Flying Privately: With the economy still in a downturn, many companies - and individual travelers - are taking into serious consideration the use of private aircraft when traveling. But as the commercial airlines continue to slash flights left and right, charge fees for checked baggage, and increase wait times in security and baggage lines to double (and sometimes triple) the length of what they used to be, there are many compelling reasons to fly privately for both business executives and the average consumer.
Luxury Helicopters: Looking for a new thrill for that tedious, time-consuming morning commute? Hey, even if you are sipping Champagne from the backseat of a limo like a credit-card company honcho, the pitch of this tone just may ring your chimes.
A Bell 429 helicopter is among the most unique airway rides in the sky. It toils amazingly as it is suited to handle island hopping or rush hour “fly-overs” equally well.
It is quiet, seats six, and is surprisingly roomy for both riders and baggage. Bell makes helicopters suited for law-enforcement, emergency-medical services, and rescue-service personnel.
The Offshore Bell also would be an ideal complement for a yacht’s fleet of alternative modes of transportation, along with a RIB, a cigarette boat, jet skies, and more.
Aircraft: The SJ30 by Dubai-based Emivest Aerospace is a superstar of the light business jet community. It has the longest flight range and is the fastest light business jet in the industry. With a ceiling of 49,000 feet and a flight range of 2,500 nautical miles, the SJ30 is capable of flying nonstop from NY to L.A. The SJ30’s top cruising speed is 0.83 Mach or 560 mph.
The light business jet recently took flight with one of Hollywood’s prominent A-listers. Academy-award winning actor and pilot Morgan Freeman took ownership of an SJ30, while in Dubai, during the year’s end holiday season. Mr. Freeman, who also owns a Cessna 44 and a Cessna Citation 501 SP, is flying his SJ30 on the promo tour for the release of his most recent movie Invictus. The major feature film also stars Academy-award winner Matt Damon.
Backlot: Mr. Freeman picked the SJ30 for the promotional tour because of its smooth ride, speed and long-flight capability. Mr. Freeman became a pilot at age 65.
Luxury Aircraft: The Gulfstream G550 is the ultimate private Jet. Period. OK, so it's not the largest, not the fastest, and probably not the most luxurious. But while it can't claim to be on top in any of those categories, it's not lacking in any one of them either. In fact, it sits close to the top of all of them for a Jet (don't dare call it a plane) that can get you to just about anywhere on the planet with the comfort, luxury, and the speed of an aircraft twice its list price.
Long Range Travel
One of the most appealing aspects of this aircraft is its range. 6,750 nautical miles (or 12,500 km) at long range cruising speed. That will get you LITERALLY half the way around the world without re-fueling. Paris to Tokyo - London to Singapore - Washington D.C. to Dubai...you get the idea. If there's one thing that's a pain, it is unnecessary stops, the Gulfstream G550 simply needs less.
January 15, 2010 | Contributor: James Rothaar Personal Aircraft: Did you ever expect to hear “plug and play” used in describing an aircraft? Yuneec, the makers of the E430, the first commercially produced personal aircraft, have another innovative flyer in the E-PAC. The manufacturer says it is as easy to use as flicking a switch and pilots of any level can fly it. It is not only environmentally friendly with zero emissions, it also transports easily. When disassembled the E-PAC, fits in the trunk (or boot) of most cars.
Charge the battery for 90 minutes, insert the pack, plug it in, and you are set to press the power switch, inflate the wing, squeeze the throttle, and takeoff. The E-PAC is operated by hand controller. Its lightweight direct-drive brushless motor, the Power Drive 160, is quiet and produces zero vibration with only one moving part. The hand controller contains an LCD display and a vibrating alarm to ensure safety.
Yuneec’s tagline says it all—“it’s ElectriFlying!”
Private Jets: Having been in the aviation industry for over 30 years as an aviation department manager, major airline captain, aircraft completion consultant and President of Integral Aviation Solutions Inc, I feel uniquely qualified to discuss the completion or conversion process of an airliner into a "Flying Home". Long before Boeing was producing the Boeing Business Jet and Airbus the Airbus Corporate Jet we were converting Boeing and Airbus airliners to corporate, personal and "Head of State" service.
Once you establish that an airline is suitable for your flight operations there are many choices to make; the first step is to set a budget. A new BBJ or ACJ start around 55 million "Green", that's without any interior. An average completion on one of these aircraft is between 18 and 35 million depending on you personal choices. There are many less expensive ways of getting a similar aircraft without the 75 million dollar price tag. There are many pre-owned airliners available that can be converted cost effectively.
