Archive for the ‘Aviation’ Category

Cessna delivered it’s 300th Citation X

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Cessna delivered its 300th Citation X this week, some 13 years after the first delivery of one in 1996 to Golf Legend Arnold Palmer.  Citation X have been owned or operated by some of the worlds best know rich and famous, like the late Sydney Pollack as well.

This one was apparently delivered to an unnamed buyer in Europe.  Cessna Press Release.

Gulfstream Rolls out G250

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Gulfstream rolled out its new business jet in Isreal on Wednesday October 7, 2009 and it is now part of our performance and operating cost database as well.  Read more on the jet on Gulfstream’s site.

American Legend Cub is now certified with floats

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

The FAA has approved light sport certification of the $159,000 American Legend FloatCub amphibious aircraft.

American Legend Aircraft Company

American Legend FloatCub

American Legend FloatCub

Crop Dusting May Be your Flying Ticket or paying for your next meal?

Friday, August 14th, 2009

I just read an article in the Wall Street Journal describing the increasing demand for crop dusting pilots or ‘aerial applicators’ as the are politically correctly called these days.  Anyhow it was the brilliance of a flight instructor slapping you on the back of the head telling you to get your head out of the airplane and get ahead of the airplane and fly.

This ‘Mr. Dusty Dowd’, (no relation to Matt Dowd in Eli Stone I am sure) is an example of things that used to be right in this country!  That is maybe he is harsh or like a military sergeant, but he wants you to learn right and be your best; not expect to be entitled or get things handed to you.

Check out the article for a chuckle and a good pilot story…bring back any memories of your flight instructor?  Let me know

The Death of my Jet Aircraft

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

I still have the brochure from my 2001 trip to Oshkosh on the “future of personal travel”, yes it was my hopes of my own personal jet for only $850,000 or so in “2001 dollars” as they say. Yes we were in the midst of the dot com boom and money grew on trees ahh but  yes that time passed and then the real estate revolution began and again money moved from the tree to the construction from trees (homes and buildings) and land! Ahh yes but that time passed too.

Oh were the days when my balance sheet and the balance sheets of so many glowed with green and blossomed with excess and the need and had the available capital for a private jet.  No longer would I have to settle for a prop or used turbo prop, I could be a jet owner!

Well the schedule, the hopes and the expectations all seemed to be coming true Van Rayburn would not go the way of the “Tucker” he would fight and win he would be the champion of personal jet travel!  But alas it too like the excesses of the late 80′s, the mid 90′s and the real estate boom of the early millenia we must face the fact the aircraft production, ownership and management are best summed up by Howard Hughes.

To make a small fortune in aviation you must start with a large fortune.
- Howard Hughes

As the economy, the financing and apparently the FAA show it was a nice run, but the fortune or fortunes of Eclipse Aviation apparently will die as no one can afford the unknown to make it work again according to the recent information released from the bankruptcy court and the findings of its potential suitors.

Good bye for now found jet I will look for you on future horizons.

AviationWeek Article