There’s a lot going on in the world of general aviation right now. Let’s take a look at some of the major stories we’ve been following on the Web this week.
New Drug Warnings for Private Pilots
Twelve general aviation organizations have joined forces to warn private pilots about the dangerous side effects of certain medications. These medications, including over-the-counter drugs with antihistamines, could impair a pilot’s ability to fly. The group estimates that nearly 12% of accidents in the last decade were due in part to pilots who had taken banned medication.
House Acts to Energize Small Aircraft Manufacturing
On July 16, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Small Aircraft Revitalization Act. The act will “improve safety while cutting the cost of certification in half for light general aviation airplanes.” Manufacturers should be able to get innovative new aircraft designs to market sooner, and become more competitive in the world market. The Machinists union backed the act and predicted it will help spur growth and bring more new jobs to the industry.
Private Jet Reservations Go Mobile
More and more private jet companies are finding success in offering booking apps on mobile devices. PrivateFly, a charter jet company based in London, recently took a $500,000 booking from a family in the Middle East, shattering the prediction that customers would never use mobile apps for high-priced booking. Some companies, such as XOJet, don’t believe wealthy fliers will ever move solely to apps and have no plans to integrate mobiles apps into their business plan. Still, the apps are opening up the use of private jets to millions of new customers and could be a big boost to the industry.
No Open Season on Drones
The town of Deer Trail, Colo., is causing a stir in the ongoing protest against drone use in U.S. airspace. The town is considering a proposal to issue hunting permits for drones, which would include a $100 bounty for each downed drone. The move has prompted the FAA to issue a statement saying that “shooting an unmanned aircraft could result in criminal or civil liability” and warn that a drone that is shot down could collide with people or property. Deer Trail isn’t alone, though, as dozens of states and cities are proposing laws that would ban drones in their airspace.
NextGen Implementation Off Schedule
The FAA has been developing its NextGen system for providing “safer and more efficient air traffic management” since 2005 and gave a target date of 2025 of implementing the system. Congressional testimony this year brought to light that the agency may not be progressing as promised. There is great concern that the culture of the FAA is resistant to the change, and the innovation promised by NextGen isn’t really so innovative after all. There will be an audit to find the causes for the delay in NextGen’s development and implementation by the FAA.
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Tailwind Capital Group provides aircraft dealers, management companies and their clients unparalleled access to financing sources for aircraft acquisition and leasing.
Tailwind Capital’s global aircraft financing capabilities enable the firm to provide financing across a broad spectrum of equipment, whether it’s a King Air for a corporate buyer in Atlanta or an Airbus 320 for an Airline in Tiblisi.
Low rates, up to 100 percent financing and 25-year amortizations enable Tailwind to compete aggressively for your aircraft financing. Tailwind doesn’t draw the line at 20-year or newer aircraft; the group routinely finances older aircraft including G-IIB’s and G-III’s, as long as they are quality planes.
Tailwind is best known for its international finance, welcoming financing enquiries from Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Its international document checklist tells you what Tailwind needs to get started underwriting your aircraft loan.
Refinancing and upgrades
If your variable rate loan is no longer as attractive as it once was, Tailwind will refinance your current loan with a low-interest, fixed-rate loan.
When it comes time to overhaul your engine, make avionics upgrades, apply a new coat of paint and redo the interior, Tailwind can lend you up to 90 percent of the cost for parts, labor and installation. Long-term, low-rate financing options make your payments very manageable.
Tailwind has the experience and capability to provide the best terms available while taking the hassle out of the finance process. It can provide loans of any size, from $500,000 to $50 million. For those looking at aircraft leasing, Tailwind will structure a term and lease rate that will make you happy.
If you have an opportunity to buy a plane “real right” and flip it, Tailwind has the short-term financing to secure the aircraft, market it and make a substantial profit. The process is quick and simple: Tailwind either likes the deal or not and they’ll tell you quickly.
To contact Tailwind Capital Group, call (727) 781-9606; e-mail info@tailwindcapitalgroup.com; or visit www.tailwindcapitalgroup.com/index.html.
