privatejet

Top Class Turboprop: The Daher-Socata TBM 850

Filed under: Wings

Taking advantage of the burgeoning interest in top-drawer turboprops, seen by many to be a more economical alternative to jets in tough times, comes the $2.8 million Daher-Socata TBM 850 (above). The stylish plane, the product of a merger between Socata, founded in 1911, and French aerospace firm Daher, offers the advantages of the cruising speeds typical of light jets, but with the economical direct operating costs of a single-engine turboprop. And of course it's a lot cheaper. Equipped with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A engine offering responsive handling and sporty performance, the TBM 850 can climb to 31,000 ft in as little as 20 minutes, fly over 1,400 nautical miles, and slip into a 2,000-ft. airstrip or a mountain runway. It accommodates six people including pilot and co-pilot in its luxurious, air-conditioned cabin.

[via JamesList]

Tags: aerospace, Daher-Socata, jet, plane, private jet, PrivateJet, turboprop

Blue Star Jets Launches ShareAJet Exchange

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Wealth

Blue Star Jets, one of the world's largest private aircraft charter brokers, has just launched the world's first online marketplace for travelers seeking to minimize costs by sharing private jet flights - the ShareAJet Exchange. The Exchange enables travelers to share flights to similar destination; if a trip to the desired destination is not already posted, clients may upload their own travel plans with the aim of matching that with another traveler. The idea for the program was hatched this past fall, when with the economy suffering a significant downturn Blue Star Jets' clients began inquiring if they could share private jet flights in order to maintain their luxury lifestyles.

Just as Blue Star Jets centralized the charter business, eliminating the necessity for fractional jet ownership for many clients, the ShareAJet Exchange will again lower the barrier of entry into the marketplace as it brings down the cost of private aviation by nearly 50% according to the firm. Like Blue Star Jets' regular programs, which link up 4,000 aircraft worldwide via its network of charter companies, the ShareAJet Exchange offers access to every category of aircraft, from light, mid, and heavy jets to airliners, helicopters, and turboprops. The company's motto is "Any Jet. Any time. Any place."

Tags: Blue Star Jets, BlueStarJets, jet, private aviation, private jet, PrivateAviation, PrivateJet

Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350i

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

The new Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350i (above) is an updated, luxury version of a turboprop plane that's been a big seller since 1964. The economic crisis has caused many corporations to consider swapping expensive jets for more efficient and less costly turboprops like the classic King Air. Beechcraft has added in luxury features and finishes found on much more expensive Hawker business jets to make the $6.6 million King Air 350i a competitive choice. It's billed as is the most luxurious, most comfortable and most capable turbine aircraft ever offered in its class, period. The company compares it to a Range Rover - very refined with rugged underpinnings and exemplary safety features. With the most flexible and technologically advanced cabin ever introduced in a twin turboprop, the plane can ferry 9 passengers in the morning and then be reconfigured into an ultra-luxe VIP shuttle for 2 that same afternoon.

Tags: Beechcraft, business jet, BusinessJet, Hawker, Hawker Beechcraft, HawkerBeechcraft, jet, plane, private jet, private plane, PrivateJet, PrivatePlane, turboprop

Flexjet Nabs Honors in Robb Report

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Fractional jet firm Flexjet picked up props from the Robb Report in its 21st "Best of the Best" issue last month. A great way to keep the prolies away when you travel, this Bombardier-backed company offers "debit cards" for private jet access, so you can buy what you need rather than take on the hefty burden of maintaining your own bird. Both the Flexjet 25 Jet Card and Bombardier Skyjet program got nods from the magazine beloved by the world's wealthy.

Fred Reid, President of Flexjet and Skyjet, was obviously psyched about the results, saying, "By offering a full range of award-winning aviation solutions – from whole aircraft management through our Flexjet One program to fractional jet ownership, jet cards and charter – we are uniquely positioned to help companies and individuals best meet their changing needs."

A few new programs have been announced to give jetsetters more options. The revamped ""Walk Away Lease" program comes with a lot of the perks of fractional ownership ... but you can ditch it with only 90 days notice. And, roundtrip travel comes with a 15 percent discount.

The Flexjet 25 Jet Card is available in 25-, 30- and 35-hour increments and allows card-owners to choose how many days they want access: 275, 325, 355 or 365.

