Posted by Michael Krantz on Mon, Aug 30, 2010 @ 02:05 PM
An upcoming “Big Boys’ Toys” event that will be held in Abu Dhabi is expected to attract top aviation customers around the world. The four-day show at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will take place February 2-5, 2011. Big Boys’ Toys comes at the right time as the business jet market is heading towards an incline in the region and UAE . The business jet market is poised for steady growth with orders of more than 200 units expected to be delivered to the region by 2015. Currently, the Middle East region accounts for approximately 6 percent of the global business jets market. Demand for another 400 units is expected in the next eight years as the market continues to grow tremendously. The Middle East, especially the United Arab Emirates, has experienced significant demand for private charter flights as business executives continue to travel both to domestic and international destinations. The exhibitors aim to meet the needs of high net worth customers and owners of private jets. The event will offer companies the ideal platform to highlight the latest offerings in services and jet models to the wealthy and top business executives.
Demand for helicopters has also risen in Dubai and the surrounding region for a variety of jobs including emergency rescue, sightseeing, security services, and VIP travel. With the expansion of oil and gas exploration in the Gulf, helicopters are able to travel and provide supplies to offshore rigs. The Dubia Helishow, which is the Middle East’s largest trade show for the helicopter industry will be taking place November 2 to 4 of this year. The helicopter event will feature the latest offering from leading helicopter manufacturers and suppliers of specialized technologies and services from around the world. The Middle East plays an important role in private aviation, providing critical capabilities to international customers and helping drive the global supply chain for aviation products and services.
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Posted by Michael Krantz on Fri, Aug 27, 2010 @ 11:40 AM
After seeing a huge increase in demand from private flights, St. Kitts will be constructing a new private jet terminal. Construction of the multi-million dollar private jet facility at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport is scheduled to start in February of next year (2011). The project will be developed in several phases starting with an FBO (fixed base operator) which will include a VIP lounge. The FBO will be between 1,000 and 1,500 square meters. There will also be around 350 square meters of office space. The private jet terminal will be designed with state-of-the-art features that will include top class amenities, a business center, and related offices and facilities. One of the main themes of the terminal will be environment friendliness. The designers are hoping to spark a new movement for the island and private aviation. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by August of 2012. The initial investment will be in the region of US $6 million and will require domestic and international expertise in order to complete. UK based Veling Aviation Limited Consultant, Michael Dingemans, stated, “The principal objective is to build a product that can only enhance the country and its reputation as a premier tourist destination. This in turn will attract further foreign direct investment.” The new addition to St. Kitts will mark a significant step forward in the transformation of tourism on the island.
Posted by Chris Patten on Wed, Aug 25, 2010 @ 06:09 PM
AOL Travel reported on their blog on August 13th about the rapidly rising fees for airline travel. Did you know some airlines are now charging you for carry on baggage and at least one airline is now charging more for seats closer to the exit of the aircraft—ostensibly to make the boarding and de-boarding process quicker. At Magellan Jets we know that you don't want to have to worry about endless fees and charges tacked on after the face. We always quote you all-inclusive pricing so you know up front how much your charter flight will cost. Voyager jet card members take it one step further by including complimentary ground transportation and catering! When you book empty legs with several passengers you can sometimes fly for less than the cost of first class tickets (not even counting bag fees, seat fees, and booking fees!) Live chat with us, call us at 877-550-JETS, or email us at info@magellanjets.com for more information!
We're beginning to sound like a broken record. It was just in May that we last examined the extra fees increasingly imposed by airlines, and they are at it again. New fees, part of a practice dubbed "unbundling," include peak travel surcharges, fees for standby, early boarding, and seat assignment, many sneakily hidden in the overall fare. The Department of Transportation estimated that now airlines present passengers with more than 100 additional fee options. So what do you need to know before you book?
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Posted by Chris Patten on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 @ 01:43 PM
The FAA places very stringent safety measures on any new aircraft. A new type of jet (Gulfstream G550, Bombardier Global Express, Cessna Citation X, etc) must meet many requirements for test flights and performance under extreme conditions. Not anyone can build a plane and have it certified to carry paying passengers! There are many safety steps that have to be taken when a new jet is being tested, but here are some of the biggest (and most interesting!)
