Ahhhh, there’s nothing like that new jet smell. Plenty of aircraft manufacturers are taking steps now to get some brand new jets certified and into production. Check out some of the latest models soon to be available:
Dassault Falcon 8X
Dassault Aviation has announced the Falcon 8X, with ground tests scheduled for this month and the first flight expected next year. This jet is paving the way for electrical power-on and features exceptional aerodynamic efficiency with Dassault’s proprietary ‘piano junction’ design.
The first Falcon 8X is expected to be certified in mid-2016 with initial deliveries anticipated for the end of 2016.
Cessna Diesel Skyhawk
Cessna Aircraft announced at this year’s EAA Venture their hopes to bring a diesel version of the Skyhawk to market soon. Cessna has been searching for an alternative fuel solution for the last few years to use in developing markets where aviation gas is not readily available.
The new Skyhawk will feature a Continental CD-155 diesel engine, which should boost the plane’s maximum range by over 58% compared to the gasoline-fueled version. It will also increase the maximum speed to 131 kt while reducing fuel burn by 25%. The diesel Skyhawk is expected to be priced at about $435,000, a little over $60,000 more than the original.
HondaJet
We’ve all been following Honda’s progress. The first production of Honda’s light business jet was presented at EAA AirVenture as Honda Aircraft Company CEO, Michimasa Fujino greeted fans and signed autographs. Certification is expected in the first quarter of next year, followed quickly by immediate deliveries of the $4.5 million aircraft. Five HondaJet aircraft have already taken to the skies and ten more are in final assembly at the Honda Aircraft plant in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Not New, but Like New with Nextant Aero Remanufacturing
Business aircraft remanufacturing firm, Nextant Aerospace, recently announced that it joined the Remanufacturing Industries Council (RIC). The RIC defines remanufacturing as a comprehensive and rigorous process by which products are returned to ‘like new’ or ‘better than new’ condition. Nextant plans to remanufacture King Air C90S into the G90XT. It also unveiled its G90XT cockpit mockup at the EAA AirVenture event in Oshkosh last week.
Exciting things are happening on the private aviation front! Which new business jet are you most interested in?
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing 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.
The federal government has been working on a new air traffic control system with the goal to get planes in the air and on the ground faster, and more efficiently. The system is called NextGen, and it has been developed with multiple federal agencies and NASA.
On July 15, NASA presented the FAA with a new software for managing the spacing between planes as they approach for landing. It will reduce the number of course and altitude changes required by pilots as well as the amount of communication necessary between controllers and pilots. The end result of the switch from ground-based air traffic control to satellite-based air traffic control should be aviation fuel savings, better airplane flow at busy airports, and greater safety.
What will NextGen mean for private aircraft pilots?
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) believes that the NextGen air traffic management program will be beneficial for business aviation, including boosting airspace capacity for everyone, but there are many issues still to be resolved. Some of the issues include the costs, what service operators can expect to receive after installing the NextGen technology, and what it means for operators.
Potential issues for the BizAv market
The FAA needs to level flight standards “when it comes to allowing business aircraft to be certified for the same sorts of procedures as commercial airlines” said Steve Brown, NBAA’s COO. In addition, business aviation is a mixed equipage environment, so the FAA must implement procedures that are usable by business aviation operators.
Another potential issue is the fact that only 10% of aircraft have the necessary equipment installed right now. Whether private jet owners will be able to get the technology in order before an implementation deadline is unclear. While no deadline has been imposed yet, if a jet owner can’t get it installed they may not be able to fly in certain areas.
Timing of NextGen
The FAA has plans to put the new software into its first airport in 2018 if it gets the money from Congress. The target airport hasn’t been picked yet, and money is not a given in Washington these days, so it could be a while before NextGen impacts the business aviation market.
“At the end of the day, whether you’re a military general, an airline ops guy, or a company with a business aircraft, you’ve still got to have a business case that makes sense to you,” says Steve Brown.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing 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.
You’re ready to relax after a business meeting in Hong Kong’s Central district, or perhaps you’re heading for a vacation in the lush islands of French Polynesia. Wherever you are in the world, exploring is more enjoyable when you can speak a bit of the local language. Even if your foreign-language skills are rusty, you can instantly improve them with the30-Language Talking Translator from Hammacher Schlemmer.
The 30-Language Talking Translator is a smartphone-sized device that gives you access to over 210,000 phrases and 1.8 million words in 24 European languages, three Asian languages, English, Arabic, and Hindi. To use the translator, simply flip it open and type your search keyword or phrase to translate on the physical QWERTY keyboard. You can either view the translation on 3 3/4-inch backlit LCD screen or hear it pronounced through the device’s built-in speaker. The translator maintains a history of searched terms and lets you create a favorites list for commonly used phrases.
The 30-Language Talking Translator runs on two (included) AAA batteries and is priced at $249.95. For travelers, it’s a handy gadget that opens up a world of communication.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing 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.
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“Osh” is code for not only the Oshkosh, Wisconsin airport but also for the annual aviation celebration called AirVenture, hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Dubbed “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” this year’s event certainly held up to its reputation. The event opened Monday, July 28, and ran through Sunday, Aug. 3. Final visitor counts are still out, but all signs indicate that attendance was up this year with well over a half million visitors.
In case you weren’t at the event, here are a few highlights.
First-timers — the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
While AirVenture has been one of the largest aviation shows, drawing tens of thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts from around the world, the USAF Thunderbirds were first-timers this year. The aerobatic box — the area in which the Thunderbirds need to perform — had never been large enough. This year, the crowd line was moved, and AirVenture officials were happy to welcome the Thunderbirds to the show. Seeing six F-16s performing crossover breaks and reflection passes over the Wittman Regional Airport was a special treat.
Honor flight for Vietnam veterans
An honor flight for former Vietnam veterans left Oshkosh Friday morning with over 100 vets headed to Washington, D.C. The vets then returned to a hero’s welcome later that day.
Air shows day and night
Another huge hit was the night air shows, combining superb flying and colorful pyrotechnics in the dark skies over the airfield. The Thunderbirds aside, daily air shows every afternoon gave attendees the opportunity to see skilled pilots performing daring stunts and expert maneuvers. Each air show featured a new performer or innovation, so each one was unique.
WomenVenture
Women aviators took center stage on Wednesday for the WomenVenture event. Debbie Travis King, the only woman in the world since 1943 to fly the B-29, was the keynote speaker. Plus, for the first time, a mother performed in the USAF Thunderbirds show. Maj. Caroline Jenson, USAF, called it a “dream come true” to perform at the EAA AirVenture.
One Week Wonder project
Under normal circumstances, it usually takes a while to build a plane, but in Oshkosh volunteers who participated in the One Week Wonder project built a plane in exactly one week. Using a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer kit, donated by Zenith Aircraft Company, and an engine donated by aircraft engine company, Rotax, more than 1,000 volunteers came together to build a plane fit for flying by the end of the week. The project wrapped up on Sunday, Aug. 3, when technicians finished their safety checks and started the plane’s engine.
If you missed this year’s AirVenture, mark your calendar for next year! It was definitely an aviation event worth attending.
Sadly, a plane crash on Thursday at Wittman Field involving James Oeffinger and his passenger, Jennifer Woloszyk, overshadowed the week’s festivities. Oeffinger was killed, and Woloszyk remains in serious condition.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing 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.
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Many aircraft owners choose to outsource the essential, though time-consuming, tasks of staffing an aircraft and keeping it properly maintained. The right aircraft management firm can help protect you from risk, reduce cost, maximize revenue, and protect your business aviation asset.
Ask the right questions
When evaluating and selecting an aircraft provider, gather detailed information about the firm so that you can accurately assess whether it will be a good fit for your needs.
First and foremost, evaluate prospective aircraft management providers’ safety records and financial stability. The FAA holds aircraft owners/operators responsible for making sure mandated scheduled maintenance is performed, so you need to find a company that is reliable and has an excellent reputation. To do so, you can ask questions such as:
- How long has the company been in business?
- Has the company had any accidents? If so, get details.
- What are the crew’s qualifications?
- What type of equipment does the company have experience with? There are excellent management companies that won’t work for your situation because they don’t have experience with your aircraft. Ideally, the provider should be well-versed in flying and servicing your aircraft model.
- Has the company been Wyvern or ARG/US audited and at what level? You can cross-reference their responses with the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA to determine whether the company or its managed aircraft were involved in any incidents or accidents.
- What best practices and safety management procedures does the company abide by? When you visit the facility, are you comfortable with what you experience?
- Is the company’s focus compatible with your travel aims (e.g., long-haul international versus domestic experience)?
- What is the firm’s maintenance program? You need to be aware of the schedule for replacement of parts and maintenance, and you’ll want to check that repair records are duly documented for resale and regulation.
- Does the contract address your particular requirements and clearly state both parties’ expectations?
