Plane Conversations

Ancient writers often referred to two types of time: kairos time and chronos time.  Chronos is linear time and measures things in a sequence.  First this, then that.  Kairos time can be loosely defined as the “right” time or the “opportune” time.  Think of it this way, if you stand over home plate and repeatedly swing a baseball bat in regular intervals, you are participating in a chronos event.  If, however, you wait and swing just as the baseball crosses the plate and make solid contact that sends the ball over the left field fence, you have just participated in a kairos moment.

In your business, which type of time do you prefer?

At Corporate Flight Management our motto is “Time Creates Opportunity”.  But it isn’t just any time.  It is kairos time that creates the opportunity.  Private corporate aviation can create this opportunity for you and your business.  It is about being in the right place at the right time, whether that is closing a critical deal or being home in time for that important family event.

If you’re trying to achieve this with the airlines, you’re stuck in their time –chronos time.  And you know that it is anything but opportune and eminently frustrating.  The good news is that there is an alternative to the norm of airline travel and it is far more available and affordable than you might imagine.

Corporate aviation can help you and your company manage the one resource you simply can’t create more of: time.   When you are able to manage your time and your company’s time more efficiently and cost-effectively, you generate many more kairos moments.

Don’t just swing and hope the bat connects.  Be in the right place, at the right time and swing for the fence.

After all, “Time Creates Opportunity.”

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C.S. Lewis once noted that, “You are never to old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.”  In teaching high school students, I have also found the opposite to be true –you are never too young to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.  As a pilot and advocate for General Aviation, I believe that helping people dream dreams of flight is one of the our greatest responsibilities.  It is also a great privilege.  Recently I took our high school Aviation Club (organized through scouting’s Aviation Explorer  program) to tour Corporate Flight Management’s facilities at the Smyrna Airport.   

It was an excellent visit.  It gave our kids an overview of the aviation world.  We saw a major refurbishment shop at work as well as a behind the scenes walk-through of how charter operations work.  Of course we were able to hang around the planes including sitting in the cockpit of a LearJet.  The kids walked the ramp as our tour guide (PlaneConversation’s Jon Anne Doty) explained the charter system and pointed out features and uses for different aircraft.  One of the most important parts of the afternoon was hearing an explanation of the benefits and uses of corporate aviation.  This is something that many of the kids had never heard.  They have only heard the mainstream media’s criticism of general aviation.  I saw the lights go on for several students as they considered how aviation can save time and money and actually serve its customers. 

CFM’s staff took a lot of time with us on this tour which lasted more than two hours.  The kids talked all the way home about how this was the best tour we had received.  

One student wrote me the next day saying, “I really liked learning about the different aircraft and their different features.  I enjoyed seeing how flights are arranged and what the airplanes look like when taken apart. I liked the nice people who gave us the tours. It was fun getting on the jets and getting to go into the cockpit. When I learn to fly I would like to learn here. Thanks for the tour.” 

Notice the “When I learn to fly…” statement.  

The power of visits like ours to CFM Smyrna may not appear today or tomorrow.  But I am convinced they will be remembered.  Who knows what seeds may have been planted?  

No, you’re never too old or too young to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.  

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As a quick background, I am a very blessed guy, husband to a wonderful wife, father to two beautiful daughters. After serving in the United States Air Force for 20 years, then running a technology company, I had to figure a way to make a good living doing what I love – working around and flying airplanes.

So, armed with a lot of enthusiasm, I bought a flight school and partnered with Corporate Flight Management (CFM) in the process. Not long after that, I started a charter and aircraft management business, Harmony Air.

There are many, many great CFIs (Certified Flight Instructors) and pilots out there; but, sometimes location, hard work and fate help things along. That’s part of this story.  You see, I happened to teach Tim McGraw’s business manager to fly some years ago and sure enough not long after, I began teaching Tim to fly in a Cirrus SR22 , which I provided at our Cirrus Training Center at the John C. Tune Airport in Nashville. Like every, pilot he’s still learning but he does have his Private Pilot License and, between movies, albums, concerts, being a dad and husband, is working on his instrument flying.

Tim and I have flown to some pretty interesting places.  I was fascinated to be able to fly to the NFL Kickoff in New Orleans and to see the game from a suite. Trust me, this is not the typical CFI gig.  Now we are embarking on a really great adventure, Tim’s concert schedule has him touring in Australia and, you guessed it, I’m on my way there right now. And I am fortunate that my wife and youngest daughter are with me. My oldest daughter is in nursing school and could not miss a day, much less two weeks.