Wisetouch Interiors’ President Julio D. Somarriba sets the bar for dedication, customer service, self-motivation, and quality high for the company founded in 2007.
With hundreds of hours logged on different aircraft in his 20-plus years of experience, Somarriba’s caring and understanding of a client’s satisfaction is apparent with each successful service his crew performs.
Located in Opalocka, Fla., Wisetouch operates from several hangars and facilities, providing a wide range of aviation services. After many successful years of providing mobile interior and exterior detailing services, the company has expanded to include leather restoration and state-of-the art upholstery and interior refurbishments.
Wisetouch provides complete interior services, with program managers overseeing all aspects of the process. Its capabilities are vast:
- removal and re-installation
- cabinetry and galley modifications
- full upholstery care and repair
- headliners and valance panels
- complete interior detailing
- engineering consulting and flammability services
Every service is performed with integrity and commitment to the customer’s satisfaction. The fleet of Mercedes mobile detailing units provides the customer with service patterns specifically designed to support client schedules. Each unit is fully equipped with high-tech equipment, ensuring each job meets and exceeds client standards.
Wisetouch Interiors and Somarriba have been featured in several trade magazines, including Business Jet International, Aircraft Airliners, The Leather Institute and the Palm Beach Post. In his 20 years in the aviation industry, Somarriba has worked on aircraft such as Airbus, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Hawker, Cessna, and Falcon Jet. He has also supported companies such as Aircraft Modular Products, B/E Aerospace, and Decrane Aircraft, to name a few.
Somarriba’s technical background has provided him with a keen understanding of “fit, form, and function.” He has integrated craftsmanship and comfort with technology, and he keeps his fingers on the pulse of current engineering designs and designations. His peers know him as a leader and industry specialist of aircraft interiors who stands out as a trouble shooter and a deadline maker. Somarriba’s training and qualifications extend from the Leather Institute to technical support certifications for several aviation groups and carriers.
Somarriba has crafted a unique organization based on quality and out-of-the-box technology, and his company’s dedication to excellence is visible to its clients and its clients’ clients.
Next time you admire the interior and comfort of a business jet, ask yourself, “Was this a Wisetouch?”
For more information about Wisetouch Interiors, visit the company’s website.
Private jets will have to meet Stage 3 noise level requirements. In the July 2 issue of the Federal Register, the FAA announced a ban on operating Stage 2 aircraft within the contiguous U.S. As part of the FAA Modernization and Reform act of 2012, the ban takes effect Dec. 31, 2015. The ban is in response to noise level complaints from communities around airports, where private jets are the last Stage 2 aircraft left. Larger Stage 2 planes, like commercial airliners, were phased out beginning in 1999. The ban is also in response to the international community’s desire to move to an all Stage 4 fleet.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) said that negotiations about the phase out of Stage 2 private jets have been underway for a long time, and that they’ve pushed for a reasonable timetable to make the deadline workable for jet owners. That’s part of the reason smaller jets have been exempt from the phase out that previously affected larger aircraft.
The ban leaves owners of Stage 2 jets with few options. Jets that can meet Stage 3 noise levels with the use of a hushkit will be immune from the ban. Of the models affected by the ban, only about six models have hushkits available. And for some of the aircraft, the value of the hushkit exceeds the value of the aircraft itself. That’s leaving some jet owners with a dilemma about what to do. The market outside of the U.S. is limited for Stage 2 jets, so many of the planes will have to be scrapped. And while the ban is going to cost operators an estimated $330 million, the FAA and Congress feel that the benefits achieved by the rule are worth it.
If your company owns a Stage 2 aircraft, contacting a knowledgeable and reputable company like L&L International well before the December 2015 deadline is essential. We have relationships with owners, brokers, and manufacturers to help you find a solution that works for your company. If a hushkit isn’t available for your Stage 2 aircraft, you’ll have the help of an experienced, reputable private jet broker to help you find a new or used aircraft with minimal disturbance to your business.