Tags: aviation, fractional jet seat ownership, fractional ownership, FractionalJetSeatOwnership, FractionalOwnership, private jet, PrivateJet

$157,000 Bottega Veneta Alligator Luggage Set

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you travel by private jet, there's no need to worry about your luggage getting beaten up in transit. Hence you can use a set of beautifully handmade cases crafted from the world's finest exotic leather. At least, we assume that's the rationale behind Bottega Veneta's outrageously opulent set of alligator skin luggage. The six piece set, which includes three suitcases (small, medium and large), a beauty case and a duffle bag, costs $157,000; the pieces are also available individually, ranging from $23,000 to $47,000. All are finished in noce fume rich brown soft-finished alligator skin and feature burnished metal hardware with reinforced corners and locking mechanisms. And of course if you're traveling by private jet you can afford it.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: alligator, Bottega Veneta, BottegaVeneta, exotic leather, ExoticLeather, luggage, private jet, PrivateJet, suitcase

Coastal Jet Service Makes The Cross-Country Slog Easier

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

I've got to admire the bravado of a company launching any kind of air travel in this economy. New York-based Coastal Jet Service offers daily non-stop flights between New York and Los Angeles. Travelers can book and pay for individual seats on flights on a Citation X jet. The jet flies from the private aviation area of Westchester County Airport to a private FBO in Burbank, California.

The jet has eight leather fully-reclining club seats and the service includes individual multimedia stations with TV and DVD functionality, onboard cocktails, gourmet meals, and a heated baggage compartment. The speed of the jet reduces the flying time between the cities from an average of six hours to four hours. The flat rate one way rate is $4,600 with one percent of each ticket sold donated directly to the St. Jude's charity. Future Coastal Jet Service routes will include Miami, Dallas, and Las Vegas in the first quarter of 2010.

Source

Tags: jet service, JetService, private jet, PrivateJet

Executive Private Jet Usage Up In 2008

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

You'd think that last year would have marked a new low in private jet usage. But a new study from an executive compensation evaluation firm, Equilar found that Fortune 100 CEOs used jets more last year than in any of the previous five years. The value of CEO airplane perks 2008 rose from $141,477 from $109,743 a year earlier making it the highest value in five years. Part of the increase was the rise in fuel which lasted through last summer but it also reflects the fact that private jet travel isn't really going anywhere. Companies are cutting back but especially those at the the top are still using the corporate jet partially because of safety concerns and partially because it's perceived as a waste of an executive's time to spend an afternoon waiting around at the airport. Many companies have cut back but they certainly haven't stopped entirely. Use of a corporate jet is also one of the things offered to potential executives as a major perk in certain companies. The study is interesting but will likely be more telling is the results next year. After a full year of scrutiny and cutbacks I wonder what those numbers will reflect.

Source

Tags: private jet, PrivateJet

Times Are Good For The Private Jet Repo Man

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Ever wonder what happens when private jet owners can't pay the bills? Salon has a piece on Nick Popovich of Sage-Popovich, Inc., a firm that repossesses private jets. Popovich could easily write a book about his adventures. He's wound up in jail and faced down threats and all sorts of dangers in order to get planes out of the hands of those who can no longer afford them. The economy has been unkind to the wealthy lately and as you might expect, Popovich's business is booming. His specialty is jumbo jets and he has repo-ed 1,300 of them earning six-figure fees in the process. The jobs vary in level of difficulty, he's flown around the world to chase down private jets and recently was charged with retrieving 240 corporate helicopters from a chain of flight schools. The article makes for fascinating reading and Popovich sounds like a ready-made lead character for a thriller, an adventurer with a cool head and quotes like "It's like a giant chess game, and the stakes can be your life."

Source

Tags: jet, nick popovich, NickPopovich, private jet, PrivateJet, repo man, RepoMan, sage popovich, SagePopovich

Air Miles Andy Strikes Again

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Celebrity Shopping

Up next on the private jet hot seat is Britain's Prince Andrew. The royal whose love of flying by private jet has earned him the unfortunate moniker of "Air Miles Andy" is currently under fire for a three-day trip to Azerbaijan that cost British taxpayers an estimated £60,000.

Prince Andrew chartered a Dassault Falcon 9000 to fly with a bodyguard and two officials to promote British business in the ex-Soviet nation. Some say that he should have used a scheduled flight even though he went as an ambassador for British interests. The visit as well as the flight raised concerns according to an article in the Daily Mail. Prince Andrew's close relationship with President Aliyev and many visits to the country have led some to speculate that Andrew has personal business interests in Azerbaijan. The Queen opted earlier this year not to get a private jet because of the poor economy.

Source

Tags: air miles andy, AirMilesAndy, azerbaijan, england, prince andrew, PrinceAndrew, private jet, PrivateJet

Oprah Champions The Joys of Private Jet Travel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Usually Oprah is the voice of the middle class but this weekend in a speech to Duke University's graduating class, she let her wealth show. She told the students that it's "great to have nice homes." She also loves her private plane and said "anyone that tells you that having your own private jet isn't great is lying to you."

She's right of course and like Robert Frank said in The Wealth Report, it's nice to see someone being honest about the perks of wealth, of which the ability to travel wherever, whenever, in perfect comfort is one of the best. Now we just need to see Oprah say this on her show which she likely will not do for fear of alienating her core audience. With all of the bashing the private jet industry has gotten lately and the resulting fall out, causing the loss of thousands of jobs, the industry could use a little help. The NY Times recently noted that many former private jet users are changing their travel strategies due to both monetary issues and the pervasive feeling that private jet travel is now somehow wrong. Oprah has always had a soft spot for the underdog and right now the private jet industry finds itself in that position.

