We’re coming into peak leaf-changing season, and for the jet set crowd, this opens up the skies to an awesome vacation opportunity! The fall color viewing season in North America begins in about mid-September, and in some places it can last until late November. Early in the fall season you’ll find the best views high in the mountains. As the seasons goes on, however, you’ll find the best colors near the coastlines.
No matter how busy you are, you can find an awesome autumn leaf-viewing location that fits into your schedule. We’ve made it easy for you with this helpful guide.
Late September
Queensbury, New York. Queensbury sits in the Adirondack mountain range, which has one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the country. Colors are at their best early on, though. Catch the Adirondack Balloon Festival and watch nearly 100 hot air balloons take flight against the foliage around Lake George.
Early October
Columbia River Highway, Oregon. Once you fly in, you have the option of taking a car along the highway or flying from point-to-point. Either way, you’ll see some incredible fall colors along the highway. You’ll also be treated to the occasional waterfall just to sweeten the deal.
Late October
Waterloo Village, Stanhope, New Jersey. This year, autumn colors in New Jersey are predicted to arrive later in the season. See them in all their glory at Waterloo Village while also taking in the historical buildings and demonstrations. Allamuchy Mountain State Park is nearby for even more fall foliage viewing.
Early November
Leavenworth, Washington. Just down the road from Seattle, this coastal town has some of the best late-season fall foliage viewing in the country. The town has a strong Bavarian heritage that is celebrated though various festivals and beer gardens throughout the year, giving you something to do after you take in the scenery.
Take a break and fly to one of these amazing destinations this fall. Better yet, start early and see them all! Most of these locations celebrate their fall colors with great festivals and celebrations that your whole family can enjoy. You can find other leaf-viewing locations to enjoy by checking out The Weather Channel’s fall foliage guide.
This April, you probably saw the video of professional golfer Bubba Watson speeding across the green in his Oakley hovercraft golf cart. (If you missed the video, you can watch it in all of its glory right here.) For many, this snapshot of luxury simply inspires amazement.
However, for a select few, a hovercraft offers a glimpse into the bright future of their golf game: Sand trap? No problem. Water hazard? Get outta my way! Old golf carts seem downright klutzy in comparison — why limit yourself to paved paths when you can float effortlessly across the fairways?
So, how can you get your own? For Watson’s specialized cart, Oakley worked with Neoteric Hovercraft in Terre Haute, Ind. After the video’s release, requests for the hovercraft started rolling in, but the companies haven’t committed to its commercial production — yet. Oakley and Neoteric have noted that they’ll consider it if interest is high enough.
You can currently purchase the base model of the Oakley golf cart hovercraft for $16,000-$20,000 from Neoteric Hovercraft. Or, a fully tricked out, non-branded version is available through Hammacher Schlemmer for $58,000. When you think about it, the price is well worth it considering how much fun you’ll have gliding across the green in style!
The 8th annual Jet Expo in Moscow wrapped up last weekend. This year’s show had more than 40 static aircraft displays and 100 exhibitor booths. The show took up 1.5 times the space of last year’s show, and Gulfstream, Bombardier, Cessna, and Boeing were just a few of the big names to show off their latest models of bizav aircraft.
Russian demand for business jets has grown exponentially in the last decade, which is keeping pace with their economic development as a BRIC country. A spokesperson for Gulfstream, one of the participants in this year’s Jet Expo, said they sold to their first Russian customer in 2002. Today, they have nearly 60 customer-operated Gulfstream jets in the country. The company continues to have a positive outlook for the future of business aviation in Russia, and they’ve stationed major inventory locations throughout Europe to better service their Russian customers.
Bombardier was also at this year’s show with three of their jets on display: the Challenger 300, Challenger 605, and the Global 6000. They hoped to capture some of the growing Russian market by highlighting the efficiency of their aircraft. They showed off the plush interior of their planes as a way to increase the productivity and comfort of the business traveler. Bombardier noted that they believe they have the diversity in aircraft to meet the needs of the Russian customer.
Universally, manufacturers are expecting Russia to continue to be a hot market for business jets. While Russia experienced a second quarter decline this year, it doesn’t seem to be affecting the business aviation industry. Russia lifted some of their hefty taxes and complicated import rules on small aircraft in 2012, further opening the market. These are all indications that next year’s Jet Expo will be even bigger and better.
The website Best of Luxury recently announced their top 10 jet-propelled aircraft for September 2013. Topping their list is the Cessna Citation Mustang, which they describe as “the bold, smart choice for an entire new generation of jet-aspiring aviators.” The list also includes jets from the $1,000,000 Cirrus Aircraft Vision SF50 to the Embraer Lineage 1000, with a price tag that comes in just under a cool $50 million.
So how do you get your hands on one of these top-rated jets? Or any luxury private aircraft for that matter?
The best way is to contact a jet broker. What can a broker do for you? An experienced broker has the connections with manufacturers, distributors, and private parties to find you the jet you really want. They’ll often have access to jets not listed on the public market so you have a better chance of getting the jet that is a perfect fit for your budget and your lifestyle.
