Category: Guest Post
Update: Managed Part 91 Aircraft and the “New” IRS position on FET
As I wrote about previously, back on March 9, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) chief counsel released new guidance affecting aircraft owners and lessees who contract with aircraft management companies to employ pilots and provide services on their behalf. In so doing, the chief [...]
LASIK and the Possible Repercussions for Flight Crew – Understanding the Risks
In my previous article , I discussed things to consider before selecting LASIK (or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) as a treatment option for vision correction. For those who have determined that LASIK is the option for them, it’s important to understand the risks involved [...]
LASIK and the Possible Repercussions for Flight Crew – Understanding Your Options
LASIK (or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a relatively new laser eye surgery technology. The first laser was approved for LASIK in 1996; however, the long-term safety and effectiveness of the surgery are still not clearly understood. Before pilots or crew members commit to eye [...]
U.S. GA Airports: Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD/RBD)
A very convenient option for business aircraft operators traveling to the city center or area sporting events is Dallas Executive (KRBD). This often overlooked airport may become preferred for domestic-only business aircraft traffic due to an [...]
5 Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Aircraft
It’s that time of year to brush off the hangar dust and get ready for the UV-drenched bliss we call spring! If your plane is itching to get back into the skies, we’ve got five easy spring cleaning tips for getting your aircraft into great shape [...]
A Case for Mandatory Emergency Training for All Corporate Flight Attendants
From the moment I discovered business aviation, I found there were no FAA regulations for FAR Parts 91 or 135 applicable to flight attendants. You would never get on a scheduled commercial flight without egress-trained people in the back that can save your life in the event of an accident/incident or medical issue [...]
Practical Considerations When the Fur Flies: Flying with Pets in Business Aviation
It can be almost comical to watch. Crew members accustomed to looking over trip sheets with amazing passenger manifests, including rock stars and heads of state, go weak in the knees when they see it: “Medium Dog.” Now what to do? What documents will we need for them? Can they get off the aircraft at the [...]
Business Aviation and the Myth of Multi-Tasking
Multi-tasking is perceived as a pre-requisite for success and high productivity. I challenge that belief. Before you disagree with me, let me define multitasking: performing two tasks that demand your active and focused attention simultaneously. Notice the phrase ‘demand your active and focused attention.’ Normally we can walk and [...]
5 Things to Look For from an Aircraft Cleaning Company
You’ve just survived the longest flight of your life, full of rowdy children, adults hard at work, and never-ending turbulence. Peering back from the flight deck, you see the carnage as the passengers unload: A jelly stain on the carpet, finger prints everywhere, and you’re pretty [...]
What You Need to Know about Aviation Insurance
It’s best practice to review aviation insurance policies now and again to confirm you have correct coverage at the best price. As your operating area and business missions change, it’s important to ensure that policy coverage, format, and wording are correct and comply with individual [...]
What You Should Expect from FBOs: Personal Security and Food for Thought – A Corporate Flight Attendant’s Perspective
Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) are the ground liaison for transient business aviation aircraft. In many cases, FBOs may act as “landlords” for some aircraft that do not have their own hangars out of which to operate. Because FBOs host many visitors on a daily basis, it’s important [...]
Why Using an LLC to Own and Operate Your Aircraft Is a Bad Idea
Business aviation reminds me of religion: It has many traditions that are very slow to change, even when good reasons for change exist. One such tradition is using a “sole purpose” limited liability company (LLC) to own and operate a business jet. Despite widespread warnings by the National [...]
The Human Factors Funnel Model – Another Window on Error Causation
Understanding the nature of error causation is important for any organization, and this can be particularly critical within the general aviation (GA) world. Human Factors Funnel Model (HFFM) is a conceptual framework meant to provide another useful window on error causation. Here’s a brief [...]
CRM Prep Time Before Takeoff – A Contract Corporate Flight Attendant Point of View
The subject is usually doomed from the start for those of us who get it in safety training or any other aviation-related course. Often it is tucked in right after lunch to ease you into the afternoon, and few pay attention. Quick: What is crew resource management (CRM) anyway? CRM’s primary purpose is to make optimum use of ALL resources [...]
Complacency in the Work Environment and How It Affects SMS
Just because you haven’t had an accident does not mean you won’t have one. Having a safety management system (SMS) in place may increase operational safety of your overall flight department if properly utilized. Complacency, however, continues to be a problem both in terms of SMS implementation and following established SMS procedures once a system [...]
NBAA2012 Convention Update: Managed Part 91 Aircraft and the IRS position on FET
On March 9, 2012, the IRS Chief Counsel released new guidance affecting aircraft owners and lessees who contract with aircraft management companies to employ pilots and provide services on their behalf. In so doing, the Chief Counsel expressed an opinion that extended the application of the 7.5% Federal Excise Tax (FET) to [...]
Defining the Corporate Flight Attendant
Who is the corporate flight attendant? Simply put, the corporate flight attendant (also called a “business aviation flight attendant”) is just that, a flight attendant who works on private, non-commercial aircraft (generally referred to as “business aircraft”). The presence of business aviation came into being shortly after World War II. The end of the war made available to the civilian market a large supply [...]
NBAA2012: 7 Tips for Bizjet Operators Flying in for the Show
Flying into the Orlando area for NBAA2012, even for business jet operators with short-notice lead times, should be an easy and trouble-free process this year. Traffic volumes will definitely be higher than normal, but there is no need to reserve aircraft parking or make fueling arrangements in advance. Placing your jet fuel order upon arrival will speed your departure, especially on Thursday afternoon [...]
In-Flight Safety When the Fur Flies – Pet Safety and Business Aviation
When you see on your briefing that there will be a pet on your flight, what kinds of thoughts go through your head? Do you make special preparations? Do you run through the special training and regulations for pets on board? Probably not, because even though [...]
Perceptions of Safety
Perceived safety can be a comforting thought. The perception that no harm will come to you, colleagues, or loved ones provides a sense of peace and security. For operators in high-risk industries such as aviation (including both commercial and business aviation aspects) [...]
Share Your Aviation Expertise. Write a Guest Post on Our Blog.
Since the day we first started this business aviation blog, our goal has been sharing useful information that supports the planning and execution of successful trips. Keeping that spirit in mind, we are looking for others who are similarly passionate about our industry and want to share their knowledge with the global business aviation community. [...]
3 Simple Principles for Reducing Business Aircraft Operating Costs
This is a post by guest author Dave Weil. Dave was asked to contribute to this blog because of his expertise in helping operators reduce their operational costs. Any thoughts expressed below are entirely Dave’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. Business aircraft operators looking for ways to [...]
New IRS Taxation of Managed Aircraft: 4 Updates and 3 Questions for Aircraft Owners (Part 2 of 2)
This is a post by guest author Dave Weil. Dave was asked to contribute to this blog because of his expertise in tax issues impacting business aviation. Any thoughts expressed below are entirely Dave’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. This aviation-blog post is the second part of [...]
3 Critical Things to Know about New IRS Taxation of Managed Aircraft (Part 1 of 2)
This is a post by guest author Dave Weil. Dave was asked to contribute to this blog because of his expertise in tax issues impacting business aviation. Any thoughts expressed below are entirely Dave’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. This aviation blog post is the first part [...]
