Industry Insights

Commentary by Scott Plumb, Jetcraft's former Senior Vice President of Sales

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Last week’s European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) was a major event and helped put the spotlight on the European sector of our industry. For the last few years, Europe has remained more or less stagnant, with only slight growth reported overall. However, there are some bright skies ahead for the continent.

First, it helps to remember that the European fleet is indeed growing. In 2001, Europe held 1,517 aircraft according to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). As of 2014 this number had more than doubled to 3,301 aircraft. So growth is occurring, though slower than perhaps the industry would like.

Europe remains the world’s second largest private jet market (behind North America) and accounted for 14 percent of deliveries in 2013. Bombardier’s latest market forecast states that Europe is expected to remain one of the main markets for ...

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We are pleased to welcome the newest member of the Jetcraft management team. Diana Chou, a true business aviation pioneer, recently joined Jetcraft as Chairwoman in Asia. With over 15 years in the industry, Diana brings a wealth of business aviation knowledge and experience to the Jetcraft team based in Hong Kong. She will enhance the company’s already unparalleled local expertise in aircraft sales, transactions and marketing.

Diana is pleased to offer her thoughts on the Chinese business aviation sector.

How would you characterize the Chinese business aviation sector?​

China has the largest mobile phone user base in the world. It also has the largest online shopping economy. China is a dynamic market and shows great potential for private aircraft ownership. Some buyers have never flown before and their first flying experience is in their own private jet or helicopter!  

The sector is a bit different from the US or Europe in that the Chinese people never experienced the industrial...

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Q&A with Jetcraft President Chad Anderson - Including a Look at Jetcraft’s New Inventory

While Jetcraft is well-known for its expertise and experience in the pre-owned sector, the company also helps clients obtain new aircraft. In fact, according to Jetcraft President Chad Anderson, you’d be surprised how many factory new aircraft they have available.

So what are the main advantages of purchasing a new model through Jetcraft?

Jetcraft offers unbiased market intelligence and consulting that can help a buyer decide which manufacturer and which model will be the best fit for their mission. In addition, we have a higher level of flexibility and quality with shortened lead times and customization services available. With our ability to deliver creative solutions, we help customers get the aircraft that they are searching for. We can also assist with financing and are able to take trade-ins of any make and model.

Just as with pre-owned models, Jetcraft monitors the entire process a...

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Since 2012, Jetcraft has been a proud member of the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA). A professional trade association comprised of select business aviation professionals, NARA members adhere to the highest professional standards that promote the growth and public understanding of the aircraft resale industry. All of the nearly 80 NARA members abide by a strict 14-point “Code of Ethics” that provides guidelines for industry conduct regarding aircraft transactions.

The organization’s members represent every phase of aircraft acquisition and ownership. Businesses and individuals aiming to increase productivity, accelerate business, enhance customer relationships and streamline company infrastructure through pre-owned aircraft ownership regularly turn to NARA members for assistance, not only in the sale or purchase of an aircraft but also for a multitude of advisory and support issues.

To become NARA certified, candidates must pass a rigorous application process that assu...

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The FAA defines a maintenance program as "the performance of tasks required to ensure the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft, including any one or combination of overhaul, inspection, replacement, defect rectification, and the embodiment of an alteration or repair."

So each of these items must be addressed by all aircraft owners and operators.

Maintenance is part of ownership and one of the biggest factors to consider when buying or even selling an aircraft. This is especially true in the pre-owned sector – which is why Jetcraft recommends that all customers take advantage of a maintenance program to service their investment.

Proper maintenance tracking and planning is the key to operating an aircraft safely and efficiently. Maintenance programs take one of the most important and time-consuming elements of private ownership out of the hands of the operator and into the care of a trusted expert. These service providers keep track of inspections, component replacements and new FAA...

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Jetcraft is expanding rapidly in the continent by turning challenges into opportunities and adding a local touch to customer service

Everyone realizes that business aviation is a global industry that reaches across the entire planet. But in recent years, the industry has turned its attention to Africa as private aircraft ownership has truly taken off in this relatively new market.

Economic growth has driven much of this increase as the continent’s economy has been surging by about 5 percent annually, which is a rate expected to continue through 2015. Private jet ownership is also expected to grow at the steady pace of 5.6 percent over the next two decades according to a recent report issued by Boeing.

So why is Africa enjoying a boom in private jet ownership?

There are several elements spurring this growth. Africa is among the fastest rising private aviation markets due to a strengthening economy and a related increase in high net worth individuals (HNWI). The ultra-high...

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The process of buying and selling private jets is not a simple one. There are many moving parts, including market research, aircraft valuations, visual reviews, logbook research, and marketing coordination that each play a pivotal role in the purchase or sale process. As each transaction usually totals in the millions, attention to detail is crucial at every stage.

Often, this whole process falls on the shoulders of a single sales representative. But Jetcraft has a dedicated team of eight professionals standing ready to undertake this arduous – but critical – mission.

“Clients expect one-to-one service when buying or selling a high value asset such as a jet,” says Jetcraft Sales Director Chris Brenner. “Our sales engineering team performs the necessary legwork, market research, value summaries and reviews involved with every transaction. This frees up the sales representative to focus exclusively on the customer and guide them through the transaction cycle, along with any pot...

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Written by Fabrice Roger, former Jetcraft Sales Director, Latin America

A few months ago, the business aviation industry gathered in Sao Paulo, Brazil for the 11th annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE) show. The fact that over 15,000 attendees (a new record) gathered at LABACE in itself speaks to the acceptance of private jet ownership across Latin America.  This is especially true in Brazil which is the economic powerhouse of the region and the biggest market in terms of business aviation in Latin America. It has the world’s second largest private fleet and represents over 5 percent of the global market for business aviation.

But other nations in the region are also showing solid growth rates. For example, business aircraft ownership increased by 10 percent in Columbia from 2012-2013. Mexico has also posted impressive gains over the same time period. Some analysts even predict that over the next five years demand for business aircraft in L...

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According to the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA), 14 percent of private jet owners do not use a broker to handle the buying and selling of their aircraft. Many feel they know their aircraft needs better than others and – perhaps more importantly – can save some money by going it alone.

But people who do this are making a big mistake. The buying and selling of aircraft can be more complicated than it seems. Those who do not use a qualified broker are taking a risk as many things can go wrong with a transaction. Ironically, they often end up paying more - sometimes quite a bit more – for their aircraft than it is really worth.

“For an ownership experience to be positive it requires planning, effort and communication,” said Scott Plumb, Senior Vice President of Sales for Jetcraft.  “I have watched buyers purchase the wrong airplane because they were consulted by a friend rather than a professional. They then end up with an aircraft that may not be the best f...

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