It has been a really long time since I’ve flown on a commercial flight; but, so far, American Airlines has treated us very well.  But, $10 for a sandwich?!  Really?!  As I write this, we’re sitting at the International Terminal at LAX awaiting our 16+ hour flight to Sydney and then on to Brisbane. It’s in Brisbane where I’ll get my SR22 check-out at the only Cirrus Training Center in Australia.  I’m looking forward to meeting Steve Maltby, the owner there.

A word of advice, before you go to Australia to rent a plane, do your homework. I began mine two months ago and there are still some issues I’m counting on Steve to help me resolve for my 90-day license to fly.  I plan on using that license to fly between concert venues in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

Stay tuned for more news, pics and video……

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Every time I do something outside my normal routine, I learn something new (or at my age, get reminded of something that I forgot). This is true of my most recent trip to the British Virgin Islands on business. We were delivering an aircraft to the island of Tortola for BVI Airline, an up and coming company delivering air carrier services amongst the BVI. We also were returning on another aircraft which was due for some major inspections.  The inspections were  to be accomplished through our capable maintenance staff at Corporate Flight Management. We also, in a whirlwind fashion, dropped into San Juan to conclude some business with another carrier. The trip was a three day turn around on BAE Jetstream 32s.  Given the time constraints and amount to be accomplished, it was a trip that could only have occurred on private aircraft.

Here are a couple of lessons learned or remembered.

Pre- plan your communication needs.

Technology and services are a great boon to travelers – if you know what your capabilities are. I have a new service and a new plan and for my telecommunications and found out I was pretty much in the dark.  It wasn’t that I couldn’t communicate, it was just that I didn’t know my plan well enough to know how much it was going to cost me – an important consideration to my CFO soul. As I downloaded email and text to my phone –I wondered, “how much this was going to cost me?” People around me had a lot of suggestions and ideas as to what it might cost. I found out later just how wrong they were via my monthly statement. I could have avoided that if I had called my provider, told them my itinerary, and found out what were my best options. Next time!

Know what time it is.

I traveled from Central Savings Time to Atlantic Time. My new cell phone did a wonderful job of changing with the time zones. I knew exactly what time it was – or so I thought. My business associates and I scheduled a breakfast meeting at 7:30 AM. But what wasn’t discussed was time was relative on the Islands. When they said 7:30, they meant Eastern Time.  I thought they meant Atlantic Time.  I wish I had known about the use of time zones because I sure could have used that extra hour of sleep! Turns out other members of our entourage were an hour late. Next time…… we will synchronize our watches, always a good practice.

The business trip was a great success and new business for the company was developed. As we went through the various customs offices, I was reminded of how wonderful it was to travel through non- airline means. Through the whole trip we went through only one metal detector and we didn’t have to stand in line for it!  The trip schedule was our choice.  The time on the aircraft was pleasant because the travelers were co-workers, and we were able to plan our next meeting en route. Additionally, the time together was useful as new ideas for travel processes for our customers.  Since we experienced what our customers experienced while traveling international destinations, we got a better perspective on process improvements.  These discussions occurred simply because we had both time and opportunity.  Without planning the conversations, we informally discussed various ways we could improve on what we do as a company simply because we had the time and the privacy to do so.

What did I really learn and remember when I stepped outside my routine? The value of private business travel is worth the price.

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Reporting from Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, Embraer Factory

I am visiting Embraer in Brazil for the acceptance and delivery of a Phenom 100, Embraer Executive Jet. 

Serial Number 146 is poised on the floor of Hangar 300 ready for delivery to an owner in the United Kingdom.  This EMB-500 will be managed by London Executive Aviation and will initially be based at Stansted Airport about 25 miles northeast of London City.  

Although JetQuik accepts and delivers aircraft for customers around the world, the acceptance of this Phenom was accomplished by Dan Pope, an engineer from LEA.

Joining me in the delivery process is Neil Onions, a thirty-year aviation veteran and Head of Training for LEA.  Neil cut his teeth as an air traffic control engineer initially working in the Shetland Islands, and subsequently all over the UK.  He now lives in the Essex countryside among the ancient oaks, but near enough to The Butcher’s Arms to enjoy an occasional pint of bitters.

Patrick Margetson-Rushmore and George Galanopoulos, principals of LEA operate over 20 aircraft in charter and the Phenom 100 will be the 8th type joining their fleet.   As President of JetQuik I have had the pleasure of joining Patrick for several meetings both in England and Spain, where we have advocated for Executive Jet travel and for improvements in the world-wide air charter community.   Although this is the first Phenom 100 to join the LEA fleet, I am confident that more will be forthcoming.

