Charter Planes
A typical chartered plane for small business use will carry ten passengers at most. Larger planes may carry as many as fifty at a time. The passenger does not find themselves wedged into their seat between two other people with no room to move or breathe. Other than comfort, a variety of reasons make chartered plane travel more agreeable to a passenger.
* Chartered planes do not have the immense size and weight of commercial airliners. This allows them to service thousands more airports than a commercial airliner is able to land at. More direct flights means less time waiting on transfers and trying to catch a nap in an air terminal while waiting for nine hours for the next leg of a journey.
* Tired of lost baggage? Your luggage flies on the same plane you do at the same time as you. There is no need to stand at baggage check to wait to find out your suitcase has ended up on the other side of the world.
* Charter flights are typically more flexible than standard commercial flights. Commercial airlines push a time-table of boarding, flights, and departures that they often can not live up to. A private charter flight can make it easier to arrange a flight time while not having to wait four hours to board.
* The smaller nature of chartered flight allows a busy individual the time to do some quality work while in the air. Commercial flights offer plenty of disturbances in the form of other passengers and their activities. In addition, a greater amount of privacy is gained by choosing chartered air travel as a business means of transportation. One does not need to worry about being overheard discussing a sensitive matter as they do in a commercial airliner. This is one of the key factors that bring executives to the decision to fly on a chartered plane.
* Travel by charter plane is not only more convenient, but it is just as safe as flying commercial. The FAA has strict mandates that ensure your and the crew's safety while aboard a private plane. The greater convenience does not mean a lax attitude towards safety and upkeep. Your safety is always our greatest concern.
Showing posts with label Charter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charter. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Five Reasons to Fly by Private Aircraft Charter
Five Reasons to Fly by Private Aircraft Charter
Without a doubt, flying has become an integral part of modern society. From business professionals to travel enthusiasts, the speed and convenience of flying helps makes their aspirations a reality. However, even the most avid frequent flyer will admit that the experience isn't always top-notch. Long lines, trips through security, uncomfortable seating accommodations, and flight delays all contribute to the feeling that air travel isn't all it could be. However, if you fly by private aircraft charter, you can enjoy the many benefits that flying affords without the hassle and frustration that can come from major airlines.
1. Convenience
A private aircraft charter provides you with a great deal of convenience. Even with extremely short notice, you can use private charters to hop on a jet and head to your important business meeting, family emergency, or any other engagement. For major airlines, you typically need to reserve your seat weeks or months in advance, and even then, mistakes are costly and frustrating to resolve.
2. Speed
Because you're not dealing with the size and bureaucracy of a major airline, there are many instances where you can arrange a direct flight to smaller airports and cities that a major airline can't justify including on their itinerary. This means you can get where you need to go more quickly and directly. Most travelers remember certain times where they could have reached their destination in a short time if they could have just headed straight there, but their flight had to land in a major city instead. If you value being able to get to your destination quickly, without long waits in the airport, the private aircraft charter is an excellent solution.
3. Luxury
In essence, you are renting your own jet for an individual trip, similar to how you might hire a limousine on the ground. You might also think of it like a timeshare, but for a jet. Regardless of how you look at it, you can expect luxuries that you just couldn't find on a commercial airline, such as sleeping quarters, excellent meal catering, Internet/fax machines, etc.
4. Flexibility
It just isn't possible to give everyone excellent service on a commercial airline without having at least as many stewardesses as there are passengers. Fortunately, when you fly by private aircraft charter, you receive an unparalleled in-flight customer service experience. You can also choose among a number of different types of jets, from ultra-light up to heavy aircraft.
5. Reliability
One of the biggest benefits to flying by private aircraft charter is that it can work well with your busy schedule. If you find yourself needing to get somewhere quickly, you can figure out a way to get to your destination with a private charter. The reason why aircraft charters are different is that they take the level of customer service to a whole new level beyond what commercial airlines can achieve. Private jet charter service prides itself on catering to your needs and your schedule.
These are just a few reasons why an aircraft charter is a superior means of air travel over commercial airlines. Whether you want to utilize one for business or leisure, a private aircraft charter gives you convenience, speed, and excellent service.
Without a doubt, flying has become an integral part of modern society. From business professionals to travel enthusiasts, the speed and convenience of flying helps makes their aspirations a reality. However, even the most avid frequent flyer will admit that the experience isn't always top-notch. Long lines, trips through security, uncomfortable seating accommodations, and flight delays all contribute to the feeling that air travel isn't all it could be. However, if you fly by private aircraft charter, you can enjoy the many benefits that flying affords without the hassle and frustration that can come from major airlines.
1. Convenience
A private aircraft charter provides you with a great deal of convenience. Even with extremely short notice, you can use private charters to hop on a jet and head to your important business meeting, family emergency, or any other engagement. For major airlines, you typically need to reserve your seat weeks or months in advance, and even then, mistakes are costly and frustrating to resolve.
2. Speed
Because you're not dealing with the size and bureaucracy of a major airline, there are many instances where you can arrange a direct flight to smaller airports and cities that a major airline can't justify including on their itinerary. This means you can get where you need to go more quickly and directly. Most travelers remember certain times where they could have reached their destination in a short time if they could have just headed straight there, but their flight had to land in a major city instead. If you value being able to get to your destination quickly, without long waits in the airport, the private aircraft charter is an excellent solution.
3. Luxury
In essence, you are renting your own jet for an individual trip, similar to how you might hire a limousine on the ground. You might also think of it like a timeshare, but for a jet. Regardless of how you look at it, you can expect luxuries that you just couldn't find on a commercial airline, such as sleeping quarters, excellent meal catering, Internet/fax machines, etc.
4. Flexibility
It just isn't possible to give everyone excellent service on a commercial airline without having at least as many stewardesses as there are passengers. Fortunately, when you fly by private aircraft charter, you receive an unparalleled in-flight customer service experience. You can also choose among a number of different types of jets, from ultra-light up to heavy aircraft.
5. Reliability
One of the biggest benefits to flying by private aircraft charter is that it can work well with your busy schedule. If you find yourself needing to get somewhere quickly, you can figure out a way to get to your destination with a private charter. The reason why aircraft charters are different is that they take the level of customer service to a whole new level beyond what commercial airlines can achieve. Private jet charter service prides itself on catering to your needs and your schedule.
