Private Aviation Industry News

Rise, a Dallas-based all-you-can-fly membership charter service, expanded its Beechcraft King Air 350 service to the entire Texas Triangle this week by adding eight more scheduled flights between Houston and Austin. It started service with the eight-passenger turboprop twin last month on the Dallas-Houston and Dallas-Austin routes. The Rise-branded King Air is operated by Monarch Air, a Part 135 charter operator based at Dallas’ Addison Airport.

“It’s no coincidence that the ‘Texas Triangle’ is the starting point for Rise to create a new standard for business travel,” said Rise CEO Nick Kennedy. “There’s never been anything quite like Rise in Texas, and we’re seeing in real time what happens when you take the stress out of air travel and give people huge chunks of time back in their lives.” Rise memberships, which start at $1,650 per month, are available in Houston, Austin, Midland and Dallas. The company offers three levels of individual memberships for its all-you-can fly model. It plans to offer “Rise Fun Flights” to Austin, Texas; Vail, Colo.; and other destinations on weekends.

Article Courtesy AINOnline.com

Skyjet, an air charter broker and holding of Directional Aviation, announced the release of the Skyjet app for iPhone. The app is the first of its kind in the private jet charter industry to integrate with Apple Pay, allowing users to book a private jet with a touch of the finger.

“We’re extremely proud to see Apple Pay take flight with the Skyjet mobile app, which creates an unparalleled booking experience for travelers that’s faster, safer and more efficient than traditional charter booking.”

Skyjet brings a seamless booking experience and provides users with an intelligent MPR (Market Price Range) tool for real-time price estimates. Within seconds of entering a user’s desired trip itinerary into the app, price estimates are displayed on-screen based on current market pricing and what other clients recently paid for their trips. Users also have direct access to aircraft specs, a detailed trip itinerary and instant access to a Skyjet dedicated aviation expert.

“The Skyjet mobile app bridges our 18 years of industry experience, smart technology and exceptional service to make the process of booking private jets as smooth as possible,” said Skyjet’s President Greg Richman. “We’re extremely proud to see Apple Pay take flight with the Skyjet mobile app, which creates an unparalleled booking experience for travelers that’s faster, safer and more efficient than traditional charter booking.” Security and privacy is at the core of Apple Pay. When you add a credit or debit card to Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on your iPhone, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element on your iPhone, and each transaction is authorized with a one-time unique dynamic security code. To celebrate the launch of the mobile app, Skyjet is offereing the first 50 new clients to book a trip with the Skyjet app an Apple Watch Sport* or iPad Air.

Flexjet is a holding of Directional Aviation, along with Sentient Jet, Flight Options, Nextant Aerospace and several other private aviation holdings.

Flexjet LLC yesterday announced that it has accelerated deliveries of the Gulfstream G450™ business jet in response to heavy market demand. With the accelerated delivery schedule, six G450s will be flying in the Flexjet fleet by the end of this year, bolstering Flexjet’s ability to serve international routes nonstop.

“With the G450, G650 and other advanced new aircraft entering our fleet, we are well-positioned to meet the needs and expectations of today’s fractional fliers.”

According to a release from Flexjet, the G450 is part of an order Flexjet placed in October 2014 for up to 50 aircraft, also including the G500™ and G650™, from Gulfstream’s iconic line of business jets. Through its close partnership with Gulfstream, Flexjet will closely monitor demand and collaborate with the manufacturer to accelerate deliveries and exercise any of the additional 26 options whenever possible. “Since we took delivery of our first Gulfstream G450 aircraft in June, the response to these new long-range aircraft has been so robust that we have asked Gulfstream to move up delivery of our next two G450 aircraft to this fall, rather than mid-2016, as previously agreed to,” said Flexjet Chief Executive Officer Michael Silvestro. “Our sales for the year are up 20 percent and the marketplace clearly is hungry for extended-range products from Gulfstream. Stepping up our delivery schedule will help us to satisfy this appetite.”

