Where can I fly from?
Almost anywhere you like. The advantage of having your own plane is you that you can choose where you would like to fly from and to – you are not restricted to the major airports. The majority of the aircraft we are recommending all have short-field capabilities, meaning the many small airfields dotted around the country will be useable.
How do I book the aircraft?
You can ring the office or e-mail. In due course, you will be able to use the Owners section of the website to check availability and book your flights yourself.
How many days a year can I use it? (Max? Min?)
According to the share you have purchased and the compatibility of the group of owners, it is expected that you will have between 35 and 70 days’ use per year for a 10% share. Other percentage ownership can be deduced on a pro rata basis.
Do all the owners need the same number of days’ use per year?
Not necessarily, although it is likely to be fairly close. However, some may need heavier use at certain times of the year which balances out over a twelve month period.
What happens if someone else has already booked it?
If the owners agreed at the workshop to share flights where possible, this is not a problem. You are likely to have other owners starting from the same part of the country and an aircraft can cover much greater distances in a short time. It is therefore perfectly possible that the aircraft leaves Cornwall at 7.00am, picks up other owners at Plymouth or Exeter and then drops one at Bristol, another at London and still arrives at Manchester by 10.00am. The office will operate a traffic light system so that you should get a response immediately telling you whether the aircraft is fully available, (green) available for sharing – so with some slight compromise needed (amber) or not available (red). Even if it is already booked, we may be able to help by offering a later time or looking at other group’s aircraft movements and seeing if another owner in another group is able to offer you a seat as their guest.
What happens if one owner is using it more than the others?
This doesn’t really matter because all flight times will be rounded up to the nearest half hour. This means that heavier users will be contributing more to the group’s contingency, helping to keep your fixed costs down. However, if it becomes an issue it is possible that we will recommend a greater share to the offending party.
Do all the owners have it to themselves or can it be shared?
If it was agreed at the workshop that owners wish to share flights where possible, the bookings will be arranged to do so. There may be occasions where you wish to use the aircraft to bring clients to your premises and discuss confidential matters en route, in which case this can be arranged.
Who will deal with any conflicts between owners that might arise?
If the group is being managed by Private Air Travel, we will have taken steps to try and ensure that conflicts are very unlikely. However, if they do arise, it is likely to be helpful to you and other owners that resolution is our responsibility; hence the clause to this effect in the terms and conditions.
How much notice do I need to give to book the aircraft?
The group rules will have determined this according to the needs of all the owners.
Can my family use the aircraft when I’m not with them?
Yes, but all the costs will be attributed to you. It may have been agreed at the group set up that business travel needs take priority over social and domestic use but this will be the owners’ decision, not ours.
What happens in bad weather?
Your aircraft will have been fitted with instrumentation to minimise the impact of bad weather but, as with every form of travel, extreme weather conditions can cause disruption. If the group has signed up for our Premier service, we will make alternative arrangements on your behalf, according to the options available at the time. As we will be constantly monitoring weather forecasts for all our clients, we should be able to give you advance warning of changes to the travel plan in good time.
What contingency plans are in place in case the plane can’t fly?
It depends on the level of service that the group has agreed. (See above.) Whilst every effort will be made to minimise downtime, inevitably this can’t be eliminated altogether. If the aircraft develops a problem, safety will take priority and alternative arrangements will be put in place for our Premier clients. For our Standard clients, we will give as much notice as possible if a technical problem means flights need to be cancelled.
Can I fly at night?
Yes, but you will be more limited in the airfields available. Many smaller airfields are available at lower cost (landing fees) and often closer to your destination and we’ll make use of these as much as possible. However, not all of them are equipped for night flights. Your pilot will know of alternatives nearby if you are delayed in finishing your business and the planned airfield is no longer an option due to limited daylight. There will always be someone available in the office to assist you if this causes problems in returning to your car, for example.
Who plans the flights?
The pilot will plan the flights in aviation terms. The office will plan for the owners’ requirements and inform the pilot.
I have a PPL. Can I fly the aircraft myself?
You might be able to but this will depend on the agreement of the other owners and the insurance requirements. If the other owners agree (and your group may have been formed with this specifically in mind) you will still need to have the appropriate rating. It is quite likely that the insurance will be higher if every flight doesn’t have a CPL holder in command. However, you might still be able to fly it as the ‘flight assistant’ with a CPL holder in the right hand seat and with this specified in the group rules.
I need to carry a lot of samples with me. Is this a problem?
As long as you made us aware of this when you went on the register, you will be in a group where the aircraft type is suitable in terms of baggage space and overall weight.
Will I be able to use my mobile and laptop during the flights?
Most of the flights will be little more than an hour so you may not need to! However, it will depend on your aircraft and its instrumentation so you will need to let us know if this is important to you.
Where will my aircraft be kept?
The group will have agreed this at the workshop. We would expect most groups to ask us to arrange hangarage as this will help maintain its value. If it has been agreed by the group that this is not desirable or appropriate (perhaps due to a lack of hangarage at the most convenient airfield base or to keep costs to a minimum) alternative arrangements will be made to ensure it is secure.
How often will it need maintenance?
Every aircraft has to have a maintenance schedule which will be strictly adhered to. Where possible, maintenance will be planned when the aircraft is least likely to be needed. It might be possible for the group to hire in an aircraft during essential maintenance.
Where will the maintenance be undertaken?
Air travel has a very good safety record, partly because of the rigorous standards imposed for maintenance. Your aircraft will be maintained at an approved maintenance centre.
Who tells the pilot when and where s/he is needed?
The office staff will ensure all flight crews know their schedule in good time.
Will the aircraft be insured?
If Private Air Travel is managing it, yes definitely!
Will I be insured when I use it?
As this is private aviation, it is up to you to check whether your existing travel insurance covers you. If requested, we can advise on finding appropriate personal insurance.
