Tips & Articles on Traveling, Aviation, Boating and Cruises
Aviation
Private Jet Charter: Spotlight On…Aspen, Colorado
May 14th
Aspen is one of the most popular year-round destinations and the appeal is easy to understand. In winter, this exclusive wonderland is a perfect getaway for beginner to serious skiers, celebrities, memorable family vacations, and those who just want to relax. With some of the best skiing in the world, breathtaking views, and a lively town, visiting Aspen is like walking inside a charmed snow-globe village. In the summer, the natural beauty will refresh and rejuvenate you. For the outdoor-enthusiast, unlimited opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and rafting abound. Year-round, the town is open for entertainment…you can grab a cup of java in town and peruse high-end shops; enjoy one-of-a-kind restaurants, cultural activities, and exciting nightlife; or pamper yourself at a spa.
Below is some general info to get you started:
Aspen Area Airports
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport; Aspen, CO (ASE)
Eagle County Airport; Eagle, CO (EGE)
Garfield County Regional Airport; Rifle, CO (RIL)
Aspen’s 4 Ski Resorts:
www.aspensnowmass.com
Snowmass – Aspen’s largest skiing resort with a vast range of terrain to suit all levels.
Aspen (Ajax) Mountain – the original ski area, catering to intermediate and advanced skiers.
Aspen Highlands – a favorite for locals; usually the least crowded of the 4 mountains.
Buttermilk – aimed at snowboarders and beginners, with 42 trails and one of the longest terrain parks in the world.
Aspen Chamber Resort Association
www.aspenchamber.org
Tel: 888.667.5666
Tourist and visitor center.
Naturalist-Guided Ski & Snowboard Tours
Explore the high-alpine environment as naturalists lead the 45-minute skiing explorations everyday at Snowmass.
First Tracks
Snowmass: call 970-923-0560 for reservations.
Aspen Mountain: call 925-1220 x3543 for reservations.
Join the staff for an early morning first run of the day on freshly groomed snow or powder.
Big Air Fridays
Jaw-dropping jumps and stunts at Snowmass.
Storytelling by the Campfire
Snowmass Village
Sip hot chocolate and toast marshmallows around a roaring campfire while local storytellers spin tales for families at this unique aprs-ski gathering.
Aspen Youth Center (AYC)
970.544.4130
Programs and activities for local and visiting youth ages 7-18, including a full kitchen, arts & crafts area, media and games rooms, teen lounge, study room with computers, and a large multi-purpose room to accommodate dances, parties, and a variety of classes.
Wheeler Opera House
Tel: 970.920.5770
The newly designed interior hosts various theater and concert performances throughout the year.
Silver Queen Gondola
A year-round attraction, whisking visitors from the center of Aspen up to the summit of Aspen Mountain.
Private Jet Charter: Identifying the Right Provider
May 13th
Almost every company in the private air industry claims to have the best safety standards. But how can a customer really determine what defines high standards? Below is a general guideline to consider when working with any private jet provider.
FAA Documentation
A charter company must have a valid FAA Part 135 air taxi certificate which authorizes it to fly for hire. Sometimes companies attempt to fly under the less strict Part 91 regulations. These rules have far less FAA oversight, and as a result, the liability of the passenger is increased. Therefore, it’s important to ask for a copy of the FAA air taxi certificate, and under which regulations your flights will be flown.
Insurance
Insurance can provide a great deal of information about a charter company. Typical limits are $25mm for a small jet, $50mm for a mid-sized, and $100mm for a large jet. Along with the FAA certificate, prospective flyers should ask for proof of adequate insurance.
Third-party Verification
Essential data about the aircraft operator can be obtained from an industry auditing company. One leading company in this field is Aviation Research Group (ARG/US). A charter customer should ask their private jet provider for an ARG/US TripCHEQ prior to booking.
Pilot Experience
Does the provider have minimum standards for pilot hours? Are the assigned pilots hours verified prior to the flight? Both answers should be yes- pilot hours are verified time that a pilot has spent operating an aircraft. It is an indicator of experience, and is easy to obtain. In addition to the audit rating, prior to every trip, the private jet provider should verify the assigned pilots’ flight hours on the specific jet type.
Operational Control
This is an essential aspect of safety, yet knowing whose jet you’re flying on isn’t always clear-cut. Many customers book a private jet through a well-known jet provider, but are placed – without knowing it – on a small independent one they know nothing about. If outsourcing occurs, your private jet provider should be able to ensure that the operator who maintains operational control meets high safety standards.
