Have you ever wondered how Easter Island got its name or what those giant heads are made of? If so, then it sounds like a trip to the tiny, secluded Polynesian island should be on your horizon. Easter Sunday seems like the perfect time to set out on the voyage, so prepare yourself for what will certainly be an adventure of a lifetime.
Over the years, much of the natural beauty of Easter Island has been compromised due to deforestation, and its remote location off the coast of Chile makes it a complicated destination. But the mysteries behind the culture and numerous monolithic stone statues, or moai, warrant a trip to the secluded island — consider it a bucket list trip.
The first European to come across Rapa Nui did so on April 5, 1722. It was Easter Sunday, which is why Jacob Roggeveen so cleverly named it “Easter Island.” Of course, Roggeveen came across Easter Island while at sea, not by air. If you’re the seafaring type, consider taking the annual 35-day voyage from New Zealand aboard the Soren Larsen to arrive on Easter Island.
A formidably remote island, tourism has not been as popular to this island as many other Polynesian islands. In fact, it takes at least 5.5 hours to fly there from the closest continent. Flights are limited as the Mataveri International Airport (IPC) has only a single runway, and it is the most remote airport in the world. Now that service to Lima, Peru, has been cancelled, you can only fly commercially from Santiago, Chile, or Papeete, Tahiti. Certainly a more private and flexible option is to take your private jet for the journey or charter a jet.
No matter how you get there, a visit to Easter Island will be a memorable trip. The giant moai, made of solidified volcanic ash, will leave a lasting impression, and you will feel as if you’ve traveled to the ends of the earth.
With locations around the globe and customer service that’s second to none, Signature Flight Support is a fixed-based operator you can count on no matter where you fly.
Signature Flight Support has the world’s largest FBO and distribution network for business aviation services, but it also works to make personal connections with every person who crosses its tarmac. Its service representatives are highly trained and focused on customer service, so you’re sure to feel at home wherever you land at a Signature Flight FBO.
With more than 100 prime locations in the United States, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia, Signature offers a full range of FBO services, including fueling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling, and crew and passenger amenities.
To ensure that customers receive the best service, Signature hires only employees who are passionately committed and personally invested in creating a delightful, safe, warm, and inclusive environment for its employees and customers.
As the company has grown, it has focused on its core values of integrity, responsibility, safety, service, people and performance. The company creates an environment where individuals are encouraged to share ideas, embrace differences, and grow both professionally and personally. Being an employer of choice and empowering individuals in a safe and sustainable environment is what makes Signature a global leader in flight support services.
For its loyal customers, Signature offers a reward program, Signature Status™, which rewards customers based on their frequency of visits to Signature locations and is not dependent on fuel uplift volumes or purchases at its U.S. FBOs. From silver status to platinum, customers receive value-added services depending on their status level at reduced or even no cost, and priority for services such as preferred ramp parking and hangar availability.
Signature is based in Orlando, Fla. Besides offering FBOs at airports throughout the United States and one in Canada, it also has locations throughout Europe — including France, Italy, Ireland and Greece — as well as several in South America and one each in Africa (Cape Town, South Africa) and Asia (Hong Kong, China).
Signature handles more than a million aircraft movements in a year, sells 160 million gallons of Jet A fuel a year and houses one in every 10 business jets in its hangars. It employs 2,300 people through its network of fixed-base operations. The company also operates four overhaul facilities and 12 regional turbine centers.
To contact Signature Flight Support, call (407) 648-7200 or visit Signature Flight Support online.
Some scholars, journalists, and educators have written many and varied articles about how the emergence and rapid adoption of the Internet and World Wide Web has led to unprecedented globalization. Certainly it is much easier to get in touch with people all over the world, and corporations can source their products and materials from a wide variety of locations. Globalization has also had a palpable impact on the private jet market.
But the increased globalization of the private jet market has less to do with Internet technologies and more to do with the frustratingly stagnant economy in the U.S. and Europe. Whereas most private aircraft were sold to companies and individuals in the Western world, now aircraft manufacturers have turned their eyes to emerging markets in Asia and Africa.
