Month: August 2014

Have Colorful Travels this Fall

Fall leavesAs September draws near we anticipate one of the most spectacular displays Mother Nature has to offer. The red and gold color displays of the changing leaves combine with the crisp clean air of fall to make a perfect day. Let’s take a look at some of the best fall foliage destinations that showcase the beauty of the season.

Aspen, Colorado

This city isn’t named after those beautiful, golden-leafed autumn trees for nothing. Juxtapose shimmering golden aspens and the deep green of the evergreens against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, and you have a picture-perfect view of the season.

When to go? Aspen season is short-lived, so go between mid-September and early October to catch these breathtaking views. Because Aspen is a popular ski resort town, there are plenty of ritzy hotels and restaurants too.

Mount Arashi, Japan

Replace classic Japanese cherry blossoms with beautiful autumn leaves to get the perfect autumn sightseeing trip to Mount Arashi, west of Kyoto City. The best view is from the Togetsukyo “Moon Crossing” Bridge.

When to go? Plan your trip for mid- to late-November for the best views. The Arashiyama Maple Festival is November 8th, so plan your trip accordingly.

Glacier National Park, Montana

The park’s concessions close at the end of September, meaning most guests have already gone home — you can have the park all to yourself! See the beautiful yellow larch trees along the continental divide for a dramatic landscape.

When to go? Fall comes early in Montana so plan your trip for early September for the best display. Pair the foliage sites with wildlife spotting — bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goats, and even bears are active during the fall season.

Eastern Townships, Quebec

It’s no surprise that the vibrant maple trees with leaves that turn spectacularly red in fall are what make Quebec’s autumn display so vivid and memorable. In fact, at the end of a humid summer, Canadians love nothing more than a good fall festival. Slip on a sweater and check out the Tremblant Symphony of Colours. The festival runs Saturdays and Sundays in September through the first week of October and features fall concerts.

When to go? Visit in mid- to late September for the best colors.

This fall, don’t miss the beautiful displays the earth has to offer you!

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.

Book a Stay on Your Own Private Island

Is Bali Ha’i — the mythical island from the musical “South Pacific” — calling to you? Bali Ha’i’s real-life counterpart could be yours, at least for a few days. For $150,000 a night (five-night minimum), plus 20% tax, you can book the entire island for your group or event.

Laucala Island, Fiji, is a private resort owned and developed by Dietrich Mateschitz, billionaire co-founder of the Red Bull energy drink company. Although Mateschitz modeled his paradise resort concept on Bali Ha’i in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, the accommodations are anything but primitive.

For $750,000, you get 24 tropical pool villas for up to 72 guests (some hidden in the lush jungle, others perched atop cliffs with spectacular views), all meals and a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available at the island’s five restaurants and bars, golf at a championship course, a variety of sports and fun activities, some spa pampering, and even laundry and dry cleaning services.

You can land your aircraft on Laucala’s private airstrip, which accommodates jets with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 40 metric tons. (Larger aircraft must land at the Nadi International Airport; the Laucala resort will transfer passengers to the island for a $600 fee.) So if you’re looking for a new venue for your next party or a place to unwind with friends before your next business trip, a stay on your own private island might be just the thing.

What’s the Right Way to Assess an Aircraft’s Value?

aircraft listingsWhether you’re selling or buying, you want to make sure a preowned aircraft is valued accurately so that it’s priced fairly. But how can you determine the right value?

The first step in establishing an aircraft’s value is often to consult an aircraft bluebook, which offers standard prices for many aircraft makes and models. You can turn to subscription-based resources, such as Aircraft Bluebook Price Digest, VREF Aircraft Value Reference (free to AOPA members), and the Airliner Price Guide. These databases list current prices for many types of business and general aviation aircraft. Another option is the AvBuyer’s Aircraft Price Guide, a free resource that gives an average price range for various categories and models of aircraft.

Bluebooks give you a baseline but can’t provide an accurate valuation of a specific aircraft; each plane’s true value depends on many factors. An accurate aircraft valuation takes into account considerations such as these:

  • Engine hours, specifically time between overhaul (TBO).
  • Exterior and interior condition, including paint, presence of corrosion, state, cleanliness, and fit of interior items (e.g., seats, lighting, storage compartments).
  • Avionics and other installed equipment.
  • Accident and damage history.
  • Aircraft history, particularly the owner’s compliance with FAA Airworthiness Directives.
  • Maintenance history.

