Aviation

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

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By Edward Jones – March 29, 2021

3 Tips For Finding The Best Private Aviation Solution

Presented by Private Jet Card Comparisons - While names like NetJets and Wheels Up are familiar, there are thousands of private jet charter brokers, nearly 2,000 operators, and more than 60 companies that sell jet cards and memberships. They range from subsidiaries of Fortune 100 companies to one-person shops. It’s often hard to tell what’s behind slick websites. And like airlines, private jet companies go bust. Last year’s bankruptcy filing by JetSuite cost its SuiteKey members $50 million in unused deposits. At the same time, private travel is proving popular with newcomers. Subscribers of Private Jet Card Comparisons who are new to private aviation say they plan to continue flying privately in overwhelming numbers after the pandemic ends. Of those who had started flying privately because of COVID, 96% say they will do so ongoing, with 41% saying they will be regulars. Doug Gollan, founder and editor of the buyer’s guide to private aviation solutions is often called “The Points Guy of private jets” because of his expertise in helping subscribers figure out what he calls a “devil is in the details” purchase that typically ranges into six figures. Contracts can range up to 30 pages! If you are looking into private aviation options, he recommends a measured approach. “The biggest source of new customers for private aviation companies is recommendations from friends of current customers. My biggest source of new subscribers is those folks who joined their friend’s program, and found out after the fact it wasn’t a good fit for their needs.” duPont Registry recently asked Gollan for his top tips. Tip #1 he says is to have a clearly defined idea of where you are likely to fly in the next six to 12 months and how many people will be flying with you. Program rules make some better for short flights while others are better for cross-country trips. Some are good for domestic flights, but aren’t cost effective if you are flying internationally, even on short-hops like The Bahamas. Knowing the number of passengers is as important, he says. Many jet cards sell by cabin size category, and while they let you upgrade to a larger category, that’s more expensive. On light jets, as an example, the range of guaranteed seats can range between 5 and 8 between providers. In other words, with some programs, if you have seven passengers you would need to pay to fly in a midsize-jet while others can accommodate you on a light jet. Gollan’s Tip #2 is to review the peak day calendars and policies of the programs you are considering. Peak days are high-demand periods – think holidays or big events such as the Super Bowl. On these days, which providers publish for the upcoming year, they generally have the right to move your preferred departure time by plus or minus three hours. If you are paying the money to fly privately so you can get an extra afternoon of skiing or at the beach, being told the day before you need to be wheels up at 2 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. can be upsetting. The number of high-demand days ranges by provider with 20 to 30 being typical, although some programs have over 50. Surcharges can range as high as 40%, and your ability to upgrade or downgrade size of aircraft on those dates can also be restricted. Gollan says if you can’t avoid peak days, it sometimes makes sense to look at another program. “It’s really like two programs, so this goes back to the premise that just buying a program without studying the details can end up in disappointment,” he says. Tip #3 is to look at cancelation policies. “Most people only look at the deadlines for booking, but cancelation terms can be even more important. If you cancel after the deadline, you could lose your full flight amount, so tens of thousands of dollars.” Cancelation periods can be as short as four hours and up to a week prior to departure. Going back to peak days, Gollan says for some jet cards, peak day bookings are non-refundable. “Everyone thinks their plans won’t change until they do. If you are going to be using your jet card for business, and the client calls you the day before your meeting and says they need to reschedule, the last thing you want is to lose $25,000 in flight credits. Still, Gollan says the number of jet card providers has tripled in the past decade. “You can buy jet cards in increments of 10 or 25 hours, so it is a short-term commitment.” He notes, “Unlike chartering on a flight by flight basis, most jet cards don’t charge for repositioning fees, and you can choose programs that include WiFi, deicing, and catering. If the operator cancels because of a mechanical or a pilot is sick, they are offer a replacement flight without an extra cost to you, something that is different from when you charter on-demand. Best of all, once you find the right program, you don’t have to shop brokers for quotes each time. Jet cards are much easier.” Subscribers to Private Jet Card Comparisons get 12-month’s access to its updated comparison guide, which includes over 250 jet card programs measured by more than 65 variables. It's Jet Card Decider 2.0 enables subscribers to request a custom analysis from their smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer in minutes. There is also phone and email support to help with any questions. Visit PrivateJetCardComparisons.com

