Were you feeling lethargic during your last flight? Don’t be too quick to blame it on standing for long stretches or walking too much. Dehydration may be partially to blame.
Dehydration occurs when our bodies lose water more quickly than we take it in. In the mildest cases, symptoms like headache, fatigue, and severe thirst occur. The most extreme cases involve fainting and heart palpitations.
In the air, the humidity level in most aircraft cabins hovers only around 10 to 20 percent. Under such dry conditions, it doesn’t take long for dehydration symptoms to appear.
Even more risky is blood clots that can form in the leg from lack of circulation, a condition that occurs more frequently in dehydrated travelers. In addition to moving your limbs and standing or walking around, experts recommend drinking two glasses of water during a flight to ward off dehydration.
Here are a few tips to help you stay hydrated in the air:
- Sip water before, during, and after your flight.
- Avoid or eliminate alcohol and caffeine, which exacerbate dehydration.
- To manage dry skin and lips, carry lip balm and moisturizer.
Remembering to drink water will help you stay healthy and more energetic on your next trip. So next time you get ready to hit the skies, throw in a few extra bottles of water. You’ll be glad you did.
Halloween is coming near, and people of all ages start thinking about scary things. While being chased by a chainsaw-brandishing, hockey-masked psychopath through the woods is universally terrifying, most other fears are individualistic in nature. The fear of spiders, of confined spaces, of public speaking. And then there’s pteromerhanophobia, the fear of flying.
Now is a good time to address this phobia if you have it, especially with the holiday travel season coming up. Remember, you are not alone: 1 in 6 Americans say they have a fear of flying. Some pretty famous people also report a fear of flying: Aretha Franklin, Billy Bob Thornton, David Beckham, and the Dalai Lama.
Often, people discover that what they’re afraid of isn’t actually flying at all. For many, it’s the confined space that is upsetting, or they’re concerned they’ll have a panic attack. Others confess that they just don’t understand how airplanes work, which scares them. If that’s the case, always feel free to talk to your pilot, or learn how jets fly.
Symptoms range from dry mouth at take off to being physically unable to get on a plane. Obviously, this is a serious condition for some people. The good news is that this condition is treatable. Many people have found unique techniques that help them:
- Listening to music the entire time
Scott McCartney’s article for the Wall Street Journal offers a great starting place to tackle pteromerhanophobia. Even if you’re perfectly at ease in the air, some of these tips might help comfort others.
Treat your pteromerhanophobia so you can enjoy flying, not merely tolerate it.
If you’ve had any experience with the fear of flying, please share your tips with us!
Spare parts keep your private jet in the air, but they also can pave the road to destruction for you, your crew and your guests if they do not meet safety standards.
Counterfeit aircraft parts are big business, so finding the right parts and suppliers to keep your jet safe relies on the expertise of professionals who can discern the difference. And aircraft owners and operators can never have too much knowledge when acquiring aircraft spare parts.
The problem of bogus aircraft parts — officially called “suspected unapproved parts” or SUPs — remains as critical now as ever because substandard parts pose a significant threat to aviation safety.
Sometimes a part is labeled “unapproved” for purely paper purposes, with the primary concern being that the paper trail doesn’t document the design and production quality of a component. The part could be in excellent or dismally shoddy condition. But without proper documentation you can’t know without extensive testing — the testing that the parts manufacturer is supposed to do to certify the part as meeting standards.
Sometimes tests show that the part is bogus and the accompanying paperwork is false. Identifying SUPs is challenging because the bogus parts often appear the same as approved parts, putting the safety of the aircraft at risk without the knowledge of the parts user.
In addition, sometimes the paperwork appears as genuine as the part, which means airlines, maintenance organizations, aviation manufacturers and parts distributors need to create and adhere to systems for the detection and reporting of unapproved parts.
SUP detection
Aviation safety authorities such as the FAA and CASA work to assure information about SUPs is distributed to the aviation community in the hopes of assuring further detection and taking counterfeit parts out of circulation.
They strive to bring together as many aviation industry participants as possible to give those participants the latest information about SUP issues, employ steps to combat bogus parts and give participants opportunities to question international experts.
In recent years, the FAA and the aviation industry began work on a program to assure parts traceability, using special markings and codes not available to the general public. The goal: to create a permanent trail for tracing a part from its current owner and location all the way back to its point of origin.
As the FAA’s SUP program influences the world of new parts, the window of opportunity for counterfeiters will steadily narrow — but not close completely. The new system does little for the millions of older spare parts produced before the new program that are still available.
