jetAVIVA raises nearly $100,000 for the Experimental Aircraft Association

In total, jetAVIVA raised nearly $100,000 for the Experimental Aircraft Association this year and sponsored a week long celebration of fun and aviation at this years EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh. The jetAVIVA sponsored Gathering of Eagles after-party was a smashing success with some of aviation's greatest heroes in attendance.

See the photos from the event at jetaviva.com

jetAVIVA co-founder supports Angel Flight Network

Angel Flight is a charitable organization comprised of pilots who donate their time and airplanes to fly people in medical and financial need. My best friend and co-founder of jetAVIVA, Cyrus Sigari and I have been volunteers for Angel Flight for 15 years. I believe that the experience of helping these people in their times of need, through an expression of my passion for flight, has enriched my life even more than those passengers I've flown. Helping one's self by helping others is truly an uncompromising and limitless opportunity. We encourage all of our friends and clients to participate as Angel Flight pilots.

jetAVIVA Finds Opportunities in China

I just returned from Beijing, China, where I attended the annual China General Aviation Forum. This year is of particular importance for general aviation in China because the Chinese 12 ^th 5 year national plan, published this year, specifically lists general aviation infrastructure development as a strategic objective of the country.
Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority of China and the Chinese military have published a plan to make airspace below 3,000 meters (about 10,000 feet) available for VFR flying within the next five years. There appears to be genuine motivation on the part of the Chinese people and government to promote general aviation.


I had the opportunity to meet several aircraft manufacturer’s sales representatives, aircraft operators, and government officials. China is a very interesting place and it is very different from most of the countries that I’m used to visiting.

China is the world’s most populous country and is one of the oldest civilizations. In the 20^th century, the Chinese people have gone through incredible ups and downs; war with Japan, civil war, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, famine, terrorism, political upheaval, and now (over the last 20 years or so), a dramatic rise in wealth and power. I learned that this history brings with it an intricate culture, full of superstitions, and a manner of communication that even befuddles native Chinese speakers (in fact both what is said and how it is said have very little relevance to the message that’s actually being passed). This will prove to be a challenge for aviation companies from “developed” countries that try to do business in China.

There are presently just over 2,000 private pilots in China, despite the large number of wealthy Chinese that love expensive toys. If it weren’t for government restrictions on airspace, I would expect there to be at least 100,000 private pilots, if not more. With the lifting of airspace restrictions planned over the next five years, I expect demand for flight schools, FBOs, maintenance facilities, aircraft manufacturers, airports, and the other aviation infrastructure that we enjoy in the developed world to ramp up.

Many of the attendees to China General Aviation Forum were economic development representatives of various municipalities in China, all trying to create the “Wichita of China”. They are offering subsidies, tax incentives, land, and direct investment to people who wish to bring aviation experience and capabilities to their cities. As a result I enjoyed some fabulous aviation themed parties...

China recently purchased Cirrus Design and I’m sure that there will be more transactions like that soon. Embraer has been building some ERJs in China in partnership with a Chinese company for years, and it was recently announced that that facility would begin to build business jets as well. Also, the first Chinese-built Airbus recently made its first flight. An indigenous design called the COMAC C919, which will compete head-to-head with the next generation Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families, is slated for entry-into-service in 2016.

In addition to learning about general aviation in China, I also had a day or so to see the tourist sites including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.

I’m looking forward to the day that we get to deliver the first Phenom to a Chinese customer. Having recently completed our fifth delivery of a Phenom 100 to India, I’m sure demand from the Chinese is just around the corner.

- Ben Marcus

jetAVIVA Clients Fly with Capt. Sully Sullenberger

jetAVIVA and the Experimental Aircraft Association put on a once-in-a-life-time opportunity for a few lucky clients at Van Nuys Airport. Guests got the opportunity to fly a B-17 Bomber accompanied by Capt. Sully Sullenberger, Experimental Aircraft Association President Rod Hightower, and jetAVIVA President Cyrus Sigari. Too much fun!

Phenom 300: Severe Weather Arrival

Ben shot this video with his iPhone during an evening descent into Charleston, SC while flying with a Phenom 300 owner/pilot. There were storms building around them including a large cell out of frame on the left side of the aircraft. The crew used XM Nexrad, XM Lightning, on-board weather radar, and Stormscope to safely avoid the severe weather and enjoyed a smooth ride through the build ups and into Charleston International Airport.

Good joojoo

Nothing like good news at trade-shows to pump up the market. The heavy metal producers are looking at an encouraging future for business aviation... here's a synopsis from a report put out by Bombardier.