These are just a few reasons why an aircraft charter is a superior means of air travel over commercial airlines. Whether you want to utilize one for business or leisure, a private aircraft charter gives you convenience, speed, and excellent service.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Private Charter Ticket Prices Are Cheaper Than Flying First Class On Major Airlines
Private Charter Ticket Prices Are Cheaper Than Flying First Class On Major Airlines
Traveling on a private jet is economical in many ways. Ticket prices can be cheaper than flying first class on major airlines. Less time is spent in traffic and security lines, and the long waits are avoided while traveling in this manner. It is not possible to miss a flight because it waits for you. The cost of four first class tickets during the holidays can be more expensive than chartering a jet. This is the same as when it is the peak travel season for short journeys. Those who travel this way will save an average of four - eight hours of travel time. These jets are extremely competitive for short journeys, in addition it is feasible to have a chauffeured automobile drive you right on to the tarmac.
Over the major holiday travel periods of Christmas and Thanksgiving the cost for travelling this way is competitive. Frequent travelers save funds with distinctive and exclusive options for charter flight. The cost of flying first class for high profile events can be equal to or more with major airlines. Private charter aircraft is an affordable option for sports and entertainment groups.
These jets have low operating costs compared to commercial planes. Having best in-class fuselage length can help make the flight economical. With a rear built in engine they are safe and quiet, they use less fuel than major airlines, and they also emit less CO2 than commercial jets, so it is an environmentally friendly way to fly. It is feasible to get guaranteed chair pricing as well.
Partial ownership is also an option available for private jet customers. This requires the acquisition of an undivided interest in a specific aircraft. The size of the aircraft and share is related to the number of hours in flight. Every month airline fees cover the costs of insurance and pilots. It is a flexible way to travel by having the choice to select a larger or smaller aircraft, hundreds of thousands of dollars can be saved in the long run.
Membership and jet card access is offered with charter flights. Low hourly rates and increased productivity make them a good option. It is possible to fly to North America, the Caribbean, or Europe with as little as eight hours notice. With a jet card there are no additional fees for catering or ferrying, and there are no peak surcharge fees with the use of a jet card. Private jets can hold up to 13 passengers and their baggage no matter how massive or tiny it may be.
Traveling on a private jet is economical in many ways. Ticket prices can be cheaper than flying first class on major airlines. Less time is spent in traffic and security lines, and the long waits are avoided while traveling in this manner. It is not possible to miss a flight because it waits for you. The cost of four first class tickets during the holidays can be more expensive than chartering a jet. This is the same as when it is the peak travel season for short journeys. Those who travel this way will save an average of four - eight hours of travel time. These jets are extremely competitive for short journeys, in addition it is feasible to have a chauffeured automobile drive you right on to the tarmac.
Over the major holiday travel periods of Christmas and Thanksgiving the cost for travelling this way is competitive. Frequent travelers save funds with distinctive and exclusive options for charter flight. The cost of flying first class for high profile events can be equal to or more with major airlines. Private charter aircraft is an affordable option for sports and entertainment groups.
These jets have low operating costs compared to commercial planes. Having best in-class fuselage length can help make the flight economical. With a rear built in engine they are safe and quiet, they use less fuel than major airlines, and they also emit less CO2 than commercial jets, so it is an environmentally friendly way to fly. It is feasible to get guaranteed chair pricing as well.
Partial ownership is also an option available for private jet customers. This requires the acquisition of an undivided interest in a specific aircraft. The size of the aircraft and share is related to the number of hours in flight. Every month airline fees cover the costs of insurance and pilots. It is a flexible way to travel by having the choice to select a larger or smaller aircraft, hundreds of thousands of dollars can be saved in the long run.
Membership and jet card access is offered with charter flights. Low hourly rates and increased productivity make them a good option. It is possible to fly to North America, the Caribbean, or Europe with as little as eight hours notice. With a jet card there are no additional fees for catering or ferrying, and there are no peak surcharge fees with the use of a jet card. Private jets can hold up to 13 passengers and their baggage no matter how massive or tiny it may be.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Private Plane Charter Prices - Tips on How to Get the Lowest Rental Costs
Private Plane Charter Prices - Tips on How to Get the Lowest Rental Costs
There are many companies that offer private plane charter services, and prices are naturally going to vary, so you do need to do some serious homework before you decide which company to choose to go with. The Internet is a modern tool that really is invaluable, and for private plane charter prices it certainly comes into its own. It takes some of the stress out of looking for the perfect deal for your charter flight as there are no humans, and sadly people cause more stress that anything.
Gone are the days of having to ring around to get prices. Now you can simply sit with a cup of coffee and your laptop and search at your leisure as thankfully lots of companies have an online quotation system, which means with in a few clicks and a bit of online form filling you will have an instant price result. This can take some time, so do not leave this too late or you will just have to accept the first company you find, irrespective of price.
The top tip of the day is to keep a notebook by your side whilst doing this exercise, so that you can write the name of the company and the price so you can see instantly who is offering the best deal, and more importantly not get confused as to who is offering what. To make sure you are getting accurate information you do need to take time to read the form as different companies will ask different questions, and without accurate information provided the quote you are given is going to be completely worthless. Most companies that offer charter flying on a serious scale will have a range of planes on offer, depending on how many of you there are to fly, so that is definitely one piece of information you need to provide. Obviously you need to be specific about your destination, dates and times of travel and any stop off's that need to be made, as without being honest the company cannot possibly be expected to honor a quote.
There are many companies that offer private plane charter services, and prices are naturally going to vary, so you do need to do some serious homework before you decide which company to choose to go with. The Internet is a modern tool that really is invaluable, and for private plane charter prices it certainly comes into its own. It takes some of the stress out of looking for the perfect deal for your charter flight as there are no humans, and sadly people cause more stress that anything.
Gone are the days of having to ring around to get prices. Now you can simply sit with a cup of coffee and your laptop and search at your leisure as thankfully lots of companies have an online quotation system, which means with in a few clicks and a bit of online form filling you will have an instant price result. This can take some time, so do not leave this too late or you will just have to accept the first company you find, irrespective of price.