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By Edward Jones – March 19, 2021

Exploring the Swiss Alps with a Bell 505

Presented by Bell - For a gorgeous, scenic country known for its mastery of luxury, Switzerland has much to offer tourists in terms of high-quality products and unmatched experiences. That’s why Mountainflyers selected the Bell 505 to show customers the best views available of the sprawling, mountainous terrain. Christoph Graf, Pilot, Flight Instructor and CEO of Mountainflyers, knows that helicopters are the ideal tool to deliver these incredible sights to tourists and VIP visitors. “Especially in Switzerland, with all the mountains, a helicopter is much more spectacular to fly for a tour than a plane. It can land anywhere! We have many high-altitude landing zones and can bring drinks and food to provide much more of an experience than with an airplane.” The cabin’s ability to carry passengers and goods isn’t the only benefit to the Bell 505. Mountainflyers pilots are constantly wary of wind and rocky terrain. The team has landed the aircraft in the snow, taken it through the middle of the mountains and even touched down on a glacier for a 45-minute rest stop. With the platform’s powerful engine and rotors, the pilots are able to easily maneuver through chilly, high-altitude environments. With a glass cockpit and wide windows, the Bell 505’s incredible visibility gives passengers the ultimate thrill as they explore these mountain peaks. “Everything is better for the passengers and the trainees on the 505 than our past offerings. The visibility is much better; it’s another level of helicopter,” remarked Graf. “With the Bell 505, sightseers fit nicely and enjoy great front and the side visibility. They will have much more comfort and better views for the money they’re paying.” For a luxury experience through the Swiss Alps, passengers probably expect nothing less. But with added aircraft features and the ultimate aerial tour guide, luxury takes on a whole new meaning with this incredible platform. Visit BellFlight.com See how the Bell 505 takes on the Swiss Alps here: " width="680">

By Edward Jones – March 18, 2021

Jet Card Broker, ONEflight International Private Jets, Of...

Presented by ONEflight - Is this a proposition that would be a winner on Shark Tank? Colorado-based private jet broker ONEflight International which is fronted on TV commercials by Robert Herjavec, is offering new clients who buy 50 hours in its BAJ (Book-A-Jet) Jet Card program during March a $25,000 flight credit. ONEflight’s unique BAJ (Book-A-Jet) Membership enables clients to select from a roster of over 75 different aircraft types on a trip-by-trip basis. Even more than the flight credits, ONEflight’s offering enables members to match specific aircraft to mission meaning members never buy more than they need. It’s a twist from the traditional “box-of-chocolates” model where you choose a category – light, midsize, super-midsize, and so forth. While some operators offer aircraft-specific choices, they are usually based on their individual fleets. Ferren Rajput, CEO of ONEflight, tells Private Jet Card Comparisons the move is designed to correspond with the increased interest in travel as states roll back COVID-19 restrictions and more Americans are vaccinated. The link by Doug Gollan attached describes the offer in greater detail. Follow ONEflight International Private Jets online @oneflightinternational, visit BAJit.com, ONEflight.net, or contact Mark Dismuke directly at +1.720.684.5650 or markdismuke@ONEflight.net Visit BAJit.com

By Edward Jones – March 03, 2021

This Website Makes It Easy To Figure Out The Best Private...