Get an expert opinion

Once you have a base value, you’ll need to consider specific factors that affect a plane’s worth. Unless you are highly knowledgeable about aircraft valuation, your wisest choice is to have the aircraft appraised first, then consult with a reputable, established broker who has extensive experience buying and selling the type of aircraft in question. A broker can provide a realistic valuation based on market data and in-depth experience with the aircraft. A reliable aircraft appraiser is certified by the National Aircraft Appraisers Association (NAAA) and analyzes various factors to determine an aircraft’s current market value (aka an opinion of value). As experts at both buying and selling aircraft, L & L International can guide you through the valuation process and assess your aircraft’s worth.

It’s not unusual for aircraft owners to overvalue aircraft they want to sell — or for inexperienced buyers to have unrealistic price expectations. By understanding the factors involved in valuation and using the services of a professional who’s knowledgeable about aircraft valuation, you’ll improve your chances of getting the best deal for your aircraft.

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

BizJet Market Primed for Growth — Especially the Large-Cabin Sector

The business aircraft market is looking better all the time — welcome news as the industry slowly recovers from the global economic slowdown. But it’s still a top-down recovery, with the large-cabin sector seeing the greatest growth.

Large and midsize jets drive demand

Nearly two-thirds of new business aircraft that will be delivered in the next 10 years will be large-cabin and ultra-long-range jets, reports the Teal Group. Teal’s latest forecast states that 13,030 business aircraft worth $325.6 billion will be delivered over the next decade. Large-cabin planes are driving the demand for business and private aircraft, while demand for smaller aircraft lags.

Bombardier also reports a healthy long-term outlook for the large-cabin and midsize sectors over next 20 years, with business beginning to pick up slightly through 2014 and true improvement starting in 2015. The rosy forecast, especially for large-cabin planes, mirrors the U.S. economy’s expected continuing recovery. Corporate and ultra-wealthy private aircraft buyers have more money to spend than they did several years ago — and they’re spending it on the largest, most expensive planes.

Good news for preowned jet market

The forecasts indicate that aircraft manufacturers are optimistic about corporate and wealthy buyers’ willingness to invest in new aircraft, and this outlook bodes well for the preowned jet market. Used aircraft inventories continue to decline, especially in the big jet arena. Large aircraft represent 6.2% of all preowned inventory, as reported in Bombardier’s Business Aircraft Market Forecast 2012-2031.

Lower inventories favor the sellers of preowned aircraft and spur a demand for new aircraft. In addition, lower preowned inventories have been associated with higher residual values of aircraft in recent years, per Bombardier. (The exception is 6 to 10-year-old aircraft, which still tend to be overvalued.)

Business jet owners and operators in North America are more hopeful about the bizjet industry than they’ve been in the past four years, reports JETNET iQ Surveys. Owners and operators’ confidence in the industry, coupled with their belief that business aviation has passed its nadir in the recent business cycle, should help to sustain gains in both the new and preowned aircraft markets.

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

The Skies Are Getting Greener

Aviation is slowly going green: Plane travel is becoming more fuel efficient, the use of biofuels is on the rise, and even aircraft interiors are becoming more eco-friendly. The task of making aircraft interiors friendlier to the environment incorporates a dual approach: using greener materials in the production of aircraft as well as reusing and recycling interior and exterior aircraft components.

Eco-friendly materials

The array of eco-conscious materials available for aircraft interiors continues to grow, ranging from recyclable carpeting that’s also carbon neutral to LED lighting that uses less energy than incandescent lamps. Seats are getting a green overhaul, with more seat choices available in non-toxic and natural materials. Southwest Airlines is leading the way with its Evolve interior lightweight E-leather, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather.

Cabinets and veneer made from fast-growing renewable wood sources and LEED-certified interior materials are rounding out the eco-interior offerings. Boeing has even researched and patented green “sandwich” panels, made of flax-thermoset composite with a foam core.

Aircraft owners looking to refurbish jet interiors in an eco-friendly way have more options than ever before. When consulting with an aircraft interior design firm or refurbishment specialist, ask about the use of green materials in the firm’s practice, and how it can be incorporated into your designs.

Recycling opportunities

The other side of aviation’s green trend is recycling. Interest in reusing and recycling aircraft interior and exterior parts is growing. A study supported by Airbus found that as much as 85% of an aircraft’s parts can be “reused, recovered, or recycled.”

“Green” might as well refer to cash too. An industry study conducted by the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA — an organization that promotes aircraft recycling best practices) and TeamSAI Consulting reports that the aircraft dismantling market could reach $80 million in 2014. Companies in this arena recover parts for the aftermarket and recycle parts removed from dismantled aircraft.

