Private Jet and Air Charter News

Interflight (Air Charter), Ltd. - CharterX

Interflight offers hassle free worldwide travel, specialising in last minute flights to difficult destinations including Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. Interflight is a versatile private jet operator, who prides themselves on their ......more info

Engineering team develops helicopter to investigate nuclear disasters

Students at Virginia Tech's Unmanned Systems Laboratory are perfecting an autonomous helicopter they hope will never be used for its intended purpose. Roughly six feet long and weighing 200 pounds, the re-engineered aircraft is designed to fly into American cities blasted by a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb.

The helicopter's main mission would be to assist military investigators in the unthinkable: Enter an American city after a nuclear attack in order to detect radiation levels, map and photograph damage.

"It's for a worst-case scenario," said project leader Kevin Kochersberger, a research associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Virginia Tech Unmanned Systems Laboratory. His team consists of several graduate and undergraduate students from the mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering departments.

Kochersberger and his team re-engineered a remote-controlled Yamaha-built Unmanned Aerial Vehicle RMAX helicopter to fly in fully autonomous mode. They also created flight control software algorithms that will direct the helicopter to radioactive sources on its own accord. To carry out various missions, the researchers outfitted the helicopter with various "plug-and-play payloads" as the vehicle's weight capacity is limited. The payloads are easily loadable and unloadable boxes that fit snugly under the helicopter's main body, carrying devices that would detect radiation levels in the atmosphere and on the ground, and take video and still images of damage. Flight control software would allow the mission to be changed mid-flight. 

One payload is unique: A miniature tray-like robot on treads that can be launched via a tether wire from the helicopter to collect evidence. The helicopter would hover over the robot, and pull it back via the wire. A student team is building this robot, which will boast not only "chunk" sampling capability, but also a miniature vacuum which could suck up dust and dirt.

The robot is expected to easily maneuver any terrain, including expected bomb craters, as part of its investigation, said Michael Rose, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, from Gilroy, Calif. The team plans to make the robot water proof, in the event that it comes across water – busted water mains, lakes, rain puddles, etc. "The electronics must be protected from the harmful elements," Rose said.

The group also designed a downward-looking stereo camera system mounted to the helicopter, to image affected areas. The cameras would allow for computerized 3-D terrain mapping of affected areas, an absolute necessity to understand the characteristics of the blast. It is expected that the helicopter will have night vision capabilities, and enhanced imaging technologies that improve vision through smoke and fog as the project progresses, Kochersberger said.

The project, already funded at $735,000 with an additional $650,000 allocated for 2010, is overseen by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and spearheaded by the Department of Energy's Savannah River National Laboratory. Plans call for the helicopters to be mission-ready in three years. Department of Defense personnel already have visited Blacksburg to watch a demonstration as the craft zeroed in on a small, planted radioactive source at Kentland Farm, several miles from the Virginia Tech campus. More testing is underway, with another DoD demonstration planned for 2010 in Savannah, Georgia.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

ACI establishes new jet center and maintenance facility in CA

Aviation Consultants, Inc. (ACI), located on the Central Coast of California in San Luis Obispo (KSBP) proudly announces that it has established a new corporate jet center and maintenance facility in Bakersfield, California (KBFL).

Epic Jet Center and Precision Aviation Services (PAS) recently closed their doors in Bakersfield and ACI saw an opportunity to expand. 

“Although we have chosen to keep the names the same, current and prospective clients can expect a fresh new look and feel to the Epic Jet Center and Precision Aviation Services (PAS),” said Bill Borgsmiller, President of ACI and the San Luis Jet Center.  “We are excited to extend our services to Bakersfield and look forward to offering the same level of quality service we have been providing in San Luis Obispo for years.”

With an objective to offer quality products and to provide a high level of customer service, the new Epic Jet Center and Precision Aviation Services goal is to become the number one jet center and maintenance facility in the Central Valley of California.  For more information, please visit www.epicjetcenter.com.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

Private Jets - Saving Time and Nerves

This story is based on a real experience of someone from London who had to go to a conference not far from Britain - to Bordeaux. But this trip with commercial flights was turned into an exhausting and devastating experience. Not everyone can travel with private jets but this voyage proves that jet charter is much better for important trips....more info

***Charter Logic seeks a Vice President of Sales!***

Charter Logic is continuing its expansion in the heart of central Florida with the addition of its first Vice President of Sales. This individual is responsible for the overall coordination, functional management and leadership of all of the passenger charter and cargo sales activities of the business. The position reports directly to the CEO. 