The top tip of the day is to keep a notebook by your side whilst doing this exercise, so that you can write the name of the company and the price so you can see instantly who is offering the best deal, and more importantly not get confused as to who is offering what. To make sure you are getting accurate information you do need to take time to read the form as different companies will ask different questions, and without accurate information provided the quote you are given is going to be completely worthless. Most companies that offer charter flying on a serious scale will have a range of planes on offer, depending on how many of you there are to fly, so that is definitely one piece of information you need to provide. Obviously you need to be specific about your destination, dates and times of travel and any stop off's that need to be made, as without being honest the company cannot possibly be expected to honor a quote.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Private Aircraft Charter From Teterboro Airport
Private Aircraft Charter From Teterboro Airport
No one really needs to be told of all the benefits that private air travel has when compared to flying the airlines. That's why for travelers wanting to depart New York City, the idea of flying on a private jet out of Teterboro sounds like the perfect getaway plan. Because of its proximity to Manhattan, only 12 miles from midtown, it is one of the top growing airports for private charter flights in the country. If you're thinking of flying privately out of Teterboro, here's some information that will come in useful.
The first thing you should know is that it isn't the only airport in the New York area that handles private jet aircraft - it's just the closest and most convenient. If you're willing to drive a few extra miles to White Plains, Morristown, Farmingdale, or even Allentown, PA, you may save yourself some money. There are several air charter companies that base their airplanes on the outskirts of New York City and instead of paying extra money to have them depart those airports and pick you up at Teterboro, you can simply drive to them and save money on your trip. That said, the convenience of flying in and out of Teterboro can't be understated and for private charter to or from New York, it remains the airport of choice.
The next step is finding the right airplane for the trip. Locating the safest, Wyvern-approved operator should be the first priority. Beyond that, you should find an airplane that's a right fit for your trip - nothing more or less.
For example, West Palm Beach is a popular charter destination from Teterboro. Most flights that head south only have a few people on board, so it goes without saying that a Gulfstream or any other heavy jet is an unnecessary airplane for that trip. Looking at it from another angle, trying to squeeze 8 passengers and a week's worth of luggage into a Lear 60 may not be the wisest choice of airplane because it will feel like a sardine can in there. The point is, if you're going to spend extra money to fly privately, make sure you spend it on the right airplane. The tricky part is finding it.
Many charter operators work with a limited fleet of airplanes. Typically, these airplanes aren't owned by the operator themselves, instead by a private owner that has an arrangement with them to use their airplane for charter. Oftentimes, the best airplane to fit a client's itinerary isn't available. Instead of pointing them towards another operator, they'll quote the client for a larger, more expensive aircraft. There's nothing wrong with this, it's simple business, but usually the client isn't aware that there are several options available that could save them money on their trip.
This is where a charter broker comes into play. They're there to make sure you're getting the most value for your dollar when it comes to chartering a private airplane by doing the legwork on your behalf. They contact as many qualified charter operators as possible that will offer competing quotes for your trip and the operators, when dealing with a broker, usually offer more competitive quotes than if dealing directly with the client because they know that the broker is likely in touch with their competition.
Upon receiving your itinerary, your broker will search out the correct airplane and negotiate competitive prices. Some brokers will keep you fully informed during the entire process, passing on information as they receive it, while others are a little more hush hush about their practices. Some people simply don't want to be bothered and trust the broker to look out for their interests. However, if you're chartering an airplane for the first time, try to find a broker who is transparent about how they solicit quotes and whether or not they have arrangements with operators. Make sure they provide as much information as possible while searching for quotes. Simply put, when you and your broker find the right airplane, they will take care of arranging for the charter and setting up the flight with the operator.
The biggest thing travelers aren't aware of is the difference between round-trip, one-way, and empty-leg flight. Whether or not you're flying one-way out of Teterboro or round-trip, the charter operator will charge your round-trip rates. There are exceptions to that general rule of thumb, however be aware that if you rent a jet from Teterboro to West Palm Beach or Los Angeles, that airplane has to get back to its home base and you, the charter client, pays for that return trip. That means if you plan on chartering a jet from Teterboro one-way, expect to pay the same price as a round-trip flight. Most operators offer empty-leg flights as a way to fill the airplane on the return leg of those one-way trips. If the operator sells an empty-leg flight its pure profit and therefore the discount to you can be substantial.
Compared to other metropolitan areas, there are actually quite a few empty-legs flights between New York and Florida, especially in the winter months. You just have to keep in mind that empty leg flight are often canceled or changed to accommodate the client who is paying the full round-trip rate on the originating flight.
To give you a sense of what to expect for a business jet charter from Teterboro, here are a few examples. One of the most popular destinations is West Palm Beach. To charter a typical 8-seat, medium-size jet, such as a Lear 60 or Hawker 800, expect to pay about $2,400 - $3,200 per hour of flight time. These costs will vary, sometimes greatly, depending on the time of year and how long you plan on staying overnight at your destination.
To learn more about the process of chartering an aircraft, visit the National Business Aviation Association's website. You will find all the information you need in order to plan your private flight.
When the benefits outweigh the costs and you'd like to charter a executive jet from Teterboro, there are several options for your trip. The best way to plan for a charter is to contact a broker and have them prepare different quotes from various operators.
No one really needs to be told of all the benefits that private air travel has when compared to flying the airlines. That's why for travelers wanting to depart New York City, the idea of flying on a private jet out of Teterboro sounds like the perfect getaway plan. Because of its proximity to Manhattan, only 12 miles from midtown, it is one of the top growing airports for private charter flights in the country. If you're thinking of flying privately out of Teterboro, here's some information that will come in useful.
The first thing you should know is that it isn't the only airport in the New York area that handles private jet aircraft - it's just the closest and most convenient. If you're willing to drive a few extra miles to White Plains, Morristown, Farmingdale, or even Allentown, PA, you may save yourself some money. There are several air charter companies that base their airplanes on the outskirts of New York City and instead of paying extra money to have them depart those airports and pick you up at Teterboro, you can simply drive to them and save money on your trip. That said, the convenience of flying in and out of Teterboro can't be understated and for private charter to or from New York, it remains the airport of choice.
The next step is finding the right airplane for the trip. Locating the safest, Wyvern-approved operator should be the first priority. Beyond that, you should find an airplane that's a right fit for your trip - nothing more or less.
