Month: December 2022

Private Jet to Bizliner, Mom Must be Proud

Posted on by rbaliatico

bizliner                                                                                                                                                                                                                          There’s a point where only the biggest will do, and going from that Gulfstream G5 to the Bizliner category of private jets, your mom must be really proud. Typical Bizliner customers include Heads of State, royalty, celebrities, top executives, Fortune 100 companies, and the like. These mega jets occupy the same ground space as many large-cabin business jets, but the the Boeing Business Jet 737Max, the Global 7500, and the Airbus ACJ319 take private air travel to another world. Many of these wide body behemoths have full bedrooms, seating for the entire executive staff, and the comfort of the most luxurious hotels. They are ideal for people who need to maximize their time and control their environment to their personal exacting standards. We will look first at the Jet that originated the Bizliner terminology, the BBJ, Boeing Business Jet.

 

#1 Bizliner the BBJ Boeing Business Jet 737 Max

 

jets

Mac Daddy #1 of the bizliner gang is the BBJ Boeing Business Jet. These versions of Boeing’s popular commercial jets are modified to suit the whims and fancies of ‘its good to be king’ owners. Heads of state, countries, internet moguls, and Hollywood’s box office dynamos take a 737 MAX, 777, 777x, 787 or the 747-8 and turn them into 41,000 ft high altitude hotels or corporate boardrooms. The BBJ 737 Max can fly to a range of 6000 nautical miles with the highest possible take-off weights. The 737 Max have integrated airstairs to allow independent operations at remote airfields. They have auxiliary fuel tanks in the cargo compartments to achieve those aforementioned ranges. They also have a unique low cabin altitude system that will maintain a maximum cabin altitude of 6,500 feet even when flying near 41,000 ft which vastly improves passenger comfort. The BBJ Max boasts a reasonably low operating cost drawing on its commercial  aircraft roots so it can cost significantly less than purpose-built business jets. They get this ability from LUMP, a strangely named system which stands for low utilization maintenance program, which stretches out the maintenance intervals for a BBJ operator making major checks every 4 years and heavier checkouts every 12 years. The 787 Dreamliner version of the BBJ is a longer range aircraft capable of 9,960 nm with 25 passengers. The recently introduced 777X casts a wider net with a range of 11,835 nm. To compare the cabin areas of these aircraft, the cabin area of the 737 MAX is from 884 to 1,120 sq ft, the 787 is from 2,340 to 2,688 sq ft, and the 777X is from 3,256 to 3,689 sq ft. There are many older BBJ and BBJ1s available for charter that were based on the 737-700 and 737-800. Initially these business jets were operated by many Fortune 100 companies, but after the 2008 financial systems meltdown many are now registered to hide the owners identities and obscure their movement. The 737 MAXs are powered by CFM International LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) high-bypass turbofan engines. The 787s are powered by either GE Electric GEnx dual rotor/axial flow turbofans or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s. Finally, the 777Xs will get their power from the General Electric GE9X developed by General Electric exclusively for the Boeing 777X. They have a larger fan and advanced materials like ceramic matrix composites (CCMCs), and higher bypass compression ratios giving them improved fuel efficiency. To charter a BBJ 737 MAX you will pay around $12,000* USD per hour and up based on model and year.

 

#2 Bombardier Global 7500

global 7500The Global 7500 is an industry flagship.  It has a long range near 7,700 nm and a max speed of Mach 0.925 with 19 passengers. The ride is ultra smooth achieved via the Smooth Flex Wing technology that was engineered to give maximum control and agility at all speeds. The cabin space is gigantic and it can be designed to have four true living spaces with an available Master suite as well as a dedicated crew suite and kitchen. The cabin air is filtered by Bombardier’s Pur Air HEPA filtration system capturing 99.99% of allergens, bacteria, and viruses. Large and evenly spaced windows give the cabin more natural light than any other cabin in business aviation. The Soleil lighting system is aviation’s first circadian rhythm-based cabin lighting designed to combat jet lag. In the cockpit, the 7500 features advanced fly-by-wire technology and a permanent side-facing jump seat. It is powered by GE Passport Engines designed specifically for the Global 7500. The 7500 is happiest playing in the troposphere with an initial cruise altitude of 43,000 ft and a max operating altitude of 51,000 ft.  The interior cabin volume is 2,786 cu ft with a height of 6.2 ft and interior width of 8 feet. To charter a Global 7500 you will start around $15,900* USD per hour to as high as $20,000*USD per hour.

