Starfish Aviation Purchases Fleet of Spectrum S.40 and S.33 Business Jets

Monday, 11 August 2008 00:27

Carlsbad, California . 8/11/08 - Austin Blue, President of Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, announced today that the company has finalized the sale of a fleet of aircraft comprised of its Freedom S.40 and Independence S.33 business jets to Starfish Aviation, LLC, of Northbrook, Illinois. Although both companies have policies that prohibit public disclosure of details and order backlogs, Blue commented that the value of the contract is in the nine-digit range.

Blue noted that Starfish selected Spectrum’s equipment following in-depth evaluations to find the right aircraft to fit their operations. “Starfish has a program that is well suited to today’s dynamic and demanding transportation marketplace. The Freedom and Independence will perform very effectively for them,” he said.

Spectrum’s Director of Sales, Gary Bushouse added that, “Starfish is a great group to work with. They have a talented staff, and plenty of industry know-how. We’re looking forward to a very long-term relationship with them.”

Ken Ross, president of Starfish Aviation, LLC, says he’s confident the Spectrum family of aircraft will revolutionize the way business travelers fly. “The S-40 is a truly amazing aircraft,” he said, “with capabilities and cabin comfort similar to a Citation XLS+, but with operating costs more comparable to a light jet, it will truly delight our customers.”

COMPANY BACKGROUNDS

Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC
Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, has operations in Spanish Fork, UT and in Carlsbad, California. The privately held company is developing the Freedom S.40, an eight-place mid-sized jet powered by GE Honda Aero Engines HF-120 fanjets, scheduled for certification in late 2009; and also the Independence S.33, a seven-place light jet using Williams International’s FJ33-4A jet engines, scheduled for certification during 2010.

Both aircraft feature the company’s revolutionary fibeXTM advanced composite material technology, resulting in empty weights that are about 40% less than comparably sized aluminum aircraft. The light weight, combined with efficient next-generation fanjet engines, allows significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. Additional information, program progress and downloads of product photos can be found at: www.spectrum.aero

ABOUT STARFISH AVIATION, LLC
Based at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK), Starfish Aviation, LLC, is a new jet charter and aircraft management company, founded by Kenneth D. Ross, an aviation attorney and entrepreneur with over 25 years of industry experience. Mr. Ross is one of the founders of the North American Jet companies and is currently Chairman of the Personal Air Transport Alliance, “PATA”, a national alliance of air taxi operators, aircraft manufactures, contractors and vendors. Additional information can be found at: www.starfish.aero