Jet Aviation’s state-of-the-art Palm Beach facility became a luxury wonderland for the company’s 8th annual La Bella Macchina, held January 24 in conjunction with the Cavallino Classic.  Stunning displays of collector Ferraris, premium aircraft, and prestige yachts created a decadent atmosphere.  More than 2,500 jetsetters and Ferrari aficionados from all over the world celebrated ‘the beautiful machines’ while benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.  A silent auction of high-end goods and services raised $25,000 for the non-profit organization.

La Bella Macchina offered plenty of highlights.  Ferrari unveiled for the first time in Florida the new F-430 Scuderia, a V8 Berlinetta that races from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.7 seconds.  Maurizio Parlato, president, Ferrari North America, personally introduced the exquisite automobile.   Ferrari enthusiasts competed for Jet Aviation’s People’s Choice Cup, won by Bob and Marianne Anderson, owners of a restored 1955 F250 GT Europa.  The new Rocket Racing League exhibited prototypes of a rocket-powered airplane.  Able Flight, non-profit organization that provides flight training scholarships for people with a variety of disabilities, presented an Italian-designed aircraft specially equipped for disabled pilots -- the Sky Arrow 600 LSA.

Top-of-the-line yachts by the Hinckley Group and Ferretti, as well as aircraft from a variety of manufacturers were open for guests to explore.  P-51 Mustang Miss Stephanie was the vintage stand-out in a showcase that included:  Beechcraft’s Premier IA, Embraer’s Legacy and Phenom 300, the Eclipse 500 VLJ, a Dassault Falcon 2000, a Jet Lease G3, Agusta Westland’s Grand Helicopter, a Hawker 4000, and a Cirrus SR22.

Guests enjoyed Italian hors d'œuvres and specialty cocktails by lead sponsor Bacardi.  Additional sponsors, such as Bang & Olufsen, Chopard, Civilian One Jets, Embraer, Ferrari, Ferretti Yachts, Ginn Sur Mer, and Pegasus Elite Aviation, hosted intimate hospitality lounges.  Zino Platinum and Dallas Airmotive sponsored the ever-popular cigar lounge, and ExxonMobil – Avitat provided authentic Italian espresso service.

“La Bella Macchina highlights the business of luxury, offering our clients, partners and sponsors invaluable networking and social opportunities,” said Gary Dempsey, president, flight services for Jet Aviation North America.  “We sincerely thank all of our sponsors, especially Bacardi and Ferrari, for their support in hosting what has become the industry benchmark for lifestyle events.”

Jet Aviation was founded in Switzerland in 1967 and is one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world. Close to 5,000 employees cater to client needs from over 20 airport facilities throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North and South America. The company provides maintenance, completions and refurbishment, engineering, fixed base operations, along with aircraft management, charter support services, aircraft sales and personnel services. Jet Aviation's European and U.S. aircraft management and charter support services divisions* jointly manage close to 200 aircraft and coordinated more than 65,000 hours in global flight operations in 2007