[bradb1us]

I fly almost weekly, either on my plane or charter through a variety of different services.

I just flew back from Vegas via Jet Suite today. Great company to do business with (so far) and easily the most cost effective Las Vegas connections from anywhere on the western side of the USA.

 

[bradb1us]

brad, is there any room in the phenoms? they seem so.. tiny. are you travelling alone? it would seem crowded with the 4 cabin seats taken.

It's not as bad as you would think. The plane is made for short flights anyways so four adults is no big deal.

The seats hardly recline at all but other than that it is pretty capable of four + pilots.

 

[bradb1us]

What does it cost to fly private? Obviously that's a pretty generic question b/c I know the bigger the plane and the longer the trip cost more but ballpark me if you can

Anywhere from $2,000/hr in a Citation V (or equivalent) to $10,000+ per hour on a Gulfstream.

Those are charter/lease rates. Actual "cost" if you were to own the plane is significantly less than that per hour, but then you have a couple pilots, hangar, insurance, etc. to deal with.

For example, our Citation Bravo is actually closer to $1,200 per hour in Direct Operating Costs (fuel, engine programs, etc.). I've read that owning vs chartering starts to make sense around the 200/hr per year mark, although I've never done the math.

 

[bradb1us]

Agreed. That's typically the 'rule of thumb' but it can vary from machine to machine. Charter operators will give you numbers that support chartering 100% of time, and aircraft brokers will give you the same numbers to support buying a machine yourself.

We fly private "semi regularly", however there are times where it just doesn't make economical sense, which we'll then go commercial. My Father flies private most always. You'd sooner meet God himself than find him standing in line waiting for a gate rape from the TSA. He'll go commercial over the pond.

There is nothing in the world that truly justifies the cost. However the quality of life is incomparable. It's truly an earned privilege.

I'm that exact same way. I have a couple million frequent flier miles with United that I try to use whenever I fly internationally.

First class to China is like flying in a small bed with 200 channels, catering, and personal concierge service. I'd probably never spend the coin required to charter a G to China because of how pleasant those first class cabins are. At a certain point, there is a diminishing return on private flying.

 

[bradb1us]

I fly for free anywhere the private jets are flying if they have room, just for the adventure.

Wait, what? You fly "the private jets" if they have room??

 

[bradb1us]

I work at a local airport, and sometimes if they aren't carrying anybody, I ask if I can tag along and fly right seat. King Airs, beechjets, and a cessna citation cj3 to name a few. Almost got a ride on Pepsi's Global Express 5000

Wow--I'm surprised anybody would let you do that. Most private jet owners are fairly particular with who they allow on their planes (I know I am!).

If they let you--more power to ya! Pepsi's Global looks sick.

 

[bradb1us]

So is it Pepsi's plane or is it the CEO's personal plane?

 

[bradb1us]

Marquis is incredibly overpriced. You could save 50% with a halfway descent charter broker.

Agreed.

I looked at Marquis originally and thought "who would go with these guys"?

 

[bradb1us]

Got to check out the fantastic 2010 Challenger 300 today! Got to sit in the cockpit as well. Very cool.

YouTube - Challenger 300

The 300 was amongst my favorite planes at NBAA last year.

 

[bradb1us]

for those of you who fly private... what makes you choose private over commercial?

Ease of travel and convenience. I took a Hawker 800XP and hit five cities in Texas in one day. That trip would've taken me 3-4 days if I had flown commercially--instead I was back in my own bed that same night.

Also, my Mom has stage 4 cancer and can't fly commercially, so she and my Dad fly privately to maximize their time together and avoid sitting on a plane full of sick people (illnesses that could potentially end her life).

 

[bradb1us]

I fly private alone on a regular basis and the last thing I would describe it as is lonely. I guess everyone's personality is different, but the last thing I'm concerned with when flying is if I will be lonely or not.

Absolutely. I quite enjoy flying by myself or with just one other person.

It's also fun to take some friends as well, however. Here at the 2012 US Open in SFO: