Industry News

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The Cirrus SF50 Returns to the Skies

2019-sf50-corso-v2
Source: cirrusaircraft.com

Cirrus jets have been a staple of dominance in the light personal jet market since the late 2000s. Recently, however, as many as 105 Cirrus’ SF50 Vision ultra-light craft were recalled by the Minnesota manufacturer. Following an emergency airworthiness directive by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the entire fleet of SF50 jets was grounded in April 2019. Now, the fan-favorite craft is back in the air.

Looking closer at the problem

The reason for the grounding has been traced back to three separate incidents of malfunction with the SF50’s stall warning and protection system. A statement issued by Cirrus frames the problem and the subsequent decision to ground the fleet:

“In early April of this year, one of our company pilots experienced the engagement of the stall warning and protection system when not appropriate during a flight at altitude. The pilot followed the published airplane flight manual (AFM) procedures and landed the aircraft safely. Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately began working with the FAA and our internal teams to determine the root cause and began our operator communication process.” — Cirrus company statement

Following major air travel catastrophes like the Boeing 737 MAX scandal, the decision to ground the fleet was largely proactive. The company noted in a more detailed statement that pilots have “full ability to manually override the stall warning and protection system.” No injuries, deaths, or reports of damage resulted from the system malfunction.

The fix and return to safety

The solution to the SF50 Vision’s improper triggering of the stall warning and protection system was a replacement of the angle-of-attack sensor. Designed as a safety feature, the sensor would malfunction abruptly during specific periods of takeoff or landing, making it more difficult for pilots to control their craft. In each of the three reported incidents, pilots swiftly overrode the feature to regain control of their craft. No accidents or mishaps have resulted from this condition and each pilot landed their aircraft without incident, according to the company.

Cirrus reports that as of May 2019, all SF50 aircraft in service have had their angle-of-attack sensors replaced and are once again safe in the skies. And, unlike Boeing — which faces a similar scandal on a much larger and more gruesome scale — Cirrus doesn’t appear to have garnered ill will from either the FAA or customers. Reinstatement of the aircraft’s airworthiness took less than 30 days, and the company reports as many as 500 orders on the books.

A growing concern in aviation

While the SF50 Vision is back in the skies and functioning properly, there’s growing discontent among those in the aviation industry linking safety incidents together. The 737 MAX, which faced a similar sensor malfunction, is still grounded in the U.S. Issues with angle-of-attack and other equipment forcing abnormal pitch and roll behavior are piquing the attention of regulators, manufacturers, and pilots.

Cirrus and Boeing are just two companies that have faced incidents with safety features behaving erratically. The fear is that more will follow. For now, however, it seems as though Cirrus’ response has set the standard for handling these issues. Boeing, on the other hand, remains in hot water with the FAA.

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.

Iran Is Currently a No-Fly Zone — How Is BizAv Adapting?

Escalating hostility between the United States and Iran is complicating travel between Europe, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula, and North America. Even as tensions simmer, however, business aviation (BizAv) professionals are identifying new route potentials and establishing new ways to navigate airspace to continue serving their clients.

The tension so far

On June 20, Iran shot down a U.S. unmanned military aircraft. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a no-fly order covering all Iranian airspace for all civil aircraft. The FAA has concerns of potential military strikes on civilian flights, either from American or Iranian forces.

The Tehran Flight Information Region (OIIX) doesn’t cover only airspace over Iran’s landmass, however. Iranian airspace includes the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, as well as the Strait of Hormuz. This makes it challenging for many business travelers and other civilians to reach global business hubs throughout the region, including Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. In fact, United Airlines flights from New York to Mumbai are canceled indefinitely due to the flight ban.

Following precedent of past conflicts

The FAA’s emergency order applies only to U.S.-based aircraft; however, international aircraft operators are paying attention and following suit. Industry analysts suggest that the potential danger of a civilian aircraft shoot-down over Iran is real and imminent.

In fact, tensions between the U.S. and Iran have led to civilian aircraft deaths in the past. In 1988, a missile fired by American forces struck Iran Air Flight 555, killing 290 people.

More recently, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was struck by a missile while flying over a separatist-controlled section of Eastern Ukraine, killing 298 people. This prompted airlines and regulators across the globe to reexamine the way the civilian aviation industry handles airspace over areas of violent conflict.

