Wichita Learjet Site Being Expanded by Bombardier

By Jackie Vincent | Published: January 13, 2012
Learjet 85 from Bombardier

Bombardier will soon be releasing their Learjet 85, pictured above.

Bombardier has recently released the news that they will be expanding their aircraft manufacturing hub in Wichita, Kansas. This  is an exciting development for the Learjet facility, which has not received much attention until recently.Bombardier Business Aircraft president Steve Ridolfi and the governor of Kansas, Sam Brownback announced the expansion plans on January 10. The plan includes the improvement of the flight-test center, based in Wichita. In addition, they are establishing a center of excellence for engineering and information technology. Bombardier is also looking to add facilities for paint and production flight-testing. Lastly, they will institute an aircraft delivery center.

The state of Kansas has offered $16 million as incentive to create more jobs for their residents. Bombardier is already spending $600 million, which is going to the production of the Learjet 85 and Wichita facilities. The expansion will hopefully create 450 new jobs, in the next 10 years.

 

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The Fourth Annual Magellan Jets Waldorf Astoria Open

By Jackie Vincent | Published: January 11, 2012
Chris DiMarco, Snowden Hernandez and Billy Horschel

The winners of the Magellan Jets Waldorf Astoria Open (L-R, Chris DiMarco and Billy Horschel) with Magellan Jets Director of Business Development, Snowden Hernandez.

Magellan Jets was the exclusive title sponsor in the Fourth Annual Magellan Jets Waldorf Astoria Open on Thursday, January 5, 2012. This PGA team event was held at The Waldorf Astoria GC in Orlando, Florida. Participants included many top players off of the PGA Tour. The challenging 18-hole Rees Jones-designed championship course winds through a large wetland preserve and measuring 7108 yards with a Par 72, Slope 139, and 74.6 rating from its Professional Tees. On the day of the tournament, the majestic pine and cypress trees lining the fairways glistened in the sun, making it a beautiful and memorable day for everyone present.

In an exciting finish, Chris DiMarco shot a 6 under par and course record 66 on his own ball and partnered with fellow University of Florida alum, Billy Horschel, to win the 4th annual Magellan Jets Waldorf Astoria Open.  Chris who has been runner up in the Masters and was the hero of the 2005 Presidents Cup, shot 5 under on the front nine and together they finished strong as each player made a 20′ putt on the 18th hole to win by two shots over last year’s champions, Sam Saunders (Arnold Palmer’s grandson) and EJ Cole. Englishman Brian Davis (runner up at 2011 Hilton Head PGA Tour event) and Greg Owen finished in 3rd place.

After having spent 10 years at Keene’s Pointe running the Brian Mogg Performance Center, Brian Mogg is now the Director of Instruction at the Waldorf Astoria GC. The move to the WAGC in April 2011 has been a positive one. DA Points won his first PGA Tour event at the AT&T Pebble Beach tournament in February. This was the 22nd win by a Tour player who works with the BMPC since 2001 on one of the major Tours. Brian Mogg reflected on the tournament stating, “It was great to see Chris shoot a course record and Chris/Billy birdie the last 2 holes to win the tournament. The pros had a great day; the Waldorf was in amazing shape and everyone appreciated Magellan’s support.”

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iPad with Scanned Passport Allows Man to Cross the U.S. Border

By Jackie Vincent | Published: January 5, 2012
Passport displayed on iPad

Man shows the scanned passport on his iPad, which allowed him to cross the U.S. border

Travelers entering the U.S. are always prepared with the standard accepted forms of identification – most notably, their passport. This was not the case for a Montreal photographer coming to the U.S. to deliver holiday gifts in Vermont. Martin Reisch, 33, left his passport at home, but surpassed the Customs and Border Protection guards by showing them his driver’s license and a scanned copy of his passport on his iPad. Reisch reflected on the moment he handed the guard his iPad, saying that “there was a slight hesitation; he didn’t really seem like he was impressed”. Although there was the great chance that he would be turned away, the guards let him through. While this event is an exciting development, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has confirmed that its policy is to not accept scanned images of passports.

This exception has proven to be a breakthrough for iPhones and technology. Apps seem to be taking over and replacing the longer processes of yesterday. Today people use their iPhone apps for everything – from handling personal finance to travel. Private jet company, Magellan Jets, has recently released a brand new Private Jet Search app. Clients can conveniently search one-way and round-trip options, book and sign for their trip in minutes! Many people are now questioning if we are about to enter an age where paper forms of ID are not necessary and are digitalized instead. Do you think that a complete transfer to relying on digitized documents is a secure plan for our future travel policies?

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The FAA Announces New Pilot Duty Rule

By Jackie Vincent | Published: December 26, 2011
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announcing New Pilot Duty Rule for Part 121 Carriers

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announcing new pilot duty rule for part 121 carriers.

