INVESTMENT banker, Daniel Fox-Davies, has paid a deposit for one of Avtech’s MK-10 Javelin jets. One of only four UK registered owners to have stumped up the six figure deposit, Daniel is hoping to receive the executive- class jet before the end of 2008. “The business was doing well and I thought it was decision time; I could either think about giving up the single life... or I could buy a jet,” the 31-year old laughs. “I worked out that a girlfriend would end up more expensive!”

Daniel, managing director and founder of Fox-Davies Capital, holds a PPL and currently fl ies a Columbia 400 but intends to complete his ATPL over the next few years, in time for the big arrival. He regards the Columbia as a stepping-stone to the Javelin and anticipates flying with a safety pilot at first. On a pence per mile basis, Daniel believes the jet will prove more economical than commercial flights for business mileage, although he is open to alternative usage if his calculations fall short.

The benefits appear to outweigh the financial implications of running such a high-spec aircraft. “I usually fl y for business once a week, so this will give me much more fl exibility,” he explains. Biggin Hill-based distributor, Air Touring Services, has so far received eight orders for the MK-10, with four UK registered owners in line for the first executive class production jet. The company has joined forces with German distributor, Rhineland Air Services, to manage distribution for the whole of Europe. Managing director, Mike Pearce, has every confidence that more orders are in the pipeline. He says: “This is a totally unique product. Unlike ex-military jets, this has a baggage bay and is actually comfortable, so you can easily fl y to the South of France for a game of golf on a Sunday afternoon.”

Daniel has a slightly more exciting take on things and admits that watching ‘Top Gun’ as a child gave him a taste for high-octane adventures. “The jet fl ies just a fraction below the speed of sound - this is the closest you can get to being James Bond!” – Kirsten Corrigan