P R I E S T E R AV I AT I O N N E WS L E T T E R
THE PRIVATE TRAVELER CLIENT FOCUSED DALLAS FLEET EXPANDS SAFETY RENEWAL AVA I L A B L E FO R I M M E D I AT E C H A R T E R THE JOURNEY OF JORDAN EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
VOLUME 4 | 2016
PRESIDENT’S PEN
It’s About You. Priester is excited to welcome new team members to our organization as we continue to reinvest in the future of our company. As our company continues to grow, our guiding vision and values continue to hold firm and put our clients first. We recognize our expanding family of team members that work tirelessly each day to advance our philosophy of “it’s about you” as we create limitless travel experiences. We are enhancing our service by listening extensively to our clients as they tell us to push the bounds of extraordinary in every facet of travel. This is what drives us to deliver the finest global private aviation service. To further deliver on an extraordinary experience, Priester is expanding its fleet with dedicated charter aircraft, allowing for seamless booking and greater accessibility. As we operate in an evolving market, we understand no client is the same, and our goal is to continue to bring new travel solutions to our discerning clientele. We would also like to highlight some of our team’s crowning achievements in once again earning the Air Charter Safety Foundation accreditation, confirming our dedication to safety. As always, I am available to learn more about your needs and how we can exceed your expectations. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Warm regards,
Andrew Priester
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CLIENT FOCUSED Over the past six decades we’ve learned a lot. Our company has grown from a small Midwestern company into an international organization. We’ve adopted a shared vision for the future that has united our team with a new-found passion. The client is at the heart of all that we do. We know that the success of our organization is directly related to the integrity of our service. We treat our clients as we would want to be treated in order to earn their trust each and every day.
“AT P R I E S T E R , W E TA K E A P E R S O N A L I Z E D A P P R O A C H TO M A N A G I N G C L I E N T A S S E T S TO G A I N A F U L L U N D E R S TA N D I N G O F T H E C L I E N T S ’ E X P E C TAT I O N S , ” said Andy Priester, President and CEO of Priester Aviation. “We understand that our clients’ needs evolve, and our team is ready to adapt and innovate to provide a better client experience, always.”
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CHALLENGER 604
P R I E S T E R E X PA N D S D A L L A S AIRCRAFT FLEET
BIGGER AND BETTER IN TX Priester Aviation’s fleet of the most modern aircraft just got better in a big way. Located in Dallas, Priester’s newest fleet members, the Challenger 604, Hawker 800XP and Challenger 350, offer enhanced travel solutions for Texas travelers. This new fleet of aircraft offers comfort second-to-none and boasts a suite of travel amenities perfect for both business and leisure travelers.
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H AW K E R 8 0 0 X P With a newly refurbished interior and meticulous attention to detail, the Challenger 604 offers a travel experience like no other. This large cabin aircraft has a range of more than 4,000 nautical miles and seating for up to 10 passengers making it ideal for long distance charter flights. Fully outfitted with a full galley, flight phone, DVD player and free WiFi, the Challenger 604 provides exquisite travel accommodations.
T E A M U P DAT E
CHARTER SALES TEAM E X PA N D S I N N Y A N D T X Priester Aviation is excited to announce that Michael Giordano and Wade Beyer have joined the company, adding new depth and experience to the sales leadership team of the private aviation company. Giordano is responsible for the expansion of Priester’s “Flying private on our aircraft eliminates the inconveniences of commercial aviation, allows for ultimate flexibility and gives you control over your busy schedule. In addition to saving time at the airport, flying on our business jets allows productivity while en route, providing a private workplace for you and your colleagues.”
northeast and mid-Atlantic charter sales as Vice President of northeast Charter Sales. Beyer also joins Priester as Vice President of Charter Sales, and will be responsible for client retention and expansion of Priester’s southwest territory.
- Gary Gennari, SVP, Charter Sales
For travelers in need of a midsize cabin aircraft, the Hawker 800XP is one of the largest cabins in its class, with ample cabin space allowing plenty of room for working or relaxing. In addition, the Hawker 800XP combines comfort with improved range and speed. With a vast array of amenities perfect for business or luxury travel, the Hawker 800XP enhances your travel experience. The Challenger 350, an eight-seat, super-midsized jet located in Dallas and Houston, can access more airports than any other contender in its class. With a cabin cross-section nearly the same as a large cabin aircraft, it is one of the most spacious interiors in its category, making it ideal for domestic or intercontinental charter flights. Each aircraft is available for immediate charter and conveniently located in Dallas or Houston. Contact your charter representative for additional information or to book your next charter.
S A F E T Y U P DAT E
AIR CHARTER SAFETY F O U N D AT I O N R E N E WA L Priester is proud to announce that the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) has renewed our status on the ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry. The IAS is the first and only extensive audit program specifically created for on-demand operators by a committee of Part 135 and 91K industry leaders. It is conducted every 24 months and is in-depth in its evaluation of regulatory compliance and the operator’s Safety Management System (SMS) program against both FAA and international standards.