If you are a first-time jet owner, there are other advantages, too. A broker will run a financial feasibility assessment to see what jets you can afford while making sure you have the money for the maintenance and crew you’ll need. They’ll also make sure you have the right insurance, and they’ll know the security and industry regulations that come with owning your own jet.
Of course, developing a relationship with a broker now will also help you in the future: When the next “must have” list of jets comes out, your broker can help you upgrade without a hitch.
L&L International is ready to be your broker. We are one of the world’s largest groups of jet brokers, meaning we have more connections and resources to find you the perfect private or corporate aircraft. For nearly 20 years, we have assisted our clients 24/7 in their private jet search. We’ll find you what you are looking for, and you’ll love working with our dedicated and professional team. Start your search for the right jet with us today.
Dining in the air can lend itself to unhealthy and unsavory habits. The jet set crowd is often bombarded with snack foods and meals packed with preservatives. But there’s another way! Impress business associates and your taste buds with a memorable dining experience in the skies.
Air Culinaire Worldwide is redefining in-flight catering. They’re goal is to deliver not just food, but a culinary experience for passengers. World-class educated chefs create fresh, made-from-scratch meals from local, sustainable, high-quality ingredients. With constantly evolving menus, Air Culinaire offers regional cuisine as well as dishes inspired by your favorite global fare. In addition to delicious menus, their chefs can work with you to design a selection that best suits your passengers’ tastes while maintaining the highest standards of artisanship and freshness.
No matter where you are in the world, Air Culinaire is ready to handle your catering experience. This ultra-convenient service has hundreds of locations around the globe and allows you to order through several platforms: phone, email, or fax; through their website; or via a proprietary order management platform that integrates with a variety of flight-planning software.
Air travel doesn’t have to be endured — with Air Culinaire, it can be savored.
Technology moves quickly in the private jet industry. From facial recognition tools to on-board entertainment options, James Bond-worthy gadgets are becoming commonplace aboard private aircraft. But that’s not the only arena that’s made impressive advancements: New developments in luggage mean your bag can do a lot more than simply carry your suits.
The creature comforts in your cabin may be cutting edge, but is your luggage keeping up? Check out these three high-tech luggage trends:
Power on the go: Searching for a power outlet when you’re on the go is a thing of the past. The Powerbag briefcase includes an on-board battery that allows you to charge a smartphone twice and the bag keeps all your electronics safe and organized. Another bag, from Yanko Design, uses kinetic energy from the wheels to charge your electronics via adaptors built right into the top of the bag.
Track your bag from anywhere: Need to keep an eye on your luggage and its valuable contents? More and more luggage companies are integrating tracking devices into their bags. Now you can see if your luggage ended up in New York when you are standing at LAX. Airbus and Design Q are collaborating on a bag that allows you to scan a QR code to check in your luggage and track it with your smart phone.
Have a seat: Catching up on emails before you board your jet sounds like a good idea, but when you’re waiting in a regional airport or hangar it can be difficult to find a place to sit — unless your luggage is your seat. Agent is working on a concept case that integrates a seat right into the top of the bag, and one version even turns into a scooter for kids. And the ZUCA Pro Travel bag has a seat that supports passengers up to 300 pounds.
The advancements don’t end there. Brookstone offers a bag that uses biometric technology to lock up your valuables. And if you are getting tired of hauling your luggage, Cargo Collective is working on a suitcase that actually rolls itself — the hop! tracks you via your smart phone and follows you around automatically.
No matter your needs, there’s a high-tech luggage solution out there that’ll make your travels a little more organized and comfortable. Find the bag that’s right for your next trip and keep your luggage as advanced at your private jet!
A private jet is a mobile office, allowing travelers to stay connected and productive while they’re soaring through the skies. To enable a seamless work environment, passengers need secure, reliable Internet access. And the latest technology makes that connectivity a reality.
Options for onboard Wi-Fi depend on the size of your jet and how much you want to spend. However, big jets don’t have all the fun: Advances in satellite technology mean even small, shorter-range jets can have a reliable Internet connection.
For connectivity during international travel, Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband is a satellite-based service that lets you log on worldwide for $8.50 per megabit. Another option is Aircell’s Gogo Biz service, which requires the installation of two black boxes and two small antennas and comes at an installed price tag of around $120,000. You then invest in the service plan that meets your needs to access download speeds of about 3.2Mbps.
Looking for something smaller and simpler? An exciting new option is Bizjet Mobile from Execjet Mobile. This plug-and-play portable device is roughly the size of a wireless router and allows the crew and passengers to send and receive emails and texts from iPads and iPhones while in-flight. For installation, you simply connect to an Iridium data port and power onboard — meaning you don’t have to ground your jet for a time-consuming upgrade. Once the system is installed, passengers easily download the Bizjet app onto their iPad or iPhone and connect with the onboard Bizjet system. The pricing is set at $35,000 for the unit and $799 per month for unlimited texts and emails.
These new, high-tech connectivity options mean your company’s business travelers can close deals and maintain productivity all flight long, keeping profitability sky high.
