Tag Archives: California

Charter Operators Combine in Strategic Merger

JFI Jets, a leader in private jet charter, aircraft management and maintenance,  announced it has acquired ACP Jets, a respected private jet operator, according to a press release from both companies.

ACP Jets is a full-service private aviation company offering aircraft charter, management, maintenance, as well as aircraft acquisitions and consulting. ACP Jets holds an ARG/US Platinum safety rating and IS-BAO phase two certification. With offices in West Palm Beach, FL, the firm operates two Hawkers 800XP’s, a Citation X, four Gulfstream IV/SP/450’s and a part 145 maintenance repair station.

Complete fleet and operator details for both JFI Jets and ACP Jets are available in FlightList PRO.

The combined entity will immediately offer aircraft management, hangar space, charter and maintenance services in the nation’s three busiest private jet markets: New York Metro, Southern California and South Florida. Upon full FAA integration, it will operate and manage a combined fleet of 17 midsize and heavy jets available for charter.

JFI ACPjets“By merging these two industry-leading companies, we will be the only provider with facilities, aircraft, maintenance and sales offices in the top three U.S. markets for private aviation,” says JFI Jets CEO Robert Seidel. “I am proud our company will be led by two of the most respected and capable executives in the industry: JFI President David Rimmer and ACP co-founder and President Suran Wijayawardana, who will join us as chief operating officer. They will lead an extremely dedicated team of private aviation professionals.”

“This is a merger of two highly reputable firms with strong vision alignment and synergistic cultures that will offer our clients the highest standards of aviation services,” says Suran Wijayawardana. “It is a great honor to join Robert Seidel, David Rimmer, Sohail Ashraf and Damon Danneker on this incredible team, having worked closely with them on the NATA Air Charter Committee and other Industry boards for a number of years.”

XOJET Releases 2015 Mid-Year Update

  • xojet+20% in retail charter sales
  • +40% website traffic
  • +99% web generated sales leads, 2nd Qtr 2015
  • +56% in new program sales
  • +51% EBITDA

Charter operator XOJET, Inc., headquartered in Brisbane, CA, announced yesterday in a press release it has surpassed projections in the first half of 2015, delivering 51 percent increase in EBITDA and 20 percent increase in retail charter business.  In addition, the company added 100 new Preferred Access clients, as well as continued to grow its portfolio of enterprise clients, representing Fortune 500 companies which typically fly over 100 hours per year, according to the company release.

“XOJET’s high-touch service and flexible product offering allows for a smarter way to fly private,” said CEO Brad Stewart. “Consumer habits are continuing to shift away from fractional ownership models towards more on-demand, pay-as-you-fly experiences and we’re optimistic that we will continue to see substantial growth, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and the New York tri-state area, as more individuals and companies realize the value and benefits of XOJET versus fractional programs.”

SOURCE XOJET, Inc.

All Hail New Customs Office at VNY

Today at KVNY Van Nuys Airport a celebration was held for the return of customs service at the airport.  It’s been 8 years since customs was removed from local airports and centralized only at LAX.

A new US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility opened two months ago as part of the Signature Flight Support west FBO.  Signature paid around $225,000 to build the new customs addition which includes an interview room, inspection room, office space and security features.  The celebration today was attended by many local officials, airport association officials and the President of Signature Flight Support.

Local air operators, pilots and aircraft owners are happy to see international clearances return to Van Nuys.

“The addition of CBP services at VNY will add significant convenience for travelers entering the United States from abroad,” said Curt Castagna, president of the Van Nuys Airport Association, an airport tenant organization that supported the launch of customs service. “Clients will be able to fly directly to VNY without an additional stop at another airport to clear customs.”

In addition to saving private jet travelers time and money, the service will benefit the environment by reducing emissions from repositioning flights and decreasing overall operations within the Los Angeles basin’s congested airspace.  Although customs service is available at Los Angeles International Airport, regional general aviation airports have been without CBP service since 2007 when support was withdrawn.

Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director for Los Angeles World Airports said, “Having U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services at Van Nuys Airport is a great example of how local support can produce improved services at airports across the country. Working with our partners, Signature Flight Support and the Van Nuys Airport Association, Los Angeles’ business airport will now be even more appealing and convenient for international travelers.”

Charter Operator Sun Air Jets Adds Another Gulfstream V

Sun Air Jets Charter OperatorSouthern California based operator Sun Air Jets has added a second Gulfstream V to their growing charter fleet.  The 2000 12-passenger GIV is based at KCMA Camarillo, CA, easy positioning for Southern California and regional departures, and features a new cabin interior, new paint, high-speed BBML Wi-Fi, and three temperature zones.

The Sun Air Jets charter and managed fleet has grown by 30% thus far in 2015.  The charter fleet consists of now 11 midsize through long range jets, including two G-V’s and a Global 5000.

