New wings, new tech and luxe amenities added to increased fuel efficiency will be the hallmarks of the new craft, aimed to appeal to ultra-wealthy customers in India, Asia and the UAE. The 7000 will have the largest cabin in business aviation while the 8,000 will boast the longest range. The 7000 will be able to fly from London to Singapore, New York to Dubai or Beijing to Washington non-stop with 10 passengers, while the 8000 can do Sydney to Los Angeles, Hong Kong to New York and Mumbai to New York non-stop with eight. The private aviation world is eagerly awaiting a jet like this. The Gulfstream 650 will be ready for customers sooner, but Bombardier is upping the ante with these jets. Having the range to fly nonstop from China to New York is one thing, but the ability to carry 8 passengers while you do it is quite amazing. Bravo to Bombardier, looking forward to seeing a full-scale mockup soon

Boston Logan International Airport, on the other hand, is a much larger and more complex facility. Hundreds of commercial flights plus scores of private aircraft operate daily in its airspace. The Signature facility is located at the northernmost edge of the airport property, which depending up on the runway in use can lead to lengthy departure/arrival taxi times. The lounge is quite a bit larger than BED’s facility, and a bit more nicely appointed. Signature BOS also has an X-ray belt staffed by TSA employees as seen in the commercial terminals. State Police troopers were also present providing over-watch security. The indoor staff and ground personnel again showed amazing professionalism and attention to detail. All areas of the facility were spotless and everyone seemed truly pleased to be at our service.

You may remember hearing the hubbub a couple of years ago about a new class of aircraft known as VLJs (for Very Light Jets) and their anticipated impact on the air-taxi industry. While the timing of their arrival to the market (just before the financial market plunge in 2008 and subsequent black eye given to private aviation by congress) was unfortunate, their capabilities are proven and real. The Eclipse is just one of these VLJs (Embraer Phenom and Citation Mustang are others) and after having ridden along on a very short flight I can assure you that the classification is right on the money.

With an interior cabin length and a cross-section approximating that of a mid-sized SUV, the passenger capacity is limited to 2-3. In this particular case it was just me, and although the jet can be legally flown by one, there were two pilots. After brief introductions to the crew at which time they checked my photo ID, I was escorted to the jet, where I quickly boarded while the crew finished the last second checks, started engines, and began to taxi. On the way to the runway, I took a few moments to really look around the cabin – it didn’t take long! Two of the passengers seats were removed leaving the two rearmost, one of which I occupied. The interior was sparse, but tastefully appointed with leather seating, overhead lighting and air controls, and good sized windows, which gave the jet a larger feel. With the two forward seats absent, I had all the legroom I could want. The all-glass cockpit was really something to see especially in the dark of night. Quite complex, yet thoughtfully laid out. After a brief taxi-out at BED past much larger aircraft, we were cleared for departure. With just the three of us, the jet quite literally leaped into the sky within what seemed like a very short runway length. In fact this jet regularly operates from KLOM, Wings Field, in Philadelphia which is just 3700’ long. We were vectored out west away from the city to join the trail of aircraft heading to BOS. After about 10 minutes we were flying back east, in line, and making the approach past the Boston skyline. Ambient noise from the jet engines was a bit loud, but certainly not uncomfortable. For a small jet, it had surprising stability during the decent through swirling winds and a 10 knot crosswind. The approach and landing was quite smooth, with good visibility for the passengers through the front windscreen until touchdown.

Overall, I would highly recommend this aircraft for very short-range missions. Charters in which you are not travelling more than 300 miles such as Boston to New York or New York to Washington, DC, with one or maybe two others, would be the best scenario. Anything more than that and the aircraft lacks the performance to adequately measure up. But for those regional day-trips where jet speed and the ability to get into a ridiculously short airport is essential, the Eclipse is the perfect aircraft for the job!

Many thanks to BlueBell Air for the opportunity to fly along, and to Dan and Bruce for their time and professionalism.

