Uncategorized

Welcome to Your SUPER-powered WP Engine Multisite Install. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

It’s hard to believe how quickly the holiday season is upon us! In fact, by November, if you haven’t already booked your private flight for Aspen, you might want to consider a different destination. That’s because, at the end of the year, the demand on private travel — including fractional-share jets and charters — is as great as it is on commercial travel. Not to worry, though. We have five great tips to help you beat the holiday rush.

Tip 1 — Schedule your trip for less-popular times and dates. The busiest times for all types of air travel are the days just before and just after Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you can book your private travel outside those busy times, you’ll benefit not only from having a better selection of flights and planes but you’ll also avoid the possibility of delays. The best times to book a holiday flight are early mornings, Saturdays, or Mondays. Remember, the busy season starts in late November and usually lasts through the first couple weeks of January with peak times at Christmas. If you can plan around those days, you might still be able to schedule a holiday vacation.

Tip 2 — Beware your provider’s policies regarding cancellations and extended stays. Typically, most providers require a 24- to 48-hour notice if you have to cancel a reservation. The holidays make private flights a premium, so providers may request as much as 14 days’ notice for cancellations. Providers may also charge premiums for passengers who wish to take trips that last more than a few days — jets that are just sitting are lost income opportunities. Be sure you understand the provider’s policies on long trips so you’re not surprised with a surcharge or additional fee if you plan to stay six days or longer.

Tip 3 — Know your destination. In years past, trips to places like Aspen or Vail required slot reservations for private flights. In 2016, there are no slot requirements for either location, but there may still be some destinations that have those requirements. In addition, just because slot requirements don’t exist doesn’t mean that capacity is limitless. Be sure you know your destination is in high-demand, expected delay times, and understand the requirements for landing before booking a private flight.

Tip 4 — Be flexible. If you haven’t already booked your private flight, you may need to be flexible to ensure you find the best flight available. You should be prepared to clearly state your preferences as you’re working with a provider to find the right flight. For example, if you prefer not to use a charter service, you should tell your provider upfront so there are no surprises when the time comes to travel. The more flexibility you have with dates and destinations, the more likely you’ll find a flight that gets you where you need to be.

Tip 5 — Make sure your flight is legal. During the holiday season, there seems to be an increase in the number of improperly licensed providers that pop up to take advantage of the holiday rush. Take the time when booking your flight to make sure the provider you choose is properly licensed so there are no unpleasant surprises when it comes time to travel.

Even if you haven’t booked your holiday travel just yet, all is not lost. You may have to be a little more flexible than during the rest of the year, but using the five tips provided here, you’ll get to your destination. Then, for next year, remember to book early —booking during the September to October timeframe will make holiday travel much more relaxing.

If you’re considering selling your aircraft and wondering which upgrades are worth investing in, it might be a good time to take a hard look at what makes certain upgrades good ideas and which upgrades make the most sense. The answer is not simple.

Unless you plan to own your aircraft for some time before selling, making significant upgrades doesn’t necessarily equal a return on your investment. What if you’re five to 10 years from selling? Upgrading might make more sense in that case, simply because you’ll have time to enjoy those upgrades. This time frame helps offset upgrade costs.

Keep in mind that — while it may be necessary to upgrade some things to help differentiate your aircraft from others on the market — in most cases, the upgrades won’t impact the sale price enough for you to recoup your investment. The following are some of the many upgrades you may consider.

• Carpet — Ideally, you should replace your carpeting every two years, as potential buyers will notice it immediately and may be put off if it’s worn or dirty.
• Seating — Reupholstering is a quick way to improve the look of the interior and should be done if the coverings are extremely worn or outdated.
• Soundproofing — This is an expensive upgrade that’s unlikely to increase the value of the jet enough to recover the cost. Do you plan on using the plane for a few more years? It may be worth considering based on your specific needs.
• Entertainment systems — Entertainment systems are not necessary, and the advent of streaming video has made these expensive systems less important.
• Satellite or broadband connectivity — This is one of the most expensive upgrades — and one of the most expected. Consider adding connectivity a few years before selling.
• 110-volt power outlets — Nearly all new aircraft have 110-volt outlets and nearly all buyers expect them on preowned jets. They’re not cheap but could be a critical selling point.
• Avionics —­ Avionics upgrades almost never recoup investments. However, if you plan to keep the plane for a while, upgrade based on your needs.
• Exterior — If your exterior is in bad shape, a fresh coat of paint may mean the difference between a sale and being unable to sell. However, don’t expect to recoup the entirety of the investment; instead, recognize that it will likely speed up your sale.

Like homes, prepare jets before you sell. If you haven’t upgraded the interior in a while, it may be required to sell the aircraft. But some of the more expensive upgrades don’t make sense when preparing to sell a plane — unless you’re forward-thinking and don’t plan to sell until a few years in the future.

When purchasing a new aircraft, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and fail to execute a few minor but important details such as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registration. Just as you need to register your automobile, you must also register your aircraft. The good news is that it’s simple and inexpensive.

With a clean title in hand, registration is a three-step process.

1. Submit Aircraft Registration Form AC 8050-1;
2. provide evidence of ownership, usually in the form of a bill of sale; and
3. pay the FAA a $5 registration fee.

You must prove you’re a U.S. citizen or authorized resident. When completing the registration form, you must fill it out completely and accurately. Use a street address instead of a post office box, and don’t forget to print your name below your signature at the bottom of the form. Once complete, you’ll keep the pink copy of the form in your aircraft at all times until FAA personnel send you the official registration. You’ll be able to use this document for 90 days — but only for flights within the U.S.

If, during the registration process, the FAA finds that the title isn’t clean — for example, if there’s an unexpected lien on the aircraft — you’ll have to straighten it out before you can officially register. The best way to avoid this type of surprise is to perform a title search before the final purchase.