Middle Eastern airspace is already heavily congested and severely restricted. Flights between Europe, Eastern North America, and Asia pass over the Middle East. Ongoing conflicts and political rivalries have restricted the use of airspace over countries such as Syria and Yemen for the past several years.

Responding and preparing for detours

Both commercial airlines and BizAv industries are adapting to rising tensions in the region and preparing for the possibility of future conflict.

Many internationally based aircraft are avoiding airspace in the strategically important area of Southern Iran surrounding the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, while continuing to fly into Tehran and fly over Northern Iran.

Meanwhile, other aircraft are avoiding airspace within the Tehran OIIX altogether. These flights are using alternative, longer routes over Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia — or over the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan.

Regardless of the origin and destination of your BizAv flight, the safety of your crew and passengers are of the utmost importance. Following FAA guidance, as well as staying on top of global affairs, will help prepare you to make safe business travel decisions.

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.

Bombardier’s Global 7500 Takes LA to NYC Speed Crown

On March 24, 2019, a Bombardier Global 7500 broke the speed record from Los Angeles to New York City, completing the flight in 3 hours and 54 minutes. The Global 7500 left Van Nuys Airport on Sunday at 7:01 a.m. local time and landed at Teterboro Airport at 1:55 p.m. local time, trimming 90 minutes off the average time.

Bombardier pilots Kerry Swanson and Andrew Sibenaler accomplished the feat. The Global 7500 reached a top speed of Mach 0.925, the 7500’s Maximum Mach Number (MMO), which it maintained for more than two hours in level flight. The record is pending certification from the National Aeronautic Association.

Source: bombardier.com

Meet the Global 7500: Speed, safety, luxury

Available from Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier Inc., the Global 7500 has a roughly $73 million price tag and began deliveries in December 2018. The aircraft won the 2019 Aviation Week Grand Laureate Award.

The aircraft that set the record — registered as C-FXAI — is production-level and serves as a demonstration aircraft.

“The Global 7500 aircraft is simply the best business jet on the market today,” said Bombardier Business Aircraft President David Coleal. “This latest speed record demonstrates once again that the Global 7500 jet is the undisputed leader in business aviation.”

The Global 7500 is the largest and longest-range private aircraft. It features four living spaces and a dedicated crew suite and kitchen. The interior is customizable with countless floor plan and furnishing options. Possible spaces include a club suite, conference suite (with a six-person table), entertainment suite, private suite, and en suite bath. The aircraft holds a maximum of 19 passengers.

Source: bombardier.com

The aircraft also boasts Bombardier’s signature Nuage seat, featuring deep recline, a floating base, and a tilting headrest. A new feature is the nice Touch cabin management system, which controls lighting, media, communications, and more.

Crew members also enjoy luxury aboard the Global 7500. The aircraft features the largest cockpit in the industry and a permanent side-facing jump seat. It’s equipped with Bombardier’s proven fly-by-wire system. The dedicated crew suite offers maximum comfort on long-range flights.

Mounting records for Bombardier

The Global 7500’s recent flight record comes on the heels of another honor for Bombardier, when a Global 7500 flew 8,152 nautical miles on a recent trip and set the record for the longest flight for a private jet. The Global 7500 flew from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona, and landed in 90 minutes with 4,300 pounds of fuel in reserve, meeting NBAA requirements.

The Global 7500 unseats the record set by General Dynamic Corp.’s Gulfstream G650 in November 2014. Until the Global 7500’s debut, the Gulfstream G650 was the uncontested standard in ultra-long-range business aircraft since its launch in December 2012.

The typical cruise speed for the Global 7500 is 0.85 mach. Its maximum range is listed as 7,700 nautical miles. A commercial flight from Los Angeles to New York City takes an average five and a half hours to complete.

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.

2018 BizAv Industry Recap: Trends by the Numbers

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has released its end-of-year report on the state of aircraft shipments for 2018. And while a glance at the first quarter of last year might set the bar low for expectations, the remainder of the year and especially the fourth quarter yielded numbers that paint a healthy picture of private aviation headed into 2019.

Breaking down the GAMA report

While the GAMA report focuses exclusively on aircraft deliveries, there’s a tremendous amount of data to glean from the raw numbers. It’s also a great status indicator for the industry as a whole, since the report focuses on the point of delivery instead of the point of order.

For example, 703 new business jets were delivered to customers in 2018. More impressive was the growth over the year — only about 19% of deliveries took place in the first quarter, as opposed to nearly 37% in the fourth quarter. Total deliveries were also up about 3.8% in 2018 over 2017. The total value of the private aircraft market in 2018 was about $20.6 billion.