The glamour has long faded from the job of a flight attendant, but the occupation still captures the imagination of a public fascinated by the constant travel and work above the clouds.

“When my mom was a stewardess in the 1950s, they wore white gloves and they learned to serve lobster thermidor table-side,” said Rene Foss, a flight attendant for 25 years and the spokeswoman for the Association of Flight Attendants.

“Instead of wearing white gloves, I’m wearing rubber gloves; and instead of learning to serve lobster thermidor, I’m learning to put handcuffs on passengers.”

—Thats just about all that needs to be said about today’s “Airline Experience” isn’t it?

Originally reported in AIN

CitationShares and NetJets, two of the largest players in the Fractional Aircraft market, have announced staff reductions and voluntary leaves-of-absence and reduced scheduling to meet the declining owner demand levels.

A voluntary furlough-mitigation program collaboratively formed in April by NetJets and its pilot union, the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), has averted layoffs and furloughs. “Through innovative and purely voluntary measures, NetJets has been able to align our pilot and other areas of our workforce to match our current owner demand levels,” NetJets chairman and CEO Richard Santulli told AIN.

“The voluntary measure process succeeded because of strong employee participation and significant collaboration with [NJASAP]. Because of the success of voluntary measures, we are not planning at this time to right-size our workforce through layoffs or furloughs.

Under the program, union members could choose an early-out option or short- or long-term leaves of absence. Among other solutions offered were voluntary reduced scheduling and a temporary construct allowing crewmembers to receive time off in lieu of pay.

While on Tuesday July 2, fractional-share operator CitationShares laid off 41 office staff and furloughed 52 pilots, according to CEO Steve O’Neill, “to match both the flight activity with staffing levels as well as operating revenue with expenses. We had too much capacity both inside and outside the office for current and projected levels of business.”

He further indicated that the decline in selling and flight activity has begun to level off. “Customers exiting for financial reasons have all but stopped,” O’Neill said. “Now we feel like we’re in a healthy place.” The reduction in staffing levels comprises about 16 percent of CitationShares employees.

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009 through SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2009:
Runway 1/19 and Runway 6/24 closed from 2300L 7/10/09 (0300Z 7/11/09) to 1100L 7/12/09 (1500Z). AIRPORT CLOSED TO FIXED WING TRAFFIC DURING THIS TIME.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2009 through SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009:
Runway 1/19 and Runway 6/24 closed from 2300L 7/17/09 (0300Z 7/18/09) to 1100L 7/19/09 (1500Z 7/19/09). AIRPORT CLOSED TO FIXED WING TRAFFIC DURING THIS TIME

All aircraft (except helicopters) heading to the NY Metro area must make use of other local airports such as Westchester Airport, Morristown Airport, Essex County Airport, and Ridgefield Park Airport. Don’t forget, private jets are also welcome to use Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports as well. While Teterboro’s closure will cause some headaches, proper planning and foresight will keep the delays and inconveniences to a minimum.

New Terminal, Nantucket Airport

Regardless of whether you arrive by charter jet, or commercial airline, the new terminal at Nantucket Memorial Airport is ready to welcome you to your favorite New England summer escape.

CLICK HERE FOR ONE-WAY LISTING

Kevin W. Godlewski
President, Executive Charter Services

Construction Planned at Teterboro Airport

Teterboro Airport is planning a major reconstruction of runway 6/24 in the next few weeks.. The rehabilitation will require airport closures for all private jets and turboprops for three weekends, as well as five nighttime closures from 11:00pm to 6:00am. The scheduled dates are currently July 10-12, and July 17-19, as well as a 24 hour closure to be announced.

Fortunately, there are other options for New Yorkers. Westchester Airport, Morristown Airport, Essex County Airport, Ridgefield Park Airport are all within a 45 minute drive of New York City. Don’t forget, private jets are also welcome to use Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports as well. Executive Charter Services will be watching the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary, so before you plan your next trip to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, or the Hamptons, check back for news.