On Feb. 25, United Press International (UPI) reported that Embraer wants to “expand its share of an international executive market, which is seeing more players than a decade earlier.”
And the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA) 2012 General Aviation Statistical Databook and Industry Outlook clearly demonstrates the growth in demand for business jets throughout the world.
- Deliveries to Asia-Pacific rose from 4.2% of total deliveries in 2007 to 11.8% in 2012.
- Deliveries to Latin America rose from 7.5% of total deliveries in 2007 to 11.6% in 2012.
- Deliveries to Middle East and Africa rose from 5.2% of total deliveries in 2007 to 6.1% in 2012.
While Asia-Pacific demand has more than doubled the region’s share of business jets, the market in Africa has experienced more fluctuations. However, earlier this year, Cessna and Bombardier both showed a keen interest in African markets.
As the private and business jet market segments continue to slowly grow, look beyond the U.S. and Europe for opportunities. It only makes sense that jets, a vehicle that can cross timelines in mere hours, would be truly global commodities.
Title insurance might not be the most exciting aspect of buying a jet, but it’s essential for a successful acquisition. The good folks at Insured Aircraft Title Service(IATS) offer filing and up-to-the-minute aircraft registry information to customers throughout the world, including North and South America, the United Kingdom, Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim.
With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, this trusted Oklahoma City-based company provides escrow services and document and title recordation services for aircraft registered anywhere in the world. Aviation firms and financial institutions such as Ford Motor Company, Williams Grand Prix Engineering, DOW Corning Corporation, Bank of America, and Bombardier Aerospace Corporation, rely on IATS’ services, which include:
- Documentation filing with the FAA
- Customized registration numbers
With complete title and document recordation services offered to the entire aviation industry on every continent, IATS can ensure that you’re covered.
St. Patrick’s Day started as celebration of the arrival of Christianity to Ireland, but now most people associate the holiday with over-the-top parades, green beer, and corned beef and cabbage. (And don’t forget the Jameson!) Cities in Japan, Argentina, and Australia all host parades and celebrations. Dublin, Ireland, has used the St. Patrick’s Day celebration to promote tourism and appreciation of Irish culture. Newfoundland, Canada, has been home to Irish immigrants since the 17th century and designates March 17 as a public holiday.
In the U.S., some of the most famous celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day occur in the larger cities, like New York City, Chicago, and of course, Boston. Basically, any city, town, or village with a pub will be hosting Irish celebrations of some kind. Luckily, the Irish seem to be tolerant of this co-opting of their culture for a day.
If you’re looking for an unusual celebration that’s off the beaten path, then grab your green and head south. Hot Springs, Ark., boasts the shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade, and this year will be the 10th annual event. It takes place on the tiny, 98-foot long Bridge Street in Hot Springs National Park. The parade only lasts about an hour, but the festivities go on all day. Previous Grand Marshalls include George Wendt, Pauley Shore, and Bo Derek.
Hot Springs National Park is a beautiful place to spend an early spring weekend, and who doesn’t love a whimsical St. Patty’s celebration?! Plus, the town’s airport is convenient for the jet set crowd. Just three miles from downtown Hot Springs is historic Memorial Field Airport (HOT), which was a commercial hub immediately following World War II. After the airline deregulation in the 1970s, commercial traffic decreased, and now the airport only supports general aviation.
So, pack your shamrocks and a case of Guinness and load up the jet — it’s getaway time! Hot Springs’ short-yet-festive St. Patrick’s Day parade will be entertaining, and the naturally splendid scenery and small-town vibe will be relaxing.
Flying always raises questions about air quality. And as flu season reaches its height, many people start thinking more about the quality of the air they breathe and the spread of infection.
What are the concerns of cabin air? In addition to the airborne bacteria and viruses floating around, chemicals such as de-icing compounds, engine fumes, and pesticides can enter through the ventilation system.