Get a Design Approved
Before you even start building new aircraft manufacturers like Boeing or Cessna have to ensure that they can meet the FAA’s standards for the process of actually building the new aircraft. The FAA likes to see that you have the proper equipment in place and the right training and safety procedures to keep errors from happening when new jets are being built. If you’re using new fabrication methods (a new type of welding or creating a new composite material) then those methods have to be tested by themselves before you can use them for a new aircraft!
Perform Ground Tests
Before the new aircraft leaves the ground for the first time it has already been heavily tested. Test pilots spend a lot of time taxiing the jet at low and high speeds checking for stability, controllability, and handling characteristics. They'll test the engines by throttling them up to full and then pulling them back quickly to make sure they won't quit. They also make many mock-takeoffs—accelerating to takeoff speed and then stopping as quickly as possible to test the brakes and see how quickly the new jet can come to a stop.
Complete Flight Tests
Once you build your first test aircraft—and often it takes many years and many millions of dollars to do so—you begin a rigorous series of test flights to examine every aspect of the new jet’s characteristics. This gives the manufacturer a chance to figure out all the data that goes into the aircraft’s flight manual. Pilots refer to these flight manuals every time they fly to perform the calculations necessary to go safely and efficiently. Many aircraft have well over 1000 hours of flight test time before they’re certified to carry passengers!
Perform Systems Tests
When you’re cruising comfortably at 45,000 feet, you want to know that the jet you’re on is going to stay comfortable! Test pilots take new jets up to high altitudes to run the systems through a gauntlet of challenging conditions. They make sure the cabin will stay pressurized (very important since the air at 45,000 feet is more than 5 times thinner than the air at sea level) and at a comfortable temperature. They also make sure things like the lights, the flat screens, the window shades, and the sound system all function the way they should. During this phase the pilots also check all their systems like autopilots, flight instruments, and de-icing equipment.
Pass Safety Tests
We’ve all heard that airplanes are the safest way to travel, but have you ever wondered why? After all when you’re flying on a private jet you’re travelling in a metal tube 8 or 9 miles above the ground at close to the speed of sound! The secret is the tough safety testing done on any new aircraft coming into the market. Test pilots check everything from stall speeds (when the aircraft is going too slow for the wing to produce lift) to performance during engine failures to how to fly the aircraft if all the electrical systems stop working. During this phase of the test process they develop procedures for every kind of emergency so that future pilots don’t have to come up with solutions in a real emergency! The procedures they develop maximize safety even in hazardous conditions and every pilot trained on that aircraft learns these procedures by heart!
This is just a snapshot of everything involved in taking a new jet from concept to design to product. The process, which has been developed since the airmail pilots started flying for hire in the 1920s, is centered on the idea that safety and reliability can be achieved in the inherently risky world of aviation. Add on the crew training and safety inspections, along with reliable third parties like ARG/US and Wyvern, and you can be confident that your next charter flight will be safe, efficient, and comfortable!
Chris Patten is an FAA licensed commercial pilot and a Flight Support Specialist for Magellan Jets.
Posted by Michael Krantz on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 @ 09:05 AM
An exclusive three-day private jet exposition catering to China’s elite was held this past weekend at the Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai. A Gulfstream G450 was on exhibit the first day of the event, allowing visitors the chance to see a cutting-edge private jet.
The China Business and Private Jet Expo featured a display of private jets, demonstration flights, and exhibition pavilions. It was the first show of its kind on the Chinese mainland. As it's economy rapidly grows, China is trying to prime the market for a massive increase in demand that will open airspace for private jets in the near future.
Magellan Jets has great relationships with several private jet charter providers that can operate to and within China. We are excited to be available to such a rapidly developing area of the aviation community.
Posted by Michael Krantz on Tue, Aug 10, 2010 @ 04:27 PM
A New York judge granted bail for Steve Slater, a JetBlue flight attendant who is accused of cursing out passengers on the airplane’s public-address system. It was also reported that the flight attendant grabbed a handful of beer from the galley, pulled down the emergency slide, and made a daring escape onto the tarmac. Slater was arraigned this morning in a Queens’s courtroom on charges of criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and trespassing.