Private Jet Charters & Small-liner Cruises: Marquis Jet has announced a new partnership with Yachts of Seabourn that will provide an array of added-value luxury benefits for their cliental.
Guests of the Yachts of Seabourn will receive special benefits upon purchasing their first 25-hour Marquis Jet Card. Additionally, owners of the Marquis Jet Card will be granted additional privileges from Seabourn for their patronage. The partnership adds measure value to clients of both companies.
The Yachts of Seabourn ranks highly among luxury cruise lines due to its level of personalized service, large all-suite accommodations, and superb cuisine. Three of the five yachts of Seabourn carry 208 passengers, while the two larger vessels each accommodate 450 guests. The outfit is a member of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Seabourn is a brand of the Carnival Corporation.
Marquis Jet, with its exclusive alliance with aircraft-provider NetJets®, is among the industry’s leaders in private jet cards. The Marquis Jet Card has been recognized by various prominent luxury lifestyle and travel publications for having the best private jet card program.
Aircraft: Embraer's first retail delivery of the Phenom 300 was made to Tug Aviation of Ft. Worth, Tex. Aviation Week reported that a Tug Hill official said that it primarily will support the company’s transportation needs. The light business jet will be based at Ft. Worth-Meacham Field and operated by Kansas City-based Executive Air Share.
The Phenom 300, which follows in the footsteps of the Phenom 100, is reported to be quieter than its predecessor. It s approximately 52 feet long and has a wingspan of just over 53 feet. With six passengers onboard, its maximum range is 1,971 nautical miles at an average cruising speed of 387 KTAS. Maximum speed is 453 KTAS, and its service ceiling is 45,000 feet.
The second retail delivery of Embraer’s P-300 is set for February 2010. The price of the new executive jet is $8.14 million.
Luxury Aircraft: The Sentient Flight Group, a U.S. leader in private aviation, has recently introduced a new benefit for its Sentient Jet Membership Plus Program. Since 1999, Sentient has been offering its members a flexible solution to private travel, and unlike most jet cards, members can select a specific jet type, as well as enjoy the added convenience of booking a flight with as little as 10 hours notice.
Recent updates to the Sentient Jet Membership Program include guaranteed access to three of the industry’s most popular aircraft: the Hawker 400XP, the Citation Excel, and the Citation X. In addition to booking the jet of your choice, the membership also includes a new fixed hourly rate, which on average is 15 percent below the leading fractional card programs for one-way travel.
Private Aircraft: Cirrus, the leader in personalized aircraft has taken its dedication to comfortable personal air travel one step further with the introduction of the Cirrus Xi option....
Luxury Adventures: While Virgin Galactic is booking reservations for suborbital space travel for 2010 and 2011 at $200,000 per passenger on the VSS Enterprise, Zero Gravity is filling seats for simulated weightlessness flights on its G-Force One aircraft today starting at $4,950 per person. With endorsements from satisfied customers such as NASA astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin and astrophysicist Professor Stephen Hawking, it sounds like a luxury adventure with plenty of upside.
December 09, 2009 | Contributor: James Rothaar Commercial Space Travel: Both California’s Governor Schwarzenegger and New Mexico’s Governor Richardson were on hand to christen the commercial passenger spaceship, the VSS Enterprise, at its unveiling at the Mojave Air and Spaceport. Virgin Galactic, a sister company to Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways, is the developer of the Virgin Space Ship Enterprise, which is a commercial spacecraft that seats six passenger astronauts plus two pilots.
Mr. Burt Rutan is the designer of the VSS Enterprise, which is also known as the SpaceshipTwo (SS2). Rutan is the founder of Scaled Composites. His company built the SS1, the first commercial passenger spaceship. Its maiden flight in 2004 resulted in Rutan winning the $10 million Ansari X Prize.
JustLuxe is a luxury Web publication providing objective analysis and information to affluent consumers to assist with their decision making, decisions such as charting a yacht, purchasing a jet membership card, booking a luxury hotel, traveling to a specific destination, or buying real estate. Our writers conduct interviews with industry executives and leaders in their fields, analyze product offerings and review the Web sites of leading companies to ensure our readers have up-to-date data to make informed decisions. Consumers can find purveyors of fine luxury goods, services and travel solutions throughout the pages of JustLuxe via content or with our advertising partners. See our Best of Luxury High end Brands and partners.
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