FAI Technik’s refurbished Bombardier Global Express, Project Pearl, has been sold to an undisclosed private US buyer. The aircraft has been re-registered, under the management of Part 135 charter and management firm Planet 9, based at Van Nuys, California.
The sale was overseen, including pre-buy and inspection in Guernsey, by Aircraft Trading, a specialist in pre-owned Bombardier aircraft, headed by Nicholas McHaffey, who has collaborated with FAI for several years. McHaffey acted on behalf of the private A-list celebrity buyer, liaising with Planet 9’s co-founder Matt Walter. Financing and administration were processed by London’s The Air Law Firm. A team from FAI Technik helped ready the aircraft for sale, undertaking minor interior refreshments.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Aircraft Trading and Planet 9 to transition our stunning aircraft to a new home in Los Angeles,” said Michael Axtmann, managing director at FAI Technik. “Project Pearl is a beautiful aircraft, its interior a tribute to the professionalism of our engineers at our MRO division FAI Technik working to the vision of designer Tim Callies. It will continue to be a highly desired aircraft for private trips and third-party charter.”
“We are honoured to take on this outstanding Global Express into our managed aircraft fleet for a long-standing client,” said Walter of Planet 9. “Thank you to all the parties who worked hard to get this transaction completed.”
Following 10,000 man-hours of work, the Global Express entered service with FAI in Autumn 2020 and has completed 800 hours of charter operations around the world. FAI Technik won the Innovation in Engineering category at the 2021 Middle East Aviation Awards for its work on the aircraft.
The aircraft’s custom interior was designed by FAI’s design partner, Callies, an award-winning German design specialist. With an all-new cabin and the latest cabin management and IFE systems, the Global Express offers VIP seating for 12 passengers. The seats are finished in two-tone grey leather. A further two three-seat sofas are upholstered in anthracite Armani fabric. The interior also features heated grey-white marble stone flooring in the galley and VIP toilet areas, which matches the granite countertops of the galley and bathroom. Galley appliances include a wine cooler, coffee-maker and oven. The customised exterior paint scheme was also designed by Callies.
