Private Aviation Advisors

For some high net worth families who could afford private jet travel, many of them went for first-class commercial flights. I have met those that could afford it but considered chartering a waste of money. Why spend 15,000 to fly from New York to Palm Beach when you can get a first-class ticket for $1,500. But there are plenty of folks who appreciated the many luxurious benefits of flying private and they have no regrets about spending the money.

Covid-19 has changed all of that. In recent months there has been a new interest in flying private and the industry has experienced a new increase in both jet charters and ownership options.

There is no safer place to be than a private jet that has been sanitized and with the only occupants being you and your chosen few. The pilots have been tested, trained, and are experienced in delivering an ultra-safe environment. Not to mention the added security of avoiding public airports, and TSA checkpoints. It’s hard to put a value on the ability to step out of your car and onto your jet with very few interactions with the public.

For first-time private jet flyers or those needing an update, the world of private jet travel has gotten complicated. Many years ago, the options were pretty simple. Buy your own jet and figure out how to manage it, or, charter a jet for your next trip. Today, your options include charter brokers, fractional ownership, jet cards, membership plans, jet partnerships, and buying and managing your own jet.

Choosing a private jet option is a daunting task. There are many different fractional jet companies, about 200 different jet card offers, over 1,200 aircraft operators offering jet charters, and too many brokers to even measure. Each of these options comes with a litany of legalese, strange terminology, expensive financial commitments, hidden costs, and unexpected financial risk. Recently a jet card company filed bankruptcy. They had over $50 million in pre-paid jet cards sold and those cardholders may lose it all. It is a buyer beware free for all and while most private jet flyers have fabulous experiences, there are some pitfalls to avoid. Illegal charter operators are out there in even bigger numbers preying on the novices to the private jet world.

You need a trusted advisor to give you guidance to navigate this big complex world of private jet travel. Just like your tax guy, your attorney, and your doctor you need a good advisor to get you the best value with the least amount of time and effort on your part. Decisions involving large sums of money, complex machinery requiring highly trained professionals, and government regulations are the perfect scenario for missteps. The only people offering advice today are those who are selling you a service. Jet brokers will try to sell you a jet, fractional companies will tell you a fraction is the way to go and even some pilots will be happy to offer you advice.

For example, we recently engaged a client who took some advice from a retired airline pilot. The pilot had access to a very nice jet, and he was experienced in flying it. He made a deal with the client whereby the pilot would fly the client in exchange for the client paying for fuel maintenance and a fee to the pilot. What the client didn’t know, is that this is an illegal charter and violates Federal Aviation Administration laws. The pilot could have gotten into serious trouble but what is even more concerning is that the client is also liable for breaking the law. The client was shocked when he learned of his exposure to law-breaking and the destruction it could cause to his reputation and the civil penalties involved. Not to mention that the entire operation fell outside of the purview for safety. The good news is that nothing bad happened. We did a client profile taking into consideration every aspect of his mission and his financial situation and determined that he was better off buying a jet. The combination of the tax benefits, the income from charter revenue, and making a smart purchase made his flying less expensive than the illegal charter that he was involved with before we met

For those who are entering the world of private jet travel for the first time, we have developed a process to provide the best advice. The personal interview is where we gather all the data regarding your private jet needs. We need to know your typical travel needs,

• Business or pleasure or combinations?

• How many passengers?

• How much baggage would you like to take?

• Do you travel with pets?

• Special needs?

• Are there destinations with limited runway capacity?

• Are your schedules flexible or are they determined in advance?

• Do you prefer to have the same crew for familiarity?

• Are there cabin features you must have?

When we have a good understanding of your travel profile, we will process the information and provide you with specific advice. After we have determined the best way for you to access the private air travel world, we will do a market search to find you the best companies to deal with. Once we have selected the charter broker, jet card provider, fractional company, or jet acquisition company, we will perform the necessary due diligence to make sure they meet all of the standards required. In some cases, for example, we may recommend that you use a combination of ownership and charter to fulfill your mission goals. We will assist with completing all of the paperwork and requirements necessary to establish a relationship with the company and monitor their performance. At all times making sure you are getting the private jet travel experience that you expected. It’s like having your own jet travel expert on call 24/7.

To learn more just call or email.