Magyar News, 2005. szeptember-december (16. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2005-09-01 / 1. szám
Visiting the famous Missionary and Philosopher Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Alex was greeted warmly. During his visit to the famous clinic in Lambarene, Gabon, West Africa in 1964, Schweitzer took an hour off to discuss, in German, the African political situation. Schweitzer declined an invitation to go for an airplane ride, 'saying he had lived this long and had never flown, now it was too late to start.' Schweitzer, 90, died a few months later. sions, like medical evacuations and high altitude photography. Before he retired, he had sold airplanes in 15 foreign countries." Selling international business jets is quite different from selling domestic business jets, Kvassay says. "In domestic markets much attention is given to operating costs and tax advantages. In the export field we threw away these calculations as it was considered almost an insult to mention them. When you purchase a Rolls Royce you assume that the customer has the means of buying gas. And of course, it is a given that an international customer feels more comfortable dealing with a salesman that converses in his own language." Foreign certification always presented problems. "I always envied domestic sales, in that once they had a customer that wanted the airplane and could pay for it, nothing stood in the way of a sale. Internationally, that was just the beginning. You have to get the airplane certified in that particular country; the customer had to get an import permit and a foreign exchange allocation. Then we had to obtain an export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and often had to arrange financing by an American bank, all of which took time and could and often did ruin a good sale." Kvassay left Learjet in a management dispute in 1976, and for the next five years, worked for Canada Air before teaming up with prominent aviation friends in the U.S. and Europe to form Management Jets Worldwide. The new company sold and Leased new and used business jets in Europe and the Middle East, dealing mostly with Learjets, but occasionally a Hawker-Siddley, Falcon, Citation and Canada Air Challenger. By 1982, Kvassay felt burned out. "When you feel you want to kick a prospective customer, it is time to get out of the business." So at the ripe old age of 55, Kvassay retired. In the last 23 years, Kvassay has visited places without aviation salesmen, and some without hotels or airports. It could in fact be a dreamer's travelogue, complete with professional quality photos taken by Kvassay .He also wrote a book, Alex in Wonderland, his very readable memoir. "Pragmatic, unflappable, politically astute, he is a man of strong convictions who also has an uncanny grasp of world affairs," wrote the late John Zimmerman, former president of Aviation Data Service in his "Forward" for Kvassay's book. "He correctly predicted, the eventual collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, although even he never dared to hope that it would happen in our lifetime." Kvassay sprinkles his wry wit throughout any conversation, and he has a keen intellect with opinions to spare. Plus, he knows something about everythingespecially if it concerns aviation, Hungary, or exotic places around the world. The Lure of Travel "I’m not finished traveling yet, and would like to see some of the places currently off limits, or downright dangerous," he said, "like the Ruins of Babylon in Iraq, the Gardens of Kashmir and the Persepolis in Iran." Kvassay loves to travel, especially by air. He has written numerous Destinations" articles for,East Wichita News, covering everything from riding in the new Zeppelin to a trek to Timbuktu. Looking back; Kvassay says he has met many dignitaries, dined with nobility, and conducted business with some of the richest people in the world. But what makes him most proud is that he has contributed to his country by serving in the military, is a taxpaying citizen, and has three well-educated children in responsible positions who also pay their taxes. And for today's young people starting their careers, Kvassay has some advice: "If you promise something - do it!” "I fired one young employee for promising things to customers and never following up. 1 forgot' is not the way to a successful career." Courtesy of East Wichita News CORN CROP STORAGE PROBLEMATIC There is an abundant grain crop expected but its storage seems problematic again. István Jakab, chairman of the Association of Hungarian Farmers and Farmers’ Cooperatives claims the main problem is that stores still contain corn supplies bought by state intervention and some farmers still wait for a HUF 1.2 billion relief for last year’s damages. The government was considering a plan to enlarge storage capacities but she mentioned only 1.5-2 million tons instead of the necessary 2.2 million. János Halász, spokesman of Fidesz said there was an urgent action necessary not plans to solve the problem. Magyar Nemzet TOO mochofthegood COULD BE MUCH TOO BAD Sometimes one is more then enough, but to have 45,421 community organizations registered, and out of this there are 170 political parties as we learned from the MTI. Besides 1185 organization carry on political activities. A third was established in 1089. Even though some come and go, as of this year 2 came and 12 folded. Last year established were the Hungarian Auto and Motors Party, the Democratic Party of the Internet, the Third Ero, the Party of the Defrauds, and the Mutual Economical Supporting Party. Some unbelievable information always pops up. NICHT DEUTSCH This news comes when Hungary is being over run by foreign workers German customs officials have mounted a crackdown on Hungarian businesses recruiting Hungarian workers to Germany in violation of labor and tax laws. German authorities investigating tracked down companies which allegedly operated with the sole purpose of bringing cheap Hungarian labor to Germany. The cases involved some 1,500 people coming to work in construction, meat and metal processing industries. German authorities arrested seven people — four Hungarian and three German citizens Page 5