Also growing their fleet is Corporate Flight Management in Smyrna and Nashville, Tennessee, now managing two Embraer Phenom 100s with plans to continually expand the fleet of Embraer Executive Jets.  Allen Howell, Chairman of CFM notes that they are “marvelously efficient aircraft that fulfill the need for light jets in our (CFM’s) fleet”.   Allen Howell also noted that, “Corporate Flight Management  has completed factory approved training for Phenom mechanics who help to ensure the high dispatch reliability of the Phenom 100.”

Here in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, the hangar 300 delivery facility is buzzing with activity. As I look out into the hangar from my delivery office, I see EMB 190s destined for Tianjin Airlines, TACA and jetBlue.  Out on Runway 15, an Air France by Regional EMB 170 just departed for Paris. 

The airliners in Hangar 300  are joined by six Phenom 100s and two Phenom 300s slated for delivery this week.  Much of the credit for the popularity of the Embraer Executive Jet family is due to the airline heritage that they share.  Built to airliner standards, the Phenom jets are rugged and dependable, fun to fly, and great to look at.   The latest Phenom 300 here in the hangar is a stellar example of clean sheet design and a perfect mix of beauty and practicality.

Tomorrow we begin our trip to London.  I hope that you will follow our progress as we “adventure our way” up through the Americas and over to Europe.

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Today’s article is contributed by Lear 35 First Officer Sean Oprea.  A graduate of Ohio University’s Aviation Program, Sean has flown with Corporate Flight Management for five years. 

As a professional charter pilot there are quite a few things that I must know: the weather for departure, en route and arrival, fuel load, runway lengths, weight limits; and, at the very least, our actual destination.  One thing that surprises some clients is the fact that at certain times during the flight, I haven’t the slightest clue as to where I am.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m in an airplane, performing flight functions - monitoring, predicting, communicating and flying.  I just have no idea what that city is beneath us, the name of that river over there and certainly not which highway seems to be making its utilitarian way across our great nation.
I knew that in front of me was my destination, but when I first came to the realization that below me was a complete enigma, I turned to my trusted captain.

“Captain, oh captain.  Which river are we traversing?”

“That, my fledgling First Officer, is the mighty Mississippi!”

At first I was utterly surprised at my lack of geography.  How could I possibly have mistaken the biggest river in our nation for anything else?!  I then replied to that wise captain:

“Hey man! We’re flying through Pennsylvania!”

There is a colossal geographical void that is easy to fall into when your mental capacities are dedicated to your destination and the smoothness with which you deposit your plane there.  And, it seems I wasn’t alone in it.  I haven’t stopped laughing about that Mississippi River joke  and have actually used the same one with curious clients when they ask about the small, innocent river winding beneath us.  They must have a different sense of humor.

In all honesty, I truly enjoy revealing America’s best views to clients and most of them seem to enjoy a bit of scenery.  The best is the Grand Canyon as seen from 40,000 feet.  On a trip with a well traveled client from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Laughlin, Nevada, we passed right over the Grand Canyon.  Just before our descent, I traveled back into the cabin to make sure that he and his companions were comfortable.  He asked where we were and I said that we were traveling over the Grand Canyon, which was then visible off our right wing.  He took a cursory look and announced that the canyon off our right wing was not, in fact, the Grand Canyon.  It seems that there is more than one canyon out in the middle of Arizona.  My middle school geography teacher must have been sick and taken that day off.  When the Grand version came into view about 15 minutes later, I wished she hadn’t.

On a flight from Knoxville, Tennessee, to San Bernardino, California, we passed right over the same stretch of beautiful western scenery again.  I saw the Fake Grand Canyon slip by and, with a smile, I headed back to speak with our new clients.
“Folks, coming up on our right wing will be a beautiful view of the southern end of the Grand Canyon.  Feel free to take a peek through the cockpit window, for that is truly where you will find your best view.  But, don’t be fooled by the smaller canyons; we are flying over canyon country.”

I really felt good about that last comment, even if there really isn’t a canyon country within our great country.  The southern view is a good one.  It seems nature knew it would be and designed great big bleachers stretching up on either side of that river for people to look down into it in amazement.  It also seems that nature ran out of money because the southern end of the Grand Canyon drops off in cliffs as the Mississippi River continues out of  the Grand Canyon on its way south to Louisiana.

