JOS66

Good Day All

I am preparing to buy a Jet (2000-3000 NM Range) for my company. This will be our first, so I need some advice from the ones on the ground (the Pilots and Engineers).

If we put together our own team, we will pay well and have great benefits for our team.

Our Needs are:
1. Will have a 2 Jet Fleet. Buy now 1st Jet (2-3K NM Range / 8-9 Passenger) / 2nd Jet added in 1-2 yrs (5-6K NM Range / 10-14 Passenger)
2. flying over the Atlantic and Gulf / N&S America, Europe, possible Dubai
3. Flying 3-400 Hrs Per Year

Need Advice on:
1. Do we set up our own flight department or contract it out? Would like to have the very best Team and the same team all the time.

2. We will need personal security occasionally (not Afghan stuff). Is it possible to hire both Pilots that are former military and they operate as personal security when needed as well? This would eliminate carrying added bodies on the plane.

3. We want the biggest and best bang for the dollar when we buy both our jets. So for the 2-3K NM Jet, what planes have the best track record?

Thanks in advance. I know there are far more details that are needed, but we are new to this area and want to have the best team and best equipment for the dollar. Have a Blessed Day!!

Web265

As someone trained in both disciplines, I’d say this is a REALLY bad idea. The focus needs to be on one or the other. I wouldn’t even consider taking a job like that.

On the rare occasions you need personal security, contract it. There are a lot of legit and capable folks out there doing this.

navigatro

+1. The number of people who are trained, proficient, and HIGHLY skilled in both jobs are few and far between.

galaxy flyer

#1. Look at a management contract with Solarius, Jet Aviation or EJM.

#3. A pre-owned Challenger 604 or 605 are available in the $5-$7 million range. Modern, dependable and meets your needs. Or a Challenger 300.

GF

JOS66

Thanks W265
I understand.

JOS66

Thanks GF

Question:
Since I am new to this, can you elaborate on the reasons to contract with a company for piloting and operations of the aircraft I buy, verses setting up my own team in house?

Not trying to draw swords just trying to understand so that I make the best decision. I have received conflicting views from a couple of aircraft owners and an aircraft operations business. Which naturally is up selling their services and say that I am better using them.

Naturally safety is on the top of the list.

galaxy flyer

They can bring experience to the table and economies of scale. If you own the planes, you have to manage a rather, for outsiders, complex asset—regulatory compliance, maintenance controls, financial controls, arranging training, and hiring employees. A management company brings specialists on your side to handle those details saving loads of time and money. They should be able to save you their charges in parts, service and training annually. If you have a pilot out sick or vacation, they can provide a contractor. They should have compliance people to provide safety management, do your FAA compliance. Finally, they can do your trip planning.

Unless, you have some experts in these areas, you’ll save in the long run and avoid a lot of problems. Ask yourself this, do I have the knowledge to interview and select maintenance and operations people? Do you know questions you’d ask? And the answers you want?

GF

JOS66

GF
I can answer with one simple word, "NO"!!! LOL
For sure not my area of expertise.

Point well taken. Will for sure go that route. As I stated, Safety is No. 1 on the list above ALL else. So even if I did not save money, having the peace of mind knowing that all the I(s) are dotted and T(s) are crossed and done right, will make me feel alot better.

Thanks again and have a blessed day!!

831pilot

JOS,

To clarify- would this be the first aircraft to your company or the first jet? Sounds like it's the former.

How was the company handling the travel needs up to this point- airlines or chartering? You are diving headfirst into a potential purchase of a long range jet as your first airframe into the department. Plus, you seem to have a pretty good idea of your travel needs/expected utilization.

JOS66

This will be my first plane. Been doing airlines. Will be flying around 3-400 hrs Per Year. Will be flying in and out of the Caribbean and to London and Europe for business as well, hence "over the water" comment below.

Since I will be hiring a management company to handle the operations, we need a minimum of 2000-3000 NM range. I want to go with used and the best jet for the dollar. But naturally I do not want to spend more than I have to. I have been looking at several brands from Nextant, Gulfstream, Challenger and Falcon. I really really like the 3 Engine Falcons for the extra security if an engine goes out over the water or mountains; also like the short field performance specs that I have read as well.

I am thinking of going with a 2000 NM (or so) Nextant 400XTI to dip my toes in the water as economical as possible, then after a year, step up to a longer range Falcon. But we will see. I will weigh everyones advice and speak with several management companies.

As for management companies, what is your and everyones review on Signature? They have an site at the airport where we will flight from and at most of the airports we will flight into.