Police and prosecutors claim that the 38-year-old airline industry veteran lost his temper Monday afternoon when a dispute broke out between him and a passenger. Apparently a rule-breaking passenger defied requests to stay seated then accidentally hit Slater in the head with her luggage near the beginning of the flight. When the plane landed in New York, the woman was angry at the fact that her bag was not readily available. The female passenger became outraged and began to curse at the flight attendant. Prosecutors said that at some point, Slater abruptly and angrily addressed the passengers on the plane’s intercom. JetBlue Airways Corp. made a statement claiming that they are working with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and Port Authority Police in an ongoing investigation. They also said that the safety of its customers and crew members were never at risk.
It is frightening enough to have a fight break out on a plane and it is even more frightening when it’s with one of the flight attendants onboard. Every passenger wants to have the best experience possible while flying, why should they have to deal with all that chaos? Here at Magellan Jets, we can guarantee that a situation like this will never occur on your private jet charter. We make sure that the flight attendants onboard have the necessary skills and traits to make you feel comfortable and safe. Fly private with Magellan Jets and you won’t have to deal with another commercial airline quandary!
Posted by Chris Patten on Mon, Aug 09, 2010 @ 08:16 AM
Did you know thousands of private jets are flying on empty with full tanks of fuel?
Empty seats, that is!
There are a substantial amount of private jet charter flights that are booked one way. Other times, an aircraft will fly empty to pick up passengers. With an estimated 3.4 million flights in 2009 crisscrossing or even leaving the country, the potential for an empty cabin—known as an empty leg flight—is tremendous.
By now you must be thinking aircraft owners must hate empty legs. You’re right. They make flying more expensive, waste fuel and take away from recovering the cost of owning an aircraft. With rising fuel prices empty legs can make some trips profitless and impractical.
Without someone willing to buy the aircraft’s return trip, what’s an owner to do?
Wait.
That’s right. They hang out at the destination—sometimes for days. They, in this case, includes the flight crew. Paying the flight crew to go to dinner and lounge at the hotel is expensive, but not as expensive as an empty cabin at 30,000 feet.
In the past, an airplane would fly passengers to their destination, refuel and return. That’s now history. With today’s soft private air market and rising fuel costs, owners will bend backwards to find and accommodate a customer to pay for the ride back.
That could mean modifying the return trip, say to a nearby destination, so that at least some of the trip is compensated. Or, potential travelers may be offered a deep discount, sometimes up to 50 percent off the usual fixed fare.
Empty or not, the private jet must eventually return to its base to fly other trips. So there’s lot of incentive to negotiate.
By now, you must be asking “So how do I take advantage of this?”
With all the waiting and dealing going on, the data base of empty legs is larger than ever, but there’s just one portal to accesses this information. That portal is on the Magellan Jets Web site. Go to the Web site, scroll down, click View Empty Legs and be prepared to be overwhelmed. Magellan Jets has the industry’s exclusive software designed to search and display empty legs.
The site displays hundreds of empty legs going to some of the most popular destinations—Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Boca Raton and Nantucket—and featuring every aircraft from Beech Barons to Gulfstreams. You can search for trips by location and date, both domestically and overseas. When you locate a leg that suits your needs, complete the request form and submit it. A Magellan flight specialist will assist you with the details and pricing.
The whole transaction from the time the customer requests an empty leg to any negotiations and special requests takes just a few minutes, according to Anthony Tivan, Magellan Jets president.
Magellan Jets will even auction some of the most popular routes and destinations for its members—but not on the courthouse steps. Magellan Jets takes routes with fixed costs and allows charter companies, owners and flight departments with Part 135 certificates to bid for your business, sort of like several banks competing for your mortgage with ever better rates and points. That drives up competition and drives down prices, so members benefit by saving thousands of dollars.
Everybody wins. The traveler saves a bundle. The aircraft operator avoids a loss and Magellan Jets makes a sale.