I kept that last geographical fact to myself as I, too, took in the view.

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It’s summertime!  Time to vacation.  Time to peel off the warm clothes and get out and about. 

So for me, I start by looking at the “Empty Legs” list our company (Corporate Flight Management) puts out every month to see what interesting places are available to fly to.  You can buy a seat, two seats or up to 30 seats depending on the airplane (a Jetstream J41 to a Lear 35), and at a great price which is competitive to the airline prices (just more comfortable and no having to go through the pain of airport security).  Just walk onto the ramp and get into your private jet. 

One that comes up often is Nashville to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Nashville.  I’ve been to Atlanta for a netball tournament, but haven’t had the opportunity to really get out and about and explore the area.  

So I do what all people do, and Google.  www.altanta.net  has a list of 50 Things to Do in Atlanta.  So here’s the list of some choice activities on my list.   Now, just book an empty leg flight and head on down to ATL.   

Atlanta Braves and Turner Field
The Atlanta Braves regular season takes place April – September at Turner Field. The Braves Museum and Hall of Fame, also at Turner Field, features more than 600 Braves artifacts and photographs that trace the team’s history from its beginnings in Boston (1871-1952) to Milwaukee (1953-65) to Atlanta (1966-present). Both the Braves Museum and Turner Field are open year-round. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden
This peaceful oasis includes 30 acres of gardens, an urban forest, wildflower trails, the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory and a 10,000 square-foot Fuqua Orchid Center. A charming bridge links the main gardens to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Children’s Garden. The Garden also offers year-round special events, exhibits and workshops. 

Atlanta History Center
This Buckhead attraction features 32 acres of gardens, wildlife trails and woodland areas. The complex includes the 1840s Tullie Smith Farm, a fully restored 1928 Swan House mansion and Swan Coach House restaurant. The museum features exhibitions on subjects such as the Civil War, African-American heritage and Southern folk art. The Atlanta History Center includes a wing dedicated to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. 

The Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet
The Atlanta Opera offers four main stage productions each season, in addition to other programs, such as Pre-Opera Lectures and student matinees to further enhance the experience of opera. Atlanta Ballet, founded in 1929, is the oldest professional dance company in America, the largest self-supported arts organization in Georgia and is the official Ballet Company of Georgia. The company’s performances combine contemporary and traditional with classic ballets and new choreography. Both companies recently moved to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is a Grammy Award winning, internationally-renowned ensemble now in its 62nd season. Currently flourishing under the creative partnership of Music Director Robert Spano and Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, the ASO has garnered 23 Grammy Awards. 

Atlantic Station
Atlantic Station offers a city within a city feeling to all its visitors with a walkable streetscape-style setting with brick paved streets and a Central Park. Great boutiques, sidewalk cafes, hip restaurants reign at Atlanta’s new Main Street. Atlantic Station has a Regal Cinemas 16, lots of festivals, concerts and TWELVE® Hotel. Free shuttles are available from the Arts Center MARTA Station. 

Buckhead Nights
Dining in Buckhead has always topped the list for visitors to this luxurious community. Now, you can experience the Ultimate Dining package, thanks to the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group and Buckhead’s top hotels. 

Buckhead’s Legendary Shopping Experience
Expect more Buckhead luxury than ever with the addition of the new 35,000 square foot Neiman Marcus wing at Lenox Square. Legendary shopping in Buckhead takes on new meaning with specialty retailers Calvin Klein, LUSH, Shabby Chic and Zara coming on the scene, exclusive to the Atlanta market only at Lenox. Additional retail anchors include Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, complemented by designer boutiques Hermes, Cartier, David Yurman, Late Spade, Montblanc, St. John and Salvatore Ferragamo. 

Center for Puppetry Arts
Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest organization in North America dedicated to the art of puppetry. The center offers performances from the Family Series and New Directions for adults. An interactive museum, Puppets: The Power of Wonder, is the largest puppetry museum in the United States. 

Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Chastain Park Amphitheatre each spring and summer plays host to some of the finest, best known musicians in the world. The Classic Chastain series features musicians and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performing at Chastain Park Amphitheatre while guests dine by moonlight. 

Chattahoochee River Fun
Sixteen recreation areas along a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River have been designed to conserve the river and provide outdoor entertainment for the whole family. Contact the Chattahoochee National Park Service to plan your outdoor fun, or Chattahoochee Outfitters, a premier raft, canoe, kayak and pedal boat outfitter. The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell offers educational environmental programs, canoe trips and other activities. 