Last month, Russ Alan Prince wrote an article for Forbes that suggests eight trends in private jet travel. One was a move toward eco-friendly ways of designing and manufacturing private jets, which is a trend that should bring some exciting innovations to the industry. Today’s aircraft are up to 70% more efficient than their 1970s predecessors when it comes to fuel burn.
But innovators aren’t satisfied with just fuel efficiency.
Reducing emissions
The aviation industry has taken on a daunting goal of reducing current carbon emissions by 50% by 2050. In order to do this, manufacturers are looking at simple changes that can create big fuel savings. The Airbus Concept Plane uses a curved tail and wing that move while in flight to create less drag and attain greater fuel efficiency. Their design mimics movement seen in nature, from the inspiration for many new innovations.
Ecological interiors
The interior of private jets will become more eco-friendly in the years to come, too. The Airbus Concept Plane imagines using all renewable plant fibers in the interior. Using more environmentally friendly materials won’t cut down on the style and comfort, though. Manufacturers are upping the refinement of materials, style, comfort, and technology while creating spaces that aren’t taxing the environment.
Earth-friendly manufacturing
Dassault claims to have the “most eco-friendly jets on the planet.” The manufacturer is committed to making the entire process eco-friendly, from mining the resources that build their planes to the recycling process at the very end of the jet’s lifecycle. Even Dassault’s manufacturing plant is constantly working to use fewer resources. It’s reduced industrial gas by 30% and water by 70%, even though overall production has increased.
Looking forward with NACRE
NACRE, the E.U.’s New Aircraft Concept’s Research project, is working to create new concepts in aircraft design that will lower fuel and other costs while increasing eco-friendliness and performance. The group predicts air travel will double in the next 20 years, which could be tremendously damaging to the environment if aircraft efficiency isn’t improved. Their goal is to create new concepts that can be used on a range of aircraft that “improve quality and affordability, whilst meeting the tightening environmental constraints.”
These certainly won’t be the last we see in eco-friendly improvements. Consumers are demanding their products use fewer resources and have smaller carbon footprints. That includes private jets. The industry is only predicted to grow, and we’re always excited to see innovative ideas in jet design and manufacturing.
Businesspeople spend a lot of time traveling. It’s important to make that time as comfortable and healthy as possible. Cabin humidity contributes to passengers’ comfort level in flight.
The typical humidity of a business jet cabin is less than 5%, resulting in fatigue and jet lag, dehydration, and degraded immune function. And for passengers with respiratory issues, low-humidity environments can be dangerous.
To address the need for balanced humidity levels onboard, cabin humidification specialists CTT Systems create products that focus on safe humidity levels for aircraft and passengers.
The Cair System™ boosts the relative humidity in the cabin to around 20% — a huge benefit for aircraft passengers. CTT supplies these systems to aircraft manufacturers for installation during production of new aircraft and to airlines for existing fleets.
Currently, Cair is available for large aircraft, specifically Boeing and Airbus jetliners. However, the private jet market is an important sector for CTT Systems. According to Flightglobal, within the next two years, the company hopes to have a downsized humidification system available for more mainstream aircraft.
This is good news for private jet owners. People use their business aircraft frequently and to travel long distances. With so much time spent in the air, a higher-humidity environment will improve passengers’ wellbeing during and after their flights.
With solutions that increase passenger wellness, contribute to a better environment, and improve airline economy, it’s no surprise that CTT Systems is growing. Keep an eye out for the company’s future improvements to its humidification systems; it’s likely that business jet owners will be breathing easy in no time.
In the U.S., we’re celebrating Independence Day on July 4. Air Force One, the private jet that carries the president of the U.S., symbolizes the American values of freedom and independence.
Air Force One is actually the call sign, and it was first coined in 1953. It technically refers to any Air Force aircraft the president uses. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to fly while in office when he traveled to the Yalta Conference in 1945. After a series of prop planes were used by presidents, John F. Kennedy traveled in a personal jet, a Boeing C-137 Stratoliner. This plane served 36 years, all the way through the Clinton administration.
Today the name Air Force One belongs to a pair of modified Boeing 747s. The similarities to the 747 end at the frame. Extensive upgrades to communication equipment, defense systems, and amenities set the jets apart from all others.
