Having extensive experience over many years of all the principal aircraft types and models, in terms of mission performance, operating and maintenance costs, product support, ability to finance and value retention.
Totally impartial, the team tracks every aircraft on the market, to ensure up-to-date information on trends, availability and status, with an unsurpassed knowledge of the precise characteristics, performance and operational considerations associated with each type. We can advise on true costs of ownership and operation experienced by other users, and validate against charter, lease and fractional share options, coupled with an ability to review individual aircraft histories and current technical condition, to establish optimal purchases.
Private jets fall into four main categories: ENTRY LEVEL light jets, aimed primarily at the private owner/pilot and family; MID-SIZE medium-range jets, providing a stand-up cabin; SUPER MID-SIZE long-range jets; and GLOBAL RANGE business jets. The principal manufacturers compete against each other in most of the categories, with brochure specification, cabin amenities, performance and costs of ownership being similar.
Certain models do, however, inevitably hold re-sale values better, while some have peculiar design, reliability, maintenance, spares or support issues, some a short production run or been sold in a limited performance version affecting values and re-saleability.
Key elements in choosing an aircraft are: mission requirement (range, accommodation, passenger and baggage capacity); performance limitations (if any, specific to routes flown and airfields used); quality of build and finish to desired specification; reliability record in service; technical and spares support in service; lead-time from order to delivery; overall value against competing types; ability to finance the purchase; and resale value.
Prices are market-led. We keep abreast of the market and recommend the price that should be paid for a given aircraft, valuing against the competition at the time, advising on current trends, pending issues and negotiating strategy, also handling or assisting in resulting negotiations with the required technical knowledge and understanding.
Differences in cost of operation between the various models are largely a factor of: relative capital value, hence depreciation, cost of capital and insurance hull rates; relative maximum take-off weight, hence engine power and associated fuel burn; consequential navigation charges and handling fees (which are linked to weight); hangarage and parking charges (which are linked to physical aircraft dimensions); relative complexity, hence engineering man-hour requirements and cost of maintenance; and true residual or ultimate resale value. Other costs, such as crew salaries and expenses, liability insurance, etc., are much the same for all types.