Sun Air Jets is one of only a handful of operators with all four top safety auditor ratings-  ARGUS Platinum, Wyvern Wingman, Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, and IS-BAO Registration.

Then entire fleet is only available in FlightList PRO.

Sun Air Jets' new Gulfstream V to charter fleet

Sun Air Jets’ new Gulfstream V to charter fleet

Silver Air Signs Chuck Stumpf as EVP of Business Development

Silver Air is an aircraft charter and management company based in Southern California.  In just a couple short years they have grown from a few aircraft to a charter fleet of 13 representing all categories from Phenom 100 to Gulfstream V.  They submitted the below press release which focuses on their aircraft management and owner services.


 

Santa Barbara, Calif. – June 24, 2015 – Silver Air, the private aircraft management company and charter operator looking to redefine owner advocacy for private jet owners, has added Chuck Stumpf to its executive team as the company’s new executive vice president of business development.

Chuck Stumpf, EVP Business Development, Silver Air

Chuck Stumpf, EVP Business Development

Stumpf has more than two decades of executive experience in the private aviation industry. He brings a wealth of knowledge and background in sales, marketing and ownership expertise, all of which is expected to support Silver Air’s growth plan in the second half of 2015 and beyond.

“Chuck is an outstanding professional with deep industry knowledge and aircraft ownership expertise that will help him lead Silver Air’s continued growth plan,” said Jason Middleton, Silver Air’s founder and CEO. “Silver Air wants our owners to have a successful experience with their aircraft, and Chuck’s energy, leadership skills and experience working with aircraft owners make him a perfect fit for our growth strategy and our team.”

Silver Air’s plan for very specific, responsible growth is paralleled by its continued focus on service for existing owner partners who already understand its advocacy approach to management. Silver Air currently manages a comprehensive fleet of luxury aircraft from light to long-range heavy jets.

“Silver Air is working hard to provide the absolute best experience for aircraft owners, and I am innately attracted to this team’s focus on service and advocacy for private jet owners,” Stumpf said. “Silver Air has committed to working with select aircraft owners across the country that fit the company’s long-term management vision. From my experience in the private aviation industry, I know there are a lot of private aircraft owners who will appreciate and benefit from Silver Air’s vision and management plans.”

Stumpf has a Bachelor of Science degree in business aviation administration, with a minor in international aviation business and computer applications from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He completed the Developing Leadership Capability in Corporate Aviation program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, and he holds a single-engine pilot license with IFR and commercial ratings. Prior to aviation, Stumpf served as a Corpsman and Special Operations Coordinator in the U.S. Navy.

At Silver Air, Stumpf will be primarily responsible for seeking out new aircraft owners in a very specific and responsible way and managing strategic growth while building the Silver Air managed fleet domestically. He is based at Silver Air’s corporate offices in Santa Barbara, California.

“Utilizing new technology and financial modeling, Silver Air develops management plans unique to this industry that garner the best returns for owners based on their estimated usage and financial goals,” Stumpf said. “Private aircraft owners who are looking for a new management company, or who even just want to see a free cost-benefit analysis for how Silver Air can maximize their cost-benefit return rates, should give us a call at Silver Air.”

Citation Encore Jets To The Desert

Desert Jet CharterCharter operator Desert Jet has added a 2002 Citation Encore to their charter fleet, based KTRM Thermal, CA, adjacent to Palm Springs.  The light cabin jet is available immediately and within easy re-positioning for any SoCal departures.

Comfortably seating seven passengers in a center-club configuration with a belted lavatory for an eighth passenger, the aircraft can fly distances of up to 1800 nautical miles.  For example, Palm Springs to Chicago can be accomplished with ease, and at a maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet.

In-cabin amenities include XM satellite radio, Bose noise-cancelling headsets, a satellite phone, a refreshment center, and a fully-enclosed lavatory.

Desert Jet’s charter fleet now numbers 7 Citation light jets.  Full operator and fleet information is available in FlightList PRO.

Desert Jet Charter Citation Encore

Desert Jet’s new Citation Encore for charter

Desert Jet Charter Citation Encore

Desert Jet’s new Citation Encore for charter

Now 5 Bay Area Charter Operators Offer Falcon 2000’s

CTP Aviation at KHWD Hayward, CA is adding a 2003 Falcon 2000EX new to charter.  N104MT fresh with a registry change, seats 10 passengers and includes on board Wi-Fi internet.

Now 5 operators in the California Bay Area operate 7 Falcon 2000+ models for charter, based at Oakland, San Jose and now Hayward.  Models include the Falcon 2000, 2000EX, 2000LX and 2000EX EASy.  Passenger seats range from 8 to 12, and year makes are from 1995 to 2013.