The Director of Sales is responsible for the establishment of both annual and monthly sales objectives in coordination with the company's business objectives. Additionally, this person is responsible for providing an annual sales plan and providing quarterly updates, revisions and modifications to the plan. The VP of Sales is responsible for coordinating the specific objectives of the sales team with all of the functional departments of the company and, most specifically with Finance and Marketing. This individual, in coordination with the CEO, establishes both market and target customer acquisition strategies for the company.

This position is responsible for the successful management of the needs of the company's customers in order to meet the objectives of the company's overall business plans and strategies. The VP of Sales manages all of the field and in house sales functions of the company's facilities. The position specifically is responsible for all field sales, outside sales, as well as all customer support functions of the business.

The VP of Sales defines and manages the monthly and annual sales objectives for all of the sales personnel and is expected to spend a significant portion of time mentoring staff and dealing directly with  accounts and co-traveling with sales personnel. The VP of sales, in coordination with the CEO, establishes compensation plans for all sales personnel including salary structures, commission plans, sales contests and bonus plans. The VP of Sales is expected to be knowledgeable of market and industry trends, competitors, and leading customer strategies. 

Skills:

• Has managed both in house and field sales personnel
• Has been a sales manager in the airline industry and preferably the Part 135 charter industry
• Has developed and executed tactical sales plans including quotas and account objectives
• Has managed phone sales
• Is highly organized and has very effective time management skills
• Is a demonstrated leader among employee
• Is highly computer literate and uses sales database tracking programs
• Strong negotiating skills and capacity
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Equally strong listening skills

Experience:

• Minimum 5-10 years aviation industry
• Minimum 10 years as a sales manager

Attributes:

• Highly customer focused
• Strong leadership qualities both with customers and employees
• Highly efficient
• Ability to set policies, but remain flexible when customer or staffing conditions require

Qualified applicants should reply to this posting with a resume and cover letter as soon as possible for immediate consideration. Interested parties can send this information to Jeremy@CharterLogic.com.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

Embraer delivers two Embraer 170 jets to Gulf Air

Embraer recently delivered two Embraer 170 jets to Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain at its headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. These aircraft are subject to a lease agreement signed by Embraer and Gulf Air just after the Bahrain International Airshow, last January.

“The delivery of these Embraer 170 jets to Gulf Air is a significant milestone for Embraer, as this renowned airline certainly strengthens the presence of the E-Jets family in the Middle East,” said Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. “I would like to assure our friends from Gulf Air our full commitment in supporting the realization of their strategic growth plans with Embraer E-Jets.”

Gulf Air’s Embraer 170 is configured in a dual-class layout, featuring seven seats in business class and 60 in economy. The aircraft also feature a state-of-the-art In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system configured for maximum cabin comfort. They will be based at Gulf Air’s hub, in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

“The arrival of the new Embraer 170 commercial jets marks a significant achievement, as we continue to implement our strategy,” said Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Samer Majali. “The aircraft will bring a new dynamic to Gulf Air and a new dimension to our customers, while reinforcing our position as the carrier with the largest number of Middle East connections through our Bahrain Airport hub.”

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

How to Rent Private Jets

If you are looking for a more convenient way to travel than the commercial airline industry, looking into private jets as a form of transportation is a good idea. If you want something more comfortable and less stressful than public flights, this is the way to do that. With all sorts of different sizes, types, and prices, you can find the jet that is right for you....more info

Air Royale International, Inc. - CharterX

... 5500 aircraft, (from twin-engine turboprops to world-class corporate jets to executive & commercial airliners), Air Royale International is known as the "boutique" private jet air charter company. With offices in Los Angeles, New York and London ......more info

PrivatAir refines summer launch plans for Bahrain charter

PrivatAir SA plans to offer charter services from Bahrain by mid-summer. The Swiss operator, the launch company for BBJs, is equipped to compete for business at the top end of the market.

President and CEO Greg Thomas points out: "PrivatAir operates a fleet of five BBJs on behalf of its airline partners, as well as a vip-configured Boeing 757 that is available for private charter. Through its network of specialist partners, PrivatAir also provides private charter of almost any type of aircraft."

He adds: "We are extremely excited about our commitment to set up operations in Bahrain, which is a highly attractive and welcoming regulatory and business-oriented environment from which to operate in the Gulf region. PrivatAir will finally establish a physical presence in the region in response to demand from clients and potential clients."

The company, which is in its 33rd year of operations, furthered its launch plans at this year's inaugural Bahrain Airshow. "PrivatAir is spending significant time and effort in planning and organising for this launch," Thomas said.

The company, headquartered in Geneva, already has operating bases in Zurich, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich and Amsterdam. Its services include aircraft sales and management, ground services and training.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com. ...more info

Germany's DC Aviation ready to further expand fleet

Germany's DC Aviation says it is negotiating with numerous owners to integrate their jets in its aircraft management division.