 

#3 Airbus ACJ319

acj319

The ACJ319 is the corporate version of the Airbus A319.  It has removable extra fuel tanks which are installed in the cargo department giving it a range of 6,000 nautical miles and a service ceiling of 39,000 ft.  The ACJ319 can be configured for 19 to 50 passengers. The power comes from either CFM International CFM56 high-bypass turbofans or the IAE V2500, a two-shaft high-bypass turbofan built by International Aero Engines.  The aircraft is very popular with heads of state due to the flexibility of the cabin thanks to a number of partitions enabling it to provide up to 6 separate zones. The zones can accommodate up to 19 passengers and can contain bedrooms, dining areas, and lounges. The other ACJ series jets offered as Bizliners are the 320, 321, and the ACJ319neo/ACJ320neo. The ACJ319neo may carry 8 passengers while the ACJ320neo is built to carry up to 25 passengers. They will have CFM LEAP or Pratt & Whitney PW1000Gs lower fuel-burn engines providing additional range along with lower engine noise and a comfortable cabin altitude not exceeding 6,400 ft. There are also the bigger models like the 340, 350, and the 380. The most recent market entrant is the ACJ TwoTwenty a variant of the A220-100. It has a range of 5,650 nm and a cabin space of 790 sq ft. The ACJ319 has a cabin volume of 5,843 cu ft with an overall cabin width of 12’1″ and a cabin height of 7’4″. To charter an Airbus ACJ319 you can expect to spend in the neighborhood of $18,600* USD per hour.

We are not shy about the expression “if you have to ask you can’t afford it” so to give you an idea of the purchase price of these jets in the “previously enjoyed” preowned market, the ACJ319neo will sell for around $100 million dollars. Just as with mega homes and yachts, a new owner will likely want to gut the interior in order to install their personal design touches. Luckily, you don’t have to own one to experience the joy of riding in one and we’d love to help you achieve that exact wish. This lineup of our three favorite Bizliners certainly excites us and is the perfect fodder for our holiday dreams. We will be enjoying the holidays with family and friends so our next blog post about air charter topics will be January 2nd, 2023.

Until Then, Be Social, Fly Private!  Sign Up Today!  Follow us on Facebook  Follow us on Instagram

 

*These are base hourly rates per craft type with no ferry times, FET taxes, taxi time, or fuel surcharges. Typical final hourly rates will be higher based on category and timing.

 

The Top Three Heavy Jets to Charter

Posted on by rbaliatico

heavy jets

Heavier is Better

As we move into the Big Beast of Private Jet Travel, we decided to list the Top Three Heavy Jets to Charter. These are the aircraft most requested to accomplish the longer range trips while stepping up your overall game. They are big in comfort, long in range, and full of creature comforts the executive traveler must have in their charter. We will go over a nice list of three here starting with the Gulfstream GIV-SP, then we will look at its fiercest competitor, the Bombardier Challenger 604, and finally the sweetheart Dassault Falcon 2000LX. These aren’t necessarily the newest or greatest but they are the top three dynamos of the Heavy jet charter brigade. Some tail numbers may have their best years behind them, but most still represent great value and excellent charter options without sacrificing luxury and comfort. Many have been refurbished with modern interiors, but there are a few out there that still look like they could use some TLC. So lets take a look at the GIV-SP for your next transcontinental trip.

