Avion Private Jet Club

It's been years since you've flown coach. You're in the air so much, the First Class attendants know you by your first name. If you're a senior exec with more flight time than a seasoned pilot, it's time to take it up a notch. The Avion Private Jet Club has the solution to your "public" transportation woes. With the only DOT approved private per seat program, you're guaranteed comfort and safety without the overhead of private jet costs (after all, if you can keep more of your money why wouldn't you?).


With Avion traveling it isn't just getting from Point A to Point B, it's an experience. Avion offers up to four round trip flights from Los Angeles to New York, and New York to Los Angeles, each week. With cuisine provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering you can sit back and enjoy luxury at 2,500 feet.

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Lufthansa & Andrew Winch Designs

As the saying goes, "You can't take it with you." However, with the newly formed partnership of Lufthansa Technik and Andrew Winch Designs, you probably will at least be able to fly it luxuriously from one destination to another in the not-too-distant future. VIP mega-jets will soon be taxing down the runways, as Lufthansa Technik announced a partnership with Andrew Winch Designs with that specific purpose in mind. The plan was recently unveiled at this year's National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention in Orlando, Florida.

The merged dynamic duo is going to redesign a Boeing 787, which normally can seat over 300 passengers, to luxuriously accommodate 30 to 50 passengers. There will be 32 seating compartments. Nine of the compartments will contain double lie-flat beds, while the remaining 23 will be single lie-flat beds. So, additional space for carry-on luggage should not be an issue.

A forward lounge area, a movie theater, and a dining/conference area are on the drawing board along with a VIP master bedroom and two additional guest bedrooms. Plush furnishings will be set up throughout the customized 787 to enhance ambience and to offer privacy. Great interest is anticipated from both business and private sectors.

Lufthansa Technik, which is a subsidiary of Lufthansa Airlines, transforms large commercial airlines into luxury-latent VIP aircrafts. Per a report recently published in the New York Times, a manager of Lufthansa Technik stated there are many Boeing 747s, 757s, and 767s that have been customized to date.

A recent press release of Lufthansa Technik indicates that the first Boeing 787 VIP model is expected to be available for a walk-through at next year's European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. The yearly event is jointly organized with the NBAA.

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Boeing's New 787 Dreamliner

The world is a constantly changing place and companies, manufacturers and builders alike must constantly change as well to meet the demands of the evolving world population. Boeing, which has been a leader and innovator in the aviation industry for years, has recently updated their line of airplanes and jets to become more efficient and luxurious in order to accommodate the world's demands for the latest and greatest.

The new 787 Dreamliner features the new look of Boeing with highly curved exterior surfaces and use of composite materials for its body construction. The 787 Dreamliner brings the concepts of less is more and more is more together to create a truly unique and innovative aircraft. The 787 uses composite material for most of its construction, which lowers the overall weight of the vehicle and helps it have a better fuel economy. The design of the 787 Dreamliner creates a larger, roomier cabin, giving passengers a more luxurious flight and pleasing atmosphere.

The features of the new 787, a more spacious interior combined with a lighter, more fuel-efficient construction, shows what Boeing's focuses are for the future: an emphasis on more economical and environmentally friendly aircrafts. Even the manufacturing process has been reduced by eliminating about 1,500-aluminum sheets and 40,000 fasteners for just a single section of the aircraft. Passengers and airlines alike will love the new look and feel of the 787. Passengers will delight in the added cabin space, while airlines will benefit from an estimated 20% better fuel economy and more cargo room.

From every angle, the luxurious new Boeing will be an airplane for a brighter future.

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VLJ and Thurmond Munson

I watching the last game at Yankee Stadium last night and when I saw Thurmond Munson's son run across the field. I was inspired to write this article so that perhaps some good can come from Thurmond's death. The owner flown single pilot jet is not a new concept. Cessna tried it many years ago and in 1979 after Munson's unfortunate accident it all but faded away.

The VLJ are promising to be a revolution is less expensive Business Jet travel. They have been equipped the state of the art in avionics and autopilot systems to make it easier for the pilot fly solo. Having flown an automated flight deck since the original green eyed monster, as airline pilots called the B737-300 FMS system. I can tell you that automation brings its own set of challenges to the flight deck. I can site many accidents attributed to the inappropriate use of automation including the fatal AA flight in Cali, Columbia. Flying around in a high speed small jet with your head down programming with closure rate of about 500 miles per hour on other traffic is yet another challenge. Yes they do have TCAS installed but not all the other aircraft do.

I'm not totally opposed to fling single pilot in fact I personally have operated a Bell 222 helicopter single pilot IFR in the Northeast corridor. I feel although it is compliant with the FAA rules, there are safer alternatives that should be considered.