For example, West Palm Beach is a popular charter destination from Teterboro. Most flights that head south only have a few people on board, so it goes without saying that a Gulfstream or any other heavy jet is an unnecessary airplane for that trip. Looking at it from another angle, trying to squeeze 8 passengers and a week's worth of luggage into a Lear 60 may not be the wisest choice of airplane because it will feel like a sardine can in there. The point is, if you're going to spend extra money to fly privately, make sure you spend it on the right airplane. The tricky part is finding it.
Many charter operators work with a limited fleet of airplanes. Typically, these airplanes aren't owned by the operator themselves, instead by a private owner that has an arrangement with them to use their airplane for charter. Oftentimes, the best airplane to fit a client's itinerary isn't available. Instead of pointing them towards another operator, they'll quote the client for a larger, more expensive aircraft. There's nothing wrong with this, it's simple business, but usually the client isn't aware that there are several options available that could save them money on their trip.
This is where a charter broker comes into play. They're there to make sure you're getting the most value for your dollar when it comes to chartering a private airplane by doing the legwork on your behalf. They contact as many qualified charter operators as possible that will offer competing quotes for your trip and the operators, when dealing with a broker, usually offer more competitive quotes than if dealing directly with the client because they know that the broker is likely in touch with their competition.
Upon receiving your itinerary, your broker will search out the correct airplane and negotiate competitive prices. Some brokers will keep you fully informed during the entire process, passing on information as they receive it, while others are a little more hush hush about their practices. Some people simply don't want to be bothered and trust the broker to look out for their interests. However, if you're chartering an airplane for the first time, try to find a broker who is transparent about how they solicit quotes and whether or not they have arrangements with operators. Make sure they provide as much information as possible while searching for quotes. Simply put, when you and your broker find the right airplane, they will take care of arranging for the charter and setting up the flight with the operator.
The biggest thing travelers aren't aware of is the difference between round-trip, one-way, and empty-leg flight. Whether or not you're flying one-way out of Teterboro or round-trip, the charter operator will charge your round-trip rates. There are exceptions to that general rule of thumb, however be aware that if you rent a jet from Teterboro to West Palm Beach or Los Angeles, that airplane has to get back to its home base and you, the charter client, pays for that return trip. That means if you plan on chartering a jet from Teterboro one-way, expect to pay the same price as a round-trip flight. Most operators offer empty-leg flights as a way to fill the airplane on the return leg of those one-way trips. If the operator sells an empty-leg flight its pure profit and therefore the discount to you can be substantial.
Compared to other metropolitan areas, there are actually quite a few empty-legs flights between New York and Florida, especially in the winter months. You just have to keep in mind that empty leg flight are often canceled or changed to accommodate the client who is paying the full round-trip rate on the originating flight.
To give you a sense of what to expect for a business jet charter from Teterboro, here are a few examples. One of the most popular destinations is West Palm Beach. To charter a typical 8-seat, medium-size jet, such as a Lear 60 or Hawker 800, expect to pay about $2,400 - $3,200 per hour of flight time. These costs will vary, sometimes greatly, depending on the time of year and how long you plan on staying overnight at your destination.
To learn more about the process of chartering an aircraft, visit the National Business Aviation Association's website. You will find all the information you need in order to plan your private flight.
When the benefits outweigh the costs and you'd like to charter a executive jet from Teterboro, there are several options for your trip. The best way to plan for a charter is to contact a broker and have them prepare different quotes from various operators.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Private Charter Planes - 3 Tips to Lower Your Costs of Private Plane Rentals
Private Charter Planes - 3 Tips to Lower Your Costs of Private Plane Rentals
Today many people believe that flying in a private charter plane is very expensive and out of reach for most people. The truth is that private plane rentals can be very economical for business or pleasure. This article will explore how to lower the costs of flying in a private charter plane.
Why fly in a private jet? There are many reasons, but here are a few. The biggest savings is time. I don't have to worry about parking at the commercial airport. I don't have to wait in long security lines or baggage check in lines. I can basically drive up to my jet or close to it at a small airport, walk on to the plane and then expect to take off. Other reasons are that you don't have to put up with other passengers and delays. The degree of luxury can be much better than flying first class in a commercial jet, but luxury is not available on all private charter planes.
Now that you are sold on renting a private jet, you need to find out how to cut the costs. If you are flying for pleasure, then consider flying on the dead head flight. If your travel schedule is flexible, then you can save a tremendous amount of money on the dead head link. When a jet goes from point A to point B it must fly back to point A, normally empty. This is the dead head flight. Owners of jets would rather put someone on the flight at a lower price in order to pay for fixed expenses. If you are flexible you can save a ton of money.
Another way to save money is to get more people to fly with you. If you are flying for business then try to get everyone on the same flight instead of some people taking a commercial flight. The more people you get to fly the more you will save on a group rate.
Most people book flights using a private jet broker, but if you call the local airports you might be able to negotiate a lower rate directly with the owner of the jet.
Today many people believe that flying in a private charter plane is very expensive and out of reach for most people. The truth is that private plane rentals can be very economical for business or pleasure. This article will explore how to lower the costs of flying in a private charter plane.
Why fly in a private jet? There are many reasons, but here are a few. The biggest savings is time. I don't have to worry about parking at the commercial airport. I don't have to wait in long security lines or baggage check in lines. I can basically drive up to my jet or close to it at a small airport, walk on to the plane and then expect to take off. Other reasons are that you don't have to put up with other passengers and delays. The degree of luxury can be much better than flying first class in a commercial jet, but luxury is not available on all private charter planes.
Now that you are sold on renting a private jet, you need to find out how to cut the costs. If you are flying for pleasure, then consider flying on the dead head flight. If your travel schedule is flexible, then you can save a tremendous amount of money on the dead head link. When a jet goes from point A to point B it must fly back to point A, normally empty. This is the dead head flight. Owners of jets would rather put someone on the flight at a lower price in order to pay for fixed expenses. If you are flexible you can save a ton of money.
Another way to save money is to get more people to fly with you. If you are flying for business then try to get everyone on the same flight instead of some people taking a commercial flight. The more people you get to fly the more you will save on a group rate.
