Business Jet Traveler’s Toolbox

Essential reading for anyone just getting started in bizav.

When Are You Ready for Your Own Jet?
May 14, 2013
When are you ready for your own jet?
When is it time to buy your own jet? Part of the answer involves tax numbers, depreciation data, return on investment projections and the like; but if those are the sorts of factors you’re pondering right now, you should put down this article and pick up some of the many BJT features that address such concerns in detail.
Last-Minute Moves
May 14, 2013
Last-Minute Moves
A quality air charter provider should be able to have you in the air within two hours of receiving a call for a pop-up, or last-minute, domestic flight. [See “Taking Off in a Hurry”] But what if you need to alter the passenger manifest or amend your destination shortly before takeoff?
The Flight Department Company Trap
May 13, 2013
Setting up an LLC just to own and operate your jet could mean asking for trouble.
If I owned a business jet, my worst nightmare would go something like this: my airplane is involved in an accident and I get sued for zillions of dollars in damages.
Starting a Flight Department
May 13, 2013
Starting a Flight Department
When it comes to outright aircraft ownership, you basically have two choices: hire a management company to handle operations and maintenance or set up your own corporate flight department. Done right, either option will afford you convenience and safety. What it really comes down to is cost versus control.
Sequestration: How Tower Closures Will Affect You
April 1, 2013
The ATC tower at Danbury Airport in Connecticut, which is scheduled to close on May 5. (photo: John McCarth
Expect the possibility of delays at airports you use, starting April 7.
Jets for the long haul
March 25, 2013
Jets for the long haul
The changing face of global commerce is rerouting flight plans. “Many companies are using large-cabin, long-range business jets to provide nonstop access to overseas markets, especially Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa,” said Ed Bolen, the National Business Aviation Association’s CEO.
Importing an Aircraft
March 19, 2013
Importing an Aircraft
Once upon a time, the vast majority of business jets were owned and operated in the U.S., but that’s changing. Residents of other countries represent an ever-growing segment of the market, and the business of buying and selling corporate jets is increasingly international. In fact, a majority of factory-new aircraft these days are delivered outside the U.S.
Exit Strategy
February 26, 2013
Exit Strategy
Trip-protection insurance is popular with airline passengers who worry that a change in plans could mean forfeiture of airfare, prepaid accommodations and other upfront travel costs. Many air charter customers could benefit even more from such coverage, due to the amount of money at stake. Charter operators typically assess cancellation penalties that escalate as departure times approach.
Climb aboard–so to speak
February 8, 2013
Climb aboard–so to speak
While most aircraft completion and refurbishment centers these days can provide clients with a one-dimensional, computer-generated virtual cabin walk-through in various design phases, some centers now offer much more advanced 3-D virtual interiors. Others are creating real, full-scale mockups that let customers literally enter a replica of the cabin.
Chartering out your jet
December 5, 2012
Chartering out your jet
Perhaps you own a business jet and have been thinking about making it available for charter. That’s not always a great idea (see below) but if it makes sense for you, it can offer a rather painless way to recoup some operating costs. Here’s how to proceed.

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Quote/Unquote

“Let me be straight with you. What I'd rather have is an airplane. We just had a third kid. I don't like flying commercial. I like to take my family to Hawaii. When I go east, I'd like to have pilots I know. ”

-Steve Jobs