As if pollutants and pathogens weren’t enough, another concern is pressurization and its effect on the body. In most planes, the pressure is similar to that of 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level. The resulting low availability of oxygen can cause drowsiness and fatigue, and can be even more dangerous to travelers with cardio or pulmonary ailments. Dry cabin air that is a product of fresh and recirculated air can also cause dehydration.
But all of these potential drawbacks don’t mean you should steer clear of the skies! There is a new technology available that will allow aircraft passengers to breathe a sigh of relief: AIRMANAGER, from BAE Systems and Quest International, is a cutting-edge system that can kill 99.999% of airborne bio-hazards, such as SARS and the flu, in a single pass. This system destroys chemical contaminants and pollutants in cabin air. In addition, the AIRMANAGER system can potentially offer fuel cost savings by providing improved cabin air recirculation. And as a bonus, the system removes unpleasant odors.
AIRMANAGER is just one of the many air filtration systems available. Whatever you choose to use, make sure it’s up to the task of providing you with quality air at high altitudes!
In the U.S., the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics named March “National Nutrition Month.” The goal is to inform people about good nutrition and encourage them to make healthy eating decisions and maintain an active lifestyle. But traveling frequently can wreak havoc on good intentions for a wellness regimen. Try some of these ideas to stay healthy why living a jet-set lifestyle.
Eating right in the skies
The message for Nutrition Month is to fit healthy habits into your lifestyle. So if you travel frequently, it’s important to make sure that the accessible foods on your flights are healthy and low-fat. On most commercial flights, the snacks are up to you. Gone are the days of complimentary meals, so be sure to grab some low calorie, protein- or fiber-rich snacks like veggies and hummus, multigrain bars, fruit and nuts, or low-fat cheese. There’s nothing worse than being hungry on plane with only pretzels to eat!
On private jets, you have many options for dining. Everything is custom-ordered, so all you have to do is choose nutritious foods. Remember to include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats, like fish or chicken. And take it easy on the cocktails. One of the lowest calorie cocktails is a refreshing blend of vodka, sparkling water, and a splash of fresh juice.
Exercise on the go
In addition to picking more healthful foods, you need to be active every day. The NIH recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week. There aren’t many opportunities to exercise mid-flight, so take advantage of the gym and pool at your hotel. Be sure to pack your workout gear, and try to stick to your routine. If you exercise in the morning at home, do the same when you’re on the road.
Once you land, even a short walk will get your blood flowing again and stimulate your senses. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water in the dry cabin air. It’s important for you to be on your game at your destination, whether it be for work or pleasure. Eat healthy, stay active, and see the world!
Purchasing a pre-owned private jet might seem like an inherently risky task: Do you start by searching Craigslist? Is the jet you’ve found a score or actually a swindle? Is the title in order or are there problems? Even if you feel confident in your ability to choose a quality pre-owned plane, do you have the time to deal with the hassle of appraisals, title searches, and financing? With a skilled, reputable jet broker, you can set aside those fears and challenges and focus on your purchase.
In this hassle-free environment, you can realize the many reasons to consider a pre-owned jet purchase:
- Ordering a jet from a manufacturer will take a couple of years to deliver. On the other hand, there are a variety of pre-owned options currently ready to ease your business travel needs.
- A pre-owned jet can be a better value than a new jet. If you find the right pre-owned aircraft for your needs at the right price, you’ll gain the advantages of skipping commercial flight without shelling out for the cost of a new jet.
- Pre-owned aircraft provide all the same freedoms and amenities as new jets. You can bypass the hours spent waiting in commercial airline security and ticketing lines, travel at times that are convenient for you and your clients, and be more productive as you travel in privacy.
Hiring a qualified jet broker to guide you in the buying process instantly gains you insight and experience in the private jet market. You simply communicate what you’re looking for in a private aircraft, and an experienced broker will then match your criteria to your pre-owned jet options.
A jet broker guides you through the entire process, from choosing the right pre-owned aircraft for you or your company to making sure certifications, registrations, and all other records are correct and up to date. You don’t have to worry about the countless details of securing financing, acquiring insurance, or employing a proficient inspector. You get to simply enjoy the many benefits of private jet ownership.
