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]