Jet Charter Blog

New Look, Features Now Offered by Air Charter Marketplace

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Throughout its existence JetCharters.com has positioned itself as the one-stop solution for you, the private jet traveler. Our team, along with our partners, has always been there to service any trip request.

While that has not changed, how we deliver that solution has.

For nearly a year now, our mission has been to introduce you directly to the charter operator you will be flying with and the aircraft you’ll be flying in. In essence, we've cut out the middle man.

From the Cirrus SR22 air taxi to the Global 5000, the marketplace offers the perfect solution for any trip request imaginable. This would not be possible without the nearly 200 quality operators with their more than 700 aircrafts.

While JetCharters.com has introduced a few industry firsts, such as video promotion and intelligent search technology, it isn’t calling it quits on improving the service. We are always behind the scenes building next-generation technology for this industry.

In fact, we are excited to introduce an entirely new look along with a number of features. The new look you will find when visiting JetCharters.com is one that brings us in line with the best in any industry. We hope you like it, and will offer us feedback along the way.

Several new features have been added to aide you in searching for the right charter solution.

The most noticeable is the new “Fleet Sheet” and “Aircraft Sheet” PDF download that you can download from any operator or aircraft page, allowing customers to take details with them offline with the click of a mouse. Just look for the red Adobe buttons on relevant pages.

On the same pages you might also notice operator social network icons. Consider visiting operator social pages while getting to know your future charter operator.

For the first time, the marketplace also displays aircraft listings on the JetCharters.com homepage. You will automatically see aircraft available near your current location thanks to geo-targeting capabilities built into the new site.

You now have an account within the marketplace where you can save featured aircrafts, trip requests, email preferences and more. We are the only private aviation website that offers planning tools directly to you.

Safety is Top Priority

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:06:00 +0000

We recognize safety is the top priority when selecting flight options, which is why we want to spend this blog post reviewing government standards for charter operators, along with safety programs many participate in.

For starters, every aircraft listed in the marketplace is required by the FAA to comply with Part 135 rules and regulations. FAA Part 135 is the operating standard at which aircraft safety, regulations, maintenance, and pilot licensure are ensured when operators are offering their services for hire.

Additionally, many of our charter providers take the priority of your safety to the next level by having independent auditors perform safety audits.

While searching the JetCharters.com air charter marketplace, consider looking for the ARGUS seal.

The ARGUS CHEQ (Charter Evaluation and Qualification) program was developed over a decade ago as the most accurate and detailed third-party due diligence system for charter operators, buyers and passengers around the world.

ARGUS extracts, filters, and vetts data on charter operators around the world through the CHEQ Program. This scoring system is the backbone of CHEQ and provides charter buyers with an independent, third-party, factually-based rating on an operator's actual safety history.

You’ll notice ARGUS safety ratings at every step of performing trip requests on JetCharters.com. The ARGUS seals can be found in search results, on operator profile pages and individual aircraft pages. JetCharters.com search technology also allows you to customize safety rating results via a drop down menu on the left side of each search result page.

Now that you know what to look for, here is what each individual rating means…

Gold Rating - To achieve the Gold Rating, ARGUS conducts in-depth research into numerous databases and other reputable sources. Historical information on the commercial certificate, pilots, aircraft serial numbers, ownership, management is compiled, processed and scored in an effort to determine the applicability of a Gold Rating.

An operator's composite score is compared against an aggregate group of operators with like exposures, and if found to meet or exceed the median score of those operators, the operator will be granted an ARGUS Gold Rating.

Gold Plus Rating - The Gold Plus Rating is awarded to operators who meet all Gold Rating requirements and have completed an ARGUS on-site safety audit or maintains IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) Stage 1 registry.

The operation is audited against the ARGUS Platinum Standard, a standard developed by ARGUS in conjunction with the industry, which contains recognized best practices, policies and procedures.

Platinum Rating - The Platinum Rating is the highest level of the ARGUS Ratings. It is awarded to those experienced operators who meet the criteria for Gold and completed the ARGUS Platinum on-site safety audit.

A Platinum Rating requires a well-developed Safety Management System, a clear and workable Emergency Response Plan, effective policies and procedures, and documented records for all major aspects of Operations and Maintenance within a flight department or charter company.

It is important to understand operators and aircraft without safety ratings are not necessarily less safe. Safety rating companies may not cover certain aircraft types, such as prop powered aircraft, or certain operator locations.

While flying is always a risk, know that JetCharters.com carefully selects who to let in to the Worldwide Air Charter Marketplace.

Questions or comments? Feel free to comment on this blog, email us at support@jetcharters.com or call 1-866-999-JETS for more information.

The 2012 Summer Olympics

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:01:00 +0000

With so much happening during the 2012 Olympics in London, it's hard to know where to begin, so we've broken it down for you. Find out what you need to know about flying to the games and what to expect right here at JetCharters.com

Getting to London

Legacy 600 from EcelAire

If you plan on going to the games, then now is the time to start thinking about all of your travel needs.

The trip to London takes approximately seven hours when departing from New York City's Teterboro Executive Airport in a heavy jet.

Heavy jets that can get the job done in seven hours include the Gulfstream G550 and the Falcon 900 (among others). View heavy jets on our aircraft by type page or simply run a trip request on jetcharters.com view available aircraft from your location.

Because of the distance, long-range aircraft are necessary to make the transatlantic trip, but consumers have the option of choosing which kind of jet they want to take. With seven hours being the average flight time for virtually any airport off the east coast, that leave passengers with plenty of time on their hands and consumers should consider the amenities they would like onboard.

While all jets are equipped with basic dry snacks, soft drinks and bottled water, having the trip to London catered will also be something you'll be glad you did when hunger strikes somewhere over Newfoundland.

Like flying domestically, flying into London provides passengers with many options. Most private jets land at Heathrow (EGLL), Standsted (EGSS) or Luton (EGGW). From there, passengers can take a private car or public transportation to their hotels. Staff at the FBOs in London will also assist anyone looking for a little bit of an insider's guide to the area.

Getting Tickets for the Games

Tickets to the games need to be purchased through the local National Olympic Committee or its appointed Authorized Ticket Reseller. Residents of the USA can get tickets by creating a free account at www.cosport.com, which offers a wealth of information about the Games and London itself. Individual tickets and package deals are available.

Getting to the Games

Once in London, you'll definitely be anxious to take in the sights and the games.

The games take place from July 27 to August 12 at a variety of different venues, some of which will be held in historic locations like London's Hyde Park, Horse Guards Parade, Regent's Park, Lord's, Wembley, Earls Court, Wimbledon and Greenwich Park. That said, the majority of the games will take place Greater London in areas dubbed the Olympic Zone, River Zone and Central Zone.

Sailing events will take place at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on the Isle of Portland.

The Official London 2012 Games website offers a "spectator journey planner" that will help anyone get to an event from anywhere in Great Britain using public transport, cycling or walking. Once in the city, this guide will be beneficial to anyone unfamiliar with London.

If you plan on using public transportation while in the city – which is a convenient and fast way to get around – then think about getting an Oyster Card. The Oyster Card is a pre-paid travel card that can be used on all forms of public transportation in London so that the hassle of continuously buying paper tickets is erased. Order an Oyster Card here http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/oystercard/product/oyster-card.html

The Opening Ceremony and Games

Even people who aren't typically sports fans appreciate the Olympics. There's nothing quite like watching the best of the best compete against one another. Plus, the Olympics provide those in attendance and everyone else watching a home with a chance to witness history in the making.

The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics will feature an artistic performance by artistic director Danny Boyle and his team. In addition, there will be a parade of athletes, speeches, the declaration of the opening of the Games, oaths, and then the entrance of the Olympic Flame into the stadium.

This year, the following games will be a part of the Olympics: archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe slalom, canoe sprint, cycling (BMX, Mountain Bike, Road and Track), diving, equestrian, fencing, football, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, synchronized swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, trampoline, triathlon, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting and wrestling.

The schedule for all of these games can be found at http://www.london2012.com/schedule-and-results/.

The Veterans Airlift Command

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:04:00 +0000

It's been more than 10 years since the United States entered into war in the Middle East. During that time, thousands of lives have been lost. Thousands more have been changed due to injuries suffered while on the battle grounds – injuries that serve as constant reminders of war.

The men and women who suffered these injuries are our modern-day heroes, yet many times their needs go relatively unnoticed. Especially when it comes to their travel needs.

That's where Veterans Airlift Command comes in.

The VAC provides free air transportation for wounded military personnel and their families who are in need of medical services or compassionate purposes, according to the organization's corporate website.

These flights are carried out through a network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. The pilots come from a variety of backgrounds, including military, but all of them have a similar desire: To serve the wounded veterans.

The organization was started in 2006 by retired Vietnam veteran Walt Fricke who was injured in the line of duty. A banker by trade and weekend pilot, once retired Fricke began flying soldiers in need throughout the Minneapolis area where he lives as a way to give back to the community.

Fricke's mission expanded once he got a call from someone with the Department of Defense asking if he would be willing to transport wounded combat soldiers.

Soon after, Fricke managed to pull together 2,000 pilots and aircraft owners willing to donate their time and money to helping the country's wounded warriors with their transportation needs.

According to Jen Salvati, Fricke's daughter and one of the three fulltime employees with Veterans Airlift Command, the organization quickly went from being a charitable operation carried out by her father on a local level to a national effort.

