It’s been a little more than 90 days since coronavirus first appeared in the headlines. Since then, it’s become a full-blown pandemic, affecting more than 25 countries and tens of thousands of people.
Beyond the obvious health ramifications, virtually every sector of the economy has been crippled by the virus. Manufacturing facilities have shut down. Supply chains have ground to a halt. World economies have plunged. But amidst all this, private aviation is … up? It sounds too good to be true, but private aviation has seen a boom by almost every metric over the last quarter, fueled largely by fears of coronavirus.
Why is the private aviation industry booming?
Private aviation largely has the media to thank for its upswing in demand. As media frenzy mobilizes people to fly home, thousands request private charters to distance themselves from the latest coronavirus outbreak. Flights are the most expensive when they’re requested to arrive within 24 hours. But many businesses and individuals are paying whatever it takes to evacuate coronavirus-infected locations.
People choose private jets because it reduces their risk of contracting coronavirus. Commercial airlines have a much larger volume of people passing through their terminals. There’s no telling where the passengers have been or if they’re sick. With a private jet, people fly with their colleagues or family, without the presence of strangers. Often, that peace of mind is worth the price of the flight.
Demand increases as coronavirus spreads
Unlike commercial airlines, travel bans don’t always restrict private aviation. Passengers board jets from a separate terminal and bypass health screenings. While airlines are cancelling commercial flights, private jets are swooping in to evacuate those who can afford it.
More people than usual are turning to private aviation companies. Wealthy families who’d normally book a commercial flight are dropping thousands on private charters, whether to get home or to preserve the vacation they’ve already pre-planned. In fact, the industry experienced a 214% increase in business this past January!
As long as coronavirus remains at large, the private aviation boom won’t slow down anytime soon.
Travel restrictions and their loopholes
Many countries affected by coronavirus have strict traveling policies. China has prohibited inbound flights, and those arriving face quarantine for the next 14 days. Italy, Iran, and more countries by the day have begun following suit. It’s getting harder and harder to ignore the relative ease of private aviation as airports become frenzied.
The U.S. also is prohibiting entrance from anyone who’s visited Iran within the last 14 days. Although the U.S. will permit entrance from China, all flights route to one of the few approved airports. But that’s for U.S. citizens only. They’re not accepting non-U.S. citizens from China at all.
Private aviation bypasses these and many other travel restrictions. Passengers on private jets also don’t have to go through added checkpoints and temperature checks. They’ll be able to travel much faster than passengers on commercial flights.
While economies across the world are suffering, the private aviation industry is thriving. If coronavirus sticks around, private aviation will see more than enough interest to stay afloat during the economic stress.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Gulfstream made headlines in October 2019 when it introduced the next jet in its Global Business Jet line: the G700. More than the next iteration of Gulfstream’s industry-leading line, the G700 is positioned to be the industry’s largest and best-performing business jet. Now, just a few months into 2020, the behemoth has undertaken its first successful test flight, bringing us that much closer to a market debut, expected in early 2022.
Source: gulfstream.com
The G700 flight test secured its status as the most innovative jet Gulfstream has to offer — a true next-generation offering. Noteworthy about the flight was the 30/70 blend of aviation fuel used, a testament to Gulfstream’s focus on reducing carbon emissions. But the new jet is more than just eco-friendly. The creators at Gulfstream designed it with the luxury and comfort of future passengers in mind.
The G700 has safety features, like a predictive landing performance system, for added security on the runway. Passengers also will enjoy a luxurious cabin with panoramic windows, which Gulfstream displayed at NBAA-BACE last October.
Key features of the first flight
The G700 took off at Gulfstream’s Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia. It returned to the airport after two hours and 32 minutes of test flying. With the jet’s Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, it can achieve a high speed of Mach 0.90 and cover 6,400 nautical miles. Its signature engines mark the G700 as one of the fastest business jets in the Gulfstream fleet.
The G700 used during this test flight is one of five models already built. All five jets will participate in Gulfstream’s testing program, each with a different purpose. The four other models are responsible for testing features such as climb performance and mechanical systems. More tests are yet to come and after this first success, anticipation is building.
Source: gulfstream.com
What makes the G700 different?
The G700 combines Gulfstream’s best features into one jet. It has the most spacious cabin with a total of five lounging areas to enjoy. The cabin seats up to 19 people with lounge chairs that convert into beds, plus a master suite in the back. The space is flexible, allowing passengers to configure the layout however they want. It’s the tallest, widest, and longest cabin in the industry to-date.