The entry into service of Flexjet’s version of the G450 positions Flexjet as the only fractional provider offering the newest and most advanced version of this aircraft, featuring the LXi cabin design and configuration. Capable of being configured to carry up to 16 passengers, the G450 can travel 4,350 nautical miles/8,056 kilometers with eight passengers, easily enabling nonstop trips from the U.S. to European and South American destinations. Fortune 500 corporations and other large business flyers, including flight departments in need of supplemental capacity, have shown the strongest interest in the G450. Editor's note - Currently 43 Gulfstream G450's are available for charter in the US, with 22 different charter operators.  All 43 are available and shown in air charter directory service FlightList PRO. “In the fractional jet industry, you hear a lot about orders for new planes being delayed or cancelled – not accelerated. Not only have we had strong demand for the Gulfstream G450, but we also are seeing tremendous enthusiasm for the G650. We are pleased to be able to take delivery of the G650 early next year, making us the only fractional provider offering this aircraft,” said Chairman Kenn Ricci. “With the G450, G650 and other advanced new aircraft entering our fleet, we are well-positioned to meet the needs and expectations of today’s fractional fliers.”

In addition to the Gulfstream G450 and G650, Flexjet will be the North American launch customer, and exclusive fractional provider, for the Gulfstream G500 expected to be delivered in 2018. The G500 will offer the finest in speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency. Outfitted for 12 passengers, the G500 will be capable of flying 5,000 nautical miles/9,260 kilometers. Gulfstream’s G450, G500 and G650 will become part of Flexjet’s LXi Cabin Collection, which also includes the Learjet 75, the Challenger 350, Bombardier’s Global Express aircraft and the Embraer Legacy 450 and Legacy 500.

Today at KVNY Van Nuys Airport a celebration was held for the return of customs service at the airport.  It's been 8 years since customs was removed from local airports and centralized only at LAX. A new US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility opened two months ago as part of the Signature Flight Support west FBO.  Signature paid around $225,000 to build the new customs addition which includes an interview room, inspection room, office space and security features.  The celebration today was attended by many local officials, airport association officials and the President of Signature Flight Support. Local air operators, pilots and aircraft owners are happy to see international clearances return to Van Nuys. "The addition of CBP services at VNY will add significant convenience for travelers entering the United States from abroad," said Curt Castagna, president of the Van Nuys Airport Association, an airport tenant organization that supported the launch of customs service. "Clients will be able to fly directly to VNY without an additional stop at another airport to clear customs." In addition to saving private jet travelers time and money, the service will benefit the environment by reducing emissions from repositioning flights and decreasing overall operations within the Los Angeles basin’s congested airspace.  Although customs service is available at Los Angeles International Airport, regional general aviation airports have been without CBP service since 2007 when support was withdrawn. Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director for Los Angeles World Airports said, "Having U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services at Van Nuys Airport is a great example of how local support can produce improved services at airports across the country. Working with our partners, Signature Flight Support and the Van Nuys Airport Association, Los Angeles’ business airport will now be even more appealing and convenient for international travelers."

Charter Operator Prime Jet announced yesterday it is now offering point to point pricing with its 16 passenger G-V, with international and Domestic Wi-Fi. The 2000 G-V is floating between South Florida, New York, Southern California and Europe, available for reduced one-way pricing. This is the only Gulfstream V available for point to point pricing, and joins the company's G-IV in point-to-point pricing in the U.S. The full array of 13 floating fleet operators and 208 aircraft is available in the FlightList PRO Floating Fleet section. Prime Jet operates 9 heavy jet Gulfstreams for charter.

The National Transportation Safety Board released preliminary aviation accident statistics for 2014 showing a slight increase in fatal general aviation accidents, which increased from 222 in 2013 to 253 in 2014.

The overall number of general aviation accidents decreased slightly from 1,224 in 2013 to 1,221 in 2014. Despite reporting fewer accidents, the accident rate for general aviation aircraft increased from 6.26 per 100,000 flight hours in the previous year to 6.74 in 2014.

There were 28 accidents involving Part 121 operations (commercial air transport).

The number of accidents involving scheduled Part 135 (commuter) operations decreased from seven in 2013 to four in 2014.

"The On-demand Part 135 accident rate decreased from 1.30 per 100,000 flight hours in 2013 to 1.02 in 2014."