This global command center in the sky boasts amenities you won’t find on another aircraft:
- The jet has its own medical office, with a doctor permanently on board. The medical office can be quickly converted into a surgical suite if needed.
- The two food galleys on board can feed up to 100 people at a time.
- Air Force One can refuel in midair, giving it essentially unlimited flight range.
- The electronics have been protected against electromagnetic pulses, and the communications equipment has top-secret security. This allows the plane to be used as mobile command center for the president in case of an attack on the United States.
- The president has his own office, lavatory, and conference room on board.
All of this is housed in over 4,000 square feet of space on three levels. That gives plenty of room for anyone who might be traveling with the president, including staff, press, and guests.
The U.S. Air Force will be replacing the current planes in 2017. The sole bidder was the bizav giant Boeing. The new planes will either be their Boeing 747-8 or the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The current planes will likely be put on display like their predecessors. You can see the jet that served from 1972—2001 on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
The article below was posted on AINOnline yesterday. Read it carefully, as the new ruling affects up to 599 civil jets. At L&L International, we have a Stage 3 Gulfstream III for sale right now. Get in touch with us, as this jet will surely be in demand!
“FAA Finalizes Rule To Ban Stage 2 Bizjets
The FAA issued a final rule today that prohibits jets with an mtow of 75,000 pounds or less from operating in the contiguous U.S. after Dec. 31, 2015, unless they meet Stage 3 noise levels. To take effect on September 3, the rule could affect up to 599 civil jets, though any of these aircraft that are hushkitted or otherwise modified to meet Stage 3 standards will be permitted to operate in the U.S. in 2016 and beyond.
Some models of the banned airplanes can be modified to meet Stage 3 noise levels with the installation of a hushkit, the FAA noted. “Of the 17 models of airplanes affected by this ban, hushkits had previously been available for six models: the Dassault Falcon 20; Learjet 23, 24 and 25; and the Gulfstream II and III. An unknown number of these airplanes may already have a hushkit installed.”
However, the only hushkits currently available for the affected Stage 2 jets are for the Gulfstream II and III, the FAA said. With cost estimates ranging from $850,000 to $1.5 million for the modification, it added, “the cost of the hushkit for the Gulfstream II exceeds the recorded value of the airplane.” Avcon said last week that STC approval of its new hushkit for 20-series Learjets is in the hands of the FAA.”
A corporate jet says a lot about a company. That you’re successful, that you’re a go-getter, that you take your business seriously. Your business jet should reflect your company’s values and style. Luckily, you don’t have to buy a brand new jet to accomplish these goals.
There are many perks to investing in a preowned jet. You don’t have to wait a year or more for delivery. You get all of the value and perks of private flight, like privacy and convenience, without the price tag of a new aircraft.
Making a preowned aircraft your own
But buying preowned doesn’t have to mean settling for a dated interior. You can find the right used aircraft, and then customize it to make it perfect for your business travel needs. Refurbishments can include changing upholstery, leathers, and rugs or even modifying the woodwork, galleys, wardrobes, cabinets, and so on.
You can upgrade the plane to meet aesthetic, business, comfort, and medical needs. You can also update the aircraft to highlight business branding, such as logos on seatbacks and interior colors that reflect your company’s market presence.
You can modernize the cabin of a preowned jet with a new in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and the addition of a wireless broadband cabin connectivity system. These types of updates give you the amenities, look, and feel of a new jet at a much more budget-friendly price.
Considerations
Although most industry insiders recommend you update an aircraft to meet your company’s needs and tastes, it doesn’t hurt to keep resale value in mind. Tasteful interiors and modern technology mean less time on the market when you go to resell.
You can start the process of creating an ideal business aircraft by working with L & L International to find a great used jet. L & L can then refer you to a supplier that provides turnkey solutions for customizations to make your company’s new preowned jet ideal for your business travel needs.
– See more at: http://www.updatefrom.com/l-l/1306/interior_insights.asp#sthash.3ENRVx3d.dpuf