The G700 also includes the best safety technology. It’s controlled with Gulfstream’s award-winning Symmetry Flight Deck plus Phase-of-Flight intelligence. Touchscreens are easy to use for the pilots, and these features give the jet a faster start-up time.
Gulfstream ensures both take-off and landing are the safest possible. This jet has Gulfstream’s signature Predictive Landing Performance System, paired with the new Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS). The EFVS makes landing safer with its dual heads-up displays.
Source: gulfstream.com
Tracking the G700’s future
Gulfstream will officially release the G700 in early 2022, pending additional safety tests. Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream, is quoted as saying, “this announcement is the biggest news in business aviation history and is the result of the investments General Dynamics made to develop Gulfstream technology for Gulfstream products.”
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Imagine taking a charter from New York City to London on Tuesday, then London to Dubai on Thursday. By the time Friday rolls around, you’ll have accumulated 9 hours in time zone changes and, depending on your flight times, might be as much as a day ahead. Now, imagine flying back to New York City.
Chartering global flights takes a major toll on the body and often leaves people wondering what day it is. It’s definitely something to get used to and is much easier to digest with proper timekeeping practices.
Traveling between time zones
Anyone who’s ever suffered from jet lag understands how jarring it can be to go back and forth between time zones. Our body’s sense of time and circadian rhythms are off, thanks to the lack of daytime/nighttime cues from the sun. After multiple flights, your body doesn’t know what day it is or when it should sleep — which is why proper timekeeping is so important.
Typically, it’s easier to recover from a westbound flight than an eastbound one because westward flights lengthen the day while eastward ones shorten it. It’s a smart idea to plan travel around the time you want it to be when you land, not when you leave. This helps your body get back into rhythm after a time zone change. It’s also smart to nap whenever possible. An hour or two of restorative sleep makes a real difference when you’re leapfrogging time zones over the span of several days.
GMT is calculated by the time at the prime meridian in Greenwich, England, but it’s important to note that their day starts at noon and runs to the following day at noon. GMT also observes Daylight Savings Time, whereas UTC does not. Finally, Zulu Time is essentially UTC with a different name.
To calculate how long your flights are, convert all times to UTC. For example, a flight from San Francisco that leaves at 8 a.m. PST departs at 1600 UTC, or 4 p.m. It might land in New York City at 9 p.m./2100 UTC, which is 1 p.m. PST and 4 p.m. EST. By converting all times to UTC, it’s easier to tell that the flight took five hours.
Best timekeeping practices
Chances are, you pull out your cell phone to check the time — which is convenient when you’re on the ground, but impractical in the air. Experts suggest that you combat this by setting all timepieces to UTC and being aware of the local time zone you’re landing in. For example, PST is -800, whereas EST is -500.
Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.
Are you using your private jet to fly yourself and your business partner to a meeting 600 miles away? Or do you plan on using your jet as a revenue stream, allowing people to book charters around the region? It’s your jet and you can do whatever you like, but you need to make sure you’re following proper Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). Unbeknownst to many new jet owners, these simple examples are very different in the eyes of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). You need to know the difference between Part 91 and Part 135 operations.
The difference between Part 91 and Part 135 operations
The main difference between Part 91 and Part 135 operations largely has to do with the safety standards and regulations that go into the flight. If you’re thinking about buying a jet, it’s smart to get familiar with them so that you’re making a safe purchase that will meet your needs and expectations.
Part 91 governs situations where the pilot is directly responsible for the entire private aircraft — like an automobile driver transporting around other private citizens. In contrast, Part 135 would be like having a commercial driver’s license: the safety standards are higher than private aircraft and the pilot must undergo more training to transport cargo or passengers for compensation.
Still not sure which FARs you’re subject to? Ask yourself a few simple questions.
Are you flying the plane or hiring a crew?
Are you receiving compensation for transport?
Who owns the jet?
Start to look at whether your flight trends privately or if it hedges into the realm of commercial transport — a charter.
Ultimately, the difference comes down to safety. With charter flights, you can guarantee that your crew is well-rested, and they’ll only take off in generally accepted, safe weather conditions, whereas Part 91 has fewer regulations for private flights.
For example, Part 135 flights can only utilize airport runways where they can land in the first 80% of the runway, whereas Part 91 allows pilots to use any runway that meets their own runway length requirements. The maintenance standards for Part 91 also are less stringent than for charter flights; the FAA implemented Part 135 to set a standard of professionalism and safety to protect consumers.
