A Special Advertising Section
The Enlightened
Personal Traveler
MAKING TRAVEL A PLEASURE
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Written and Produced by Mark Patiky
our years ago, retired executive Mort Handel and his wife left for what they
thought would be a pleasant tropical getaway. Six connecting flights, five
security checkpoint delays and two luggage mishaps later, an exasperated
Handel wondered how going on vacation could possibly require so much work.
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The Enlightened Personal Traveler
T
hese days, Handel travels almost exclusively aboard his MAKING THE MOST OF TIME
Avantair Piaggio Avanti and enjoys every minute. “You In today’s fast-paced world, you can’t always put business on
have to measure the value to you as an individual,” he hold for a two-week vacation. In fact, you’re lucky if you can get
emphasizes. a four-day weekend. Fortunately, when getaway time is scarce,
For a growing number of today’s busy executives, full or par- access to a private plane allows busy families to spend less time
tial ownership of a private jet is priceless. And now it’s also afford- traveling and more time vacationing. “You have no connecting
able. Whether you want to own a plane, a fractional share or just flights. No juggling schedules. No layovers,” explains Doherty.
borrow it for a few hours, there’s a safe and enjoyable private flying “We’re flying direct from [an airport near] our home to the
experience to fit every need. vacation destination.”
“When you want to take your family on vacation, a major deter- Now you, too, can regain control of your most perishable
rent is the inconvenience of airline travel,” says CitationShares frac- resource: time. The Enlightened Personal Traveler is your gateway to
tional shareowner Dan Doherty, a commercial real estate developer the amazing benefits a private aircraft can offer. It details the wide
and the father of three children under the age of eight. “We’ve all range of options that opens up the skies to every travel profile and
experienced those airport nightmares, but [flying privately] takes the budget, and it speaks to real people who are discovering innova-
worst part of a vacation and makes it one of the highlights.” tive ways to achieve balance in a manic, 24/7 world. From jet cards
Insurance broker and father of four Mike Shanahan agrees. and fractional shares that allow you to work smarter and play
“That is what it’s all about,” he emphasizes. And thanks to his Net- harder to new small planes that literally put you in the driver’s seat,
Jets fractional share, getting there really is half the fun. “The vaca- access to a private aircraft ensures you’ll always have time for what
tion starts the moment we step on board the plane,” he says. matters most.
ON-RAMP TO THE AERIAL HIGHWAY
Fractional Ownership and Jet Cards
W
ith jet cards and fractional ownership, a part-time providers as well as some of the nation’s most prestigious aircraft
plane can have full-time benefits. Fractional own- operators, are a low-risk, high-reward way to experience the
ership even offers significant advantages over out- unique top-quality advantages of a business or personal aircraft,
right ownership, like anytime, anywhere access to without the long-term commitment and large capital investment.
the plane of your choice and the ability to upgrade or downgrade to They are also a perfect try-before-you-buy opportunity for those
suit varying travel needs.You also enjoy all the tax benefits of outright considering fractional ownership, a convenient way to separate
ownership, including significant bonus depreciation opportunities, personal and business travel costs and a cost-effective way to gain
which are available this year. And all the major fractional ownership business aircraft benefits for travelers with limited requirements.
providers sustain the highest levels of safety and service, which means
you travel aboard the best-maintained aircraft in the skies with the finest OWNERSHIP À LA CARTE
crews fully committed to your personal comfort and well-being. This month you need a plane every week, but next month you may
Jet cards, available through all of the fractional ownership not travel at all. Today you need to move a team of eight across the
country, but tomorrow it’s just you making short regional hops.
Think an ownership commitment isn’t right for you? Think again.
Now aircraft ownership can be ordered to taste with diverse offer-
ings from the nation’s leading fractional providers.
The fractional concept is simple: You’ll invest in the desired
share based on the number of annual flight hours required, pay
monthly management fees for the upkeep and maintenance of your
plane and be charged a fixed hourly rate, but only for the time
spent aboard.You’ll gain all the benefits of ownership but none of
the management responsibilities — and wherever you find your-
self, your plane is just a phone call away.
