The prices for previous trips and a future trip are all over the map. Can anyone who knows more, educate me a bit on how or where to get the best prices. For example: Last round trip from ACY to NAS was $24,500 on a mid size jet. Was quoted $18,000 on a smaller jet. (4 people) would love to find the mid. in the $18 range? Am i dreaming? Eric
Are you willing to be flexible on the dates and times? By far the best way is if you're willing to be flexible, in which case you might pick up a backhaul from someone at a big discount. Also, be aware that taxes and fees will significantly increase the bottom line beyond cost/hour * quoted hours. I'd find a broker or charter operator you like, and build a relationship. They can find you the best deals.
Also, please use a quality operator. There are a lot of dubious charter operators out there (especially in South Florida), and quite a few of them have killed or injured people. Personally, I'd look for a safe operator first, and then think about price. Look for Wyvern certification, and insist on a Wyvern-qualified crew and aircraft. That doesn't guarantee anything, but should rule out most of the true bottom feeders.
Yikes! And here I feel a little guilty buying full-fare first class on Alaska for an upcoming business trip to Oahu Jedi
It's about 1,800nm round trip for your flight, I'm paying $6 per nm right now and I feel like I need to see if I still have shorts on after the flight. CJ3 btw
If they flew back from nas and had to come back to get you 3 days later then you pay for 4 flights btw, so that would be $12 per nm and they billed yo at $13 ish per nm. Find a crew that can keep the plane where you stay at for a few days, it'll cut your bill in half.
Your focus should not be on just cost. Reliability, safety, quick access, great service. Simple contract with adequate liability insurance. These should be first. Most of the top companies are similar in pricing. Check out Citationair. Remember if you buy cheap you get cheap!
XTO, I looked up the rates, if I buy a 50 hour jet card they bill me at $6,540 per hour (peak rate) for a CJ3, it was around $4,500 an hour non peak CJ3, that's about (I don;t have my calculator so I'm just rounding numbers) about $10-$14 per NM... OUCH. I can seriously get a challenger from a friend for cheaper per hour.
and see if they have copies of Charter Hub magazine. Might help your situation or answer questions regarding charter rates. While you are there, grab a copy of Executive Controller...always fun to check out prices and pix of interiors. KevFla
Don't believe that the final price will be the number of hours you fly * 4500. It will be much higher than that.
Yea, my buddy deal is $4,200 an hour for a 604 with no run up ramp time. He's not paying a management company $50k a month to manage it, he has 4 pilots that manage / rotate shifts and one secretary to answer the phones in the office, it's beyond me why more owners don't follow this model. He's not getting rich but his biz gets a free plane for the extra effort.
Rent & Race! OK if you like rugby in Hong Kong and a really good airshow in New Zealand. http://silverfernairrace.com/home
Agree that more people could run their own operation and save significant money. The management fee is above the table and at least highly visible but there are a lot of other areas that are hidden and inflate the operation cost. On the other hand do not think that just because the operation is in-house does not lead to abuse too. Some owners do willingly understand that going the management company route is trading money for convienence. The management company handles all the day to day issues while the owner concentrates on their business. The owner gets a monthly bill and keeps it simple from their perspective. As a start-up it is also quite expedient as they get an immediate crew and infrastructure so they can be in operation within days. Management companies love to tout the charter revenue that they will generate. Yes, they can put the aircraft out on flights but frequently they have all sorts of ways to ensure that the management company makes the profit and the owner gets the short end. Too many owners don't quite understand that they do not need a full time management company to have charter income. Jeff
He owns it? Because if he owns it, $4,200/hour is just for starters. Is he leasing it? As long as he's aware of the legal implications and it's being done properly, that's a very good way to go. Although, I'm not sure that a lease on a straight hourly rate like that is legal-- you can charge up to 100% of the fuel used. How much does a 604 burn? I'm thinking maybe 450 gallons/hour? Is he chartering it? If so, he's paying way more than $4,200 time the number of hours he flies, even if that's the headline number.
It's in Russia 6-8 months out of the year and midwest USA 4-6 months out of the year. I take it to mammoth ca, tahoe, st barts and vegas 10ish times a year combined.
