Grob Aerospace has appointed Northern Executive Aviation (NEA) in the UK as a factory-authorized service partner for its spn light jet to support customers in Europe. Based at the UK's third largest airport in Manchester, EASA 145 certificated NEA boasts 40 years' experience supporting business aviation customers on a wide range of aircraft and has held Bombardier Authorized Service Centre status for 10 years.

NEA has been selected for its close understanding of business aircraft operators' needs and customer service capabilities. It will be able to offer spn customers a full range of services from its modern facilities, including inspection, maintenance, repair, modification, parts and services. NEA is UK CAA licensed for wheel and brake maintenance and in addition boasts an on site avionics workshop. Its FBO facilities include fuelling, hangar and conference amenities, as well as passenger services and maintenance operations. NEA also has an operation and charter service and currently manages a fleet of five aircraft on behalf of corporate owners and private individuals.

In Europe NEA will complement support currently provided by ExecuJet Aviation Group in Copenhagen, Denmark, which has EASA 145 approval. Further facilities will be appointed in Europe in due course. Grob Aerospace itself will support the service center network in Europe and be able to perform maintenance work from its facility in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany.

Deliveries of the spn in Europe are scheduled to begin immediately after EASA certification in Q2 2008. Grob Aerospace is forecasting a market of more than 120 aircraft for Europe in the coming 10 years.

"Europe is going to be an important market for us, as early sales of the spn have demonstrated. Hand in hand with securing a sale comes the requirement for first class product and customer support. We are extremely encouraged with the experience and capability of Northern Executive Aviation and are confident that NEA will deliver to our customers an attentive service," said Niall Olver, CEO, Grob Aerospace.

"We are delighted to be partnering Grob Aerospace on its very exciting spn program and provide first class maintenance and technical support to its growing number of operators in Europe," commented Mike Foley, Managing Director of Northern Executive Aviation. "Not only is this aircraft very aesthetically pleasing, with terrific ramp presence, it will offer its operators immense versatility: the spn in Executive Configuration, Business Configuration and with the capability of quick cabin change for high value cargo and medevac roles, for example - and all at an extremely competitive mid-range price. It ticks all the right boxes," he said.

The spn will be certified initially for a service life of 28,000 hours. Its dedicated use of carbon fiber means that the spn incurs significantly less risks of corrosion and fatigue than an alternative aluminum-built light jet. Grob Aerospace will offer its spn customers a comprehensive maintenance by-flight-hour package.