Falcon 2000 models charter listing in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Falcon 2000 models for charter in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Falcon 2000EX New To Charter, operated by CTP Aviation

Falcon 2000EX New To Charter, operated by CTP Aviation

Falcon 2000EX New To Charter, operated by CTP Aviation

Komar Aviation Group Becomes Macair

Macair Jet Charter CaliforniaAnnounced yesterday, charter operator Komar Aviation Group in southern California is transitioning the company name to its existing corporate name, Macair, Inc.

“The change is due to the significant expansion of our business activities,” said Dori Abouzeid, CEO and President.  “The past year has been an incredible one for our team as we continue to deliver outstanding success for our partners through the increase of international charters and clients, the addition of more aircraft on our fleet, including a G-V, and Macair Flight Support, the exclusive FBO at Erbil International Airport [Iraq].”

Unchanged will be the company tax ID, address, phone numbers, staff and business terms.  Email addresses will convert to @macairinc.com.

Macair currently operates three aircraft for charter on certificate # K4DA454J, based in southern California at SNA Santa Ana and LGB Long Beach.

16 Seat Gulfstream New To Charter In So. California

Sun Air Jets Charter OperatorCharter operator Sun Air Jets announces the addition of their 16 passenger G-IV to charter based CMA Camarillo, CA.  The Gulfstream IV registration N701DB has a new 2014 interior refurbishment and complimentary Wi-Fi on board.  Under Sun Air Jets, N701DB touts worldwide FAA charter authority and all four top auditor ratings.

The Sun Air Jets entire fleet and operator information is available in FlightList PRO.

Sun Air Jets Gulfstream IV Charter

Sun Air Jets Gulfstream IV Charter

Sun Air Jets G-IV N701DB Cabin Interior

Sun Air Jets G-IV N701DB Cabin Interior

Operator Silver Air Adds CJ2, Charter Fleet Expands to 13

Silver Air Charter Operator

Silver Air Charter Operator

Southern California based charter operator Silver Air adds a Citation CJ2 light jet based at KCMA Camarillo, CA, approx. 35 miles northeast of Los Angeles.  The 2002 CJ2 is comfortable for up to 6 passengers.

Silver Air manages and charters 13 aircraft now, from the Citation I/SP to the Gulfstream V, all based in California.  Silver Air’s entire fleet is available in FlightList PRO.

Full Press Release here
Video including interviews of Silver Air executives and clients.

Citation CJ2 based Camarillo CA with Silver Air

Charter Citation CJ2 based Camarillo CA with Silver Air

New Charter Operator MB Airways Inc.

MB Airways charter operatorAir charter broker-turned-operator MB Airways, Inc. achieved FAA authorization with completed OpsSpecs documents in March.

The operator is FAA certified and authorized for Part-135 operations worldwide with their Falcon 50 super super midsize jet.  MB Airways and their Falcon 50 are based at KVNY Van Nuys, CA.

MB Airways is available ONLY in FlightList PRO.

Charter Operators Joining Forces

FUGA Air Charter OperatorCharter operators FUGA, Inc. of Phoenix, AZ, and SP Aviation of the San Francisco Bay Area are joining forces under the FUGA brand.  Moved over to FUGA’s air carrier certificate (# ZC6A400N) already, is SP Aviation’s Falcon 2000EX and two Learjet 55’s, available for charter out of KOAK Oakland, CA.

According to SP Aviation President and CEO Darrin Perdue, “We could not be more excited about this opportunity.  The team at FUGA are highly motivated professionals and we look forward to joining forces with them to continue growing the company and expanding our operations.”

Robert Salvo, CEO of FUGA echoed these sentiments, adding: “This is a classic example of the whole being bigger than the parts.  Separately, our two companies have been successful for many years. Together, we truly believe the sky is the limit.”

This brings to 8 the total number of aircraft operated by FUGA, Inc. for charter based in California and Arizona, ranging from a Citation II light jet to the heavy jets Gulfstream IV-SP and Embraer Legacy.

The transitioning of SP Aviation’s fleet onto FUGA, Inc.’s certificate is expected to be completed by May.  The entire FUGA fleet is available in FlightList PRO.

New Charter Operator Monterey Pacific Executive Charter LLC

Monterey Pacific Executive CharterNow operating in California from KSNS Salinas Municipal Airport near Monterey and the Bay Area is Monterey Pacific Executive Charter.  With a Citation Bravo and Beechcraft Baron 58 the operator is available for short and regional U.S. charters, and authorized for U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Monterey Pacific Executive Charter is available ONLY in FlightList PRO.

Landmark Acquires TWC Aviation

Landmark Aviation Charter OperatorLandmark Aviation’s latest acquisition is TWC Aviation, announced Friday.  Van Nuys, CA-based TWC manages a fleet of more than 50 aircraft, including 32 available for charter which are based on the west coast and in Utah, Texas and New York.