You must renew your aircraft every three years and submit your renewal five months before your registration expires. You should receive notification in the mail that your renewal is due about six months before your registration expires.

Finally, according to the Business Jet Traveler article, you may be required to register your aircraft with the International Registry, which could also be financially beneficial. This is a more complicated process, though you can do it entirely online. A knowledgeable aviation attorney can help you with international registration, and with her or his help, you should be able to complete it within a matter of days.

Registering your aircraft in the U.S. isn’t a difficult process, but it is required. Be sure you know whether you or your vendor is responsible for the registration, and then complete it as soon as you complete the sale. By handling registration in a timely manner, you won’t face large fines — or worse: a penalty for flying an unregistered aircraft.

The decision to purchase a jet for business or personal use is not one you should make lightly. Although used aircraft prices make them attractive, there are a few things to take into consideration before making a final decision.

Starting with the basics, simply buying an aircraft because your competition has one is not a solid reason to make a purchase. A better strategy is to determine what your actual needs are and build from there. For some, usage and flight types could be the main factors between purchasing a jet and taking advantage of charter flights or fractional ownership plans.

About 90% of private jets are used for business to efficiently transport executives. If you’re considering a business jet purchase, a good place to start is with an operational assessment, which should include

• annual number of flight hours. If the aircraft will be in the air 200 hours or more each year, private ownership makes more sense than shared or fractional ownership plans.
• how you’ll use the aircraft, including trip destinations, lengths, and types. If executives frequently make multi-day trips or often fly round trip, private ownership is more reasonable than shared ownership or chartering in most cases. However, one-way trips with empty return flights are less cost-effective.
• the frequency at which you require urgent flights. Most charter flights and fractional ownership agreements require a several-hour notice period before a flight can take off. With fractional agreements, other owners also share the aircraft — so it’ll be unavailable at times. If decision-makers frequently initiate flights with little advance warning, private ownership is your best and most convenient option.
• total cost of ownership. What happens when the aircraft is sitting unused for a length of time? Offering charter services during downtime can offset some ownership costs but will reduce aircraft availability. If that’s unacceptable, will you still be able to afford all aircraft costs, from fuel and maintenance to parking and crew fees?

Full ownership is an attractive option for anyone who wants complete control over travel options. If you’re frequently in the air and the aircraft will be well-used, it makes sense to explore full ownership options. With complete ownership, you’ll always know there’s an available flight when you need one.

The Airbus H135, an update to the EC135 P2E name, is favored by members of law enforcement and emergency medical services companies because of its smooth ride and built-in safety features. However, these same features also make it an excellent choice for corporate transportation.

Our featured H135 has a luxurious interior that includes seven Prada leather seats and a refreshment galley. Each seat is also equipped with a Bose XX series headset. 

Safety and maneuverability

Safety features on the H135, according to Airbus, include an “energy-absorbing fuselage and seats, along with crash-resistant fuel cells.” In addition, the Fenestron tail rotor and bearingless main rotor contribute to unsurpassed maneuverability and faster cruising speeds.

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, one of the main considerations when buying used aircraft is engine hours — and this Airbus H135 has a low 650 total hours. It also has no damage history and recently had an annual type inspection. The dual Pratt and Whitney PW206B2 engines allow for low vibration and, according to Airbus, the anti-resonance isolation system makes for a smooth flight.

State-of-the-art avionics

In the cockpit, avionics in our featured H135 include

• dual electronic attitude direction and electronic horizontal situation indicators,
• Garmin Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System and Garmin Transponder,
• high-quality Garmin Global Navigation System displays, and
• a full glass cockpit.

All of these features come together to create a well-appointed flight experience that any executive can find attractive. The safety and maneuverability of the H135 makes it perfect for densely populated areas, while the state-of-the-art avionics and fast cruising speeds mean even flights in urban areas will be smooth and relaxing.

In the June issue of Professional Pilot, Bob Rockwood compared predictions he made in 2014 to the current state of the market, using his specially designed predictions index. Most of the predications Rockwood made in 2014 were on target. For example, he said the Syberjet SJ30 didn’t have enough cabin room to justify the price tag. As of May 2016, no units had been sold.

Rockwood also predicted that the Gulfstream G650 and G550 would do well against competition such as the Bombardier Global 7000, 8000, and XRS models. The Global 7000 never made it to market, but about 540 G550s have been sold compared to 350 Global XRS jets.

Surprising industry stats

The most surprising part of Rockwood’s examination of the numbers for the 2015-2016 selling season seems to be the disparate nature of used aircraft values compared to the market. Rockwood explains that the current economy has the market in a “reverse bubble” that’s driving prices down. Not to worry, according to Rockwood. Once everything evens out, the pricing structure will right itself and we’ll be back on track.

Who will come out the winner going forward, then? It’s hard to say. Rockwood points to one technology, Hyperloop — which is based on magnetic levitation technology — as something to watch, noting that it’s time for a game changer to come along. There are plenty of technologies that fit the bill.

The future of aviation

Airbus developers are looking to technologies such as bionic structures for the aircraft of the future while Maurice J. Gallagher Jr., Allegiant Travel Co CEO, said in an article in USA Today, “The next five years will be all about increasing automation and decreasing labor cost.”

Automation can take a lot of forms. For example, according to a Flying magazine article, there’s a possibility that future airports could be fully automated. That’s probably a distant-future possibility, but wearables, in-flight connectivity, and voice commands are already starting to make a difference.

As Rockwood pointed out, aerospace technology has been our main method of high-speed travel for nearly 100 years. There’s no doubt that bright young engineers with creative imaginations are going to bring lots of changes to the industry over the next decade or two. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together.