The business airplane: safe, secure and flexible. (Executive Travel & Transportation).

When someone mentions business aviation, thoughts often turn to the corporate jet flying senior executives to various locations in the United States and around the world. Frequently, that does happen, but just as likely the scenario involves the safe and efficient transportation of companies' middle managers, technicians and customers in not only jet aircraft, but in helicopters, turboprops and smaller single- and twin-engine airplanes as well.

Business aviation encompasses a broad spectrum of missions, all aimed at optimizing efficiency, flexibility and security. Passengers travel on airplanes flown by flight crews with experience levels and safety records unsurpassed even by major airlines. But unlike the airlines, passengers on business airplanes are not restricted by predetermined flight schedules. Business airplanes fly at the convenience of the passengers on board--any day and any time.

More Options for Business Travelers

Further, business airplanes are not limited to the large hub airports (approximately 50 in the United States) served by major air carriers or reliever airports (approximately 500) served by regional airlines. Available to passengers on business airplanes are more than 5,000 airports across the United States--many just a short distance from the passenger's final destination. In fact, some companies have built plants, offices and other facilities within close proximity of an airport specifically to facilitate access to their people, equipment and customers. The result for many communities near those airports has been the creation of tens of thousands of jobs.

Business aircraft are utilized by all types of people and companies, from individuals who often fly rented, single-engine, piston-powered airplanes, to sales or management teams employed by the largest multinational corporations, many of which own fleets of multi-engine, turbine-powered aircraft and employ their own flight crews, maintenance technicians and other aviation support personnel.

Many large companies use business aircraft to transport personnel and priority cargo to a variety of far-flung company or customer locations, including sites overseas. Often business aircraft are used to bring customers to company facilities for factory tours and product demonstrations. Companies and individuals, such as salespeople and technicians, use business aircraft to cover regional territories within several hundred miles of their home bases. While the overwhelming majority of business aircraft missions are conducted on demand, some companies have scheduled operations, known as corporate shuttles, which essentially are in-house airlines. Most corporations that operate business aircraft use modern, multi-engine, turbine-powered jets, turboprops or turbine helicopters that are certified to the highest applicable transport-category standards. Aircraft built specifically for business use vary from four-seat, short-range, piston-powered airplanes to two- and three-engine corporate jets that can carry up to 19 passengers nearly 7,000 miles nonstop. Some companies even use airline type jets. Helicopters also are often used for business transportation.

Business aircraft operated by companies usually are flown by two-person, professionally trained crews whose primary, if not exclusive, responsibility is to fly company aircraft. Some smaller operators of business aircraft, especially business people who pilot their own aircraft, typically use one pilot to fly piston-powered machines.

Although the majority of business aircraft are owned by individuals or companies, businesses also utilize business aviation through arrangements such as chartering, leasing, fractional ownership, timesharing agreements, interchange agreements, partnerships and aircraft management contracts.

Regardless of how business aircraft are utilized, companies choose them because they provide safe, efficient, flexible and secure transportation.

Business Aviation Forum at Long Beach Airport on March 28

Interested in learning more about the benefits and advantages of a business airplane? The National Business Aviation Association, in conjunction with Long Beach Airport, the Long Beach Airport Area Business Council, and AirFlite, will conduct a one-day Southern California Business Aviation Forum and Static Display on March 28, 2003. At the Forum, a special seminar will be held for organizations and individuals who have considered owning or operating their own airplane. This session will help you determine if owning or operating a business airplane is right for you. In addition, a number of business aircraft will be on display for you to review. Admission to the Forum is complimentary. Please contact Benjamin Jones at [phone] or [e-mail] for registration information. Or visit www.nbaa.org for more details on the Forum.

Joe Ponte is Vice President of Membership, Marketing and Regional Programs for the National Business Aviation Association in Washington, D.C.