Helping Wounded Warriors and Veterans

Currently, the needs of wounded veterans and warriors of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom are being met by the volunteers with VAC. The services offered to these veterans include transport related to service-connected medical needs, transport for family and close friends visiting the wounded at medical facilities and transport of wounded warriors to specific events such as homecoming reunions, which aid in the healing process.

All veterans and warriors need to do is have a medical release assuring that they are able to travel signed by their doctors. From there, volunteers at VAC will schedule a plane and pilots to meet the needs of the veterans and warriors.

Visit www.veteransairlift.org or call 952-582-2911 to plan a trip or find out more information.

While the website states that the only requirements passengers must meet to be eligible to fly include being ambulatory, able to enter and exit the aircraft without assistance, sit upright for three hours at a time and able to travel in an unpressurized aircraft, Fricke said there are exceptions to these rules.

For instance, many times passengers have lost limbs and do need assistance getting on a plane. Fricke said that just recently the VAC flew four passengers who were quadruple amputees who needed assistance getting on the plane. Fricke said to get these passengers on the plane, men from the Fixed Based Operator at their location didn't even hesitate to assist their needs.

Fricke said that the biggest challenges to flying wounded passengers is that currently any passenger needing to fly on a stretcher is unable to be served by the VAC because they do not have aircraft that can safely secure a passenger on a stretcher.

That said, if anyone surfaces with an air ambulance then the VAC will be able to meet the needs of virtually any wounded warrior or veteran, according to Fricke.

Once on board, should medical care be required on the flight, passengers are responsible for securing a medical attendant to fly along with them. This can be a friend or family member and that person will also fly for free.

Beyond Medical Care

Fricke said that medical appointments are not the only places the wounded are flown to.

Because the founder of the organization understands that healing from war goes beyond what's offered at a medical facility, passengers can also be taken to special events or family functions, Fricke said.

Recently, a group of wounded veterans were flown out to Challenge America in Aspen where wounded military personnel can go to experience therapeutic recreation programs and get together with fellow veterans.

Challenge America was started by a man who lost his son in Iraq and was determined to not let the tragedy negatively affect his life. Instead, he wanted to use his experience and honor the memory of his son by creating a place for other military personnel to go heal, Fricke said.

Attending family events is another activity that is important to not only military personnel, but their families as well.

Fricke said she has a trip coming up that is for a man who was injured eight years ago in the war and lost an eye and suffered a traumatic brain injury, but wants to be able to go to his son's graduation from basic training at Fort Benning so he can be the one who places his son's rifle pin on his uniform at graduation.

Flights are also schedule to take the wounded to meet service or therapy dogs that have been trained specifically for them to meet their needs, Fricke said. Other times, service or therapy dogs fly right along with their owners in the seats next to them or on the floor of the jets.

Ways to Help

Like all nonprofit organizations, donations are always needed and can be sent online or to Veterans Airlift Command at 5775 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 700, St. Louise Park, MN 55416.

Pilots willing to make pro-bono flights are always needed and can find information about necessary requirements on the VAC website.

Fricke said that air ambulance services would benefit the organization and anyone who can offer this service can contact the VAC.

For more information about the organization, visit www.veteransairlift.org

Corporate Angel Network

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:24:00 +0000

Parents everywhere worry about their children coming down with everything from the common cold to chicken pox, but seldom do those parents ever even allow themselves to imagine their child battling cancer.

It's a sad reality that far too many families have to face. What's even worse is that many times, the best treatment available for the children is hundreds to thousands of miles away from their homes. This leaves families with the burden of trying to get to treatment centers. Many times they are financially unable to get there. After all, even with insurance, cancer treatment is exorbitantly expensive.

To add insult to injury, the option of flying isn’t always viable. While cost is a problem, germs can sometimes be even more of an issue.

Germs are everywhere on private jets and those with compromised immune systems run the risk of contracting any variety of illnesses simply by boarding the jet.

For instance, MRSA, H1N1, influenza, and E Coli are all found on surfaces on commercial jets. In addition, merely sitting on a jet with other passengers gives each person a 20 percent higher chance of catching a cold or the flu than if they had not gotten on the flight.

Knowing this, cancer patients, especially pediatric cancer patients, could potentially jeopardize their health and their lives by taking a flight to receive treatment.

To circumvent this obstacle, cancer patients of any age can take a private jet – at no cost.

The Corporate Angel Network offers empty seats on corporate jets to cancer patients so they can access treatment facilities crucial to their fight against disease.

The life-saving company is based out of White Plains, NY. The Westchester County Airport offers the organization free office space for its 50 part-time volunteers and paid staff of six.

More than 3,000 flights go out each year with cancer patients onboard. While many people are able to take advantage of these flights, there are still several thousands of people suffering from cancer that do not get matched up with a flight.

This is because the organization works with corporate flights only and sometimes those flights just don't match up with the needs of patients. However, the Corporate Angel Network puts in a flight request for each person who contacts them three weeks before his or her scheduled appointment.

Cancer patients aren’t the only ones who get to take advantage of the flights.

Bone marrow donors and bone marrow recipients may also take part in the flights. Unlike many charity programs, the Corporate Angel Network does not require patients to show any sort of financial need and they are allowed to travel as often as necessary.

The company is supported by 500 corporations throughout the country. Since its inception in 1981, more than 35,000 flights have been coordinated.

Like all charity organizations, more help is always needed. Anyone interested in helping out with the Corporate Angel Network can send a cash donation via check to Corporate Angel Network, Westchester County Airport, One Loop Road, White Plains, NY 10604.

The organization also accepts bequests so that supporters of the program can continue to support it even beyond his or her lifetime. Stock shares, bonds, and mutual funds can also be donated to the program.

Frequent flyer miles can also be donated. Although this means they will fly commercially, for those with financial constraints who cannot find free travel on a corporate jet this method provides an answer to their prayers.

Airline tickets can also be donated. Volunteers are also needed and anyone looking to support the group can call 914-328-1313. Patients can call the toll-free line at 866-328-1313.

JetCharters.com Featured Video

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 02:53:00 +0000

Booking private charter should never start with a stock picture of a plane you’ll never fly on or be followed by a contact form going to someone who won’t actively participate in the trip.

That’s how we feel about it anyway, which is why JetCharters.com set out to introduce the charter consumer to the exact aircraft and operator they will be flying with. Trip requests return aircrafts that best fit any trip and include specifics like pictures, safety ratings, operator contact information and more.

There is always room for improvement, which is why we have taken another step to improve the introduction process. Charter operators now have the ability to share video, featuring their companies and the planes they manage.

Two industry leaders in private aviation, Desert Jet and Solairus Aviation, were the first to add videos to the marketplace. This opened up a whole new world to the industry because it allows customers to get to know operators and aircraft before booking travel.

Now, more and more operators are producing videos to share with potential clients. To find the right aircraft and operator available for your next flight, run a trip request here.

Honor Flight

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:26:00 +0000

It's never too late to make peace with the hardest parts of life.

The Honor Flight Network is a program that started in 2005 by retired Air Force Captain and physician's assistant Earl Morse in Springfield, OH. The program flies veterans to Washington, DC so they can visit the memorials dedicated to their service in the country's past wars.

Morse came up with the idea for Honor Flight because he cared for several World War II veterans every day at the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic where he works. He spoke to many of them about the World War II Memorial, which was completed in 2004, and discovered while many of the veterans from that war wanted to see the memorial dedicated to them, they had no way to get there.

The thought that these veterans who risked their lives when they were young men and women might never get the chance to see the memorial dedicated to their service bothered Morse. It became his goal to see to it that anyone who wanted to go could go.

As a private pilot and member of the aero club at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH, Morse began asking veterans if they would allow him to fly them on his private plane to the memorial. Many broke down in tears at the offer.

From there, Morse asked more members of the aero club if they would be willing to pay the $600-$1200 cost for the aircraft rental to fly these veterans to their memorial and escort them throughout the trip. Eleven pilots agreed right off the bat without hesitation.

More than 130 veterans made it out to the memorial that first year thanks to the generosity of pilots willing to help out.

Word spread quickly about the program.

Pilots and veterans outside of Ohio heard about Honor Flight and they wanted to take part in its mission.

Jeff Miller of Hendersonville, NC did the unimaginable when he secured the funding necessary so that several veterans could fly together in a commercial airliner to Washington, DC and visit their memorial.

The use of commercial airliners meant more veterans could visit their memorial at one time and both Morse and Miller decided to combine their efforts by starting the Honor Flight Network.

This network streamlined the planning process so that veterans all over the country could be connected with flights out to Washington, DC.

Now, there are 71 hubs in 30 states. In addition, Southwest Airlines donated thousands of free tickets to the Honor Flight Network and was named its official commercial carrier.

The Honor Flight Network also goes beyond its initial focus to get WWII veterans to their memorials. The push behind getting WWII veterans to the memorial lies in the fact that close to 1,000 veterans from that war die every day, so time is of the essence.

However, veterans from other wars who are battling terminal illnesses also get to be a part of Honor Flight at this time.

By the end of the 2011 flying season in November, the Honor Flight Network transported more than 81,000 veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam to their memorials.

Now back to how the Honor Flight Network helps bring peace to veterans.

The late Harry E. Lillicrap, Jr., got the chance to close a chapter of his life when he took part in Honor Flight in the fall of 2006.

Lillicrap was a Seaman First Class in the United States Navy during WWII from 1943-46, but he never spoke about what he did in the war. His daughter, Melody Vallieu, said it was taboo in her family to even mention the war.

Vallieu said her father lost several friends in the war and his own brother was shot down in a plane over Europe and his body was never recovered.

"It was bad for him," she said. "It was something that was just never discussed."

