OurPlane - Fractional Eclipse Jets

[johnsonrod]

OurPLANE - Fractional Eclipse Jets

There has been a lot of talk recently about Dayjet and its interesting model. I just stumbled upon this news release (see OurPLANE's website) for a fractional company primarily offering GA aircraft (new Cirrus SR22s and G1000-equipped C182s) to GA pilots in multiple locations throughout the US and Canada. However, it looks like they will also be offering Eclipse jets through a fractional program for "small to medium" sized businesses and non-pilots throughout its 15 North American locations - it appears to be a Canadian company or at least founded in Canada.

Evidently, this company has been quite successful on the GA side with strong growth in owners. Anyone know much about this company or the opportunity to fly Eclipse jets on the fractional side? When would they start hiring and where would the pilot bases be located?

Again, I've heard the debate about low-time pilots flying the Eclipse and the inherent danger of low-time/non-experienced pilots flying the aircraft - not interested in that debate here. Just curious about hiring for non-pilot owners who want access to the aircraft.

See the news release below:

OurPLANE will offer the Eclipse 500 VLJ to both GA pilots (who qualify to fly the E500 themselves) and small--medium size businesses (non-pilots) throughout OurPLANE’s 15 locations across North America in OurPLANE’s “Executive Program”. Customers can buy a fractional share on a brand new, fully loaded Eclipse E500 for a fraction of the whole aircraft ownership costs. “This is unprecedented and marks an entire new era”, says Graham Casson, OurPLANE founder and CEO, “now virtually every person who travels—pilot, business owner or otherwise—can afford their own private, personal jet thanks to Eclipse and OurPLANE.” Casson says “shares start at $349,900, with fixed costs of $3500 and hourly operating costs of $369 making an Eclipse jet affordable for everybody”.
OurPLANE currently operates 22 new Cessna and Cirrus aircraft in both Canada and the United States. OurPLANE claims that share owners get up to 95% availability with a fractionally shared aircraft, and proves it with average daily flying time of a meager 1.6 hrs/day. “There is a misperception that one gives up flexibility and availability in buying an fractional aircraft. Clearly our historical data unquestionably proves that is not true”.
“Eclipse is making history and as the leading VLJ and OurPLANE is confident that they will meet our customers needs like no other company or product currently available. I applaud Vern Raburn and his entire team”.
OurPLANE is the pioneer and leader in fractional aircraft ownership for general aviation Pilots and currently has twenty (22) new aircraft in operation at fifteen (15) different locations across North America. OurPLANE recently announced the purchase of 10 new Cirrus SR22 G2 aircraft for delivery in the next 2 years, an order worth almost $4 million US. The company features factory new Cessna 182 Skylane, Cirrus SR20 & SR22, and the Raytheon Bonanza A36, King Air C90B and Eclipse Personal Jet aircraft. To learn more about OurPLANE, visit www.ourplane.com or call 1-877-RPLANE-1 …. (1-877-775-2631).

 

[Going2Baja]

Just what the world needs..........Errrrrrrrrrrgggggggg!!

Baja.

 

[On Your Six]

Does not surprise me. However, it will be interesting to see how this differs from a standard fractional model. Obviously there are big, big differences with regard to capabilities for the Eclipse vs. standard frax aircraft.

There are many questions. These jets can't fly very far with more than 2 pax and bags - plus they would be uncomfortable after a few hours. Will they be flown by one or two pilots? That will impact performance and weight (baggage). How many aircraft would you need in a specific region to support multiple owners (coverage)?

You would need a market full of small-to-midsized businesses to generate enough interest to warrant a fleet of 10+ aircraft. So, the Northeast and West Coast might be good candidates initially. Again, this sounds like it might be a good deal for quick day trips from the NYC area to BED or BDL or from SMO to OAK or LAS (depending upon the weather and congestion). The concept sounds interesting - but careful and methodical implementation will be the key... It will be interesting to read more about their plans and the eventual roll-out (first "test" region, etc.).

 

[Turkey Shoot]

These new Eclipse Jets give whole new meaning to the term, "Doctor Killer."

 

[Fozzy]

I give them 18 months.

 

[gunfyter]

Fozzy,

Our plane has been in business a while. I was hoping to get a share but my retro check was a lot smaller than my calculations said it should be.

 

[Fozzy]

Not following you.
All I am saying is my gut says this company won't go the distance. I also believe that the VLG's will not live up to all the hype. But hey, I am just the monkey in the cockpit.

 

[gunfyter]

What I am saying is Our Plane is a fractional that has been in business for some time.

You buy a share and fly the plane yourself. A fraction of a VLJ is CHEAPER than owning your own USED 310... which many people do.

Why would it not wrk with VLJ's ... its working with other planes?

 

[On Your Six]

It would probably be rolled out on a regional basis first - perhaps the Northeast where there are tons of small-medium sized businesses. Gunfyter is correct in that this company has been operating for awhile and it is already successful - although the logistical challenges of offering fractional pieces of a C182 would be different than offering fractional pieces of an Eclipse. No doubt about that. The fractional market for actual owner-flown Eclipses would be very small while the non-owner flown market would be huge - there are a lot of small businesses with non-pilot owners out there... OurPlane aims to serve non-pilot owners too beyond its traditional owner-flown business.

Keep in mind that the demographic target market is very different when compared to Netjets/Flex/FLOPS/CS. These Eclipses are not luxurious whatsoever - they are transport tools and ideal for 200-500 mile trips carrying 1-2 passengers and limited bags. You will not find the wealthy NYC socialites on these airplanes. Instead you will find middle-managers or CEOs of very small companies who need to meet clients/investors for a same-day trip. Very different target market - like Dayjet it is targeting business travellers looking for more convenient lift.

If it is rolled out on a regional basis (test markets first), it might end up doing pretty well. Dealing with the hassels of TSA and flying on the airlines has become incredibly taxing on business people - especially those who take day trips. Also remember that there are far more small-midsized companies out there than huge multinationals that can afford their own jet fleets. A fraction of an Eclipse jet won't be that expensive - and it is tax deductible (it is an asset that depreciates and can be written off just like regular fractional aircraft). It's too early to tell how well this will do, but I am sure they will start on a regional rollout to test it first...

 

[gunfyter]

Cheaper than a Marquis card. HPN to PHL no bags... one pax. I don't want to tell you how many times I have done that trip....