June 27, 2015

Real flying

When I promote our air taxi service to prospective clients, I usually explain the time savings and convenience you get from flying on a private charter plane. It's perfect for business or personal trips in Florida. This is, of course, true. For trips less than 500 miles there's no faster, more convenient way to travel.

Flying from say Miami to Tampa, or from Gainesville to Key West, or West Palm Beach to Sarasota, there are alternatives such as airlines or driving, but these options are never faster or more convenient.

By "convenient" I mean the ease of using private airplane passenger terminals (VIP lounges called FBO's) with free parking, free coffee, no lines, no crowds, and no waiting for your flight. Plus you have the option of using municipal airports close to your destination. There are 128 public/private Florida airports. Only 18 are served by airlines.

But there are intangible benefits too. Many customers tell me how much they enjoy the whole private flying experience. It's easy to measure time saved, it's not so easy to measure your overall enjoyment of using our aircraft charter service. It's something you must experience.

Few people today experience real flying. When flying commercially, it's common for Airlines to keep you in the dark about your trip. You rarely see the pilots, or ever speak with them directly about your flight. You can't sit in the cockpit and watch them work. The design of airliners (long tubes with rows of seats) offer no forward visibility; and small windows limit your view of the vast expanse of sky and earth that pilots enjoy. Although flight attendants inform you about the time remaining to your destination and cruising altitude, some airline passengers still suffer anxiety from not knowing why there’s turbulence or why the plane turned. Wouldn’t you like to watch your flight progress like you do while driving, watching the scenery go by on all sides?

Throughout my many years of flying, passengers have often told me they feel safer on a private plane than on an airliner. This is understandable when you consider your almost constant communication with the pilot or flight crew on a private (charter) flight. You see the full progress of your flight from the initial greeting by the pilot at the FBO (private terminal) until you arrive at your destination.

As a passenger on our Air Taxi service, for example, your pilot (likely me) will meet you, walk you to our Cirrus SR22 airplane, brief you about it's safety features, the weather along your route, amenities aboard, and any arrangements at your destination such as ground transportation. You'll see your flight unfold.

You'll enjoy a beautiful panorama of sky and earth float by in all directions. You will be impressed. The plane's windows are large and they surround you. You can see everything in front of you, on your left, and your right. It's bright, even though our windows are tinted. And you have the option of listening to all Air Traffic Control communications by the pilot. Your flight's progress will be obvious to you. Your pilot’s skill and knowledge are evident. And you will have no anxiety since you see everything thats going on performed professionally with the latest equipment. It's a routine trip, very interesting and enjoyable.

Planning a trip in the next few weeks? Spare yourself some anxiety and instead enjoy a "real" flying experience.

Head Aviator by William A. Ibarra

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Where is Aviator Services located?

We're based in Miami, Florida, at the Miami Executive Airport (formerly known as the Tamiami Airport (TMB)). We're located about forty-five minutes from South Beach and near Kendall, Coral Gables, and Pinecrest.

What is your service area?

We fly to all cities in Florida and the Southeast USA from our Miami base. Although, our aircraft (Cirrus SR22) is capable of flying to anywhere in the United States, our aircraft is most efficient at distances within 500 miles. We do not offer service to the Bahamas in our Cirrus SR22 due to FAA restrictions for single-engine aircraft flying over water (beyond gliding distance to land).

What aircraft do you use?

We fly the technically advanced Cirrus SR22 aircraft. The plane with the parachute. It's like flying in a luxury car with wings. It's fast, comfortable, air-conditioned (Florida summers are hot), and has satellite radio with Bose headphones for you to enjoy quiet entertainment. Generaly we can carry up to 600 lbs (272 Kilos) of passengers and bags. We can often carry more depending on the length of your flight.

What are your hours of operation?

Our normal hours of operation are 7AM to 7PM daily but we do, of course, fly outside these normal hours if your trip requires it. During our normal business hours, though, we are available for short notice flights.

Do you have larger aircraft?

If you have more than three passengers or otherwise require a larger plane for your trip we can arrange this for you through one of our network operators. We work with several other local aircraft charter operators with a full range of aircraft and experienced crews.

How can I pay?

We accept credit cards, cash, checks and Bitcoin for payment. We require full payment in advance of your flight unless you have a business account with us.

Do you arrange ground transportation?

We can arrange for rental cars, car service, or taxi at your destination so you can be on your way soon after you arrive. Let us know when you reserve your flight if you require ground transportation at your destination. Also, we arrange transfers to or from airline terminals if you are departing on or returning from an airline flight. We do this often at Miami International Airport.

Special requests?

Please advise us of any special request you may have about your flight. Some customers ask us to overfly a landmark to take pictures or if a specific person can sit next to the pilot during flight. Please ask and we'll make every effort to satisfy your request.

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