In spite of never talking about his participation in the war, Vallieu wanted her father to take part in Honor Flight so he could receive the recognition for his efforts in fighting for the country that he deserved.

Vallieu contacted Honor Flight to get her father registered for a trip. When she first made contact with them, she was told she would have to wait until the following spring before space would be available. However, Vallieu said she wanted to be able to get her father their sooner.

Thankfully, a spot opened up on Veteran's Day in 2006, and the father and daughter pair set off for what was to be their last adventure together.

All of the trips to Washington, DC last for just a day. Veterans and their guardians aboard a flight, spend the day touring the sites in the nation's capital and, of course, visiting the memorials dedicated to veterans for each of the nation’s wars.

Vallieu said from the moment they got to the airport her day with her dad was incredibly moving.

It was Veteran's Day so many people thanked the veterans traveling for their service. When the veterans got off their plane in Baltimore they were greeted by strangers holding signs up welcoming the Honor Flight veterans and a thunderous applause.

Vallieu choked up remembering what it was like seeing her father smile at the strong reception.

Once at the memorial, Vallieu said she heard her father speak about the war for the first time. She said she was sitting near him, but he didn't see her, so he didn't know she was listening when he began speaking to some fellow veterans about his experience in the war.

"It was amazing to hear about who he was and what he did," Vallieu said. "He unleashed all these memories that he never shared with the family."

Vallieu said that when they left that day, her father looked out the window as they flew over Chesapeake Bay with a soft smile on his face and looked peaceful.

"He looked calm like he had made peace with it and it was a relief to just let it go," Vallieu said.

Once back home in Ohio, Vallieu said her father had the biggest smile on his face even though he was exhausted. She said he told everyone he knew about his experience with Honor Flight and how much he appreciated being able to go.

Lillicrap passed away three months after his visit to the memorial. At his funeral, Vallieu, who works for a newspaper, wrote a special column about Honor Flight and included her father's experience and photos of the trip. She said that people came up to her time and time again during the funeral telling her what a special opportunity it was that she had with her father.

"Honor Flight ended up being the last official thing me and my dad got to do together and nobody can ever take that back from me," Vallieu said.

For more information about Honor Flight or to register for a trip visit HonorFlight.org.

Germs on Commercial Planes

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:13:00 +0000

It's a common occurrence to come down with a variety of illnesses after traveling on a commercial airliner. In fact, it's so common that statistics show that commercial airliner passengers have up to a 20 percent higher risk for catching a cold than non-fliers. But there are ways to avoid this.

For instance, wear a surgical mask while flying commercially. Even jets with circulation systems shut those systems down for brief periods of time during boarding and deplaning. These short bursts of time offer plenty of opportunities for germs to multiply and infect passengers. Wearing a mask prevents passengers from breathing in airborne germs traveling through the stale cabin and from the coughing and sneezing of other passengers.

Passengers should also try not to touch anything, especially the tray tables, overhead compartment areas, armrests, and pillows and blankets. While it's impossible to avoid touching some of these things, after all, passengers need to be able to put their belongings away, it's a good rule of thumb to travel with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes for surfaces. This gets rid of a variety of germs from the common cold and influenza to nastier ones like E coli, MRSA, and H1N1.

Definitely bring sanitizing gels and wipes into the lavatory. Lavatories on commercial airliners are crawling with germs and often times washing one's hands can actually be even worse than not washing as some water tanks on commercial jets are actually contaminated with E coli.

While it's not the intent of commercial airliners to offer such germy conditions, with millions of passengers traveling every day from all corners of the globe, it's just inevitable that flight crews would be unable to thoroughly disinfect each jet after every flight taken in a given day.

That's where private jets come in.

While taking a private jet isn't always an option for some people, for those who can take advantage of this service it is worth every penny.

From a health standpoint, private jets are infinitesimally cleaner. Private jets are cleaned thoroughly between flights. This means every surface is disinfected including the linens and upholstery, so when passengers sit down on a private jet they know that they are not entering into cesspools of germs.

These jets almost always have 100 percent fresh air circulating through them during every moment passengers are onboard, so this cuts down on airborne illnesses and reduces the nasal dryness and swelling that occurs on jets with re-circulated air, which can increase chances for infection.

Additionally, the number of passengers that come through the doors of a private jet are just a tiny fraction of those that fly commercially. Plus, passengers never fly with anyone they don't know (other than the flight crew). This drastically cuts down on the chances of flying along with someone who has either the cold or flu.

Passengers also don't need to worry about the water and food on private jets because in most instances they can bring their own or have it catered by smaller eateries, compared to the mass production companies servicing airlines. Beverages are almost always bottled, including the water.

To find the right aircraft and operator available for your next flight, run a trip request here.

The Mouse

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:36:00 +0000

We are always looking for great examples of private aviation strengthening businesses, and there is arguably no better example than the Grumman Gulfstream 1 the one and only Walt Disney purchased in 1964.

The G1, later known as “The Mouse,” quickly became the most utilized executive aircraft in the world, thanks to almost continuous use shuttling an estimated 83,000 passengers during its service.

Other than Walt himself, the Gulfstream carried former presidents Ronald Regan, Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter. An assortment of other famous faces also used the plane, along with Disney animators heading out on goodwill tours.

For many years, The Mouse carried tail number N234MM. The proper form for air traffic controllers, “two three four metro metro,” quickly turned to “two three four Mickey Mouse” or just “Mickey Mouse.”

While this might have been a well- known Gulfstream, it’s actually the plane's first years in Disney service that are most interesting.

The tail had no mouse on it…instead, one orange stripe, and a generic tail number with no MM included.

It looked like any other plane because Walt used it to secretly identify and survey land in Florida, for what would become his second theme park… and maybe you’ve heard of it…Disney World in Orlando?

Confidentiality was important then just like it is today for a lot of companies.

Before that the G1 took Walt and company from California to New York for Disney’s contribution to the 1964 World’s Fair. One Disney blogger even noted Walt was so inspired by a fly over of San Juan that he included El Morro in his planning of Pirates of the Caribbean…just in planning at the time.

Now that we’ve covered The Mouse in reverse order, let’s look at how it became a part of the Disney fleet.

As we mentioned Disney purchased it in 1964, with the interior custom selected by Walt and his wife Lillian.

The Gulfstream seated 15, featuring a galley, two couches and a desk. Walt was so curious about flight that he added his own special seat in the rear of the plane that had its own air speed gauge and altimeter.

Many years later and after helping propel a company to greatness, N234MM took its last flight in 1992, landing in Orlando and ending up on display at Hollywood Studios…a Disney Park it helped create of course.

Your company might or might not purchase a plane with your logo on it, though private aviation can help achieve greatness today for far less financial commitment. Private charter is a great way to strengthen your business without the investment in an aircraft.

Start a search here to see which of the JetCharters.com operators can here.

Selecting the Perfect Operator

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:00:00 +0000

If you've been following our blog or spent time researching private aviation in general, you've probably read about the many benefits our industry offers.

To begin with, flying privately is the most flexible form of flight. Passengers get to choose where they want to go, when they want to go, and who they want to go with. The trip is tailor-made from beginning to end for the passenger on board so that there are never any surprises or details overlooked.

Once onboard, passengers are free to carry on with their day. They can check email, make phone calls, have a snack, kick back and relax, or do virtually anything else one can do in an office or lounge on land, and that’s because private aircraft are productivity tools.

The aircraft are teemed with technological advances that make it possible for the workday to continue at 30,000 feet. Not traveling for work? That’s fine, too. The technology on board is perfect for watching movies, playing video games, or listening to music.

One of the best parts about flying private is that it offers privacy and comfort for business associates headed to the next meeting or family members heading to the next vacation destination, and there are few things as comforting as knowing the people you’re traveling with.

When it comes to booking your trip, we've spent a lot of time discussing who you should work with, operator or broker. We clearly like connecting you with operators because these are the people who know exactly what they offer, what their aircraft(s) are like, and how they can help meet your flying needs.

So how do you go from planning a trip using JetCharters.com to dealing directly with an operator? Continue reading.

When a customer plans a trip by entering search criterion on the site, a variety of options appear so that customers can select which aircraft are available that will suit their needs. So there’s no need to sift through every aircraft listed on the site hoping to find the right one for the job because we’ve done that for you.

We know which aircraft fits your needs...give it a try here

While the basic information we provide is accurate, and the technology unique, none of it would be possible without the quality operators that populate the Worldwide Air Charter Marketplace.

Over the past few months we have added a number of quality operators and their aircraft to the marketplace. While we have never been the largest when it comes to the number of aircraft, we pride ourselves on only offering the best.

To find the right aircraft and operator available for your next flight, run a trip request here.

Last Minute Charters to Super Bowl XLVI

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:15:00 +0000

Flying into Indianapolis is usually not a big deal, but it's about to be for good reason...Super Bowl XLVI.

Commercial is still an option, even for last minute travelers. Just search airlines for availability and find higher than normal prices, one stop or more for most of the country, and of course a very crowded Indianapolis International Airport.

Charter operators have been planning for the Super Bowl for a while now, though jet charters are still available, even for last minute travelers.

JetCharters.com recently added a number of options to the marketplace, so you do have the perfect solution when flying into the Indianapolis area. Know that there are less crowded airports for this destination, though we will let your charter professional share those options with you. No matter which JetCharters.com partner you select, make sure to communicate with them often so they can help manage your trip.

Ground transportation is already tight but your charter operator should be able to book your ride from the airport to the game and back in advance.

If you prefer catering for your charter flights, get that order in right away. The catering companies are expected to be extremely busy as they will be servicing many more clients than usual.

Accommodations are still available, though limited. In a recent search we found that America's Best Value, a lower end chain, had one room available for upwards of $1,000 per night. The benefit of flying private is that your charter operator can return you home the same night if you prefer not to pay a fortune for sub-par housing.

If you're still searching for tickets, they are available on sites such as StubHub, Ebay, and Craigslist, not to mention those who will be selling tickets at the stadium.

If you're interested in chartering a flight to the Super Bowl, submit a trip request by filling out this form or call 1-866-999-5387.

Top 5 New Year’s Eve Destinations

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:50:00 +0000

With the biggest party of the year just around the corner one can practically smell the champagne flowing, hear the crowds roaring, and feel 2011 fade away as 2012 rolls in. New Year’s Eve is the one night when people everywhere get together for epic parties that nobody wants to miss out on.

Thankfully JetCharters.com just happens to know where the best events are taking place this year so that everyone from your best friend to your boss to your grandma can get together, climb aboard a jet, and rock out to “Auld Lang Syne” as the ball drops wherever you decide to go.

Take a look at these Top 5 New Year’s Eve Destinations:

1. New York City: This is a no-brainer. Every night’s a party in New York so it’s no wonder these folks really know how celebrate NYE. Times Square will be packed with hundreds of thousands of partygoers pulsing with the vibrancy of the city as they await the infamous ball drop. Thousands more will party indoors at the many clubs, bars, restaurants in the area and all throughout Manhattan.

The best thing about spending New Year’s Eve in NYC is that there’s something for everyone. So whether you like VIP bars, hot nightclubs, street parties, or five-star dining you’ll have it made in NYC. There are even options for anyone who wants to skip the traditional partying and choose a healthier route and that’s the Brooklyn Bridge Walk or New Year’s Midnight Run.

Fly in to one of the city’s major international airports or nearby regional airports like Teterboro in NJ and be no more than 45 minutes away from the city that never sleeps upon arrival.

2. Las Vegas: Second only to New York in terms of ultimate party cities, Vegas will definitely bring the action this year. This time of year the infamous Las Vegas Strip closes down to traffic and becomes one of the largest street parties in the world full of celebrities, food, drinks, live entertainment, showgirls, and hundreds of thousands of people.

The hotels, casinos, bars, and restaurants will also be ready to party harder than ever before so that by the time the scheduled 40,000 tons of fireworks go off by midnight it’ll seem tame compared to the rest of the night.

3. Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro: True NYE celebrators know an epic party when they see one and that is why these people are all heading to Rio de Janiero for a Brazilian extravaganza. While most NYE celebrators in the US will be drinking to stay warm in the frigid winter temps, it’s summertime in Brazil.

Tradition calls for partygoers to dress in white to attract good luck and riches for the New Year. Then all these good-luck wishers take the party to the beach at midnight and jump over seven waves and toss handfuls of flowers into the water while making a wish. Afterwards, drenched participants continue to party on the beach, in the streets, or wherever else the night takes them.

People who wish to stay dry in Rio can celebrate at the Copacabana Palace Hotel where an indoor ultimate party will be going on all throughout the night.

4. New Orleans: The Deep South’s slow style hits partygoers like a surprisingly strong drink. The New Year rolls in slowly on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans which is a bohemian area of the old town and favored over Bourbon Street by locals. There will be live bands, rogue brass musicians playing street corners and alleyways, drinking on the street, crawfish and gumbo vendors, and dozens of bars and cafes filled with people celebrating the New Year southern style. By the time the clock strikes midnight and fireworks go up over the Mississippi River, the party will be rocking steady on into the morning.

5. Atlanta: Not to be outdone by a fellow southern city, Atlanta’s famed Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta. This six-block swath of restaurants, nightclubs, and bars begins the NYE celebration at noon and lasts until 4 am. It’s one of the few events in the country where entire families can have fun since kids can participate in the early hours until they’re pawned off on babysitters while adults drink, dance, eat, and celebrate the night away. Live music (including big-name acts), fireworks, and the dropping of an 800 lb peach are all some of the things that make this event one of Georgia’s most popular.

Decided where you want to go yet? Book your jet charter and be fully prepared to welcome 2012.

A Look at the Piper Aircraft Company

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:21:00 +0000

Nowadays, $761 doesn’t go very far. But in 1930 it was enough to buy all of the assets owned by what would later become Piper Aircraft Manufacturing Company.

Back then, in the late 1920s, the Piper Aircraft Manufacturing Co. was a small operation owned by two brothers, Clarence and Gordon Taylor. The company was known as the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation and was located in Rochester, New York.

But the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corp. didn’t last long. Gordon passed away unexpectedly in 1928. Soon after the company relocated to Pennsylvania where there was a larger facility and even some local investors, and Clarence thought the move would bolster the company’s sales. But by 1929 the company wasn’t faring well and filed for bankruptcy a year later.

That’s when Pennsylvania oil tycoon William T. Piper swooped in and purchased its assets for $761. Under Piper’s control, the business was reorganized and renamed Taylor Aircraft Company. Piper kept Clarence Taylor on board as president.

During this time, the nation was in the grips of the Great Depression. Nobody had much of anything, let alone money to spare for private planes, but William Piper had a plan.

He thought that easy-to-operate low-cost private planes could find a market even in the bleak economic situation – and he was right. The company began to flourish, but the good times didn’t last long. In 1935, William Piper bought out Clarence Taylor after the two clashed on what they thought was best for the company. Two years later, the factory was destroyed by a fire and it was forced to relocate.

As it had in the past when faced with adversity, the company – which was now called the Piper Aircraft Company – bounced back quickly after the fire. It relocated operations to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania where it thrived into the 1940s.

After World War II, the Lock Haven facility was no longer sufficient for operations, and the company acquired more property at Vero Beach Municipal Airport in Florida.

The company experienced more success and tribulations over the next few decades. The Lock Haven facility was nearly unsalvageable after massive flooding in the area in 1972. The company lost parts, frames, and production equipment that was crucial to several designs. This flood caused executives at Piper to rethink their operations. It was decided that production of the Piper PA-24 Comanche and Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche would end and the rest of the production on various models would move to Florida so that the Pennsylvania plant could be closed.

While the Pennsylvania chapter of the Piper story was coming to a close, the company began a new one with the opening of the manufacturing plant in Lakeland, Florida.

This move started off small, with just 20 people working at the Lakeland location in 1981. By the end of the year, more than 2,000 jobs were created at the plant. More and more aircraft was produced for private use and commuter airlines, and service centers continued to maintain Piper’s growing fleet.

By the time the new millennium rolled in, Piper Aircraft was a booming aviation company and recognized the world over as a premier producer of aircraft.

But like the rest of the world, Piper Aircraft wasn’t immune to the global economic downfall. Production ceased on many jets and layoffs were necessary to keep the company from falling into insurmountable debt.

However, if the history of the Piper Aircraft Company has taught the world anything, it’s that the company always triumphs in the face of adversity.

Piper Today…

Of the 144,000 aircraft produced by the company, more than 85,000 still fly to this day. These quality jets are all manufactured under Piper’s strict quality assurance guidelines that ensures each aircraft is compliant with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aircraft Certification System Evaluation Program audit.

Although the company employs less now than just a couple of years ago, more than 600 men and women still work for Piper Aircraft Company. These are the people who do everything from maintain the existing fleet owned by customers all over the world, carry out the day to day operations, and engineer the planes of tomorrow.

Piper on JetCharters.com…

It might seem strange to think this Piper Seneca III was among the first charter aircraft on this "jet" featured site, but it certainly wasn't the last since our focus is to always locate the perfect aircraft for any trip. Retail charter consumers will notice various Piper models when searching jetcharters.com for certain trips.

Fly with JetCharters.com for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:37:00 +0000

With less than two weeks until Christmas, now is the time to book travel for your trip home. Holiday travel is always hectic, especially when it involves commercial options. But all of the crowds, last-minute changes and cancellations can be avoided with private jet travel. If your needs involve flying the entire family home (even the dog), traveling with injuries or illnesses, or making multiple stops, jet charter is the way to go.

Flying with Families

If you’ve got small kids, you know that keeping them occupied is important when it comes to peaceful traveling. On private jets, there’s room for the kids to sprawl out, play with handheld video games, color, and do just about anything else kids like to do nowadays. Parents all have the ability to take their children to the lavatory without worrying about the regulations in force on commercial jets that limit out-of-seat time for passengers. Older kids will also be occupied onboard as most jets offer Internet service, TVs/DVD systems, and options for video game plug-ins. Everyone knows that one of the worst parts about traveling is getting hungry and having limited options, but that doesn’t happen on charter jets. Many jets have partial or full galleys so that having a snack or meal onboard is not a problem. Catering is also an option on virtually all flights, so ask about catering options while booking your trip if that is something your family would be interested in.

Flying with Pets

For many people, pets are a part of the family so that means they get to go wherever the family goes. Fortunately, on private jets, dogs fly in the cabin along with their families. Unlike commercial jets where dogs either have to be stowed under the seat or in cargo where virtually anything can happen to them, dogs on private jets live in the lap of luxury.

Extra Care

There’s nothing worse than having to travel while ill or injured, but on a charter jet passengers have all the comfort and space they need. So if you’re flying off to grandma’s for Christmas and need a place to prop up your broken leg and relax, even a lightweight jet will have your needs covered. If you or your family members need extra care (for instance, the elderly, special needs children) the staff on your charter jet will accommodate their needs. If travel is necessary for someone who needs medical assistance onboard, look into an air ambulance. An air ambulance has specially trained pilots and crews that are equipped to deal with medical care. In addition, a passenger’s personal medical staff can travel with the patient (if necessary).