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The Enlightened Personal Traveler
CREATING TIME FOR BUSINESS AND after takeoff, as opposed to making an arduous six-hour commer-
PLEASURE cial trek. The Avanti also has ample range for family vacations in
For the CFO of a major West Coast retailer, the benefit was beyond Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “[Having one’s own personal aircraft]
anything he could imagine. Although he intended to use his plane makes traveling a lot more convenient and fun,” he says.
primarily for personal travel, he quickly discovered that flying pri- Not surprisingly, customers like Shepard rave about the ease
vately would have significant business advantages too. He chose of budgeting with the equal monthly billing program, which
CitationShares, with its fleet of small to midsize Cessna jets and Avantair pioneered. “I don’t even have to think about it,” he says.
the large-cabin, long-range Sovereign, which offers economical The plan takes the emphasis off individual trip cost, allowing
regional coverage as well as cross-country capability — something owners to fully enjoy the travel freedom that fractional ownership
especially important for a company with 75 stores spread through- provides without worrying about how this month’s unanticipated
out the nation. Another bonus: With his offices in both Southern trip will affect next month’s carefully planned budget.
California and the Bay Area, he doesn’t need to worry about where Recently, Avantair announced that it will be the first to offer
to base the aircraft. “The plane is anywhere I want it to be,” he explains. fractional shares in Embraer’s new light jet, the Phenom 100. Like
In a unique twist on the fractional ownership model, Citation- the flagship Avanti, it is more spacious and comfortable than other
Shares’ “Citelines” program enables owners to choose between four jets in its class, yet costs considerably less to own and operate.
pricing levels based on the number of peak travel days desired. The
fewer peak days selected, the greater the savings. And for billing
simplicity, Citelines rolls all charges into one annual fee that can
be paid in equal monthly installments.
CitationShares also puts an emphasis on economy with options
like “Caribbean Express,” which eliminates repositioning fees for
Caribbean-bound flights on select days; “Value Plus,” which enables
owners to take advantage of other fleet aircraft at special rates; and the
popular “Preferred Positioning,” which offers discounted rates for travel
on repositioning flights. “That’s a nice feature,” comments this CFO,
“because it encourages you to take trips you wouldn’t otherwise take.”
COMFORT, CONVENIENCE AND
AFFORDABILITY
For regional travel, ultra-economy meets ultimate comfort with
Avantair, the exclusive provider of shares in the Piaggio Avanti twin
turboprop. This avant-garde aircraft uses roughly 40% less fuel than
similar-sized jets for trips of the same distance while maintaining
impressive speeds. Best of all, the quiet stand-up cabin is signifi- A PLANE IN YOUR POCKET
cantly larger than that of many small jets. So whether it’s a golf get- Jet card programs offer all the flexibility of charter combined with
away or a ski vacation, there’s plenty of room for friends, family the consistency, safety and reliability of fractional ownership. Some
and all their gear. programs are aligned with major fractional fleets and others are
Steve Shepard, managing director of M Benefit Solutions, can’t tied to top charter providers. But unlike with charter, trips are
say enough about it. “In my opinion, if you are flying on a regional charged on a one-way basis with no repositioning or empty-leg
basis, [the Piaggio Avanti] is about the most efficient way to get fees. Most cards also offer a full refund on any unused balance.
there, and it’s also extremely comfortable,” he says, adding that the Marquis Jet, a pioneer in the jet card market, has partnered with
turboprop’s exceptional short-field capability allows him to access NetJets to offer Marquis Jet Card owners all the advantages of Net-
hundreds more airfields than he could with a similar-sized jet. Jets fractional ownership without any of the ownership commitment.
