2013 APRIL / Vol. 5 / No. 4 /
GA
9
DAHER-SOCATA has announced the appointment
of MDS Aviation based at Casablanca, Morocco
as an approved TBM Service Center.
Under this agreement MDS Aviation is
authorized to perform maintenance on the TBM
700 and TBM 850 very fast turboprop aircraft,
as well as provide warranty support and facilitate
access for both parts and technical support
Founded in 2005, MDS Aviation is an aircraft
maintenance company located at Casablanca's
Tit-Mellil Airport. It is EASA Part 145 approved,
and has developed as a business and private
aviation leader in northwestern Africa.
The company is recognized by two major
TBM aircraft suppliers: as a fixedbase operator
(FBO) for Pratt & Whitney Canada's turboprop
engines; and as a dealer for Garmin avionics.
Didier Cornut, a founder of MDS Aviation
and its managing director, noted the importance
of general aviation in the vast African continent,
with the company's Morocco base of operations
strategically located between Africa and Europe. ·
DAHER-SOCATA names Morocco's MDS Aviation as a TBM Service Center
Wonderboom Airport has long been the home
of Blue Chip Flight School and FlyJetstream
Aviation and now the two companies, together
with well-known businessman Chris Briers, have
merged to form AirTeam Holdings, providing a
full spectrum services within the aviation field.
The announcement was made at a cocktail
party held at Wonderboom on February 20.
Blue Chip has been operating from
Wonderboom Airport for the past 16 years
since 1996 while FlyJetstream Aviation
has been operating as a charter company
from Wonderboom, Lanseria and O.R.
Tambo Airport for the past seven years.
The Shareholders and Directors of Airteam
Holdings are Erik Kraaij, Chris Briers, Hennie
Coetzee, Henk Kraaij and Walter Warden. This
team provides a wealth of skills and knowledge
with individuals specializing in Business
Management, Aviation Management, Pilot
Training, Accounting and Aircraft Sales.
Erik Kraaij has been in the business
environment for 25 years excelling in the service
industry and business environment where he
served on directors level for various companies
including King Pie Holdings, Royal Sechaba,
Baytree Foods, Flyjetstream Aviation, Blue
Chip Flight School etc. Erik has his private
pilot's license and has been closely involved
with Flyjetstream and BlueChip for the past
four years. Erik will be heading up the company
as CEO focusing on innovation in aviation.
Chris Briers has been in the Aviation business
environment for more than 20 years and was the
founder and CEO of Naturelink where he gained
experience in all aspects of general aviation. He
currently holds SACAA and FAA ALTP licenses on
fixed wing aircraft and SACAA helicopter license,
and is active on the South African air show circuit.
Chris will be the COO of the company ensuring
only the best in all aspects that aviation can offer.
Hennie Coetzee was the Managing Director
and one of the founding members of FlyJetstream
Aviation. He studied his B-com degree through
the University of Pretoria where he obtained a
degree in Aviation Management in 2001. He
holds a CPL and ATPL with a Grade 2 Instructors
rating. Hennie's mission is to continually adapt
Airteam's training division in order to stay abreast
of the latest and modern training requirements.
Walter Warden is the owner of a variety of
businesses and an entrepreneur, with a love and
passion for aviation, and qualification in Business
Security and Risk Management, and International
business trade interest. Walter will be focussing on
international growth, innovation in technology and
growth in South Africa as well as the rest of Africa.
Henk Kraaij has been in Aviation for
the past 10 years. He has been part of the
Management team of Flyjetstream Aviation
and Blue Chip Flight School for the past 4
years. He has a degree in BCom Financial
Management and has a huge passion for aviation.
He will head up the charter division. ·
AirTeam is launched