SUMMER 2012
GAONA'S GENIUS
Why the Middle East is a Hot Market for Comlux
INTRODUCING THE ULTRA-LONG-RANGE & LARGE CABIN JETS Compare & Review Section
GOA'S LUXURY RETREATS BY PRIVATE JET ISSN 2046-3022
To contact a Gulfstream sales representative in your area, visit www.gulfstream.com/contacts. |
GULFSTREAM.com
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CONTENTS
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FEATURES
LIFESTYLE
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Meeting Demand
Comlux Expands Into The Middle East 052
‘Powerfly’
Luxury Life Review
Including Dinner In The Sky, Intergalactic Travel & Bentley's New SUV 070
The Story Of One Man’s Passion To Succeed
The Jet Traveller’s Diary
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Your Guide To The World's Greatest Events
Chan-elling A Legend
Jackie Chan To Enjoy His Legacy 650
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Escape To Goa
Discover Its Most Exclusive Private Villas
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052 009
Editor’s Letter 016
Jet News Review 022
124 076
Introducing The Ultra-Long-Range & Large Cabin Jets Compare & Review Section 098
Aircraft Cabins
Business Aviation & You
Staying In Your Comfort Zone
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In-Flight Catering
Finding Useful Advice
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Ask Yourself This...
Food For Thought On Your Mid-Air Banquet
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Staying Connected
The Questions To Ask Before Buying A Jet
Travelling Safely
The Standards For Aviation Safety 040
Grey Markets
The Fight Against Illegal Charter
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The Basics To Understanding The ‘Office-In-The-Sky’ 118
The Value Option
Luxury Converted Regional Jets
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Jack Olcott holds degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Business Administration, has held senior positions within aviation publishing, and led the National Business Aviation Association for over a decade. Jack is Editorial Director of BizJet Advisor. Email: jack@avbuyer.com.
SUMMER 2012
GAONA'S GENIUS
Why the Middle East is a Hot Market for Comlux
INTRODUCING THE ULTRA-LONG-RANGE & LARGE CABIN JETS
Liz Moscrop has written extensively about
Business Aviation for several years, and specializes in Interiors, China and Southeast Asia. She has written three books on aviation, is an industry consultant and is Managing Editor of BizJet Advisor. Email: liz@fourforces.aero.
Compare & Review Section
GOA'S LUXURY RETREATS BY PRIVATE JET ISSN 2046-3022
BizJet Advisor - Summer 2012 www.BizJetAdvisor.com
Jayne Jackson is a former editor of Australia’s leading luxury travel magazine, “Vacations”. She has travelled extensively in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Jayne has also worked for Reed Books and News International. She is the Lifestyle Editor of BizJet Advisor. Email: Jayne@avbuyer.com.
Dave Higdon spent several years covering
EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Jack Olcott Managing Editor: Liz Moscrop Editor: Matthew Harris Lifestyle Editor: Jayne Jackson Consultant Editor: Sean O’Farrell Tel: +44 (0)20 8255 4000 Email: Editorial@avbuyer.com DESIGN Ye Li Tel: +44 (0)753 0099 468 Email: Yeli@Yelidesign.com SALES & ADVERTISING Carla Kopenski Email: Carla@avbuyer.com PUBLISHER/MANAGING DIRECTOR John Brennan Email: John@avbuyer.com BIZJET ADVISOR HEADQUARTERS Cowleaze House, 39-45 Cowleaze Road, Kingston, Surrey, KT2 6DZ, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 8255 4000
aviation regulatory and political affairs in Washington, D.C., and has more than 30 years aviation journalism experience. He is also an active pilot and has flown a wide variety of aircraft. Email: airscribe@cox.net.
Neelam Mathews has covered major aspects of aviation for aviation magazines worldwide for over a decade. Based in New Delhi, she runs a successful aerospace blog and is a strong advocate for the introduction of rational and coherent regulatory aviation policies in India. Email: neelam.mathews@gmail.com.
Isabel Putinja has written articles on the arts and travel for a variety of publications. She caught the travel bug at a young age, leaving her native Toronto and living in three different countries before settling in Bangalore five years ago. Email iputinja@yahoo.com.
Rod Simpson is an experienced journalist and
aircraft historian who specialises in Business Aviation. He is the author of more than a dozen aviation books and has worked as a consultant in the US General Aviation industry, contributing to many journals on both sides of the Atlantic. Email: rod@aeroplan.freeserve.co.uk.
Mike Vines is author of seven books, and is a specialist Business Aviation writer/photographer for several highly-respected industry publications. His aviation career spans approximately 40 years. Email: mikevines@blueyonder.co.uk.
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EDITOR'S LETTER
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WELCOME
usiness Aviation is a wonderful form of transportation—it’s safe, secure, fast and efficient. Just ask those companies and entrepreneurs who employ business aircraft to reach locations near and far. They will praise the benefits of meeting with clients, prospects and/or business associates promptly when circumstances are most favorable. They will also agree that access to business aircraft, either through ownership or charter, enables the right person to be at the right place at the right time to initiate an auspicious contact, close a sale or provide exceptional and personalized customer service. Unlike scheduled airline service, which provides transportation between major city pairs with a high demand for passenger movement, Business Aviation provides access on your schedule to any location with a suitable airport. In addition to being a particularly effective business tool, Business Aviation is the preferred form of travel for those individuals and families who value their personal time, which is the greatest of all treasures. Once consumed, time cannot be recovered. It is truly a wise person who respects and leverages the gift of time—someone who employs resources such as Business Aviation to use time efficiently. Consider, also, those situations such as medical flights where travel time should be as short as possible and traveler wellbeing protected to the fullest. Many business aircraft are designed to accommodate quickly the temporary installation of emergency equipment to serve the sick or disabled while in transit to advanced treatment centres throughout the region, or in Europe or the Americas.
Praiseworthy To those who currently are using Business Aviation, we salute you . You demonstrate the foresight and acumen of a leader. You recognize that a firm’s most valuable assets are its people and the time they have available to deal with company issues. Access to business aircraft is the sign of a well-managed enterprise. You also value your personal time and wellbeing as well as the security and comfort of your family and entourage. Although you are familiar with Business Aviation, we welcome you to the pages of BizJet Advisor . We are confident that you will find relevant and insightful information within our coverage of your region’s community of business aircraft operators and users. You will learn of other companies that use the benefits of business aircraft to achieve success, and you will see profiles of important individuals such as yourselves who also employ this unique form of air transportation to maximize travel effectiveness and minimize travel hassle. We respectfully acknowledge the good work of governments throughout your region for their growing appreciation for Business Aviation and their thoughtful consideration of this important community within their national policies on air transportation. For example, consider what is happening in India. Following many years of minimal recognition of the Business Aviation community, the Indian Government is now evaluating policy that could become the foundation for a more enlightened approach to regulating and stimulating this sector of air transportation. India, like other countries in that region, is forecast to expand its use of business aircraft between now and 2020.
Jack Olcott Editorial Director Jack holds degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Business Administration, has held senior positions within aviation publishing, and led the National Business Aviation Association for over a decade. Jack is Editorial Director of BizJet Advisor. Email: jack@avbuyer.com
Potential To readers who are new to Business Aviation - or simply exploring the benefits that are available to you, your family and your company - this magazine provides particular relevance. We trust you will find within its pages compelling reasons why you should consider this unique and important form of air transportation.
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Three cabin spaces and incredible range. Powered by Rolls-Royce engines, you can fly from London to New York or Dubai to Johannesburg in total comfort. The largest living space in its class divided into three separate areas allows you to work or rest. And with the largest baggage compartment in its class, you can carry everything you need to do more. Find out more about the Legacy 650 and our six other exceptional models at EmbraerExecutiveJets.com Latin America +55 12 3927 3399, U.S., Canada and Caribbean +1 954 359 5387, Europe, Middle East and Africa +44 1252 379 270, China +86 10 6598 9988, Asia Pacific +65 6734 4321
MORE POSSIBILITIES...
...FOR THE JOURNEY
LUXURY LIFE
DINNER IN THE SKY Are you looking for something a little different for dinner? Then look no further: Dinner in the Sky is a company that takes dining to a whole new level… literally! Renowned Michelin three-star chef Alain Passard recently prepared a special dinner party for guests suspended above the stunning Cathedrale d'Amiens in France. The creator of Events in the Sky, David Ghysels, is passionate about the unique experiences on offer. "People of means want to live extraordinary things. They want to be able to tell their friends that they have done something incredible, unique." So far his company has held events all over the world including in Chandigarh; Dubai (for BMW); Beirut and Bel Hawa Sawa (for MTV); Lebanon (for HSBC); and Jerusalem (a Bar Mitzvah in the Sky). Prices for events over major landmarks range between $20,000 and $50,000 which guarantees an incredible meal and a night for you and your guests to remember always. Other experiences offered by the company include Lounge in the Sky, Golf in the Sky, Showbiz in the Sky and Marriage in the Sky. → www.dinnerinthesky.com
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BEAUTIFUL CARS, LEGENDARY HOTELS PERFECT COMBINATION The title reflects the thinking behind the global partnership of Bentley cars with The St Regis and The Luxury Collection hotels and resorts. Guests will enjoy driving programmes, special events, brand initiatives and house fleets at flagship hotels around the world. The Bentley Continental Flying Spur models have been chosen as the house fleet at The St. Regis hotels and resorts
around the world including The St. Regis Singapore, The St. Regis Saadiy at Island Resort in Abu Dhabi and the brand’s flagship hotel in New York. In April of this year, The Luxury Collection and Bentley conducted the scenic Springtime Bentley Grand Tour from Vienna to Salzburg. Lasting two days, the journey by Bentley Continental W12 and V8 included stops at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna and the Schloss Fuschl in Salzburg.
LUXURY LIFE
BENTLEY’S NEW SUV CONCEPT CAR Having unveiled its new EXP 9 F SUV at the recent Geneva Salon d’Auto, the chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, Wolfgang Duerheimer, remarked: “You may ask yourself ‘what does the ‘F’ in EXP 9 F stand for?’. Well the ‘F’ simply stands for Falcon. The outstanding characteristics of this animal have been guiding us through the concept phase of this car.” It’s unmistakably a Bentley - yet a Bentley like none before it. The ‘EXP’ name pays homage to EXP 1 (Experimental Prototype), the very first car to bear the Bentley name, built in 1920. The last experimental concept vehicle to be developed was in 2001. The ‘EXP Speed 8’ was an experimental racing car that just two years ago raced to victory at Le Mans. Bentley believes that many of its customers already own SUVs (alongside the Mulsanne or Continental in their garages) and that a dramatically-styled Bentley all-wheel drive SUV would be a natural choice both on and off-road. Notable Bentley design features such as the matrix grille, round lamps and the strong power-line and haunch along each flank have been reinterpreted for EXP 9 F. The rear lights are inspired by the forms and details of fighter jet engines, uniquely designed so that they glow from within, spreading their
light outwards, whilst the amber glow from the indicators give the appearance of an afterburner. The EXP 9 F seating is 4+1. Rear seat passengers can choose between two modes: Business mode, with fold-down keyboard and full internet connectivity via an iPad or tablet, or a more reclined position for leisure purposes with powered footrest, drinks table and a screen for movies. When the rear seats are not in use, they can be powered forward to create a larger load space for sports equipment or luggage. Three different driving modes – Driver Focus, Command Drive and Grand Touring – will be selectable depending on the road
environment and type of journey. Thus the driver information TFT panel will be able to switch between satellite navigation on the motorway to a ‘sump cam’ when negotiating a bumpy track. The SUV is characterised by Bentley’s exceptional levels of power and performance. Although the EXP 9 F concept is based around the Bentley 6.0 litre, twinturbocharged W12 engine with an eight-speed transmission, both the company’s recentlylaunched 4.0 litre, twin-turbocharged V8 or a hybrid drive train could meet the performance requirements of a pinnacle luxury SUV. → www.bentleymotors.com
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LUXURY LIFE
2011 - A VINTAGE YEAR FOR BORDEAUX? According to International Fine Wines Company, Berry Bros. & Rudd, 2011 might not be at the same level as the superlative 2009 and 2010 for Bordeaux-produced wine. But this connoisseur says the 2011 vintage does offer some pleasant surprises, and the campaign promises to be an interesting one, with Chateau Lafite-Rothschild releasing very early and Chateau Latour pulling out of the en primeur system. Indications from the barrel tastings undertaken by Berry’s experts’ annual pilgrimage to Bordeaux, suggest that those who have produced gems will be similar to 1996 in terms of style, but even those who haven’t made wines of blockbuster appeal will not be bad – considering the advances made in winemaking technology during recent years.
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The good news is that this 2011 vintage is likely to have produced lovely drinking Bordeaux to fill up the cellar, with those that bought 2002, 2004 and 2008 aware of what great value these wines are - and of course how delicious they are. Simon Staples, Fine Wine Sales Director for Berry Bros. & Rudd, said: “We have seen far greater wines at the top end than we could have possibly hoped for. The gap between "The Super Seconds" and the “Firsts” is tiny this year with several surpassing the Firsts’ quality. I have tasted very good dry whites and exceptional sweeties that are as good as 2001.” 2011 is a difficult vintage to generalise about, but Berry’s full vintage report is online at www.bbr.com detailing the complications and opportunities of the vintage.
Alun Griffiths, Berry’s Wine Buying Director, added: “Nobody in Bordeaux is pretending that this vintage is on the same level as 2009 or 2010. It does seem superior to 2008, 2006, 2004 and 2002. So now all depends on price. Logically we would expect to see prices pitched between the opening offers of 2008 and 2009, perhaps nearer to the former than the latter. “Early indications from the chateaux are that they will release the wines early and at prices which reflect - in part - this sentiment. If this happens then we would be recommending some of this vintage strongly; if prices fail to drop sufficiently, however, then it may be wiser to sit and wait, or to look at older vintages which could offer better value,” he concluded. → www.bbr.com
LUXURY LIFE
AND THE WINNER IS... The Emirates Palace has been named best UAE hotel in New York’s prestigious Travel + Leisure Magazine’s 2012 List of the World’s Best Hotels which will be of no surprise to anyone who has stayed at this iconic and luxurious hotel. The Palace sits on a 1.3 km stretch of private white pristine beach with 100 hectares of lush landscaped gardens. Its facilities include award winning restaurants, personal butler service, VIP concierge, two swimming pools, spa, tennis courts and fitness centre. Its business facilities are superb. The auditorium seats 1000 guests, the ballroom caters for up to 2400 guests, plus there are 40 meeting rooms, a Media Centre, a Business
Centre and an outdoor venue for up to 20,000 guests. Plus the hotel offers the fastest high speed internet in Abu Dhabi. The Palace hosts the Middle East International Film Festival, and is home to a
spectacular Art Gallery. With a FIFA standard football pitch - Manchester City’s winter training ground - it offers the best in world sports action including the annual Lashings Cricket Festival.