Most people book flights using a private jet broker, but if you call the local airports you might be able to negotiate a lower rate directly with the owner of the jet.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Private Jets - Information on Private Jet Cost, Aircraft Fractional Ownership & Charter Jet Service
Private Jets - Information on Private Jet Cost, Aircraft Fractional Ownership & Charter Jet Service
Private jets are truly wonderful to experience, believe me... but the expense involved in acquiring one can be quite expensive. As for private jet cost, depending upon the make, model and size, to buy one outright, you might be looking at spending between 5 and 65 million dollars. Not too terrible, if you can afford it. Now, while owning a private jet can seem to be the most convenient form of private jet access, it can also be the most expensive. And by expensive, I'm not merely talking about money here. Allow me to explain...
With sole ownership, you are of course fully responsible for the initial purchase price, licensing, regular registration fees, hangar fees, airport fees, pilot for hire, regulations, flight logging data, fuel costs, fuel expenditure logging, maintenance and the list goes on (and on) - and remember, most of these things can represent a constant cost of quite a pretty penny indeed, even if the plane never leaves the hangar. Owning a private jet might be a dream of yours, but if you're a mite jittery about taking on the huge private jet cost in exchange for a bit of luxury, it can be pretty darned difficult to write out that very first check. Even if you've found private jets for sale at an auction, and picked one up for only a small few million, the ongoing private jet cost is the very same, and certainly without discount.
But with private jets, sale prices can vary greatly. Among the things to consider when you purchase a private jet is the factor of flying range and jet size, which can vary private jet cost considerably. For example, if you chose to purchase a light jet, perhaps a Learjet for example, which can average at about $5 million or so to buy, the plane would hold between six to eight passengers, with about a 1,500 mile flight range without refueling. You'll need to precisely understand what specific realm your needs reside in, in order to decide on the right make and model that's best for you. Charter a few short flights to get the feel for each major type. You may find medium jets are more to your liking than light jets, such as a Hawker 800, for example.
Aircraft fractional ownership of a private jet, sharing it with a single co-investor, can provide greater travel flexibility at half the cost of sole ownership, however many aviation experts warn that most aviation partnerships eventually sour. This problem can be further compounded with more owners holding shares of the plane. Aircraft fractional ownership can start at 1/16 of a share (that's 16 owners of just one plane), which may be as low as roughly about $400,000, for say, a Hawker for instance. That generally allows for about 50 hours of flying time. This would equate to be about $8,000.00 per hour of flight - on a cost per hour of flight basis, that is not much cheaper than a charter jet service at all. But aircraft fractional ownership has never been easy - why? Have you ever experienced the headaches of time-sharing a condo? Yeah, that's why.
Also, you might be a 1/16 shareholder, but those with 1/8 or ¼ shares are those whose needs are met first, and only if they aren't using it, then you can. There's a bit of a "pecking order" to deal with. Where on the totem pole will you be? All that having been said, fractional ownership can be economical, and is best for those companies or individuals who fly about 100-150 occupied hours a year or more. Needless to say, chartering a few flights to feel out which model suits you the best, does have the obvious benefits before considering buying one, whether it's an entire or fractional purchase you're leading to.
Perhaps the biggest problem is that while you might think that aircraft sole ownership or even aircraft fractional ownership may seem to be less pricey (at least as far as the initial purchasing cost) than a charter jet service, the fact is that even if you own one, solely or in part, you will still end up using a charter jet service a number times on top of it all anyway. Why is this so? Quite often, your jet just might not be available. It may be undergoing maintenance, it may be being used by another (perhaps "higher") shareholder, it may be due to any number of a large list of things, and further (and perhaps most cripplingly), it might just not suit your specific needs at that time. What do I mean?
Alright, let's say you own a light jet, but you need to transport 12 passengers - are you going to make two trips? That would be a bit odd, to say the very least. For many reasons, even if you shell out a few million for a private jet, or a few hundred-thousand for 1/16 of (and only 50 hours of) a private jet, you simply will still invariably shell out more to a charter jet service, and on more than one occasion. Why compound your flight expense?
Instead of all the hassle, all the upkeep, the down time, the countless regulations and expenses, and the more-than-occasional unavailability of aircraft ownership or aircraft fractional ownership, with chartering on top of it all, it seems to make much more sense simply to just rely on jet charter services alone. This holds true if you're an individual who would fly less than 150 hours per year, and even businesses which would use even more flight time. Heck, truth be told, it all ends up written off as a business expense when all is said and done.
Basically, chartering represents less work, less hassle and much less restrictions - this last factor being the most important here. No restrictions are what we're looking for in the whole private jet experience in the first place, right? When you charter a private jet, you can choose from a fleet of models, sizes and types, and you can book a flight anytime you desire, even within a small few hours, and reach over 5,000 airports instead of the under 500 airports of commercial airlines.
Private jet charter still allows you to fly in privacy and security, avoid delays at airports having to remove shoes, unpack laptop computers and other personal items. If you use jet charter services, you're able to fly the exact aircraft you desire. Let's say you only wish to fly alone or with 5-7 passengers, on a 2 hour flight... chartering a turboprop or a very light jet would cost a lot less for that single flight than a Hawker 800 of your very own in that same instance, or even a 1/16 of one.
Do you see what I mean? It just makes more sense, and makes for much less hassle. Most importantly, you only pay for one plane - the one you need at the moment, and whatever type or model you desire. After all, you have access to an entire fleet (a very prestigious concept, by the way), always at your disposal, and you don't share them with anyone except those you wish to bring with you on your travels.
Myself, I'm greedy - I don't want to have to deal with, or wait for, any other shareholders' permission(s) to fly my damned jet. I want the whole thing, and I want it now. I want a Learjet today and a Hawker tomorrow. I want my free catering and my in-flight spa. I want 100% accessibility, right when I want it, and that's always now. Think about it... isn't that what flying by private jet is really all about? Otherwise, what the hell are we really spending our money for?
Private jets are truly wonderful to experience, believe me... but the expense involved in acquiring one can be quite expensive. As for private jet cost, depending upon the make, model and size, to buy one outright, you might be looking at spending between 5 and 65 million dollars. Not too terrible, if you can afford it. Now, while owning a private jet can seem to be the most convenient form of private jet access, it can also be the most expensive. And by expensive, I'm not merely talking about money here. Allow me to explain...