"We are very confident that we will finalise a number of contracts this year," says CEO Steffen Fries. "Many of our jet owners already offer available flight capacity to the market. This currently enables us to offer 20 aircraft in our executive charter segment, ranging from the Citation XLS to the Gulfstream 550 and the vvip A319."

The company is also expanding its charter fleet. Fries says: "We are extremely proud to be one of the first European charter providers to welcome two Legacy 650s into our fleet. They will expand our long haul capability. The new Legacy 650s will enable us to offer comfortable, non-stop flights on business routes such as London-Dubai or Dubai-Singapore."

DC Aviation operates more than 30 jets with ACJs to be delivered by this spring. Other planned additions include a Global XRS and a G550.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

***Magellan Jets is looking for a Flight Support Specialist!***

Magellan Jets, a world-class private jet service for executive travel, is currently seeking an experienced aviation professional for our Corporate Headquarters in Quincy, MA. The company first spread its wings in September 2008, and recently launched the Voyager Program, a world-class private jet charter membership service. Magellan Jets' enriching environment encourages people to achieve their best and make a lasting impact. It provides the flexibility to pursue your passions and shape your career. The culture is one of opportunity. Co-workers like working with each other, but also value work-life balance. They boast the development of deep, enduring relationships with each other and their clients, and promise to have fun along the way!

Magellan Jets currently has a need for an additional Flight Support Specialist to join the Magellan Team. The person will be responsible for every aspect of each trip booked including ground transportation arrangements, catering orders, itinerary changes, hotel accommodations, and any other special requests. The person will also be responsible for tracking scheduled fights and proactively informing clients of aircraft positions, weather related problems, or flight delays. Attention to details is a must, as the Flight Support Specialist will be responsible building very detailed customer profiles.

Requirements:

• 4 year college degree
• Minimum 2 years aviation experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Detail oriented and able to perform in a fast paced, multitasking environment
• Knowledge of FAA and DOT regulations
• FAA Pilot’s License preferred
• On call availability

Interested candidates can please send cover letters and resumes to suzy@magellanjets.com.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

IATA figures show big jump in January traffic

In perhaps another sign of an impending recovery for the world’s air transport industry, international scheduled air traffic for January rose 6.4 percent compared with the same period a year ago, according to recent figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA.) The relatively robust gain came as airlines increased capacity by a mere 1.2 percent during the month, resulting in a load factor increase of 3.7 points, from 72.2 percent to 75.9 percent. 

Meanwhile, international cargo demand showed a 28.3-percent improvement. Capacity rose just 3.7 percent, resulting in a 49.6-percent cargo load factor, compared with an abysmal 40.1 percent recorded in January 2009.

Still, the jump in year-over-year traffic reflects more of a steady improvement from the precipitous fall in demand that characterized the early part of 2009 than a dramatic improvement in January, according to IATA. Compared with December 2009, and adjusting for seasonal variations, passenger demand grew by 0.5 percent while air freight volumes increased by 3 percent.

“Airlines have lost two to three years of growth,” said IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani. “Demand is moving in the right direction. The three-percent increase in freight volumes from December to January is particularly encouraging. We can start to see the future with some cautious optimism, but better volumes do not necessarily mean better profits. Passenger yields are still 15 percent below peak. And we expect 2010 losses to be $5.6 billion.”

According to IATA, the strongest improvements have come in markets that have recovered most effectively from the recession–namely, in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Carriers in North America and Europe saw demand increase by 2.1 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. Although both regions have gained 6 percent from their early 2009 lows, they remain 4 to 6 percent below their early 2008 peak levels, reflecting a jobless recovery from the recession in which consumers have focused on paying down debt.

Click here to read the original article in AIN Online. E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

EBAA predicts ETS chaos unless small operator system is simplified

The European greenhouse gas emissions trading system could collapse in its first year of operation, says the European Business Aviation Association.

The EBAA believes that unless the ETS is simplified for business aircraft operators and small airlines, administrative "chaos" in its 2012 debut year may derail the system. It says, for example, that 38% of operators on the UK list are not registered for ETS reporting, which they are supposed to be by 2011, the year in which the system will be validated.

The problem with the ETS, according to the EBAA, is that it has made its rules with big emitters in mind, then applied the same rules and the same complex monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) administrative burden to small emitters.

The association has proposed an MRV process simplification that will reduce the administrative burden for small operators and for the system's administrators at European Commission level. This would require a modification to the existing rules before it could be accepted.

The proposal is that small operators, defined as those below a certain emission threshold, should be able to use the Eurocontrol ETS Support Facility emission calculations for each flight to satisfy the total MRV requirement. The ETS Support Facility, formerly known as Pagoda during its development, has already been EU-approved as an ETS verification tool. The EBAA argues that, providing its accuracy levels are validated, small operators should be able to use that as their reporting tool, and to calculate their trading dues on the basis of Support Facility-derived emissions levels.