Training programs developed by the manufactures are excellent. The mentoring program is a wonderful idea. I fully endorse it however I feel it would be wise to hang on to your mentor for at least a year. Hours are a poor way of judging aeronautical experience. Hours can be very deceiving when you really look at them closely. For example in the course of one pilot's career he has flown 10000 hours in a seaplane in the Caribbean. How comfortable would you be flying with him in a snow storm in the Northeast. In a year you would be able to visit most of your regular designations as well as see how the aircraft performs in all seasons.

I would also recommend that you hire an aviation consultant prior to purchase if possible to help you negotiate with the manufacturer and start up your operation. They can help you perform: pre delivery aircraft inspection, interview your mentor pilot and set up the facilities to operate the aircraft. With the help of a savvy consultant you can not only enhance the safety of your operation but also achieve a cost savings.

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Customizing Your Aircraft

Buying your first aircraft is a giant leap into the unknown. I'll try to provide an overview of the process of aircraft completion once an aircraft arrives at the completion center.

When the designer first shows you all of the different wood selection and fabrics in abundance it seems overwhelming. This is normal and is always exciting the sky is the limit with whatever you choose. With no interior of any kind inside your aircraft you can have the freedom of working with a clean slate and designing something that fits your lifestyle. Detailed drawings and paint schemes are provided for your approval.

When a green aircraft first arrives it is given a detailed overview inspection to note scratches, dents, dings all which are logged down and taken care of buy the OEM or the completion center. This is to ensure that once the aircraft is delivered is holds it value and is safe to fly.

There is a phenomenally large amount of people and actions that all need to be inter-mesh for completion/refurbishment of an aircraft to be accomplished within a set time limit. All departments are assembled into one room to make sure that all details are put on the table, and that there is no missed information.

Having a working knowledge of all of the departments give aircraft completion firms a better insight into the process. An aircraft which is like a giant puzzle needs to be assembled in a certain order. Professionals insure that it all flows at a steady pace and no detail is missed.

The first step is to get all of the avionics installed including LCD's and switch panels. Cabin entertainment, HD Theater, satellite phones and WIFI system are also placed in the aircraft. Installing the wire bundle looks likes 25 workers wrestling a 40 foot anaconda. This is the beginning of your dream aircraft coming to life.

Next the sheet metal installers rivet all necessary bonding points to the interior to hold windows, side walls, bulkheads, and headliner. This is a major portion that is critical to the structure of the aircraft.

All galleys, bulkheads, headliners and even seats parts are made from honeycomb composite which lightens the total weight of the aircraft. Speaking of weight, this is always one of the most crucial areas of concern during a project. All aircraft are weight limited and it's best to use as little as possible on the interior so that it is available for payload.

All of the soft goods are handled with care and delicacy because they are the seats, window line, headliners all the touchy items. An aircraft management firm insure they are not damaged and stick out like a sore thumb. Experts inspect to see you get that fantastic 6″ deep look on a stained or natural finish bulkheads, dividers, credenzas and storage.

The completion process for a new aircraft takes about 30 weeks. Professional firms should have experienced A&P mechanics, FCC licensed avionics techs and ATP licensed pilots who have all been through this process many times. Teams such as these supervise your project to insure your safety and see you realize the full value from your aircraft. After the aircraft is assembled it is inspected, all systems are tested and it is test flown.

Aircraft ownership is a worthwhile adventure and brings the world to you.

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Wataniya Airways Offers More Room with Fewer Seats

Airbus is an aviation manufacturing firm with an emphasis on providing passengers with the best in comfort, technology and innovation.

The Airbus family of jetliners has a wide range of models, from small 100-seaters to twin-engine and four-engine aircraft.

Kuwait based Airline Wataniya Airways has recently leased the A320 and plans to lease 7 more. Although the plane can seat 180 passengers, Wataniya has configured it so that there are just 122 seats, allowing for a more luxurious feel for passengers.

"No other plane of this size offers so much room and comfort throughout the aircraft and we will have the lowest seating density on an A320 compared with all other scheduled airlines in the region," said Chairman & Managing Director, Abdul Salam Al Bahar, "Wataniya Airways is the first full service airline of its kind to be launched in the past several years, and will offer an unrivalled experience combining new levels of comfort and luxury to all its passengers, in the air and on the ground."

Airbus's commitment to customer satisfaction has made it a leader in the aviation field. In addition to their emphasis on comfort and space, they also make sure that their aircraft are safe and comply with all the regulations set by both the European Aviation Safety Authority and the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Beyond safety, Airbus also makes an environmental commitment to ensure that their aircraft can move into the future. From production to fuel economy, the Airbus family of planes is constantly looking to meet and beat environmental regulations.

For both owners and passengers, Airbus planes provide the luxury and comfort of the Airbus commitment to safety, comfort and innovation.

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