Private Jet Charter News

Even taking a Private Jet to Super Bowl XLIII can present travel challenges.  With over 1000 Gulfstreams, Hawkers, and Beechjets expected to descend upon the Tampa area parking and ramp space at Tampa International Airport will go fast.  Luckily, there are other options.  Within a 40 mile radius, there are 4 other airports with runways suitable for private aircraft. Airports such as St Petersburg/Clearwater Airport, Vandenberg Aiport, Hernando County Airport, or even Lakeland Linder Airport will help alleviate some of the traffic and congestion.

By using the smaller feeder airports, you can eliminate most of the delays associated with the massive amounts of aircraft all trying to depart TIA at the same time. With departure delays of up to 6hrs after Super Bowl XLII, the 45 minute drive to Lakeland might not seem so bad, after all.

With February school vacation and spring break rapidly approaching, now is the time to start thinking about the family vacation.  As you and your adult companions enjoy cruising to your destination without the hassles of the commercial airports, take time to remember what it was like to travel as a child.  Hours of limited personal space with little to do conspire to turn even the most well behaved child into a whining, discontent, fidgeter.

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So for this travel season be sure to think of the little ones.  Most private aircraft are now equipped with lavish entertainment systems ranging from private in-seat monitors found aboard light jets such as the Beechjet 400 or Hawker 400XP to massive flat panel displays on the larger jets such as the Gulfstream 400/500 and Global Express.  Many aircraft even allow you to connect your child’s own gaming system to the on-board monitors.

Additionally, while you may enjoy a nice grilled Parmesan Encrusted Portobello Mushroom with White Truffle Oil, the kids will most likely just want some PB&J.  Fresh baked cookies and some sandwiches will do wonders to keep the blood-sugar up and the tempers down.
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But, whether jetting off to Spring Training in Florida or winging your way to the ski slopes of Colorado be sure to give the kids headphones so you can enjoy a blissful beginning and end to your vacation.

 
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog supporting the use of Air Force One by President Obama.  Recently, reports have resurfaced about Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s use of private jets, specifically the “demand” that she be shuttled around in a Boeing 757.  To be clear, in 2001, the BUSH Administration enacted the policy that for security purposes, the speaker of the house (and 3rd in succession) would travel in VIP military transport.  Nancy Pelosi typically travels aboard a C-20, which in military parlance is really a Gulfstream III or Gulfstream IV.  “Pelosi has used the Air Force equivalent of a Boeing 757 to fly between Washington, D.C., and her San Francisco district. But she has done so exactly once, when no smaller aircraft was available, according to Air Force spokesman Eric Sharman.”, as reported on FactCheck.org.
Again, we are looking at private aviation as a target of political vitriol from those against any kind of corporate bailout.  Perhaps if these same critics from the House and Senate were forced to travel exclusively by commercial airlines, the greater flexibility, range, speed, security, comfort afforded by private jets would seem less of a perk and more of the essential business tool that they really are.

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As reported in CharterX Daily

Jared Isaacman and his co-pilot Doug Demko have taken off for their latest attempt at an around-the-world speed record in a light jet while raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Airport operations at Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey confirmed that Isaacman’s Cessna Citation took off about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, destined for St. Johns, Canada, the first leg of the flight.

Isaacman, 26, of Washington Township, New Jersey intends to fly around the globe, more than 22,000 miles, in about 65 hours. If all goes according to plan, the jet will return to Morristown Airport Wednesday. That would break the record of 82 hours set in 1991. Light jets weigh between 6,600 and 13,200 pounds.

Landings are planned in St. Johns, Canada; the Azores; Sardinia, Italy; Luxor, Egypt; Muscat; Oman; Thailand; Manila; and Seoul, among other stops.

Last year Isaacman raised $60,000 for the Make A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses, but fell short in his attempt to break the speed record.

Isaacman is the founder and chief executive officer of United Bank Card Inc.

Donations can be made online at http://www.speedaroundtheworld.com.

Isaacman will use funds from his company’s account to match all donations on the Web site up to $20,000.

As Reported By The Associated Press

 
Two officials of a Florida-based charter jet company charged in connection with a 2005 crash at Teterboro Airport pleaded not guilty in federal court on March 4.

Joseph Singh and Brien McKenzie were the first of six former officials of Fort Lauderdale-based Platinum Jet Management to make court appearances in New Jersey since being indicted last month. The remaining four are scheduled to be arraigned later this month.

Platinum is accused of repeatedly violating federal aviation rules and lying to federal investigators.Singh, who served as Platinum’s director of charters, and McKenzie, the company’s director of maintenance, each face one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Singh also faces four counts of making false statements.

U.S. Magistrate Patty Shwartz set bail for McKenzie at $350,000 and for Singh at $100,000, both secured by property. In a separate proceeding in front of U.S. District Judge Joseph A. Greenaway Jr., attorneys for both men entered not guilty pleas.

“My client is looking forward to being exonerated,” Mark Berman, representing McKenzie, said. Singh’s attorney, Mark Douglas, declined to comment.

The following jets are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel. With over 10 years of experience as a private charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand. For pricing and other company information, please visit http://www.execcharter.com or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.

