In the boating world, there is no one-stop shop. If you want to charter a yacht, you go to a charter broker. Need repairs on a yacht? Choose a boatyard. Need to store your yacht? Seek out a marina. Want to buy or sell a yacht? Choose a yacht broker. Need fuel? Go to a gas dock.
In the world of private jets, however, there is just such a compendium of one-stop services. It’s called (by the rather clunky title) jet management. This is where you can charter a jet, store your jet, have repairs done and buy or sell a jet. Whatever your need, a jet management service has you covered, and the Tampa Bay area is blessed with several options.
“Many people approach us intrigued by the idea of owning an aircraft, often not realizing that it’s achievable,” says Ryan Gucwa, President of Odyssey Airways, an on-demand aircraft charter company.“ With our free analysis on aircraft ownership, we lay out a clear financial roadmap for potential owners. We show them how adding their aircraft to our charter fleet is not just feasible but financially rewarding. This opens their eyes to how owning a plane can transform from a mere interest into a real investment that pays off.”
Elite Air is another such operation that covers everything from chartering to managing to servicing. Founded by aviation industry vet and attorney (and pilot) Gray Gibbs in 1994, it now provides an array of services on three continents. Since Gray is a tax attorney, Elite also provides full financial accounting and consulting to seamlessly blend everything from operations and charters to providing highly qualified aircrews.
Most people enter the world of private jets through chartering, and in the case of Elite, it represents a full cross-section of aircraft, including large jets such as several new Bombardier Challenger 3500s recently taken under its wing (pun intended). The 3500 has a range of 3,900 miles at a speed of 550 mph, nearing the speed of sound. Not only can it hop from Tampa to Los Angeles non-stop, but also across the pond from New York to London.
At the other end of the spectrum, a Hawker 400 from Elite Air can deliver you and seven guests up to 1,200 miles at 490 mph. In between is a mix of midsize and light jets that are tailored to your mission.
If you find that ownership of a private jet is in your future, Elite, Odyssey Airways and the other jet management companies can provide hangar or ramp space, oversee any maintenance needs and provide you with thoroughly vetted pilots and crew.
Many owners find that a good way to offset the ownership cost of a private jet is to use it in charter and that brings up the subject of empty legs. It used to be called “deadheading,” but you can see why that term lost popularity. It means having to reposition a jet from one airport to another, but without paying a charter to offset the cost. This is usually because the aircraft is returning to home base after a one-way charter and, if you need such a flight, you can book it for major savings. A look at the available empty-leg listings on the Elite Air website is a giggle. There, I found a multitude of airports I never knew I always wanted to visit, such as Sugarland, Texas, or Cobb County, Georgia. But don’t even think about the empty legs to Providenciales in the Caribbean or the snowy slopes of Jackson Hole, Wyoming—I’ve already staked those out!
Chris Caswell is an award-winning writer and the former editor of several yachting magazines. He has appeared on Oprah as a boating lifestyle expert and hosted the Marine Voyager series on the Speed Channel.
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