Avantair thriving in this economic downturn...

[cherry20's]

Just fine. In fact, the exhaust is why we don't have to have a system to heat them. They stay nice and toasty warm.

I was gonna ask one of you guys about that. Got to thinking about it the other day when we were taxing behind a Piaggio... Thanks for answering that one for me. I thought it wouldn't need heated props with the exhaust blowing directly on them.

 

[fob727]

pa announcement

No, it's flight hour...so it's quite reasonable.

Sell a few credit cards with PA announcements. You never know!

 

[Bringupthebird]

I was gonna ask one of you guys about that. Got to thinking about it the other day when we were taxing behind a Piaggio... Thanks for answering that one for me. I thought it wouldn't need heated props with the exhaust blowing directly on them.

True, but they must be made of a material unique to Avanti props, as most are not designed to be blasted with hot corrosive exhaust 100% of the time.

Also, I remember in the early years of the Avanti, they had to be flown back to the factory for a major inspection periodically (almost like the Robinson helicopters which were put back on the assembly line and rebuilt at airframe overhaul time). Are they still doing that?

It's a slick looking airplane. One of the few I'd buy for myself if I could afford one.

 

[glasspilot]

We don't fly them back to Italy for inspections. We schedule them for D checks like any other aircraft. As far as the exhaust on the props. I don't think it's a problem. There is, I believe, a heavy paint on the props for this reason to protect the metal. There are limitations in the POH about static runup time limits for this reason but it mostly applies to Mx guys doing static runups. It isn't a factor on the line.

One nice benefit of heating props with exhaust is that the prop is always warm so ice never forms so ice is never thrown off causing little "bangs" on the fuselage. You'll notice we do not have any reinforcing on the fuselage on the plane line of the props like most other prop planes that are certified for ice.

 

[HazMat]

No special checks just the normal A, B, C and D checks. They occur every 150 hours and it depends on the time on the aircraft which one is performed. As far as I know the material is no different but they are painted with an anti corressive coating.

In terms of anti ice there is no better. its not even a thought when you get into icing conditions. nothing builds on the airplane it is unreal

 

[brokeflyer]

You'll notice we do not have any reinforcing on the fuselage on the plane line of the props like most other prop planes that are certified for ice.

thats cool.....i remember the king air i used to fly like 100 years ago....every few minutes "BANG"...the pax would come up and ask if everything was ok.

 

[avantairowner]

I am an owner at Avantair and feel compelled to post after reading the posts by netjet owner. Our Company was an owner at Netjets for just over three years they provided excellent service and did a great job of servicing my company and family. I sold my share and took a massive loss to join Avantair after speaking to many very happy Owners. My experience has been far better than expected. The service is equal if not better. I think because they are smaller it is a little more personal. The aircraft is incredible. A much larger cabin size than the 400 in fact pretty close to the 800 and XLS. I primarilly fly from Teterboro or Caldwell to Palm Beach, Florida. I have not noticed any significant difference in terms of time on that flight. Maybe 10 minutes or so. The savings though is large. I am saving about 50% on all of my flights. I believe the fact that the Piaggio is so efficient is the reason for the savings. I find the pilots to be excellent. They love working there. The service is great so I am unsure of what in particular NetJet Owner is talking about on that. I to took a hard look before purchasing I even spoke directly to Avantair's CEO. I took a close look at their financials and concluded that they are in great position to capitalize on the market for a long time. Plus, I believe in improving financials when I look at a company. That is what you see when you look at Avantair. It is clear the worst is behind them and they are on their way to great success. I couldn't be happier. Thank you Avantair for what you do I am so impressed. I also want to say the Pilots are great and my wife and kids love it. I am just about to add an axis membership so that about says it all.

 

[BoilerUP]

No special checks just the normal A, B, C and D checks. They occur every 150 hours and it depends on the time on the aircraft which one is performed.

With 150hr inspection intervals, how often are the planes in the shop with your normal ops tempo? That's not a long period at all...

 

[brokeflyer]

I think I seen we're getting about 10 planes this year ('09).

That's quite a bit off the mark but it's nice that planes ARE being delivered.

 

[BoilerUP]

I think I seen we're getting about 10 planes this year ('09).

That's quite a bit off the mark but it's nice that planes ARE being delivered.

How many planes is NJA divesting?

Not being argumentative, just curious.

 

[brokeflyer]

i dont know, but the paperwork shows a gain of 10. My guess is 7 leaving and 14 delivered.

 

[glasspilot]

I'm no math wizard, but...

nevermind.

 

[brokeflyer]

yes i see that i meant to type that the TOTAL will be 10 planes.

and it's 10 JETS....that lack heated props though.....

lol

 

[fischman]

Props are for boats.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

 

[NJAowner]

Avantair

Avantairowner -- I am glad you are happy. Like I have said, I do have a need for this type of aircraft, but for me (in my opinion), the company is not where I woudl like it to be to put my family on it. We all have different risk levels. I also refuse to fly on any NJA selloffs and remain in fleet. Yes -- maybe I am too conservative on this issue. I have many friends who own their own jets and decline invitations to fly with them unless I am satisfied (in my opinion) with the safety level of their operation. I take many, any venture risks with investments (and have avery high risk tolerance) but there I am only risking $$. Also, in my opinion, flying risk has a negative outcome of a high magnitude -- i.e., the risk is not linear. If I take on a little more risk the outcome is not that I lose only a hand. It is an all or nothing proposition. That being said, at this point in time and in my opinion, I am not ready to fly Avantair. I hope someday Avantair gets to the place where I am comfortable, and I would siogn up for atleast a 75 hrs share in an hour.

 

[avantairowner]

Netjetowner I find Avantair to be extremely safe. They train to the same standards and the Pilots are excellent. You may feel more comfortable with the safety at NetJets but I don't feel I am missing anything in terms of safety. The aircraft itself has an incredible safety record. I only speak as a satisfied customer who in all fairness has belonged to both programs. You have not. I can tell you I bought after many of my friends and business associates kept telling me how great it was. They also formally owned at another fractional. I think you are being unfair commenting on Avantair when you have no experience with the company.

 

[NJAowner]

Avantairowner -- I said many times in my post, "in my opinion". I probably spent 40-50 hours of due diligence regrading Avantair prior to making my decision (and reading posts on flightinfo.com does not constitute "due diligence"!!).

Fly safe.

 

[avantairowner]

Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion. It is always tough to switch when you are comfortable with what you have. That was my issue too. I couldn't be more comfortable now. It was hard not to consider it when you consider the cost. I speak as an owner now having flown almost 30 hours. Safety being number one and cost and comfort number two. It has been a terrific decision. I am not trying to sway you I am just giving my experience from my point of view. You can do all the diligence you want but being a user of the service is the best source that I know of. Now I find it hard to justify what I was paying for the same service not long ago. I think if you are a coast to coast or international flyer you can't touch Netjets but for domestic flights in the 1200 mile range or less Avantair has it. I am just about to head up to NY feeling truly lucky to be ably to travel privately.

You fly safe as well.

 

[brokeflyer]

I got $10 on NJAOwner......

 

[NJA bound]

After seeing a piagio captain for the prop fractional get pretty flustered because the company wouldn't get him his crewfood in Martha's Vineyard, I'm just not sure I would feel too safe flying with a hungry pilot.

I'm sure that captain was more civil as he was dropping the pax off, but I don't think his mind would've been 100% on flying without eating a proper meal, I sincerely hope they got that problem fixed.