SPACE TRAVEL FROM ABU DHABI Richard Branson’s Abu Dhabibacked Virgin Galactic will establish a second spaceport for the company based in the UAE capital. The spaceport will handle international flights with a remit to reduce flight times to the US by an hour, and will also eventually provide a base for the first private travellers’ flights into space. Announcing the spaceport, Virgin painted a picture of an exciting future for the new facility, whose exact location in Abu Dhabi has yet to be decided, and a new era of inter-
galactic travel. Perhaps one day this will include a future generation of spaceships flying from Abu Dhabi to New Mexico in no more than an hour. Virgin says its flights into space are at least a year away from commencing at its US location in the Mojave Desert where it is now extending the runway. Once underway, Space tourists will get a two-and-a-half-hour flight with about five minutes of weightlessness and views of Earth that until now only astronauts have seen. In September 2011, a businessman from Singapore paid US $1 million for a ticket for
him, his wife and two children to travel to space with Virgin Galatic to become the first Asian family to fly to space together with the space-tourism airline. Speaking at an international media and marketing conference in Singapore, Virgin Galactic commercial director Stephen Attenborough said the customer had asked to remain anonymous because “apparently he hasn't told his wife yet”. Virgin Galactic has already taken 500 customer deposits at US$200,000 a ticket for its anticipated space programme. → www.virgingalactic.com
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JET NEWS
MEBAA’S REGIONAL TRIUMPHS
Ali Al Naqbi, MEBAA
REGIONAL GROWTH FOR ROYAL JET bu Dhabi's Royal Jet president and CEO Shane O'Hare recently predicted that the regional market for private jet travel would grow at 6-8% in the Middle East this year and next, with the company itself estimating 15% growth for 2012. O’Hare also said that there would be more consolidation at the smaller end of the private aircraft sector, with a move towards global alliances from stronger players along similar lines to those in the commercial airline sector. → www.royaljetgroup.com
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15% growth predicted at Royal Jet
he Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has scored major successes over the last quarter. In February the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) dissolved an exclusive flight permit contract owned by Palm Jet after the organisation lobbied hard to quash it, since the agreement made operating business flights into Iraq hugely expensive. The contract had been in place since 2010 and meant Palm Jet had a monopoly, for a proposed 12-year term, over all rights to fly in and out of the country. After Palm Jet took over, the permit cost rose from $200 to $6,000 for aircraft with fewer than 10 seats and $8,000 for those with 10 seats or more. MEBAA also created a strategic partnership with the Global Aerospace Summit, which took place in Abu Dhabi in April. MEBAA promoted critical issues affecting stakeholders within Business Aviation, namely sector specific regulation, airport access and the development of skilled manpower. Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, Chairman said, "There is a distinct disparity between the amount of planes on order and the available manpower needed to fly and service the growing fleets. It is a problem for the global industry and one that must be tackled together with a long-term industry standard." → www.mebaa.com
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Aircraft Acquisition & Consignment Airframe Maintenance Avionics Installation Engine & APU Government & Special Programs Paint & Interior Parts, Avionics, Instruments & Accessories Emergency Assistance (AOG)
Duncan Aviation, Inc. is an independent business aircraft support organization, providing complete service and technical support. The Duncan Aviation name is well-known and respected by manufacturers and service providers around the world. We have a strong reputation for providing premier aircraft services—delivered on time—for a wide variety of business aircraft.
+1.402.475.2611 ■ www.DuncanAviation.aero/worldwide Owned and Operated by the duncan family since Our fOunding in 1956.
JET NEWS
SAFETY AWARD FOR METROJET ong Kong’s Metrojet has been awarded with the Flight Safety Foundation Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award. Metrojet says that it is the first Business Aviation company in Asia to earn recognition for its commitment to safety and service excellence.
BAOA (INDIA) LOBBIES GOVERNMENT ince bringing together the various groups representing Business Aviation in India, BAOA has achieved significant and encouraging success in addressing the challenges facing operators of business aircraft throughout the Subcontinent. Under the leadership of its president, Captain Rohit Kapur,
BAOA has enunciated the benefits to the Indian economy that accrue from Business Aviation. Specifically, he has called upon officials within the Indian Government to recognize that this unique form of transportation “…would have to be the backbone of any country aiming to become an economic giant. [Business Aviation] affords flexibility and
optimization of time to the business leaders, who are pillars of the economic strength of the country.” BAOA’s agenda includes a plethora of issues ranging from operations of foreign-registered aircraft in India and related importation taxes, to the need for government policies that facilitate sustainable growth of the General and Business Aviation (G&BA) sectors. Noting that the size of G&BA is projected to grow by 500 percent in the next 25 years, the Association has called on the Indian Government to create infrastructure to match the operational requirements of the many business aircraft that are anticipated to be registered in India. In addition to addressing policy and structural concerns for facilitation of growth, BAOA also is assisting its members with management issues such as education for flight department personnel, more efficient processing of flight plans and Air Traffic Control charges, and rational approaches toward ground handling and the fees charged for such services. BAOA has called upon the Indian Government to declare 2012 as the year of General and Business Aviation. Apparently the Association’s message is gaining traction: India recently announced that the government was leaning toward including Business Aviation within its national policy for air transportation. → www.baoa.in
Captain Rohit Kapur
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OTHER AIRCRAFT IN THE LIGHT JET FIELD CAN ADMIRE ONLY FROM A DISTANCE. But you’re welcome to a closer look at the CJ4’s superior handling, higher cruise speed, advanced avionics, improved aerodynamics, and the biggest CJ interior yet, with greater payload overall. Equipped for two and certified for a single pilot, the CJ4 is a flexible flight department performer. Other jets in the class try to approach but they can’t come close. Meet the ultimate light jet and find out more about the CJ4 at Cessna.com.
JET NEWS
(From left to right): Vice-Chairwoman Helena Lang; Chairman Jean-Noel Robert; elected Executive Committee member Saira Kanchwala; Vice-Chairman Kevin Wu.
NEW AsBAA BOARD new Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) board is now in office, following the election of two new Vice Chairmen, Helena Lang and Kevin Wu, the re-election of Chairman Jean-Noel Robert, and the election of Saira Kanchwala and Ekavaj Amornvivat as Executive Committee members. The new board aims to open an office in China this year. www.asbaa.org
$2.5BN EMBRAER MoU razilian business jet manufacturer Embraer has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Beijing’s ICBC Financial Leasing for the sale of Embraer airliners and business jets in Asian markets. Under the MoU, total program support could amount to as much as $2.5 billion over the next five years.
INDIAN OPERATOR SHOWS FLAIR umbai, India-based Invision Air Services is to team with fellow Embraer Phenom operator, Oxford Airport-headquartered Flair Jet to offer charter services in India and Europe. The two companies are "in discussion" on how they can better work together. Flair Jet trains Phenom pilots and will become the first trainers for pilots on the new Legacy 450 and 500 variants when they enter service from next year. → www.invision.co.in
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Flair Jet Phenom
According to Embraer’s commercial aviation president Paulo Cesar Silva the rapid development of the Chinese economy in particular has resulted in high growth rates for regional and executive aviation, making it one of the greatest potential markets in the world. He said, “Embraer forecasts demand for 635 executive jets in China during the next 10 years.”
JET NEWS
JSSI EXPANDS MIDDLE EAST PRESENCE
ASA GROUP SEES INBOUND TRAFFIC RISE
et Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) has opened a new office located in the Dubai Airport Freezone, adding William Khouri as the new technical advisor for the region. Mr. Khouri is fluent in the Arabic, French and English languages. He will be based at the new Dubai office. → www.jetsupport.com
William Khouri, JSSI
ARAB WINGS DEBUTS UPGRADED GLOBAL 5000 rab Wings of Amman became the first Middle Eastern customer to take delivery of a Bombardier Global 5000 jet featuring the Vision Flight Deck. The Jordanian charter
hailand’s ASA Group is reporting a sharp rise in inbound traffic to Southeast Asia from the US in particular. Chairman Simon Wagstaff said, “We have been inundated with requests since the beginning of the year, especially for business traffic into the region.” The Hong Kong-headquartered company has its main operations centre in Bangkok and said that the increase in business was ‘region-wide.’ → www.asag.aero
operator also operates Challenger 604 and Challenger 605 aircraft. The Vision flight deck introduces the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite, which ensures compatibility between all systems on the aircraft. → www.arabwings.com.jo
Bombardier and Arab Wings executives celebrate the delivery of the first Global 5000 jet with the Vision Flight Deck
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BUSINESS AVIATION AND YOU Finding Useful Advice WORDS � Jack Olcott
EXPERTS are available to assist entrepreneurs and companies who wish to enjoy the benefits of business aircraft. But with so much information available, how can you tell where to find the best advice? BizJet Advisor offers some suggestions…
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OWNERSHIP
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business aircraft is a marvelous tool for expanding life’s opportunities, as well as fulfilling the responsibilities that accompany those great opportunities. Travel time can be both productive and enjoyable when passengers fly in an aircraft cabin designed to provide all the features usually found in a wellequipped office or a beautiful home. Business aircraft are sophisticated examples of leading–edge technology, and they embody the latest in systems designed to assure safety and efficiency. Their communications equipment can connect passengers with Internet, email and voice systems while they fly to anywhere in the world. Properly outfitted, a business aircraft is a wonder in mobility. More locations are accessible to private aircraft than to airlines, while the traveler also controls the schedule. Flights usually are direct to the desired destination saving time, and many users of Business Aviation say that access to a business aircraft gives them the equivalent of an eight-day week. Security is also assured. The user of a business aircraft determines who flies onboard— whether business associates, friends or family members. In today’s environment of expanding globalization, opportunities abound when business persons have the appropriate tools, including access to business aircraft. Utilizing the capabilities of Business Aviation requires a substantial investment, however. Business aircraft are similar to other capital goods that offer significant benefits. Their costs of acquisition and operation reflect their considerable value. For safety and efficiency, they must be managed by experts. Therefore, the purchase and use of a business aircraft requires specialized knowledge and experience to enable you to capture their full potential.
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Advisors are available to help you get the most from Business Aviation - just know where to look.
Advice is Available, but Caution is Advised Business Aviation is well-established in many areas of the world, and experts are available to help, provided the seeker knows where to look for them. Yet not all experts have knowledge that is relevant to the needs of those seeking the advantages of travel via business aircraft. While Business Aviation and the Airlines share many technologies, ranging from the basic principles of flight to their use of the Air Traffic Control system, they differ in fundamental ways. An airline’s method of doing business is designed to minimize costs to the traveler while generating a profit for the shareholders of the airline. Thus airline service is concentrated between cities that assure full or nearly-full aircraft. Business Aviation augments a nation’s transportation infrastructure by providing air service to locations with emerging markets and business potential, where high volumes of traffic do not exist presently. Locations that do not attract a sufficient volume of travelers either have no scheduled service or have a limited number of flights, often requiring several stops and possibly a change of aircraft along the way. Business Aviation is designed to maximize the travel experience for passengers. Customer service is a priority. Trips are
Not all experts have knowledge that is relevant to the needs of those seeking the advantages of travel via business aircraft.
tailored in accordance with the travel needs of the business aircraft user. The cost element is measured by passenger-time saved and passenger-productivity gained while traveling. Such objectives ultimately generate the highest returns for the traveler (and his or her company). Why? A company truly succeeds when it maximizes the productivity of its people and their time. When seeking advice regarding Business Aviation, select sources with relevant knowledge of the unique characteristics, features and benefits of Business Aviation - not of aviation in general.
Sources to Consider Current users of Business Aviation—whether entrepreneurs or companies—have knowledge regarding the best path to follow in evaluating the benefits that await you, particularly if they have needs similar to yours. Thus, it is worth talking with your network of associates and professional friends. Consider their advice to be only one element in your research, however. Remember, what may have been a perfect experience for one user might not apply fully to another. Most users of Business Aviation have engaged experts in various aspects of their analysis and acquisition process. Ask about the consultants they hired. They may have used the services of an aircraft manufacturer or resale broker. While the seller of a new or previouslyowned aircraft might appear to be more interested in selling you the product than serving your personal travel needs, the very best sales agents will place your interests first. They have a strong reason to satisfy their client and establish the basis for an ongoing relationship. It is in their interest to plant the seeds for future business within the growing market for Business Aviation in the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia. SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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OWNERSHIP Your network of associates and professional friends might offer you good advice on Business Aviation. But this is only one element in your research.
Do not overlook established consultants who are not associated with either manufacturers or aircraft resale brokers. Do not overlook established consultants who are not associated with either manufacturers or aircraft resale brokers. Firms can be found that represent only the potential buyer. Their services are obtained by paying a fee for various levels of engagement, ranging from locating suitable aircraft for sale to detailed analysis and preparation of the acquisition process. Such companies receive no commissions or success fees.
A Team of Experts Acquiring and using a business aircraft involves several areas of expertise. Decisions related to aircraft purchase differ from those related to aircraft operation. And do not forget that during a sales process, the buyer should have experienced legal representation that is independent from the legal resources used by the seller. Establishing a flight department for operating the aircraft requires specialized skills. While it is possible to find one consultant 026
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who can assist you with both acquisition and operations, it is essential to obtain experienced advice on the subject of operations. Understand that the expert in acquisition may not have great experience with establishing and managing a flight department for you. In regions where Business Aviation is an emerging form of transportation—like the Middle East, India and Southeastern Asia— often the best approach is to place the newly acquired aircraft with an established aircraft management company that offers the required level of expertise in flight operations. Contacting one or more of the leading associations that represent Business Aviation worldwide can augment advice from current users of Business Aviation. The Asian Business Aviation Association (www.asbaa.org), the Business Aircraft Operators Association (of India) (www.baoa.in), the Middle East Business Aviation Association (www.mebaa.org), the European Business Aviation Association (www.ebaa.org) and the National Business Aviation Association (www.nbaa.org) maintain lists of their members who are available for consultation. Business Aviation enables its users to expand their professional and personal lives while providing the advantages of efficient access to domestic and world markets. Advisors are available to assist you in understanding, maximizing and using the benefits of business aircraft as they apply to you. BJA
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OWNERSHIP
ASK YOURSELF The Questions You THIS Need Answered Before Buying an Aircraft WORDS � Liz Moscrop
THERE’S plenty to be said for owning a business jet - but where do you even begin the process of buying one? Each individual seeking to purchase their own jet has many unique and essential questions they must get answered with the help of a specialist before moving along the path to ownership. 028
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ike any project, it is crucial first to establish your vision and mission before buying an aircraft. Thorough attention to these details will lead to a truly satisfying aircraft ownership experience. Let’s consider the example of someone who wants to fly three people from Dubai to Cairo regularly (a distance of approximately 2,400 kilometers), but sometimes carry an additional four passengers. Initially, many people will start to look at long-range and large cabin aircraft. However, bringing in experts even at this early stage can help you get the best value for your dollar. They will help you assess such questions as what your travel needs are, who will be flying, and what the typical destinations you visit are. Further questions follow: How often will you fly; how many people will be on board; and will you charter the aircraft out when you are not using it? Then you need to consider whether it is really necessary to fly non-stop to your destination? How about matters of passenger comfort? Is a lavatory, a galley, or separate space for a flight attendant needed for your typical business trip? These (and more questions) will help you decide the size of cabin you require, as well as where to base and hangar an aircraft. Realistically you are unlikely to fulfil all your travel needs with your new corporate jet, and some of your travel (perhaps as much as 70%) will need to be provided from charter or airline carriers - but this is quite normal.
Travel Costs Factored China and New Jersey-based broker Aviatrade’s Philip Rushton advised, “A good place to start the process is to go back and look at how you or your company travels. What has that cost you? How might this change in the short-, mediumand long-term? Looking at destinations and the amount of travel, as well as what sort of aircraft you like, will help you draft your yearly costs.” Steve Varsano of The Jet Business - a brokerage in London - explained that his company works with the client to ascertain their real needs and then puts together a presentation that outlines comparisons of suitable aircraft that would fit the bill. Using the example above, for a regular trip between Dubai and Cairo with up to seven passengers, a 030
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Cessna Citation XLS+ would fit the requirement, as would a Learjet 60XR, Falcon 2000 or Hawker 900XP. “We outline all the pros and cons, show the client the acquisition and operating costs, and also source how many good examples there are on the market,” Varsano revealed. He has opened a store in London where people can source an aircraft that meets their needs in minutes courtesy of an application that offers comparisons projected onto a huge screen the size of a Gulfstream G550 cabin. Aircraft floors and cabins are overlaid on top of each other and the viewer can stand in front of the screen to get a true idea of cabin height and width. If you opted for the Citation, Varsano would then pull up a list of available aircraft on his books, for which he has lots of photographs and specifications. If clients are unable to meet at the shop, however, the team will travel to any destination in the world and bring a mobile version on a specially-customized iPad.