Presented by Private Jet Card Comparisons - If you're confused by the multitude of private aviation options and competing claims and tired of requesting information from providers only to be inundated by follow-up calls from salespeople, you need a subscription to Private Jet Card Comparisons. The website doesn't sell private jet travel, but it offers an authoritative buyer's guide comparing hundreds of options in an easy-to-use spreadsheet format you can filter. If you don’t like spreadsheets, its VIP service provides a custom analysis. You simply answer a few questions about your flying needs via an online tool accessible from your smartphone, tablet, or desktop and click submit. There is even telephone and email support if you have questions as you go through the buying process. While subscribers typically spend $25,000 to $500,000 per year on private flights, a 12-month subscription is only $250, including the additional services. "If you are thinking about spending thousands of dollars on private aviation, why wouldn't you spend $250 for an up-to-date, incredibly thorough analysis of the hundreds of options available to you?, asks Gary, a retired CEO who lives in Naples, Florida and travels to a summer home in Maine, to see the grandkids in Texas, and for fishing trips in the Bahamas. The site is the brainchild of Doug Gollan, a veteran media executive and journalist, who is a contributor to Forbes. "In researching a story about jet cards, I realized how many choices there were – and how confusing it can be. Many people go with the recommendation of a friend but then find out their needs are different. It's really a 'devil is in the details' type purchase, and what you don't know can be expensive," he says. If you need, Private Jet Card Comparisons will help you figure out the best approach for your flying – chartering on a flight by flight basis, buying into a jet card or membership program, or even if you should be looking into fractional or full ownership. In addition to providing a vetted directory of charter brokers, its continually updated comparison guide of jet cards and memberships enables subscribers to compare over 50 providers by more than 65 criteria, from hourly rates and safety standards, where you can fly, surcharges, discounts, and amenities. Do you need WiFi? Are you bringing a pet? Will you be sending unaccompanied minors to visit the grandparents or away to camp? Not all private jets include connectivity or allow pets. The minimum age for unaccompanied minors varies as well. There are also surcharges for peak days that can range up to 40%. Some providers have no peak days. Others have more than 50. There are varying long-flight and roundtrip discounts as well. “There is a wide variance in policies and rules between programs,” says Gollan. Some are better suited for longer flights, others for short hops. As an example of critical details, daily minimums on a light jet can range from 0 to 120 minutes between programs. That means when taking a 40-minute flight, if your provider has a two-hour minimum, that’s what you are charged. It can be a rude awakening for newbies. Some providers include deicing in their pricing, while others charge per incidence – a post-flight charge that can range to $5,000 or more. Private Jet Card Comparisons enables you to compare the programs by what matters to you with a click of your mouse. "This was my first time purchasing a private jet card, and the potential options were somewhat overwhelming. Doug Gollan's Private Jet Card Comparisons site allowed me to efficiently focus on the key issues that were important to me and my family. Doug was also very accessible whenever I had any follow-up questions. It made the process of choosing a provider much easier. I highly recommend this service," says Jerry, a Silicon Valley CEO. In addition to helping them find the right solutions, subscribers also get perks. Private Jet Card Comparisons Rewards, introduced earlier this year, gives subscribers discounts, upgrades, perks, and VIP recognition from Las Vegas to luxury villas in Los Cabos and 5-star resorts in the U.S. and Europe. For more information or to subscribe, visit the website or email doug.gollan@privatejetcardcomparisons.com. Visit PrivateJetCardComparisons.com

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By Edward Jones – March 02, 2021

Haute Retreats Now Offering Private Jet Charters With ONE...