Business and the Holidays

Sometimes it’s not always possible to fully get away from the office, but most jets offer Internet service and ample space to continue working while in the air. If necessary, your trip can include multiple stops so it is possible to have Christmas dinner with the family and then continue on to a meeting in another city. Other

Things to Consider

Depending on where you are going for the holidays, it’s important to think about some factors that will impact your trip. For instance, do you want to make a fuel stop? If not, try getting a larger jet. Are you going to be skiing or playing gulf? Make sure there is enough room on your charter jet to handle the size and weight of the skis or clubs. Overall, taking a private jet this holiday season is the best way to avoid the hassle of commercial traveling and enjoy spending time getting away or visiting family.

Explore JetCharters.com to book your trip now.

Getting to Know Hawker Beechcraft

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:24:00 +0000

The Beginning of Hawker Beechcraft…

To understand the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is to understand Walter Beech.

In 1905 aviation was a concept most people had yet to fully understand. The Wright Brothers shocked the world two years prior with their invention of the first airplane to be successfully flown by man. Their success inspired 14-year-old Beech to build his life around aviation. Using his own design, the Tennessee-born teenager built his first glider.

When Beech grew into a man, his passion for flying grew along with him and he flew for the United States in WWI. After the war, he became a test pilot for Swallow Airplane Company. But being behind the scenes wasn’t the right fit for Beech. He wanted to be a part of the action. In 1924 he teamed up with fellow aviation-enthusiast Clyde Cessna and formed the Travel Air Manufacturing Company.

This venture was successful and gave Beech the confidence he needed to step out on his own and start the Beech Aircraft Company in 1932 in Wichita, KS with his wife Olive. From that point on, Beech and his company experienced series of successes that would later make the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation what it is today – almost 80 years after its first incarnation.

The Early Days…

The Beech Aircraft Company started off with the Model 17 Staggerwing and immediately produced 750 Staggerwings, 270 of which were manufactured for the US Air Force to use in World War II.

After production ceased on the Staggerwings, the most well-known aircraft in the company, the Beechcraft Bonaza, was produced in 1947. This single-engine business jet reportedly has the longest production run of any aircraft in history, even today.

Tragedy struck the company in 1950 when Beech died suddenly from a heart attack. Although his death was sudden and unexpected, Beech had accomplished something many people never experienced. He dreamed of making and flying aircraft of all kinds and that’s just what he did. He came a long way from the adolescent boy who built his own aircraft in the early 1900s to becoming the CEO of one of the leading aircraft manufacturing corporations in the world.

After his death, his wife continued on with the company as CEO until it became a subsidiary of the Raytheon Company in 1980. During Olive’s time as head of the Beech Aircraft Company, many successful jets were produced.

In 1961 the forerunner to today’s Baron G58, the Baron B55, was introduced and became the most popular twin-engine owner-flown aircraft on the market. A few years later, Beech released the Model 90 Beech King Air. This turbopop became the industry’s standard in corporate props and to this day King Air models maintain 90 percent of the market share in their class.

Although the Beech Aircraft Company had yet to become affiliated with the Hawker line of jets, the DeHavilland Aircraft Company, which developed the 125 business jet, was purchased by the Hawker Siddeley Corporation and the 125 series was renamed the Hawker in 1968.

Over the next decade, both the Beech and Hawker series continued to expand, modify, and keep up with technological advances.

Enter Raytheon…

In 1980, Beech Aircraft Corp. became a subsidiary of Raytheon Company. Throughout the ‘80s, Beech Aircraft continued producing airliners, business jets – including the Beechjet, which was a 10-passenger corporate jet that featured the latest technology available. Two years later, Beech retrofitted the old Bonanza line to make it compliant with the safety standards of the time and keep up with consumer demand.

By the end of the decade, the corporation focused more on its ground force than its fleet and relocated its assembly operation from Japan to Kansas and provided hundreds of jobs for locals.

In the early ‘90s, Beech Aircraft’s parent company Raytheon acquired Raytheon Corporate Jets, makers of the Hawker line, from British Aerospace. Beech Aircraft and Raytheon Corporate Jets then merged to form Raytheon Aircraft.

This merger brought the best of Beech Aircraft and the Hawker line together under the Raytheon name, but it wasn’t until 2007 that the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation name was given to the well-established jet manufacturing company. This renaming was a result of its new formation by GS Capital Partners and Onex Partners and signified the importance of the Hawker and Beechcraft brands.

The Ground Force…

Throughout the company’s history and all its incarnations along the way, success has followed thanks to the quality jets and level of consumer satisfaction, all of which can be attributed to the dedication of Walter Beech and the thousands of men and women who helped make the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation what it is today.

Since the company’s inception in the 1930s, more than 54,000 aircraft have been built and more than 36,000 jets and turboprops still fly to this day. Currently, 6,000 people worldwide are employed by the corporation.

These are the people who do everything from engineering to maintenance to customer support. These people work at the company’s facilities in Kansas, Arkansas, the United Kingdom, and in Mexico, with the bulk of the worldwide staff being in Kansas.

Hawker Beechcraft also has more than 100 authorized service centers throughout the world, more than any other jet manufacturing company in the industry.

In light of the current worldwide economic crisis, Hawker Beechcraft signed an agreement with the state government of Kansas in 2010 that would keep its facilities in its hometown of Wichita until 2020 (at least) and retain 4000 employees in exchange for a $40 million incentive package. The deal was inked to ensure the multi-billion dollar company could stay ahead of its debt and continue to maintain consumer and employee satisfaction.

Keeping employees satisfied is something Hawker Beechcraft strives for and that is why anyone who works for the corporation is invited to partake in the company-sponsored clubs and networking groups that are offered after the work day is over so all employees can have a well-balance life of work and leisure time.

The company also offers several diversity initiatives for everyone from the LGBT community to young employees to the many multi-cultural networks of employees. All of these efforts are taken to treat employees with the respect they deserve. This employee satisfaction translates into the superior craftsmanship and care of the Hawker Beechcraft fleet and help makes it one of the leading jet manufacturing companies in the world.

The Hawker Beechcraft Fleet on JetCharters.com…

JetCharters.com is proud to offer Hawker Beechcraft aircraft through its network of quality charter operators. Simply submit a trip request to view Hawker Beechcraft aircraft for charter.

As with our last article on Cessna, there are too many models to list here, though here are a few...

Hawker 800XP
Hawker 700
King Air 90
King Air 200

From Dream to Reality: The Early Days of Cessna

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:43:00 +0000

Before the turn of the 20^th century, a young boy living on a Kansas farm never would have guessed that his passion for machinery would have the capacity to change the world. But it did; because that boy was Clyde Cessna, the founder of Cessna Aircraft Corporation.

In 1910, Clyde witnessed an air show that changed not only his career, but his life. At that time, Clyde was working in the booming auto industry in Oklahoma. He was so inspired by the air show that he went to New York to work for Queen Aeroplane Company. This is where Clyde learned about the aviation industry and aircraft construction.

Clyde stayed with Queen Aeroplane Company for only a short while. He wanted to build planes of his own and so he returned to Oklahoma. He built his first plane out of spruce and linen. It had a two-stroke four-cylinder engine with a maximum of 40 horsepower. Clyde tested this aircraft repeatedly, but failed more than a dozen times. It wasn’t until he tried to fly again for the 13^th time that he finally got his aircraft in the air – albeit only for a moment because he quickly crashed into a tree.

Locals took notice of what Clyde was doing. They didn’t think he would ever amount to much of anything and considered his attempts at flight to be worthless. It wasn’t until he finally flew five miles and had a successful landing that people began to realize that Clyde was onto something.

Over the next few years, Clyde continued pursuing his interests in aviation and in constructing monoplanes. In 1916, he purchased a vacant building where he was able to construct new aircraft to exhibit and provide flight training for future pilots, but this effort was short-lived.

For nearly 10 years, World War I and its aftermath prevented Clyde from continued exploration into aviation. It wasn’t until 1925 that he really went headfirst back into the industry. That’s when he, along with Walter Beech and Lloyd Stearman, started the Travel Air Manufacturing Company. It wasn’t long before this Wichita-based company became a leader among aircraft manufacturing companies. It was known for constructing aircraft with quality craftsmanship and superior design concepts.

But Clyde left the Travel Air Manufacturing Company after two years when his partners did not agree with him over design issues. He started the Cessna Aircraft Corporation in 1927 in Wichita so he could pursue his passion his way.

The first product that Cessna made was the AW. This monoplane could cruise for up to seven hours at 145 mph. From there, Cessna began producing more aircraft, all of which were known for not only their safety and performance, but also their affordability.

Despite this success, Cessna was unable to stay open during the Great Depression. The company filed for bankruptcy and shut its doors in 1931. Clyde thought that the company would never see the light of day again, but just three years later, he reopened.

The Legacy Continues…

The company resumed its successful track record, and Clyde was happy with what he created. In 1936, he sold the company to his nephews and participated in business operations as a figurehead, but spent the rest of his life back on the family farm and flying his many planes.

Even without Clyde actively participating in the day-to-day functions of the company, Cessna became a world-leader in aircraft production.

In 1933, the Cessna CR-3, a propeller-powered racer, won the American Air Race in Chicago. Around this time, Cessna became known for producing planes that were the fastest in the industry. Aviation-enthusiasts swore by Cessna and the orders for the planes came in steadily.