The FAA announced a new, more stringent rule on December 21 in Washington, D.C. on pilot flight duty and rest requirements for passenger carriers operating under Part 121. Three years ago, Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo,  placing heavy attention on the dangerous working conditions of regional airline pilots. This led to the stricter rule which requires pilots to have a minimum of 10 hours of rest before each flight duty period, which is an increase of two hours over previous rules. The rule restricts the number of hours a pilot can fly weekly and monthly and extends the length of consecutive hours off in a seven-day period from 24 to 30. Prior to each and every mission, the pilot needs to confirm that they are able to safely flythe aircraft. If the pilot is ever too fatigued to fly, it is their responsibility to let the carrier know.

All-cargo carriers are the one exception to this new rule. The reason which was given stated that “their compliance costs significantly exceed the quantified societal benefits.” FAA officials have disclosed that the projected cost for cargo operations is $306 million (with one fatal all-cargo accident costing anywhere between $20 and $32 million). This exception has caused a bit of an uproar from flight safety organizations who have challenged the FAA with a petition to review this rule in the U.S. Court of Appeals.

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Paul Allen Teams with Burt Rutan in Designing Stratolaunch

By Jackie Vincent | Published: December 19, 2011
Stratolaunch

The newly designed Stratolaunch aircraft

Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, has teamed up with Burt Rutan as his partner in designing the world’s largest aircraft. Rutan is recently retired from Scaled Composites, the company he founded in Mojave, California. Allen is no stranger to the world of aviation – he was the funding behind the SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded manned rocket. His most recent endeavor is his company, Stratolaunch Systems. Stratolaunch’s mission will be to deliver payloads (including people) to orbit Earth.

Stratolaunch will be powered by six Boeing 747 engines and have an mtow of about 1.2 million pounds. It boasts a 380-plus-foot wingspan which will be supported by a multi-stage air-launchable booster. Rutan’s company, Scaled Composites, is building the carrier aircraft at their new facility and Dynetics will be handling the mating and integration system. The rockets will eventually carry people, however, the first test set for 2016, will be unmanned. It will be an estimated five years before people can fly on the Stratolaunch.

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The Viscount’s Table: The Parker Palm Springs

By Jackie Vincent | Published: December 13, 2011
Parker Palm Springs

Parker Palm Springs

There are few hotels in the world with as much charm and atmosphere – where there is literally something different around every corner – as Parker Palm Springs (though often you’ll find these aren’t corners so much as gentle turns and winding pathways).

This Jonathan Adler-designed space (on the one time ranch of Gene Autry) is nothing short of magical.  Not only is the aesthetic wonderfully distinctive, but the food matches the originality and vividness of this desert oasis. The estate gardens are a perfect place for a secluded get-away. If you bring your friends too, you can meet at the bar or by the open fireplace that sits in the middle of the garden, which is replete with torch-lit walkways and butterfly chairs. The Palm Springs Yacht Club houses the very smart dark blue and white spa with wonderful spaces for sun, swimming and silence.

Jonathan Adler is the real genius behind the hotel’s styling:  it was a simply inspired choice to select him for the interior design for this hotel.  A potter by training, he has created everything in the iconic Norma’s – perhaps the greatest breakfast restaurant in America – from the vases to lamps to the salt and pepper shakers. Retro-chic with designs familiar to anyone who can remember the 60s and 70s, the high quality design of these modern items will stand the test of time.  Examples are found everywhere, from the guest rooms and suites through the outdoor spaces and the stunning lobby/lounge, with its enormous over-sized orange doors to the eating and “play” spaces around the garden: each one displays his riveting attention to detail and color.

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The Business Travel Jet Card from Magellan Jets: At $34,950, it is the Essential Business Tool for Private Flyers

By Jackie Vincent | Published: December 8, 2011
Business Travel Jet Card

Business Travel Jet Card

Magellan Jets, the world-class private jet service for the executive traveler who demands the best in service, safety and reliability, today announced the launch of their Business Travel Jet (BTJ) Card, which is being offered to discriminating business jet flyers in the Northeast. For the first time in history, a 10 hour jet card is being sold for the unmatched price of $34,950 - with no Federal Excise Tax and no daily minimums. The BTJ Card affords flyers 10 hours aboard the Eclipse 500 jet, one of the most sought-after VLJ’s in the charter market.

Business professionals appreciate the convenience of the Business Travel Jet Card more than anything. Yes, they still receive the luxury of hassle-free travel and comfort. However, it is truly the simplicity that comes with boarding a VLJ which Magellan Jets delivers. The Eclipse 500 can be paralleled to a private car service used for business trips. The BTJ Card is not about frivolity–it is about security and convenience above all.