...go back and look at how you or your company travels. What has that cost you? How might this change in the short-, mediumand long-term? - Philip Rushton
Other Costs Your choice of aircraft also dictates your aircrew and mechanic’s salaries, as well as where to keep it. You will want to estimate fuel costs, and evaluate the fuel programs and discounts available. Rushton added, “Don’t forget insurance. These all add up to your annual running costs. Also, depending on where you are in the world, tax planning is essential.” (A good broker would help you ascertain these prices.) Kansas-based aviation lawyer James Cooling pointed out that other operational considerations include the location and availability of manufacturer service centers and other maintenance providers, and the whereabouts of pilot training facilities which could all save time and money if considered in your planning. “Before a particular make and model of aircraft can be operated, the purchaser may have to obtain governmental approval (known
Establish your vision and requirements before buying an aircraft
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as type certification) by the local country’s regulating authority,” Cooling added. “If the purchaser selects a type of aircraft not yet approved for operation in that country, the initial type certification can be very expensive and time consuming.” Many companies choose to hire a management company to operate their aircraft. Also, to reduce your ownership costs when not using it you could hire a charter company to add the aircraft to their certificate and use it for charter. Choosing a qualified aviation lawyer is essential in the process. Colorado-based broker Jay Mesinger elaborated: “With some regularity a buyer or seller will not want to use an aviation attorney and instead use their in-house or general counsel to negotiate the Letter of Intent and Purchase Agreement. Be warned: there is typically no comparison between even the most common of real estate transactions and the simplest of aircraft transactions. “On a transaction as important and valuable as an aircraft purchase, the few added dollars that a highly-skilled aviation attorney charges will really prove to be a cost saving when compared to the value of the lost transaction for either a buyer or a seller.” 032
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Furthermore, buyer and seller should each be represented by individual counsel. It is unwise for both the seller and the buyer to use the same attorney. Unlike buying a car, acquiring a jet is such a monumental task that buyers are often daunted once they have their new airplane. “We never see a sale as being finished at the delivery of the aircraft to the customer,” Varsano assured. “Once we have sold an aircraft to a client, we consider the relationship to have just started - and will gladly fly out to them free of charge afterwards to help with any related problems.” BJA
Be warned: there is typically no comparison between even the most common of real estate transactions and the simplest of aircraft transactions. - Jay Mesinger
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SAFETY
TRAVELLING SAFELY Verifiable Standards for Business Aviation Safety WORDS ďż˝ Peter v. Agur, Jr.
PASSENGERS on business aircraft are the most valuable asset of any company or family. By setting the appropriate standard for safe operations and insisting that the aviation service provider apply that standard, a user of Business Aviation can enjoy a level of transportation safety that truly protects those passengers.
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egardless of whether the transportation services are obtained through your company’s management company, flight department or chartered from a commercial firm, you need to understand what is the appropriate safety standard for the provider of the Business Aviation services. There is an energetic debate about that issue going on right now. It is a healthy dialogue contrasting the past with the future. Before the turn of this century, aviation “safety” focused on preventing accidents. In other words, it was reactive to the hard lessons previously learned by others. Today, safety is far more forward-looking as it seeks to manage real and potential risks. This is done by identifying, measuring and mitigating risks in a proactive approach to avoid damage or injury. The most widely-used term for this approach is ‘Safety Management System’ (SMS). SMS is becoming the QMS (Quality Management System) for aviation. Evidence of an established SMS is already a regulatory requirement for flying jet and turboprop aircraft within several regions of the world, including the European Union, and SMS will become mandatory for commercial operations in the US within a few years. In the meantime, the effective application of SMS within Business Aviation is a safety Best Practice. Universal acceptance of a single Best Practice for Business Aviation is challenging. The community is small, relatively speaking, consisting of about 19,000 operators of jet
Without a single standard it has been easy for executives and aviation managers to self-anoint their operations as upholding ‘Best Practices’ - or even ‘World Class Practices’ in safe operations.
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and turboprop business airplanes worldwide. When you consider the diversity of their owners, businesses, operating environments and cultures, however, you can appreciate why achieving a unified set of Best Practices in very difficult at best. Without a single standard it has been easy for executives and aviation managers to selfanoint their operations as upholding ‘Best Practices’ - or even ‘World Class Practices’ in safe operations. Yet a number of aviation departments routinely perform to lesser standards. I presented my first paper to the Flight Safety Foundation on the subject in the 1990s and have been making presentations and writing articles about aviation safety ever since.
Insisting on exceptional safe operations protects your most valuable assets: Family, friends and employees.
More than Prevention Best Practices are situational. Let me be clear; safety Best Practices are about much more than merely preventing safety failures. Safety Best Practices assure the intended outcomes with a minimum probability of significant variances. Some companies and their aviation departments seek to confirm their standards and practices by ‘benchmarking’ against others, but benchmarking has little to do with Best Practices. Benchmarking only confirms what others are doing. Is there a simple solution for establishing Best Practices? A number of vendors and industry organizations are trying to establish themselves as the source for Business Aviation Best Practices. Several charter vendor-auditing companies are marketing their proprietary protocol-based audits as Best Practices. Beware: their standards are based on air taxi regulations with some enhancements. ‘Best Practices’ for the company flight department requires its own approach that considers the holistic aspects of air transportation for company employees or family members of entrepreneurs. On the other hand, the European regulatory authorities require proof of an applied Safety Management System (SMS) for any large jet or turboprop aircraft operated within its airspace, whether it is flying for private or commercial purposes. This approach is more practical and is an improvement, but it is not quite hitting the mark for global Business Aviation because it only requires documentation of the existence of an SMS, not its full implementation. That brings us to the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and its development of the International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). IS-BAO has been established as a voluntary standard that was introduced in 2001. IS-BAO was created by IBAC in recognition of the need for a documented and systematic approach to Business Aviation operations. It is taking off and continues to mature. SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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As the user, armed with the information outlined here, you have the right and the obligation to approve the standards...used by your company or family to obtain aviation services. There are three “stages” of IS-BAO achievement that are confirmed by certified auditors using comprehensive protocols. In lay terms: • Stage 1 requires that appropriate systems and processes (including SMS) are in development. Stage 1 satisfies the EU requirement for proof of SMS use. There are currently about 500 aviation organizations qualified as registered with IBAC, mostly based in North America. (Note: that is less than 10% of all North American aviation departments.) • Stage 2 requires that systems and processes have been developed and implemented under direct supervision. About 100 aviation organizations have achieved this status - or 038
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less than 1% of all North American aviation departments. • Stage 3 requires full organizational commitment to IS-BAO performance standards and practices. Only about 50 organizations have achieved this highest level of IS-BAO registration - less than 0.1% of all North American aviation departments. IS-BAO Stage 3 registration assures your aviation services are “doing things right.” It is the ultimate industry recognition for performance. It needs only one more ingredient to achieve true ‘Best Practices’ stature. That ingredient is within the purview of the user of business aircraft—making sure the aviation service provider (i.e., your company flight department, management company, or your charter service) is “doing the right things.” As the user, armed with the information outlined here, you have the right and the obligation to approve the standards (embodied within policies and practices) used by your company or family to obtain aviation services. Blend IS-BAO Stage 3 with policy and practices oversight by knowledgeable and independent third parties, and you will have verifiable Business Aviation Best Practices. BJA
IS-BAO: WHAT IT SPELLS FOR YOU IS-BAO (International Standards – Business Aircraft Operations) is sometimes referred to as the answer to establishing and maintaining “Best Practices” or better. But, does IS-BAO really spell “r-e-l-i-e-f” when it comes to assuring aviation performance? A few years ago there was a push to regulate Business Aviation by some of the member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) commissioned the development of IS-BAO in response to a perceived need for a documented and systematic approach to Business Aviation operations. In 2001 IS-BAO was established as a voluntary standard, and as it matures the pressure for added regulation has declined. International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations is worthwhile, and its value continues to grow. Its greatest impact is realized only when
it is fully implemented, however. Full implementation requires progression through three stages (as listed in the preceding article), and each stage is confirmed by certified auditors using comprehensive protocols. As the principal user of Business Aviation, you must approve the standards (embodied within policies and practices) used by whatever entity (in-house flight department, management company or charter company) provides aviation services to your organization or your family. Consider IS-BAO as a fundamental element in fulfilling your responsibilities for safety. 1. Require your Business Aviation services to achieve IS-BAO Stage 3 based on your specific standards and policies. 2. Empower your aviation organization to implement and fully employ the resources and practices needed to create and maintain IS-BAO Stage 3 performance.
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GREY MARKETS The Fight to Brighten up a Grey Day WORDS � Liz Moscrop
THE Business Aviation community is working hard to stamp out the ‘grey’ charter market in India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
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he illegal charter market darkens the skies for everyone involved in the private aviation sector. It undermines the professional community at a time when the sector is trying to establish (or re-establish) itself in newer markets. Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), says one of the biggest challenges to the Business Aviation market in the Middle East is the so-called “grey market”, which forms at least 20 to 25 percent of Business Aviation operations there. The grey market is a system where private aircraft owners without an air operator's certificate (AOC) operate charter flights illegally. The hourly rates are considerably cheaper than those posted by the legal operators, but while the money savings can seem attractive, the consequences for customers flying in an illegal flight suffering an incident could range from huge expense – thanks to lack of insurance – to death.
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If a service provider is cavalier enough to offer commercial flights without bothering to obtain an AOC, ask yourself how careful it would be about its maintenance procedures and pilot training? According to Al Naqbi, in some nearby regions a large number of Business Aviation players operate illegally. Speaking at the Corporate Jet Investor Finance Conference in London earlier this year Al Naqbi’s counterpart at the British Business & General Aviation Association (BBGA) and CEO of Gama Aviation Marwen Khalek pointed to an area where problems arise – cheap labor. “We really have to focus on what is going on as an industry. We need to pay fair market value for these services. “We are still in an industry where we pay more per hour to fix our cars, than our aircraft. An experienced pilot is hired for $1,500 per day in USA. We need to expand our client-base to have a consistently sustainable business. Grey charter is a thorn in the side still.”
...the consequences for customers flying in an illegal flight suffering an incident could range from huge expense – thanks to lack of insurance – to death.
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Related Issues Another area of concern is actually bringing new aircraft into emerging markets at a time when growing regions are crying out for more jets. Patrick Margetson-Rushmore CEO of London-based LEA Aviation added, “Grey charter is also a big issue for lenders as they could lose their asset. They pay great attention to the management of the aircraft. If a flight goes down it would not be insured. More fundamentally, it is an illegal activity.” Khalek expanded, “If you found your client engaging in an illegal activity then you wouldn't lend. It is a serious problem for the industry.” In the Middle East the Saudi Arabian market is the most at risk, constantly struggling with grey charter. Faisal Al Saddik managing director of Saudi Private Aviation, the private charter division of Saudi Arabian Airlines revealed, “We are working with the CAA to modify regulations in order to protect our passengers from illegal activity. Happily we are already beginning to see improvements in the market.”
with constantly inquiring and finding that there are no aircraft available. It is hampering the industry.” However, the good news is that there are several companies throughout the region that offer both management and charter services, and applications for AOCs are coming in thick and fast to the various regional aviation authorities - so official channels for aircraft charter users are on the rise in the region. Both the US and Europe have also suffered from illegal operators, but have managed to curtail such practices by education and raising awareness. Earlier last year, the European Business Aviation Association initiated a campaign aimed at frightening those who damage the legal market by operating potentially unsafe flights. Its document entitled ‘Is My Flight Legal? Ensure the Safety and Legality of the Business Aircraft you Charter,’ provided advice and guidance on the subject. MEBAA also urges everybody in the Gulf region, whether passengers, operators, authorities or airports to co-operate in the fight to eliminate the practice, and is in discussion with the General Civil Aviation Authority, airports and operators to put checks in place. The ultimate answer to this issue is education. Operators and management companies need to get the message out to their passengers, working alongside the rest of the industry. “We can’t impose rules, but we can be proactive in making suggestions to operators,” Al Naqbi concluded. “That would make the authorities happy too.” BJA
Southeast Asia Demand for Business Aviation is growing in Southeast Asia, but the available aircraft capacity is not being developed sufficiently to meet this demand, according to Jean-Noel Robert, president of the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA). “We need for companies to be brave, put their hands in their pockets and take the risk of buying aircraft,” he said. One of his key concerns is stamping out the potential for grey charter. “People get fed up
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Both the US and Europe have also suffered from illegal operators, but have managed to curtail such practices by education and raising awareness.
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MEETING DEMAND
Comlux Expands into the Middle East WORDS ďż˝ Mike Vines
FLY COMLUX, a part of the Switzerland-based Comlux Aviation Group, has rapidly become one of the world leaders in long range corporate jet management and charter operations. It is also one of the fastest expanding with a very young fleet of aircraft. To keep pace with world hot-spots of demand Comlux is in the process of opening a new operations center and aircraft base at Manama, Bahrain.
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omlux set up a commercial sales arm in Manama just over two years ago. Such is the demand that it bases three widebody jets there, complete with crews and operations staff. This Bahrain operation is now known as Comlux Middle East and is a joint venture between the Comlux Aviation Group and local partner Saudi Private Aviation (SPA), a strategic partner of Saudi Arabia Airlines. The joint venture effectively brings together two of the leading charter operators in the Middle East and Europe, and the new center offers excellent positioning to nearby Saudi Arabia. Comlux operates regular VIP flights from the Middle East and will make its fleet available to clients of SPA, while SPA’s charter fleet of Falcon 7X and Hawker 400XP aircraft complements the larger VIP aircraft of the Comlux fleet. Richard Gaona, President and CEO of the Comlux Aviation Group, told BizJet Advisor that the company originally opened its commercial office in Bahrain to be closer to its clients. “A lot of activity is coming from the Middle East so we decided we should actually position aircraft there to save costs. “The expanded office will have a staff of about 20-25 people initially, with another 3040 flight crew members also to be based there. Two Airbus ACJ319s and a Boeing 767 (in 60seat configuration) are already based there. This is keeping us very busy,” Gaona outlined, adding that another brand new Airbus ACJ319 is to be delivered there during May, straight from Comlux America’s completions center in the U.S.
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A lot of activity is coming from the Middle East so we decided we should actually position aircraft there to save costs. Variety of Users These aircraft are largely operating from the Middle East to Europe - with London, Paris, Nice and Geneva the most popular destinations. “We are also chartering the Boeing 767 executive aircraft to several Heads of State in Africa, with most flights being non-stop to the U.S. on related United Nations meetings in New York.” (The 767 can fly non-stop for 14 hours, and at the time of writing was in Seoul, South Korea having transported a Head of State delegation there. “We also fly a lot of clients from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Gaona. This means relatively short positioning flights from Bahrain to either Jeddah or Riyadh before flying on to Europe. “Even if the flight is then going onto the U.S., clients usually make a one or two day stop-over before heading for New York, Washington, etc.” Comlux also has four other aircraft operations centers, which include Air Operator Certificates in Switzerland, Malta, Kazakhstan and Aruba. “Mainly our market is the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Russia, which explains why we have an Airbus ACJ318 and an ACJ319 based in Moscow,” Gaona added. “We also operate seven Bombardier Global and five Bombardier Challenger models that are dispatched all over the world.”
