News
ACASS founder crews world record flight

The TAG TransPolar08 HB-JEX Global Express on approach at Whitehorse (YT) after the first leg from TAG Farnborough Airport. (Photo: John Rogers)

May 29, 2009 – ACASS has assisted TAG Aviation in setting a new world speed record for flying around the world, transiting over the North and the South poles. The company’s role as a sponsor of the Transpolar08 mission included the provisioning of pilots Emil St. Hilaire and Mike Muller.

Aziz Ojjeh, Vice President of TAG Group, Commander of the mission, one of 5 accomplished pilots on board the record setting Global Express: “This record was 22 years in the making. I’ve been waiting since 1984 for the right business aircraft to beat the polar record. Having the right pilots for the mission was important.”

Emil St. Hilaire, the founder of ACASS and a seasoned Captain with over 10,000 hours of flight time logged on the world’s most advanced business jets, was happy and honored to have been part of this historical mission: “Aziz and I have been flying together for many years. His vote of confidence in ACASS to help him obtain his latest world record is a testament to our passion for flying and our dedication to excellence.”

The Transpolar Global Express took off from Farnborough airport on November 21st at 10:05 local and, after 5 short fuels stops, made its way back to its original departure point on November 23rd at 14:37 local. The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) confirmed the 1977 record held by Pan Am’s Boeing 747SP was surpassed with a time of 52 hours, 32 minutes and four seconds at a speed of 822.8 kilometers per hour (444 knots). The record was officially ratified on March 23rd, 2009 by the FAI.

About ACASS (http://www.acass.com )
Founded in 1994, ACASS is a leading international supplier of business aviation services. Offering pilot and crew placement service from its more than 7,000 strong pilot and crew network, ACASS also offer the following: aircraft management, interim lift, sales and acquisitions and charter services. Having served over 2,000 flight departments in more than 25 countries worldwide, ACASS’ team of 50 full-time employees offers levels of service quality that surpass industry standards. ACASS’ integrity, discretion and dedication to impeccable customer service have enabled the company to create long-lasting relationships with a global client base that includes Fortune 500 corporations, heads of state and VIPs.