Most impressive in this report, however, is data showing a rise in private aviation across all categories: business jets, turboprops, pistons, and helicopters. It’s the first such instance of growth in five years and the strongest surge in deliveries in more than a decade!

Looking closer at the trends

Thanks to the individual categories broken out by the GAMA report, a few trends also make themselves evident:

  • Textron is the top manufacturer of 2018, according to the report. This is no surprise, as its Citation family of jets has been gaining momentum over the past several years. With 188 total aircraft delivered in 2018, the industry leader is likely to see a strong 2019 as well thanks to its Latitude model, which accounted for 57 of the company’s deliveries last year.
  • Despite having the most total models delivered, Textron actually comes second to Bombardier in terms of the most popular model of 2018. The Challenger 350 remains the best-selling private jet for the second year in a row (2017, 2018), with 60 deliveries in 2018 — narrowly beating out Textron’s Latitude (57).
  • Despite growing customer interest in long-range jets — as evidenced by new models such as the Bombardier Global 7500 — there’s actually evidence in the rise of turboprop aircraft. While the low cost of turboprops has always been appealing, 601 new total turboprop deliveries in 2018 signal something more. Turboprops and piston aircraft deliveries both rose 5% last year.

There’s no doubt 2018 was a strong year for all sectors of the private aviation market. The only question now is, Will this momentum continue through 2019 or stall out?

Predictions for 2019

Analysts have high hopes about private jet deliveries in 2019, expecting them to increase as much as 10%. But what will drive such a strong surge on the tail end of an already-great 2018?

Some believe it could be the growing accessibility of private charters and flight-sharing services.

Others predict a lag in the used jet market, which will push prospective buyers into the realm of new jets.

There’s also the newest wave of jets to consider, which includes the already best-selling Bombardier Global 7500 and the Cessna Citation Longitude. Each of these jets is the pinnacle of modern technology and appealing to owners who want the newest and best option.

The general consensus is that the private aviation market will continue to bolster itself in 2019. It could very well be a record-setting year, with so many favorable tailwinds blowing.

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.

Successful UltraFan Test Heralds a New Generation of Jet Engines

Source: rolls-royce.com

A jet engine is one of the most complex mechanical marvels in the world. With the recent successful test of Rolls-Royce’s developmental UltraFan engine, the future of jet engines just got even more sophisticated. UltraFan technology is staunchly positioned as the future for aviation propulsion. After this test, that future has become a little clearer.

A lineage of proven excellence

Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan is the third iteration of its Trent family of turbofan engines. The Trent 700 debuted in 1990, followed by numerous variations through to the premier of the Advance in 2018 (target launch 2021). The UltraFan is slated for a 2025 launch date.

Along the way Rolls-Royce has also put out variations on the original Trent design, including the most recent Trent 7000 in 2015.

Source: rolls-royce.com

The first successful test

The UltraFan promises to be leaps and bounds ahead of the original Trent design. In February 2019, engineers got a sneak peek at just how much better.

At its facility in Derby, U.K., Rolls-Royce engineers assembled all composite elements of the UltraFan’s Advanced Low-Pressure System (ALPS) for the very first time. This included the fan blades, fan case, and annulus fillers. The entire setup was tested on a donor engine, and the entire process benefitted from IntelligentEngine vision — the company’s digital software that measures the exact parameters of each fan blade during testing.

This is the first time all core elements of the UltraFan have been assembled and tested as a whole.

What’s so special about the UltraFan?

More than just the next iteration in a long line of groundbreaking propulsion systems, the UltraFan promises to herald eye-popping improvements over the standard engines of today.

  • Lower CO2 emissions by 75% (per-passenger/km)
  • As much as a 30% reduction in fuel consumption
  • An environmentally friendly reduction in NOx emissions (as much as 90%)
  • Noise reduction by up to 65%, resulting in a 15dB drop in noise pollution

Through its innovative new technologies, lightweight design, and unparalleled build quality, the UltraFan is poised to tackle everything from operating costs and environmental concerns to noise pollution and aircraft availability concerns.

Roadmap to the skies

All the excitement around the UltraFan engine needs tempering. According to Rolls-Royce’s roadmap, we’re at least five to six years away from seeing it on a jet, much less in the air. That said, there is a clear and present roadmap to the skies for the UltraFan.

