DEA Aviation Limited

DEA Aviation Ltd.
IATA ICAO Call sign
- WKT WHITE KNIGHT
Founded2006[1]
AOC #GB2339
HubsRetford Gamston Airport, Aeroporto di Padova
Fleet size7[2]
HeadquartersRetford Gamston Airport
Websitewww.dea.aero

DEA Aviation Limited (DEA) is a small general aviation company based at Retford Gamston Airport in the United Kingdom.

It is a privately owned company operating in mostly the UK and Europe undertaking intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), flight inspection and flight path validation missions.[3][4][5] In addition, the company carries out a very limited amount of charter work and the transport of small size dangerous goods.

DEA Aviation Limited operates its own aircraft maintenance facility and holds a Part M Subpart G[6] with Airworthiness Review Certificates (ARC) privileges as well as a Part 145 Approval.[7]

History

Founded in 2006 by Peter Bondar and Chris Dawes, the company was granted its air operator's certificate (AOC) in 2009 and operations started with one Diamond DA42 aircraft. From 2009 onwards, more aircraft were acquired to fulfil contracts in Europe and Africa to service its customer base.

DEA attracted new investors in 2014. Peter Bondar retired and a new team was recruited.[citation needed] In 2017 the company changed its name to "DEA Aviation Limited".[8]

Fleet

G-WKTH in Djerba–Zarzis International Airport, 2019.

DEA operates only a small number of Diamond DA42[9][10][11] and Diamond DA62 aircraft,[12] all single pilot non-complex piston engine aircraft, in various configurations. The company also operates a few Beechcraft King Air aircraft, including E90, B200 and B350 variants.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Business Summary
  2. ^ "Search the G-INFO aircraft register | Civil Aviation Authority".
  3. ^ Air charter guide
  4. ^ "Diamond Airborne Sensing scores three in a row with DEA". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  5. ^ DEA website
  6. ^ "Organisations approved in accordance with Part M, Subpart G that have ARC privileges" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Organisations approved in accordance with Part 145" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  8. ^ "DEA AVIATION LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK".
  9. ^ Business air news - DEA expands into Italy as first specialist DA42 comes online - Wednesday, 3 August 2011
  10. ^ Flyvictor - Diamond-Executive Aviation
  11. ^ Police aviation news - Industry - Page 24 - February 2013
  12. ^ G-INFO - UK Civil Aviation Authority