Seats can be removed and either dismantled for recycling or sold for reuse in other aircraft, and thermoplastics from interiors can be shredded and formed into pellets that can be made into new products. And more companies are getting in on the action, including the U.K.’s SD Aviation, which has set a goal of being able to recycle 100% of aircraft cabin materials within the next two years.

With help from the forward-looking approach that industry eco-leaders are taking, aviation’s huge carbon footprint could slowly start to shrink.

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

Aircraft detailing is a lot more involved than simply wiping everything down with a wet rag. This labor-intensive process typically takes two to five days and is best performed by a professional detailing firm. A qualified firm has trained personnel, is bonded, and has liability insurance.

Detailing can be exterior, interior, or both. An exterior detail can range from polishing and removing scratches and blemishes to degreasing, brightwork, and landing gear treatment.

Interior detailing is just as involved, and companies like Wisetouch Interiors work to ensure that no aspect of the aircraft is overlooked. Common interior detailing tasks include carpet cleaning and shampooing, suede and fabric specialization, marble cleaning, wood and veneer work, leather moisturizing, plated polishing, and thorough scouring and polishing of the galley, cockpit, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Some services even go as far as procuring leather dye matches to re-dye interior surfaces.

Costs for a well-done detailing job by a trusted company generally run in the tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the aircraft model. But the cost of detailing is often far less than even one-tenth of the cost of a complete cabin refurbishment and takes considerably less time. If you want a like-new aircraft without the price tag and time investment of a refurbishment, for a relatively small investment, detailing offers a big return.

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us anytime at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

New Jets Heading for the Finish Line

CHALLENGER 604Ahhhh, there’s nothing like that new jet smell. Plenty of aircraft manufacturers are taking steps now to get some brand new jets certified and into production. Check out some of the latest models soon to be available:

Dassault Falcon 8X

Dassault Aviation has announced the Falcon 8X, with ground tests scheduled for this month and the first flight expected next year. This jet is paving the way for electrical power-on and features exceptional aerodynamic efficiency with Dassault’s proprietary ‘piano junction’ design.

The first Falcon 8X is expected to be certified in mid-2016 with initial deliveries anticipated for the end of 2016.

Cessna Diesel Skyhawk

Cessna Aircraft announced at this year’s EAA Venture their hopes to bring a diesel version of the Skyhawk to market soon. Cessna has been searching for an alternative fuel solution for the last few years to use in developing markets where aviation gas is not readily available.

The new Skyhawk will feature a Continental CD-155 diesel engine, which should boost the plane’s maximum range by over 58% compared to the gasoline-fueled version. It will also increase the maximum speed to 131 kt while reducing fuel burn by 25%. The diesel Skyhawk is expected to be priced at about $435,000, a little over $60,000 more than the original.

HondaJet

We’ve all been following Honda’s progress. The first production of Honda’s light business jet was presented at EAA AirVenture as Honda Aircraft Company CEO, Michimasa Fujino greeted fans and signed autographs. Certification is expected in the first quarter of next year, followed quickly by immediate deliveries of the $4.5 million aircraft. Five HondaJet aircraft have already taken to the skies and ten more are in final assembly at the Honda Aircraft plant in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Not New, but Like New with Nextant Aero Remanufacturing

Business aircraft remanufacturing firm, Nextant Aerospace, recently announced that it joined the Remanufacturing Industries Council (RIC). The RIC defines remanufacturing as a comprehensive and rigorous process by which products are returned to ‘like new’ or ‘better than new’ condition. Nextant plans to remanufacture King Air C90S into the G90XT. It also unveiled its G90XT cockpit mockup at the EAA AirVenture event in Oshkosh last week.

Exciting things are happening on the private aviation front! Which new business jet are you most interested in?

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at+1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.

How Will NextGen Affect Bizav?

The federal government has been working on a new air traffic control system with the goal to get planes in the air and on the ground faster, and more efficiently. The system is called NextGen, and it has been developed with multiple federal agencies and NASA.

On July 15, NASA presented the FAA with a new software for managing the spacing between planes as they approach for landing. It will reduce the number of course and altitude changes required by pilots as well as the amount of communication necessary between controllers and pilots. The end result of the switch from ground-based air traffic control to satellite-based air traffic control should be aviation fuel savings, better airplane flow at busy airports, and greater safety.

What will NextGen mean for private aircraft pilots?

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) believes that the NextGen air traffic management program will be beneficial for business aviation, including boosting airspace capacity for everyone, but there are many issues still to be resolved. Some of the issues include the costs, what service operators can expect to receive after installing the NextGen technology, and what it means for operators.

