Press Release

Issued by ACS Aviation Ltd.

June 14, 2017

Having taken over as operator at Perth Airport in November 2016, ACS Aviation is reaching for the skies in it aims for continued business expansion and development.

In just eight months, the business, which is one of the UK's leading commercial flight training organisations and instrument rating specialists, has grown from thirteen permanent members of staff to twenty, with the addition of more staff across the board in every department, including flying instructors, airport agents and administrative, engineering and operations staff.

Three new aircraft have been added to the ACS fleet, due to customer demand, including two Cessna 152 aircraft and a Piper PA28-161 Warrior, with a Diamond DA42 Twinstar expected to be another new addition to the fleet later this year. Private and commercial flight training currently offered by ACS Flight Training at Perth Airport is some of the widest ranging it has been, including Zero to ATPL, Multi Instrument Ratings, Night Ratings and Private Pilot Licences.

And in terms of turnover, ACS is expecting to boost this from one million pounds in 2016, to at least half a million pounds more in 2017/18. ACS Aviation was purchased by parent firm Cloud Global in 2016. Based at Glasgow Airport, Cloud Global specialises in aircraft component support, recruitment and aircraft leasing services for private and commercial operators throughout the world. It too is predicting a turnover increase to six million pounds in 2017/18.

ACS Aviation will soon be seen on television, with BBC Alba currently filming a new series of “Highlands Airports” at Perth Airport. The BBC will also film 'Scotland From the Sky' at Perth Airport on 10th July 2017.

Said ACS Aviation managing director Graeme Frater: “It has certainly been a very busy time since we took over here as operator at Perth Airport. I was appointed managing director at the time of acquisition with the main aim of growth in all areas. We are rapidly developing as a real centre of aviation activity and excellence in Scotland, and are delighted that we are well on course to post a significant increase in turnover.”

“Another new addition to our services is the AL42 flight simulator, an exact copy of the Diamond DA42, which we have just purchased from Alsim during the recent AeroExpo Event. This will make us one of the leading flying schools in the UK for Multi Engine Instrument Ratings and simulator training,” added Graeme. “It represents a significant investment in the business, but we see this as essential as giving us the edge in the marketplace. And we are looking forward to the arrival of our new Diamond DA42 Twinstar, a four seat, twin engine airplane manufactured by Austrian company Diamond Aircraft Industries.”

Other strings to ACS Aviation's bow include the maintenance, repair and continuing airworthiness management of most general aviation light aircraft and commercial helicopters. ACS engineering services maintain and repair a variety of light single engine and multi engine piston aircraft including Piper, Cessna, Diamond, Extra, Cirrus and Robinson.

“The prospect of TV coverage creates a real buzz for the team,” said Graeme. “Publicity like that seen on “Highland Airports”, highlighting the varied roles within an airport, and the team environment, is always welcome, and a good way of attracting new blood into the industry. Flying has a sense of daring and excitement about it, and following screenings of airport programmes we often see a boost in bookings for the consumer side of the flight training business, offering flight and simulator experience packages which we sell to the public as gifts. We also want to highlight that you can obtain a Private Pilot's licence here, and we want to attract more females into the aviation industry too.”

“One of our Directors Louise Ewart is heavily involved in our Women in Aviation initiative, Louise has recently been appointed to director of business development at ACS Aviation as it was agreed that a female presence in the boardroom would help encourage woman into aviation. Louise has been involved in the business since the start but the recent promotion has opened up more business development opportunities. Louise added “to have a female presence in the boardroom is particularly important in an industry that is very male oriented, we aim to encourage woman into aviation through various events and open days. We are holding our inaugural Woman in Aviation Day on 23rd September, giving women of all ages the opportunity to explore the possibility of working in aviation and to connect with others in the industry.”

Perth Airport is also home to Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance which has now been operational for four years. Geographically Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance can reach 90% of Scotland's population within 25 minutes from its base at Perth.

“It's certainly proving to be a very positive time for Perth Airport. What can we say.. the sky's the limit for our business at the moment!” said Graeme.