That roadmap started with this first successful test and is most likely to culminate with the launch of a re-tooled Airbus A350 in 2025. In between these two points, the UltraFan will likely see ground testing in 2021 and production shortly thereafter. Even beyond the 2025 intended launch date, Rolls-Royce is already looking as far ahead as 2050 to account for EU flight path goals.

The UltraFan is already a modern engineering marvel, and it hasn’t even left the factory floor. With one test in the books and more not far behind, the future of aviation engines is closer than most realize.

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.

Bombardier’s New Global 7500 is a Record-Setter

Bombardier has never been one to disappoint when it comes to producing the best of the best. For decades, this manufacturer has continually set new benchmarks not only in what’s possible from private aircraft but also in what’s expected of them. With the recent launch of the Bombardier Global 7500, the company has yet again inked its name in history with a record-setting, industry-changing jet.

A look at the Global 7500

The Global 7500 is a perfect marriage of practicality and luxury. It’s designed for the world of business on a global scale, catering to the luxury demands of the business elite.

The aircraft itself features a cabin segmented into four separate areas, great for business or leisure. The Nuage seat completely redefines comfort, enabling deep recline potential and plenty of neck and lumbar support. Turbo heating and cooling ensure total comfort at all times. Best of all, the cabin is completely controlled by touch technologies! In addition, it accommodates 19 comfortably.

On its luxury and aesthetic merits alone, the Global 7500 is a must-have for any owner seeking the pinnacle of excellence.

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It passes more than just the eye test

Those familiar with Bombardier jets know they do a whole lot more than look great on the tarmac. The Global 7500 is no exception. In fact, this jet is now the owner of a world record: the world’s longest flight by a purpose-built business jet. It clocked 8,152 nautical miles from Singapore to Phoenix, direct. What’s more, it landed with 4,300 pounds of fuel — more than enough for an additional 90 minutes of flight time!

The record-setting flight shows off truly phenomenal potential by the Global 7500. The Singapore to Phoenix flight is just one example of its range. In a press release by the company, David Coleal, President of Bombardier Business Aircraft, lauded the jet:

“The Global 7500 aircraft was built to break all the records. It achieved the industry’s longest mission ever in business aviation after only two months in service. We’ve demonstrated its unequaled long-range and high-speed capabilities, but also its ability to break records confidently with healthy fuel reserves remaining, once again, confirming its unsurpassed performance to customers.”

With most of the globe open to a direct flight, Bombardier is giving international travelers an easier way to get to where they’re going. Potentially popular flight tracks include the ability to go from Miami to Dubai, New York to Hong Kong, Los Angeles to New Delhi, and more — all direct!

A growing trend in long-range aviation

Bombardier’s Global 7500 may hold the record for longest flight today, but it’s a record that’ll undoubtedly face challengers soon.

Bombardier’s own Global 8000 (which has faced delays) is expected to deliver flight mileage equal to its name. Gulfstream’s G650ER — which can log 7,500 nautical miles comfortably — has made a similar trip (Singapore to San Francisco) at a faster clip. Other manufacturers are also focusing on long-range jets, following the trend of global travel demands.

The world is getting smaller, especially for jet owners. Doing business across countries on a global scale is less of a burden than ever, thanks to jets that have little trouble traversing long distances. It’s a trend we’re likely to see more of, and Bombardier’s Global 7500 won’t be the last jet to break a distance record.

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.
Travel Concept

BizAv Continues to Soar, Flights Up in 2018

Once considered a luxury out of reach for the general population, business aviation and private jet travel are becoming more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for all travelers — from corporate executives to millennials exploring alternative travel options in charter flights.

Thus far, 2018 has displayed flight growth compared to previous years — despite private jet sales remaining level. Several exciting trends have helped this sector grow both in the United States and beyond.

Flight success in 2018

In September 2018, business aviation flights increased by 2.1 percent year-over-year in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean — an amount more than double what was predicted for the month. All business aircraft categories except for light jets also saw flight increases; this is the second month in a row that these categories have experienced growth.

Business aviation is also growing steadily overseas with the European market also seeing increases in flight numbers this summer. The number of flights globally continues to increase from previous years, confirming something great for the industry around the world: People are flying more for business.

Luxury Airplane fly over clouds and Alps mountain on sunset. Fro

BizAv trends leading to success

Thanks to industry trends introducing more accessible charter flights for individuals, better safety standards, and improved technology, the industry anticipates future growth as it moves into 2019.