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NEW TO PRIESTER
AVA I L A B L E F O R I M M E D I AT E CHARTER The newest addition to the Priester Aviation fleet, located in the Northeast, brings Learjet’s traditional sleek design to the mid-size class. The Learjet 60XR is the perfect choice for business trips or family travel. With a range of 2,700 miles, the 60XR can fly at a comfortable speed of 536 mph. The Learjet 60XR places special emphasis on comfort and convenience making it the perfect choice for your next private jet charter trip. Travel on Your Own Terms • No Owner Approvals - The Learjet 60XR requires no owner approval streamlining your booking experience. • Charter Dedicated - The Learjet 60XR, is solely dedicated for private jet charter trips making access to your limitless. • Flexible Daily Minimums - Who needs restrictions? The Learjet 60XR requires little to no daily flight minimums for use. Estimated Round-Trip Pricing for Popular Travel Destinations • Teterboro to Saint Maarten | 5 nights | $44,700 • Morristown to Turks and Caicos Islands | 5 nights | $39,900 • Philadelphia to Sea Island, GA | 3 nights | $24,600 To find out more or for help arranging your next private charter trip, contact a Client Services Representative at + 1 888 323 7887 6
GETTING THERE Let us fly you into Healdsburg with a flight to Sonoma County Airport (STS). Our Client Services team will assist you with car service and hotel accommodations for the short travel time to the Jordan Winery Estate located seven miles north of the Sonoma County. Airport.
T R AV E L D E S T I N AT I O N
HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA
THE JOURNEY OF JORDAN For breathtaking views, gourmet food and exquisite wine, look no further than Jordan Estate, home to Jordan Vineyard & Winery. The Jordan Winery experience is one unlike any other. Jordan Winery welcomes guests by appointment for three unique wine tours and tastings at its Alexander Valley estate in Healdsburg, California. All experiences include seated food and wine pairings, making Jordan one of the most sought-after destinations in Sonoma County wine country. Proprietor John Jordan, whose parents founded the French-inspired winery four decades ago, has elevated and expanded Jordan’s hospitality to include dinner parties at the Winery Chateau and other festive culinary events. It’s no
surprise Jordan continually ranks in the Top 10 Winery Tours by TripAdvisor. Journey beyond the walls of the Winery Château in Healdsburg for a guided wine tour of Jordan’s breathtaking vineyards, scenic vistas, lakes, chef’s garden, apiary and more. You’ll ride in style to remote destinations where you’ll explore Sonoma County wine and food in the countryside where they’re grown, enjoying tastings of their current release, Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, two library selections, Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil and an array of food pairing delicacies from their chef. It’s the ultimate way to experience the best of Jordan Estate. Advance reservations are required due to the intimacy of the experiences. Contact Priester to discover the grandeur of the Jordan Winery Château in Healdsburg. Our Client Services team will work with you to create a star-studded winery tour at one of the finest wineries in wine country. Who knows? You may even catch a glimpse of John Jordan, an avid pilot himself, flying over Jordan Estate in his yellow Piper Cub. For more information, or to request a quote for charter to Healdsburg, call +1 888 323 7887 7
ABOUT US
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
SCHALK VAN DER WALT
Born in Pretoria, the capitol of South Africa, Schalk Van Der Walt had a fascination with building things from a young age. Though he is now an adult, his fascination with building has never truly ended, but rather evolved into different areas of his life that have directly translated into to his aviation career. Growing up in a smaller town next to the country’s largest airport exposed Van Der Walt to a lot of mentors at the South African Airways. “One of my early mentors was a flight engineer on the 747 Classics. Knowing him exposed me to opportunities to go and look at these “monster ” aircraft,” said Van Der Walt. This included tours of the engine shops, machine shops, major maintenance hangers and the flight line on a regular basis. This mentorship provided Van Der Walt with hands on experience in a machine shop where he learned to work a steel lathe and a milling machine at age ten. His first major tool purchase was an
oil bath welder that he bought for his tenth birthday. From there, he began building a go-kart with the help of a flight engineer. “Most of the parts needed for the kart were inspired by systems and parts used on an aircraft. One thing my friend always reminded me of was that unlike working on your car, an aircraft has no place to pull over for maintenance if the mechanic made a mistake or forget something. Still today, this is the basis where my personal safety philosophy derives from.” Through his mentorship and love for building, Van Der Walt felt it was a clear choice to attend a university to begin his education as an aircraft engineer and fulfill his dream to work on aircraft and their components. “So far my career has taken me places I never thought possible and I still love it,” said Van De Walt. Outside of his professional career, Van Der Walt spends much of his free time building vintage motorcycles and furniture. His goal: to design items that are unique and experiment with things he hasn’t seen before. The detail oriented nature of these projects is one he says translates seamlessly to his role as Director of Maintenance at Priester Aviation.
Priester Aviation is among the world’s most experienced global private aviation companies, specializing in aircraft management and private jet charter. With over 70 years of experience, Priester Aviation is among the elite private aircraft operators that hold the highest safety accreditations including the ARG/US Platinum rating, Wyvern Wingman, IS-BAO Stage III and Air Charter Safety Foundation certifications.
T R AV E L E R CALENDAR NOVEMBER 16-17 Guggenheim International Gala New York, NY (TEB) www.guggenheim.org DECEMBER 1-4 Art Basel Miami Beach Miami, FL (MIA) www.artbasel.com DECEMBER 14-18 Newport Beach Holiday Boat Parade Newport Beach, CA (SNA) www.visitnewportbeach.com JANUARY 15-20 Quantum Key West Race Week Key West, FL (EYW) www.artstage.com Front Cover Image © Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation