installation of the new  interior.

Click on the picture to  enlarge the image.

No expense spared on the quality of the cabin
furnishings!




Broker  inspection days are  being planned end April at Birmingham and all European brokers will be able to  view the aircraft  at EBACE in Geneva early in May

Countdown to the launch

Eighteen  months in the planning , business plans,  revisions , aircraft selection, brand creation and
endless discussions with the UK CAA, the launch of air tranport operations in not without its highs and lows.

Cello Aviation has objective to fill a gap in the European air transport charter market for 46 seat corporate jet- a move away from the standard 29 pitch ''commuter airline'' interior standard currently available in the UK and europe. Instead  a very  high quality  on board product coupled with 46 luxury seats in 40 pitch with a 44 seat club seating option.  Bespoke onboard service and a minimum 3 cabin staff  to support the customers,whether they be football teams, entertainers, a wedding party  or product launch customers.

Why 'Cello'' ?   A word that won't offend or be lost in translation, whatever language you speak . What a fiddle !

The selection of a Birmingham base - already with over 3,800 corporate jet movements annually, Birmingham  provides an ideal central base .

An operating radius of 1480 miles plus IFR reserves, the aircraft originally manufactured as a BAe 146-200  becomes an Avro ABJ

So air transport operation is not all about the aircraft ! Having spent 18 months with the issues of business planning discussion with the CAA, aircraft selection and search, the project nears launch.

Another day , another manual !!

So what's the focus this week. A deadline for submission of the ops manuals to the CAA. These will be reviewed prior to grant of the operators Air Opertors Certificate . All the team are involved . As you can see, wishing it was Friday night and with a glass of Chablis in their hands !!

At Southend where the aircraft is undergoing re fit,  the hot galleys are installed, the cabin interior is being fitted, the interior walls and overhead bins are complete , seats are next . The exterior checks see the spoilers receiving attention.


The preparations for cabin staff  training has been complete at Farnborough and the sim rides planned for the flight deck crew organised .

Still its not all manual writing. The  onboard wine and food samples arrive for
'testing'

The wine supplier explodes one myth. Does
altitude have any effect on wine  taste or
quality?  NO !
So if like me , you've had a bad
glass at 35000, it was just  poor plonk!

                                     

Meanwhile the website creation is nearing completion.

Visit http://www.flycello.com/  from  24March

Follow Cello as it moves towards commercial launch end April on  http://celloaviation.blogspot.com/

Cello Aviation
Elmdon Terminal
Birmingham International Airport
Birmingham
B26 3QN
tel: 0121 507 8700
mobile; 0770 236 9834

Cello Aviation . . .  an exclusive flying experience




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