  • Charter and per-seat programs — One of the biggest trends in the industry is the increase in programs that offer charter flights, per-seat fares, and shared costs for private aircraft travel. Because of these programs, fewer people are purchasing business jets on their own, but they can fly more easily and more affordably than before. This is leading more individuals and companies to select private jet aviation as their preferred travel option.
  • Aircraft management companies flourish — Additional regulations and an increased number of travelers on private jets require higher levels of expertise and responsibility from pilots of small and medium-sized aircraft. This necessity is leading more aircraft owners to turn to aircraft management companies for help in managing their assets and potentially turning them into a revenue stream.
  • Technological improvements — Technology continues to exceed expectations in every facet of our lives, including BizAv. New in-flight Wi-Fi systems and cockpit operational improvements make life easier for pilots, aircraft owners, and passengers. Technology is also playing a critical role in the adoption of charter flight booking programs through mobile phone applications.

Many executives in the business aviation sector are working to keep up with these trends and to meet the needs of the new groups of travelers relying on private jets. These executives are hopeful for the continued success of the industry in the new year.

If you’ve been interested in investing in a private jet, now appears to be a great time to do so. Contact an experienced aircraft broker to get started on the search for your new jet.

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.
charter a jet

The Most-Chartered Flights for Private Business Jets

Flying in a private jet is a luxurious experience. The exclusivity and class that comes with flying in aircraft with few seats, no crowds, and numerous on-board amenities is nearly unmatched. Therefore, many corporate executives purchase or charter private jets for business purposes.

An outstanding number of flights on private jets occur every day, but if you’ve never been fortunate enough to fly in one, you probably wouldn’t realize that they’re an extremely common form of travel. But who is traveling on these jets and where are they going?

Who’s flying?

Despite the frequency of private aviation, most people who travel by private jet don’t actually own the aircraft. Private jet chartering is more popular. Business executives or individuals with money to spend can rent jets and fly to and from their destinations without any long-term investments.

As for the owners, this affluent group of aircraft collectors tend to be involved in a few distinct sectors of business, including finance, banking, investment, oil, and gas.

United States travel goes between hubs

Some of the most popular travel departure spots and destinations within the United States are major cities that offer travelers an abundance of activities, food, entertainment, and of course, business opportunity.

Knowing the owners of private jets tend to fall into the finance sector and other business executives may opt to charter a private jet, it makes sense that these few cities are some of the most traveled.

  • New York — The Big Apple should be no surprise on this list. As one of the United States’ most popular destinations for financial and investment business, the city also has interesting things to explore outside the office. Travelers depart and arrive in New York often, heading to or from other popular urban hubs like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Miami.
  • Los Angeles — Sometimes considered the New York of the West Coast, LA is another no-brainer destination for corporate executives. Many corporate offices are in the LA area, making it a popular place to depart from to visit national branches or clients.
  • Las Vegas — Las Vegas is an adult playground, filled with both fun events and business conventions and meetings to attend. Flights between LA and Las Vegas are among the most popular in business aviation.

Other popular departure and destination locations in the U.S. include Miami, Chicago, and Houston.

Global travel continues to grow

Outside of the U.S., global business aviation is also booming. International flights may be more common for major corporate executives who own their own jets, but overseas markets are also popular.

Flights between London, Paris, and Nice are quite popular. Additionally, the use of business jets in Asia has multiplied in recent years, particularly in major business centers like Hong Kong.

If you are interested in joining those who often fly coast to coast in a luxurious private jet, contact an experienced aviation broker to learn more about the industry, set up a charter flight, and look into purchasing a new aircraft of your own.

The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to charter a jet? We can assist with that, too. Charter a private jet online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Air Traffic Control Tower

ADS-B Could Be the Catalyst for Mass BizJet Retirement

The clock is ticking for thousands of aircraft in the United States that have not yet gotten the necessary upgrades to meet the compliance standards of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a new surveillance technology used for air traffic control. The January 2020 deadline is fast-approaching, but many aircraft owners are unsure of whether to make the leap.

The cost of upgrading to meet the new program’s standards can be steep, particularly for older aircraft that lack much of today’s modern tracking technology. Few options for selling jets and values that sit far below the cost of compliance may force many jet owners to retire their aircraft.

What is ADS-B?