When deciding to buy a jet, knowing how you’ll use it — and therefore whether Part 91 or Part 135 will apply — is key to picking the right aircraft.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Airships don’t have the best history. Many ventures have tried and failed to get off the ground, and there’s always the black mark of the Hindenburg disaster of 1937 to contend with as well. But that hasn’t stopped innovators from exploring the potential of rigid airships. Thanks to new technologies and demand for certain forms of air travel, we’re likely to see dirigibles again soon. New designs, including the mammoth Airlander 10 airship prototype, could herald the next wave of airships in a fanfare of new-age air travel.
Airships throughout history
Airships have been a source of fascination since 1785, when two innovators managed to cross the English Channel in a hydrogen balloon. By 1852, Henri Giffard flew a steerable, steam-powered airship for 17 miles, going at a speed of about 6 mph. By the 1960s, the Goodyear blimp was a household name.
Airships may not be entirely practical for long-distance travel, but by harnessing mid-latitude jet streams, Fedor Konyukhov was able to cross the world in just 11 days back in 2016. While the slow speed would be a drawback for travelers, a Swedish company called OceanSky Cruises thinks that’s part of the charm. Instead of hydrogen, these airships are diesel and electric powered.
A new old way to travel
The carbon footprint that comes with private aviation travel has been at the forefront of environmental discussions in the last few years, with the term “flight shame” coined in 2019. OceanSky Cruises points out that rigid airships are kinder to the environment and produce 75% fewer emissions than comparable aircraft. This is due to the helium-filled hull, which makes it “lighter than air.”
Experts suggest that airships might be a good way to handle last mile delivery, thanks to the ability of airships to take off and land in places that other aircraft, like cargo jets, cannot. But the founder of OceanSky Cruises is hoping to use dirigibles for another purpose: luxury travel.
Like a modern cruise ship or luxury train ride, the “low and slow” flights could be the newest way to travel recreationally. Current models may be able to stay in the air as long as three days, carry 16 passengers, and cover as much as 2,000 nautical miles. OceanSky Cruises compares them to a “floating 5-star hotel.”
With safety measures constantly upgraded and tested, OceanSky predicts this quiet and slow method of travel could take off by the year 2024. Will they replace jets? Probably not — but the idea is intriguing to airship aficionados. OceanSky is just one of several companies pouring money into dirigible development, with many applications in mind. In the broadening realm of air travel, dirigibles may yet still find a niche to occupy.
Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.
With the likes of its Learjet, Challenger, and Global business jet lines, Bombardier is one of the top players in BizAv. Bombardier has been a staple manufacturer for more than 50 years, which is why recent rumors of its potential exit from the industry were so shocking. But Bombardier silenced those rumors by announcing a strategic shift to focus on business aviation and accelerate efforts to sell its rail business to reduce its debt burden. What does this mean for Bombardier long term?
A new chapter
It’s no secret that Bombardier has been struggling. The company is well over $9 billion in debt, and their stock has fallen 32% in 2020 alone. Sources indicate that the transportation company considered selling off both rail and business aviation assets.
A news release from the company on Jan. 19 stated, “We are actively pursuing alternatives that would allow us to accelerate our debt paydown. The objective is to position the business for long-term success with greater operating and financial flexibility.”
In recent news, however, Bombardier announced a strategic shift toward its business aviation sector with a proposed sale of its rail business, marking a new chapter and a path forward for the company.
Bombardier President and CEO Alain Bellemare has been quoted saying, “Going forward, we will focus all our capital, energy, and resources on accelerating growth and driving margin expansion in our market-leading $7 billion business aircraft franchise. With a stronger balance sheet after the completion of this transaction, an industry-leading portfolio of products, a strong backlog, and a rapidly growing after market business, we will compete in this market from a position of strength.”
The business jet aviation market is poised for growth. Recent forecasts suggest the market will grow from an estimated $24.7 billion in 2019 to $36.4 billion by 2030, which could mean a significant strategic win for Bombardier.
Proposed sale of rail business to Alstom
Bombardier’s proposed sale of the rail business to Alstom, a French multinational company, operating in rail markets worldwide, would mean a significant financial upswing for Bombardier that could help the company address its debt paydown imperative. In fact, the sale would generate an estimated net proceeds of $4.2 billion to $4.5 billion, including $550 million in Alstom shares. The deal is set to close in the first half of 2021, assuming it is able to gain final stakeholder and regulatory approvals.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Activism in the modern age is alive and well, and its targets are numerous. In most cases, it’s also heavily warranted, such as the rise in environmentalism we’ve seen in the past few years. But occasionally, zeal overtakes reason in the outcry and perfectly acceptable topics are swept into the uproar.
Amidst the environmental movement, private jets are now a noteworthy topic of conversation with many outspoken critics taking aim at private air travel. The anti-jet movement is on the rise. Unfortunately, it’s a little misguided.
