CHAUFFEUR in the sky Ed Hewertson gives a whole new meaning to the idea of flying visits.

Quick, convenient and stress-free are the watchwords for the 37-year-old pilot who has just launched a travel service with a difference.

PropStar Aviation flies between the Wiltshire/ Gloucestershire border and hundreds of small airfields in Britain, Ireland and the near Continent, as well as all the larger airports.

Its ability to get its passengers as close as possible to their final destinations means they save vast amounts of time in terms of the travelling, queues and waits associated with using other forms of transport.

PropStar is unique in offering access to a fleet of small aircraft without customers having to shoulder the full cost of running a plane.

The structure, known as "fractional ownership", was previously only available for business jets.

The company, based at Kemble Airfield, near Cirencester, is already generating a great deal of interest.

"PropStar is about time and giving people more of it," said Ed.

"A private aircraft is far and away the most efficient way to travel.

"PropStar Aviation will be a real boost to local business people as it will enable them to travel quickly, particularly in the UK where we are experiencing huge problems with traffic congestion.

"Crucially in our more environmentally conscious age, small planes such as the Piper Seneca Vs we use do not produce much more in the way of emissions than cars."

PropStar's planes are maintained to the highest standards and its handpicked commercial pilots, who all live in the area, are fully trained and rigorously tested.

Meanwhile a team of four at the company's office in Kemble work behind the scenes to take care of all the necessary documents and other arrangements to make travelling as convenient as possible.

Ed, who has been flying since he was 21, has joined forces with businessmen Richard Bruges and Andy Dodd to launch PropStar.

"Propstar is a versatile service that can be used for business or pleasure," said Ed.

"It makes the cost of private aviation similar to that of running a luxury car."

PropStar's arrival has also guaranteed the future of The Flying Club Kemble, the longest established light aircraft training school on Kemble Airfield which was threatened with closure last year.

To contact Ed write to PropStar, The Old Fire Station, Kemble Airfield, Gloucester-shire GL7 6BA or go to www.theflyingclubkemble.com