With all the i’s to dot and t’s to cross in private jet ownership, maintenance and management can be overwhelming. The right aircraft management firm has the experience and bandwidth to lighten this burden and be your guide, so that you can focus on the benefits of owning and operating your aircraft.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing 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.
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Preparation and technology are the keys to handling in-flight medical emergencies, which can happen at any time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires all Part 91 flight crew members to be trained in emergency procedures, including handling medical emergencies and the use of first-aid medical equipment. After all, in a real medical emergency, time is the most important factor.
Even though the number of passengers traveling on a charter jet is far fewer than on the typical commercial flight, passengers who experience an in-flight medical emergency are just as frightened, and there are fewer crewmembers to handle the emergency.
Short of putting a physician on board every flight, some technology solutions like the Tempus IC telemedicine device, standard on all NetJet’s Signature Series aircraft, is a pretty close compromise. Remote Diagnostic Technologies, Ltd. (RDT) has designed a telemedicine solution that transmits vital signs and other patient data via the aircraft’s onboard satellite communications capability to physicians on the ground who can direct the crew to handle the emergency.
“This kind of control over a medical emergency is paramount when you may only have minutes to act,” says RDT Chief Executive, Graham Murphy.
MedAire is credited with providing the world’s first global emergency response center for aviators and offers medical kits for business and general aviation crews. Through MedAir services, crewmembers can quickly connect with an emergency room doctor for advice and assistance when a medical situation arises.
Private aviation operators and corporate air departments should also make 100% certain they keep their aircraft crew’s training up to date and offer emergency medical training to help them learn how to operate the onboard medical equipment in an in-flight medical emergency.
Contact L & L International for assistance with your private jet sales or purchase. 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.
Recent market developments are currently converging to make the conditions for buying older jets favorable. Here are some of the facts that are leading experts to that conclusion:
- Inventory of young pre-owned jets, i.e., those manufactured after 2000, is down 1.3% from the same time last year (JP Morgan).
- Only 8.1% of the nearly 11,000 jets manufactured since 2000 are available for sale (Business Jet Traveler).
- Inventory of older jets, i.e., those manufactured before 2000, is relatively high (Business Jet Traveler).
- Average asking prices for business jets in all categories are down 7% from the same time last year (AIN Online).
- The price difference between newer and older jets is significant — a Gulfstream G450 is around $36 million, while a 1996 Gulfstream G-IVSP is roughly $6.5 million (Corporate Jet Investor).
But despite the massive price differential and the years in between the two models, the difference between the jets isn’t as extreme as it sounds: “If you were to park a 1996-delivered G-IVSP alongside a recently delivered G450, many wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the two,” says IBA’s senior aviation analyst Jonathan McDonald.
In addition to price-related motivators for buying older jets, newer aircraft models are in much more limited supply. When buyers are evaluating the pre-owned jet market, they look at the percentage of the worldwide fleet that’s currently for sale and they investigate availability on a global scale.
While popular newer-than-2000 aircraft models like the Falcon 2000EXy and Challenger are sold at a rate of about one a month, pre-2000 models are currently selling at one per quarter. The continued short supply of late-model jets should spur new aircraft sales, but in a recovering economy are more likely to cause pre-owned jet buyers to take a closer look at older jets that they might not otherwise consider.
This is good news for sellers who are looking to unload an older aircraft and perhaps purchase a newer pre-owned one. Buyers should carefully research the aircraft’s maintenance records and operational history in order to be fully informed about the aircraft’s true condition before making a purchase.
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Demand for preowned business jets in the heavyweight class has increased in the past year. Although a much-sought-after used Gulfstream G650 might be out of reach, lower-priced options make ultra-long-range aircraft available to buyers shopping at a lower price point.
In the ultra-long-range jet category, Gulfstream stands out among its competitors. Older models, such as the Gulfstream GV and Gulfstream GIV, are moderately priced options. The advantages of these planes include large cabins that seat 14 to 16 for the GV and 14 for the GIV, fast travel speeds of up to 488 knots for the GV and 476 knots for the GIV, and long-range capability of 6,500 nautical miles for the GV and 4,200 for the GIV.
Gulfstream GIV and GV
There are specific advantages to each model. The GIV comes in at a relatively low price of $4 million to $5.5 million and offers the flexibility to land at smaller airports. As for the GV, at $14 million to $19 million, Aviatrade calls it “the best deal around for a long-range aircraft.” With fuel-efficient engines and reasonable operating costs, the GV is considered an especially good value.