Start close to home
Minimizing the risk of inadvertently accepting a bogus part starts with aircraft owners and operations, according to FAA guidelines:
- Know your suppliers and eschew low-ball pitches from unknown suppliers.
- Check labels of new parts against those of parts already known to be legal from a known source.
- Watch for damaged shipping boxes or reused labels, smudged stamps or other indications of package tampering.
If you suspect that someone has tried to sell you an SUP or you have inadvertently purchased one, you can report it at the FAA Web site’s Suspected Unapproved Parts Program page at http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/programs/sups/.
To insure that you do not purchase or use counterfeit jet parts, consult with a broker or professionals who know the ins and outs of what to look for during the pre-purchase inspection. Many experts can even help you trace prior ownership (pedigree) and the history of the aircraft.
Flying isn’t just the most convenient and fastest way to travel for business — it’s also the safest.
Christine Negroni reports in Executive Travel on safety protocols on airplanes: “From the plane seats to the cabin air to the course and altitude of the flight, every decision in commercial aviation comes after careful consideration of its impact on safety.”
Advanced safety features
Modern-day jets now have electronic controls, making today’s pilot a manager of information and technology. Global positioning satellites, advanced displays and telecommunication have played major roles in improving safety statistics. Pilots are warned of approaching terrain or potential conflicts with other airplanes.
Other elements that make flying safe include movement detection monitors, compact aircraft flight controls, protective and fire-retardant seating and cabin insulation, and emergency lighting.
Even with all these features that ensure all commercial flights are safe, travel by private jet is still safer.
Taking security to the next level
According to Fred George, blogger for Aviation Week, flying by private jet has security advantages. For example, at most FBOs, front-desk personnel greet all visitors. Staffers quickly determine the purpose of individuals’ visits and how best to assist them — or escort them off the property if they don’t have a legitimate reason for being there.
“Business aircraft crew and passengers also spend very little time inside the FBO or GA terminal when they arrive or depart the airport, providing a relatively small window of time during which they’re potentially exposed to ground-based threats,” George writes.
Incidence of accidents
The National Business Aircraft Association has statistics, compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc., that support the idea that flying by private jet is safer than commercial flying.
According to the NBAA, commercial airlines had 0.16 accidents — 0.0006 of which resulted in fatalities — per 100,000 flight hours in 2010 compared with 0.07 accidents with no fatalities per 100,000 flight hours for corporate/executive aircraft. That’s the lowest number of accidents for any flight designation. General aviation flights experienced 6.86 accidents with 1.27 fatalities per 100,000 flight hours last year.
At a time when many companies are rethinking the cost of operating business aircraft, the value of the enhanced safety and security benefits of traveling by business aircraft may be priceless.
No one enjoys the helplessness of feeling sick, but when traveling — particularly overseas — sudden illness can be problematic and potentially dangerous. Fortunately, Private Jet MD offers comprehensive services to keep you safe when a variety of troubles occur.
Ensuring your health and safety 24/7
For a low monthly membership fee, Private Jet MD provides emergency medical evaluation and case-management from western-trained doctors and nurses. They arrange and oversee transfer and evacuation of patients to pre-screened medical facilities for continuous care anywhere in the world. When it’s time to return home, Private Jet MD handles the arrangements for transport to a U.S. hospital and, if needed, companion care during the return flight.
The staff at Private Jet MD also monitors global health and personal security risks, and delivers up-to-the-minute reports and safety information. Before trip departure, they assist travelers with understanding on-the-ground health risks and warnings about destination countries.
From minor mishaps to major events
Private Jet MD’s plans provide up to $1 million in medical expenses for any travel destination in excess of 150 miles from the patient’s home. They also assist with less critical medical concerns such as eyeglass and prescription drug replacement.
Private Jet MD’s expertise extends beyond the practice of medicine. They help manage lost or stolen passports and provide referrals to language translation services and legal experts. In extremely dangerous security situations where the local U.S. Embassy cannot be reached, they connect travelers with private security firms for protection and transport.
Advance planning is critical
Doing a little homework before your trip makes coping with travel emergencies far less frightening. At a minimum, take these precautions:
- Leave copies of itineraries and passports with family or friends
- Review your insurance policies to understand your coverage in the event of an overseas illness
- Visit the state department’s website for tips and warnings about health and security risks and customs information
Your next business or pleasure trip will be more productive and enjoyable when you know you’re ready for the unexpected. And if unpleasant emergencies do arise, having Private Jet MD at your side means never having to face your worst case travel scenario alone.