Outspoken voices decry private jets
Air travel has always existed on the periphery of environmental activism. It’s brought up occasionally, but for the most part tends to take a back seat to other inflammatory issues like plastic waste and industrial pollution. However, recent activist voices like Greta Thunberg, Lewis Hamilton, and Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador have taken new aim at jets.
Hamilton and López Obrador both put their jets up for sale and commented on their dedication to environmentalism as the reason. Thunberg refuses to fly altogether, even going so far as to become a member of the growing We Stay On the Ground movement. These and many others have made no secret in their disdain for private air travel, citing it as a luxury — one causing unnecessary harm to the planet.
Practicality trumps outcry
The chief problem with activist outcry about private jets is that it’s erroneous. Although it’s true that private air travel is a luxury, that luxury comes second to practicality.
Take, for example, Thunberg’s 15-day boat voyage from England to the United States — a product of her refusal to fly. A CEO in New York that needs to close a deal in London doesn’t have two weeks to waste on a transcontinental boat ride. An organ transplant headed from Dallas, Texas, to Salt Lake City, Utah, won’t survive a road trip. A presidential candidate can’t keep a ten-city, four-state schedule without a little help from the jet stream.
It’s no secret that air travel is a major contributor to carbon emissions, which resonates as the chief argument of environmentalists. What’s ignored, however, are the innovations coming to light as a result of emissions cognizance. Private aviation is making great strides in fields like biodiesel engineering, leading to cleaner-burning fuels soon to span all transportation. It’s largely thanks to air travel that algal fuels are the subject of tremendous research, innovation, and engineering.
The oversimplification of private air travel’s impact on the environment, without regard for its practicality or potential, is imprudent. In truth, although emissions from air travel do harm the environment, there are many other more detrimental contributors to climate change and ecological disruption.
Make no mistake, carbon emissions are a universal evil for the planet. But up against factory farming, industrial production, and agricultural and forestry operations, air travel pales in comparison — private air travel even more so. The newfound outcry from activists has simply made private aviation the poster child for a much larger problem.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Commercial aviation and business aviation have always had a tangential relationship. Now, they’re about to intersect in a very meaningful way. Delta Air Lines and Wheels Up have entered into a partnership that brings the two arm-in-arm, offering charter services to a broader audience. It’s a move hailed as the democratization of private aviation, and it’s likely to have major effects on how private citizens, medium-sized businesses, and high-profile individuals experience air travel.
There’s something unconventional about the concept of “the world’s largest private jet fleet,” but the partnership between Delta and Wheels Up promises to be something out of the ordinary in and of itself. Beginning early this year, Delta customers will have the option to book a charter flight on any of the 190-private aircraft in the Wheels Up fleet. In doing so, they’ll get the luxury experience of private air travel, backed by the proven aviation operations of Delta: the world’s second-largest airline.
A match long in the making
It was only a matter of time before Wheels Up struck a deal with a commercial carrier to begin making private aviation more accessible. The company has been broadly touted as an innovator in the private charter space since 2013, and recently surpassed a billion-dollar valuation to become a top player in the sector.
Delta Air Lines makes the most sense as a suitor for the company. The company’s commitment to low fares jives with the mission to make private air travel more affordable. Delta’s reputation for customer service also makes it an attractive option for Wheels Up as it seeks mass exposure to travelers. Asset-wise, the partnership is even more attractive. Delta’s divestment of its Delta Private Jets (DPJ) subsidiary rolls 70 aircraft into the initial Wheels Up fleet of 115 jets, earning it the “largest in the world” moniker.
Most importantly for both companies, however, is Delta’s access to major hubs throughout the country. Delta’s largest hub is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, ideally located to launch private charters throughout the region. It also has prominent operating space at LaGuardia in New York, as well as Salt Lake City International Airport as the gateway to the West.
A look at the democratization of private aviation
With more customers having access to affordable charters at some of the nation’s most convenient hubs, who’s to stop everyday travelers from treating themselves to the high-class appeal of private aviation. The newlyweds on their way to their honeymoon. Established millennials willing to pay for privacy. Retirees who want to move at their own pace. The value proposition of affordable, accessible private charters is one that resonates with many groups.
The key to democratizing private aviation isn’t just lower rates — it’s the brand equity Delta brings to the table. It’s a name flyers trust. Connected to Wheels Up, it’s an opportunity to tap into a something beyond first class for the first time.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Privacy is a major part of business aviation, and one of the pillar benefits of owning or choosing a private charter. For many, this goes beyond the seclusion of a luxury cabin — it also includes the privacy of not having your movements tracked publicly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledges the need for privacy and has subsequently launched its Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) program, affording jet owners the ADS-B privacy they desire.