Posted by Michael Krantz on Thu, Aug 05, 2010 @ 08:10 PM
It is always sad to hear of a pet’s death, especially when it’s unexpected. Authorities are currently investigating the deaths of seven puppies on a recent American Airlines flight. Flight 851 was headed towards Chicago when it experienced a one hour delay before taking off from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Directory of corporate communications, Mary Frances Fagan, said that the flight had 14 dog kennels on board that were “bound for other locations”. When ramp workers began the process of unloading the dogs, they noticed that the animals were unresponsive. The animals were taken from the airport to a local veterinarian, where they were announced dead. American Airlines transports over 100,000 animals every year and their website details the rules of pet travel. Unless your pet is small enough to fit in your carryon bag, he’ll have to be kenneled in the cargo area of the aircraft.
Here at Magellan Jets, we know that your pets are loving and enduring animals. We always want to ensure the best experience for you and your dog. We pride ourselves on providing pet friendly charter flights where you can be with your loved one at all times. Arrangements for doggy baskets, toys, and proper bedding are always recommended to make your dog happy and comfortable, and we’re happy to help accommodate any request. If needed, we are also happy to arrange for stop over during your charter flight so that your dog can walk around, get some fresh air, or use the bathroom. Your pets are your family, and when you arrange a charter flight through Magellan Jets we’ll make sure they’re treated that way.
Posted by Michael Krantz on Wed, Aug 04, 2010 @ 04:42 PM
Mark Wahlberg was in Hingham, Massachusetts last night to host a local premier of his new action comedy, “The Other Guys”. The premiere was well attended with over 600 guests, fans and celebrities. Attendees to the event include former Patriot Teddy Bruschi, Boston Bruin Milan Lucic, and ‘The Fighter’ Micky Ward. Magellan Jets was also there as an official sponsor and could be seen on the backdrop of the red carpet event. Wahlberg was very compassionate about the event because it helped benefit the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, a local charity that benefits inner city youth . Critics and fans only had positive things to say about the movie, saying it was a blast and they couldn’t stop laughing. There was also a VIP after party at Alma Nova, a new eatery owned by Mark’s brother Paul, and named for their mom, Alma. The weather was incredible and everyone was delighted to be there. Check out the link below to see what it was like!
http://bit.ly/9qTwS1
Posted by Chris Patten on Tue, Aug 03, 2010 @ 07:58 PM
EAA’s AirVenture 2010 just finished in Oshkosh, WI. The annual convention, trade show and fly in was attended by over 500,000 people last year and hosted over 750 exhibitors and 10,000 aircraft, including many from the business aviation sector. The event was held, as always, at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. This airport is a popular destination for corporate and charter flights to the area as it’s well serviced, well maintained, and friendly to the needs of on-demand travel.
Honda brought their flagship HondaJet to showcase to many prospective buyers, and the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association), of which Magellan Jets is a member, held several seminars in addition to their presence as an exhibitor. Embraer, maker of the popular Legacy large-cabin business jet, showcased both the small Phenom 100 and the much larger Phenom 300. These jets manage to combine comfort and cost-effectivness in a way other light jets can’t. Over 120 Phenoms have been delivered and many more are on order, including many for charter operators.
Airventure 2010 once again helped showcase not only the spirit of private aviation but also the practicality by allowing people from all across the country to fly themselves in directly, bypassing the hassle of long security lines, ground delays, and diverted flights. Magellan Jets looks forward to the coming year and the exciting developments it will bring in the business and private aviation world that will be highlighted at next year’s EAA Airventure.
Posted by Michael Krantz on Mon, Aug 02, 2010 @ 03:12 PM
Harrison Ford over the weekend was spotted flying himself in his green Gulfstream into Santa Monica Airport. Ford was seen walking off his private plane carrying just an overnight bag and a laptop case. Harrison Ford is yet another famous aviation buff, owning six planes and one helicopter. Ford is currently one of the chairmen on the board of Conservation International and has done advertisements for the environmentalist group, Team Earth. When asked about owning seven aircraft, Ford had this to say, “I only fly one of them at a time, and the contribution of general aviation to greenhouse gas emissions is less than two percent.” Companies like Terrapass (www.terrapass.com) can help offset carbon emissions by allowing customers to buy offsets that go directly towards greenhouse gas reduction efforts. Make sure to ask your salesperson or flight support specialist about adding a Terrapass offset on your next flight.