Presented by ONEflight - Haute Retreats has announced their exclusive jet partnership with ONEflight International. “Coordinating private jet charter to and from Haute Retreats villas guarantees health and safety advantages as the world continues to grapple with the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic” - says Haute Retreats CEO and Founder Piccinin Sabrina. ONEflight is the leading ultra-luxury jet provider with the largest global network of private aircraft at your fingertips through the simple booking platform, BAJit.com. Only partnering with the best of the best, Haute Retreats is no exception, they will now extend the same level of service ONEflight provides its members, on the ground. ONEflight is proud to have been chosen by Haute Retreats to provide it members access to amazing luxury properties around the world and to further extend their VIP private jet services to Haute Retreat clients as well. Haute Retreats, is a world-class luxury villa rental company bringing over 22 years of luxury hospitality experience. Deeply committed to making a difference, its dedication to service is crucial and now they will provide exemplary lifestyle experiences for ONEflight’s members. Through this new partnership, members now have unequaled access to a collection of 1,900 villas and mansions around the globe. Multiple destinations are offered throughout Europe in Italy, France, Greece, Switzerland and Spain as well as the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Maldives and if you are looking to stay closer to home there are destinations in most of U.S. states as well. Follow ONEflight International Private Jets online @oneflightinternational, visit BAJit.com, ONEflight.net, or contact Mark Dismuke directly at +1.720.684.5650 or markdismuke@ONEflight.net for details. Visit ONEflight.net BAJit to Your Next Destination from ONEflight International on Vimeo.

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2021

The Jet It Experience with HCB Yachts

You may not be able to buy time in life, but there are ways to help reclaim it. Take Jet It which offers a hybrid ownership program. Instead of having to deal with commercial airlines, the "Jet It Experience" allows its members to to reclaim lost time by offering a private, fast and smart travel solution. Take Andy Simmons, President of Sales for HCB Yachts. His days are packed full of travel, and Jet It allows him to fly across the country with ease. You can see a day in his life in the video up above, which includes a trip to HCB Yacht's factory in Tennessee, then to the VIRginia International Raceway and then to Jupiter, Florida. That's a day that definitely would not be possible with standard airline flights. Visit GoJetIt.com

By Edward Jones – February 20, 2021

Bell 505: Take Adventures to New Heights

Presented by Bell - From flying rotorcraft to piloting planes to skydiving, Rusty Robinson has an affinity for adventures in the air. During his most recent endeavors, he’s navigating the American West by taking to the skies in the Bell 505 helicopter. Rusty uses this powerful platform to enjoy the mountainous scenery of Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington and more. “The first time flying in the 505 was just pretty astounding,” says Robinson. “The visibility throughout the floorboard with a near 360-degree view was just amazing. But it's very akin to flying like a bird.” Spanning from utility jobs to emergency medical services, helicopters save time and even save lives. But sometimes, they provide another way to experience the many thrills life can offer. Pilots feel the power of the machine at their fingertips and feet as well as the excitement of being in control of their own dynamic aircraft. Combine this feeling with the awe of viewing landscape from a unique vantage point – far, but not too far above ground – and customers can discover a whole new type of adventure. That’s exactly what Rusty describes as he recalls his flight over Alaskan territory. “We departed just before sunrise and went over the fjords and the sounds and landed in the mountains, flying along the coastal range all the way up to Alaska. I had a good friend there with me that was familiar with the area. We watched the sun come up over the mountains and the morning fog. It was just an unbelievable experience and a place that so very few people had ever stepped foot – and we were able to reach it in 15 minutes!”. Part of the thrill is the convenience of reaching typically inaccessible locations, effortlessly. Rusty’s inclination to purchase a helicopter came from past trips where he and his family frequently used rotorcraft to reach back country areas. Today, he’s thrilled to be able to visit new locations in a cost-effective and fun way. “The Bell 505 acquisition price is great compared to single engine turbine, but you get so much more than you do out of some of the other models with the electronics and the ease of startup and the maintenance. The fuel consumption is very reasonable compared to some of the other single engines as well. Then, it's got the tried and true rotor system and tail rotor system as the Bell 206, which has been around for decades.” The Bell 505 has enabled adventurers like Rusty to truly take hold of their adventures and uncover new worlds while flying solo, with old friends or alongside family. Watch Rusty in action with his very own Bell 505 helicopter. Visit BellFlight.com " width="680">