In the 1940s, Cessna entered the big time when the United States Army and Royal Canadian Air Force both placed orders for Cessna T-50s. The combined order called for more than 200 planes, and Cessna ceased commercial production to work on the wartime production needs.

It wasn’t until 1946 that Cessna got back into the game of commercial aviation with their release of the Model 120 and Model 140, the latter of which was deemed the Outstanding Plane of the Year by the US Flight Instructors Association.

Cessna delivered its first big hit, the Skyhawk, in the mid 1950s. This plane was an overnight success and more than 1,400 models were built in its first year of existence. To this day, the Skyhawk remains the most widely produced light aircraft of all time.

By the end of the 1960s, Cessna had produced more than 50,000 aircrafts. It also entered the business-jet market with the release of the FanJet500, which was the predecessor to the Cessna Citation.

Cessna Releases the Citation Line…

In 1971 the Citation made its debut. The release of the Citation was eventually a game-changer for Cessna, but it took awhile before the line reached its maximum potential.

The Citation wasn’t the first business jet on the market. It also wasn’t nearly as fast or powerful as its direct competitor, the Learjet 25. In fact, it was often referred to as the “Slowtation” in the media. This was due in part to the jet’s turbofan engines, which were not as powerful as the turbojet engines found in other business jets. It also had straight as opposed to swept rings, which contributed to its inability to keep up with the competition.

But Cessna engineers were determined to make the Citation a worth competitor. By 1976, the jet was retooled and given longer wings, a capacity to handle a higher gross weight, and it was still able to access shorter landing fields thanks to its thrust reversers. This upgraded jet was given the name “Citation I.” From there, the Cessna Citation Jet corporate line was born, which catered to the burgeoning travel needs of the world’s professional business men and women.

This new market benefitted the company in several ways throughout its history, but when the Citation Jet family was introduced it came right on the heels of a semi-recession which had caused production to slow considerably. Luckily, the corporate market was thriving and Cessna was eager to compete with rival aircraft manufacturing companies.

Cessna’s Ground Force…

Ever since Clyde Cessna started the company it’s always been headquartered in Wichita, which, thanks to Cessna, is nicknamed the “Air Capital of the World.”

This nickname comes from the fact that Cessna has sold more aircraft (close to 200,000) than any other corporate jet manufacturer and the company contributes heavily to the Wichita economy.

Cessna’s corporate headquarters occupies 1,400 acres of land in Wichita where all of its fleet is serviced. The majority of the fleet is also built in Wichita, aside from the Mustang, which is produced in Independence, KS.

The independence facility builds and services the interiors of the fleet. It also acts as a delivery hub for Cessna’s single engine pistons.

Cessna also has a facility in Columbus, GA where single engine pistons are produced and detail parts of business jets are assembled. McCauley Propeller Systems is also located at the facility and produces propellers used in Cessna’s fleet.

Cessna’s only international facility is in Chihuahua, Mexico. This facility opened in 2006 and produces wire harnesses and sheet metal assemblies for the Citation family of aircrafts. This facility also produces single engine piston aircraft.

In addition to the production facilities, Cessna operates Citation service centers all over the US and Europe. These service centers are open all day every day to meet the needs of Cessna’s customers.

Cessna’s Impact…

With all of its facilities and service centers, Cessna employees more than 8,500 individuals worldwide today. But throughout the company’s 84-year history, countless of men and women have built lasting careers while working for Cessna.

It’s one of the few companies that withstood the test of time and stayed strong throughout times of war, economic downfalls, change of ownership, and kept up with technological and industry demands.

Cessna on JetCharters.com…

JetCharters.com is proud to offer Cessna aircraft through its network of quality charter operators. Simply submit a trip request to view Cessna/Citation aircraft for charter.

Cessna’s impact on JetCharters.com is so profound, there are simply too many models to list in this blog. Here are a few…

View more Cessna/Citation profiles on our full aircraft page, or submit a trip request here.

The History of Gulfstream

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:35:00 +0000

In the Beginning: Gulfstream Gets its Wings

It’s the people on the ground that make the reality of what happens in the sky a possibility.

For more than 50 years, the employees of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. have taken a company originally known for its military aircraft production on a journey to become one of the premier corporate jet manufacturers in the world.

That journey began in the midst of the civil rights movement in 1960s Savannah, Georgia when Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. of New York started a manufacturing facility for civilian business jets.

At the time, Grumman was known primarily for its production of military aircraft, but in the late 1950s, the game changed when Grumman executives ordered the production of an aircraft built solely for the American business traveler.

This was the Gulfstream I, a turbo-prop with seating for 12 passengers, a maximum cruising speed of 350 mph at 25,000 feet, and a range of 2,200 miles.

The Gulfstream I was a hit and Grumman ordered the production of 200 Gulfstream I aircrafts. These turbo-props were of the utmost quality and had the ability to withstand the test of time.

To this day, Phoenix Air operates 13 of the original model and 19 other Gulfstream I aircrafts still take to the skies 50 years after it was first designed.

With the success of the Gulfstream I and in an effort to improve efficiency in the 1960s, Grumman divided the company’s military and civilian aircraft production into separate factions. Military operations stayed in New York while production for the Gulfstream I and all future civilian passenger aircraft moved to Savannah, GA.

This move to the south proved beneficial for Grumman in a variety of ways. A skilled workforce ensured that production of the aircraft would never be halted; the land where the new plant went up was right next to an airfield perfect for flight testing and training; and there was ample room in the surrounding acres to expand the facility as needed (which would come in handy as the millennium drew near).

Furthermore, the southern weather was a stark contrast to that of the New York climate where the company was founded. Gone were the snowy winters and bitter cold that could impede flight testing and training.

Savannah itself also benefited from the move and continues to do so. It brought steady work to an area that was in the throes of the civil rights movement. Up to 90 percent of Grumman’s employees were locals and by 1967 Grumman’s staff of 100 grew to 1,700. Even now, manufacturing companies like Gulfstream account for 25 percent of Savannah’s core industry and provide thousands of jobs for local residents.

Flying into the ‘70s and ‘80s

Changes and growth within the company continued into the 1970s when Grumman merged with American Aviation Corp, a light-aircraft manufacturer. By 1977 more than 250 Gulfstream II had been delivered. It was then that Grumman sold off the entire Gulfstream line and the plant in Savannah to American Jet Industries, a company operated by aviation entrepreneur Allen Paulson.

With the new company name of Gulfstream American, Paulson immediately began tackling the project of coming out with the Gulfstream III. He wanted a jet that could fly farther and faster than any of its predecessors.

By 1979, Paulson’s goal was met and the Gulfstream III was in the air. A year later it earned the distinction of being the first jet to fly over the globe’s north and south poles.

Like the jets themselves, the Gulfstream company began to pick up speed in the 1980s. On the heels of the success of the Gulfstream III, the company debuted the Gulfstream II B. The Gulfstream II B had the weight, wings, and performance advantages of the Gulfstream III, but the fuselage of the Gulfstream II.

With its ever-increasing fleet, work orders continued to pour in and more and more aircraft was produced. When production on the Gulfstream IV began, the need for more and more employees rose. In 1982, 2,500 people were employed by Gulfstream, which at that point was renamed Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. This name change was done to signify the corporation’s worldwide scope and continued expansion.

That expansion included Gulfstream’s foray into becoming a publicly traded company when 8.8 million shares of its stock were offered to the public. Soon after, Gulfstream made its debut on the Fortune 500 list at No. 417.

With so much activity in the skies, different industries began to take notice of Gulfstream. Chrysler Corp. acquired Gulfstream in 1985 in a move to cash in on the booming high-tech industry and diversify. This effort by the car giant was short-lived and Chrysler sold Gulfstream back to Paulson in 1989.

Once again under Paulson’s control, Gulfstream thrived.

The ‘90s and Turn of the Century

In the 1990s, the company entered into a five-year contract with jet charter and fractional ownership company, NetJets. It also completed testing on the Gulfstream V, which became the first ultra-long range business jet ever manufactured. The GV was first delivered in the summer of 1997 and within just a few months it had broken dozens of speed and distance records set by other jets.

Like each decade in the company’s past, the new millennium brought about more change and another acquisition of the company. General Dynamics, a leader in the defense industry, acquired Gulfstream with the intentions of enhancing performance and lowering costs.

One of its first orders of business was the opening of a $5.5 million aircraft refurbishment and completions support facility in Savannah. In addition, four maintenance facilities were purchased in Dallas, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and West Palm Beach. These facilities became service centers utilized for the maintenance and repairs of Gulfstream jets and other corporate aircraft and were dubbed the General Dynamic Aviation Services.

This growth became a trend in the early part of the new millennium as the Savannah plant continued to expand. The expansion included a service center, fuel farm, paint hangar, and sales and design center. A Research and Development Center was also open. Combined, these expansions generated close to 2,000 more jobs.

Shortly thereafter, a second Research and Development Center was opened to accommodate another 150 engineers.

All of this expansion was necessary as the Gulfstream fleet continued to expand to include a large fleet of ultra-long range, long range, mid-range, and high-speed aircraft. Gulfstream is scheduled to release the ultra-large cabin ultra-long range G650.

Along with growth, customer service continued to be of the utmost importance to the company and it still is today. The first international service center was set up at the London-Luton Airport to service aircraft abroad. On a local level, a specially equipped Gulfstream 100 was developed to provide airborne support to service the Gulfstream fleet in North America and the Caribbean. This development meant that if there was any problem with any aircraft in the fleet then service could be provided almost instantly.

