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

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 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">

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 – January 20, 2021

YouTube Star Micah Muzio Takes the Bell 505 For a Ride, a...

Presented by Bell - As a professional car reviewer and commercial helicopter pilot, Micah Muzio’s life does not lack thrills or unconventional experiences. The YouTube sensation shares in-depth looks at the latest in transportation technology and luxury, sharing incredible views and great times on the ground and in the air. However, he received an experience of a lifetime when he took the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X out for a ride. As Bell’s highly advanced short light single-engine aircraft, this dynamic platform offers a smooth, yet powerful flight to both pilots and passengers. From tourism in Vietnam to utility missions in the Rockies, the helicopter exceeds operator expectations and masters vertical lift with ease. Watch Micah’s full review of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X: Micah and a Bell demo pilot first departed from Long Beach Airport, taking the scenic route up the coast and out over the Pacific Ocean. It didn’t take long for the flight to bring back memories of Bell’s first Jet Ranger, the world-renowned Bell 206 Jet Ranger. “My first flight was in a Bell Jet Ranger, so I have a natural affinity for it,” the content manager said. “To me, it feels like a classic Jet Ranger, but contemporized.” Even though it was his first time with the Bell 505, Micah acclimated quickly and began taking in the experience. With the Bell 505’s world-class Garmin G1000H NXi avionics, Micah could navigate the airspace seamlessly. “There is a lot of mental work that goes into flying, but the Bell 505’s features simplify pilot workload significantly, so I am free to enjoy the experience,” said Micah. “We came upon a pod of dolphins in the ocean. That’s something you would never get to see without the freedom of flight.” View Website

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2020

VisionAir from Cirrus Aircraft: Making Ownership Easier T...

Presented by Cirrus Aircraft - At Cirrus Aircraft, our mission is to make aviation more accessible. Now, more than ever, people are looking for alternative ways to travel, with the added assurance of safety and privacy. Launched in 2016 as the world’s first single-engine Personal JetTM, the Vision Jet is an exceptional solution. And now, we’re taking it one step further by introducing a direct pathway to complete jet ownership that allows our customers to enjoy all of the benefits of personal aviation while we take care of the details. Designed as a comprehensive aircraft management program, VisionAirTM includes everything needed to own, operate and manage a Vision Jet – making the reality of individual ownership more accessible than ever. The new program is a bold new step following tremendous growth of the Vision Jet, including becoming the world’s best-selling jet in general aviation earlier this year. The Vision Jet features a spacious pilot and passenger-friendly cabin with panoramic windows, reclining seats and comfortable legroom for five adults and two children. Revolutionary technology further enhances pilot and passenger safety with the inclusion of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) and Safe ReturnTM emergency autoland, which allows passengers to land the Vision Jet in an emergency situation with the simple touch of a button. The combination of these features provides the ultimate level of safety and assurance – exclusively available in the Vision Jet. VisionAir unlocks the unique benefits of having direct access to the Cirrus Aircraft team to manage, provide pilot services and maintain a customer’s brand-new Vision Jet. The program includes an on-demand professional pilot, concierge services, complete maintenance coverage, aircraft management oversight and storage, as well as options for insurance coverage and referrals for professional tax advice. It’s a total ownership solution that goes beyond fractional ownership and charter services to offer full ownership, which means extended privacy and a consistent world-class experience. VisionAir is currently available at Cirrus Aircraft’s newest factory-direct facility, Cirrus Aircraft McKinney (KTKI), located in the Dallas Metroplex area, with additional locations available soon. Visit CirrusAircraft.com

By Edward Jones – December 03, 2020

Jet It: More Than Just a Private Jet Company

Presented by Jet It - Jet It can customize your day as you see fit. A Jet It owner based in Chicago, IL picked up a client in Savannah, GA, flew to a meeting in Atlanta, GA, stopped in Hilton Head, SC for some fresh seafood, then flew back to Chicago, IL all in one day. This trip would have been impossible with commercial travel, incredibly expensive to charter, and impactful for an individual using a jet card program. This is one of several examples of how Jet It owners utilize their jet to increase productivity and value. The Jet It day-use model, endorsed by a 2020 Harvard Business School case study, allows Jet It owners to fly their jet for the entire day at only $1,600 per flight hour. This model prevents owners from burning through their share and increases travel capability exponentially. Jet It is not just another private jet company, but rather a holistic experience. The additional service touches including ground transportation are booked via the individual's preferred vendor, or hand-selected by the Jet It concierge. Dinner arrangements, whether in the jet or at a restaurant, are carefully chosen based on quality and the owners' personal preference profile. On occasion, an owner may want to be surprised or may want a travel experience that is particularly precise. The Jet It concierge is better described as a 24/7/365 executive assistant, who is ready to anticipate needs. The best part is that the Jet It concierge is all-inclusive, and does not cost the owner a penny more. While Jet It owners utilize the jets for both business and pleasure, each jet is equipped with unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi allows owners to conduct business at the speed of business while they hold video conferences in air, or keep their children entertained by streaming in-flight movies. Jet It's core philosophy is to maximize life's experiences and does so in a multifaceted way. Another unique and intriguing feature of Jet It is the Red Jet Squadron. Jet It is one of the only private jet services that allows pilot-owners to fly the jet. Aviation enthusiasts must get type-rated and maintain their medicals, but enjoy the capability of fulfilling their hobby without any additional insurance cost. A bonus is that a highly-trained Jet It Captain is in the cockpit to fly with the pilot-owner for additional safety. The next time you are thinking of flying imagine the possibilities and just Jet It. Visit GoJetIt.com sales@gojetit.com | 833-865-3848 | www.gojetit.com

