Visitors to London City Airport will get a glimpse of the private jet lifestyle this month, with a collection of competition-winning photographs going on display.
Visitors to London City Airport will get a glimpse of the private jet lifestyle this month, with a collection of competition-winning photographs going on display.
The exhibition, 50 Years of the Private Jet, will be on show in the main terminal for the rest of the month, as part of the golden anniversary of private plane travel.
Due partly to its prime Docklands location – less than three miles from Canary Wharf, London’s financial centre – the airport shares a long association with private aircraft.
Chief executive of jet-hire service Privatefly.com, Adam Twidell, has flown into the airport on numerous occasions and reveals the private industry almost never made it off the ground.
“The private jet side of things was just an afterthought,” he said.
“One of the airport’s previous owners tried to fly in on his own aircraft but couldn’t get permission as it was not a recognised vehicle.
“Nowadays though, City Airport is Europe’s most efficient and impressive private jet airport, with its unique ‘heart of London’ location.”
A father-of-two, Mr Twidell, 41, entered the private jet industry after a decade spent in the RAF flying Hercules planes in counties such as Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.
Although nothing can really compare to the thrill of flying military aircraft, former flight lieutenant Twidell insists piloting private jets is the next best thing.
“In an airline you don’t get to speak to your passengers but it’s a much more personal experience in a private aircraft,” he added.
“The destination sometimes changes as well on private planes so there’s a bit of an added unknown excitement factor as well.”
Judged by a panel of renowned photographers, the competition categories included ground, air, detail, speed and crew.
For more information or to view the winning pictures online, visit www.privatefly.com/inspirational-jet-flights/50-years-of-private-jets.html
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