Looking at the Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) program
The FAA’s Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) program is the next iteration in privacy for BizAv, building atop the frameworks of the Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) program, formerly the Block Aircraft Registration Request. However, this new program takes things a step further, shielding private aircraft from the traceability that comes with mode-S transponders.
Part of the ADS-B system, mode-S transponders emit the aircraft’s ICAO code, which can be publicly tracked by means of flight aggregation software. The PIA program provides aircraft an alternate ICAO number — one that’s disassociated with the aircraft’s registration number. As a result, the craft can be tracked through public channels, but not identified. Aircraft also must register for a new domestic call sign.
How to request a PIA assignment
For jet owners looking to take advantage of enhanced privacy via the PIA program, the first step is to obtain a PIA assignment. The process is straightforward. Applicants must be U.S. registered and authorized to use a third-party call sign. Additionally, the craft must be equipped with 1090 MHz ADS-B.
Aviators must apply for and obtain a copy of their Initial Public ADS-B Performance Report (PAPR), which should include the permanently assigned ICAO address from a flight in ADS-B airspace within the past 180 days. This information should be submitted to the PIA request site, where, if approved, aircraft owners will receive their PIA assignment in as little as 10 days.
New PIA assignment in hand, aviators must program the new PIA into the mode-S transponder. Once installed, the final step is to obtain another PAPR from a flight in ADS-B airspace — this time with the PIA — and submit it to the PIA verification page for validation.
The strong case for PIAs
The PIA has strong support across the BizAv industry, largely backed by corporate jet owners. Protecting the movements of CEOs and investors has tremendous merit not only for their safety, but in protecting clandestine business operations. Likewise, politicians and high-net-worth individuals who may become targets can travel incognito when flying to and from commercial airfields.
Currently, the PIA program only extends to private charters in domestic airspace. International charters must revert to their original ICAO address, triggering a maintenance action. As this program continues to gain traction, avionics companies will likely come together for more seamless solutions. In the meantime, privacy reigns supreme in U.S. airspace!
Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.
Throughout its tenure, the Trump Administration has implemented a variety of tax cuts and credits — many of them in the original Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. However, with the signing of the 2020 appropriations bill in December, yet another has been added to the list — the Biodiesel Income Tax Credit.
The Biodiesel Income Tax Credit originally expired on December 31, 2017, but was retroactively extended through December 31, 2022 by the Trump Administration. The incentive rewards taxpayers delivering biodiesel, agri-biodiesel, or renewable diesel fuels to the tune of $1 per gallon, redeemable as a credit against the taxpayer’s income tax liability. The credit applies up to two years retroactively.
The rise of sustainable biofuels
While the tax credit isn’t an outright benefit to jet owners, the BizAv community benefits. The purpose of the credit — to promote and encourage the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) — aligns with the industry’s self-imposed goal of carbon-neutral growth, set in 2010.
The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Coalition (SAFC) — which includes the European Business Aviation Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, International Business Aviation Council, National Air Transportation Association, and National Business Aviation Association — has lauded the revival of the credit. The coalition believes the growing awareness and commitment to sustainability and carbon-neutral growth will encourage more jet biofuel makers to explore SAFs, creating demand within the industry.
The impact of SAFs is very real and continues to be a driver of environmental responsibility within BizAv. According to some estimates, SAFs are responsible for reductions in CO2 emissions up to 80%.
Beyond simply a tax incentive
Although biodiesel is already popular with jet owners, demand hasn’t been able to suppress price. In something of a vicious cycle, many jet owners have elected not to use SAFs despite interest, using cheaper fuels instead.
Reuters reports that in September 2019, 95 U.S. biodiesel plants produced 142 million gallons of the fuel, down from 164 million gallons a year earlier, according to the Energy Information Administration. The drop in demand likely coincides with the expiration of the tax credit in December 2017. Now, with the revival of the highlighted Biodiesel Income Tax Credit and increased emphasis on environmental concerns, jet owners may be more likely to consider SAFs. Analysts expect demand for SAFs to rise again in 2020. And with increased demand and the tax perks now associated with biofuel production, the price of SAFs may fall to a more appealing level for jet owners.
Going beyond renewed demand for biofuels, many industry analysts are hoping for increased demand in biofuel varieties as well. Innovations in fuel derivatives promise to make SAFs even more efficient alternatives to traditional diesel, with the potential to drastically cut carbon emissions and leave a cleaner planet for the generations to come.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.