With sole ownership, you are of course fully responsible for the initial purchase price, licensing, regular registration fees, hangar fees, airport fees, pilot for hire, regulations, flight logging data, fuel costs, fuel expenditure logging, maintenance and the list goes on (and on) - and remember, most of these things can represent a constant cost of quite a pretty penny indeed, even if the plane never leaves the hangar. Owning a private jet might be a dream of yours, but if you're a mite jittery about taking on the huge private jet cost in exchange for a bit of luxury, it can be pretty darned difficult to write out that very first check. Even if you've found private jets for sale at an auction, and picked one up for only a small few million, the ongoing private jet cost is the very same, and certainly without discount.
But with private jets, sale prices can vary greatly. Among the things to consider when you purchase a private jet is the factor of flying range and jet size, which can vary private jet cost considerably. For example, if you chose to purchase a light jet, perhaps a Learjet for example, which can average at about $5 million or so to buy, the plane would hold between six to eight passengers, with about a 1,500 mile flight range without refueling. You'll need to precisely understand what specific realm your needs reside in, in order to decide on the right make and model that's best for you. Charter a few short flights to get the feel for each major type. You may find medium jets are more to your liking than light jets, such as a Hawker 800, for example.
Aircraft fractional ownership of a private jet, sharing it with a single co-investor, can provide greater travel flexibility at half the cost of sole ownership, however many aviation experts warn that most aviation partnerships eventually sour. This problem can be further compounded with more owners holding shares of the plane. Aircraft fractional ownership can start at 1/16 of a share (that's 16 owners of just one plane), which may be as low as roughly about $400,000, for say, a Hawker for instance. That generally allows for about 50 hours of flying time. This would equate to be about $8,000.00 per hour of flight - on a cost per hour of flight basis, that is not much cheaper than a charter jet service at all. But aircraft fractional ownership has never been easy - why? Have you ever experienced the headaches of time-sharing a condo? Yeah, that's why.
Also, you might be a 1/16 shareholder, but those with 1/8 or ¼ shares are those whose needs are met first, and only if they aren't using it, then you can. There's a bit of a "pecking order" to deal with. Where on the totem pole will you be? All that having been said, fractional ownership can be economical, and is best for those companies or individuals who fly about 100-150 occupied hours a year or more. Needless to say, chartering a few flights to feel out which model suits you the best, does have the obvious benefits before considering buying one, whether it's an entire or fractional purchase you're leading to.
Perhaps the biggest problem is that while you might think that aircraft sole ownership or even aircraft fractional ownership may seem to be less pricey (at least as far as the initial purchasing cost) than a charter jet service, the fact is that even if you own one, solely or in part, you will still end up using a charter jet service a number times on top of it all anyway. Why is this so? Quite often, your jet just might not be available. It may be undergoing maintenance, it may be being used by another (perhaps "higher") shareholder, it may be due to any number of a large list of things, and further (and perhaps most cripplingly), it might just not suit your specific needs at that time. What do I mean?
Alright, let's say you own a light jet, but you need to transport 12 passengers - are you going to make two trips? That would be a bit odd, to say the very least. For many reasons, even if you shell out a few million for a private jet, or a few hundred-thousand for 1/16 of (and only 50 hours of) a private jet, you simply will still invariably shell out more to a charter jet service, and on more than one occasion. Why compound your flight expense?
Instead of all the hassle, all the upkeep, the down time, the countless regulations and expenses, and the more-than-occasional unavailability of aircraft ownership or aircraft fractional ownership, with chartering on top of it all, it seems to make much more sense simply to just rely on jet charter services alone. This holds true if you're an individual who would fly less than 150 hours per year, and even businesses which would use even more flight time. Heck, truth be told, it all ends up written off as a business expense when all is said and done.
Basically, chartering represents less work, less hassle and much less restrictions - this last factor being the most important here. No restrictions are what we're looking for in the whole private jet experience in the first place, right? When you charter a private jet, you can choose from a fleet of models, sizes and types, and you can book a flight anytime you desire, even within a small few hours, and reach over 5,000 airports instead of the under 500 airports of commercial airlines.
Private jet charter still allows you to fly in privacy and security, avoid delays at airports having to remove shoes, unpack laptop computers and other personal items. If you use jet charter services, you're able to fly the exact aircraft you desire. Let's say you only wish to fly alone or with 5-7 passengers, on a 2 hour flight... chartering a turboprop or a very light jet would cost a lot less for that single flight than a Hawker 800 of your very own in that same instance, or even a 1/16 of one.
Do you see what I mean? It just makes more sense, and makes for much less hassle. Most importantly, you only pay for one plane - the one you need at the moment, and whatever type or model you desire. After all, you have access to an entire fleet (a very prestigious concept, by the way), always at your disposal, and you don't share them with anyone except those you wish to bring with you on your travels.
Myself, I'm greedy - I don't want to have to deal with, or wait for, any other shareholders' permission(s) to fly my damned jet. I want the whole thing, and I want it now. I want a Learjet today and a Hawker tomorrow. I want my free catering and my in-flight spa. I want 100% accessibility, right when I want it, and that's always now. Think about it... isn't that what flying by private jet is really all about? Otherwise, what the hell are we really spending our money for?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Aircraft Charter - What You Don't Ask Could Hurt You
Aircraft Charter - What You Don't Ask Could Hurt You
Whether you utilize the services of a charter broker or contract directly with an aircraft charter operator for your next private jet charter flight, the tough questions must be asked to ensure your flight meets all regulatory and safety standards. After all, during an accident is the wrong time to learn that you have chartered an aircraft not approved by the FAA or not covered by an appropriate amount of insurance.
You or your broker should ask the following questions to ensure compliance with aircraft charter industry standards and request these verifying documents;
Are you a certified Part 135 Air Carrier? Request a copy of the air carrier certificate and verify that the name of the charter company you have contacted matches what is listed on the certificate.
Is the aircraft I am considering part 135 approved? Request copy of FAA Operations Specification D085 and verify that the aircraft you wish to charter is actually on the aircraft charter company's Part 135 certificate.
Do you have current Department of Transportation approval? Request a copy of DOT certificate OST-4507 to verify that the aircraft charter company has the economic authority to operate public charters.