Shepard acquired his share for regular travel between his homes in With single aircraft cards, combo cards and the ability to upgrade or
Portland, Ore., and Rancho Mirage, Calif., but the plane also facil- downgrade, Marquis Card holders gain access to the entire NetJets
itates frequent golf outings to destination courses like nearby fleet and all of the benefits, 25 prepaid hours at a time.
Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast or Sand Hills in north central It’s the ideal solution for Sean Leder, CEO of the Boca Raton,
Nebraska, places either inconvenient or impossible to access Fla.-based Leder Group. His real estate investment firm currently
via commercial flight. For an annual golf trip to Victoria, B.C., manages nearly 1.1 million square feet of office and industrial
Shepard and his friends can land near the course just 50 minutes properties across seven states, much of it in hard-to-reach places
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The Enlightened Personal Traveler
like Marion, Ill., or Clarksburg, W. Va. By owning a 25-hour share not be absorbed with logistics.”
in a Citation V Ultra, Leder makes the most of his investment by With independent fleets based in Europe and the Middle East,
combining hub-to-hub commercial travel with connecting flights NetJets also offers a unique interchange program that allows U.S.
on his jet. With the ability to land at small airports just minutes fractional and Marquis Jet Card owners to seamlessly coordinate
from his final destination, Leder saves time both in the air and on an international arrival via commercial flight with a subsequent
the ground. “[The jet card] is a very powerful tool,” he says. “It departure aboard their NetJets aircraft.
allows me to accomplish what I need to from a business standpoint Additional options abound, like the CitationShares “Vector Jet-
and still get back to my family quickly.” Card,” one of the most affordable jet cards on the market, with
only a 20-hour minimum. Combo cards allow users to split time
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE between two aircraft, and a new value option credits extra flight
While Leder has been impressed by his newfound efficiency, he’s time for travel at off-peak hours.
been awed by Marquis’s service, particularly the last-minute The brand-new Avantair “Edge Card,” which represents
flight plan adjustments that work around weather delays and amazing value on a cost-per-hour basis, is available in 25-hour
keep his schedule on track. “The flexibility of having the jet at increments. Sales are soaring, particularly among executives and
your disposal, combined with a team at Marquis to make on-the- personal users who want to sample the service before buying a
fly adjustments to your itinerary, is an unbelievable benefit,” he share. Already, roughly 25% of Edge Card holders have made the
emphasizes. “It allows me to stay focused on the task at hand and switch to Avantair fractional ownership.
LIVING THE DREAM
Taking Command
typical week, he traveled from his office in Atlanta, Ga., to his
home in Sarasota, Fla., then to a speaking engagement in Orlando,
a business meeting in West Palm Beach, a dinner in Lafayette, La.,
and a board meeting in Nashville, Tenn. On Friday he flew back to
Sarasota for a quiet weekend at home. An itinerary like this would
become a cinch with one’s own business jet. But, what’s truly
remarkable is that Martell did all the flying himself in his newly
acquired Cirrus — a single-engine, four-passenger, 200-mph
speedster — that he actually bought well before he acquired a
pilot’s license.
LEARN TO FLY AFTER YOU BUY
Cirrus has taken the lead with a new generation of high-performance
light aircraft that offer amazing speed and capabilities combined
with sophisticated jet-like instrumentation, luxury-car interiors
A
and incomparable safety features including a ballistic aircraft para-
new reality is dawning for those who once only imag- chute. But the company really turned convention upside down by
ined the possibility of flying their own airplane. And developing Cirrus Access, a comprehensive curriculum that makes
with that comes the unprecedented opportunity for it practical to buy an airplane first and then learn how to fly it. The
adding mobility and pleasure to business and personal best part is that there’s no waiting to enjoy all the benefits. Using
lives caught up in the conundrum of too much to do and too little a groundbreaking airline-style training regime, each owner is
time to spare. paired with a factory-trained pilot-instructor for a year. This
Although Jim Martell is “retired,” he occupies his leisure hours allows owners to learn to fly immediately, even while en route to
as chairman of four companies, serves on seven boards and business meetings or leisure activities. Martell calls the experience
researches investments for his small private equity firm. During a “pure genius.”