#1 The Gulfstream GIV-SP

gulfstream

It’s easy to rank the Gulfstream GIV-SP in the Top Three Heavy Jets to Charter. The operational history of the GIV-SP and its military variants add to the cool factor of this aircraft. It is the plane of choice for the Hurricane Hunter selected by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Their version was modified to carry scientist up to 45,000 ft ceilings and all around tropical cyclones. They drop instruments called “dropsondes” to measure all the critical data from a building storm such as windspeed, barometric pressure, humidity, and temperatures. The reason the GIV-SP was well suited for this task is because it can fly long distances with ample cabin space for equipment and crew while being tough enough to stand up to the beating the hurricane hunters put them through. The military variant of this aircraft is the the C-20F that the Army utilizes. It can be configured for both cargo and 26 passenger operations or a little bit of both. It is also used by the Navy, Marines, and the U.S. Air Force as command/executive transport roles (flying around the top brass). The GIV-SP is comparable to the Gulfstream III but with an aerodynamic redesign of the wing to lower weight, reducing drag, and increasing overall range. The SP stands for “Special Purpose” and appeared at serial number 1214 in 1993. Two Rolls Royce TAY 611-8 engines provide 13,850 lbs of thrust each. Sixteen passengers can be seated in three separate living areas. We find the more popular layouts to be the 14 passenger cabins or the 10 passenger cabin with 4-club space arrangement forward, a 2-place club and divan in the middle, then another 4-place conference seating in the rear. A full service galley can be located in the forward of aft compartments. Baggage is a roomy 169 cubic feet of space. Over 300 of these were built with production ending in 2002. The interior cabin height is a tall 6′ 1″ and a width of just over 7 feet. Maximum takeoff weight is a heavy 74,600 lbs with a max payload of 5300 lbs. The GIV-SP boasts a 45,000 ft ceiling altitude with an average range of 3,880 nautical miles. You will experience a normal cruise speed of 476 kts with a maximum speed closer to 500 kts. Typically the average hourly charter rate for a Gulfstream GIV-SP runs about $8,500* USD.

#2 Bombardier Challenger 604

challenger 604
By Chris Finney

Introduced in 1995, the Bombardier Challenger 604 is loved by executives and businesses because of its typically lower charter costs than the GIV-SP and other long range business jets. The successor to the CL-601 was one of the first business jets designed with a super-critical wing offering improved range, dependability, reliability, and outstanding performance. The Challenger 604 is a powerful heavy jet. This #2 pick in the category is powered by two General Electric CF34-3B engines that produce 8,729 lbs of thrust each. The plane can attain .74 Mach, but you can expect an economical cruising speed closer to 425 kts. With its fuel distribution and greater fuel capacity, the 604 can reach over 4,000 nautical miles range (NBAA 4Pax IFR Reserves 200 NM Alt).  The cockpits have the Collins Pro Line 4 with six screens, left and right primary displays, multifunction displays and EICAS. The avionics suite is top notch with flight director/autopilot systems, HF-9000 high frequency radios, digital air data computers, turbulence detection radar, and dual Pro Line 400 all-digital interface comm/nav/ident radios. The standup height in the cabin is 6′ 1″ with a roomy 8.2 ft cabin width. Maximum capacity can be a tight 19 passenger layout, but a roomier 10-12 passenger layout is more common. You can expect to see forward club, half club, divan, or  double club layouts. Galleys and Lavatories in the 604s are usually large. The Challenger 604 has a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet with a max take off weight of 48,200 lbs. The baggage space is ample for long trips at 115 cu ft. The average hourly charter rate for the Bombardier Challenger 604 is about $7,500* USD.

