PRIVATE AIRCRAFT Ownership, Fractional, Jet Card or Charter? Brought to you courtesy of: Aviation Management Systems
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 3 Enjoying Private Aviation 3 Aircraft Ownership 4 Fractional Ownership 5 Jet Card Ownership 6 Third Party Charter 6 Benefits Comparison 7 An Ideal Solution could be a Combination of Options 8 What is Best for You? 8 Next Step A Custom Transportation Analysis 9 Disclaimer 9
Introduction For decades, aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, dealers, financiers, insurance providers, bankers, and other aviation professionals have looked to AMS for cost effective solutions to complex aviation issues. 3 In addition to providing the safest and most convenient way to travel, there is a variety of choices for access to private aircraft. Included in this e-book is information about various forms of ownership, fractional use and charter options. AMS does not endorse any product, program, or service provider; rather, our cornerstone is working with our client s to identify the options available to meet their needs. Given the vast and constantly changing range of options that private aviation offers, our team approach assures our client s that all the options and alternatives are being considered. We have the expertise to identify the products which best support our client s geographical requirements, security and privacy concerns along with their personal needs and budget. AMS has earned a long standing reputation for supporting the operational and technical aspects of business aircraft and helicopters, both domestic and international. Our services include aircraft acquisitions, aircraft refurbishment, general consulting services, aircraft technical audits, flight department audits, rendering third party evaluations and IS-BAO audits. Enjoying Private Aviation This ebook will introduce you to the many options available in private aviation. It will show how AMS can help evaluate those options by providing our custom Transportation Analysis, which will give you an in-depth look at all available options and how to manage them. We look forward to helping you develop and experience the maximum convenience and most cost-effective private aviation travel plan, customized to suit your specific needs.
Aircraft Ownership Studying your anticipated utilization, mission profiles, geographic considerations, security and personal objectives through AMS Transportation Analysis may indicate that your needs can be met by whole aircraft or partner ownership. Whole aircraft, or a partner ownership, will provide instant access to private air travel. AMS meets their client s needs by providing aircraft acquisition services including comprehensive aircraft type reviews focusing on each aircraft s unique features. The AMS process enhances the private aircraft experience by matching the best aircraft type available to meet the client s specific objectives. Staying current with industry developments plus knowing how to find the right aircraft type with the right equipment and most favorable maintenance status is a specialty of AMS. Once an aircraft is selected, AMS offers further guidance in determining whether an owner should utilize their own flight department, or have a management company manage the aircraft operation. Beginning with a Transportation Analysis and moving to the client s final ownership and entry into service of a newly acquired aircraft, AMS can provide a seamless acquisition process. 4
Fractional Ownership Fractional ownership consists of multiple owners having partial ownership of the aircraft s title and contracting the operation of the aircraft with a fractional program provider. Usually, share sizes consist of 1/16 or 6.25% increments. Each share has an assigned number of flight hours or days of utilization available. In such a program, operational control, maintenance control and management responsibilities are performed by the fractional program provider. 5 Fractional ownership can be used exclusively as a source to access private aircraft or to provide supplemental lift for an existing flight department. As fractional ownership programs continue to evolve they have become more complex. A few examples of the numerous contractual options include leasing and selling of shares both back to the fractional program provider and to third parties. AMS has long been assisting clients with determining if fractional ownership fits their needs and which fractional programs to consider. It is our experience that clients are best served when they are fully acquainted with all aspects of fractional ownership. Recently, the private aviation industry has witnessed significant restructuring of fractional ownership programs. This has caused both prospective and existing owners to benefit from the knowledge and expertise that AMS has to offer. Clients can be confident that with fractional ownership consulting by AMS, they will enjoy the benefits of the program while avoiding unwanted or unanticipated liabilities.
Jet Card Programs Jet card programs are similar to pre-paid aircraft charter with specific and unique features. Typically, an individual or corporation can purchases blocks of time such as 10, 25, or 50 hours. Programs offer enhanced performance guarantees generally associated with an additional number of hours purchased. AMS has incorporated the unique aspects of jet card programs into many clients travel needs. In many cases, the client may apply the use of an appropriate jet card in conjunction with other means of private aircraft usage. Third Party Charter Often, chartering an aircraft can be the most cost effective and flexible solution to access private air travel. Charter operators utilize many types of aircraft offering a wide range of performance and costs. Aircraft charter is generally purchased by the flight hour allowing the client to avoid the capital and overhead expenses associated with whole aircraft ownership. These aspects often make charter well suited for the occasional traveler. Since AMS clients frequently utilize charter services, many have expressed a desire to qualify aircraft charter providers regarding their safety and past performance. AMS works closely with many of the charter operators along with various charter safety audit companies involved in charter certification and safety management; all of which AMS uses as vital information to benefit their clients. 6 As with any private aircraft option, aircraft charter has limitations such as actual availability during peak travel times, lead time requirements and desired aircraft model availability. It is also customary for the charter provider to add fees associated with the aircraft s positioning and crew wait time. On a regular basis, AMS assists their clients in realizing the maximum opportunities and provisions associated with aircraft charter providers.