You took your time, shopped around and found the perfect aircraft. It’s a sweet little Cessna, with soft leather interior and custom cabinetry. You locked in a great interest rate, and the seller is motivated. Nothing but blue skies ahead, right?
Not so fast. One of the most critical — and complicated — steps in the buying cycle is the pre-purchase inspection. If the inspection is mismanaged or rushed, you could end up on the hook for expensive repairs and/or Federal Aviation Administration fines for some time to come.
The inspection process revealed
The pre-purchase inspection should be conducted by a qualified third-party repair center and not by the repair center where the aircraft is maintained. Inspectors will examine maintenance records and logs to ensure the aircraft received routine and proper care over its lifetime. They will also verify that parts and components were replaced on schedule. Incomplete, missing or shoddy records can indicate a neglectful repair history.
The inspection also requires review of compliance with Aircraft Directives (AD), an extensive set of instructions from the FAA to guide repairs and part and component replacement. ADs are numerous and unique to each plane’s model and serial number. There are additional ADs with special instructions for any modifications made to the aircraft components.
AD review can be a time-consuming, frustrating process, but your broker has the experience to spot red flags or suspicious gaps in record-keeping.
Your broker — more than just a pretty face
During the pre-purchase inspection process, brokers play two pivotal roles. The first is to ensure that the inspection is exhaustive, thorough and conducted by an independent service center.
The second role of the broker is to help you understand and assess the severity of any repair problems that are discovered. Inspection of a pre-owned jet is bound to reveal at least a few hitches, but your broker will advise you when these issues are cause for undue concern.
Repairs: The small, the significant and the show-stoppers
Many issues that pop up during inspection are cosmetic or relatively minor. The repair of scratched or cracked fixtures, burned-out panel lights and similar problems are not unusual or unexpected. Your broker, however, will make recommendations when the total repair costs of these secondary issues exceed what is considered acceptable or reasonable.
Of course, major problems that affect the airworthiness and safety of the airplane need to be addressed by the seller. Your broker can guide you through the next negotiation steps. The seller may be asked to handle and show proof of repairs, or your broker may request a reduction in the asking price of the plane. In extreme cases, your broker will know when walking away from the deal is your best option.
Don’t let pre-purchase inspection headaches kill the thrill of jet ownership. Rely on your broker to wrangle with the details. You can spend that time planning where your newly purchased plane will take you.
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 877-453-8276 or visit our website.
ADS-B, a surveillance technology for tracking aircraft as part of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, makes flying significantly safer for the aviation community. The FAA website features videos that explain how ADS-B technology provides pilots with information about weather and the location of other aircraft while simultaneously broadcasting their location to other aircraft and ground controllers.
The FAA has mandated that all aircraft must have this technology by 2020 to be allowed to fly.
This system is just the latest example of the type of advanced avionic systems that make air travel safer for all of us. When you purchase a private aircraft, it’s important to be sure that your aircraft has the required avionic equipment.
Avionics consist of the electronic systems on a jet that enable control of monitoring, communication, navigation and other systems. Naturally, if the aircraft has been in service recently, it should have all mandated avionic equipment. But it’s important to have your jet broker verify whether it’s compliant.
During the pre-sale inspection, the broker can require the inspector to note any equipment that is dated or that you can upgrade to newer technology.
Typical systems that you’ll want to consider include:
If you’re buying a pre-owned jet, it’s imperative to understand the upgrades the aircraft requires to ensure safety and meet government mandates — particularly those for avionics.
Lithium batteries, found in laptops and cellphones, have been known to spontaneously overheat and catch fire, creating potentially life-threatening situations during flight. As personal electronic device (PED) use has become commonplace for business air travel, equipping your aircraft with a firebag system is an essential safety precaution.
In the event of a lithium battery fire, the FAA recommends immediately following these steps in order:
- Spray the burning appliance with a fire extinguisher containing Halon to suppress the flames.
- Thoroughly douse the device with water to reduce the battery’s core temperature and prevent a hot lithium-ion cell from igniting other cells in the battery pack (a common occurrence called “thermal runaway”).
- Using heat-resistant gloves, place the device in a firebag for containment.