Monday is Labor Day and the holiday is the unofficial end of the summer season. It’s also the weekend many people take advantage of taking one last summer trip. With an optimistic economic outlook, more people are taking trips this year and going farther from home. In fact, the American Automobile Association is predicting the highest number of travelers on the road since 2008. Over 33 million people are planning on taking a trip this Labor Day, and 85% of them will be taking it on the road.
That makes this an ideal weekend for a private jet getaway! There are many terrific U.S.-based locations that are within short range of an airport, so you can celebrate this all-American holiday without sitting in traffic.
Here are three great destinations that will get you out of the Labor Day crush and help you bid a fond farewell to summer:
- The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Ariz. — A trip to the desert in the summer? It sounds crazy, but trust us: The cool amenities at this luxury resort make up for the heat. It offers terrific golfing, spa treatments, tennis, pools, and planned activities for the whole family or just the kids. It also has an impressive $25 million art collection on-site, which makes this a great the trip for art lovers. Best of all, the resort is only 9 miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and car service is available.
- TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach, Fla. — If your family is hoping to say goodbye to summer beachside, this is the place to do it. Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport are both only about 30 minutes away from this gorgeous locale. The resort recently underwent a $20 million renovation, making it better than ever. It offers plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, including pool-side movies, a pirate show, and even programs that promise to be autism-friendly. The beach was recently named one of the top 10 best in the country by Parents magazine, so this has all the makings for amazing Labor Day memories.
- Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown, N.Y. — More interested in a getaway for two? Check out this resort nestled near the picturesque village of Cooperstown dubbed “America’s Most Perfect Village.” The hotel offers an ideal setting to relax and reconnect with your significant other. And check out the chef’s special Friday night dinners, which offer the freshest seafood fare. There is also music and dancing in the Templeton Lounge every Thursday through Saturday. If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful grounds of the resort, Cooperstown is also the home to the Baseball Hall of Fame. To get here, you can fly into one of the many small airports in the area, or if you’re interested in a longer scenic drive, then the Albany airport is about an hour and a half away.
These destinations offer plenty to do over the holiday weekend, and you won’t have to fight the crowds to get there. If you end up enjoying one of these great destinations, we’d love to hear about it.
You work hard, so celebrate this three-day weekend in style. Enjoy stress-free travel by staying off the roads and in your jet. Have a great holiday!
With the tight economy and widespread news of corporate misconduct, misperceptions about corporate jet ownership and use are common. You know a business jet keeps your company competitive in your industry, but it’s still an investment you have to validate to stakeholders, the media, and employees. Even if your company already owns a jet, you need to be prepared to support the aircraft’s continued use in the event of executive turnover.
Be ready to answer a variety of questions about your corporate aircraft:
- Who will use the corporate jet?
- How much money and time will it save over commercial travel?
A handy resource that highlights other common questions about business aviation is available at NBAA.org. The key to addressing all of these concerns is to be prepared with honest, well-documented answers. Clear and concise language outlining the benefits of a business jet will make it easier to garner support.
Highlight the benefits of private jet travel, which include time savings, increased flexibility and reliability, improved productivity, the ability to better support your customers, and the capability to attract and retain key personnel.
If your company already benefits from a business jet, then keep track of supporting documentation showing the jet is an essential business tool. Was a business trip reduced from three days to one as a result of the corporate jet? Show how much your company saved on travel expenses. Or perhaps your sales team was able to meet with 10 new prospects in five days. Make it clear your sales figures have improved because travel time is cut drastically by employing the company jet.
In addition, you can gain detailed insight into the ins and outs of owning a corporate jet by consulting an expert. L&L International can show you the many justifiable benefits of corporate jet ownership. Our experienced brokers will help you find the perfect aircraft for your business’s needs — making the advantages of your bizjet crystal clear.
The 10th Annual Latin America Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE) just wrapped up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 16. Last year’s show had a 10% increase in attendance (even with entry fees going up!), making this bizav conference the largest of its kind in South America and the second largest in the world.
It’s the perfect opportunity for manufacturers to display their private jets in a country that’s well known as one of the biggest emerging markets in the world, along with Russia, India, and China.
Here are some highlights from LABACE 2013:
- Embraer increased its show space at this year’s LABACE, reserving enough room to show off its entire line of private jets. Embraer is one of the leading manufacturers of private jets in Latin America, claiming a strong 38% of the market.
- Gulfstream brought out its highly acclaimed G650, which was available for viewing by appointment only. The G280 was on display for the first time at LABACE as well, making the journey into Brazil from Puerto Rico at an average speed of Mach 0.81.
- Dassault’s Falcon 2000S made its LABACE debut. The company touts this aircraft as a solution to the unique situations pilots contend with in South American airspace, including challenging airports and the common long-distance flights.
- Bombardier brought an impressive line-up of its private jets, including a Learjet 45 XR and a Global 6000. Bombardier predicts that more than 2,300 private jets will be delivered to the Latin American market between 2013 and 2032. That indicates huge growth potential for the bizav market in the coming years in South America.
In total, more than 80 private jets were on display at Congonhas Airport, the location of this year’s show. There were an estimated $700 million worth of deals struck at last year’s show and those numbers are only expected to be higher for 2013. LABACE will remain at the Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo for its 11th year in 2014.