Benefits Comparison The table below represents frequently asked questions and common interest of most clients. 7 Whole Aircraft Ownership Partner Aircraft Ownership Fractional Ownership Jet Card Ownership Third Party Charter What level of control do I have of the travel options? Maximum Generally good depending on arrangements made in the group Good given required lead-times Acceptable given required lead-times Acceptable dependent upon availability Can I choose my pilots/crew? Yes Yes No No No Do I need my own flight department? Yes (or engage management company) Yes (or engage management company) No, service built into program No, service built into program No, service built into program What about aircraft maintenance costs? Responsibility of Owner Responsibility of Owners Responsibility of Fractional provider Responsibility of Jet Card program Responsibility of Charter Operator
An Ideal Solution could be a Combination of Options Private aviation provides tremendous value and offers multifaceted features; especially when addressing specific individual and corporate needs. AMS offers the expertise to meet that challenge with precise industry knowledge allowing their client s to make the most informed and cost effective decisions. More than ever before, an increase of programs within the private aviation industry provides maximum possible efficiency, particularly when using a combination of available options. It is often assumed that aircraft ownership is the logical solution when in fact more cost effective options may exist. Various combination of charter, jet cards or fractional ownership, when applied effectively, can often meet a client s travel requirements. The AMS Transportation Analysis is a valuable tool that will illustrate the most suitable private aircraft solution both from an operational and cost effective basis. AMS client base includes: Business owners who recognize and place value in the benefits of doing business in person Individuals or companies who would benefit from an airport in closer proximity to their departure or destination point, not serviced by commercial transportation Families with complex schedules that seek quality time together and find use of private aircraft a solution for meeting that challenge Individuals, investors and entrepreneurs who recognize that opportunities are a direct result of flexibility, timeliness and convenience that private aircraft offer Professionals who choose to use the private aircraft environment as their office in the sky Flight departments who need additional travel options What is Best for YOU? AMS would be delighted to discuss the methods we use to complete an in-depth analysis for any client or organization. Experience has shown that a Transportation Analysis performed by AMS produces a very beneficial tool for clients as it considers a multitude of both standard and personal requirements. The process culminates into an easy to understand and non-biased recommendation for using private aviation that is based on meeting the customized values and needs of each client. 8 AMS provides its clients with a thorough analysis of their travel needs to discover, identify and implement the best private aviation transportation plan for them.
Next Step A Custom Transportation Analysis To maximize the value of AMS Transportation Analysis, AMS experts will guide a client through the requirements and details necessary for providing a comprehensive study. The fine points of the analysis will consider factors such as: historical and future travel needs, simulated flight times to and from destination airports, wait time at destinations, simultaneous trip requirements (requirements for more than one aircraft at the same time), number of passengers, unusual luggage or special equipment carried, requirements of the principal passenger(s) and comparisons of suitable aircraft and available private aviation options. 9 Throughout the Transportation Analysis process, AMS will conduct phone calls and meetings with clients to ensure that all questions, concerns and unique interests are addressed. Once a final plan has been decided on by the client, AMS typically facilitates and participates in vender presentations, contract negotiations and will assist in implementing the final private aviation structure with the most suitable service providers. AMS does not have and will not allow any compensation arrangements or agreements to be made with any other brokers or service providers. AMS services and interests are dedicated to and wholly compensated by their client. To get started on a Custom Transportation Analysis, give us a call today at (603)-431-3362. DISCLAIMER This ebook is presented by Aviation Management Systems, Inc. ( AMS ) for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized professional advice. The contents are based on the views and opinions of the author and all associated contributors. While every effort has been made by the author and all associated contributors to present accurate and up-to-date information, technologies constantly change and new information is developed, so the information in this ebook speaks only as of the date of this ebook, and AMS, the author and all associated contributors disclaim any obligation to update such information. It is the reader s sole responsibility to seek individualized professional advice before taking any action or making any decision based on the information presented and opinions expressed in this ebook. AMS, THE AUTHOR AND ALL OTHER CONTRIBUTORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE ebook OR ANY INFORMATION PRESENTED OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED THEREIN, INCLUDING ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY UNDER ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY WHATSOEVER TO ANY READER OF THE EBOOK.
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