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2015

Macro Jets: On-Demand Jet Charter

Going on vacation for the holidays? If so, you know that researching the best prices for flights and picking an exact date in the future can be a real hassle. That's why Macro Jets provides their Global On-Demand Private Jet Charter Service.Macro Jets' founder, Dan Fletcher, has spent a decade traveling and he was taken by the lack of quality and consistency in the private aviation industry.With inspiration to create a product that would offer the most unique and effortless flying experience available on the market, he created Macro Jets.With their real-time instant price quotes and live-feed of global empty legs, you can find the perfect flight using their website or mobile app. The Macro Jets platforms also provide you with price as well as interior and exterior images of the aircraft.Sound too good to be true? It gets even better.Download Free AppYou can receive these instant quotes with absolutely no membership fee. What's more, they're currently offering up to $5,000 credit torwards your first flight by signing up for their company weekly newsletter. To sign up, head over to MacroJets.com.Imagine, you need to book a rushed flight for tomorrow. You'll more than likely have to go through the hassle of researching the best flight on multiple websites and you may end up on a commercial flight jammed next to five other people.Instead of going through that headache, just use their app or website. All you do is select either a one-way or round-trip flight, the dates and how many passengers you will be traveling with. After searching their database that includes over eight thousand available charter aircraft worldwide, you'll be greeted with the various categories. Then, select from Turboprops, Light jets, Midsize jets and Heavy jets, and they'll create an itinerary that includes flight time, fuel stops and the price.It doesn't get much easier than that.To learn more, be sure to click the button below.Learn More Sponsored by:

By Caitlin Duffy – July 24, 2015

The Nextant G90XT: A Customizable & Economical Private Ai...

When Nextant Aerospace first emerged in 2007, they were the only company to have perfected the remanufacturing process for business jets. Today, they still are.The 400XTi was the first aircraft available from Nextant Aerospace, offering an affordable alternative to purchasing a brand new aircraft without buying one that was used. The bodies of Beechjet 400A/XPs are modified, modernized and completely revamped, resulting in a luxurious and cost-effective private jet.The Nextant G90XT is the next step in expanding the company's options, a slightly smaller, but more efficient model with increased speed, range, payload and economy - arguably, as a July 15 press release from the company tells us, the best in all four of those categories for any legacy airframe. G90XTThank you to everyone who visited our tent at NBAA Las Vegas last week! We had a such a great show with several major announcements including our new product offering the G90XT. Watch the video above for more information.Posted by Nextant Aerospace on Monday, October 28, 2013 First introduced in 2013, as you can see in the Oct. 28, 2013 video from their Facebook page above, the G90XT is just around the corner from being available for purchase. A test flight program proved to be a success, and the model was featured at the Oshkosh, Wisconsin Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) AirVenture airshow from July 20-26. Attendees were invited to contribute ideas for the final interior design and details.Sports Cars UsedSimilarly to the 400XTi, the G90XT models will all be completely refurbished, and feature customizable cabin configurations. The Standard arrangement features two seats in the cockpit, five seats in the body, room for refreshments and space for baggage and a lavatory. For those who desire a little more space, the Executive configuration sees only three seats behind the two in the cockpit, but each has a table. The lavatory is larger and includes a vanity sink, and baggage is stored in the back.If the G90XT for your plans requires a service-oriented configuration, it can be modeled after the Special Missions Air Ambulance. The cockpit only has one pilot's chair, the right side of the cabin has five forward facing seats and the left side has enough room for a full stretcher.This last design arrangement comes from an existing use of the 400XTi; the New Zealand Air Ambulance organization utilizes the 400XTi because of its safety, reliability and speed - three crucial factors when transporting patients in critical conditions around the South Pacific.When it comes to creating a craft that is luxurious, fast, reliable and affordable, no other company yet has been able to compare to Nextant Aerospace. To learn more about their company and the G90XT, be sure to visit their website by hitting the button below.Nextant Aerospace Article Sponsored by:

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