Source

Tags: duke, oprah, oprah winfrey, OprahWinfrey, private jet, PrivateJet

"Give It Up to Live It Up" with New Zealand Luxury

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Auctions

Check eBay next week for an online auction. The 19 leading luxury tourism companies in New Zealand (New Zealand Luxury) are coming together to offer an amazing travel deal for the starting bid of only NZ$1 (only 50 cents in the United States). Each participant is estimated to have donated NZ$1,500 (US$855) worth of travel goods and services for this effort – for a total value of NZ$33,000 (almost US$19,000).

So, what does the winning bid get you?

Come out the other side of this 10-day auction a winner, and you'll fly on a private jet to New Zealand, stay in private villas and upscale hotels for four weeks and dash around the country on helicopters and in chauffeur-driven cars. You'll even get to hit the water on a private yacht.

The largesse from the top bid will go to the Untouched World Charitable Trust, the non-profit arm of the Untouched World clothing brand – which is kicking in NZ$2,000 (more than US$1,000) in apparel for this auction.

Save the planet, and treat yourself as you demand to be treated!

Tags: auction, auctions, chauffeur, ebay, helicopter, helicopters, luxury travel, LuxuryTravel, new zealand, NewZealand, private jet, PrivateJet, yacht, yachts

Cessna Cuts Jobs, Scraps The Citation Columbus

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

The slowdown in the private jet industry has doomed, at least temporarily, Cessna's most promising new plane. Cessna has announced drastic measures to trim expenses including laying off an additional 2,300 people,lengthening the summer production stoppage, suspending its Citation Columbus program and closing its Bend, Oregon plant. The Columbus program was still in the developmental stages but it would have been the fastest and largest jet in the Cessna fleet with a range of 4,000 nautical miles. It was supposed to be ready in 2014 and state and local governments in Kansas had allotted millions in incentives to entice Cessna to build the production plant in the state. The Wichita Eagle reports that the money will be repaid through increased payroll taxes.

The private jet industry has shrunk dramatically in the wake of several key factors, last summer's fuel price spike, the recession, and a public outcry that has led corporate jet users to decrease their reliance on private jet travel. While last year Cessna planned to deliver around 500 in 2009, it is now aiming at producing around 300 planes. The company has received a flood of cancellations for planes that were slated to be delivered over the next couple of years.

Tags: cessna, citation, columbus, jets, private jet, PrivateJet

The Bad Economy Means No Jet For The Queen

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Celebrity Shopping

Last year we first heard that Queen of England was private jet shopping. But now The Sun says that the Queen won't be picking up her own 12-seat plane after all. The global economic crunch is being blamed. The Royal Family was to take possession of the jet this year but Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth has announced that the Royal Family will fly on RAF planes until April of next year. This is the second time the Queen has missed out on getting her own plane, Prime Minister Gordon Brown already canceled a plan to buy three private aircraft for the government which would have been used by the Royal Family as well.

Source

Tags: planes, private jet, PrivateJet, queen elizabeth ii, QueenElizabethIi

Royal Bank of Scotland Canceled Its Private Jet Too

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

For once a bank story that doesn't involve a U.S. bailout. The Royal Bank of Scotland is yet another troubled bank that had to surrender a plane. It reportedly canceled a $45 million order for a Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X business jet last fall.

This is the same type of plane that Citigroup ordered and then did not take possession of after censure from the White House.

The cancellation took place right around the time that the British government gave the bank a £20 billion bailout and took a majority stake in the company. The private jet was to have been used by the now ousted chief executive, Sir Fred Goodwin who also received a £16.6 million pension, part of which the government would like him to return.

Gallery: Corporate Jets For Sale

Source

Tags: corporate jet, CorporateJet, dassault aviation, DassaultAviation, private jet, PrivateJet, royal bank of scotland, RoyalBankOfScotland

The New $8 Million Emivest SJ30 Jet

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Emivest Aerospace is now taking orders for the SJ30 (above), billed the world's fastest, longest range and highest flying light jet. The $8 million SJ30 recently set a new world speed record from London to Dubai, doing the trip in just 7hr 7 min including a fuel stop in Istanbul. Emivest was founded late last year when the Emirates Investment and Development Company acquired an 80% interest in US-based Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation, named for aviation pioneer Ed Swearingen. The luxurious single-pilot certified six-seater can retain sea level cabin pressure at 41,000 ft., reducing jet lag, and can fly more than 2,800 miles nonstop at speeds of up to 630 mph.

Tags: aviation, Emivest, Emivest Aerospace, EmivestAerospace, jet, private jet, PrivateJet, UAE

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