Private Jet Charter: Expecting the Unexpected
May 13th
The saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” holds true in life as well as in private air travel. A good pilot will prepare for unexpected events by planning alternate options prior to every flight. They will take into account many factors including weather, fuel, airport runway lengths and the weight and balance of the aircraft. The pilot will call a certified weather briefer, estimate the weight of the passengers, fuel and baggage and research appropriate flight charts to collect this information.
Once the route is planned, the pilot will research alternate airports and routes. For example, if the headwinds are stronger than predicted and an alternate destination airport is required, the pilot will be prepared with the necessary charts, radio frequencies and airport information on hand.
What does this mean for you, the private air travel customer? Unfortunately, route changes often come at the expense of your time. For instance, when a pilot is not comfortable with the weather prediction at your desired airport, or recommends a fuel stop to ensure enough range in your flight route, this can certainly cause an inconvenience. However, when it comes to air travel, one should always put safety before convenience.
Private Jet Charter: Are Very Light Jets For You?
May 12th
Its a bird, its a planeno, its a VLJ. Well, technically VLJs are planes, but they are in a class all their own. VLJ’s – aka: very light jets, microjets, personal jets, minijets – are a hot topic these days. Looking like something out of “The Jetsons”, these super-sleek, super-economical jets have created a new category in the private aircraft industry and are eagerly anticipated in the charter world. So what’s all the fuss about? Well, VLJ’s cost much less than small cabin jets, which will open the world of private aviation to a larger segment of the market. Also, since they can easily takeoff and land at small local airports, they allow travelers to avoid high-volume airports and arrive closer to their destinations.
“So what’s the catch?” the savvy jet traveler may ask. Well, despite their efficiency and flexibility, their nickname minijet’ aptly describes most VLJ cabin interiors. Snug is the word, although cabin interior can vary based on the specific jet sub-category (ie: single-engine, small-cabin, large-cabin). Also, with its limited in-flight services and performance, VLJ flights are best kept to a couple of hours at most, with no more than 4 passengers. However, for short, direct flights to and from smaller airports, VLJ’s may be the jet for you. And with the ease of flying privately, business travelers in particular may find VLJS an attractive option over first-class.
Private Air Charter: They’re Flying…Why Am I Grounded?
May 11th
The Private Jet Pilots Considerations
Ever wondered why some private aircraft can takeoff or land at a particular airport and time while others can not? Many factors influence a pilot’s decision when filing a flight plan including: aircraft performance, operational control procedures, weather, altitude of the airport and weight of the passengers, crew and fuel. These factors make it difficult to predict flight times, fuel stops and airport selection. I have listed below each category and how it may affect your particular flight.
Aircraft Performance
Not only does each aircraft type have its own performance characteristics, but each individual plane may have different weights, modifications and operating procedures. For example: a typical Citation II has a shorter range than one with a High Gross Kit modification, which allows it to take off and land with additional fuel onboard. Also, different avionics can affect the weight and balance of an aircraft. So, it is entirely possible for one Citation II jet to have a range of 1,000nm while another can travel 1,900nm on the same day and route.
Operational Control Procedures
There are over 3,000 FAA certified aircraft operators in the country, and each follows operational procedures which the FAA and third-party auditing firms approve and routinely review to hold aircraft operators accountable.
Weather
Wind, precipitation and temperature will affect an aircraft’s performance characteristics especially when flying into or out of airports with a runway length less than 6,000 feet. If the runway is wet for example, the aircraft may have to reduce the amount of fuel it has on board to compensate for the slower stopping speed. Or, a high temperature which thins the air may reduce the aircraft’s ability to climb. Pilots speak with a certified weather briefer prior to each flight to help them plan accordingly. Since weather is variable, an original itinerary that forecasts a direct flight might adjust to include a fuel-stop. On the other hand, strong tailwinds may permit a direct flight when a fuel-stop was initially planned.
Altitude
High altitude offers unique challenges to pilots as the air is thinner and requires faster takeoff and landing speeds. Surrounding mountains pose additional challenges, which is why, for example, Aspen Airport (ASE) has instituted a curfew between dusk and dawn to increase safety margins.
Weight
Weight is one of the more controllable performance variables and is typically adjusted to compensate for weather and altitude. The number of passengers, crew members, baggage and fuel are all estimated prior to flights in order for the crew to forecast a safe takeoff and landing.
Most private aircraft operators incur additional costs when they have to delay, re-route or make an additional fuel stop. So, when a crew recommends an alternate, you can be assured they are looking out for your safety.
