July 14, 2010 | Posted by Andrew Richmond
In my last article, May 2009, Barbers Need a License, no government oversight. Talk about I went out on a limb a bit to predict, among other things, that used aircraft prices would stabilize at realistic levels, making ownership attractive for more buyers. That’s generally proved to be the case. In fact, as the market continues a slow but apparently steady recovery, buying an aircraft can once again be a highly rewarding experience. You can find the right aircraft at a great price — a plane that will make you more productive, transport you to more destinations, and offer newer levels of productivity and personal freedom.
However, a smooth and successful aircraft transaction is the result of a process during which a lot of things can potentially go wrong. Very wrong. This is why many companies and individuals employ an aircraft broker to manage the process for them. In this article I’ll explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of using a broker, and offer some guidance on how to find the right one for you.
Barbers Need A License, But Brokers Don’t
As a starting point, let’s make a comparison with the real estate industry, which also involves the sale and purchase of high-value assets. To get a real estate license in California, where the average home sells for around $300,000, you must take classes and pass an exam, then work for a licensed broker who will supervise your transactions. They will also take your fingerprints for good measure. And if you want to upgrade to a real estate broker’s license, you need even more training, as well as additional insurance policies to protect the consumer.
Contrast this with business aviation, where a jet can cost anywhere from about $2 million to $50 million or more. You would think that the rules would be even stricter than for real estate — yet you would be wrong. In fact, to be an aviation broker, all you need is a phone and an email address. That’s right: no training, no license, no government oversight. Talk about buyer beware!
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June 10, 2010 | Posted by Alex Joya
Private Jet Inventories Are Stabilizing
The recent economic downturn has been trying on the economy as a whole, but particularly on the used aircraft market. As the global economy is continuing its recovery, global issues are slowing buyers’ enthusiasm about returning to aircraft ownership. In the years leading up to the economic downturn much emphasis was put on the fast-rising emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Today focus is now put on the PIIGS(Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain) which all have weak economies riddled with high debt. While the ups and downs of the global economy may not have a long-term effect on our economy as a whole, these fluctuations are making the used business jet market volatile. This volatility, driven by a lack of buyers’ confidence, is scaring away jet buyers who are afraid the global economic downturn could spread to the US economy.
The used business jet market is fast becoming a buyers market. Many prospective aircraft buyers are asking me, ‘Will the prices keep dropping?’ My response to them is that the current used aircraft market is unlike we have ever seen it before. Values of some aircraft have dropped over 50% in two years. I think we have hit our bottom. Even
Gulfstream G450 TWC Aviation Recently Sold
if prices continued to drop another 20% the amount of the drop in dollar terms would be much less. In the view of many business owners, fear has subsided. The result is that the value of private jets have stabilized. Some small segments of the used jet market as still finding their footing, but the market as a whole has been stable for the last 6 months.
Going forward I believe the used aircraft market will continue to remain stable. The driving factor in this economy is fear, and the buyers that can push through the fear and acquire a used aircraft will continue to benefit from the never before seen deals this marketplace has to offer.
For more information on the used aircraft market, or for a cost analysis on any used aircraft contact the Sales and Acquisitions team at TWC Aviation.
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June 3, 2010 | Posted by Alex Joya
Looking for more information about the CJ4? Contact TWC Aviation's Sales and Acquisitions team today.
Cessna delivered the first Citation CJ4 in April after wrapping up a rigorous flight-test program. The new model, which received FAA certification i n March, is the latest in Cessna’s popular CJ series of light jets.
It would be a mistake to call the CJ4 just another stretched out and updated CJ. While the $8.75 million, 16,950-pound jet is not a entirely new design, it’s a refined airplane from a company that has learned a lot about small jets in the 40 years they have been making them. Cessna introduced a variety of new design features and technologies in the nine-passenger CJ4, and borrowed features from several of its other newer airplanes. The CJ4 features the slicker wing geometry from the larger Citation Sovereign and the bigger passenger door from the Citation Mustang. The more powerful Williams FJ44-4A engines are derivatives of those on the CJ3. The newer engines and slipperier wing allow the CJ4 to cruise at 453 knots and climb directly to 43,000 feet. Range has been increased to 1,963 nautical miles and full-fuel payload has grown to 1,000 pounds.
Up front, the pilots’ seats have two inches more legroom and the instrument panel has a more logical, ergonomic layout. The avionics are tried-and-true: four-display Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 with the latest safety enhancements, including electronic charts, graphical weather uplink and Multiscan weather radar, terrain avoidance and anti-collision systems.
The CJ4 Interior
While these refinements unquestionably make the CJ4 a better jet, it is inside the redesigned passenger compartment where you are apt to notice the most dramatic changes.
Passenger electronics have been upgraded with the Rockwell Collins Venue cabin-management system. There are switch panels at each seat position and power outlets for laptops or other accessories at two passenger seats and both pilots’ seats. The Venue system controls all in-flight entertainment equipment, including iPod connectivity, Blu-ray player, moving maps and 100-gigabyte hard-drive storage for personal media. The standard package includes a single satellite radio receiver and two plug-in, arm-mounted, 10.6-inch high-definition monitors. You can buy additional receivers and monitors that can be plugged in and moved between any of the six main passenger seats. Venue also controls all indirect cabin lighting as well as the electronic window shades, which can be set anywhere between clear, shear and full blackout mode, making getting a quick nap on a flight even easier.
Looking to buy a new CJ4? Contact TWC Aviation’s Sales and Acquisitions team today.
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May 27, 2010 | Posted by Scott Cutshall
Recently, Wyvern Consulting, Ltd., an independent aviation safety auditing organization, performed a recurrent audit of TWC Aviation, Inc. (certificate T19A419I) FAR Part 135 charter operations. A review of the policies, procedures and practices implemented by the TWC Aviation exhibited that the company operates in the interest of enhancing safe industry practices. As such, Wyvern recommends the services of TWC Aviation, Inc. for use by its clients.
TWC Aviation manages 30 aircraft ranging in size from the Cessna Citaiton Mustang up through the ultra-long range Gulfstream G550 as well as aircraft from Bombardier, Embraer, Hawker Beechcraft, Dassault Falcon, Cessna, and Gulfstream. In addition to aircraft management, TWC Aviation also provides aircraft sales and acquisition services, aircraft maintenance, and worldwide jet charter.
For more inforamtion about TWC Aviation’s audit and a detailed report visit The Wyvern Report website.
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May 21, 2010 | Posted by Scott Cutshall
Courtesy Gulfstream
The Gulfstream G650, the largest and fastest Gulfstream ever produced, set a new world record for the Fastest Civil Aircraft achieving a speed of 0.925 mach. The G650 is not just built for speed, it offers a range of 7,000nm envoloping it’s passengers in a level of luxury far greater then any other aircraft is its class.
The previous world record holder for the Fastest Civil Aircraft was the Cessna’s Mach 0.92 Citation X. The G650 is expedted to receive final certification in the U.S. and Europe in 2011 with entry into service with the first customer in 2012.
TWC Aviation is familiar with fast aircraft. Currently operating two Cessna Citation X’s in addition to a fleet of 28 business jets from every manufacturer. For more information contact TWC Aviation today. management@twcaviation.com
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