JATAGA

Things are up in the air with the news... with the flood of apps in the office I would say your best bet is to get to know someone on the inside. An internal letter of reck may get your name on the short stack. Time will tell but, I think hiring will continue.

I'm not a kool aid drinker but, I do hope to be here till retirement. It beats digging ditches!!!

the first part of the new aircraft order seems to be aimed at fleet age, so net growth may not be as big as it looks by the order.

disclaimer: I am only a pawn but its my $.02

joel payne

Here is part of the press release sent out on the 5th. May have been posted already. I was out of town-


Flexjet Growth Attracts New Owners to Invest $5.2 Billion for Largest
Aircraft Order in its History
• Group led by Directional Aviation Capital signs definitive agreement to
acquire the assets of Flexjet from Bombardier
• Flexjet, LLC places orders for up to 245 Bombardier business aircraft
Dallas, September 5, 2013 – After 18 successful years as Bombardier’s fractional jet ownership
division, Flexjet today announced a definitive agreement for its purchase by a group led by
Directional Aviation Capital through a newly-formed entity, Flexjet, LLC. With support from its new
investors, Flexjet is placing the largest private aviation order in its history valued at approximately
$5.2 billion for up to 245 Bombardier business jets. The transaction for the sale of Flexjet is
expected to close by the end of the year.
“This opportunity marks the evolution of the next generation of Flexjet, placing us in a position to
work with an exceptional group led by Directional Aviation Capital, an investment firm focused on
our core business, with the resources needed to ensure a strong future powered by the latest
technology,” said Deanna White, President, Flexjet. “Flexjet remains committed to providing
owners with exceptional private travel experiences, while maintaining the highest standards of
flexibility. We look forward to offering our owners and their guests access to the newest, most
advanced aircraft available.”
“Flexjet is an extremely well-run, profitable business known for its unmatched focus on owner
experience and operational excellence,” said Kenn Ricci, Principal, Directional Aviation Capital.
“Our vision for Flexjet is of a luxury brand with a young fleet, the latest technology, custom interiors
and continued industry-defining service. That vision inspired this transaction and landmark order
with Bombardier. There is tremendous opportunity for a bespoke brand in the private travel market
and Flexjet, with its enhanced fleet, is uniquely suited to fill that void.”
The firm order includes 85 business jets, featuring next generation Challenger 350, Challenger
605 and Learjet 75 jets, and the highly anticipated Learjet 85 aircraft. The agreement also
includes options for an additional 160 business jets. Fractional shares are now available, with
some aircraft deliveries beginning in 2014.
“With this historic order, Flexjet will remain a leading Bombardier customer and manager of the
world’s largest collection of the manufacturer’s private jets,” added Ricci.
2
When the transaction closes, Deanna White will continue to lead Flexjet through the next chapter
of growth and evolution. Flexjet will continue to be run as an independent brand, with even more
resources available to fulfill its promise of offering exceptional travel experiences to owners each
and every flight.
This development emerges during a momentous period of growth for Flexjet, which is reporting a
96 percent increase of new fractional and jet card sales in January to June 2013 compared to the
same period in 2012. In the first six months of this year, sales of new fractional shares increased a
notable 112 percent, while new jet card sales grew a solid 68 percent.
As a result of this growth, Flexjet is hiring pilots and employees to satisfy the increasing demand.
This year, Flexjet also marks the 50th anniversary of Learjet with a nationwide tour featuring the
Learjet 85 model, and the 10th anniversary as the first private aviation provider to manage the
Challenger 300 aircraft, celebrated as the world’s best-selling super mid-size jet. Flexjet, the
world’s second largest fractional jet ownership services provider, currently manages one of the
youngest collections of aircraft in the fractional jet industry – averaging approximately six years of
age – which will be refreshed with each new aircraft delivery.
For more information, please visit flexjet.com or call 1-800-FLEXJET.

USMCFLYR

Lear 85s. Interesting.

JATAGA

We're the launch customer for the 85 anyway. The airplane order isn't to different than what we already had planned. The 160 other options are a different story.

MilitaryAV8R

I have a question for the FlexJet guys on here. I was recently at an interview prep seminar that was for military only. Not only was I the only Army pilot there, but I was also the only one that indicated my focus was on fractional air carriers. All of them were after the big iron of the majors or the big cargo carriers. Just how much of a military presence is there with FlexJet? Do you normally see very much interest in the way of applications from military pilots?

Thanks

dirtysidedown

They are following the money, more money to be made over at the major airlines. I don't know if you ever flew charter or any kind of owner flying but it gets old after a while. I have been doing this kind of flying for almost ten years and i have had enough, i have apps in at all hiring airlines right now ( LLC's and majors).

USMCFLYR

Being around my peers for the 20+ years in the military aviation scene - I'd say I was maybe one of only a very few that ever talked of any other flying than the P121 world. Everyone thought I was crazy when I told them I didn't want to be an airline pilot - and of course some of this was during the much better years of airline flying.

As I got further along in my career, and the airline flying started to lose some of the *glamour and stability*, a few more picked up on other lines of flying, but still often as a place holder until the airline flying picked up. One notable exception was CBP. When I first started looking at putting out applications, I found that there were a few more than originally thought working at the various fractionals - particularily NetJets. After the big furloughs, many moved over to the DoD contract flying with companies like Avenge, Dynamic, and L3.

Now in my current job I see many more who chose another line of flying other than P121, but the main reason I believe in because of the transition from AD side of job or the ability to maintain the current position in a Reserve unit. All of the United guys have been recalled for a second or thrid time it seems. I'm interested to see if any of them will take the bait.

MilitaryAV8R

Funny you should mention Avenge and the other contractors, I know many people that have left the Army and went there. I do not have any apps in with them yet, but if it looks like it will be a long time before I can get hired I will be putting them in. As long as they are still hiring, I should get on with Avenge because I have the Dash-7 time from the Army.

PS. I am a prior service Marine also. Semper Fi USMCFLYR

USMCFLYR

Semper Fi!
Good luck in the search.
From my research over the years - there are military scattered throughout the fractionals so you are not alone in that search. It just seems to be a very tough segmewnt of aviation in the current environment.
Your background certainly lends credence to that type of flying I would think. There shouldn't be any question of the *personal* service, customer service, catch as catch (read as flexible) can type of flying since you've been flying VIP for a time.

dudemize

One of the coolest guys I flew with at NJA was an army pilot. I think he flew helos early in his career and switched to fixed wing at some point. He's a captain at NJA and also an American furloughee. As far as I know, he has no intention of returning to AA.

It would be nice if NJA would start recalling and hiring. No telling when that will be. It sounds like you would fit right in.