Private Jet Innovativions - Blended Winglets

Winglets are one of the best kept secrets in private aviation because of the time and money they save long-distance jet charter flyers. If you’re unfamiliar with winglets, they’re the vertical “fins” located at the wing’s edge. Experienced Gulfstream and Learjet flyers are probably the most familiar with the advantages of the winglet design. With their extended range, higher cruising speed and better fuel economy, winglet-equipped aircraft are some of the most desirable business jets in the charter market.

Winglets increase aircraft performance by reducing the amount of turbulence at the tip of a private jet’s wing. As a private aircraft moves through the air, high pressure on the bottom of the wing meets with low pressure on top of the wing, and creates a vortex at the wingtip. Wingtip vortices are tubes of air that circulate behind the tip of each wing and increase induced drag. These vortices are also responsible for creating hazardous wake turbulence.

There are several ways winglets can add value to your long-distance charter flight. By improving the lift-to-drag ratio, winglets are able to increase your jet’s cruising speed. This means you’ll reach your destination faster and burn less fuel at the same time. If your pilot decides to cruise at a lower airspeed, you’ll burn even less fuel and still reach your destination on time.

An increased airspeed also means an extended range. It’s no coincidence that long-range heavy jets like Gulfstream, Challenger and Global Express all have winglets. This extended range capability becomes extremely attractive for long-range and international charter flights.

Another benefit of winglets is their ability to prevent wake turbulence from occurring by reducing wingtip vortices. Wake turbulence is one of the biggest threats to light aircraft and is directly caused by wingtip vortices. If a small aircraft happens to fly in jet aircraft’s wake, the wingtip vortices are strong enough to flip the entire aircraft. With winglets installed on your jet aircraft, you can rest assured that your charter flight will not be a hazard to others.

For your next long-range or international charter flight, ask your Stratos Jets air charter agent to source aircraft with winglets. They will provide you with a safe, reliable aircraft that meets the specific needs of your charter flight.

Sluggish US Economy’s impact on Air Charter Industry

It is no secret that Americans are facing tough times in today’s economy. Major sectors of our economy are struggling, wholesale inflation is on the rise across the board and the cost per barrel of oil seems to have no ceiling. The housing and construction industry, along with leading financial institutions are among the hardest hit. Multinational organizations and Fortune 500 companies are downsizing, trimming the budget and eliminating unnecessary expenses. For many companies, eliminating travel is not an option. But with the high cost of charter flight service, what kind of impact has been seen within the corporate charter flight industry from the poor economic news?

It seems logical that companies would be cutting back on travel expenses these days. One could naturally assume that the corporate cost cutting trend has hurt demand for jet charter flights. While it is true that many ‘would be private jet charter flight’ customers are seeking other means of travel, it is not clear whether or not the pool of private jet charter flight customers is actually shrinking or if revenues are decreasing. The reason for this could be that some of the large US companies who have dedicated flight departments are selling off their fleet and opting for the comparatively inexpensive on-demand charter flight option. Private jet charter flights allow company executives the opportunity to have access to a well maintained aircraft with highly experienced pilots. Often times the private charter flight aircrafts are as luxurious if not more so than their corporately owned counterparts.

While the US economy may be struggling and domestic demand for private jet acquisition and charter flights is burdened by economic woes, production of business jets hasn’t stopped. Gulfstream a leading manufacturer of luxury private jets has just introduced their newest plane to the market, the Gulfstream G650. The G650 is largest, fastest and most expensive Gulfstream ever. Signing a $1.9 billion deal with Warren Buffets international fractional jet ownership company, Net Jets. Continued growth in the private aviation sales and charter markets is likely attributed to a strong global economy. According to Forbes, the explosion of oil wealth in Russia combined with their lack of good airlines, has fueled demand for private jets and has become a relatively strong market for charter flights. Joel A. Thomas, President of Stratos Jet Charters’ Inc., a leading international charter jet and jet sales agency, has said “despite the tough economic times domestically, Stratos Jets has found success by tapping into a network of air charter consumers in Europe and the Middle East.” He went on to say, “international demand for our service now represents close to 30% of our business.” According to an Aviation International News forecast, this trend is expected to continue at the rate of 9.4% for the next 14 years.