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The Enlightened Personal Traveler
ENHANCE YOUR LIFE Mammoth Lake in the California Sierras. Of course, that could be
Like Martell, an unprecedented number of first-time owners are because the Cirrus makes it possible for her to actually get there.
finding that a personal aircraft can truly change one’s life. “It is a The plane transforms the six-hour-long drive on treacherous
fantastic example of freedom and productivity,” says Alan Klap- mountain roads into 90 breezy minutes aloft. “No speed limits.
meier, founder, president and CEO of Duluth-based Cirrus Design. Convenience. Comfort. Safety. It is just fantastic,” she says.
“This is a huge asset for people who don’t have enough time in their A new turbocharged Cirrus model with enhanced flexibility,
lives. All of a sudden you can see your grandchildren grow up.You faster speeds and the ability to reach higher altitudes offers even
can meet with your clients more often. Or you can get a second greater opportunity for pilots, including the option to climb above
home and actually use it.You can do all the things you don’t nor- weather for a smoother, more comfortable ride. But what will for-
mally have time to do.” ever alter one’s view of personal travel is the latest Cirrus devel-
That’s what encouraged a Santa Monica, Calif., property devel- opment: the single-engine, singularly affordable personal jet, des-
oper to buy a Cirrus SR22 and reenergize her long-unused flying tined to roll out by the end of the decade. Called “The Jet,” it gives
skills. She calls her Cirrus “the most exciting acquisition I ever new meaning to the term “Volksplane.” And while you can’t expect
made,” and says “it has completely changed the way we look at to find one in every garage, it will definitely be landing at an air-
travel.” It even trumps her latest purchase: a vacation home near field near you soon.
THE LUXURY OF TIME
A
t the dawn of this new era of travel efficiency, inno- A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON TRAVEL
vative aircraft and cost-effective ways to access them Former UPS chief counsel and businesswoman Liz Calvert gains time
are transforming the business and personal lives of a and a new perspective from piloting her own Cirrus to visit real
growing number of travelers. With demanding careers estate investments across the Southeast. And she’s not just talking
and growing families, today’s busy executives are discovering that about the view. “It’s a wonderful way to travel,” she says. “It’s a whole
there’s no more important luxury than time. So who wants to new experience; and while the business needs certainly make it com-
squander it on inconvenient travel? Fortunately, the travel options pelling, it also gives you a lot of personal enjoyment and satisfaction.”
for flying privately are safer, more efficient and more affordable “What’s happening is people are not only learning how to be
than ever. “Some people choose to buy a big home, but we more effective on the job, they’re learning to be more effective
would much rather have the plane,” says Sherri Crawford, when they go on vacation,” says author, lecturer and Marquis Jet
a longtime horsewoman who credits her fractional share with Card owner Todd Duncan.
enabling her to pursue the competitive equestrian show circuit she “It’s an unbelievable luxury,” comments retired hedge fund man-
loves without sacrificing time with her family. “It’s a luxury that ager Elizabeth Rice Grossman, who uses her fractionally owned jet
really lets us enjoy life to the fullest.” to visit out-of-state grandchildren whenever she misses them —
which is often. “It saves you stress. It saves you hours of time. I’m
really grateful that I have the opportunity to take advantage of it.”
With access to a private plane, you can plan a family getaway
between your Friday morning meeting and your Monday afternoon
presentation, turn a vacant vacation home into a practical residence or
just be back in time for dinner — even if you had lunch 1,000 miles
away. “It’s value added to your whole life,” says Grossman.
Once you try it, you’re bound to agree. The future of personal
travel is here.Welcome aboard.
Written and Produced by Principal Photography:
Mark Patiky Paul Bowen
markpatiky@cox.net
Editor: Allison Lurker
Associate Writer:
Designer: Jon Prinsky
Shawna Gale