On-demand Part 135 operations, which include charter, air taxi, air tour, and air medical flights, reported 35 accidents in 2014, down from 44 in 2013. The accident rate decreased from 1.30 per 100,000 flight hours in 2013 to 1.02 in 2014.

The 2014 statistical tables showing accidents, fatalities and accident rates for major segments of U.S. civil aviation can be found at: http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/data/Pages/Accident-data-review.aspx

Update 8/7/15: Membership-based private flight service Beacon, announces they are launching service September 15, with unlimited access to its fleet for prices starting at $2,000 per month, with flights between Boston and New York, as well as seasonal trips to Nantucket and the Hamptons. Reservations, changes and cancellations can be made as little as 20 minutes before departure, the company says.  Surf Air, based in California, operates its own Pilatus PC-12 turboprops, but Beacon has partnered with charter operator Dynamic Aviation, based in Virginia. Under its $400 million agreement, Beacon says, Dynamic will deliver 27 mid-sized executive aircraft over the next three years, and is contracted to maintain and operate the aircraft for Beacon over the next 10 years. Dynamic Aviation will provide commuter passenger services on an exclusive basis to Beacon. "We are excited to announce this partnership between Dynamic Aviation and Beacon," said Wade Eyerly, Beacon's CEO and co-founder. Prior news post 2/11/15: Former Surf Air CEO Wade Eyerly and his co-founders have started a very similar private flight operation called Beacon.  The new subscription service, Beacon passengers will pay $2000 per month for unlimited flights on a maximum 10-passenger aircraft.  Different from Surf Air, Beacon does not own or operate its own aircraft, instead it connects is members with certified air carriers.  Typical aircraft are similar to the Pilatus PC-12 and Beechcraft King Air 350i.  Cities served for the launch include New York(White Plains) and Boston, with seasonal service to Nantucket and the Hamptons. story info courtesy Avweb by Mary Grady

Charter Operator Solairus Aviation has added new to charter, N117WH, a low time 2006 Learjet 45XR which is based at KDAY Dayton, Ohio and is currently available. The aircraft features Wi-Fi on board, forward galley with microwave oven, cabin climate control, and seating for up to 8 passengers in the desirable Learjet 45 double-club configuration. This is Solairus' first Learjet 45 model for charter.  Solairus operates 37 aircraft for charter based throughout the U.S., 13 of which are available ONLY in FlightList PRO. The full Solairus fleet is a diverse variety from the King Air B200 executive turboprop to the new Gulfstream G650 long range jet.

A Cincinnati couple became the first people to receive the ultimate in Delta upgrades: from commercial airplane to a private jet. Bruce and Jeanette Rogovin are Delta SkyMiles Medallion members and were originally booked on a Delta flight from the Cincinnati airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, until they received an email the night before their Friday flight offering an upgrade to a private plane.

The couple, who were traveling to Atlanta to visit their son, were upgraded to a Falcon 2000, a large cabin jet that seats up to 10 passengers. They even had their own flight attendant, who provided them with complimentary champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and lunch during the flight. The couple said they loved the roominess of the private jet. "I would have to say that it was the most relaxing, enjoyable flight I've ever had," Bruce Rogovin said. "From the lack of lines to the spacious, beautiful cabin, everything was truly enjoyable." Delta Private Jets President Erik Snell and David Sneed, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Delta Private Jets, were on hand in Cincinnati to greet the first passengers, and accompanied them on their flight.

The program is offered by Delta Vacations and allows Medallion status passengers traveling on select Delta commercial flights to upgrade their tickets to travel via Delta Private Jets. Customers are contacted via email and offered the upgrade for an additional fee, which includes transportation to and from the private airport and the main commercial terminal, and complimentary on-board catering. “Delta Private Jets is proud to operate this innovative program offered by Delta Vacations and Delta Air Lines. As the only Part 135 operator (offering non-scheduled charter flights) in the United States owned by a major airline, we are uniquely able to operate such a program,” said Sneed. “Delta Private Jets was the first private jet operator to offer the convenience of a Jet Card (see below) and continues to revolutionize the industry with new products such as offering Delta Air Lines Medallion customers elite access to private jet travel.” Source: Delta Air Lines