Luxury Aviation & Private Jet Charter

CHINO, Calif., July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — To prevent the potential for accidents and costly repairs to aircraft being moved in hangars, Talon Air (www.TalonAirJets.com), a full-service private jet charter and aircraft management company based at Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, New York, has installed a unique perimeter-warning system in two of its hangars. Using the Redscan laser-scan detectors from Optex (www.optexamerica.com), the system warns pilots and hangar operators when a plane comes within eight feet of the hangar walls.

“Talon Air puts a premium on maintaining clean, safe, and state-of-the-art facilities,” says Adam Katz, founder, president, and CEO of Talon Air. “The Optex Redscan laser-scan system is a cost-effective and powerful way to reduce the likelihood of damage to aircraft or facilities while allowing personnel to move freely throughout the hangar. The system enhances our reputation as a leader in the industry.”

The goal was to eliminate any risk of damage to aircraft during exit or entry and provide aircraft owners whose planes are managed by Talon with value-added safety measures. The system should also reduce insurance premiums. An important feature of the scanning system was to ensure that aircraft mechanics and hangar personnel have access to the perimeter area. The system detects only objects eight feet off the ground. The scanning system uses four Redscan RLS-3060 laser scanners, which detect a moving object’s size, speed, and distance from the detector. The RLS-3060 creates a 200-foot wide detection area that functions like an invisible wall. Any object within the laser’s span will set off strobes and sounds.

Grid Squared Systems (www.gridsquared.com), an Optex Redscan Certified System Integrator, was selected by Talon to propose a system solution that would fit their unique safety requirements. Grid Squared worked with Optex to devise the best solution. “The Redscan system was selected on both its technical merits and its ease of use,” says Lon Bazelais, senior partner at Grid Squared. “We had the system installed and running in minimal time without disruption to Talon operations.”

“The Redscan system provides Talon with the flexibility to tailor the scanning area to increase safety without interfering with day-to-day operations,” says Chris Adams, Optex’s Eastern regional sales manager. “The Redscan in the hands of an experienced and certified integrator such as Grid Squared can solve unique problems and be applied in new and innovative ways.”

About Talon Air

Talon Air, Inc., is a full service private aviation company specializing in private jet charters, aircraft management, and aircraft maintenance. Talon Air owns and operates the most diverse fleet in the world of private jets, executive helicopters, and turbo prop aircraft. Talon Air is equipped to provide private jet charter flights and business travel anywhere in the world with no geographic limitations.

About Optex

Optex, Inc. markets indoor and outdoor passive and active infrared technology products manufactured by Optex Company Limited of Otsu, Japan throughout the continents of North and South America. Products include a wide variety of hardwired and wireless outdoor detectors and photobeams, specialized sensors to trigger CCTV systems and a one-of-a-kind Class-1 laser detector for high security applications. Since its founding in 1979, Optex has established a worldwide reputation for quality, innovation, and technical excellence with products that represent an investment in performance and long-term satisfaction.

FIRM $650 MILLION ORDER PLACED AT PARIS AIRSHOW FOR 10 BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 8000 AIRCRAFT

FIRM ORDER BACKLOG NOW IN EXCESS OF $2.0 BILLION

NEW AIRCRAFT ORDERS SET TO TAKE TOTAL FLEET SIZE TO IN EXCESS OF 60 AIRCRAFT

ORDER FOLLOWS RECENT STRATEGIC DECISION TO EXPEDITE EXPANSION IN RESPONSE TO RAPID MARKET GROWTH ACROSS BRINC* COUNTRIES AND OTHER FAST-GROWTH DEVELOPING MARKETS

Paris: June 21 2011

VistaJet, the world’s premier luxury aviation company with the largest wholly-owned commercial fleet outside the Americas, has today placed a firm order for 10 Global** 8000** aircraft. The total value of the order is approximately $650 million US, based on the 2011 list price for typically equipped aircraft.

The firm order, which comes just a month after an order for six Global 6000** and two Challenger 605** aircraft was announced at EBACE in Geneva, will expedite VistaJet’s expansion in response to rapid market growth across BRINC* countries and fast-growth developing markets, such as Asia, Middle East, West Africa and Russia / CIS where large, longer-range aircraft have enabled VistaJet to build leading market positions.

Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman of VistaJet, said:

“We are seeing unprecedented demand in the BRINC countries and other fast-growth developing markets in which we operate.  These markets currently account for over 75% of all our flights.  At the same time, the geographic reach of our corporate customers places demanding requirements on our fleet with sectors typically of between five to ten hours duration.

“To service this rapidly growing demand, from some of the world’s leading business and corporate players, we are expediting the development of what is already one of the world’s largest fleets of state-of-the-art long-range aircraft.

“This latest order confirms VistaJet’s established reputation and leading positions in its markets where it justifiably claim to be the preferred ‘carrier of choice’.  This in no small part is because we have in our Bombardier fleet what is widely recognized as the ‘aircraft of choice’, allowing our passengers to fly medium or long haul routes in a level of comfort that they demand.”

Steve Ridolfi, President of Bombardier Business Aircraft, said:

“It was eight years ago, also at the Paris air show that our two companies began this journey, and only six years ago at Paris that VistaJet placed its first Global aircraft order.

“It’s a true testament to our products and people that VistaJet, an industry leader in charter and luxury aviation continue their global expansion with an all Bombardier fleet. Like Bombardier, VistaJet are leaders in developing new markets, where our aircraft are ideally suited to meet the demanding needs of our customers. There is an increasingly strong demand for large cabin business jets that can connect virtually any city pair worldwide non-stop – the Global 8000 jet is the only contender to meet this requirement.”

ExcelAire, one of the nation’s leading private jet charter and aircraft management firms, today announced that David Rimmer was named President, effective immediately.

Most recently, Mr. Rimmer served as Executive Vice President of ExcelAire, where he was responsible for overseeing all of the company’s charter operations, customer service and marketing programs as well as participating in strategic planning for the company. He joined ExcelAire in 2003 as Vice President for sales and marketing. Prior to joining ExcelAire, Mr. Rimmer was a broadcasting industry executive at Bloomberg LP, Sony, and the ABC and NBC Radio networks.  Mr. Rimmer has written extensively about aviation as a former senior editor at Business and Commercial Aviation.

“We are thrilled to promote David to President,” said Bob Sherry, CEO and Founder of ExcelAire. “He has made significant contributions to our growth over the past eight years and is widely respected among our staff, customers and within the aviation industry. David is the perfect choice to continue to build ExcelAire’s business.”

An industry leader, Mr. Rimmer serves on the Air Charter Committee for the NATA, and on the Board of Governors for the Air Charter Safety Foundation. Mr. Rimmer is also a member of the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Corporate Aviation Management Committee. He is a survivor of the September 29, 2006 aviation accident in Brazil.

Mr. Rimmer is a frequently-quoted aviation expert, and has appeared in many global media outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, industry trade publications, and ABC News’ Nightline.  He is also in high demand as a public speaker and has addressed aviation industry and other audiences throughout the world.