Domestic demand for private aviation and charter flight jet service remains strong despite the cutbacks in corporate spending. Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. has not seen a decrease in overall demand, but reports that they have seen a shift toward more economical aircrafts. Explaining this shift, Joel Thomas commented “We have seen demand remain strong for our service, but have seen a shift toward more budget conscious flights. Air charter clients are spending more of their time researching charter jet costs and looking for the best deal.” Air charter agencies, like Stratos Jet Charters, place an emphasis on client education. By educating the client, you help them ensure that they are able to make an informed buying decision. “Client education has been the cornerstone to our success. In this way, we become their resource for private aviation.”

Joel A. Thomas. Stratos Jet Charters invites jet charter flyers to compare service. They are confident that they can provide you multiple options to meet your charter flight needs.

Noise Abatement Regulations at Private Airports in the U.S.

One of the hot topics at executive airports around the country centers on the issue of aircraft noise. Over the past few years, many municipal airports and private airfields have passed or are now considering passing noise abatement ordinances. For aircraft charter flyers, noise ordinances may play a role in establishing the scheduled departure or arrival of your charter flight.

Under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 36, the FAA has established a noise classification system to determine the decibel level of an aircraft during take-off and landing. This classification system certifies aircraft in stages 1-4 and is based primarily on weight, the number of engines and passenger capacity of a given aircraft.

Stage 1 aircraft refers to the oldest (and loudest) aircraft; these planes are no longer permitted to operate in the United States as commercial aircraft, however a small number are still flown privately.

Stage 2 aircraft are the current subject of debate. Since January of 2000 stage 2 aircraft over 75,000lbs have been required by law to be phased out of commercial service.

Stage 3 and 4 Aircraft have become progressively quieter from earlier models. Stage 4 noise regulations became applicable to all new designs introduced after January 1, 2006.

The current issues surround Stage 2 aircraft – the oldest planes still in service. Out of the 16,000 or so business jets that are registered in the country, it’s estimated that about 1,400 of them are Stage 2 (or older). However, this small percentage of planes, about 9%, account for a much larger number of noise complaints.

Throughout the country a number of private airports, mostly near residential areas, have expressed a desire to reduce or eliminate the number of stage 2 flights that are serviced by their local executive airport. Independent organizations have formed proposing initiatives such as the “Sound Initiative” to lobby for the complete phase out of Stage 2 aircraft.

Many private airports have already put in place a number of restrictions. It is common to see increased landing fees, early morning/late evening departure and arrival restrictions and in some cases even outright bans on Stage 2 aircraft.

If you are renting a private jet or booking a charter flight into an airport with noise restrictions, you should check with your agent to see if the aircraft they charter on your behalf complies with the noise abatement ordinances of that airport.

The following private airports have implemented restrictions on Stage 2 aircraft:
Aspen, Colorado (ASE)
Burbank, California (BUR)
Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC)
Lake Tahoe, California (TVL)
Naples, Florida (APF)
Santa Monica, California (SMO)
Teterboro, New Jersey (TEB)
Van Nuys, California (VNY)

Finding Value in Experience - Selecting The Right Charter Agent

In the past few years a number of new entrants have arrived in the jet charter industry. Many of these startups have little to no experience. Trusting an inexperienced jet charter broker to properly execute the demands of your charter flight leaves the critical aspects of your schedule at risk.

In general people who charter private aircraft do so for flexibility and convenience. For many air charter users, the time savings afforded through the use of a private jet more than justifies the expense. When time and convenience is a critical issue, a flawless execution is essential. That is why it is so important to find an experienced air charter agent you can trust, to manage your busy schedule. Understanding the differences in the focus of a given charter jet company will play a valuable role in selecting your next air charter agent.

