Speaking today at the ‘Business Aircraft Europe’ conference at London Biggin Hill Airport, Margetson-Rushmore said: “Wouldn’t it be great to see the business aviation industry finally embraced and recognised by the wider community for its true financial worth and contribution?

“Our industry is an important enabler to economic growth and a significant employer, directly and indirectly, across Europe. We need to convey these points more widely and more powerfully, which means sustained and cohesive communication to the general population and the business community, not least through politicians and national journalists.

“So whether ensuring the economic benefits of business aviation are being prominently promoted, or dealing with the negative issues our industry faces, we all need to allocate more time and resources to public image. If we each take greater responsibility, we will be able to make more progress in educating politicians and the public about what we do, for whom and why.”

London Executive Aviation (LEA) managing director George Galanopoulos (front right) in action during the inaugural ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’ at Hurtwood Park Polo Country Club on Saturday August 20.

In a closely fought pro-am match, including three Argentinean professional players, a late goal from the RotorMotion team secured a 6-5 win over LEA. Everyone agreed, however, that the event itself, sponsored by leading manufacturer Embraer Executive Jets, was the real winner.

Victorious captain Philip Louis Amadeus, RotorMotion’s managing director, said: “As a long-term polo player, I’m delighted we could use the sport to bring the business aviation community together for a day enjoyed by all. Over 200 people came along, including many families, which was fantastic, and it’s hard to say which part of the day people enjoyed most – the match itself or the wonderful barbecue-style food from the traditional Argentinean asado. Actually, the children probably most enjoyed clambering around in one of our RotorMotion Agusta A109E Power helicopters.”

Amadeus’s rival captain, LEA’s managing director George Galanopoulos, added: “Today would not have been possible without Embraer. At LEA, we already operate a charter fleet including six Legacy 600s and two Legacy 650s, so we know Embraer is a great company, and their support for this event proves the point.

“And now we can’t wait for the rematch! We’re already making plans for a second – and even bigger – ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’ next year. We’ll be setting the date soon and inviting other teams to compete.”

The match between the two rivals for aerial supremacy took place at Hurtwood Park Polo Country Club (Surrey) on Saturday August 20. The winners’ trophy was presented by legendary rock drummer Kenney Jones. Alongside his stellar music career with bands including ‘The Who’, ‘The Faces’ and ‘The Small Faces’, Jones is a helicopter pilot, an avid polo player and, indeed, the owner of Hurtwood Park Polo Country Club.

LEA operates two Legacy 650s and six Legacy 600s in a total charter fleet of 24 aircraft, ranging from the entry-level Cessna Citation Mustang to the transatlantic Dassault Falcon 900EX. Both the Legacy 650 and 600 can seat 13 passengers, with the 650 being the extended range derivative.

LEA managing director George Galanopoulos says: “Like the Falcon 900EX, the Legacy 650 brings us truly transatlantic capability.” The Legacy 650 has a maximum range of 3,800 miles with four passengers. “We can offer nonstop routes like London-New York, London-Lagos, Dubai-London and Astana-London, to name just a few. And we’ve already taken one of our 650s to the Seychelles with just one stop and carried out a London-Los Angeles trip with only a quick fuelling stop in Canada. We can provide all these services for around 30% less than the equivalent flights in a Gulfstream or a Bombardier Global, yet the cabins are almost identical.

“Embraer Legacy aircraft combine the cabin luxury that customers appreciate with operating economics and field service that make operators smile.

“Tour managers are among our many customers who particularly love Legacys. As musicians now rely heavily on performing live for their profits, tour managers are very sensitive to the cost/benefit analysis of aircraft choice. The Legacys are widely seen in this market to offer exceptional value for their size.”

Galanopoulos says, overall, large cabin aircraft continue to be in greater demand from charter customers than light jets. “One of the recessionary trends that initially took us by surprise was how our large jets kept flying, while our mid-size and light jets were, comparatively, less in demand. The fact usage patterns have yet to change significantly shows high-net-worth individuals and governmental customers remain critical to the charter market in 2011, while other customers have yet to return in large numbers.”

