Avpro Jets - Jet Aircraft Sales, Acquisitions, and Consulting Services


This Company is in Annapolis, MD. Give them a call and they can probably answer your questions to get you started. I can't guarantee they won't try to sell you more jet than you need...and no I don't work there trying to drum up business.

 

One resource is to check out jetbroker.com - click on Worldwide Jet Search and you can do a side by side comparison of different aircraft with some basic performance and cost information.

 

Aircraft Brokers are a great resource, in fact it's their job to provide that kind of information. Like finding a Realtor, spend some time and find a broker that you can work with and the rest is easy.

 

ME! ME! ME!

USMCFLYR

 

Stay away from brokers at this point! You need to do more homework before you get a broker's "point of view". He will try to steer you towards the highest commision jet on the lot! He may even attemp a "back to back" sale without you knowing it!
A jet in the super-midsize/large cabin capable of a cross country nonstop will have a $1.4-1.8 mil operating budget for 300hrs/year. This does not iclude the cost of the loan. These numbers do not vary much from flight department to flight department.
Don't hire your friends buddy- the broker or pilot. Opening a new flight department is a large undertaking. You need a Chief Pilot with prior management experience that will take "ownership" in the airplane. Finding a Pilot is easy, finding a manager is hard.
You have a multimillion dollar asset that needs management, care and maintenance.
You will also need an accounting department that is open to an airplane. They have many new rules and reporting requirments. Yuo will also need a good aviation attorney to set up the legal foundation.
Take extra effort in the setup and your department will have years of success. To many flight departments lack the support structure and spend years trying to fix it if they are fortunate to survive at all!
Good Luck!

 

If your company has built a relationship with a charter operator, then that would be a good start. They would already know your travel needs, and could help steer you in the right direction.
Starting an in-house flight department is a huge undertaking and requires an initial big investment. Another consideration is having the charter operator you've been using to manage your asset until you deem it necessary to bring it in house.

 

Stay far far away from any charter operator. They will promise you the world and stuff only their pockets! They will want to put your airplane on their operating certificate and use and ABUSE your asset for only their gain! Don't buy into "we buy fuel at volume discounts unavailable to Part 91 owners" With fuel programs such as CAA (Corporate Aircraft Assoc) supplying fuel at or better than national contracts!
A properly set up Part 91 flight department can and will have all the tax benefits of a for hire operation. Pay a little up fromt for years of savings!

Charter is down significanly, people are offering the aircraft for charter below cost. Many have or are about to go out of business. Pilot turnover is significant with you paying for the training. Insurance is more expensive and their safety record is 13 times (per NBAA stats at NBAA.org) worse than a professionally flow "not for hire" operation.
If you cannot make the numbers work without charter stay away from ownership! (Even more so in these incertain times!)
Hire the right Chief Pilot and you will be set up for many years of success!

 

It's true that both modes have their benefits as well as their drawbacks. A poor manager/chief pilot can put the department in ruins just a easily as a shady operator. My suggestions were aimed at someone unfamiliar with our side of the industry. A management company is just an organization that specializes in these areas. They will provide professionally trained crews, maintenance and record keeping. They can also keep the customer apprised of any tax issues that arise or should be made aware of. In the end you have to make a decision that is best of you and your organization.

 

I would encourage you to contact Leading Edge Solutions.

 

Please no Leading Edge Aviation.
I was involved with an aircraft purchased from them. A 2 year old aircraft with the most incomplete maintenace records I have ever seen. It decreased the value of a nearly new aircraft by more than $1mil. Both engines failed a boroscope. Very sad operation.
Very unprofessional. The owner had only 1 recourse, make Leading Edge pay for their incompetance!
A perfect example of who to stay away from!