The EBAA plea is that the current threshold for small operators of 10,000t of CO2 annually needs to be much higher to take into account the emissions that are in reality produced each year. This will enable small operators to be able to use the ETS Support facility as their MRV.

EBAA president Brian Humphries says this would mean the operators pay for their emissions just as big carriers do, but without facing the disproportionate amount of expensive bureaucracy at airline and European Commission level that would be generated by the MRV system designed for the big carriers.

The EBAA argues that, since aviation as a whole contributes 2% of greenhouse gas emissions, and business aviation only 0.04%, applying overbearing bureaucracy to that minute sector is unjustified when a simple alternative is available.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

Sabreliner crew to attempt world record flight

On 19 March Capt Riccardo Mortara and his crew will set off from Geneva in a Sabreliner business jet on a mission to set the record for the fastest flight around the world.

The start/finish line was to have been Bucharest, but the team has elected to make Geneva the venue, given that its operations base - Sonnig - is in the Swiss city.

As well as 62-year-old Italian Mortara, the crew includes 26-year-old Frenchman Flavien Guderzo and 43-year-old Croatian Tom Zorman. They will be joined by Nicolae Buzaianu, the driving force behind the project. Buzaianu is also chairman of Swiss energy company Selectra, which is sponsoring this record attempt. Mortara is his personal pilot.

If their Sabreliner - a 30-year-old midsize mainstream jet - can circumnavigate the globe in under 67h 1min 10s it will fly into the history books. The record is held by the late Steve Fossett, who completed the course in his Virgin GlobalFlyer in 2005 in this same category, with a take-off weight of between 9,000kg (19,840lb) and 12,000kg.

"Riccardo is my friend as well as my pilot, and I believe in him strongly. I don't think there's any pilot more skilled or as cool under pressure. I believe the world record can be his. I am excited for him, and thrilled to be contributing to this mission. If we succeed, I'll be very proud," says Buzaianu. "Leaving Geneva will add 234km [126nm] to our journey, but that's only about 15min and given our familiarity with this runway and its conditions, I consider it worthwhile."

E-mail your press releases,news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

Stratos Jet Charters Coordinates Charter Flights in Northeast

This week's record-breaking snowstorm in the Northeast has left many commercial flight passengers stranded at airports across the Eastern seaboard....more info

Five Reasons to Fly By Private Aircraft Charter - Gather.com

Luxury In essence, you are renting your own jet for an individual trip, similar to how you might hire a limousine on the ground ... Private Jets, Air Charter, Empty Leg specials information, Jet Rental Services and Private Jet Charter flights ......more info

Fly With An Aircraft Charter - Gather.com

Air travel has gotten a bad rap recently. With spikes in airport security and problems with the likes of Kevin Smith, major airlines have been painted as the bad guys. It’s debatable whether or not big airlines are truly at fault in these highly ......more info

Air Charter Service Comes To Salinas

For the first time in 15 years, the city of Salinas has its own charter service and unlike the commercial flights, the plane moves when you want it to move and once you're back on the ground you are greeted by world class service....more info

Business Jet - The Best Decision For a Big Company

Organizing a trip for a group of people would be easier with a private jet charter. This story tells about the advantages of flying by private aircraft if you are not just a passenger but also a person who is responsible for the voyage....more info

Benjamin Murray Named President Of XOJET

XOJET announced Wednesday that Benjamin Murray, former EVP of NetJets, Inc., and CEO of Executive Jet Management has joined as president....more info

Benjamin Murray Named President of XOJET, Inc.

Business aviation leader XOJET announced that Benjamin Murray, former EVP of NetJets, Inc., and CEO of Executive Jet Management has joined as president....more info

New president takes controls at XOJet

Benjamin Murray has been named president of XOJet Inc. , an air charter services company with operations in the Sacramento region....more info

Aircraft Charter Repairs the Wounds of Private Aviation (PRWeb)

Fourth quarter 7% increase in business jet use forecasts profitable year (PRWeb Mar 3, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Air_Partner/Private_Aviation/prweb3671244.htm...more info

Benjamin Murray Named President of XOJET, Inc. (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)

Business aviation leader XOJET announced that Benjamin Murray, former EVP of NetJets, Inc., and CEO of Executive Jet Management has joined as president. Mr. Murray will assume responsibilities for XOJET's global business effective immediately, and will initially be focused on revenue and business development initiatives with a goal of continuing to expand XOJET's market share growth....more info

Aircraft Charter Repairs the Wounds of Private Aviation (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

Fourth quarter 7% increase in business jet use forecasts profitable year...more info