Plane Conversations

Recently I read an article about a Phenom 100 delivery from Brazil to Orleans, France.  Unfortunately for the new owner the delivery flight took over two weeks to complete.  It seems that he tried a “do-it-yourself” delivery and suffered the consequence of lack of experience. This and other missteps during deliveries may be avoided with prior planning.

One of more common mistakes I see during deliveries is the failure of  Non-US citizens to obtain a visa prior to entry into the US.  The United States requires visitors from certain countries to obtain a visa for entry.  Usually most arrivals by air enter into the US through the Visa Waiver Program, but such is not the case with private air.  Be sure and check the State Department website for requirements that may affect your entry status.

When JetQuik brings a new Embraer Executive Jet into the US, we plan with a bonded customs broker to ensure a smooth importation process.  For foreign aircraft entering the US for the first time, importation is not necessary and the arrival is treated just like any other customs border crossing.  Usually JetQuik imports aircraft through Ft. Lauderdale.   We use SheltAir as our FBO of preference because it is co-located with US Customs on the field.

Phenom deliveries to the US don’t have to be a daunting process.  The Embraer Executive Jets office can help guide you through the process or recommend a competent delivery organization to relieve the stress of accepting your new Phenom aircraft.

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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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Of the many fun reasons to pilot new Embraer Executive Jets, one of the best is St. Martin.  Located in the Lesser Antilles island chain, the French/Dutch Island of St. Martin (or St. Maarten) is a convenient stop when ferrying aircraft out of South America.  The clear, blue Caribbean Sea is the perfect backdrop for this European tropical oasis. 

Located on the more raucous, Dutch side of the island; Princess Juliana International Airport is famous for its runway which begins just a few steps from the Caribbean.   Tourists like to hold onto the airport fence when jumbo jets depart, letting go at full throttle up for a brief flight of their own backwards into the surf.  And the Dutch brew Heineken…here it is half the price of your neighborhood package store.  On the opposite, French side of the island, are restaurants and hideaways well known for French cuisine and quiet honeymoons.   But here on the Dutch side, casinos and lively night life are the norm.

After a long day including three technical stops; the ground crew of Arrindell Aviation Services, www.arrindellaviation.net  is a welcome sight.  Henke is there to meet us with a very short ride in a gleaming white van over to the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.

At the Sonesta, we all enjoy a quick clean-up prior to falling into a chair at Cheri’s Café just across the road.  Cheri’s is “island chintzy” but is just what we’re looking for with smooth tropical drinks in a very casual island setting.  The local band preys upon the tourists who take a willing part in the evenings shenanigans.

If you are lucky enough to arrive before sunset, I recommend you watch the water, airplanes and the sunset from the Sunset Beach Bar.  Just a short walk from the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, the Sunset Beach Bar offers just the right elixir to rub off a full day of flying.  www.sunsetbeachbar.com

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Just as women stereotypically gather to coo over a new baby and men gather to look under the hood of a new or classic car, pilots and prop-heads alike gather to look at the features of and climb into the cockpit of any new aircraft. The aircraft garnering all of the attention today was, hands down, N777JQ, our Phenom 100 just arrived from Brazil literally minutes ago.

She performed like a dream, flying straight and true, burning fewer than 100 gallons of fuel per hour each hour of the long trip.  Her fuel consumption is less like jet performance and more like turbo-prop.  But, make no mistake, she is all jet.  Her sleek white fuselage is accented with hunter and beige swooshes making her look fast even just sitting on the ramp.  And inside?  Well, inside she’s luxury.  With four, club seats covered in soft, beige leather, mocha carpeting and walnut cabinetry and lavatory pocket-doors, the interior is comfortable, welcoming and remarkably spacious.

We are so thrilled to have this addition to our fleet.  If you would like to come take a tour some time, just give us a call.  We’d be glad to introduce you to our newest aircraft.

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Over the last seven years we have been reading about, watching and waiting for the next generation of efficient private jets to arrive.  Finally, they are here with a promise of more to follow.

There have been many starts and stops and failures along the way.  Names like Eclipse and Adam Aircraft showed great promise but could not deliver or passed out before crossing the finish line of the race.

Innovation comes at a high price in our business and is not for the faint hearted.  Billions of dollars have been invested in the industry and most of it has vanished.

Now to the Good News:

Two industry giants have made it across the finish line.  Cessna with their Mustang and Embraer with the Phenom 100.

The aircraft that is most impressive is the Phenom 100 manufactured by the Brazilian company Embraer, known for its rugged and efficient regional airliners.  It is fascinating to me that, possibly for the first time in our industry, a manufacturer of airliners made the decision to step into the private jet manufacturing business.  Airline manufacturers have to make aircraft that are reliable and efficient.  The airlines who buy their product to put into service have very little tolerance for failure when it comes to durability,  reliability and after market support.  Additionally, they demand an aircraft that is cost-efficient. Airlines live and die on the cost per seat mile and the manufacturers know they have to deliver or else. There is no brand loyalty. Its all about the money.

Take a company like Embraer who has prospered in the airliner environment and transfer the knowledge of design, production and after-market service  into the business jet world, and you get a business jet that looks like a private jet but is built like an airliner.  When I see this aircraft up close the first words that come to mind when comparing to other light jets are rugged, solid and  yes, even good looking.  You don’t have to compromise  an aircraft’s good looks for durability in our business.

The Phenom 100 and subsequent models to follow (Phenom 300) are  designed to last more than a lifetime of average use in the private jet industry.  Starting from a clean sheet of paper and utilizing the best design technology available to only the likes of Boeing and Airbus, the engineers in Brazil have designed an airframe that is sleek, fuel efficient and has safe flight characteristics, making it easy to fly (for those jet owners who fly themselves).  Additionally they listened to the market and employed BMW Design Works to work with them on the interior design of the cabin finishes and ergonomics.  And last but not least, they employed the latest technology available to give the pilot all the tools that a new generation airliner has in a simple and user-friendly presentation.

Be on the look out for the Phenom series of light jet aircraft – these guys are here to stay and they are innovating.  Their aircraft will be a major player in the innovation of our industry to make the private jet more affordable to more travelers.

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