Bombardier: 24,000 Bizjets over Next 20 Years
A 20-year business aircraft market forecast released by Bombardier at EBACE yesterday predicts a return to sustained growth. According to the report, some 24,000 business jets, not including very light jets, worth approximately $626 billion will be delivered from 2011 to 2030. In the first half of the forecast period, 10,000 deliveries worth $260 billion are anticipated, and 14,000 deliveries worth $366 billion are expected from 2021 to 2030. “The business aircraft industry’s improving book-to-bill ratio is a positive signal that the market has turned the corner and is gaining momentum,” Bombardier said. “While industry deliveries are not expected to improve significantly in 2011, key indicators are showing an upward trend, and it is expected that business aircraft deliveries will continue to grow in 2012.” Thanks to a widening customer base for business aircraft, especially in high-growth economies, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer foresees that North America, Europe and China will be the three most active markets and will generate the most revenues over the next 20 years.

HondaJet Update

Interesting news from our friends at Honda regarding the HondaJet progress. Exciting stuff. With Certification likely at the end of 2012, early 2013, it's likely that Honda will time their arrival perfectly with a rebounded light jet segment.

FAA-Conforming HondaJet Reaches Maximum Operating Altitude Of 43,000 Ft

Production Of The Aircraft Expected To Begin Next Year

Honda Aircraft Company announced Monday at EBACE that it has successfully completed additional milestone flight tests with its FAA-conforming HondaJet, including the achievement of a maximum operating altitude of 43,000 ft. This accomplishment follows soon after Honda's advanced light business jet recorded a maximum speed of 425KTAS during flight testing at the company's Greensboro, NC, world headquarters facility.

The 43,000 ft. mark - reached on April 27 - confirms the company's maximum-operating-altitude performance commitment to customers for the FAA-conforming HondaJet. In addition, the aircraft has achieved a climb rate of 3,990 ft./min., confirming another important performance parameter for the delivery aircraft.

"We are very encouraged by the achievement of these important performance milestones at this early phase of the HondaJet flight test program," said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company President & CEO. "Our flight test data indicate that the aircraft is performing as expected, and our team continues to work hard to realize additional performance milestones as we move forward."

The first FAA-conforming HondaJet (F1), which first flew on December 20, 2010, will soon be joined by additional conforming aircraft to supplement the company's certification efforts. A second conforming aircraft (ST1) already has been completed and undergone extensive structural testing under various load conditions to ensure conformity with all certification requirements. Furthermore, Power-On testing has been completed successfully on a third conforming aircraft (F2) that will be used for flight testing. Honda is nearing completion of function testing on this aircraft, which is scheduled to join the flight test program this summer.

A fourth conforming aircraft (F3), to be used for additional flight testing, has progressed through the major assemblies consolidation phase and is now in the early stages of systems installation. A fifth conforming aircraft (ST2) also is planned to be completed in early 2012 to support additional stress and extensive fatigue testing. Concurrent with the assembly of conforming aircraft, Honda continues to conduct numerous component qualification tests for each aircraft system to support the certification program.

"In order to maximize the effectiveness of our flight test program and to support an accelerated certification process, we will add a sixth conforming aircraft (F4) to our certification fleet," said Fujino. "This test aircraft will take flight in spring 2012 and will support cabin systems testing, as well as functions and reliability testing. With a total of six aircraft planned to support the certification process, we believe we will have optimal resources to meet both our flight test program needs and our certification schedule.

As Honda progresses through the certification program, the company is focused simultaneously on the process of equipping and manning its new HondaJet production facility, which was recently completed on the company's Greensboro campus. Pre-production planning and preparations are in progress as equipment and personnel begin to move into the facility. Training of production staff will soon be underway to support the HondaJet production ramp-up beginning in 2012.

The 263,400 sq. ft. HondaJet production facility integrates under one roof all aspects of assembly, painting, completion, inspection and flight testing of delivery aircraft. This unique approach to production will provide Honda with a distinct advantage within the industry by allowing the company to create the highest quality aircraft possible within a totally integrated assembly and testing environment.

FMI: www.hondajet.com

New Embraer Phenom delivery video is in the works!

Check out our latest reel of footage for the delivery of a brand new Embraer Phenom 100 from the factory in Brazil making its way to its new owner in India!

We will update the blog when the delivery is complete with the final video.

Enjoy ~


http://www.vimeo.com/23826916

Phenom Jet Association Conference - March 24-28, 2011 - San Antonio, TX

We had a PHENOMENAL time at the Phenom Jet Association Conference in San Antonio, TX! We conducted our Companion Training Course with the wives and companions of several Phenom 100 & Phenom 300 owners who were in attendance. Our companion training course consisted of a two day ground school and in-flight simulated emergency landing. The ground school and in-flight simulated landing were administered by Ben Marcus and several of his associate flight instructors with all participants. All of the participants enrolled in the Companion Training Course enthusiastically studied very hard and were able to land all aircraft safely in the presence of their instructors. Quite the accomplishment!