CLICK HERE FOR ONE-WAY LISTING

Kevin W. Godlewski
President, Executive Charter Services

from NBAA - No Plane No Gain campaign:

The people and companies that rely on Private Air Charter know that utilizing a private jet is a valuable strategic choice, particularly in an unforgiving economic and political climate.  However, those outside of the business aviation community are often unaware of the benefits that chartering a private jet can provide.  When reviewing your air travel choices, use this checklist to see why using private jet charter is the best option for your mission.

 This flight absolutely cannot be canceled or delayed significantly.
 The destination is not easily served by commercial airline service.
 Need the ability to work and communicate aboard the flight.
 Proprietary information will be discussed aboard the flight.
 Need the ability to visit several cities in one day.
 Need the flexibility to allow for changes in the itinerary.
 Carrying specialized parts/equipment

If you’ve found yourself agreeing with these statements, you will want to investigate chartering a private jet for your travel needs.  In many cases, particularly with several passengers going to the same destination, a private aircraft can be as cost-effective as utilizing commercial airlines.

As recently reported, Teterboro Airport, will be closed for runway repairs in July. The rehabilitation of Runway 6/24 will cause the complete closure of the airport to all fixed-wing aircraft (I.E. Private Jets!) as per the following schedule taken from the FAA Website:

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009 through SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2009:
Runway 1/19 and Runway 6/24 closed from 2300L 7/10/09 (0300Z 7/11/09) to 1100L 7/12/09 (1500Z). AIRPORT CLOSED TO FIXED WING TRAFFIC DURING THIS TIME.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2009 through SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009:
Runway 1/19 and Runway 6/24 closed from 2300L 7/17/09 (0300Z 7/18/09) to 1100L 7/19/09 (1500Z 7/19/09). AIRPORT CLOSED TO FIXED WING TRAFFIC DURING THIS TIME

All aircraft (except helicopters) heading to the NY Metro area must make use of other local airports such as Westchester Airport, Morristown Airport, Essex County Airport, and Ridgefield Park Airport.  Don’t forget, private jets are also welcome to use Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports as well.  While Teterboro’s closure will cause some headaches, proper planning and foresight will keep the delays and inconveniences to a minimum.

Richard Santulli, chairman and CEO of NetJets Inc., announced late last week that he is stepping down from the private jet company controlled by investor Warren Buffett.

Richard Santulli, chairman and CEO of NetJets Inc., announced late last week that he is stepping down from the private jet company controlled by investor Warren Buffett. “After 25 yeas of working with the most talented group of people I could ever have imagined, who helped build the premier aviation company in the world, I have decided to step down as chairman and CEO of NetJets immediately, in order to spend some more time with my young family and pursue other interests,” Santulli said in a statement.
NetJets had become popular with Wall Street and corporate executives as well as athletes such as tennis star Roger Federer, who has been a spokesman for the company. The company had posted growing revenue for many years, until recently, but often struggled to turn a profit. Berkshire said revenues from flight operations at NetJets had increased by 596% since its purchase, although “profits had been erratic.“The company’s business was hit hard by the recent recession. In its 2008 annual report, Berkshire said NetJets “experienced significant reduction in revenue as general economic conditions worsened.”

Buffett said he had accepted Santulli’s resignation “with reluctance.” He named David Sokol, a close associate considered a possible successor to Buffett at Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway, as an interim replacement for Santulli. Santulli will stay on as a consultant for at least 12 months to assist in the transition, he said.

Surface/Extension Enhances Performance & Safety

Well-heeled skiers take note, the $40M runway resurfacing and extension project has been completed, just in time for the 2010 ski season.  Beaver Creek chefs brought freshly-baked cookies to welcome the first flights touching down after the summer-long closure.  The new runway will allow most midsized charter jets such as the Hawker 800/1000, Lear 60, and Citation Excel to now travel non-stop back to New York and South Florida.  So, when arranging your private jet to Aspen this year, remember to ask about all of your aircraft options.  Unfortunately though, you’ve already missed out on the cookies.

Manufacturer of new anti-jet-lag drug sponsors private jet trip

Pharmaceutical companies are always looking for two things - people to participate in their clinical trials and new ways to market their products. It appears as though the manufacturers of a new medication to treat jet-lag may have accomplished both by treating participants to a free Gulfstream private jet ride to Paris. Cephalon, an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of many unique products including central nervous system disorders makes a drug called Nuvigil. Ads started appearing over the summer in New York newspapers with the following question: Want to fly to France and get paid $2,500 for your trouble? The testing included 3 days in Paris for a study on the effects of jet lag. The only catch was that you don’t get to see the sights of Paris. Recently, a dozen strangers were jetted to Paris in a private Gulfstream jet. Once at a Paris testing facility participants were given Armodafinil. Their alertness and other functions were measured repeatedly during the three-day stay. Participants had a great time and enjoyed their cross-continental jet travel.  I’d have to think that a free, pampered flight in a luxurious Gulfstream Jet might tend to skew the results a bit, though.

1968 to The Donald: “We want the jet back!”

Recently, Donald Trump has placed his private jet for sale.  Until now, he has been winging his way around the world in a vintage Boeing 727-100. Circa 1968!  He has decided that an upgrade is in order, and who can blame him?  With the pool of gently used corporate jets growing with each bank failure and fractional sell-off, now is the right time to pick up a good deal.  The jet, registered abroad, is expected to fetch between, ahem,  $4M and $8M.  As shown below, the rich velvet and mint condition Naugahyde ought to be worth that much alone.  Yes, Mr. Trump, time for a new ride.

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