ADS-B is a new air traffic surveillance system implemented by the Federal Airline Administration (FAA) to replace radar technology. The system has been designed to improve safety and efficiency in the air, reduce costs, and minimize the environmental impacts of flying. ADS-B is the FAA’s attempt to modernize air traffic control and improve the safety of pilots and their passengers.

Beginning January 2020, all aircraft must be equipped with ADS-B Out systems to fly in most controlled airspace. ADS-B Out provides the ability to transmit flight data to air traffic controllers and other aircraft equipment with ADS-B In, the counterpart system.

ADS-B In is not required for compliance, but the FAA encourages it to allow pilots to utilize all the benefits of the system, including weather and traffic pattern updates.

Air Traffic Control Monitors

Options for owners

Although upgraded tracking systems stand to benefit the aviation industry, the FAA-mandated compliance requirements are troublesome to many aircraft owners, particularly those who own smaller aircraft such as private jets.

Cost is the major issue. For older aircraft with outdated systems, the cost of upgrading to ADS-B standards could cost owners $90,000 or more. This cost includes the need for new transponders, GPS receivers, antennas and other equipment. Newer jets may be able to trim these costs significantly, but the expense may still outweigh the value of some smaller jets. Downtime expenses are also a factor for jet owners that lease their aircraft out as a revenue stream.

The cost of not upgrading may be just as steep. Without being ADS-B compliant, aircraft will not be allowed to fly in controlled airspace. This puts a damper on many aircraft and their capabilities. If jets need to fly into this airspace regularly, the owners face a difficult choice: upgrade or retire.

Selling old aircraft at this time isn’t easy. With the FAA deadline looming over their heads, aircraft buyers are thinking to the future and purchasing already compliant aircraft. This leaves aircraft owners with the option to scrap their jets to earn back some of their investment.

If you are the owner of a private aircraft that is not yet ADS-B compliant, now is the time to weight your options. If you choose not to upgrade, you may still be able to sell your aircraft, so call an experienced aircraft broker and learn more about your options in the market.

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.
tax changes

Tax Changes and Business Jets: What You Need to Know

Owning business jets has long been a goal of company executives due to the prestige and convenience associated with private aircraft. Now, thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), jet ownership may become a reality for many more businesses.

The TCJA altered several existing tax laws, including many provisions regarding income tax deductions and depreciation. Previous tax law was somewhat favorable to buyers and owners of business jets. Owners attempting to sell and purchase a new model were given opportunities to avoid taxable gains. Additionally, purchasers of new aircraft were able to write off some of the aircraft expenses upfront.

The new laws may be both favorable and not to the business aviation industry. One of the major changes is allowing more businesses to take the leap into private jet ownership.

Changes to aircraft write-offs

Under the old tax law, new aircraft were eligible for a bonus deduction of up to 50 percent in the year of acquisition, followed by five or seven years of depreciation on the asset. The old law also allowed depreciation on pre-owned aircraft but followed a slower schedule.

Under new law, buyers may have the ability to write off 100 percent of the cost of new or pre-owned aircraft in the first year of ownership. This law applies to aircraft purchased after September 27, 2017, through January 1, 2023.

This change is huge, largely because of the ability for buyers to purchase and write off a pre-owned aircraft — especially when it wouldn’t otherwise be economically feasible.

Elimination of “like-kind” exchanges

The second major change to the aircraft tax law is the elimination of “like-kind” exchanges when selling and purchasing an aircraft. Previously, owners were able to mitigate taxable gains from selling aircraft if they purchased similar aircraft afterwards.

The TCJA eliminates this like-kind exchange model. All gains from the sale of an aircraft must now be claimed and taxed as determined by the income tax bracket.

This change is drastic but offset by the 100 percent expensing on new and pre-owned aircraft.

What these changes mean for business aviation

These new law changes make business aviation slightly different for corporate executives who currently own or wish to own a private aircraft.

Thanks to 100 percent expensing, executives are now able to purchase more expensive jets than they could before. Additionally, companies that didn’t have the option to purchase under the old tax law can now purchase either new or pre-owned jets with less difficulty.

Business jet owners must be wary, however, restrictions still exist on the new depreciation laws. The jets’ operating expenses must be reasonable for the company’s size, and aircraft must be for business use only. Entertainment expenses are disallowed, even if they are related to business activity.

Those interested in purchasing business jets under the tax law change should be cautious about whether specific aircraft will qualify for the exemption. Speak with a qualified broker to learn more about how tax law can impact your buying and selling decisions.

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.