In addition, we spent most of our time at the conference looking over the many vendor exhibits and sitting in on information sessions presented by Embraer, Pratt and Whitney, Radar Training International, Air Journey, and CAE SimuFlite to name a few!

Below you will find a few photos of some of the Companion Course participants after their successful landings with their instructors:

Citation Jet Pilots Owner Pilot Association - First Regional Event - Houston, TX

It was such a pleasure to see everyone at the Citation Jet Pilots Owner Pilot Associations first regional event in Houston, TX at KEFD, March 11-13, 2011. The event was coordinated by Cyrus Sigari, CJP Regional Event Coordinator and jetAVIVA President. Cyrus also served as the Master of Ceremonies for the entire weekend. This event is the first of many regional events to come and was a huge success as it sold out with over 65 guests in attendance!

Touching down at KEFD and seeing the rows upon rows of Citation Jets owned by CJP members was a spectacular view! For those of you who don't know, KEFD was established by the Army Air Service on May 21, 1917, and was originally created as a training facility. Ellington Field is currently used by the military, NASA, commercial and general aviation sectors. The airport is one of the few airfields built for World War I training purposes still in operation today.

The first regional event at the historic Ellington Field was planned by jetAVIVA and was hosted by Citation Jet Pilots Owner Pilot Association founding member and CJ3 owner, Stuart Fred. Stuart opened up his expansive private hangar to every attending member and their guests for the entire weekend. Not only did he graciously host the entire weekend, he was also able to arrange a keynote presentation with NASA's Shuttle Commander, Charlie Precourt, a Safety Stand-down seminar with NASA's Safety Officer Solunac "Solo" Nebojsa, as well as private tours of the neighboring NASA facility and of the old war birds in Fighter Hangar One. Stuart and Charlie Precourt flew several attendees in Stuart's very own L-39 throughout the weekend as well!

The weekend was action packed but we still managed to settle in and enjoy our Texas Round-Up like the true cowboys we are. We indulged in Texan cuisine with a cigar and moonshine (Patron Spirits) to boot! Friday kicked off our Texas Round-up with a BBQ dinner with all the fixings sponsored by PNC Aviation Finance. Saturday afternoon our Tex-Mex lunch was sponsored by jetAVIVA and our cocktail Prime Rib dinner was sponsored by CAE SimuFlite. On Sunday, our final morning in Houston was spent at the Universal Weather & Aviation headquarters where we enjoyed a hosted breakfast and tour of their operations facility before blasting off!

Phenom Makeover!

What a difference a few liters of paint make!

Before

After

One of our inspired and creative clients has added some paint to his Phenom 100, creating a truly stunning result. Isn't this beautiful?

Landing Sedona, AZ

Sedona is a great destination to really remind us why we love to fly. The airport can be a bit tricky with high temperatures and funky winds. The runway 21/3 has a 2% grade which at 5000 ft doesn't make planning any easier. With calm winds or light tailwind landing 3 is the best and take off 21. They have a nice LNAV+V RNAV approach into 3 which really helps to get stabilized on final. Regardless of the day this airport is very rewarding, with a great fuel price if you land before 2 pm on a Saturday. Make sure you run the numbers very closely and then fly them just as close.

jetAVIVA Phenom Inventory Update!

2009 EMBRAER PHENOM 100 SN: 50000082 140 hours total time EEC Enhanced and ESP Gold Lite TCAS, Jepp Chart View, Premium Passenger Door, Embraer "Corporate Demo" Paint Scheme » More info   2009 EMBRAER PHENOM 100 SN: 50000091 18 hours total time Delivery Hours Only, 2 Pilot Training Slots Included Lavatory Rigid Door, Inflight Entertainment System, Premium Passenger Door » More info   2010 EMBRAER PHENOM 100 SN: 50000137 159 hours total time EEC Enhanced and ESP Gold TCAS, Jepp Chart View, Lavatory Rigid Door, Premium Passenger Door » More info   2010 EMBRAER PHENOM 100 SN: 50000150 115 hours total time EEC Enhanced and ESP Gold TCAS, Jepp Chart View, Lavatory Rigid Door, Tourmaline Interior » More info   Call +1.310.907.5099 or email at contact@jetAVIVA.com. About jetAVIVA jetAVIVA is an authority on light jets, offering acquisition and sales services, backed with the experience of completing over 200 light jet transactions, as well as providing acceptance and training services in all production light jets. jetAVIVA is focused on providing Clients with comprehensive services to choose the right jet and operate it with maximum efficiency and safety. For More information, please visit www.jetAVIVA.com or call +1.310.907.5099.