Richard Gaona, President & CEO, Comlux Aviation Group
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Of the current in-service fleet of 21 aircraft, approximately 25% are fully private aircraft managed by Comlux and not available for charter. The remaining 75%, however, are all available for charter. While it is always difficult to know the split between business and leisure bookings, Gaona estimates that leisure forms around 20-25% of the charter bookings and normally takes place around Christmas, or just before or after Ramadan. “Most of the time flights are business routings for delegations or business missions,” he explained.
Fleet Expansion In addition to its current fleet of aircraft, the company has an impressive backlog of aircraft orders that includes an Airbus ACJ321, an Embraer Legacy 650, two Bombardier Global 6000s and two Global 7000s. The yet-to-fly Global 7000 is scheduled to enter service in 2016 and will have the capability to fly LondonSingapore, New York-Dubai or BeijingWashington non-stop. Comlux is also the launch customer for the Sukhoi Business Jet (SBJ) - the VIP version of the in-service Sukhoi Superjet 100 (regional jet airliner) - and holds two firm orders and two optional delivery positions for that aircraft. Before entry into service, the VIP cabin will be designed and outfitted by Comlux America in Indianapolis U.S. (Comlux America has also been appointed as the first approved SBJ completion center). The delivery of the first SBJ to Indianapolis is scheduled for the end of 2015. Comlux America’s new state-of-the-art 64,500 sq ft hangar (scheduled to be completed by the second quarter of 2012) will open in early September. “We will be able to handle the completions of three to four aircraft per year, up to Airbus ACJ321 or BBJ3 size”, said Gaona. 048
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Photo © Mike Vines
Popularity
In addition our ACJ320 is one of only three VVIP-equipped A320 aircraft in the world and can fly nine hours non-stop. “At the moment we have a BBJ3, a Boeing 757 in executive configuration, and an ACJ319 in our existing Comlux America completions hangar, with a brand new BBJ due to arrive imminently, and another BBJ and an ACJ321 already booked in for next year. “We started operations in America in October 2008 with 15 people, and today we employ 350. This will be further expanded after the new facility comes on-line. Most importantly we have a very strong team there."
When BizJet Advisor asked what his most popular aircraft types were, Gaona revealed “The Boeing 767 has had a successful start, which is very important for us. In addition our ACJ320 is one of only three VVIP-equipped A320 aircraft in the world and can fly nine hours non-stop. It can also carry up to 100 large suitcases making it ideal for the Middle East region. Our Global Express aircraft are also doing a very good job between Russia, Europe and the U.S.” As for his market outlook, Gaona observes that in Europe the costs are very high for customers, who are generally flying less and doing so in smaller aircraft. “Nevertheless,” he said, “business is still good for us as we have some smaller aircraft in the fleet too.” His major worry though is the increasing price of fuel: “It’s a really high cost for an airline like us, and we can’t really transfer the extra fuel costs onto customers.” BJA
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POWERFLY The Story of One Man’s Passion to Succeed
WORDS � Neelam Mathews
CAPTAIN Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar Gopinath (or 'Gopi' to most) doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit,’ which is why he usually gets the job done despite Indian aviation’s regulatory and infrastructural gaps. Pioneer of many firsts, he started India’s first major private charter company, Deccan Charters and first budget carrier, Air Deccan which merged with Kingfisher Airlines in 2008. BizJet Advisor spoke with him about his hopes and aspirations for his latest private aviation project, Powerfly .
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ndia’s charter market has been growing steadily over the last few years for business jets and industrial applications. An atypical use of helicopters, however, is for flower droppings on temples for local politicians to get favours from a local deity, explained Sanjay Saihgal, Deccan’s vice president, business development, reflecting on one charter flight for which Deccan was engaged. The trigger for Deccan Charters came about in a similarly bizarre way. Gopi was reading an article one day about a Vietnamese orphan girl who had been adopted by a French family and who eventually returned to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot to fly people around so as to avoid landmines that had been planted during the war there. “An idea came to my mind,” Gopi recalled. “Vietnam was lacking in road infrastructure, and was so heavily bombed with landmines planted everywhere. It had no infrastructure - similar to India in a way, which also lacks infrastructure. Helicopters and small jets were the answer.” Gopi hadn’t so much as asked how much a helicopter would cost – but with his upbeat attitude, the fact that he’d arrived in Bangalore to see his idea come to fruition without any money in his pocket was merely an obstacle to be overcome. "Take a bumble bee that was created so clumsily,” he reasoned. “It was not designed to fly, but it knows no better, so it flies anyway.”
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His perseverance clearly paid off, and he overcame the initial obstacles. “Starting Deccan Charters with one helicopter was a ‘Eureka’ moment for me, as in the late 1990s India was liberalizing its policies and opening up.” Headquartered in India’s IT capital (Bangalore), Deccan Charters has grown at a rapid pace. It has subsequently expanded its network across the country and now operates a fleet of 16 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to cater to a mix of requirements for diverse locations. Tasks range from landing in remote fields with no runways, to flying into fields with short runways, or traveling to large towns for corporate business. The company caters for corporate charters, heli-tourism, helipilgrimage, air ambulance applications, aerial advertising, geo-physical surveys and mapping, offshore and logistics support. 054
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A Conquering Passion The going has not always been easy. A lack of focus in aviation policy and high charges by monopolistic ground-handlers in Mumbai and Delhi, plus tax hindrances do not make for a conducive growth environment for an air charter company. Fractional ownership remains elusive as Indian tax laws do not permit depreciation benefits, and the registration process of aircraft is constrained with multiple leases not permitted, but Gopi reckons passion wins the day. “There can be no dualism,” he outlines. “Unless you’re totally consumed by it (passion) and live and breathe it, only then can you become one with the idea…When you create a new market that doesn’t already exist, it’s all about creatively building. I realized that in an emerging economy, wealth gets created 20
Heli-pilgrimages is just one of many branches to Deccan's utilization of aircraft
By combining the three brands, Gopi believes the customer will be empowered as the booking process is integrated to enable the client to book any sector, on any type of aircraft (depending on travel and location needs). To enhance the signature further, Powerfly is offering attractive three- to four-day packages - Powerfly Vacations - to Taj Hotels’ exotic properties worldwide. “Taj Hotels have a huge reach with 140 sales offices worldwide. Participation at major tourism fairs in Berlin and France are already reaping good results.”
“There can be no dualism,” he outlines. “Unless you’re totally consumed by it (passion) and live and breathe it, only then can you become one with the idea…”
years after the introduction of reforms. The time had come for a start-up venture.” The time was indeed right - BJETS, a timeshare charter owned by Singapore-based Briley Group (partially owned by the Tatas), curtailed its ambitions in the face of a weak market. “The aircraft were on the ground for one and a half years,” Gopi recalled. “The Tatas contacted me (to take on this project). The next best idea, ‘Powerfly ’, was born. “This incorporated the Falcon 2000, 2000LX and P.180 Avanti II turboprop aircraft of Taj Air (owned by Indian hospitality group Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces), BJETS’ fleet of Citation CJ2 and Hawker 850/900XP, plus Deccan Charters’ helicopters. The mix of 28 jets, turboprops and helicopters provide a flexible membership programmed to any part of the country by the alliance.”
Driven by passion, Gopi built Deccan Charters from the ground up
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Take a bumble bee that was created so clumsily...It was not designed to fly, but it knows no better, so it flies anyway. - Gopi
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Freeing Effects of Aircraft Management Deccan’s aircraft management programme offers clients freedom from the headaches of administrative, operational and maintenancerelated issues that come with aircraft ownership. The company takes care of government regulatory issues, flight planning, dispatch, maintenance, crewing and training. Deccan also maintains Bell 206, 407 and 212s, Eurocopter’s AS355 and EC135, Sikorsky’s S76C++ helicopters, as well as Pilatus PC-12, King Air C90A and Cessna turboprop types. Jets on its books include a Cessna Citation XLS and a Learjet 40XR. The company is exploring opening more maintenance and repair shops, including a paint shop, and a helicopter overhaul facility. There are also plans to incorporate more jets into the mix. “The existing fleet is not enough to cater to increasing demand,” Gopi outlined. Interestingly, the man who continues to create aviation empires (he is now looking at starting a new scheduled airline) drives for six hours to reach his farmhouse, or his “cocoon”. “True journeys are by road,” he said simply. Although he has no plans for owning a corporate jet himself, when probed as to his dream aircraft, he admitted he might want “an Airbus Corporate Jet. It is almost like an apartment in the air. One can design it the way one wants.” So did he never want to learn to fly? “I did, but time passed me by,” Gopi reflected. “Probably because I wasn’t flying I could think differently,” he added, citing the example of one of the founders of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher, who wanted to start his career with a law firm. Gopi has a plethora of awards, and when asked which one he values the most, he quoted India’s poet Rabindra Nath Tagore (the first nonEuropean to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913). “Blessed is he whose fame does not outshine his truth.” Doesn’t that say it all? BJA 058
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India's wealthy and successful use Deccan's aircraft for a wide range of purposes
There are also plans to incorporate more jets into the mix. “The existing fleet is not enough to cater to increasing demand,” Gopi outlined.
n audacious storyteller, Gopi’s book, ‘Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey’ chronicles his childhood in the simple South Indian village of Gorur, his experiences in the Indian army and sustainable farming, followed by an unsuccessful attempt at politics. He also had a silkworm business, as well as a stock-brokerage. Gopi went on to be a hotelier, before launching Deccan Charters, India’s first low-cost airline, then Air Deccan followed by Deccan 360, a freighter company - and most recently, Powerfly. Photo from Gopi's time in the Indian Army
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Jackie Chan Plans To Enjoy His New Legacy 650 WORDS ďż˝ Liz Moscrop
EMBRAER is hoping its world-famous new brand ambassador will help sell its products all over the globe, while Jackie Chan expects his new jet to maximize his impact around the world. 060
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here is nowhere that Chinese film star Jackie Chan is unknown. Such is his fame that people make kung fu movements at him wherever he goes – even in the middle of the desert in Morocco! According to the actor, he was filming in a remote location there when he was approached by locals who wanted his autograph. Chan takes his celebrity status seriously and wants to use it for good. He told BizJet Advisor , “Last year I wanted to go to Afghanistan to see the children there. Sadly there was a bomb incident in a nearby country, so my management team advised me against it. Even though I don’t think people would do anything to harm me, I did not go for safety reasons.” Embraer’s new brand ambassador also owns a Legacy 650. Famous for his deathdefying stunts as much as his acting, he became the first owner of the aircraft type in Asia. He designed the vibrant red and yellow livery on the aircraft himself. The paint scheme displays his logo, a dragon image and his son’s initials. China’s most famous citizen is a multitalented actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer, and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts. He has been acting since the 1960s and has appeared in over 100 films. Famous both in China and the West, Chan has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is also an operatically trained vocalist, and a Cantopop and Mandopop star, having released a number of albums and sung many of the theme songs for the films in which he has starred. A keen philanthropist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, he works tirelessly to champion charitable works and causes. He has campaigned for conservation, against animal abuse and has promoted disaster relief efforts all over the world. In June 2006, he announced the donation of half his assets to charity upon his death, citing his admiration of the effort made by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates to help those in need. 062
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Chan is therefore an extremely busy man. Although private aviation is considered a luxury by the uninformed, for many entrepreneurs a business jet is an essential tool of their trade. Furthering his reach Chan is therefore an extremely busy man. Although private aviation is considered a luxury by the uninformed, for many entrepreneurs a business jet is an essential tool of their trade. As an international celebrity, a philanthropist and entrepreneur, Chan straddles many worlds. The actor had weighed the possibilities of buying a business jet for many years, but decided against it because for a long time the support was simply not there to make his investment worthwhile in Southeast Asia.
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That changed last year. Chan explained, “I met Mr. Guan (Embraer’s country president for China) and asked him many questions about maintenance, about customer support, training and spare parts, and he gave me all the details.” Jackie explained that this gave him confidence. He could see that safety had become a key issue, so he was convinced that now was the right time for his acquisition. In fact, Chan was so impressed with the Brazilian manufacturer that he was happy to take on the role of brand ambassador for Embraer’s line of business jets. He took delivery of the aircraft in February this year, and the jet subsequently was displayed in Singapore at the recent air show (the first time the type had been seen in Asia). Embraer is equally delighted with Chan’s endorsement. Ernest Edwards, president, Embraer Executive Jets said, “I have spent some time with Jackie recently and five minutes in his presence are uplifting. Jackie’s ebullient personality, spirit of relentless innovation and commitment to society echo the core values of Embraer. His worldwide prestige makes him an ideal brand ambassador.”
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Chan is incredibly careful about the kind of brands he endorses. He takes his charity work seriously, and will not do anything that would compromise his good reputation in the world. “I have to be very careful to choose the products I promote,” he says. Chan has been offered money to promote medicine, but refuses to do so. A loyal ambassador, he has promoted Mitsubishi cars for 30 years. “How can it be that suddenly, one day you give me some money to promote another car?” he asks. “People wouldn’t trust me any more, so I have to be very careful. Money is important, but for me it's not that important. It is more important to me that I can do something for my country, my family, and my future. I want to do something for the world. That’s very important.” Jackie Chan is involved with numerous charities and anticipates that the Legacy 650 will help him assist others. He was distressed that two years ago when there were three earthquakes in China he was only able to charter one Boeing 737. Even though the aircraft
Jackie Chan is involved with numerous charities and anticipates that the Legacy 650 will help him assist others.
brought in 130 tonnes of food to support relief efforts, he felt it was not enough. “I wanted to do more, but the airplane had to stop, and I couldn’t do anything more to help.” As an ambassador for UNICEF he used to feel that his work was curtailed somewhat by the fact it could take up to three days to travel from point to point. With a private jet he will be able to get up and go as required. SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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01
02
Stuntman Chan has made his name famous worldwide for death-defying stunts. Insurance companies in the US refuse to insure him, so dangerous are his actions. He has literally broken every single bone in his body, and there are Internet compilations of his accidents. Indeed, all his movies contain out-takes of where things went (sometimes horribly) wrong. He refuses to use computer-generated images (CGI) in his movies as he feels audiences would not accept this from him. “I bought a special-effect machine that generated CGI, but I realized my audience didn’t like it. It wasn’t what they wanted to see, so I went back to my old, traditional ways and risked my life.” He has, in fact, created a team of young protégés who are training to do stunts, and says this could be the potential future of the Chinese film industry. However, he cautions, “After my generation has gone we won’t have these kinds of people any more. Safety is very important, and insurance is very expensive. Nobody will let actors perform these kinds of stunts.” His latest offering is called 12 Zodiacs and will be released on 12 December 2012 at midnight in Beijing. He will use his Legacy 650 to help him tour around promoting the movie.
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However, for such a major star, Chan is a humble man in the very best sense of the word. He is modest and grateful for all the gifts people have given him. “I want to say thank you to your readers for all those years of support. “People still ask me ‘Jackie, why are you still doing these kinds of crazy things?’ I do it because every day, every week, and every month I receive so many letters and money from around the world. I cannot say thank you to each individual. The only thing I can do is make a good movie for everyone to see. That’s the way I say thank you.” BJA
01. Jackie Chan at his aircraft acceptance event 02. Ernest Edwards, Embraer, addresses the audience
His latest offering is called 12 Zodiacs and will be released on 12 December 2012 at midnight in Beijing. He will use his Legacy 650 to help him tour around promoting the movie.