Gulfstream G700 Surpasses 1100 Flight Hours.20210216

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2021

The New Gulfstream G700 Flies Past 1,100 Flight Hour Mark

Gulfstream has announced that their new flagship G700 has surpassed 1,100 flight hours. This milestone is just part of the G700's flight-test program, which includes new company test regimens. So far, the G700 has also completed several other critical tests and that's all within the G700's first year in the program. “Thanks to the outstanding Gulfstream team, the G700 flight-test program is going remarkably well,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “The aircraft itself has been performing flawlessly, whether going to extreme speeds and heights or running through its paces in the high-altitude environment at Telluride." Currently, there are five G700 test aircraft, but Gulfstream is planning on adding a completed production version in order to evaluate the interior. This is quite important considering the new G700 aircraft will have a stupendous interior that includes the industry's largest ultragalley, a grand suite with an optional shower, six-place conference and dining table, 20 panoramic windows and an ultra-high-definition circadian lighting system. Source: Gulfstream

By Edward Jones – February 12, 2021

ONEflight Sees Private Jet Demand Surge During Pandemic

Presented by ONEflight - As we move into 2021 with the vaccine now beginning to be administered and the public wanting to move about, here are some trends that leading luxury jet provider, ONEflight International, sees continuing to drive private jet demand through the pandemic. New to Private Aviation - Prior to COVID, 90% of affluent individuals who could afford to fly privately were not doing so. Efficiency, comfort, and ease weren’t persuasive enough reasons for many in 2020. However, there has been a dynamic shift in this thought process as many high-net worth individuals consider flying privately to now be a necessity for themselves and their families and not simply an indulgent luxury. ONEflight’s membership base grew by nearly 50% last year with more than half of that growth attributed to flyers who were new to private aviation. Focus on Safety – Commercial carriers argue that it is not necessary to social distance onboard their aircraft and most sell every seat available. ONEflight addressed this health concern early in the pandemic and continue to be proactive in providing safe solutions for their members. Mandatory procedures implemented include face masks for staff at the private jet terminals, face masks for crew members, as well as multiple daily temperature checks and COVID testing performed often. Their network of the top 500 rated operators also execute specific anti-bacterial solution applications to aircraft interiors and are required to conduct intensive cleaning before and after every flight. Extra precautions have been taken and all of their ground transportation partners are required to follow the same strict COVID protocols to ensure their members remain safe during their entire journey. Seclusion and Extended Stays – Families are sticking together. With many children now attending classes remotely and parents having the flexibility to work anywhere they choose, ONEflight is seeing increased bookings of long term stays at many of their 100’s of private residences, or are finding clients using their membership to fly the family, extended family and pets to second homes. Additionally, they are extending the length of time spent there, instead of a quick weekend jaunt or a week-long getaway, members are now staying from one to three months at a time. Follow ONEflight International Private Jets online @oneflightinternational, visit BAJit.com, ONEflight.net, or contact Mark Dismuke directly at +1.720.684.5650 or markdismuke@ONEflight.net for details. Visit Website

By Edward Jones – February 09, 2021

Cirrus Aircraft Unveils the 8000 Limited Edition SR Series

To celebrate the delivery of their 8,000th SR Series aircraft, Cirrus Aircrafts has created and unveiled the new 8000 Limited Edition SR Series. This new model comes in a bold and vivid Volt livery that will stand out on the tarmac and in the skies. This color scheme continues inside where the cabin where Volt stitching is found on the seats and embroidery on the door. Luxurious perforated leather is also used on the seats and throttle. A limited run of just 8 examples of the 8000 Limited Edition SR Series will be created in total. Each will be delivered with a series of gifts and events for the new owners. Visit CirrusAircraft.com “The SR Series has an incredible history of innovation, evolution and invention,” said Zean Nielsen, CEO at Cirrus Aircraft. “Our team took that as inspiration to create a Limited Edition that breaks out of the boundaries of traditional aircraft design to reflect the energy and excitement of where we are going next.” Be sure to check out our latest aviation news. Source: CirrusAircraft.com

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