Lessons Learned: What Boeing 747-400 Type Rating Training Can Teach a Single-Pilot Jet Operator

“Boeing Five-oh-One Heavy, Kennedy Tower, Fly the Breezy Point Climb, Runway Three One Left, cleared for takeoff”. I push the four throttles up, press the autothrottle Takeoff/Go-Around (TOGA) button, the engines spool up, and the lumbering Boeing 747-400 begins accelerating down the 14,500 foot runway in New York. My first officer calls “80 knots”, “V1”, “Rotate”, and I begin to gently ease the 870,000 pound jumbo jet into the air. A childhood dream realized – To fly a 747. Well, sort of…

It sure felt real, but I was in a Level D simulator at Boeing’s Training Center in Renton, Washington, just outside Seattle. My training partner, Edwin Sahakian, a Cessna Citation Mustang owner-pilot who is a friend and client of mine, had wanted to train for a Boeing 747-400 type rating for quite some time. I was honored when he asked me to join him. It turns out that I’m not the only crazy pilot out there who has dreamt of flying a 747. We were able to find a couple of open weeks in our calendars that matched up and we scheduled the course.

After countless hours of studying the manuals, going through a web-based training course, and reading anything that we could get our hands on, we showed up at Boeing to start ground school. I now have just shy of 4,000 hours of flying time and I was one of the least experienced students in the gargantuan building. The biggest airplane that my training partner was type rated in was his Citation Mustang, which has a Maximum Ramp Weight of precisely 1% of that of the big Boeing. This was going to be quite a nut to crack for the two of us. Luckily, we had some of the best instructors in the world, including Mike Miller, who has 22 years of experience as an instructor at Boeing as well as previous military flying career, and Dominick Ruscitti, who was a Line Check Airman at United Airlines on the Boeing 747-400, among other types.

I may never fly a real 747, but in the course of my work helping people buying, selling, and learning to fly jets, I do fly single-pilot jets frequently, so as we went through the course, I took mental note of lessons that I was learning which could be applied to my regular flying. Here are some of the specific techniques and procedures that I intend to incorporate into my flying practices:

Checklist Execution

As we go through our flight training and flying careers, we all learn how important checklists are, but are we really using checklists in the most effective way? At most airlines, critical checklists like before takeoff and before landing are done by the “Challenge and Response” method. This means that one pilot reads a “Challenge”, or item to be checked, and the other pilot verifies that the item has been completed and says a “Response”.

Flying single-pilot, we don’t have the luxury of a second pilot, so we have to figure out a way to gain the same benefit working alone. Reading the checklist aloud is a good first step, but physically touching critical flight controls prior to reading the appropriate responses can force the brain to think in a way beyond just language and may help catch items not-yet-accomplished, similarly to what a copilot might do. For example, on the before landing checklist, if a challenge reads “Landing Gear”, touching the landing gear selector and pointing to the three green indication before saying the response “Down, 3 green”, will likely improve the chances of the item actually being checked.

Dealing with In-Flight Emergencies

When an abnormality is encountered in a two-pilot operation, the pilot flying usually takes over air traffic control communication, allowing the other pilot to focus on reading and accomplishing the appropriate abnormal or emergency checklist. In a single-pilot operation, we must use the autopilot effectively as our “pilot flying”, as we deal with the problem. In addition to engaging the autopilot initially, it is important to check the flight mode annunciator, attitude, airspeed, altitude, and direction of the airplane every few seconds. We must remember to always fly the airplane first.

I also learned the importance of going slowly to make sure that the correct checklist for the emergency is selected and flipped to after appropriate memory items are completed. Most Quick Reference Handbooks (QRHs) are bulky and complicated, so it can take some time to identify the correct checklist. These checklists should then be followed precisely, without the pilot second-guessing or trying to out-think the checklist.

It is also important to act quickly and land the airplane when the continued safety of the flight is in question. If completion of the appropriate checklist has not restored the safety of the aircraft, an immediate landing at the nearest suitable airport is critical to survival. We’ve all heard the adage “I’d rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air than be in the air wishing I was on the ground”. On the ground is the right place to investigate complicated problems, not in flight.

Rejected Takeoff and Emergency Landing

When rejecting a takeoff at a busy airport, after control of the aircraft is assured, a call on the radio should be initiated without delay. The radio call should include not only the fact that you aborted your takeoff, but also the runway that you aborted on and your present location on the runway. The control tower may know what runway you’re on, but the aircraft on final may not, and your call might help that pilot decide if he or she should immediately initiate a go-around. Especially at night or in poor visibility conditions, this action could be critical to your survival.