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INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
THE JET TRAVELLER’S DIARY WORDS � Jayne Jackson
MAY ↘
The Asian Tour 2012 Ongoing through to December.
↘
Indian Premier League Cricket Final May 19, Chennai
↘
Lady Gaga Born This Way Tour May 28, Singapore
The Asian Tour 2012
Editor's Choice
The Asian Tour is underway and includes 26 tournaments in countries including Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and India. www.asiantour.com
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Indian Premier League Cricket Final Who, if anyone, will knock the Chennai Super Kings from their throne? www.iplt20.com
Make time for yourself and your family. Travel by jet and use the time between global business meetings to discover the world’s leading cultural, sports and art events in style.
JUN
Dubai Summer Surprise Now in it’s 15th year, the Surprise event offers the region’s best shopping deals, world-class family entertainment and the Middle East’s finest spas. Around 50 luxury malls will participate and host acclaimed international shows, concerts and exhibitions. www.dubaievents.ae
Royal Ascot The social event of the year for many is this five-day meeting attended by the Queen and members of the Royal Family. To gain entry to the Royal Enclosure, race-goers must obtain a sponsorship form and have it signed by someone who has attended the Royal Enclosure for four years. Each day during the Royal Meeting the Queen
and her guests drive in open-topped carriages across Windsor Park, entering the racecourse by the Golden Gates. www.ascot.co.uk
↘
Madonna in Concert June 3-4, Abu Dhabi
↘
Dubai Summer Surprise June 14–July 14
↘
Royal Ascot June 19–23, UK
↘
Verona Opera Festival June 23–September 2, Italy
↘
Wimbledon Tennis June 25–July 8, London
Editor's Choice
Wimbledon Tennis Time to enjoy the traditional strawberries and cream as the world’s finest tennis stars do battle at the world’s oldest tennis tournament. www.wimbledon.com
Verona Opera Festival Aida, Carmen, Don Giovanni, Romeo and Juliet, Tosca and Turandot; your opportunity to enjoy Italy’s finest. www.arena.it
Courtesy of Fondazione Arena di Verona
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JUL ↘
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra - Philharmonic Showcase July 7 www.qatarphilharmonic orchestra.org
↘
Cartier International Polo Tournament July 22, UK
↘
Olympic Games July 27–Aug 12, UK
Cartier Int'l Polo Tournament Guards Polo Club, Berkshire, UK Billed by its host venue as 'the biggest polo day in the world', the Cartier International attracts a crowd of around 25,000, including royalty, Hollywood and rock stars. www.guardspoloclub.com
AUG ↘
Tennis U.S. Open Aug 27–Sept 9, USA
See top tennis players compete in one of the world’s classic tennis tournaments. www.usopen.org
SEP ↘
Sarawak Regatta Sept 14–16, Malaysia
↘
ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2012 Colombo
↘
Formula 1 Grand Prix Sept 21–23 Singapore www.formula1.com
↘
The Ryder Cup – Golf Sept 28–30 Illinois, USA www.rydercup.com
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Olympic Games
Sarawak Regatta
Let the Games Begin! Watch the world’s leading athletes compete at London, 2012. www.london2012.com
Dating back to 1872, this spectacular annual water sport event attracts hundreds of participants and thousands of observers. www.sarawakregatta.com
ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2012
India vs. Afghanistan (Group A) – Sept 19 Bangladesh vs. New Zealand (Group D) - Sept 21 England vs. India (Group A) – Sept 23 New Zealand vs. Pakistan (Group D) - Sept 23 Bangladesh vs. Pakistan (Group D) – Sept 25 www.t20worldcup.org
26th Macau Int'l Editor's Music Choice Festival
The Macau International Music Festival features international artists such as the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Juilliard String Quartet, USA’s Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Itzhak Perlman violin recital in a programme featuring Opera, Orchestral and Chamber music, a Beach rock concert and Chinese folk music. Audiences can enjoy the music in several World Heritage sites including the classical Dom Pedro V Theatre, Mount Fortress and St. Dominic's Church. www.icm.gov.mo/fimm
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Doha Tribeca Editor's Film Choice Festival
ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Final 2012
An international film festival celebrating cultural understanding and great film making. www.dohafilminstitute.com/ filmfestival
Having battled their way through two group phases and the semi-finals, the time has now come for the last two standing to face off for T20 World Cup glory. www.t20worldcup.org
OCT ↘
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Horse Racing October 5–8, Paris, France
↘
26th Macau International Music Festival Oct 5-Nov 4
↘
ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Final 2012 Oct 7, Colombo
↘
The Beirut Film Festival Oct 13, Beirut
↘
The Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon Oct 13-14, Malaysia
↘
Formula 1 Grand Prix Oct 28th, New Delhi, India
↘
Doha Tribeca Film Festival dates to be announced shortly
The Mt. Kinabalu Int'l Climbathon Yes, it really is a race to the top. And it’s the world’s toughest mountain race. www.climbathon.my
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INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
NOV ↘
Formula 1 Grand Prix Nov 2–4, Abu Dhabi
↘
Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race dates to be announced shortly
↘
Surin Elephant Round-Up Nov 17, Thailand
↘
Elton John November 17 - Jakarta
Formula 1 Grand Prix The best F1 drivers in the world will converge on Abu Dhabi in November an unmissable event. www.formula1.com
Surin Elephant Round-Up It’s football - but not as we know it! Teams of elephants with human riders sitting atop play football for this annual event which is part of a larger Elephant Festival.
Editor's Choice
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Dubai to Elton John Muscat Milestone Offshore Concert Sailing Race Starting in Dubai, this 360-mile offshore sailing race takes a flotilla of boats through the famous Straits of Hormuz before arriving at Muscat's Marina Bandar Al Rhowdha. www.dosc.ae
In November, this musical legend will celebrate his first appearance ever in Indonesia - join him in Jakarta for this milestone concert.
SPECIFICATIONS
ULTRA-LONG-RANGE & LARGE CABIN BUSINESS JETS The Shortest Way Around the World WORDS ďż˝ Dave Higdon
IN THEORY, any business aircraft can take you anywhere you want to go throughout the world. Realistically, however, business aircraft with large cabins and the ability to span extreme distances outperform smaller alternatives thanks to one major factor: long-range capabilities that transcend borders, whether lines on a map, mountains or oceans. No regions better illuminate the potential of large-cabin and ultra long-range jets than the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.
Bombardier
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F
rom north to south and east to west, these regions combined are vast with opportunities for the ambitious businessman or entrepreneur. Yet the distances involved in traveling them present challenges in gaining quick and efficient transit for anyone trying to access those opportunities. Furthermore, with a rapidly growing number of businessmen and entrepreneurs within these regions looking to take their products and services beyond their immediate surrounds, the requirement for aircraft offering longer range is clear. With longer journeys comes a need for larger cabins. Ultra-Long-Range and Large Cabin jets provide time and flexibility benefits equally useful for flying within the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia or for travel to other regions of the world - Africa and Europe among them.
Dassault
Your Fully Functional Mobile Office When you purchase an Ultra-Long-Range or Large Cabin jet, aircraft cabins are tailored to individual specifications, and can offer any tool or technology that is available to a businessperson in a ground office. But the difference in the utility of these business systems is vast. The ground-office equivalents depend on power and connections to earth networks, while the airborne office equipment functions mostly via satellite support. They deliver their business capabilities while the airplane travels at nearly 1,000 km/hr, and rather than delivering your materials overnight to anywhere in the world, the Ultra-Long-Range and Large Cabin jets can deliver you, in person, overnight to do business face-to-face with your clients. SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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SPECIFICATIONS
Embraer Rested, Refreshed, Ready When you own or charter an aircraft that has a cabin with floor space covering 30 square meters or more you can enjoy complete flexibility to choose when to work, when and where to rest, and when and how to prepare for your meeting onboard the airplane. All the while you can remain connected with your most important contacts en route as if you are on the ground. In a jet that travels at almost 1,000 km/hr, the Middle East’s far western and Southeast Asia’s far eastern points - set apart by approximately 12,500 kilometers, become little more than a thirteen-hour business trip oneway with a single stop en route. International destinations also become accessible, on your own schedule, even when your departure point and destination are separated by 10,000 kilometers. Such are the capabilities of the longest-range of today’s Ultra-Long-Range business jets.
Large Spectrum of Business Jets Over the following pages, we’ll review the vital statistics of the current production and indevelopment jet models in the Ultra-LongRange and Large Cabin jet categories. This review includes business jets that were designed and built by their respective manufacturers specifically for the purpose of personal business travel. They are the largest group of purpose-built business jets in existence today. 078
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Several larger aircraft that were designed originally as commercial airliners are modified and are available for utilization in the world of Business Aviation today, however. (Airbus and Boeing offer several ‘Businessliner’ models, but this classification of Long-Range and Large Cabin business jets is treated as a separate category. You will find these compared and reviewed in the previous issue of BizJet Advisor, November 2011, pages 52-71). This month, products from Bombardier, Dassault, Embraer and Gulfstream are reviewed to expose a significant array of capable jets that feature large cabins and/or ultra-long ranges for you to consider for purchase or charter.
Professional Tools, Professional Crew, Professional Managers The monetary investment represented by any of the aircraft in this group is high - but should also be equal to the user’s commitment to any other tool of their productive business. The wise operator will only entrust their investment to experienced, professional crew - whether that be the pilots or the cabin attendants. Secure, protected storage in an aircraft hangar helps preserve the aircraft’s value, as will any number of professionally managed, pay-by-the-hour maintenance programs for the aircraft and its engines. Overall professional management of your transportation investment and flight operation is also wise. In return for your proper investment in your aircraft, you will gain access to any point on the planet with the facilities to receive you – and you will do so faster, more securely and better prepared for work than if you were utilizing any other travel option available. BJA
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Bombardier CHALLENGER 850
5,206 km Embraer LEGACY 600
6,306 km Embraer LEGACY 650
Gulfstream G350
7,233 km
7,038 km
Moscow
London New York
Beijing Tokyo Hong Kong
Dubai Mumbai
Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney Cape Town
Bombardier CHALLENGER 605
7,408 km Gulfstream G450
8,061 km
Dassault FALCON 900LX
8,636 km Bombardier GLOBAL 5000
Gulfstream G500
9,630 km
10,742 km Dassault FALCON 7X
Bombardier GLOBAL 6000
11,026 km
11,112 km
San Francisco Los Angeles
Bombardier GLOBAL 8000
14,631 km
Bombardier GLOBAL 7000
13,528 km Gulfstream G650
12,964 km Gulfstream G550
12,500 km
One of the key advantages of Business Aviation is the choice and diversity offered. Selecting the correct business aircraft should be tailored to each individual user, based on the number of people regularly transported and the distance regularly covered on a business trip. Both impact the performance of an aircraft model. While the ranges depicted on this map represent a maximum range for each Ultra Long Range and Large Cabin jet model featured, actual ranges can vary significantly from the distances represented - sometimes by several hundred kilometres. Therefore, while this map is provided for illustrative purposes - a prospective buyer should always speak with a Technical Advisor to discuss his or her mission requirements in relation to an aircraft category or a specific model.
SPECIFICATIONS
Bombardier Challenger 605 MAX RANGE
7,408 km
Moscow
New York
London
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
San Francisco Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
The Challenger 600 series business jets have been in production since 1980. They are very comfortable aircraft with a wide, spacious cabin that typically carries nine passengers. Usually, they will have four seats in the forward cabin and a sofa and two further seats to the rear. Today’s Challenger 605 has larger windows that are positioned for a better view than available with earlier versions of the Challenger series. It has a full forward galley and a large rear restroom, and is fitted with the latest systems for entertainment and passenger communications. Nearly 600 Challenger 600-series aircraft have been built to date.
→ Further information: www.bombardier.com
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Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
470 knots
871 km/hr
Maximum Range
4,000 nm
7,408 km
Flight Ceiling
41,000 ft
12,496 m
Cabin Height
6ft 1in
1.85 m
Maximum Cabin Width
8ft 2in
2.49 m
Cabin Length
28ft 4in
8.64 m
Cabin Volume
1,150 cu.ft
32.6 cu.m
Baggage Volume
115 cu.ft
3.26 cu.m
Aircraft Length
68ft 5in
20.85 m
Aircraft Height
20ft 8in
6.3 m
Aircraft Wingspan
64ft 3in
19.58 m
Bombardier Challenger 850 MAX RANGE
5,206 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
Bombardier’s Challenger 850 has the same airframe as the very successful 50-passenger CRJ200 regional airliner. While the cabin is as wide as that of the Challenger 605, it is 20 ft (6.1 meters) longer allowing very comfortable seating for 15 passengers in three seating zones. Alternative layouts are also possible, including a dining area and perhaps a bedroom. The cabin also includes a large rear restroom with a door giving access to the baggage compartment. The Challenger 850 is very popular with Southeast Asian customers and, with over 5,000 kilometers range, can fly from Jakarta to Shanghai.
→ Further information: www.bombardier.com
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
459 knots
851 km/hr
Maximum Range
2,811 nm
5,206 km
Flight Ceiling
41,000 ft
12,496 m
Cabin Height
6ft 1in
1.85 m
Maximum Cabin Width
8ft 2in
2.49 m
Cabin Length
48ft 5in
14.76 m
Cabin Volume
1,990 cu.ft
56.35 cu.m
Baggage Volume
160 cu.ft
4.53 cu.m
Aircraft Length
87ft 10in
26.77 m
Aircraft Height
20ft 5in
6.22 m
Aircraft Wingspan
69ft 7in
21.21 m
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SPECIFICATIONS
Picture: Greg Ceo (www.corporateaircraftphotography.com) Interior design: Sarah Mespelt, Freestream Aircraft
Bombardier Global 5000 MAX RANGE
9,630 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
Bombardier’s very long range business jets in current production are the Global 5000 and 6000. The Global 5000 is slightly shorter, which has no effect on the passenger cabin, but means the crew rest area is smaller. This is because the maximum range of the Global 5000 is less - although it is still sufficient for flights from Delhi to Perth, for example. The cabin is wide and spacious (normally with ten passenger seats), and the Global 5000 is one of the fastest aircraft in its class, cruising at approximately 925 kilometers per hour.
→ Further information: www.bombardier.com
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
513 knots
925 km/hr
Maximum Range
5,200 nm
9,630 km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 3in
1.91 m
Maximum Cabin Width
8ft 2in
2.49 m
Cabin Length
45ft 6in
12.94 m
Cabin Volume
2,022 cu.ft
53.29 cu.m
Baggage Volume
195 cu.ft
5.53 cu.m
Aircraft Length
96ft 10in
29.51m
Aircraft Height
25ft 6in
7.77m
Aircraft Wingspan
94ft 0in
28.65m
Picture: Greg Ceo (www.corporateaircraftphotography.com) Interior design: Sarah Mespelt, Freestream Aircraft
Bombardier Global 6000 MAX RANGE
11,112 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
Originally known as the Global Express XRS, the Global 6000 is the current flagship of the Bombardier fleet of business jets. Slightly bigger than the Global 5000, it has a maximum range of over 11,100 kilometers which allows it to fly from Dubai to New York non-stop. Because of its long range, the Global 6000 has a crew rest area plus a three-zone cabin with seating for 14 people, including a central dining area and an office section. The Global 6000 is able to operate from relatively small airfields (for its class of aircraft) and comes with the latest in avionics equipment.
