In the previous post, I discussed the reasons for having the flight department operate as a normal business unit. If the business unit is a profit center, producing something or delivering a service for which the corporation derives revenue, reporting metrics are clearly defined and universally accepted. What does the deliverable cost per unit to produce, and what is the revenue per unit. Such metrics demonstrate whether the business unit is actually returning a profit. Functions such as Legal, Human Resources, or IT (which are cost centers rather than revenue generators) have been around long enough that within each of those corporate functions there are clearly measurable goals; the cost to deliver the end-product can be measured and reported.

In this series, I have covered a myriad of ways to access Business Aviation. Whole aircraft ownership offers the most freedom, customization, personalized service, control and responsibility. Coordinating and utilizing business aircraft requires individuals skilled in management and aviation. This endeavor can be accomplished in-house with your own employees. Another option is the “turn-key” approach of contracting the function and oversight of the aviation operation to a management company.

If control over your company’s means of transportation is paramount, sole ownership of a business aircraft is particularly attractive. This article and others were first published on AvBuyer.com

Business Aviation is available in a variety of forms, each with unique features and advantages. This article looks beyond fractional shares in the sharing or co-owning of a business aircraft.

(This was first published in World Aircraft Sales magazine, and Avbuyer.com)

This coverage of fractional ownership is part 2 of 2, examining contracts, costs and extraordinary usage.

(This was first published in World Aircraft Sales magazine, and Avbuyer.com)

Fractional ownership lowers the barriers to purchasing and using a business aircraft. The capital needed to gain access to one or more aircraft is reduced by acquiring a shared interest in the asset. The idea is much like that of time-share vacation properties. When you don’t need full time access, why pay for the entire property?