Experienced air charter agents with in-depth knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations and extensive experience consistently arrange better quality charter flights. Their long established industry relationships allow them to quickly and effectively mitigate complications as they arise. They provide air charter consumers with more security, fewer complications and a lower financial risk. While hiring an inexperienced jet charter broker could leave you standing on the tarmac.

One of the key benefits of working with an experienced jet charter agent is the supplementary flight support they can provide. Recently-established charter jet brokerages don’t have the necessary longevity or the essential industry relationships to provide the security of a backup aircraft for every charter flight. Stratos Jets, on the other hand, has the resources in place to provide you with multiple aircraft options. Our charter agents have been trained to evaluate the market and to put in place precautionary measures in the event a complication may arise. Taking the chance on working with a jet charter broker could compromise the objectives of your flight.

Another benefit of working with highly-experienced jet charter agents is their knowledge of aircraft operators that exceed industry standards for safety. This invaluable information can only be acquired through years of market research and experience in the industry. Respected private jet charter agencies also have the ability to impose their own safety measures on aircraft operators. Stratos Jets, for example, requires minimum crew experience, insurance levels and maintenance practices. These operators are held accountable for achieving these standards by safety audits conducted on every charter flight. Stratos Jets reputation for expert advice and charter agents with first-hand experience make them one of the most prestigious air charter agencies in the country.

When it comes to cost, seasoned charter professionals offer the lowest financial risk. They can provide the best pricing on the safest most well maintained aircraft. Aircraft operators generally offer charter jet agencies deeply discounted rates to those they value and trust. Relationships between air charter operators and agents take years to form. Air charter consumers can take advantage of long established industry relationships by hiring an agent from Stratos Jets.

Stratos Jets reputation for expert advice and charter agents with first-hand experience make them one of the most prestigious air charter agencies in the country. Their reputation as a leader in the business aviation industry was built on their commitment to excellence.

Emergency Charter Evacuations and Humanitarian Relief Assistance

The recent major earthquake in Haiti provides another example of how quickly events can occur and evacuation needs can arise. When a catastrophe like this happens, it's hard to know what to do next. If you were impacted by a natural disaster while in a foreign country, who would you call?

If you or a loved one was seriously injured during a disaster like this one, would you receive adequate medical care? The needed medicine(s)?

The effects of the disaster itself, the added language barrier and the long distances involved can quickly turn a bad situation into a horrible nightmare for many families.

When you or loved ones are abroad and need emergency evacuation services, Stratos Jet Charters is always here for you. Stratos Jets will help get you out of your destination country and back to the U.S. as quickly as possible, sometimes within hours.

We also stand ready to arrange the delivery of life saving supplies - such as food, water. vital medicine and medical equipment, or shelter and clothing.
We also have a Spanish speaking staff member here at Stratos Jets, 24-hours-per-day, who can immediately assist you to arrange your safe return home or to medical facilities in the United States by emergency air charter transportation from Latin American countries.

Regardless of your situation, no matter what your needs may be, arranging for emergency evacuations or other critical, urgent travel needs is a forte here at Stratos Jets. It could save your life.

And of course we can facilitate other travel requirements as well, caused by potential violence or social unrest, medical emergency or life-threatening illness, or an emergency family situation back at home. The bottom line: we will always do whatever possible to assist you during a time of crisis!

For more information, give us a call at 888 478-7286 to find out more about your many options and all of our services here at Stratos Jet Charters.

We all wish we could avoid every natural disaster, like this current emergency in Haiti. But when the situation arises, we look forward to the opportunity to provide critical assistance during your time of great need.

Joel A. Thomas, Owner – Stratos Jet Charters
Phone: 888 478-7286
Email: joel@stratosjets.com

Super Bowl Charter Flights to Miami

Looking for a charter flight to Miami for this year's Super Bowl? Have the trip of a lifetime, and travel in style this season with Stratos Jet Charters.

The big game takes place on Sunday, February 7th this year, but the entire Super Bowl weekend is packed with free concerts, parties and other fan celebrations. You can find a host of great events by visiting the official 44th Super Bowl site.