On-board firebag systems are supplied by these manufacturers:
- AirCare Access — The Aircare FireSock ™ Lithium Battery Risk Management System sells for $339.00 U.S. (includes bag, gloves and a sealable storage tube to hold 80 ounces of water)
- Ship It AOG — The Fire-Fighter firebag sells for $1075.00 U.S. (includes bag and gloves)
It’s important to note that firebags are only one weapon in an on-board fire arsenal and aren’t intended to replace fire extinguishers or water. The combined use of these tools, however, is essential to safe air travel in our electronic age.
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 877-453-8276 (+1.305.754.3313) or visit us online.
As usual, many things are happening in the aviation world. Take a minute to catch up on some of the biggest stories of the week.
Super Bowl XLVI
Flying to Indianapolis on Sunday will be challenging indeed. The FAA expects a record number of private flights in the area that day, and three temporary towers have been erected to deal with traffic. The National Business Aviation Association has all the resources you need to plan your private flight to the Super Bowl. Take care of the details so you can enjoy the game! Go Patriots! Go Giants!
Honda to Release Bizjet Next Year
Boasting operational costs as low as $1,000-$1,200 per hour, the HondaJet will be released in 2013. Honda began taking orders for the quiet, economical aircraft in 2006, and the automaker-turned-jetmaker plans to roll out 80 within the first half of 2013. The company fully expects to see a profit by 2018.
Do you think Honda will be profitable in five years? What if American carmakers started turning their attention to jets — would we all be flying everywhere individually, like the Jetsons?
Oklahoma Governor Opposes $100-Per-Flight Fee
The White House has declined a petition that calls for the abandonment of the plan to institute a $100-per–flight fee for general aviation. This fee would be used to pay for air traffic control; the Obama administration maintains that the current fuel tax does not bring in sufficient funds. Some legislators and governors, including Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, are speaking out against the fee. They point to recent tough economic times for general aviation as well as its significance to the economy as reasons to protest the proposed fee.
General Aviation in California Threatened by Avgas Suit
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has brought a lawsuit against suppliers and producers of 100-low-lead fuel, or avgas, used by piston-engine airplanes. The organization claims that the public was not warned about exposure to the leaded fuel, and this omission constitutes a violation of California law. Ostensibly, the suit is being brought in an attempt to hurry the process of finding an alternative, lead-free fuel to replace avgas.
Imagine you’re visiting a foreign locale where the culture and currency are very different from your native country. You hire a local guide for the day and ask him to help you navigate a large open-air market. As you wind through the crowd, merchants call out to you in an unfamiliar language, urging you to buy. Your head spins in confusion as your stomach churns with hunger.
A nearby stall is displaying an assortment of unfamiliar edibles which look fresh enough. Your guide, however, shakes his head and leads you to another vendor. After some haggling, you’re feasting on a special local delicacy of the freshest quality at a surprisingly reasonable price.
The critical role of the broker
This scenario is not very different from the challenges of purchasing a private aircraft. Yes, you can explore the market on your own, but a local guide — in this case, your broker — can help you avoid the traps and pitfalls you might never see coming.
Aoife O’Sullivan, partner at London-based Gates and Partners and author of the industry white paper The Gold Standard in Private and Corporate Jet Sales, cautions that “buying a business or private jet for the uninitiated (and, indeed, even for those familiar with the industry) is a complicated, expensive and potentially hazardous jaunt into the unknown.”
Don’t be fooled by that new-plane smell
Most private jet purchasers are surprised at how complicated the buying process can be, even for a new plane available directly from the manufacturer. Says O’Sullivan, “Manufacturers can have a soft side, and the good brokers know how to negotiate a better deal for buyers whether in the form of price, elevated delivery date, and additional perks for credits such as additional training or increased warranty periods.”
In other words, a trusted broker knows the manufacturer’s pressure points and how to leverage them to maximize every dollar spent on a new aircraft.
The pre-owned advantage
In the pre-owned market, an experienced, professional broker has the inside track on available inventory and pricing fluctuations. Plus, your broker is familiar with lesser-known sources of quality aircraft — often tapping into those channels before the product becomes widely available for sale on the Internet or through other public means.
O’Sullivan adds that “the broker who has a long-term relationship with the buyer or seller will also have an in-depth knowledge of the history of the aircraft and can be a valuable source of information when researching title, whether there has been any damage to the aircraft, etc.”
Very few decisions are as significant and weighty as choosing a private aircraft, but it doesn’t have to be daunting, frustrating or risky. Partner with the right broker and along with the thrill of owning a private aircraft, you’ll uncover the best value for every dollar you spend.
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 877-453-8276 (+1.305.754.3313) or visit us online.