At just $34,950 the Business Travel Jet Card provides unparalleled value that no other jet card can match at even twice the price. The benefits include:

  • No Federal Excise Tax (FET)
  • No daily minimums – Most charters require a minimum of 2 hours flight
    time. If you fly only 40 minutes with the BTJ Card, you pay for just those 40
    minutes
  • Twin-engine Eclipse 500 offers state-of-the-art jet performance with the lowest hourly operating costs of any jet aircraft
  • 7-day aircraft availability guarantee
  • No positioning charges inside base service area
  • No fuel surcharges
  • No blackout dates
  • 5% discount on repeat purchase
  • No pass through costs

Joshua Hebert, CEO of Magellan Jets says, “Our clients are the among most discriminating business jet travelers, and we’re proud to bring them this exciting new premium jet card offering.” For more information on how you can purchase your Business Travel Jet Card today, please visit: http://www.magellanjets.com/membership/business-jet-card/

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Magellan Jets Launches an International Private Jet Search iPhone App: Search, Book and Sign for a Trip in Minutes on Your iPhone or iPad!

By Jackie Vincent | Published: December 6, 2011

Magellan Jets, a leading aircraft charter broker, announces the launch of its Private Jet Search iPhone application for private jet bookings. For years, people have been able to search for commercial flights on a variety of websites, making travel that much more convenient and cost effective. For the reasonable price of $4.99, private jet travelers can download the app through iTunes. The app allows users to search, book and sign for a charter in a matter of minutes from the convenience of their iPhone or iPad anytime, anywhere. Magellan Jets recognizes the need for more flexibility and accessibility in the market of private jet travel and this app allows for instant quoting, linked to live market information and thousands of aircraft and airports worldwide.

The Private Jet Search app is truly a business tool which executives can take advantage of without needing any assistance in making their private travel arrangements. While this is the case, it is available for business and pleasure alike. Travelers can search both one way and round trip options based on their desired destination, departure/return date, aircraft option and passenger count.

Once this information is entered, the app uses real-time technology to pull up every aircraft available, along with the competitive pricing. This innovative search engine cuts the time it takes to search for aircraft availability, while adding the ease of portability and anytime access.

“The Private Jet Search app is a revolutionary tool,” says Joshua Hebert, CEO of Magellan Jets. “It will provide the instant gratification and savings our clients have been yearning for, which is an incredible thing.”

Due to the fact that this is an international app, there is a currency converter available to those who are flying outside of the U.S. High-resolution interior and exterior photos are provided for each aircraft as well, and may be viewed on the flight details page. The estimated flight time and any fuel stops are also shown, giving the client the full scope of what the trip will entail.

The Private Jet Search app also features a GPS- based search to help find the nearest airport. In addition, customers can view the trip leg through Google Maps. The application allows for personalized requests to be sent to Magellan Jets regarding the requested trip, which will be carried out by a dedicated Magellan Jets charter specialist, available 24/7/365.

The level of personalization does not stop there. A list of favorite airports can be saved to streamline the process, which will save customers’ valuable time searching. In addition to this practical solution, there is an ingenious “tip a friend” function which allows customers the opportunity to find a flight and send the option to their friend so that they can see the same aircraft.

Magellan Jets has also begun using state-of-the-art technology which simplifies the booking process by allowing clients to confirm bookings from their computers, iPhones or iPads. Once a client is ready to book a trip on the app, Magellan Jets is now able to e-mail the contract so that the client can sign with their finger on the touch screen of their iPhone or iPad. This has made private jet charter even more seamless and hassle-free than ever before.

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In Just Two Months, Istanbul FBO Activity Shoots Up 30%

By Chris Patten | Published: December 1, 2011
Ataturk Airport

Ataturk Airport

The dramatic increase of 30% in movement over the past two months seen at the FBO at Istanbul Ataturk Airport is no accident. The FBO, which is run by Bilen Air Service, has recently partnered with ExecuJet Middle East; this strategy has proven beneficial already, with more growth expected over the next few months. Execujet was able to being the expertise and international following to the table.

Right now, the FBO has predicted traffic to hit an all-time high after the Dubai Air Show. Their goal is to reach a 50% increase in monthly traffic volume by March, 2012. The FBO is in the midst of being fully renovated to fuse the styles of both companies. By far, the biggest addition is the new 1500 sq. mt. hangar parking area. It boasts 14 rooms and 12 storage units. There are private rooms for the crews to utilize, complete with beds, a TV, Internet and bathrooms.

With all of these innovations, there is much for both parties to be excited about. The new partnership between ExecuJet and Bilen Air Service was celebrated at the Dubai Air Show this past week.

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