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What the Boardroom needs to know about Business Aviation
BENEFITS BEYOND ACCESS Being able to reach remote locations is just one of the many benefits of Business Aviation. Placing the right person or sales team at the right place at the right time, ahead of the competition, is simply good business. The duration of a meeting depends on what is being accomplished rather than being constrained by Airline arrival and departure times, sluggish security screening and boarding delays. In addition to being effective, use of business aircraft demonstrates commitment to customers. The mobility provided by Business Aviation reflects the high value a firm places on employees, clients and time. But there is much more to the benefits of this form of transportation. In particular, consider broader issues of control beyond those of scheduling. Individuals deeply engaged in Business Aviation often say that control over the nature and implementation of transportation is the benefit they value most.
ONE USER’S RESPONSE A provocative response to the benefits question was given by an entrepreneur who owned a company with business aircraft. ”One word is my answer,” he said. “‘Control’—pure and simple! “Business Aviation,” he continued, “more so than any other form of transportation, provides our company with the greatest ability to influence factors that impact safety, security and effectiveness. Our Board, working with the experts we hire within the company’s flight department, sets the safety standards of our operation. We establish best practices and monitor the implementation of those policies and procedures. Advertising Enquiries see Page 8
“While other providers of air transportation, such as the scheduled Airlines and major charter operators, have excellent safety records, we don’t want to be dependent on someone else—someone who we do not know as well as we know our company’s flight personnel—to be responsible for safe and secure travel. In essence, when we use public transportation we abdicate control over the wellbeing of our most important assets—our employees—to parties over which we have neither control nor detailed knowledge of their behavior.” Re-enforcing his reasoning, he said, “Unlike automobiles and even to some extent trains, business aircraft are rarely involved in collisions with other vehicles. Thus we have a very low risk that our company aircraft will be blindsided by another aircraft, and we can strictly adhere to policies that minimize even the low risk of mid-air collisions. “Other safety issues, such as what weather conditions are acceptable, are stated in our operations procedures and followed with pride by our crews. Because our pilots know our employees and recognize who is the lead passenger on each flight, security is assured. Nothing is more effective in countering terrorism than facial recognition. “Because operating our company aircraft provides us with more control compared with other forms of transportation, we feel more secure—and that is a good feeling,” he concluded.
“ Individuals deeply engaged in Business Aviation often say that control over the nature and implementation of transportation is the benefit they value most.”
Do you have any questions or opinions on the above topic? Get them answered/published in World Aircraft Sales Magazine. Email feedback to: Jack@avbuyer.com Business Aviation and the Boardroom continues on Page 36
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WORLD AIRCRAFT SALES MAGAZINE – June 2013
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