Centreline achieves Envoy IV Full Service Capability

Centreline, a Pula Aviation Services company based in Bristol, announced delivery of Full Service Capability on the Falcon 900LX – known in RAF service as the Envoy IV aircraft. Centreline is under contract to operate the Envoy IV for the MoD and provide a military air transportation capability. Initial Operating Capability was achieved on 1 June with introduction to service of one aircraft. Achievement of Full Service Capability is a further significant milestone in the Envoy IV project and now provides the MoD with two Falcon 900LX based at RAF Northolt and operated under Centreline’s commercial AOC.  

Achieving FSC in the tightest of timelines is the culmination of a great deal of hard work and excellent collaboration between Centreline staff, the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) project team and RAF Northolt personnel, including 32 (TR) Squadron.  The contract was signed in February, with Centreline responsible for a turnkey solution including the aircraft acquisition process, the delivery to Bristol and an intense period of CAA validation and crew training to add this new type to Centreline’s AOC.  

With a new operating and engineering base at RAF Northolt, Centreline has successfully met all the MoD’s tasking requirements with one aircraft since IOC.  With two aircraft now in service and FSC declared, we will build on that success. 

Steve Page, Pula Aviation Services CEO said: “I am very proud of the way the Centreline team has stepped up to the challenge of achieving FSC in such a short timescale. I am also immensely grateful to the DE&S and RAF personnel who have worked so hard alongside us to make this happen.  We look forward to working closely together for the duration of the contract.” 

Gus Paterson, Pula Aviation Services COO said: “Getting this new aircraft type into service and onto Centreline’s AOC has drawn on our broad business jet management experience but with the extra nuances of a new operating base, collaboration with DE&S and training of RAF pilots.  It is immensely satisfying to reach FSC and my thanks go to all involved; MOD, Centreline staff and the RAF.”

Adam Lunn, Centreline CSAT Contract Delivery Manager said: “Successful delivery of the contract for the past two months under IOC has been an achievement in itself. Declaration of FSC is another fantastic milestone in the project and could not have happened without the excellent support of DE&S, RAF and Centreline expertise.”