However, there are downsides to buying an older aircraft. The main drawback is age. A savvy shopper must do research to establish an aircraft’s maintenance and operational history. The disadvantages of the GIV include its age, as it was introduced in 1987; its weight, which translates to high fuel requirements; and the likely need for refurbishment. Although refurbishing costs need to be factored into the purchase price, they can also be viewed as a value-add opportunity. Although the GV is not quite as old as the GIV (the GV was introduced in 1997), it might still require refurbishing.
Buy smart
The bottom line is that older, well-maintained Gulfstream models can be a good buy; historically, heavy ultra-long-range jets retain a high value. Before you delve into a purchase, consider factors such as the aircraft’s age, maintenance records, refurbishment history, whether the avionics have been updated, and whether the aircraft has been on an engine program. A reputable private-jet broker can assist you in finding the right preowned aircraft for your requirements — or locate the right buyer for your aircraft, as the case may be.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing 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.
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The business aviation market has long suffered from mixed messages and good news/bad news trends — and this year is no different. The market seems to be experiencing a moderate growth trend as indicated by recent travel statistics posted by aviation analyst firms (USB Investment Research and Argus), and yet activity in Europe declined year over year. Taking the microscope to the European data shows that intra-Europe flights dipped, but domestic activity was up in Germany, the UK, and Switzerland even while business jet activity in the Ukraine turned sharply negative.
According to aviation services company Argus, business jet flying in North America has climbed 1.9% since last May. Jet flying increased, with light jets pushing to the head of the pack last month (a 4.7% increase). Large-cabin jet activity is also strong, climbing 4.3%, and mid-size jet flying recorded a 2.3% increase. And of course, in the typical good/bad news trend, turboprop flying slipped by 1.6% from a year ago perhaps due, at least in part, to Avantair’s demise.
UBS reported that charter activity — which accounts for one-third of the seasonal cycles in flying — remains a “growth driver” and climbed 13% over last year. Meanwhile, non-charter cycles were roughly the same since last year. Business jet flying is now about 30% above the 2009 slowdown and largely being driven by the utilization of young (i.e., less than five years old) jets, a trend that has seen a 75% surge in activity from the 2009 low.
The FAA says Embraer leads the pack with an increase of 8%, as far as which manufacturer’s business jet is most often flown. Tied at 3% were Bombadier, Cessna, Dassault, and Hawker. Trailing behind was Gulfstream, whose aircraft were used just 1% more than they were early last year.
Ultimately, industry experts agree that a sustained recovery of business jet use is needed to drive the new aircraft cycle. Currently, the market remains in a condition of oversupply and will remain there until a more meaningful recovery occurs.
Flight hours rose in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East from March 2013 to March 2014, and business jet flights in the U.S. rose 3.4% in the same timeframe. With business aviation on the rise in many regions, the pilot-in-training pipeline should be swollen with candidates waiting to get in on the action. But that’s not the case; in fact, a pilot shortage could hamper business aviation growth.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. airline industry is facing a shortage of qualified pilots. Since 1980, the number of pilots in the country has decreased by about 25% to 617,000, per the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. And if it continues, this drought will affect both the commercial and general aviation sectors.
Possible causes
Many industry insiders are trying to determine the reason for the shortage. The problem is likely the result of many factors:
- Fewer students are entering and completing pilot training programs.
- Experienced pilots are retiring as a result of mandatory age-65 retirement.
- With military cost cuts, there are fewer military pilots — which means fewer ex-military pilots are available for commercial and general aviation positions.
- The cost of training is high, and entry-level pilot salaries are low.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) considers the pilot talent pipeline one of its top safety focus areas. The reality is that business aviation will be competing with commercial operators to hire qualified pilots from an ever-shrinking pool of available candidates.
Solving the shortage
To solve the shortage problem, current aviation professionals must recruit and mentor new pilots by touting the benefits of private-jet flying: the opportunity to fly into a variety of destinations, including small airports; the additional challenges of flying business jets; and the freedom of more operational control for the crew. In addition, businesses and business aviation trade groups can more aggressively promote and recruit candidates for business aviation — for example, by interacting with student pilots at colleges and training schools.
To help ease the cost burden of pilot training, businesses can financially support pilot-training programs, as well as encourage colleges to offer aviation training and degree programs. Also, businesses, trade organizations (such as the NBAA), educational organizations, and government initiatives can provide scholarships and other financial incentives to attract students into pilot training programs. Finally, regulatory agencies can provide more flexible licensing options for pilots.
It’s in the interest of business aviation industry stakeholders to support the recruitment and training of new pilots. The continuing health and growth of the industry depends on it.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing 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.