This level of quality and care is what customers have come to expect from the company that considers itself the world-standard in aviation. Perhaps that is why in spite of the world’s economic downturn, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. continues to grow.

Gulfstream Today

In spite of the economy, travel needs have not changed, especially among those who partake in private aviation. The need – and desire - to forego commercial flights remains a popular choice for both business professionals and leisure travelers.

According to Gulfstream’s corporate communications manager Heidi Fedak, sales in the second quarter of 2011 were the highest they’ve been since 2008.

Fedak said that the large cabin and ultra-large cabin aircraft models are doing well in terms of sales, especially in the overseas market which accounts for 70 percent of orders booked in the first half of 2011. Fedak said of those orders, 50 percent came from customers located in Asia.

In addition, North American sales doubled between the first and second quarters of 2011, which indicates that the market is coming back in the United States.

Yet none of this would be possible without the 11,500 employees that work at the seven major locations across the globe night and day to manufacture these world-class jets.

Gulfstream’s Fleet Available on JetCharters.com

Submit a trip request on JetCharters.com and you will often find Gulfstream aircraft available for your trip. Here are a few featured aircraft from Gulfstream:

Private Aviation and the Global Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:02:00 +0000

With private aviation in political crosshairs, we felt it necessary to take a long and detailed look at how the industry and its many members contribute to the global economy.

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world work night and day to manufacture, maintain, and operate the corporate jets that take passengers all over the globe every day.

They are the ones who do everything from building the actual aircrafts to maintaining and flying them in a safe environment.

These people are the ones you’ll never come across on a flight. They are the behind-the-scenes force that enables an important industry to thrive.

In a series of articles on the JetCharters.com blog, we’ll be looking at manufactures, charter operators, and every other industry that makes this industry tick.

Sure, we may throw in shameless promotion for JetCharters.com here and there, but we hope you’ll enjoy the ride. Stay tuned for our first featured post

Update: Wednesday, October 26th

Our first blog post about the industry is now live, featuring Gulfstream. Check it out here. Enjoy the read and leave comments if you have flown on any of their work.

Update: Thursday, November 17th

Our second blog post in this series went live today. To read all about Cessna, click here.

Update: Monday, December 1st

Next up....Hawker Beechcraft. This is an aviation site but what a good history lesson this series is becoming.

Free Catering on Your Next Flight

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:29:00 +0000

There’s an old adage that professors of economics like to throw around that says “there is no such thing as a free lunch.”

Well, on one hand, those professors are right. If you get something for free you can bet that somewhere along the line someone shelled out a couple of bucks for whatever it is. But there’s no need to get into semantics when all you really want to do is enjoy a good deal and that’s just what JetCharters.com has in store.

During the month of October as our gift to you, the first five customers to book or schedule a flight will receive a $250 catering credit from JetCharters.com. It doesn’t matter who you book your flight with so long as the flight is booked with a JetCharters.com approved operator.

This means that you can forget about munching on some potato chips while sipping a soft drink on your next flight waiting for it to land so you can get a good meal. Catering allows for the good meal to be brought on board so that you can eat whatever your heart desires while flying to your destination.

Check out an earlier blog: Catering on Private Jets to find out more about in-flight catering.

To take advantage of this offer, simply email support@jetcharters.com with the details of your trip, including the operator you booked with. If among the first five to do so before the end of October, we will arrange to pay the first $250 of your catering charges.

Now back to the economics lesson. While our gift to you is by no means free considering you need to book travel in order to receive it and your catering costs could go over the credit we’re offering, it’s still a great way to go about your business and maybe even get a free lunch along the way.

If you have questions regarding the free catering offer or need help finding the right charter, contact us here or call 1-866-999-5387.

Optimizing Private Travel

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:38:00 +0000

In spite of the rocky global economy, travel needs don’t change. Those who depend on private aviation continue to rely upon this method of travel no matter what the cost. But there are ways to maximize the most out of every dollar spent on your trip so that even the budget-conscious can still take to the skies for their travel needs.
Keep reading this blog to learn how you can save thousands when planning your next trip.

To begin with, when searching for a charter, first know who you’re dealing with before making contact. If you’re new to the game, ask colleagues who they use or recommend. Going at this blind can result in a less than optimal charter experience.

Chances are you will be contacting either a broker or a charter operator. While there are good brokers out there and travelers benefit from using the right one in certain situations, be cautious. The Internet makes it possible for anyone with a few bucks and a cell phone to start up a pretty website with stock pictures of planes. These people want nothing more than to make money off of your travel needs and will not go the extra mile to ensure that the passengers’ requests are met.

Reputable brokers will work with customers so that their specific needs can be met, but finding a reputable broker can be difficult because charter customers often won’t know until after their trip is over that the broker did not come through with all that was promised. Overall, contacting a middle man, especially the wrong one, can add to your trip cost since they usually mark up flights by thousands of dollars.

For a more in-depth explanation between the two please read one of our previous blogs posts: Operators v Brokers.

The biggest mistake charter consumers make comes in aircraft selection. It’s commonplace for charter requests to come in for a specific aircraft, which may or may not be the right choice for the trip itself. Just because you like a specific plane, have used it on a previous trip, or have heard its name used in marketing material, that doesn’t make it the right fit for the next flight. Taking a second look here could save you a fortune.

Ask these questions to book a trip that fulfills both your wants and needs.

How many passengers will you have? This may seem like a basic question, but all too often private jets take off with a number of empty seats. There are some reasons to have empty seats, such as long-haul flights where fuel stops are not an option, or when a lot of cargo adds significantly to weight restrictions. Still, make sure to select an aircraft that fits your needs with as little waste as possible.

Are you willing to make a fuel stop? Large aircraft often fly cross country with lots of unused space simply because they can make the trip without a fuel stop, which is something many passengers request. Light or mid-sized aircraft are cost-effective solutions if you are willing to deal with a fuel stop. Read more about “The Not-So-Dreaded Fuel Stop” from an earlier blog post.

Is a jet the right option for you? That may seem like a silly question coming from “JetCharters.com” though prop power plays a huge role in the marketplace and rightfully so. Turbo props like the King Air and Pilatus are much more cost effective for short trips when compared to the comparable jet. Pistons can handle short trips with hourly rates that are beyond affordable when compared to both.

With a general idea of which aircraft fits your next trip, it’s time to compare options in your area. Simply enter your trip details here to review options. Check the box next to each aircraft of interest and soon find out which qualified provider has the best price.

If you have questions regarding anything in this blog or need help finding the right charter, contact us here or call 1-866-999-5387.

Featured Aircraft: Learjet 60

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:22:00 +0000

The Learjet 60 begs just one question: Where do you want to go?

With a range of 2,405 nautical miles, the Learjet 60 is the perfect aircraft for those looking to charter long-range trips with eight or fewer passengers. Thanks to its class-leading low operating cost it also remains a solid option for short to mid range trips and that alone makes this jet a go-to aircraft for virtually any occasion.

The Learjet 60’s price, power, and size aren’t its only selling points. Comfort abounds on this jet with its spacious stand-up cabin featuring first-class décor with supple leathers, precious wood veneers and fine fabrics. In addition to the leisurely surroundings, passengers also benefit from having a full galley equipped to handle all catering needs. A fully enclosed lavatory also provides the privacy desired for passengers.

Take a video tour of the Lear 60XR:

Once in the air, the Learjet 60 can climb up to 51,000 ft to get above weather and out of heavily traveled lower flight lines. Its Pratt & Whitney power plants give it an unmatched climb rate, and a high speed of 536 mph. Needless to say, the Learjet 60 will speed passengers to their destination with ease.

JetCharters.com is proud to offer the Learjet 60 for charter from a number of locations and operators. Simply click here to view the Learjet 60 fleet or build your itinerary here.

Fractional Jet Ownership v Private Jet Charter

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:50:00 +0000

If private aviation could be summed up in one word it would be this: Options. You have the ability to fly when you want, with whom you want, where you want and on an aircraft that fits those three preferences like a glove. It’s a business tailored to the needs of the consumer every step of the way.

In a series of articles on JetCharter.com, we will go through the ins and outs of private aviation, beginning with fractional jet ownership.

Fractional jet ownership is exactly what it sounds like: You, along with up to 16 other individuals, buy partial ownership of a specific aircraft. Think of it as a timeshare for jets where each owner is guaranteed the right to use the aircraft a specific amount of hours per year. Acquisition cost of a share is the pro-rated cost of the entire aircraft, which is at or at times above market value. The entry level, and most commonly exercised option, is a 1/16 share. So, if the value of the plane is $10 million dollars, the acquisition fee is $625,000. Simply change the aircraft value and or your share to find your cost of acquisition.

As with everything in life there are pros and cons, so let’s start with the benefits of fractional ownership.

To begin with, while you own and may fly on your specific plane, many fractional providers have diverse fleets owners have access to. Larger planes, smaller planes...fractional providers can often provide the perfect aircraft for any trip with little notice.

In addition, if you fly to one destination without a return flight, you will only pay for time in the air. This can be more cost-effective than charter options which would charge for the need to return the plane to its base. This benefit is huge on longer flights, especially those spanning continents.

This the benefit is based on the total hourly rate you are paying by dividing up your total cash outlay in the fractional deal divided by the number of hours you are flying. This is all based on assumptions because you do not know (a huge risk) how much the plane’s resale value which is your share of the acquisition cost returned will be at the end of the term.

There are, of course, a few cons of fractional jet ownership.