Can’t score tickets to the Super Bowl? You can still have a unique NFL experience. How? This year Land Shark Stadium in Miami is also home to the 2009-10 Pro Bowl, taking place on Sunday, January 31st. Tickets are still available!

And of course, even without the biggest game in the world, you'll always find lots to do in Florida. It's probably no surprise that the Sunshine State is the most popular winter destination for leisure private charters from New York and the Northeast. Miami edged West Palm Beach for the top spot among Florida destinations, and ranks overall in the Top Ten nationwide.

Now is the time to reserve your charter flight today!

Charter Aircraft Profiles - Heavy Jets

We recently began a short series on the comparisons between different sizes, or classes, of charter aircraft.

Our first individual profile begins with the Heavy Jet category. They represent the biggest class of business jets and are the ultimate in traveling luxury, with long-range capabilities and large capacities for passengers, baggage and other cargo. Since they offer the most room of any private aircraft, heavy jets are often the best choice for larger groups or long flights, especially overseas travel.

The average width of their cabins is around 7.5 feet and the cabin lengths range from between about 28 feet and 50 feet depending on the make and model. Heavy Jets also have an average cabin height of a little over six feet, which gives them true "stand up" cabins. This offers passengers plenty of room to move around and get comfortable during their flight. Large reclining armchairs and comfortable couches (that can also convert to beds) certainly lend a hand in the comfort department!

Heavy Jets are usually configured to seat between nine and 16 passengers in complete comfort, and include the addition of a flight attendant, not generally present on smaller sized jets. The attendant can typically serve you with a hot meal to go along with your drinks. Office equipment or full entertainment systems are present on many Heavy Jets as well. A fully enclosed lavatory is yet another convenient amenity found on jets of this size.

During the winter season, it’s also nice to know that Heavy Jets are well-suited for bad weather conditions. They cruise quietly at up to 560 mph and up to an altitude of 50,000 feet, allowing these jets to travel above most inclement weather. Of course, ice or snow conditions on the ground - at your origination or destination airport - can also dictate your travel schedule.

Some common Heavy Jets are Gulfstreams, Falcons and Challengers. For more information on these aircraft and your many other travel options, please contact us at Stratos Jet Charters.

Differentiating Beyond Price – Your Tool Kit For Making Intelligent Jet Charter Decisions

Part 3 – Pilot Certification

When you hire Stratos Jet Charters as your air charter agent, it is our job to identify all relevant aircraft, ensure the proper certification, maintenance and safety of each plane and to create a competitive market for your charter flight. And determining the motivation of your broker can sometimes be difficult, especially those brokers with limited aviation expertise – who place a priority on their profits, not your safety. This is why we created this educational series, or “tool kit”, to provide you with the knowledge that you need to make well-informed jet charter decisions.

Our first two topics discussed aircraft insurance verification and aircraft maintenance, and how vital each is to your safety. Our third, and equally critical topic focuses on the issue of pilot certification.

First, some basics on pilot certification and training. To fly air charter, a pilot must progress through flight training and obtain a commercial pilot’s license, an instrument rating, and a multi-engine rating. After obtaining these licenses, every operator has a minimum number of hours of Pilot in Command experience which they require for a pilot to be eligible to fly air charter. As the aircraft becomes more complex, the minimum hours required by operators and also their insurance companies increase.

Pilots should receive a minimum of 5 to 10 hours of in-flight training covering every possible emergency that can happen in an aircraft. They should also have a primary concern for safety, including the safe condition or airworthiness of the plane; knowledge of weather factors affecting the safety of the flight; flight regulations; air traffic control procedures, and air navigational aids designed to provide maximum safety in the air.

After their training, pilots take an oral and written examination, as well as a flight check in which they must demonstrate their ability to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examiner. Pilots need to demonstrate to the FAA that their flying skills, knowledge and state of health are at all times acceptable for the particular flying jobs they perform. These flight checks are demanding, and can be failed.