→ Further information: www.bombardier.com
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
513 knots
925 km/hr
Maximum Range
6,000 nm
11,112 km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 3in
1.91 m
Maximum Cabin Width
8ft 2in
2.49 m
Cabin Length
48ft 5in
14.76m
Cabin Volume
2,140 cu.ft
60.6 cu.m
Baggage Volume
195 cu.ft
5.53 cu.m
Aircraft Length
99ft 5in
30.3m
Aircraft Height
25ft 6in
7.77m
Aircraft Wingspan
94ft 0in
28.65m
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SPECIFICATIONS
Bombardier Global 7000
MAX RANGE
13,528 km
Moscow
New York
London
Beijing Dubai
San Francisco Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong
Mumbai
Singapore Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
Bombardier is currently developing two new versions of the Global 6000 - the Global 7000 and 8000. The Global 7000 cabin is 11ft longer than the Global 6000, and the aircraft offers over 2,000 kilometers of extra range allowing it to fly non-stop from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro. The longer cabin results in an extra zone being available as working or sleeping quarters, and thanks to higher powered General Electric engines, the Global 7000 will also fly faster with a cruising speed of nearly 960 kilometers per hour. The Global 7000 is expected to enter service in 2016.
→ Further information: www.bombardier.com
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
517 knots
958 km/hr
Maximum Range
7,300 nm
13,528 km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 3in
1.91m
Maximum Cabin Width
8ft 2in
2.49m
Cabin Length
59ft 7in
18.17m
Cabin Volume
2,637cu.ft
74.67 cu.m
Baggage Volume
n/a
n/a
Aircraft Length
110ft 7in
33.71 m
Aircraft Height
26ft 8in
8.14 m
Aircraft Wingspan
93ft
31.79m
MAX RANGE
14,631 km
Bombardier Global 8000
Moscow
New York
London
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
San Francisco Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
517 knots
957 km/hr
Maximum Range
7,900 nm
14,631 km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 3in
1.91 m
Maximum Cabin Width
8ft 2 in
2.49m
Cabin Length
50ft 7in
15.42m
Cabin Volume
2,236 cu.ft
63.32 cu.m
Baggage Volume
n/a
n/a
Aircraft Length
101ft 7in
30.97m
Aircraft Height
26ft 8in
8.14m
Aircraft Wingspan
104ft 4in
31.79m
Bombardier’s second in-production Global is the 8000 which (with the 7000) will compete with Gulfstream’s new G650 at the top end of the category, and will be available from 2017. This aircraft has the longest maximum range of all the intercontinental business jets at 14,631 kilometers, which means it is unlikely to be effected by headwinds on long-range missions (such as Hyderabad to New York). The interior of the Global 8000 is a little longer than the Global 6000 but not as big as the 7000, so it will normally have three cabin zones and seating for 12 passengers - and perhaps a sleeping compartment if required.
→ Further information: www.bombardier.com
SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
087
SPECIFICATIONS
Dassault Falcon 900LX
MAX RANGE
8,636 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
The three-engined Falcon 900 competes with Gulfstream’s G450. The latest Falcon 900LX has winglets that help it fly as far as 8,636 kilometers non-stop (Dubai to Tokyo). The Falcon 900LX has excellent short airfield performance (meaning it can use more airports with shorter runways), and it has a wider, but slightly shorter cabin than the Gulfstream G450. The cabin can be customized to the customer’s requirements, is very bright with 12 windows on each side, and is fully equipped with entertainment systems and business connectivity to give an excellent work space.
→ Further information: www.falconjet.com
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
474 knots
878 km/hr
Maximum Range
4,750 nm
8,636 km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 2in
1.88 m
Maximum Cabin Width
7ft 8in
2.34 m
Cabin Length
33ft
11.89 m
Cabin Volume
1,264 cu.ft
35.8 cu.m
Baggage Volume
127 cu.ft
3.6 cu.m
Aircraft Length
66ft 4in
20.21m
Aircraft Height
24ft 9in
7.55m
Aircraft Wingspan
70ft 2in
21.38m
Dassault Falcon 7X
MAX RANGE
11,026 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
More than 140 of Dassault’s flagship model, the Falcon 7X, have now been built. The three-engined 7X combines a high maximum speed with sufficient range to fly from Jakarta to Berlin non-stop. It has a spacious and comfortable cabin that is as wide as the Falcon 900LX, but longer, and seats nine passengers. Dassault has paid particular attention to passenger comfort with special acoustic systems that quiet the cabin, and offer excellent climate control and pressurization.
→ Further information: www.falconjet.com
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
499 knots
925 km/hr
Maximum Range
5,950 nm
11,026 km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 2in
1.88 m
Maximum Cabin Width
7ft 8in
2.31 m
Cabin Length
39ft 1in
14.02 m
Cabin Volume
1,552 cu.ft
43.95 cu.m
Baggage Volume
140 cu.ft
4.0 cu.m
Aircraft Length
76ft 1in
23.19m
Aircraft Height
25ft 8in
7.83m
Aircraft Wingspan
86ft 0in
26.21m
SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
089
SPECIFICATIONS
Embraer Legacy 600 MAX RANGE
6,306 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
The Legacy 600 is built in Brazil by Embraer. Nearly 200 have now been delivered. With a range of 6,306 kilometers it can fly from Dubai to Beijing. The Legacy 600 is very competitively priced and has a bright, comfortable cabin that is wider and longer than the competing Gulfstream G350. Embraer offers the Legacy with three distinct sections in the cabin, seating up to 14 passengers. Several layouts are possible but the most popular has a rear private cabin with two divans, a central four-seat dining area, and club seating at the front.
→ Further information: www.embraerexecutivejets.com
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
455 knots
843 km/hr
Maximum Range
3,403 nm
6,306 km
Flight Ceiling
41,000 ft
12,497 m
Cabin Height
6ft 0in
1.83 m
Maximum Cabin Width
6ft 11in
2.1 m
Cabin Length
42ft 5in
15.14 m
Cabin Volume
1,413 cu.ft
46.7 cu.m
Baggage Volume
286 cu.ft
8.11 cu.m
Aircraft Length
86ft 5in
26.31 m
Aircraft Height
22ft 1in
6.76 m
Aircraft Wingspan
69ft 5in
21.17 m
Embraer Legacy 650 MAX RANGE
7,233 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
The Legacy 650 is a longer-range version of the Legacy 600 with similar seating, but larger engines and 927 kilometers more range, which puts Mumbai within non-stop flying distance of Tokyo. The Legacy has been approved to land at the restricted London City airport and is able to fly into airports such as La Paz in Bolivia where the high elevation adversely effects aircraft performance. The cabin, which is similar to that of the Legacy 600, is beautifully fitted with wooden cabinets, and is equipped with Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband system for internet connectivity.
→ Further information: www.embraerexecutivejets.com
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
459 kts
850 km/hr
Maximum Range
3,903 nm
7,233 km
Flight Ceiling
41,000 ft
12,496 m
Cabin Height
6.0 ft
1.83 m
Maximum Cabin Width
6ft 11in
2.1 m
Cabin Length
49ft 10 in
15.19 m
Cabin Volume
1,650 cu.ft
46.7 cu.m
Baggage Volume
286 cu.ft
8.11 cu.m
Aircraft Length
86ft 5in
26.34 m
Aircraft Height
22ft 2in
6.76 m
Aircraft Wingspan
69ft 5in
21.17 m
SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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SPECIFICATIONS
Gulfstream G350
MAX RANGE
7,038 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo
Picture: Gulfstream
The original Gulfstream II first flew in 1966 and many improvements have been made since then with Gulfstream jets becoming the best known large business jets today. The G350 has the same design as the G450 but it is an entrylevel model for operators who want a largecabin aircraft and do not need to travel much further than 7,000 kilometers. The G350 can comfortably fly from Mumbai to Moscow. Inside, Gulfstream offers its G350 with six cabin layouts for 12 to 16 passengers, and with the option of the galley being positioned at the front or rear of the cabin.
→ Further information: www.gulfstream.com/products/G350
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Sydney
Cape Town
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
488 knots
904 km/hr
Maximum Range
3,800nm
7,038 km
Flight Ceiling
45,000 ft
13,715 m
Cabin Height
6ft 2in
1.88 m
Maximum Cabin Width
7ft 4in
2.24 m
Cabin Length
40ft 4in
12.29 m
Cabin Volume
1,525 cu.ft
43.2 cu.m
Baggage Volume
169 cu.ft
4.8 cu.m
Aircraft Length
89ft 4in
27.23 m
Aircraft Height
25ft 2in
7.67 m
Aircraft Wingspan
77ft 10in
23.72 m
Gulfstream G450
MAX RANGE
8,061 km
Moscow
New York
London
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
San Francisco Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo
Picture: Gulfstream
Sydney
Cape Town
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
488 knots
904 km/hr
Maximum Range
4,350 nm
8,061 km
Flight Ceiling
45,000 ft
13,715 m
Cabin Height
6ft 2in
1.88 m
Maximum Cabin Width
7ft 4in
2.24 m
Cabin Length
40ft 4in
12.29 m
Cabin Volume
1,525 cu.ft
43.2 cu.m
Baggage Volume
169 cu.ft
4.8 cu.m
Aircraft Length
89ft 4in
27.23 m
Aircraft Height
25ft 2in
7.67 m
Aircraft Wingspan
77ft 10in
23.72 m
Gulfstream’s G450 is very similar to the G350 with similar passenger capacity, but with its extra fuel tanks it can easily fly from Dubai to Hong Kong. As with the G350, the galley (which has dual coffee-makers and a water sterilization system) can be at the front or back of the cabin, and two lavatories with vacuum waste systems are also options. Depending on the seating layout, up to six seating units can be berthed for comfortable sleeping on long-distance flights. The G450 is a flexible and comfortable aircraft for business or personal use.
→ Further information: www.gulfstream.com/products/G450
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SPECIFICATIONS
Gulfstream G500
MAX RANGE
10,742 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong
Mumbai
Singapore Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
Picture: Gulfstream
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
500 knots
926 km/hr
Maximum Range
5,800 nm
10,742 Km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 2in
1.88 m
Maximum Cabin Width
7ft 4in
2.24 m
Cabin Length
43ft 11in
13.39 m
Cabin Volume
1,669 cu.ft
47.26 cu.m
Baggage Volume
226 cu.ft
6.4 cu.m
Aircraft Length
96ft 5in
29.39 m
Aircraft Height
25ft 10in
7.87 m
Aircraft Wingspan
93ft 6in
28.5 m
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Until the arrival of the Gulfstream G650, the two leading Gulfstream models were the ultra-longrange G500 and the G550 - both developed from the very popular Gulfstream GV. These were larger and more powerful developments of the G350/G450 series with a similar interior width and height, but much longer cabins. The G500’s range is just less than 11,000 kilometers with an 8-passenger load, which brings Singapore to within non-stop range of Auckland. Not surprisingly, the longer fuselage allows up to 18 passengers to travel in the bright and comfortable cabin with its trademark Gulfstream oval windows.
→ Further information: www.gulfstream.com/products/G500
Gulfstream G550
MAX RANGE
12,500 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo Sydney
Cape Town
Picture: Gulfstream
The Gulfstream G550 uses the same airframe as the G500 but has the advantage of even more range at approximately 12,500 kilometers. This means the G550 can fly comfortably to Paris from Singapore. This is further than the competing Bombardier Global 6000 which has less range but a slightly wider cabin. As a major contribution to safe flying, the G550 has the Gulfstream enhanced vision system. The G550 has become very popular in Southeast Asia.
→ Further information: www.gulfstream.com/products/G550
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
500 knots
926 km/hr
Maximum Range
6,750 nm
12,500 km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 2in
1.88 m
Maximum Cabin Width
7ft 4in
2.24 m
Cabin Length
43ft 11in
13.39 m
Cabin Volume
1,669 cu.ft
47.26 cu.m
Baggage Volume
226 cu.ft
6.4 cu.m
Aircraft Length
96ft 5in
29.39 m
Aircraft Height
25ft 10in
7.87 m
Aircraft Wingspan
93ft 6in
28.5 m
SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
095
SPECIFICATIONS
Gulfstream G650
MAX RANGE
12,964 km
Moscow
New York
London
San Francisco
Beijing Dubai Mumbai
Tokyo
Los Angeles
Hong Kong Singapore
Sao Paulo
Picture: Gulfstream
While it may seem externally similar to the G550, Gulfstream’s new ultra-long-range G650 is larger and faster, with almost 13,000 kilometers’ range - positioning it between the Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft from Bombardier. It also has a wider and taller cabin than the G550, which makes it larger than the Global 8000, and there are 12 different options for the interior layout, including a luxurious stateroom and a conference area for meetings. In the version with a forward galley and front and rear restrooms, the rear of the aircraft can become an exclusive suite. The first G650s are about to be delivered to Gulfstream’s launch customers.
→ Further information: www.gulfstream.com/products/G650
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Sydney
Cape Town
Aircraft Specifications Maximum Cruising Speed
516 knots
956 km/hr
Maximum Range
7,000 nm
12,964 km
Flight Ceiling
51,000 ft
15,545 m
Cabin Height
6ft 5in
1.96 m
Maximum Cabin Width
8ft 6in
2.59 m
Cabin Length
46ft 10in
14.27 m
Cabin Volume
2,138 cu.ft
60.54 cu.m
Baggage Volume
195 cu.ft
5.52 cu.m
Aircraft Length
99ft 9in
30.41 m
Aircraft Height
25ft 8in
7.82 m
Aircraft Wingspan
99ft 7in
30.36 m
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INTERIORS
AIRCRAFT CABINS Staying In Your Comfort Zone WORDS � Liz Moscrop
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
THERE is no need to sacrifice style because you are in the air. There are as many choices in how to configure an aircraft cabin as there are ideas. Here, the top designers and completions houses speak about some of the options on offer today.
SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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INTERIORS
S
ince you’re going to spend hours on board an aircraft you will want to ensure that you are in the best environment possible for work and leisure. The best way of achieving this is to work intensively alongside aircraft designers and completions centers at the planning stage. According to Michael Bork, aircraft interior architect at Germany’s Lufthansa Technik (LHT), this process is essential. “When we advise new clients, we ask them to give us the opportunity and time to listen and to learn about them their wishes, their living environment and their personal likes and dislikes. VIP cabin projects are about personality, not trends - they are always tailored to the specific customer. “A customer is not an anonymous statistic. Our customers are not average. Our products are not average. The research at the beginning of the project is very interesting for everybody and pays off in the end.” San Antonio-based Gore Design Completions, for example, is outfitting a new green Airbus A320 for an Asia-based operator. Jeff Potter, Director of Business Development said, “We customize the aircraft to the owner’s specific request, and, as you would expect, we are seeing requests from Middle East and Asian customers that may be new to some modification centers, since they tend to incorporate regional culture, which many centers may not be familiar with.” However, he added that there is a commonality among many high net worth travelers, pointing out that most people look for comfort and convenience. People who own business aircraft tend to be extremely busy and either want to work or relax in a comfortable environment. Elisabeth Harvey manager, interior design for Jet Aviation in Basel, Switzerland observes that trends in aircraft cabin design tend to follow those in peoples’ homes. “We look at residential themes, then after a two- or threeyear lead-time these tend to flow through to aircraft. We are seeing this with requests for clean and simple high-quality comfort.”
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Naturally, the bigger the cabin, the greater the options
People who own business aircraft tend to be extremely busy and either want to work or relax in a comfortable environment. Ingenious storage solutions can keep cabins free of clutter
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INTERIORS
In many of the top firms for aircraft interiors, it is the attention to detail that helps owners realize their visions.
