North American Jet Charter Flies First Passengers On Eclipse VLJ
17-Aug-2007
By Karen Di Piazza / CharterX Headline
Industry News
Today, North American Jet Charter Group, LLC, became the world's
first on-demand air charter operator to fly two paying charter
passengers on the Eclipse 500 very light jet. On Aug. 14,
North
American Jet Charter became the world's first FAR Part 135
operator to receive Federal Aviation Administration approval to
begin commercial service using the Eclipse VLJ. This news is a
surprise to the aviation industry; everyone expected Boca
Raton-based DayJet to snag "first" in Part 135 approvals from the
FAA and first to fly passengers; DayJet is Eclipse Aviation Corp.'s
largest customer.
Eclipse, manufacturer of the EA-500 VLJ has been waiting for more
than eight years to have its aircraft actually become approved to
fly charter passengers, yet the company's website fails to mention
North American Jet Charter as the first charter operator to receive
FAA approval to use the EA-500 for on-demand charter services. This
journalist sent Eclipse Aviation an email earlier in the day, asking
for a response; Eclipse refused to comment.
Ken Ross, North American Jet Charter president, who was the
pilot-in-command during the first Eclipse VLJ air charter flight
today, confirmed to CharterX he hasn't heard a word from Vern Raburn,
Eclipse CEO. This journalist, not Ross, questions the politics of
Raburn: why has Eclipse ignored a historical-making first
FAA-approved EA-500 charter company capable of providing business
passengers with an effective-cost alternative for air-taxi services?
Raburn has boasted that the EA-500 is the perfect air taxi
twin-engine VLJ that will "revolutionize" travel for business
executives. Business executives flew today for the first time--with
North American Jet Charter.
Today's first EA-500 charter flight, with Ross as PIC, and Ed
Lavigne as copilot, both type-rated in the Eclipse 500, made a
round-trip flight from Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) to
Baltimore's Martin State Airport (MTN), with passengers Ben Klein,
CEO of Up Stairs Solutions, and company executive Tamar Abell.
"The flight was awesome!" Klein told CharterX after landing. "Both
Ken and Ed did a marvelous job; obviously, they're both experienced
pilots. This is the first time I've been in an Eclipse 500; the
whole experience was better than I thought it would be. The four
hours total in flying time--getting to my business meeting and
back--was perfect. I was surprised at how much room we had in back;
the aircraft was comfortable and it had the smell of a new car; it
was great!"
Klein, who employs more than 1,300 people, has also purchased an
Eclipse 500 from N.M.-based airframer Eclipse.
"When the aircraft isn't being used under FAR Part 91, it will be on
North American Jet Charter's FAR Part 135 certificate," he said. "My
aircraft, though, isn't expected for delivery for many months. Our
company also owns a Cirrus SR22, which we love; my wife is currently
learning how to fly. She will fly the Cirrus. I'm a businessman; I
don't have time to get my pilot's license, so I'm looking forward to
getting my Eclipse 500, then having North American Jet Charter
manage it for me. I'm the perfect example--fitting the profile of
what Eclipse has been touting--a back-seat passenger and happy to be
there."
Klein said he was surprised at how quiet it was inside of the
aircraft today.
"The Eclipse is a tiny jet; I didn't expect it to be so peaceful; I
could actually have a conversation with the other passenger," he
said.
North American Jet Charter CEO Ross says he'd like to double his
fleet by year-end 2007.
"We're looking at other VLJs, too, he said." "Currently, outside of
the EA-500, we manage Learjet A35s, a Citation 680 and a King Air
F90. We expect to have 10 to 15 Eclipse 500s under management, too.
We're serious about growing out charter fleet, aircraft management
and aircraft acquisition services."
About Jet-Alliance
Jet-Alliance, Inc. is the leading Fractional Jet Ownership Company
in the new VLJ (Very Light Jet) category of aircraft. Headquartered
in Westlake Village, California, Jet-Alliance is offering ownership
opportunities in the Eclipse 500 private jet, starting at $225,000.
For additional information, call 888-234-7526.
Secure a position on our
waiting list.
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