 

#3 Dassault Falcon 2000LX

falcon 2000lx

The Dassault Falcon 2000LX is our third top pick for transcontinental Heavy Jets for charter service. It was a development of the 2000EX and 2000EX EASy and entered the market in 2007.  This jet boast having the size and comfort of a large cabin with the efficiency of a light jet. Having similar 4,000 nautical range capability like the GIV-SP and the 604 Challenger, the Falcon 2000LX fills out this special grouping of heavy jets. The impressive addition of winglets set this airframe apart from its predecessors of the 2000 series of Falcons as well as added significant fuel savings and range. In the cockpit, pilots will be behind the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 with a fully integrated avionics suite, including the Honeywell EASy avionics panel, Allied GNS-XES flight management system, Collins TWR-850 Doppler weather radar, and a dual channel fully integrated avionics processor system. The power comes from twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C engines making the 2000LX capable of cruising at a fast 482 knots while comfortably carrying 10 passengers. You will find the cabin to be spacious and comfortable. The headroom is a nice and tall 6’2″ while an overall 7’8″ width. Passengers booking the 2000LX can enjoy over 1,000 cubic feet of interior space that gives them nice freedom of movement and legroom. You could seat up to 19 passengers in the cabin with the correct seat configuration, but we find most with seating for eight to ten passengers. The last one I was on had multiple lounge areas, seats that folded down into beds, a forward galley, and full aft lavatory. It had plenty of room for the baggage at 131 cubic feet and a max takeoff weight of 42,800 lbs. The Dassault Falcon 2000LX will usually have a $7,000* USD per hour charter rate.

It’s all about the range and comfort when it comes to these three heavy jets. If you want the best, I’d say take the Gulfstream GIV-SP. Looking to save a few bucks, well the Bombardier Challenger 604 with that updated interior from two years ago will be the obvious choice. Now if you want to impress the people meeting you on the tarmac when you land, few others will look cooler than a Dassault Falcon 2000LX pulling up to the FBO. Next week we go even larger, exploring the corporate behemoths in the Ultra Long-Range Business Jet Category.

Until Then, Be Social, Fly Private!      Sign Up Today!       Follow us on Facebook     Follow us on Instagram

*These are base hourly rates per craft type with no ferry times, FET taxes, taxi time, or fuel surcharges. Typical final hourly rates will be higher based on category and timing.

 

Go Bigger or Don’t Go At All?

Posted on by rbaliatico
go bigger
Go Bigger

Hello my aviation friends and colleagues. This week we look at why our clients are saying Go Bigger or Don’t Go At All. The need for larger aircraft, and more importantly longer range, has kicked up the demand in the Midsized Jet category. We will first take a look at a popular all-time favorite of the air charter crowd, the Cessna Citation Excel. Then the much larger, and growing in popularity, Bombardier Challenger 350. Finishing off the group with my personal favorite, the Hawker 900XP. These are all big and roomy midsized jets just like the Hawker 800XP pictured above, but speed and range really set them apart. We start with a look at the tried and true Cessna Citation Excel. This is the first aircraft that really distinguish this category from its smaller siblings in the light jet category. Often when we quote a price on a requested heavy jet, typically a Gulfstream G4 or larger, new clients react with sticker shock. They quickly retract the original request and replace it with one for something a bit cheaper. The midsized category quickly becomes appealing especially when one of our operators has a midsize with light jet pricing. At that point a match is made and we proceed to secure the flight and mission requirements. It’s necessary to make sure range and room for passengers does not change too dramatically when we drop a category like this. Familiarity with the proposed midsized jet and operator can make the transition smooth and the dollar savings will be significant.

The Cessna Citation Excel – Go Big

citation excel
Cessna Citation Excel 560XL

The Citation Excel is a very suitable Go Big solution, or in some cases a “little less expensive please” substitute. This is the smaller of the midsized jet category offerings but has some very nice features. Born from customer consultations, the Excel is a shortened version of the Citation X Fuselage combined with a modified upswept supercritical wing based on the Citation V Ultra. Powered by twin Pratt and Whitney Canada PW-545A series turbofans. The cockpit has a standard Honeywell Primus 1000, three 8″ x 7″ screens EFIS avionics package consisting of two primary flight displays, one for each pilot, and a multifunction display. The cabin features standup headroom and a dropped aisle that runs the length of the main cabin. There is plenty of elbow room making it much more roomier than those of its light jet siblings. The max cruising speed is 429 knots with a max ceiling of 45,000 ft. The range at economical cruise is about 2,080 nautical miles.  The maximum takeoff weight is just at 20,000 lbs. The normal layout is two crew seats and 8 passenger seats but some have 10 passenger seats in the main cabin. The typical hourly charter rate is around $3,600* USD for this jet.

