Shooting Gazette – September 2019

52 SEPTEMBER 2019 WWW.SHOOTINGGAZETTE.CO.UK

them through. The main advantage
of fl ying on a private plane is
convenience, closely followed by
privacy and luxury. You can literally
turn up at the airport fi ve minutes
before the fl ight and can usually
drive right up to the plane where
your luggage and guns will be
loaded by staff. Your car will then
be taken away and parked for you.

Dogs ‘at your feet’
Guns are usually put in the wing
lockers, in their slips, where there is
plenty of room for them. Cartridges
will be placed in the storage area
at the back of the plane. If the
guns are going in the fuselage with
the passengers they will be trigger

locked to ensure maximum safety

and security. With some companies

dogs are caged and put at the back

of the plane in the luggage area.

However, George Offer,

managing director of Broadsword,

says on its fl ights “most dogs just sit

at their owner’s feet”. Catering will

have been pre-ordered so you can

have a three-course infl ight meal

if you wish (and the fl ight is long

enough).

As the plane you have chartered

is at your disposal for the duration

of your stay, usually Thursday

to Sunday in the case of shoots,

it means you can be completely

fl exible.

Flights can be delayed or brought

forward as necessary, and if the

weather isn’t playing ball the pilot

can either advise an alternative

airport, or suggest you wait an

hour or so and enjoy a glass of

champagne while the weather clears.

It also means if shooting is

cancelled or curtailed you can

quickly ring the pilot who will

“Most chartered

planes use smaller

airports so you can

often use one much

closer to home and

nearer the shoot.”