StrategicAir
By Monique Stringfellow
When StrategicAir formed in October 2007, it set out to revolutionize private aviation. CEO Keith St. Clair, the former chairman and founder of TraveLeaders (one of the 10 largest travel distribution companies in the USA), recruited his board of directors from among the most prominent names in private aviation and financing, all of whom could offer invaluable insight into various aspects of the industry. This meeting of the minds successfully formed a new breed of private aviation powerhouse, which is led by St. Clair; Kevin Parrott, EVP and CMO; Richard Oster, EVP and CFO; John Affeltranger, COO; and Chairman of the Board Mark Ginsburg.
At its inception, StrategicAir announced the acquisition of a number of private air travel companies that spanned the aviation industry. By consolidating brokerages, maintenance facilities, and aircraft into one privately held company, StrategicAir broke new ground in the private air charter market. Also, the company was the beneficiary of the FAA Part 135 and Part 145 certificates. With involvement at every step of the private air travel process, StrategicAir is able to control the customer’s experience from A to Z, making it more convenient, comfortable, and personalized than ever before, all available at a mere four hours notice. The company specializes in point-to-point trips to New York, Los Angeles, and South Florida. And unlike other companies, StrategicAir actually owns its own aircraft, which enables a wider range of price flexibility, creativity, and ingenuity compared to managed or brokered aircraft. Owning the maintenance aspects allows StrategicAir to solve problems instantaneously, preventing delays in a time-sensitive environment. This innovative business model is the result of the experience in the luxury travel and aviation industries garnered through the years by the company’s founders.
Now, StrategicAir is adding to its reputation for ingenuity with the introduction of the prepaid Limitless Sky Flight Card program, which offers discounted flight hours, available in four levels: Ruby ($50,000), Emerald ($100,000), Sapphire ($250,000), and Diamond ($500,000). Limitless Sky takes the ease of chartering one step further. Just one phone call to the team ensures the flawless handling of all the details, from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. The program enables members to charter multiple jets simultaneously, receive cabin upgrades, and enjoy increased options in cabin size. And, unlike many other programs, membership is transferable. The exact menu of benefits varies according to level of membership, but can entail catering, limo transfers, and the StrategicAir Concierge. At the Emerald level and above, waved landing, parking, and handling fees are included with participation. At Sapphire and Diamond levels, clients will be the beneficiaries of fuel surcharge exclusions and waived ferry fees on heavy jets. At every level, the Assist Privilege Card is included as part of the program. The privilege cards offer solutions and support for a number of emergency situations globally. The specific range of services was designed by aviation industry experts to ensure the most complete coverage and highest level of efficiency.
Limitless Sky promises to further the values upon which StrategicAir was founded–to present the client with the utmost in options, flexibility, safety, and efficiency–and the new program takes all four to the next level.
Leading Edge
By Monique Stringfellow
Picking out a private jet is a little more complicated than showing up at a dealership, giving a down payment, and rolling down the runway. Thus, Leading Edge Aviation Solutions was born out of necessity to help potential buyers sift through the ever-changing aviation offerings to find the ideal aircraft and aid in the acquisition process.
Leading Edge Aviation Solutions, one of the world’s most experienced companies in the aircraft acquisition and disposition arena, is aware that purchasing an aircraft, large or small, is a complex process involving multimillion dollar transactions. Leading Edge’s meticulously vetted team of professionals brings an unmatched level of expertise to both the financial and operational arms of aircraft ownership. The company’s experience is unmatched; in 2007 alone, the company’s purchase and sale transactions totaled totaled more than $1.2 billion.
At the acquisition stage, Leading Edge helps first-time aircraft buyers weigh the options, leading to an informed decision on the best aircraft to suit their individual needs. And even more experienced corporate fleet managers know that there are a number of factors that should be addressed prior to purchase. What makes the firm unique is an analytical and strategic approach to fleet planning. No other company has a team of advisors that implement a process that considers business and personal lifestyle objectives, historic and future travel, aircraft performance, tax strategy, depreciation, and aircraft residual values. These factors, combined with many others, compliment a process to help clients mitigate risk and make informed aviation decisions. Some of the nation’s biggest brand names and Fortune 500 companies rely on Leading Edge to guide them through the process.
Leading Edge launched in 2004, the result of a merger between Corporate Aviation Analysis & Planning and Wings Aviation International, two important leaders in the business aviation market. Each company had been in operation for over a decade when they joined forces in response to an evolving market that called for a more comprehensive set of services. Despite different backgrounds, the companies shared key values—passion, excellence, innovation, and execution—which carried over to Leading Edge.
These values continue to translate into every sector of the current operation. The company prides itself on employing a highly qualified staff that includes financial analysts with MBAs, technical consultants, business analysts, an aircraft sales force, and even a director of personnel placement. Led by CEO Joseph Carfagna and President and COO Brian Proctor, these professionals are qualified and knowledgeable in both aviation and business, a complimentary balance that ensures a more informed decision for the clients. This exceptional staff has successfully delivered more than 500 new aircraft and 200 pre-owned technical appraisals, and placed more than 100 aviation professionals.
With the world of private aviation maturing domestically and expanding internationally to include more clients than ever before, it is key to have experienced advisors who can lead businesses and individuals through complicated processes of finding the ideal craft. Using years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the ins and outs of the industry, Leading Edge develops and executes solutions that make the best sense—financially, operationally, and strategically.
Travel
September 29, 2008Trophy Properties