The Fox Theatre
This opulent historic landmark presents shows by Broadway in Atlanta and Theater of the Stars, as well as a Summer Movie series. And, one of the nation’s premier professional ballet companies, the Atlanta Ballet, performs its holiday season favorite “The Nutcracker.” 

The Georgia Aquarium
Dive into a one-of-a-kind aquatic experience at the world’s largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium! Get up close with gentle whale sharks, toothy sand tiger sharks, graceful beluga whales, playful sea otters and aquatic animals from around the globe. With the largest collection of aquatic animals, you are sure to see things you’ve never seen before! 

Golf in Atlanta
Atlanta has 71 public courses, 14 semi-private and 48 private courses that encompass everything from in-town spots such as Bobby Jones Golf Course to championship links at Stone Mountain Park and Lake Lanier Islands Resort. 

High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the southeast. Expect a broad, diverse selection of art comprising 19th/20th century American works, European paintings, decorative arts, African, African-American art, photography, and modern and contemporary art. The High is currently involved in a three-year partnership that brings treasures from the Musee du Louvre to the city. 

Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Located on Centennial Olympic Park, Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta features hands-on, colorful exhibits and activities where children can discover, imagine and explore as they learn how things work in their world. Whether it’s building a sandcastle, painting on the walls, or exploring the latest exhibit, children will discover why it’s the smart place to play. 

Inside CNN Atlanta
Journey into the heart of CNN Worldwide and get an up-close look at global news in the making. Inside CNN is a 55-minute guided walking tour with exclusive, behind the- scenes views of Atlanta’s CNN studios and an exciting glimpse of news and broadcasting in action from the world headquarters of CNN. 

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is an opportunity to learn about the life and work of the 39th president. Walk into an exact replica of the Oval Office, see exquisite state gifts and special exhibits, and trace President Carter’s life from his 6th grade report card to the actual Nobel Peace Prize awarded to him in 2002. 

The Laughing Skull Lounge
The Laughing Skull Lounge is the smallest full-time comedy club in the world with only 74 seats, but it still brings the biggest comedy acts to town. This unique combination is why The Laughing Skull Lounge has been voted best comedy club in Atlanta by several local media and as one of the best comedy clubs in the world by Delta Sky magazine. Conveniently located in the back of The Vortex Midtown two blocks from MARTA’s 10th street/Midtown stop. 

Little Five Points
It’s one of the coolest spots on the map. A bohemian hangout with a rich mix of art, theater, and shopping, it has been the epicenter of all things alternative for many years. 7 Stages Theatre, Horizon Theatre, Variety Playhouse, Star Community Bar (with a shrine to Elvis) and many pubs and nightlife places are available. 

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site & Sweet Auburn District
The area of Sweet Auburn served as the thriving center of Black enterprise in Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s, and is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, explore his birth home, visitor center, historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center, where Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize is on exhibit. The crypt and gravesite of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, are also located at The King Center. 

Medieval Times
Journey back to the 11th Century for feasting, fighting and fun. Medieval Times is an exciting, family friendly dinner theater featuring an authentic medieval tournament and feast, with jousting knights and horses. 

Millennium Gate
The Millennium Gate is a new, classically designed monument in Atlantic Station. Winner of the prestigious 2006 Palladio Award for design of a public space, Millennium Gate showcases world-class architecture, art and history in an intimate gallery setting and beautiful grounds. 

See Atlanta from Above
Air Atlanta Helicopters has several selections of Atlanta sites to tour from the sky. And, when you take a hot air balloon ride with Balloons Over Georgia you will see North Georgia in a whole new light. 

Shopping for Outlet Malls?
North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville is Georgia’s first and only premium outlet center. This center offers current-season merchandise from 140 stores. If you’re heading north on I-85, be sure to make a stop at one of the three outlet malls outside of Atlanta: Discover Mills and Tanger Outlet Center, with locations in Commerce and Locust Grove. 

Six Flags Over Georgia & Six Flags White Water
Six Flags Over Georgia is the Southeast’s largest regional theme park. You can visit the park from March to November to experience thrills on Goliath, ride Thomas the Tank Engine or cool-off in Skull Island, the world’s largest interactive theme park water play structure. Six Flags White Water offers thrilling water rides, slides and waterfalls including Tornado, the Ultimate Storm and Cliffhanger, one of the tallest freefalls in the world. 

Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park is home to the world’s largest piece of exposed granite rock and is the state’s most visited attraction. With more than 3,200 acres of natural beauty, the park offers families recreational activities, special events, lodging and camping. Plus, new in 2008 is Sky Hike, the largest family adventure course in the treetops. Also see the Skyride, Paddlewheel Riverboat, Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard, The Great Barn, Scenic Railroad, Ride the Ducks, Great Locomotive Adventure, Golf, museums and the 1870s town of Crossroads® which includes live shows, craft demonstrations, shopping and dining. 

Underground Atlanta
Six city blocks have been transformed into a spirited marketplace that offers historic guided tours, more than 100 specialty stores, Kenny’s Alley, the trendy hangout with exciting nightlife and restaurants, street-cart merchants and annual events. The Peach Drop, the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in the Southeast, St Patrick’s Day Festival, and Heritage Arts Festival are just a few of the special events that take place. 

Upscale Shopping
The latest fashions and today’s trends can be also found across Peachtree at another exquisite Simon property – Phipps Plaza. Phipps spells luxury with stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co., Jimmy Choo and more. If you like art and antiques, don’t forget Miami Circle known around the world for its museum quality antiques, estate jewelry, rare book galleries, and show rooms of unique lighting. The Bennett Street District in south Buckhead, also boasts some of the best antiques and art in Atlanta. Last but not least, The Galleries of Peachtree Hills houses 24 distinctive antique and art galleries in a five-building complex designed in classical French style. 

Yellow River Game Ranch and Kangaroo Conservation Center
Visit the 24-acre Yellow River Game Ranch set on a naturally wooded preserve along the banks of the Yellow River. It features more than 600 native Georgia animals, such as deer, buffalo, bears and the famous weather predicting groundhog, General Beauregard Lee. The Kangaroo Conservation Center is America’s Aussie Adventure, home to the largest population of kangaroos outside of Australia. 

Zoo Atlanta
Located in historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta features more than 200 species of animals from the African plains and Asian forests. See Bornean Sumatran orangutans, Asian small clawed otters and Sumatran tigers, plus a pair of Giant Pandas and a new panda cub. The Ford African Rain Forest houses one of the largest captive gorilla populations in North America with a total of 24 gorillas.

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Tall and tan and young and lovely

The girl from Ipanema goes walking

And when she passes, each one she passes goes ”a-a-ah!”

She’s not tan and she’s not from Ipanema, but she is lovely and on the evening of October 30, 2009, a group of Corporate Flight Management staffers gathered on our Smyrna (TN) Airport ramp for a first look at this new plane from Brazil, an addition to the company’s charter fleet.  And each one of us went, “a-a-ah.”  She taxied in, bringing with her an exciting new future for CFM and our entire industry.   But, before continuing with this story a brief bit of history is in order.

Over the past decade NASA and corporate aviation trade associations proposed a “clean sheet” design process for business jets.  The VLJ (Very Light Jet) would be both fuel efficient and environmentally “green.”  The quest to establish market dominance in this new technology led to intense competition among the leading designers and builders of executive aircraft.  Additionally, new players like Honda (yes, that Honda) Adam and Eclipse joined the race.  Most of the established manufacturers’ VLJ designs were primarily based on smaller and lighter versions of existing products.  Two of the new entrants proposed radical departures from conventional airframes.

And then there was the Brazilian entry.

If you have flown on commuter airlines over the past 20 years, chances are that you have logged time aboard an Embraer turboprop or regional jet.  When procuring aircraft for their fleets, airlines demand fuel efficiency, dispatch reliability, low maintenance cost and passenger satisfaction.  For decades, Brazil-based Embraer produced a series of turboprops and regional jets that exceeded every airline standard.  Brazil’s entry into the VLJ competition would be built to the same demanding standards as their airliners.  Thus were born the Phenom 100 and 300, which brings us back to CFM’s Smyrna ramp and the exciting future for us and our industry. 

You see, the aircraft that taxied up that evening was a Phenom 100, fresh from the factory and ready to begin its life with a corporate operator in the U.S.  It is one of hundreds that will be going into service in domestic and global markets.   I asked our CEO, Allen Howell, for his impression of the plane from Brazil.  And he said: 

“The Phenom series of executive jets will be real game changers for charter operators and corporate flight departments.  As we grow our charter fleet and aircraft management businesses over the next 5-10 years, Embraer Business jets will be our number one choice.”

With Embraer’s range of business jets in development and production, the story should become very exciting, indeed.  Stay tuned.

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