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Jet-Alliance In The News |
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Secondary Market In Personal Jets Takes OffBY Doug Cameron
Soaring demand for the new generation of so-called personal jets has generated a buoyant secondary market for the $1.5m aircraft – even before the first model is delivered. The interest underscores the potential of what advocates view as a sea-change in business and personal travel. New Mexico-based Eclipse Aviation, whose backers include Microsoft founder Bill Gates, has already secured more than 2,500 orders for its six-seat Eclipse 500 jet, with the first delivery expected as early as next week after a series of delays in securing clearance from regulators. "The secondary market is alive and well," said Randall Sanada, chairman of Jet-Alliance, a California-based fractional aircraft owner that is due to receive the first Eclipse 500 from the production line. Jet-Alliance bought a half-share in the jet from Dave Crowe, a businessman who placed the first order in June 2000, and is courting others with delivery positions to build up a fleet in which clients will own part shares in the aircraft. The Eclipse 500 is the first of an array of very light jets, which utilise new engines, avionics and lean manufacturing techniques to produce small jets at a fraction of the cost of existing executive aircraft. While many of the Eclipse orders come from owners of turboprop aircraft, hundreds of deliveries are scheduled for fractional and air-taxi operators such as Florida-based DayJet. Proponents of the emerging VLJ sector believe the low entry and operating costs will create a vast new market of personal and business users currently deterred by high prices. "This changes everything," said Mr Sanada of an aircraft that aims to provide entry-level ownership for an all-in cost starting at $100,000 for a one-16th share. Jet-Alliance grew out of the wealth-management business launched by Mr Sanada to provide aircraft for wealthy families, and it has another three Eclipse 500s on order in addition to the inaugural aircraft, which would be based near Los Angeles. It is also scouting locations in the Bay Area for future aircraft, with other interest focused on Arizona, New Mexico and the Texas triangle of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Mr Sanada said Jet-Alliance had 800 clients on its waiting list for the Eclipse 500, and aims to buy shares in existing delivery positions to build its fleet by two aircraft a month by the end of next year. DayJet is in line to take the second aircraft and had hoped to launch its air-taxi service by the end of the year. However, Eclipse is still awaiting its production certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration after securing operating approval for the aircraft in October, a move which could come as early as this week.
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Jet-Alliance is not a Flight Services Provider. All transportation services are provided by a federally licensed direct air carrier. |
Jet-Alliance, Inc. 3390 Auto Mall Dr., Westlake
Village, Ca. 91362 |
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