 

The Bombardier Challenger 350 – Go Bigger

 

 

 

challenger 350

 

                                                                                                    The Bombardier Challenger 350 is a Go Bigger upgrade. This is a true midsized jet that grows daily in popularity. The 350 aircraft’s wings, engines, and landing gears were all developed to ensure a perfectly balanced design, providing smooth take-offs, flights, and landings. Powered by a pair of Honeywell HTF7350 turbofans this Challenger have a cruising speed of 547 knots and a max take-off weight double that of the Cessna at 40,600 lbs. It has a lengthy total range of 3,682 nautical miles with braking improvements and rudder control modifications squeezing out the additional 1,500 nm of range over the Cessna. The cockpit has significant avionics including the combined Collins Aerospace head-up display and enhanced vision system.  It boast one of the largest cabins in this category and enhanced soundproofing maximizes trip enjoyment with its oh-so-quiet cabin. You can enjoy high speed Ka-band and 4G ATG (air to ground) internet to do some work or stream your favorite movies. The seat finishes are world-class with flexible seating up to 10 passengers or less seats in a more Executive Club configuration. There is a large full function galley to enjoy meals on your nicely concealed tables at each executive arrangement. There is 106 cubic feet of unrestricted baggage access and storage, plus a lavatory featuring large backlit mirror, vanity, sink, and faucet. The average charter hourly rate for a Challenger 350 is near $5,500* USD.

The Beechcraft Hawker 900XP – Go Best

hawker 900 xp
By Aktug Ates 

The Hawker series are one of my favorite aircrafts to charter. Actually a 900XP was one of the first private jets I arranged a charter on. We don’t mention who our clients are, but I can say he was an avid golfer and very impressed on his first trip in the Hawker. The key factor was the storage room for all his golf clubs and luggage and the 900XP fit his needs perfectly. The Hawker 900XP is a direct development of the Hawker 850XP.  It improved on many of the 850s best traits like fuel efficiency, aerodynamics, and the overall performance capabilities. It has updated winglets improving the performance, range, and takeoff distances. Powered by twin Honeywell TFE731-50R engines this aircraft has a range of 2,733 nautical miles with fuel under NBAA IFR. It has the same Collins Pro Line avionics suite found in the the 850 including the all important terrain awareness warning systems, weather, reduced vertical separation minimum , and enhanced ground proximity warning system. The cabin is very roomy with LCD lighting, standup headroom, touch-screen seat controls, and plenty of in-cabin storage. The 950XP cruises at 452 knots with a max ceiling of 41,000 ft. The overall maximum takeoff weight is 28,000 lbs. The cabin height is a tall 5’9″ and width of 6 ft. Internal baggage is 50 cu ft with room for up to roughly 7 bags. The seating is typically 2 crew plus 8 passengers. It can be chartered for an hourly rate of $5,000* USD.

Up to this point we looked at three suitable private jet charter entries each in the Very Light, Light, and Mid-Sized Jet Categories. Some can be called old dinosaurs, and some we mention but would avoid chartering based on our data. Its a complex task to pick the right jet, but its more important to make sure it’s a safe jet. Next week we will look at the Heavy Hitters in the Heavy Jet Category.

Until Then, Be Social, Fly Private!     Sign Up Today!  Follow us on Facebook  Follow us on Instagram

*These are base hourly rates per craft type with no ferry times, FET taxes, taxi time, or fuel surcharges. Typical final hourly rates will be higher based on category and timing.