The two companies will continue operating under their respective names as they begin the integration process.  “TWC Aviation has built an impressive reputation within the aviation industry,” Landmark Aviation President & CEO Dan Bucaro stated. “We look forward to merging these two great organizations into one.”

Through a series of acquisitions in the past two years Landmark Aviation has been on a run, growing its charter and management holdings significantly to now over 120 aircraft.  Only Executive Jet Management is larger, at approximately 200 aircraft, and 111 available for charter.

The Landmark Aviation and TWC Aviation entire charter fleets are available in FlightList PRO.

Operator Silver Air Equips Entire Charter Fleet With Wi-Fi Internet

Silver Air Charter Operator

California jet charter operator Silver Air installs Wi-Fi broadband Internet in its heavy, super mid and midsize jets.  The Gogo® Biz mobile broadband Internet enabled aircraft currently include Gulfstream GV, Gulfstream G450, Gulfstream GIV, Citation X, Lear 60, Beachjet 400 and Citation CJ2 models.

Additional Silver Air managed aircraft that are in the process of receiving Wi-Fi capabilities include Citation V, Citation II, Citation CJ2, Citation I, and Phenom 100 models.

“The private aviation industry is changing, and our clients have come to expect mobile Internet on board the aircraft to keep them connected and productive while in the air,” said Jason Middleton, Silver Air’s CEO.

Silver Air operates 12 jets for charter based in Southern California including at KSBA Santa Barbara, KVNY Van Nuys and others.  The entire fleet is available in FlightList PRO.

Jet Methods Adds Phenom 300 to Charter Fleet Based Carlsbad CA

2014 Phenom 300, N110AP, is newly available for charter announced operator Jet Methods.  The 8-passenger Embraer aircraft features on-board Wi-Fi and is based at KCRQ Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA, in northern San Diego County.  Jet Methods operates now 8 charter jets based in Southern California.  Jet Methods’ fleet is available in FlightList PRO.

Phenom 300 N110AP for charter by Jet Methods

Phenom 300 N110AP for charter by Jet Methods

Charter Operator Advanced Air Added to ACSF Industry Audit Standard Registry

Air Charter Safety FoundationThe Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) announces that Advanced Air, LLC, headquartered in Hawthorne, CA has been added to the ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry.

“We are pleased to add Advanced Air to the IAS Registry,” said ACSF president Bryan Burns. “We also congratulate them as the first operator to successfully complete a combined audit of the IAS, ARGUS Platinum and IS-BAO.”

 Advanced Air chartersAdvanced Air LLC operates 5 King Air and Pilatus turboprops for charter based in Southern California.

More info on Air Charter Safety Foundation and the Industry Audit Standard Registry can be found here. http://www.acsf.aero/registry/

Advanced Air’s  fleet is available in FlightList Pro.

Avjet Corporation Adds Hawker 850XP to Burbank, CA Charter Fleet

Avjet Corporation Jet Charter OperatorAnnounced March 2 – Hawker 850XP, N359BC, is now available for charter, based at KBUR and operated by Avjet Corporation.  The 2008 Hawker features some of the latest amenities including free onboard Wi-Fi and built in iPad Mini.  The Avjet charter fleet grows to 25 with this addition, including now 3 midsize jets, 19 heavy and long range jets, and a Boeing Business Jet.  Avjet’s entire fleet is available in FlightList Pro.

Hawker 850XP jet charter Los Angeles CA

Hawker 850XP N359BC based Burbank, CA with charter operator Avjet Corporation

Avjet Announces One Way Charter Pricing with Gulfstream G200

In addition to one way pricing aboard their Gulfstream GIV’s, Burbank, CA-based Avjet Corporation announces one way pricing now with their 2005 Gulfstream G200, N102FD.  The G200 seats 9 and converts to sleep 4, features free Gogo Inflight Wireless Internet and power outlets for each passenger.

Gulfstream G200 Jet Charter

Avjet Gulfstream G200 N102FD Jet Charter One Ways

Avjet G200 jet charter

Avjet Gulfstream G200 N102FD Jet Charter Cabin

ONLY IN FLIGHTLIST PRO — FUGA adds Gulfstream IV to Charter, Based Phoenix, AZ and Van Nuys, CA

ONLY IN FLIGHTLIST PRO — Gulfstream IV, N218KD, is newly acquired and available for charter, operated by FUGA, Inc.  The 14-passenger G-IV needs no owner approval and is 100% dedicated to charter.  Features 10 captains chairs and a 4-place couch.  The 1991 charter jet is based KDVT Phoenix, AZ and will float to KVNY Van Nuys, CA for charter flights originating from Southern California.

Gulfstream IV private jet charter

Gulfstream IV N218KD by jet charter operator FUGA, Inc.

Gulfstream IV private jet charter

G-IV N218KD interior, available for charter