Potential issues for the BizAv market

The FAA needs to level flight standards “when it comes to allowing business aircraft to be certified for the same sorts of procedures as commercial airlines” said Steve Brown, NBAA’s COO. In addition, business aviation is a mixed equipage environment, so the FAA must implement procedures that are usable by business aviation operators.

Another potential issue is the fact that only 10% of aircraft have the necessary equipment installed right now. Whether private jet owners will be able to get the technology in order before an implementation deadline is unclear. While no deadline has been imposed yet, if a jet owner can’t get it installed they may not be able to fly in certain areas.

Timing of NextGen

The FAA has plans to put the new software into its first airport in 2018 if it gets the money from Congress. The target airport hasn’t been picked yet, and money is not a given in Washington these days, so it could be a while before NextGen impacts the business aviation market.

“At the end of the day, whether you’re a military general, an airline ops guy, or a company with a business aircraft, you’ve still got to have a business case that makes sense to you,” says Steve Brown.

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.

Speak Globally — with the 30-Language Talking Translator

You’re ready to relax after a business meeting in Hong Kong’s Central district, or perhaps you’re heading for a vacation in the lush islands of French Polynesia. Wherever you are in the world, exploring is more enjoyable when you can speak a bit of the local language. Even if your foreign-language skills are rusty, you can instantly improve them with the30-Language Talking Translator from Hammacher Schlemmer.

The 30-Language Talking Translator is a smartphone-sized device that gives you access to over 210,000 phrases and 1.8 million words in 24 European languages, three Asian languages, English, Arabic, and Hindi. To use the translator, simply flip it open and type your search keyword or phrase to translate on the physical QWERTY keyboard. You can either view the translation on 3 3/4-inch backlit LCD screen or hear it pronounced through the device’s built-in speaker. The translator maintains a history of searched terms and lets you create a favorites list for commonly used phrases.

The 30-Language Talking Translator runs on two (included) AAA batteries and is priced at $249.95. For travelers, it’s a handy gadget that opens up a world of communication.

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at+1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.

EAA AirVenture Draws Aviation Enthusiasts

Jets at EAA

“Osh” is code for not only the Oshkosh, Wisconsin airport but also for the annual aviation celebration called AirVenture, hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Dubbed “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” this year’s event certainly held up to its reputation. The event opened Monday, July 28, and ran through Sunday, Aug. 3. Final visitor counts are still out, but all signs indicate that attendance was up this year with well over a half million visitors.

In case you weren’t at the event, here are a few highlights.

First-timers — the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

While AirVenture has been one of the largest aviation shows, drawing tens of thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts from around the world, the USAF Thunderbirds were first-timers this year. The aerobatic box — the area in which the Thunderbirds need to perform — had never been large enough. This year, the crowd line was moved, and AirVenture officials were happy to welcome the Thunderbirds to the show. Seeing six F-16s performing crossover breaks and reflection passes over the Wittman Regional Airport was a special treat.

Honor flight for Vietnam veterans

An honor flight for former Vietnam veterans left Oshkosh Friday morning with over 100 vets headed to Washington, D.C. The vets then returned to a hero’s welcome later that day.

Air shows day and night

Another huge hit was the night air shows, combining superb flying and colorful pyrotechnics in the dark skies over the airfield. The Thunderbirds aside, daily air shows every afternoon gave attendees the opportunity to see skilled pilots performing daring stunts and expert maneuvers. Each air show featured a new performer or innovation, so each one was unique.

WomenVenture

Women aviators took center stage on Wednesday for the WomenVenture event. Debbie Travis King, the only woman in the world since 1943 to fly the B-29, was the keynote speaker. Plus, for the first time, a mother performed in the USAF Thunderbirds show. Maj. Caroline Jenson, USAF, called it a “dream come true” to perform at the EAA AirVenture.

One Week Wonder project

Under normal circumstances, it usually takes a while to build a plane, but in Oshkosh volunteers who participated in the One Week Wonder project built a plane in exactly one week. Using a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer kit, donated by Zenith Aircraft Company, and an engine donated by aircraft engine company, Rotax, more than 1,000 volunteers came together to build a plane fit for flying by the end of the week. The project wrapped up on Sunday, Aug. 3, when technicians finished their safety checks and started the plane’s engine.

If you missed this year’s AirVenture, mark your calendar for next year! It was definitely an aviation event worth attending.

Sadly, a plane crash on Thursday at Wittman Field involving James Oeffinger and his passenger, Jennifer Woloszyk, overshadowed the week’s festivities. Oeffinger was killed, and Woloszyk remains in serious condition.

Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at+1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.