Kenney Jones, legendary rock drummer, avid polo player and owner of Hurtwood Park Polo Country Club, will be presenting the winners’ trophy at the London Executive Aviation (LEA)/RotorMotion ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’ on Saturday August 20.

The event is being organised by London Executive Aviation (LEA), one of Europe’s largest business jet charter operators, and top helicopter charter business RotorMotion. The two rivals for aerial supremacy will for once be competing on the ground, with a team from each company taking to the field at Hurtwood Park Polo Country Club (Surrey) on Saturday August 20 this year.

Embraer Executive Jets’ European sales director Simon Burrows says: “We are always eager to support the business aviation community and strengthen relationships with our leading customers like LEA. The company already operates a charter fleet including six Embraer Legacy 600s and two Embraer Legacy 650s, the largest non-fractional Legacy fleet in the world. We can’t wait to help LEA expand with further additions.”

George Galanopoulos, LEA’s managing director and team captain, adds: “We’re delighted Embraer – one of the most prestigious names in the industry – will be sponsoring the ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’. We’re equally thrilled another ‘big-hitter’, Kenney Jones, will be presenting the trophy. Let’s just hope he’s presenting it to me!”

Alongside his stellar music career with bands including ‘The Who’, ‘The Faces’ and ‘The Small Faces’, Jones is a helicopter pilot, an avid polo player and, indeed, the owner of Hurtwood Park Polo Country Club.

Galanopoulos’s rival team captain, RotorMotion’s managing director Philip Louis Amadeus, is a Hurtwood member, and says: “It’s great Kenney will be joining us. I’m also pleased to say one of our RotorMotion Agusta A109E Power helicopters will be on show at the event. We operate the largest charter fleet of these wonderful helicopters in the UK, and probably in Europe.

“We’re inviting everyone involved in the business aviation industry along, with their partners and children, to share the day with us.”

Gates open at 12:00, with the match itself beginning at 13:00. A traditional Argentinean asado (barbecue) and drinks will run through until 16:00. Robert Burke, a highly respected polo coach and, appropriately, a former test pilot, will be commentating on the match and explaining the rules for novices.

Preparing to take to the field of battle

Teams from London Executive Aviation (LEA), one of Europe’s largest business jet charter operators, and top helicopter charter business RotorMotion, will be resuming their rivalry in the first ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’ at Hurtwood Park Polo Country Club (Surrey) on Saturday August 20 this year.

George Galanopoulos, LEA’s managing director and team captain, says: “Polo might not seem the obvious solution, but we will finally discover who rules executive aviation – fixed wing or rotary aircraft.”

A member of Ascot Park Polo Club, Galanopoulos has actually only been playing polo for three years, before which he had never even ridden a horse. His rival captain, on the other hand – RotorMotion’s managing director Philip Louis Amadeus – is a Hurtwood member and has been playing for 15 years.

Amadeus says: “Professional rivalry aside, George and I are good friends. When I started thinking about our shared love of polo, a challenge match seemed a natural idea. George agreed, and now we can’t wait for the day to come.

“We’re inviting everyone involved in the business aviation industry along, with their partners and children, to share the day with us.”

Gates open at 12:00, with the match itself beginning at 13:00. A traditional Argentinean asado (barbecue) and drinks will run through until 16:00. Robert Burke, a highly respected polo coach and, appropriately, a former test pilot, will be commentating on the match and explaining the rules for novices.

Amadeus concludes: “We’d love to make the challenge an annual event and invite other teams to compete too next year.”

Image: Preparing to take to the field of battle: RotorMotion’s managing director Philip Louis Amadeus (left) and George Galanopoulos, managing director of London Executive Aviation, will meet on Saturday August 20 in the inaugural ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’.