AERO ALLIANCE pride itself on the calibre of pilots that we employ.  All of our pilots have instructor backgrounds up to commercial levels, meaning that they have taught pilots to operate commercially under very difficult circumstances in aircraft without the modern luxuries of automation and "fly by numbers techniques".  This along with the thousands of logged hours and decades of flying experience they have in twin engine piston engine, make them perfect for efficiently and safely getting you, friends and family to your destination, with you having complete peace of mind throughout.

Our pilots apart from being contract out for chartering aircraft, also provide safety pilot roles as instructors in privately owned aircraft throughout Europe.  On top of this they are also qualified Calibrator pilots, ensuring that airfield instrumentation systems are kept safe and are within the authority guidelines.  This calibration work is carried out through Flight Calibration Services, of which I am Chief Pilot for.

Due to new operational requirements in this role we were required to fly the Piper Chieftain, the same type we use for chartering, at a height of 23,000 feet.  A typical height for turboprop aircraft and such like.  Due to the low level time efficiency, our Piper Chieftains rarely go above 10,000 feet, allowing us to get to the destination quicker.  However the gauntlet was set and we were willing as pilots and had faith in our aircraft.

On a returning sector from Cornwall we set climb power and allowed the Chieftain the freedom to climb without restriction.  The 700 horse power developed aided with the turbo chargers on each engine allowed us to make 23,100 feet within 30 minutes, a more than respectable time for a 30 year old aeroplane, and a height unreachable by many non turbo charged charter aircraft.  The only restriction we had was invoked by air traffic control restricting further a further climb, something that the aircraft was willing to achieve.  With the extraordinary height gained, we enjoyed a 350 mph ground speed during the descent back into Sussex

Although we don't regularly fly at this sort of altitude, nor do other companies like us who offer air charter services, we are proud that our aircraft, the PA31 Piper Chieftain has much more power and ability than what it takes in to be a great charter aircraft.