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
Attention to Detail
The manufacture of interiors is often a truly skilled process
Jet Aviation takes a consultative approach to its work. After initial discussions the company draws up plans, which it then turns into renderings and even a full size mock-up if required. “I do advise people to use aviation designers with lots of experience,” Harvey adds. Fellow Basel completions centre AMAC has been consistently busy recently. The management team has decades of experience in the interiors industry, and CEO Heinz Kohli says the Middle East will remain strong. He said, “The region remains good for us.” Associated Air Center in Dallas, Texas makes an exciting promise: “Bring us your vision for the completion of your aircraft and we will bring it to life.” The company has moved a stairway on a Boeing 747-400; installed the latest entertainment and office systems on massive aircraft and outfitted a galley worthy of a 3-star chef.
In many of the top firms for aircraft interiors, it is the attention to detail that helps owners realize their visions. In an aircraft upholstery shop, for example, the leather on seats, cabinets and sidewalls is usually sewn and glued by hand. In the woodwork shops, staff can bend veneer around corners and make complex designs. Switzerland-based Comlux has a VIP cabin completion center in Indianapolis, USA. Head designer of Comlux Creatives Tim Callies said, “A shower is important. Most people have a shower they don’t use, but they like having one on board just in case. Often people request a dining area, or an office that can also be a comfortable area where everyone can sit together.” Kohli (AMAC) added that often customers with larger cabins look for club seating in the front of the aircraft, with social or conference grouping and high-low tables seating five or six people in the middle of the cabin. Meanwhile Lufthansa-Technik’s Bork is a firm believer that a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and cabin management system is a “must have” on board VIP aircraft. “Our innovation center in Hamburg, Germany is investing a lot of time and money to develop and offer customized solutions, like our ‘nice HD’ system.” SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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INTERIORS
Refurbishment For customers who do not want to wait several years for a new aircraft, refurbishment of an existing or previously-owned machine is proving an increasingly popular option. Experts can either add changes to an existing cabin format, or create an entirely new layout. Sean Gillespie, director of completion sales and management for Canada’s Flying Colours has sold several aircraft into the region. “The Middle East market is still strong for us,” he said. Some customers also look for expensive hides such as stingray or crocodile skin, but quality, unusual leathers can have an eightto-ten week lead time and are much more expensive because they are available in smaller amounts. “People typically want them on headliners and sidewalls,” Gillespie added. The sky really is the limit for most designers, and as Bork suggests, the possibilities are only limited by the size of the aircraft and the budget. “Why surrender the comfort you are used to in your home or office while flying?” he asks. BJA 104
BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
The sky really is the limit for most designers...the possibilities are only limited by the size of the aircraft and the budget.
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HOSPITALITY
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BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
IN-FLIGHT CATERING Food for Thought on Your Mid-air Banquet
WORDS � Liz Moscrop
IF VARIETY is the spice of life, then private aviation catering firms need to be extra resourceful: Serving people who are used to the best of the best is a tough task - not least when those people will be dining 30,000 feet above the ground. Yet several companies are working hard to provide delicious menus that work well in-flight – all in the best possible taste, of course.
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HOSPITALITY
T
he menus that in-flight caterers create have to take into account the rigors that health and safety standards require for private aviation, as well as the many challenges; including issues of dehydration, altitude, and retaining freshness - all of which affect the quality of the food, and passengers’ taste buds. However, when firms step up to the plate, their services are certainly appreciated. Alison Price On Air (APOA), the Londonbased in-flight division of elite catering firm Alison Price and Company last year announced a 400% growth since its inception in May 2010, such is the demand for its services. APOA has a long list of aviation clients on its books including charter companies Gama Aviation, ExecuJet and
Air Partner. Director of APOA’s in-flight services Daniel Hulme revealed, “We went from zero to twenty clients in just under twelve months.” Executive Chef Richard Cubbin added, “All our dishes are extremely considered. We try to make everything in house. When specialist food is required, such as sushi and Arabic cuisine, we work with premier suppliers from London. For example, surprisingly at this time of year English cheeses are better than French ones.”
Catering Fashions Companies like DeLuxe appreciate that for many clients, time spent aboard an aircraft can be just as important as the business for which they travel to attend. Indeed, the client may be planning to fly prospective customers or key employees aboard the airplane, or may be transporting family and friends en route. With passenger comfort a key advantage of Business Aviation travel, catering in one form or another will probably be required - and multiple passengers will ultimately require individual tastes and dietary requirements to be catered for. “Over the years, in-flight catering has developed to reflect many of the modern trends in dietary requirements, such as fusion foods and minimalist displays,” a DeLuxe spokesperson outlined. “Yet the bedrock of any in-flight order has changed little and, in recognition of this, we merge food fashions with consistent gourmet quality.” The firm works with its clients every step of the way - from the itinerary planning stages through to the presentation and delivery of bespoke meals to suit passengers’ schedules and personal requirements. DeLuxe is a service partner to many of the multinational corporate giants and has a policy of hiring operations staff who have personal experience aboard Airbus, Boeing and Gulfstream aircraft. It also offers a full array of complementary services, such as newspapers and exotic flower arrangements, and personal shopping and laundry services.
Over the years, in-flight catering has developed to reflect many modern trends 108
BIZJET ADVISOR SUMMER 2012
With passenger comfort a key advantage of Business Aviation travel, catering in one form or another will probably be required.
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HOSPITALITY
Cubbin explained: “We have to consider how the food travels, its longevity, how the different environments will affect its taste and texture, and the fact that as clients are often working while they fly in preparation for on-the-ground meetings, this may well be their main meal of the day.”
Flip Cards
Designated Caterer Many executive aviation terminals have their own kitchens, too, and Cuisine Air operates out of two such kitchens at London Luton and London Biggin Hill. With these two on-airfield kitchens the group can cover all the major London Airports within an hour. Cuisine Air is a registered “Designated Caterer” by the UK Department for Transport (DFT). The DFT has given selected caterers legal direction to undertake various security measures by following its guidelines for inflight catering supplies and stores to be carried on flights from the UK. Staff must be security vetted and trained to meet the DFT guidelines, and must at least have cleared a criminal record check. Nominated security personnel must pass a higher level of security, including counter-terrorist checks. These issues will be particularly important during the Olympics this summer. According to APOA’s Hulme, his company has been preparing for months now and will take on extra staff for the duration of the Games. The company also anticipates extra work with flights out of the UK - and cultural sensitivities will play a part, as well as length of flights. 110
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Key to the success in food preparation is the APOA’s series of ‘flip cards’ that it uses to train flight attendants on how they should present and cook the onboard menus. With 25% of APOA’s business serving longhaul transatlantic flights, the firm is focusing on developing larger-scale projects. “We just did a huge order for someone’s birthday on a flight to a Middle East destination,” Hulme elaborated. “The client chartered a Boeing 747 and we had to provide 600 trays for a breakfast and a light supper. We managed it, thanks to our experience in both in-air and large party events. We would do it slightly differently next time though and provide our own catering staff on board. We like to make sure everything is perfect.”
Wish-lists versus Practicality There are plenty of key considerations to be made before ordering food for a flight. These can range from considerations of fellow passengers’ likes and dislikes, allergies and cultural preferences through to the size of the aircraft itself (galley areas for food preparation and storage will vary widely within Business Aviation) and the length of the flight, both of which might restrict your catering ambitions. The experts are available to advise you however, whether that is the charter company you opt to use or the caterer you choose to deal with directly. With the sophistication of today’s in-flight catering industry, and a firm understanding of the practicalities for your planned flight, there should be no reason why your in-flight hospitality should be anything other than a delicious success. BJA
Photo Š Greg Ceo ( www. corporateaircraftphotography.com) Interiors by Sarah Mespelt with Freestream Aircraft SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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PRODUCTIVITY
STAYING CONNECTED The Basics to Understanding the Office in the Sky WORDS � Jack Olcott
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WHETHER a businessperson seeking market opportunities in remote regions of the world needs to communicate with associates and colleagues, or an individual with the imagination and resources to be a world traveler wants to stay in touch with family and friends, today’s technology for business aircraft enables passengers to realize their expectations.
I
magine having the same ability to use phone, email, internet and possibly video on demand in your business aircraft flying high above the Indian Ocean en-route to Africa that you expect in your office or home in Singapore, for example. Such connectivity is possible today. With a few reasonable limitations and at higher costs, and with the appropriate equipment installed and a contract with a provider of network services, passengers utilizing Business Aviation can stay connected to the world below. How such high-tech communication systems work is not the passenger’s concern. Answers to the following four questions, however, are important: 1. What does the installed connectivity system do? Is it: a. Voice-only b. Internet-only c. Voice plus Internet 2. What is the network’s area of coverage and what is the impact of other users (e.g. ground and oceanic entities) sharing the frequency spectrum (i.e., an issue called “contention”)? a. Truly global (including Polar regions) b. Global (excluding Polar regions) c. Over land, or sparsely populated areas d. Altitude limitations (not a significant issue for most systems currently relevant to global travelers) 3. How does the airborne system function for the passenger? a. Similar to Hotspot applications (e.g., found in hotels) b. Similar to dial-up applications c. Similar to home or office connections 4. What applications are expected by the passenger, and available in practice? a. Full Internet b. Light Internet c. E-mail d. Fax e. Simple spreadsheet and PowerPoint presentations f. Large file transfer g. Videos SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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Similarities and Differences Airborne and ground systems for transmitting voice and data may seem similar, but they have differences that mainly concern physical design as well as speed of data transfer, cost of service and areas of coverage. Ground systems often are connected by wires, whereas airborne systems obviously must be wireless. Except for Aircell’s Gogo Biz, which employs a network of ground stations (at present only within the USA and accessible only when an equipped aircraft is over 10,000 feet in altitude), business aircraft have embraced systems that are fully satellite-dependent. For the foreseeable future, it seems that users throughout the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia will embrace satellite-only architectures for cabin connectivity in business aircraft. The three satellite infrastructures used for airborne connectivity on business aircraft are fundamentally different, however: • Iridium employs a constellation of 66 satellites that surround the entire globe and orbit at the relatively low height of approximately 485 miles. • Inmarsat, meanwhile, owns satellites positioned in very high geostationary earthorbits (about 22,000 miles aloft) and supports several services: Swift 64, SwiftBroadband SB200 (a smaller, lighter system than previously available), voice communication, and air traffic safety services for cockpit crews. • ViaSat offers its Yonder system to provide KuBand connectivity, which is capable of highspeed data flow (high bandwidth) on the same communication satellites (also in geostationary orbit) that deliver TV services. Manufacturers offer various combinations of these as options to fit on new aircraft. Because of weight and size constraints as well as satellite considerations, however, systems for business aircraft likely to be operated globally provide somewhat lower performance than is available with typical office or home applications that employ cable connections. Ku-Band systems come quite close, however. 114
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Actual connectivity observed-performance verses optimum- or advertised-performance can be misleading. Dedicated connectivity (as opposed to sharing bandwidth capability with other user groups—thereby minimizing the “Contention” issue) increases performance for the user, but the cost will increase too. In practice, however, cabin connectivity for passengers on business aircraft is able to create a true “office-in-the sky” environment.
Effective Communications Connectivity systems employing Iridium offer truly global coverage (South Pole and North Pole included), and the power needed to send a signal to the satellite constellation is relatively low. Therefore equipment weight, antenna size and cost of operation are lower than systems employing stationary satellites positioned hundreds of miles above the earth. Iridium, however, at the present time is unable to flow large amounts of data per second, thus it is often used for voice communications and faxing but has limited
A good understanding of what is available will enhance your productivity mid-air.
In practice, however, cabin connectivity for passengers on business aircraft is able to create a true “office-in-the sky” environment.
use for other passenger applications (its speed of data transfer is about one-tenth to onetwentieth the speed of dial-up service using your office phone). Planned improvements known as Iridium Next are expected to increase Iridium’s 2.4 kilobits per second bandwidth (speed) by as much as a factor of 40. Depending on the system and type of antenna mounted on the aircraft, Inmarsat’s high-flying stationary satellites can flow data considerably faster than the current products using Iridium. Because of its greater bandwidth (up to 432 kilobits per second), Inmarsat-based SwiftBroadband is suitable for traditional email, light Internet, corporate VPN and supporting virtually any Wi-Fi device (BlackBerry, iPhone, laptop, etc). Service bandwidth can be further enhanced by “joining” up to four channels to get a connection of around 1.6 Megabits per second with SwiftBroadband as long as the business aircraft is fitted with the necessary equipment. Effective management of spot beams and satellite transponder resources by Inmarsat allows better connectivity and capabilities for SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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the passenger. However, joining systems also increases costs by the same ratio as bandwidth is increased. The slower Swift 64 has a bandwidth of 64 kilobits per second - which is close to, but somewhat slower than traditional dial-up internet connections. Four Swift 64 systems can be configured together to provide a passenger with the equal of 256 kilobits per second. However, it is less expensive to employ the newer SwiftBroadband to gain bandwidth. In theory, the fastest and most capable systems for business aircraft employ ViaSat’s Yonder Ku-Band infrastructure, which is capable of providing full Internet access, Web surfing, e-mail with attachments, corporate VPN, video, Voice over Internet Protocol and video-conferencing. Virtually any Wi-Fi device is available when a business aircraft is equipped with a Ku-Band system, and users of this technology report connectivity experiences similar to those available in an office or home environment. The issues for Ku-Band users are coverage, contention of users on the shared bandwidth, and cost. Coverage of systems using satellites in stationary orbits high above the earth extends to within between 15 to 10 degrees from each Pole. Thus when flights over (or near) the North or South Pole are anticipated, Iridium systems must be employed. 116
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Get Connected Several avionics manufacturers provide connectivity equipment that employ either the Iridium or Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite networks. Access is via service providers such as Aircell (Broomfield, Colorado, USA); ARINC Direct (Annapolis, Maryland, USA); Rockwell Collins (Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA); SatcomDirect (in conjunction with Jeppesen, located in Satellite Beach, Florida, USA); Thrane&Thrane (Lyngby, Denmark); TrueNorth Avionics (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada); ViaSat, Inc. (Carlsbad, California, USA), and more. Your aviation management company, flight department manager and company IT specialists can assist you with selecting the correct hardware and service provider. Advances in connectivity have made business aircraft efficient, highly secure and effective “Officesin-the-Sky.” You need only establish what you require, accept that airborne systems are evolving, and enjoy being in contact with the world. BJA
You need only establish what you need to enjoy being in contact with the world from the air.
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JET OPTIONS
THE VALUELuxury Converted OPTION Regional Jets WORDS ďż˝ Rod Simpson
LET US imagine you know that business aircraft fulfil your business and personal travel needs - after all, you have been using air taxis and private charter companies for some time. Maybe it is appropriate now to consider buying your own aircraft. Did you know that choices exist apart from the obvious ones offered by the major manufacturers? 118
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Cabin lay-out example for an Avro Regional Jet
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he major aircraft makers offer great choices and they make fine aircraft, but it is also worth considering some other options available to you. After all, if you placed an order for a new aircraft today, you might not receive it for several years. You can turn to the pre-owned market while you wait, or perhaps there are other alternatives that would prove more suitable to you. There are some very good aircraft that are not as expensive as brand-new large business jets but still deliver the same luxury, rapid international transportation and personal convenience. The good news is that even if you are considering buying a new mid-size aircraft, a similar investment in one of these large, refurbished jets will get you more space, customized furnishings and an aircraft that is guaranteed to impress your business colleagues and friends.