Also, whether rejecting a takeoff or making an emergency landing, if there is any possibility that you may need emergency vehicles to come to the aircraft, do not exit the runway. It is much easier for emergency vehicles to reach an aircraft on a wide runway than on a narrow taxiway.

I also learned the importance of practicing emergency evacuation procedures. If it has been a while since you practiced opening your emergency exit, donning your life vest, unlatching the fire extinguisher, and grabbing your flashlight, perhaps doing so before your next preflight might be a good idea.

One last very important lesson learned: If you’re going to learn to fly a Boeing, do it with a good pilot and friend, like my friend Edwin.

The course was a great learning experience and great fun, and in the end, both Edwin and I walked away with five new characters on our pilot certificates “B-747-4”; the Boeing 747-400 type rating.

I’m in love with the Phenom 300.

On December 31, 2010 at about 8:00 AM, we departed Ft. Lauderdale for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After stopping in Bangor, Maine, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, France (which is a group of small islands near Newfoundland, Canada), we arrived for a night halt in Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal at 11:45 PM local, 15 minutes before they rang in the New Year on these islands about 700 miles west of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. Over the next 10 days, we delivered the airplane to Saudi Arabia and made training flights to Morocco, Malta, Greece, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Dubai.

I can now really attest to the amazing capabilities of this very sexy jet. The world is very small at 450 knots. For example, Casablanca, Morocco to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is 2,880 nautical miles straight line, but with routings around relatively unfriendly airspace (like Libya and Israel), this quickly becomes a 3,100+ nautical mile flight. With only one stop, we made this trip in a total of eight hours (including refueling time), and it was very easy and comfortable.

The airplane climbs directly to FL450 with ease. Cruising at that altitude, you really can see the curvature of the Earth. Well above the all of the weather and in smooth air with a cabin altitude of only 6,600 feet, the flight is very comfortable. All of the amenities (useable lavatory, sink, cold drink drawer, hot water, etc.) make the passengers and crew very happy.

The airplane I flew was very well equipped. Some of the more important options for this kind of international flying include HF with SELCAL and Satphone. These "big airplane toys" options are very nicely integrated into the Phenom cockpit and make communication with air traffic control, handlers, etc. a breeze. I also got to make some calls back home to my fiance from 45,000 feet over the middle east, which means I can probably still marry her even though I was having all this fun without her.

It was a great adventure.

-Ben

Bart International features jetAVIVA's recent sale of Embraer Phenom 100 to Australia

Check out this link to Bart International's feature from their Fast Track section in the October / November 2010 issue regarding our recent sale and delivery of Australia's first Embraer Phenom 100! ~

http://www.bartintl.com/content/jetaviva-sells-delivers-1st-embraer-phenom-100-australia

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First Phenom 100 Delivery to India ~

November 21, 2010 marked our first Embraer Phenom 100 delivery to India. The jet was delivered to a premiere Jet Charter company, Invision Air. This was the first Phenom 100 delivered to India and we were so excited to be a part of it. In the early morning hours we embarked on this week-long journey; taking this bird from Brazil to Guyana, Guyana to the Dominican Republic, from the Dominican Republic to the United States, the United States to Canada, Canada to Greenland, Greenland to Iceland, Iceland to the U.K., the U.K. to Belgium, Belgium to Italy, Italy to Greece, Greece to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia to Oman and finally, Oman to India.

Marcio Lucchese, our Manager of Embraer Phenom Delivery & Acceptance flew the first legs of the journey from its birthplace at the Embraer factory in Brazil to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. On-board the aircraft, Lucchese was accompanied by Capt. Ashish Katyal, a pilot for Invision Air, and Capt. Eloy Bayer, a pilot for Embraer. Once the aircraft reached Ft. Lauderdale, our own Ben Marcus, alongside Capt. Ashish Katyal, and Capt. Eloy Bayer, flew the aircraft for delivery to India. Not only did we get to see the world from 40,000 feet - while in-flight we were able to capture the vast landscapes beneath us, that we can now share with you. We have uploaded all the images we were able to take as we soared across the globe in this mission capable aircraft that has far exceeded our clients’ expectations.

In addition to this first Phenom 100 delivery to India, as I type, we have two additional Phenom 100s making their way to India. One is joining its sister aircraft at Invision Air, while the other is destined for a private operator. Every day holds the promise of a new venture and a new journey. We have been very blessed this year and are setting our sights higher as we continue to grow and make connections around the world.