NOTES FROM NETJETS BEFORE JOINING THE NETJETS TEAM, I … had an amazing opportunity to fly fighter jets for the German Air Force in my home country, and be an instructor on them in the US. I was even able to fly the legendary RF-4 Phantom in my early days of being a pilot. THE ONE DAY AT NETJETS I WON’T FORGET IS … one of many! There are countless days at NetJets which I’ll never forget; however, if I really had to pick one day, then this one would rank highest: last year I got to take my parents-in-law for a NetJets flight. At the time they were in a fragile state of health, at the ages of 91, and 84 (there was also my brother-in-law, who has limited mobility). It was literally the last flight in their lives. It is a very touching moment in my own life when I look back at their cheerful faces. JULIAN RENTZSCH IN SERVICE ANDREAS “LUKAS” KRACH Captain, Citation XLS MY FIRST EXPOSURE TO AVIATION WAS … listening to the stories my dad told me of when he first became a pilot, flying gliders that were “bungee” launched off the sand dunes on the Baltic coast. Later, as a sevenyear-old boy, my grandpa and I would stand up on the visitors’ terrace of Düsseldorf Airport watching the planes take off. Even now, half a century later, I still remember this touching moment on each occasion I land in Düsseldorf. THE BEST PART OF FLYING IS … everything (I tend to say). But after flying for over 40 years, it has become very clear to me, the very best part of aviation by far is the great people we meet and the social factor. I most enjoy working together with all our colleagues from various backgrounds, sharing their abundance of experience, as well as working with a great team in the office, and then meeting all our exceptional Owners, whose individual lives are most interesting and inspiring. ONE THING OWNERS PROBABLY WOULDN’T GUESS ABOUT ME IS … that I enjoy doing a bit of artwork on the side. Besides designing and producing aircraft paint jobs, I try to catch our Owners’ special occasions, on the day of the flight, and come up with an original-drawing greeting card for them – if I get a chance. ON MY DAYS OFF … I drive my family crazy by being sort of hyperactive, doing a variety of things in the great outdoors – in the mountains and on the water. WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR, I WOULD LIKE TO … change the aircraft type from the one I have been on for the past 15 years at NetJets to the latest type, so I have the opportunity to work with another group of the finest aviators you can find. WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, I WOULD LIKE TO … utilise our pre-retirement, parttime scheme, to make more use of the unique NetJets Gateway system (being able to work and travel from different gateways within Europe) and also use the ad hoc staff travel option on our fleets. MY PROUDEST MOMENT OF BEING A CREW MEMBER … comes each time I mention that I have worked for NetJets for 18 years, and seeing the reaction of respect in people’s faces, either by other aircrews from a different company, but especially from our NetJets Owners. 36 NetJets