Let’s start with the overhead. The acquisition costs are just the tip of the iceberg. As with any kind of ownership, there are costs that many people overlook. With fractional jet ownership means there is a monthly maintenance fee component that covers everything from the maintenance itself to insurance to pilot salaries. These costs can easily be five figures per month even when you’re not using the plane. There is also an operating hourly component that for the most part includes fuel cost and landing fees.

Another con is that fractional ownership requires owners to sign a contract binding them to the aircraft for 2-5 years, so this is no commitment to take lightly. Even when you can sell, keep in mind you are actually selling a now older aircraft that has probably decreased in value. Selling ownership typically has to be done through the provider and they often do charge remarketing fees.

Frequent fliers needn’t worry if fractional jet ownership isn’t for them; there is another option in the realm of private aviation and that is private jet charter. Chartering a private jet is similar to fractional jet ownership in that it enables passengers to fly when they want, where they want, with whom they want, and on whatever aircraft they want, but there is no ownership involved – and with no ownership involved that means the cost is greatly reduced.

Passengers booking charters pay only for the trip itself (and any additions like catering onboard if that is not already included in the charter price). These flights are tailored to the needs of the passenger, so if you want a particular service all you have to do is ask for it.

The total cost includes maintenance, insurance, pilots, fuel, and landing feeds so there are never any additional fees to crop up after a trip.

One possible negative with jet charters comes when one-way flights make up the majority of travel. Hourly rates tend to be higher than round trip due to the need for operators to add “repositioning” fees if the plane must return home empty. Charter customers pay for that empty leg of the flight whereas fractional owners simply go about their business. Fractional can still be more expensive though depending on the provider's rates and the specific trip. Sometimes charter might be cheaper even in flying the plane on a return empty trip.

So the choice is yours: fractional jet ownership or private jet charter. Both have their advantages, both have their drawbacks, but either way, they provide an elite form of travel for the world’s busiest people.

If fractional ownership is something you’re considering, check out FlexJet and NetJets. If private jet charters are more your style, consider reviewing your charter operators by entering your itinerary here.

The Importance of Smartphones Today

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:21:00 +0000

In today’s global economy, there’s no such thing as working 9 to 5. The world is a 24 hour place and nobody knows that better than corporate executives who need to be plugged in, signed on, and ready to tackle the next big project. Thanks to next generation smartphones, the office is always at your fingertips no matter how far away you are.

Since the BlackBerry’s debut in the late ‘90s, smartphones have dominated the business world. They brought high-tech into the office and made it easier for executives to send a forgotten email while sitting in rush hour traffic or having a drink after work.

But now, the variety of newer options allows us to create and edit documents, invoice customers, check market performance, book travel and even play games during down time. There are very few tasks you can’t complete with smartphones on the market today and that is something the on-the-go corporate traveler requires.

Business aviation consumers now demand access to flight options via their smartphones, and JetCharters.com is here to provide that solution.

The JetCharters.com application makes arranging private aviation easier by allowing one click access to aircraft near their current location, or by searching cities or airports. Consumers also have instant access to discount one way flight availability and the latest in industry news…including this blog feed.

The JetCharters.com app is currently available on the iPhone and any DROID powered device. If you have either, download the app by visiting: http://www.jetcharters.com/mobile or by searching for “jetcharters.com” in your phones marketplace. There is no charge for the app.

If you have specific questions about planning a charter flight, just a general private aviation question, or would like to share your experiences on this topic, please feel free to contact us here or by posting a comment on this blog.

Finding Your Air Charter Partner

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:46:00 +0000

In an effort to always provide the highest level of service to my own charter clients, I like to get out in the airports and FBOs and talk to charter flyers. Regardless of the business you are in, the only way to really know what your customer wants is to hear it directly from their mouths. In my hours and days at airports, conducting such research, I was actually surprised at what seems to be the number one concern among newer charter clients. It wasn’t concern about aircraft types or pilot experience. It wasn’t even about price. The number one concern among newer charter flyers was how to know that they are dealing with someone reputable, knowledgeable and honest.

If you are new to charter, you might not yet have that one trusted source for all your charter needs. You want the ability to shop price and aircraft types, but also shop among reputable jet charter operators and brokers. Well, as we live in a “buyer beware” world, I suppose there is no easy answer to this, but there are a few common sense things that you should consider.

First off, most operators and brokers are in business to provide a superior experience, keep you safe, and ensure your return business. Though there are a lot of bad seeds out there, they are typically the exception to the rule. When dealing with someone for the first time, ask your charter operator or broker representative a lot of questions about themselves and their firm before doing business. It surprises me how often people with ask for price quotes, but don’t ask anything about the firm quoting the trips. There is no better teacher than experience, so I do recommend working with an individual or firm that has been around for a while. How long have they been in business? Who provides their financial backing? If dealing with an individual, are they just there to get a commission from you, or are they personally involved in the aviation community? Maybe he or she is a former or current pilot, aviation mechanic, dispatcher or airline executive. Members of the aviation “family” will be able to contribute much more to your experience than those who are not. Don’t do business with someone you wouldn’t want to be friends with. Remember, you are putting your safety and that of your family, colleagues or clients in this person’s or firm’s hands. Take that seriously.

When dealing with an operator or broker, spend a little time talking about safety. It’s great if they rattle off the name of the two biggest third-party safety firms, Argus and Wyvern, but does it stop there? Is that all they know? Ask when that Golden-Platinum-Ultra-Titanium safety rating was issued. Have there been any changes such as change in the Director of Operations since then? Are there any new aircraft and pilots on certificate since the safety rating was issued? The third-party safety agencies are a great place to start, but the best operators and brokers, go well above and beyond the safety stamp companies with standards of their own that complement or even better that of those agencies. When was the last time the person you are speaking to actually saw the aircraft being quoted? Did their firm have someone sign off on it to ensure it is fit for the client, or did they simply rely on third-party information?

Get references. I would not book a charter with someone I didn’t know, without asking to speak with some of their other clients. This might be time consuming or even awkward, but I have seen charter broker companies write their own testimonials and post them on a webpage. Speak with a couple of their actual clients. Once you build trust and have had a few good experiences, offer yourself as a reference for their new clients. There is no better way to know about a company, in any industry, than by word of mouth.

Once you have been through this process a few times, you will find your reliable and trusted source for all your charter needs. I usually recommend becoming very familiar with one of the operators at the airport you most often utilize, and one or two reputable charter brokers. This will give you the confidence of shopping savvy, while not constantly taking chances on unknowns.

If you have specific questions about planning a charter flight, just a general private aviation question, or would like to share your experiences on this topic, please feel free to contact me via this form or by posting a comment on this blog, or email kevin@jetcharters.com.

Aviation Tax Suspension Clarification

noreply@blogger.com (Jet Charters) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:26:00 +0000

You may have heard that the laws surrounding the collection of certain aviation taxes have expired and are not currently applicable. I have received several calls and emails on this and there seems to be some confusion surrounding the topic.

Here is the official line from the IRS. “The laws authorizing the airline ticket tax and other aviation-related taxes expired at midnight on Friday, July 22. The IRS continues to monitor pending legislation related to this issue. The IRS will continue to work with the airline industry to address issues related to the collection and payment of the taxes involved. Taxpayers do not need to take any action at this time. The IRS will provide further guidance on this issue in the near future.”

What does all that mean? Well, whether an airline ticket or a charter flight, there are certain federal taxes charged on those flights. Since Congress adjourned for the weekend on Friday, July 22, they did not pass another extension of the FAA reauthorization legislation. This means that the authorization to collect these taxes expired as of July 23. Until they are reinstated by congress, the following federal air transportation excise taxes do not apply to transportation beginning on or after July 23, 2011:

The 7.5% tax on the base ticket price
The domestic segment tax of $3.70 per person per leg
The international travel facilities tax of $16.30 per person for flights that begin or end in the US, or $8.20 per person for a flight that begins or ends in Alaska or Hawaii, and
The 6.25% tax on the amount paid for transportation of property by air

Airlines and charter operators are not authorized to collect these taxes until Congress introduces legislation that reinstates them. I have seen several operators, charter broker companies, and travel websites suddenly running around and waving a big “book now no tax” flag. Be cautious though. When dealing with the government and taxes, they always get their money. It is unknown how long until Congress addresses this issue. It is also unknown how they will handle this period of time where taxes were not collected. Some believe that the taxes, once reinstated, could be retro-active.

I’ve been asked if someone who booked on or before July 22, for a flight on or after July 23 can be issued a refund of the itemized taxes. If you have ever found IRS tax code to be vague, then this will be no surprise to you. “Passengers who have paid for tickets on or before July 22, 2011, for travel beginning on or after July 23, 2011, may be entitled to a refund of the tax.” Airlines and charter companies are permitted to refund the tax, but there is no direction as to how to go about this or any indication that an airline or operator must refund the tax. You will probably not have any problem getting a refund of these taxes from a reputable carrier. The language also looks as if there will be a method of receiving a refund of those taxes directly from the IRS, but a process for that has not yet been established. Just look at your charter quote or airline ticket receipt closely and make sure that there is not a line item for any of the above mentioned taxes.

As with most other topics that I write about in this space, working with a knowledgeable and reputable operator or broker is the best way to stay in the loop on this tax issue and avoid confusion. There are many other challenges in front of congress at the moment, so it is unknown how long this situation will last.

If you have specific questions about planning a charter flight, just a general private aviation question, or would like to share your experiences on this topic, please feel free to contact me via this form or by posting a comment on this blog, or email kevin@jetcharters.com.