What is your insurance coverage for that aircraft? A quality operator will have 25 million dollars in liability coverage on turboprop aircraft, and 50 million dollars in liability for light jets. Expect better coverage in mid and heavy sized aircraft. Request a Certificate of Insurance for the aircraft you'll be chartering.
Have the pilots assigned to my flight received simulator training within the last 12 months in the type of aircraft being chartered? Flight Safety International, CAE Simuflite, and Simcom are the universally accepted training providers.
Does your company have a Safety Management System (SMS) in place? The presence of an active Safety Management System, with a Director of Safety on staff, shows that the company addresses safety issues proactively rather than retroactively, or, after an accident has occurred. It is also a sign that the company has adopted industry best practices.
Are you IS-BAO certified, ARG/US rated, or Wyvern recommended? The best charter companies have elected to have their operations and safety programs audited by independent third parties. Request date and outcome of last audit. Read our article about aircraft safety ratings for more detailed information.
Have you had any accidents/incidents/violations? Request a full explanation of any safety record that is less than perfect.
The answers to these few questions will provide you the information needed to make a wise decision as you choose your aircraft charter provider.
Whether you utilize the services of a charter broker or contract directly with an aircraft charter operator for your next private jet charter flight, the tough questions must be asked to ensure your flight meets all regulatory and safety standards. After all, during an accident is the wrong time to learn that you have chartered an aircraft not approved by the FAA or not covered by an appropriate amount of insurance.
You or your broker should ask the following questions to ensure compliance with aircraft charter industry standards and request these verifying documents;
Are you a certified Part 135 Air Carrier? Request a copy of the air carrier certificate and verify that the name of the charter company you have contacted matches what is listed on the certificate.
Is the aircraft I am considering part 135 approved? Request copy of FAA Operations Specification D085 and verify that the aircraft you wish to charter is actually on the aircraft charter company's Part 135 certificate.
Do you have current Department of Transportation approval? Request a copy of DOT certificate OST-4507 to verify that the aircraft charter company has the economic authority to operate public charters.
What is your insurance coverage for that aircraft? A quality operator will have 25 million dollars in liability coverage on turboprop aircraft, and 50 million dollars in liability for light jets. Expect better coverage in mid and heavy sized aircraft. Request a Certificate of Insurance for the aircraft you'll be chartering.
Have the pilots assigned to my flight received simulator training within the last 12 months in the type of aircraft being chartered? Flight Safety International, CAE Simuflite, and Simcom are the universally accepted training providers.
Does your company have a Safety Management System (SMS) in place? The presence of an active Safety Management System, with a Director of Safety on staff, shows that the company addresses safety issues proactively rather than retroactively, or, after an accident has occurred. It is also a sign that the company has adopted industry best practices.
Are you IS-BAO certified, ARG/US rated, or Wyvern recommended? The best charter companies have elected to have their operations and safety programs audited by independent third parties. Request date and outcome of last audit. Read our article about aircraft safety ratings for more detailed information.
Have you had any accidents/incidents/violations? Request a full explanation of any safety record that is less than perfect.
The answers to these few questions will provide you the information needed to make a wise decision as you choose your aircraft charter provider.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Air Charter and Wet Lease Aircraft Leasing
Air Charter and Wet Lease Aircraft Leasing
The final chapter in the Airbus A310 story. The production line remains technically open but the aircraft has been largely superseded, such is the march of progress. The final manoeuvres are sad and on the wrong side of profitability.
Cameroon Airlines wet lease an A310-300 from Air Plus Comet in November 1997. It had planned to use it throughout the winter season until the following March, but returned the aircraft on 5 December. On the other side of the African continent, a restructured Air Djibouti began operations with a leased A310-200 on 25 July 1998, serving its main links between Djibouti and Addis Ababa, Cairo, Dar-es-Salaam, Dubai, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Karachi, Khartoum, Mogadishu, Mombasa, Muscat, Nairobi and Rome. The aircraft was returned to Airbus Industrie Financial Services in February 1999.
Egyptian start-up Heliopolis Airlines operated an A310-200 from Airbus Industrie Financial Services in October 1997, but a fall-off in tourist traffic hit the airline hard and the Airbus was repossessed on 30 June 1998. Tunis Air, already an A300 operator, leased an A310-300 from Royal Jordanian between 30 August and 30 September 1991.
Qatar Airways, formed in direct competition with its own national airline Gulf Air, began operations on 20 January 1994, initially using a single ex-Kuwait Airways Pratt & Whitney powered A310-200 leased from the manufacturer. A second ex-Kuwait Airways model followed in June 1994. A network was established linking Qatar's capital Doha with London and several destinations in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent. As services grew, the airline needed larger aircraft and the A310s were returned in February and May 1995. Another local carrier Oman Air has revamped its operations with two exSwissair A310-300s, which entered service in April 1999 on longer sectors from Muscat to the Indian sub-continent. New services to southern Europe and East Africa are being planned.
Luxembourg-based newcomer Solid'air was due to begin operations in spring 1999 with two A310-300s, configured for 232 passengers in a two-class cabin of 28 business and 204 economy seats. Both aircraft are on lease from Lufthansa for a period of five years for planned charter services from Luxembourg to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, and to the Bahamas and Dominican Republic. Other Central American and Caribbean destinations will be added.
Airbus built a total of 261 of these aircraft over a 15 year period.
The final chapter in the Airbus A310 story. The production line remains technically open but the aircraft has been largely superseded, such is the march of progress. The final manoeuvres are sad and on the wrong side of profitability.
Cameroon Airlines wet lease an A310-300 from Air Plus Comet in November 1997. It had planned to use it throughout the winter season until the following March, but returned the aircraft on 5 December. On the other side of the African continent, a restructured Air Djibouti began operations with a leased A310-200 on 25 July 1998, serving its main links between Djibouti and Addis Ababa, Cairo, Dar-es-Salaam, Dubai, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Karachi, Khartoum, Mogadishu, Mombasa, Muscat, Nairobi and Rome. The aircraft was returned to Airbus Industrie Financial Services in February 1999.
Egyptian start-up Heliopolis Airlines operated an A310-200 from Airbus Industrie Financial Services in October 1997, but a fall-off in tourist traffic hit the airline hard and the Airbus was repossessed on 30 June 1998. Tunis Air, already an A300 operator, leased an A310-300 from Royal Jordanian between 30 August and 30 September 1991.