And while these standard FAA requirements are stringent, Stratos Jet Charters goes even further in our own pilot requirements. Each Pilot in Command of a charter flight arranged by Stratos Jet Charters is required to have a minimum of 3,000 hours of total flight time. And each Second in Command is required to have a minimum of 1,000 total flight hours.

Operators chosen by Stratos Jets are required to only hire pilots with a 100% training record and all pilots must attend Flight Safety School at least once per year. We also require that every aircraft contracted by Stratos Jet Charters be regularly audited by an independent agency, such as Wyvern or ARGUS.

Wyvern and ARGUS have the two most recognized safety auditing standards in the industry. During an on-site safety evaluation, Part 135 charter operators are measured against the demanding ARGUS or Wyvern operating standards, both which far exceed government regulatory oversight. The reliability of audit results depends on the application of well-defined, consistent audit processes and standards. The strength of both Wyvern and ARGUS safety audit programs lie in the experience, qualifications and superior training of their audit teams, reviewing operators' aircraft fleets, crews and maintenance. Every area of the operation is scrutinized.

And meeting these standards does make a real difference in safety. This can be observed in historical safety records. A miniscule percentage of both fatal and non-fatal FAR Part 135 accidents from January 1991 to April 2009 involved ARGUS or Wyvern-compliant and recommended aircraft or aircrew, far less than 1%. Having an ARGUS or Wyvern compliant operator, crew and maintenance program is your assurance that the pilots of your flight have a record clear of accidents, incidents and enforcement actions, are adequately experienced in the aircraft they will be flying, and have all proper certifications and type ratings.

When it comes to the safety of your charter flight, know that Stratos Jet Charters will never, ever cut corners. Which is why, once again, that you should not choose a charter broker based solely on price. The safety and security of you and your fellow passengers MUST be the primary consideration for every charter flight. This is just another aspect of our commitment to you – our invaluable clients!

Joel Thomas – President, Stratos Jet Charters

Differentiating Beyond Price – Your Tool Kit For Making Intelligent Jet Charter Decisions Part 1: Insurance Verification

Part 1 – Insurance Verification and Your Safety on Jet Charter Flights

In highly competitive markets, many smaller companies seeking to compete will cut corners to offer the lowest price. But cutting corners in aviation could mean the difference in arriving safely, or not. So how does one seeking to charter an aircraft differentiate beyond just price?

Our role as your air charter agent is to identify all relevant aircraft, ensure the proper certification, maintenance and safety of each plane and to create a competitive market for the proposed routing. Which is why as your trusted agent, Stratos Jets has created an educational series, a “tool kit” of information so that you – our deeply valued clients – can possess the means to make the best, most educated decisions when you are chartering your next flight. Our first topic centers on the subject of insurance verification.

Often times you will find that some our competitors are chartering flights that are NOT inclusive of the recommended or required insurance policies necessary. And when you book an aircraft for your customers, boss, or you and your family, don’t you need to be 100% sure that the flight meets your safety standards?

That’s why before every flight, you should demand to see the insurance policy that will be covering your trip. You should also be looking for a minimum of $20 million in coverage for turbo props, and at least $25 million in coverage for jets.

In this way, you can vet the companies and operators you are working with; to ensure that they have the proper insurance required to protect you and your passengers’ well being in every way possible. If they cannot produce this document, that’s your first sign, sadly, that your safety is NOT a top priority to the broker in question!

Stratos Jet Charters requires all flights are ARGUS or WYVERN certified and that the pilots, aircraft and charter operators meet or exceed all FAA requirements. Every one of our flights are operated by Part 135 carriers with exceptional safety records (including no safety breaches in the last 10 years), have pilots with the proper certifications, and the most hours on your specific aircraft and exemplary safety records, and our operators carry reliable and appropriate insurance policies, suitable for the importance of our clients.

At Stratos Jets, our top priority is to ensure your flight is the safest it can be. You won’t find another company more committed to your safety and your security. You should not settle for anything less!

Joel Thomas – President, Stratos Jet Charters