The aircraft we are discussing here are regional jets that have been released by airline operators and acquired by specialist companies that fully refurbish them to your personal requirements. There are three leading contenders in this particular class: the Bombardier Challenger 850/CRJ200, the Avro RJ series and the Dornier 328JET - each available from specialist suppliers.
...refurbished jets will get you more space, customized furnishings and an aircraft that is guaranteed to impress your business colleagues and friends. SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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Challenger 850/CRJ200 The Challenger 850 is available new from Bombardier for an average equipped price of $33million and it is increasingly popular with customers in Asia. It is essentially the same aircraft as the CRJ200 airliner, and Bombardier sub-contracts completion of new Challenger 850s to Flying Colours, based at Peterborough near Toronto, Canada. For a price of just $12-14 million, however, Flying Colours can deliver an ex-airline version with a beautiful new cabin trimmed in wood and leather, a cockpit re-equipped with the latest avionics, and fitted with an additional longrange fuel tank giving almost 5,000 km of range (to place Beijing within non-stop range from Jakarta, or connect Dubai and Singapore nonstop). A similar aircraft is also available as the Phoenix CRJ200 from Project Phoenix, based in Dubai. Inside, the Challenger 850/converted CRJ200 can be fitted to your requirements. It will typically have seating for 15 passengers in three distinct cabin zones, including a forward “club-four� section, a central dining area and a divan to the rear of the cabin. The aircraft 120
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Flying Colours can deliver an ex-airline version with a beautiful new cabin trimmed in wood and leather, a cockpit re-equipped with the latest avionics, and fitted with an additional long-range fuel tank...
offers a large restroom and a fully-equipped galley to the front of the cabin, and the baggage compartment is accessible in flight from the rear of the cabin. The latest entertainment systems such as Airshow 410 and the Aircell 3500 Iridium satellite communications system can also be installed. The Challenger 850/CRJ200 is an imposing aircraft with a forward air-stair entry door and a cabin high enough to accommodate a standing person. Twelve windows on each side enable a bright and spacious passenger experience.
Avro ABJ Next, the Avro ABJ (known to many airline travelers as the Avro RJ or British Aerospace BAe.146) is sold by Falko, and more than 20 are operated by VIP users - including the British Royal Family, Formula 1 racing tycoon Bernie Ecclestone and the governments of Indonesia and Bahrain. This high-wing aircraft has four engines and is built in three versions with different fuselage lengths - thus executive models can be found with different cabin sizes. The cabin itself is one of the widest in Business Aviation - 11ft 2ins (3.42m) - which is similar to that of a Boeing Business Jet. This size allows designers to
install spacious lounge areas, dining rooms and private bedrooms. Falko teamed with design consultancy Design Q to create several state-of-the-art interiors known as the ABJ Eleganté and the ABJ Fusion, which offer exciting modern colors combined with traditional leathers and wood veneers. Prices for these aircraft range from $12-15 million. Ultimately, the ABJ Explorer is a “goanywhere” aircraft, and it can even incorporate a large rear cargo hatch which opens to allow a sundeck to be extended while the aircraft is stationary. No ABJs have been fitted with this optional feature so far, however. The ABJ offers a range of 3,289km, enabling Hyderabad to be reached non-stop from Manama, for example.
This size allows designers to install spacious lounge areas, dining rooms and private bedrooms.
1,2. The inside and outside of a Challenger 850 3. One of the ABJ options the 'Fusion'
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The Dornier 328DBJ This airliner, built by Fairchild-Dornier between 1998 and 2005 (also known as the Envoy 3) exudes German engineering quality. As a result it has become very popular with executive charter companies. The average price of $12 million (depending on equipment) makes it a competitive option. Conversions are carried out by 328 Support Services GmbH at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. The Dornier has a comfortably tall cabin and a width measuring 7ft 2ins (2.18m) across (placing its height and width between that of the Embraer Legacy 650 and Bombardier’s Challenger 850). Once again, the interior layout is to the customer’s choice with modern decor and fittings from CTM Design, which also specializes in fitting out luxury yachts. The aircraft will normally incorporate a forward galley, rear lavatory with accessible baggage compartment, and three groups of four facing seats in the cabin. With a 3,519km range the Dornier could fly non-stop from Allahabad to Beijing as an example.
Weighing the Choices Choosing a business aircraft always depends on your personal requirements for travel, and these large jets offer interesting options. The Challenger has longer range than the other two but its cabin is narrower than that of the Avro. The Avro offers great scope for a personalized interior but, with four engines the operating cost will be more. The Dornier, meanwhile, leaves the German factory with a bright and roomy cabin and is suitable for mid-range journeys. Ultimately, while they may have been through the rigors of regional airline service before being converted for private use, these are all fine aircraft, and each is worth serious consideration from those looking to step up from charter use of business aircraft to fullownership. BJA 122
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Interior and exterior images of the 328 DBJ
D E D I C A T E D T O H E L P I N G B U S I N E S S A C H I E V E I T S H I G H E S T G O A L S.
While you’re following your own unique course in the air, having a business partner on the ground you can rely on is essential. Membership in the National Business Aviation Association gives you access to powerful business management tools and tax information that will save you money and help maximize your airplane investment. So you can concentrate on what’s most important—reaching even greater opportunities. Learn more at www.flyforbusiness.org.
Flying solo doesn’t mean you fly alone.
VISIT GOA
GOA A Retreat for All Seasons WORDS � Isabel Putinja
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ONCE the realm of hippies and backpackers, Goa is increasingly becoming a luxury destination catering to the sophisticated traveller, offering exclusive holiday hideaways, designer shops and some of India’s best restaurants.
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oa’s heritage architecture, unique culture and cuisine – remnants of 451 years of Portuguese rule – make it a unique destination which is distinctly different to the rest of India. Today, India’s smallest state is the country’s biggest tourist destination, but it is still possible to find quiet beaches, enchanted gardens and hilltop hideaways if you know where to look. Offering more than just sun, sand and sea, each season highlights one of Goa’s many splendours, making this a true year-round destination.
The Perfect Beach Hideaway The peak season for beach lovers is November to March when the days are sunny and dry. With many beaches becoming increasingly congested, Elsewhere is the perfect hideaway for those looking for peace and privacy. Located on a spit of private beachfront naturally isolated between the ocean and a salt-water creek, Elsewhere is one of the most unique and exclusive places to stay in Goa. Privacy is perhaps the ultimate luxury and here it is of utmost importance, for Elsewhere’s high profile guests include famous authors, royal families and Bollywood and Hollywood stars. This is where Brad Pit and Angelina Jolie holidayed with their kids. So important is privacy that Elsewhere’s exact location is kept secret, revealed only at the time of booking. A bamboo footbridge leads across the creek and into what seems like another world. This slice of paradise belongs to Denzil Sequiera, a photographer who inherited it from his uncle. He could have easily cashed in on the tourism boom and sold out to developers. Instead he decided to preserve this small piece of ‘real’ Goa. He has saved not only the old colonial-style houses, and pristine undeveloped beachfront but also the natural habitat of the local wildlife. The ambience is one of rustic charm and untamed nature. Four old beach houses have been lovingly and tastefully restored offering all necessary comforts with no added frills (these are not needed). There’s no room service, but each house has a refrigerator full of drinks, and delicious homecooked meals are served in the delightful open-air dining area. SUMMER 2012 BIZJET ADVISOR
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VISIT GOA open-air lounges on covered terraces are the perfect spot to watch the rains from among the treetops. Coco Shambhala is the creation of Giles Knapton, an Englishman who has made Goa his home for many years. Designed to be a luxury ‘home away from home’, each 2-bedroom villa has a fullyequipped kitchen and private plunge pool. Rainy days will never be a bore with the iPod docks, flatscreen TVs with cable, and DVD players provided. Each villa has a full-time maid available as well as a car and driver - and a 24-hour concierge service is available, as is everything else that will ensure a relaxing holiday.
A Slice of Goan Village Life Siolim - on the banks of the Chapora river - is a charming village of beautiful, old Portuguese-style villas and gardens of bougainvillea. Many of these heritage homes have been converted into elegant hotels. One of the most recent is Ishavilas , an old, eccentric villa set in a beautiful tropical garden filled with fountains, sculptures and tropical flowers. Belonging to the Bajaj family and managed by the Neemrana Group of ‘non-hotels’, the whole villa is available for rent in the peak season. At other times, the three-bedrooms and separate suite are available on a daily basis. Choose the Oriental suite by the pool for privacy, or the Kailash suite which opens to a pleasant covered seating area in the garden. The on-site spa offers Ayurvedic treatments, and relaxing massages and yoga classes are held in the yoga shala. This is the ideal place for those who like to spend some quiet time in an inspiring and relaxing atmosphere.
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At Elsewhere you feel like a privileged guest at a friend's summer hideaway. The private beach is almost empty, but if you wanted to venture off the beach staff can arrange a morning trip to see dolphins on The Solita (a luxury yacht), or a romantic dinner cruise at sunset. The yacht can also be chartered on a daily basis for longer trips to see the 18th century Tiracol Fort, the magnificent cathedrals and churches of Old Goa; a UNESCO World Heritage site; and the charming capital of Goa, Panjim.
1,3. The tropical jungle-style setting of Coco Shambhala provides the perfect backdrop for an exclusive 'monsoon escape'
2. Elsewhere, located between the ocean and a salt-water Creek is the perfect beach hideway
Escape to a Tropical Garden During the monsoon season which runs from June to September the beaches close, the crowds leave and the pace of life slows down - a magical time in Goa. The landscape becomes a verdant green, temperatures drop and the marvellous smell of fresh earth creeps up after the rains. The tropical jungle-style garden setting at Coco Shambhala in Nerul is the perfect backdrop for a monsoon escape. This small and exclusive property has four spacious and comfortable contemporarystyle villas set around an inviting pool. The cosy 126
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During the monsoon season which runs from June to September the beaches close, the crowds leave and the pace of life slows down a magical time in Goa.
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Head to the Hills For someone who loves the hills and a constant breeze, Nilaya Hermitage’s hill-top location near Arpora is perfect. From here there is a stunning view of Goa’s coastal plains, and the ocean can be seen glittering in the distance. Built of the deep red-coloured laterite rock found all over Goa, the ambience here is one of an ‘earthy’ and stylish ashram. Designed by fashion stylist Claudia Derain, her engineer husband Hari Ajwani and local architect Dean d’Cruz, this chic boutique resort set in 20 acres of leafy grounds has 11 eccentrically-decorated rooms with names like fire, sun, air, earth and moon. Nilaya is a favourite with celebrities, with Kate Moss, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Mick Jagger, George Harrison and Richard Gere all reported to have stayed here.
Local and Global Culinary Delights Goa has many first-rate restaurants serving up a variety of local and international cuisines. La Plage on Ashvem Beach has taken the typical Goan beach shack to a new level of fine dining. The menu is 5-star, and the setting casual beach-chic - including simple tables and deck chairs arranged in the sand among a cluster of palm trees. 128
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Goa has many first-rate restaurants serving up a variety of local and international cuisines. La Plage is run by a French trio who have perfected the recipe for success. Chef Morgan Rainforth has created a menu of culinary delights featuring mainly seafood dishes prepared à la Française, but with a few exciting twists. The chilled pea and cucumber soup with mint is a delight, and the tomato and basil sorbet – served with the superb grilled mussels with parsley – a culinary revelation. Another wildly popular dinner destination is Thalassa . Part of its success is its location: Perched on a cliff top, there are stunning sunset views of Vagator beach. Then there is the superb Greek cuisine served up by Mariketty from Corfu : From tzatziki to spanakopita, moussaka to souvlaki, this is a true Greek taverna. The home-made feta cheese is a favourite, while the small shops at the entrance are worth a browse, especially the boho-chic
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designer-wear in light, colourful fabrics by Italian stylist Martino Caramia at Flame . In Candolim is Bomra’s , another trendy eatery with a cosy open-air terrace. UK-trained chef Bawmra Jap is from Burma and has taken his homeland’s cuisine and infused it with other regional Asian influences. Try the moghinga, a Burmese fish soup of rice vermicelli, boiled egg, fish cake and gourd fritter. Celebrated writer and Goaregular Amitav Ghosh has declared that Jap serves the best Burmese food he has ever had. Other firm favourites we cannot fail to mention include the al-fresco Indo-French restaurant Le Poisson Rouge on the Baga River, the sophisticated Sublime (which is moving to Morjim) and J&A’s for Italian food in Baga. For authentic Goan food, the locals swear that Mum’s Kitchen in Panjim and Amigo’s in Nerul serve up the best.
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Beach Boutiques and Shopping Just next to the La Plage restaurant on Ashvem beach is a small row of designer shops housed in beach shacks. Jade Jagger , who spends part of the year living in Goa, has opened a beachside boutique of her designer-wear and signature jewellery. Next door is Beach Candy with a smart collection of kaftans, dresses, bags and accessories. Behind La Plage restaurant is its own boutique which is worth a browse, and next door, housed under a luxury tent, is The Shop by Nani Ki . This is a branch of Danielle and Chloe Le Bonnois’ chic Paris boutique with beach fashions and accessories, and an adorable collection of Indo-Western wear for kids. The Saturday Night Market in Arpora is a shopping highlight not to be missed. Arrive just after opening at 6:30pm to avoid the crowds or after 9:30pm when the festive atmosphere reaches its peak. There are over 500 stalls selling clothes and accessories, jewellery, textiles, brassware, art and handicrafts, as well as food such as momos, sushi and Belgian waffles. Cocktail bars and live music keep the party going until late.
04 1,2. An ambience of 'earthy' and stylish ashram, and some exceptional views of Goa's coastal plains can be enjoyed from Nilaya Hermitage
3,4. Ishavilas is best suited for those seeking a quiet retreat in an inspiring and relaxing environment
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Enjoy Goa's offshore wildlife on a private yacht excursion
GOA TRAVEL INFORMATION ADDRESSES ↘ Elsewhere, Mandrem Beach, North Goa. www.aseascape.com ↘ Coco Shambhala, Patrimonio, Nerul, Bardez, Goa 403 113. www.cocoshambhala.com ↘ Ishavilas, 103, Vaddy, Siolim, Goa 430 517. www.ishavilasgoa.com ↘ Nilaya Hermitage, Arpora, Goa 403 518. www.nilaya.com Tourist Board of India www.tourism.gov.in
JET CHARTER COMPANIES www.aircharter-international.com www.airchartermideast.ae www.ajaprivatejets.com www.arrowaircraft.com www.chocksawaycharter.com www.comluxaviation.com www.deccanair.com www.execujet.net www.gamagroup.com www.jetaviation.com www.prestige-jet.com www.religarevoyages.com www.royaljetgroup.com www.vistajet.com
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FLYING TO GOA BY PRIVATE JET Those travelling by private jet will land at Goa's Dabolim airport. All private jet flights into Dabolim have to be completed by 4pm local time. All of the Villa companies mentioned can arrange transfers by chauffeured car.
APPROXIMATE FLIGHT DISTANCES TO GOA BY PRIVATE JET
Visit the Saturday Night Market for a vibrant, colourful experience
Mumbai - 412.31km Delhi - 1513.70km Dubai – 2220.79km Abu Dhabi - 2268.74km Jakarta – 4348.63km Bangkok – 2869.98km Singapore - 3632.54km Kuala Lumpur - 3334.69km Bahrain - 3198.56km NB: Flight times will vary according to size of jet, number of passengers, seasons and weather variations. Please contact your jet management company or a jet charter company for more information on these.
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Sample spice and variety in the Goan Cuisine
As anyone in aviation knows,
AVOIDING
TURBULENCE is an art.
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