Qatar Airways, formed in direct competition with its own national airline Gulf Air, began operations on 20 January 1994, initially using a single ex-Kuwait Airways Pratt & Whitney powered A310-200 leased from the manufacturer. A second ex-Kuwait Airways model followed in June 1994. A network was established linking Qatar's capital Doha with London and several destinations in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent. As services grew, the airline needed larger aircraft and the A310s were returned in February and May 1995. Another local carrier Oman Air has revamped its operations with two exSwissair A310-300s, which entered service in April 1999 on longer sectors from Muscat to the Indian sub-continent. New services to southern Europe and East Africa are being planned.
Luxembourg-based newcomer Solid'air was due to begin operations in spring 1999 with two A310-300s, configured for 232 passengers in a two-class cabin of 28 business and 204 economy seats. Both aircraft are on lease from Lufthansa for a period of five years for planned charter services from Luxembourg to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, and to the Bahamas and Dominican Republic. Other Central American and Caribbean destinations will be added.
Airbus built a total of 261 of these aircraft over a 15 year period.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Aircraft Charter Safety Ratings - What Do They Really Mean?
Aircraft Charter Safety Ratings - What Do They Really Mean?
When choosing an aircraft charter provider, it is important to determine whether the charter company you are considering meets the highest safety standards possible.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducts a lengthy certification process before ever granting an aircraft charter operator the authority to fly the general public. In addition, the FAA has continual oversight of the operator during annual base inspections, during conformity inspections to add new aircraft to the certificate, and during semi-annual checks of the pilots. Most charter operators strive to meet a higher safety standard than that regulated by the FAA. For example, the FAA requires that captains have 1200 hours of flight experience. Most operators have a minimum standard of 2500 hours and the best operators require somewhere around 5000 hours of experience.
Several organizations have developed industry-wide safety standards for aircraft charter operations to help unify these standards. They are ARG/US (Aviation Research Group/US), Wyvern, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).
ARG/US is perhaps the most well-known of the aviation safety standards organizations. They rate charter organizations under the following categories; DNQ (does not qualify), Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum. A Gold operator meets the basic ARG/US safety standards. The Gold Plus designation is given to an operator that meets the basic standards plus has participated in either an ARG/US audit of its operations and procedures or has received IS-BAO registration. The Platinum designation is awarded to those operators that meet the basic safety standards, pass the on-site audit and also have both a Safety Management System and an Emergency Response Plan in place.
Wyvern has long been respected in the charter industry for its high standards. The Wyvern Standard includes such requirements for the pilots as a minimum of 4000 hours of flight experience with certain other flight time requirements related to time in type of aircraft. Wyvern publishes the Pilot and Aircraft Safety Survey (PASS) report on request that indicates whether the operator, crew and aircraft you have chosen meet either a basic safety standard or meet the Wyvern Standard. Those operators who pass Wyvern's strict audit procedures become Wyvern "recommended". The phrase "recommended" is the only phrase that implies the aircraft charter operator has met Wyvern's higher standard.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation aims to promote safety standardization throughout the charter industry. The ACSF Industry Audit Standard has been developed with the input and guidance of leading safety auditors, charter operators, shared aircraft ownership companies and charter consumers.
One standard encompasses global a standards - the IS-BAO, which stands for International Standard of Business Aircraft Operations. This code of best practices was introduced by the International Business Aviation Council and has been widely adopted as the gold standard for business aircraft operations. It has been endorsed by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) as well as multinational organizations worldwide. Audits are not provided by the organization, but rather by independent, third party auditors who are certificated the International Business Aviation Council.
Be sure that the aircraft charter operator you are considering meets at least one, if not more, of these standards.
When choosing an aircraft charter provider, it is important to determine whether the charter company you are considering meets the highest safety standards possible.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducts a lengthy certification process before ever granting an aircraft charter operator the authority to fly the general public. In addition, the FAA has continual oversight of the operator during annual base inspections, during conformity inspections to add new aircraft to the certificate, and during semi-annual checks of the pilots. Most charter operators strive to meet a higher safety standard than that regulated by the FAA. For example, the FAA requires that captains have 1200 hours of flight experience. Most operators have a minimum standard of 2500 hours and the best operators require somewhere around 5000 hours of experience.
Several organizations have developed industry-wide safety standards for aircraft charter operations to help unify these standards. They are ARG/US (Aviation Research Group/US), Wyvern, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).
ARG/US is perhaps the most well-known of the aviation safety standards organizations. They rate charter organizations under the following categories; DNQ (does not qualify), Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum. A Gold operator meets the basic ARG/US safety standards. The Gold Plus designation is given to an operator that meets the basic standards plus has participated in either an ARG/US audit of its operations and procedures or has received IS-BAO registration. The Platinum designation is awarded to those operators that meet the basic safety standards, pass the on-site audit and also have both a Safety Management System and an Emergency Response Plan in place.
Wyvern has long been respected in the charter industry for its high standards. The Wyvern Standard includes such requirements for the pilots as a minimum of 4000 hours of flight experience with certain other flight time requirements related to time in type of aircraft. Wyvern publishes the Pilot and Aircraft Safety Survey (PASS) report on request that indicates whether the operator, crew and aircraft you have chosen meet either a basic safety standard or meet the Wyvern Standard. Those operators who pass Wyvern's strict audit procedures become Wyvern "recommended". The phrase "recommended" is the only phrase that implies the aircraft charter operator has met Wyvern's higher standard.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation aims to promote safety standardization throughout the charter industry. The ACSF Industry Audit Standard has been developed with the input and guidance of leading safety auditors, charter operators, shared aircraft ownership companies and charter consumers.
One standard encompasses global a standards - the IS-BAO, which stands for International Standard of Business Aircraft Operations. This code of best practices was introduced by the International Business Aviation Council and has been widely adopted as the gold standard for business aircraft operations. It has been endorsed by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) as well as multinational organizations worldwide. Audits are not provided by the organization, but rather by independent, third party auditors who are certificated the International Business Aviation Council.
Be sure that the aircraft charter operator you are considering meets at least one, if not more, of these standards.
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