A 100% Totally Real Airline For Dogs

The 50th annual SUN n’ FUN Aerospace Expo wrapped up it’s six-day “Spring Break for Pilots” on Sunday. It’s estimated that 200,000 pilots and Top Gun superfans alike flocked to Florida’ largest annual convention. Though, there have been no reports that Maverick and Iceman made an appearance at this year’s event… 🫠

In today’s email:

• Finally, Dogs Can Fly (no really)

• 6 Errors to Avoid When Selling Your Private Jet

• SUN n’ FUN Recap: New toys essentials revealed

• Around the skies: NetJet Pilots approve revised contract, Daher boosts Kodiak production, San Francisco promises to sue Oakland Airport, Textron revives the T182 Skylane, New Las Vegas Airport is back on track

• Aircraft For Sale: My Top Picks

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

A 100% Totally Real Airline For Dogs

The biggest problem with commercial aviation these days - aside from panels flying off midair - is the lack of catering to dogs. That’s all about to change though, because starting in May it will become much easier to bring along your furry friends.

Bark Air is here to revolutionize air travel for dogs, but it’s going to cost you. Fares start at $6,000 per person for a one-way flight between New York and L.A. and $8,000 for a transatlantic flight. However, us Americans love to spend some serious dough on our pets, topping out at over $136.8B in 2022 alone according to this study. Woof - at least some in-flight amenities include dog-preferred music, calming pheromones and treats, noise-canceling earmuffs and even “dog champagne” (chicken broth) to ensure a relaxed journey.

Dogs of all breeds and sizes are not only welcome to fly, but will be treated as VIPs (very important pups). No breed-shaming here, but you can’t bring your human children if they’re under 18. Leashes are only required during taxi, take off, landing or when there’s turbulence, but the rest of the time dogs are free to move about the cabin.

Bark Air is the brain child of Bark, the brand behind the pet subscription service BarkBox (what a mouthful). This seems like a great addition as another option for traveling with your pet, unless of course you’re a private pilot. In which case, you might as well spend that $6,000 on avgas for a trip that will be double the fun and three times as long! 🐾 ✈️

6 Errors to Avoid When Selling Your Private Jet

Selling your airplane might seem like a breeze, but avoid these six common mistakes to keep your transaction from crashing and burning:

1. Setting the Wrong Asking Price: Some sellers shoot for the stars, matching their price to the most expensive jets on the market, even if those have been gathering dust for years. Understanding the true market value is key, as maintenance and inspections alone won't necessarily boost your jet's price tag.

2. Poor Communication with Management Company: Forgetting to inform your management company or flight department about the sale is like planning a surprise party without telling the guests. From disputes with management companies to delays caused by uninformed flight departments, smooth communication is vital for a successful sale.

3. Failing to Consult the Right Experts: Without the guidance of an experienced aircraft broker or consultant, sellers risk setting unrealistic expectations and missing out on crucial insights into the market. Trust the experts to set a competitive price and guide you through the process.

4. Failing to Disclose Vital Information: Being upfront about your jet's history, including any damage or maintenance issues, is essential for building trust with potential buyers. Misrepresenting your aircraft's condition can lead to legal trouble and tarnish your reputation (it’s a small world in aviation).

5. Poor Organizational Skills and Bad Planning: Neglecting to keep proper records or review purchase agreements promptly can lead to delays and frustration for both you and potential buyers.

6. Not Taking Great Photos: It's like trying to sell a house with dirty floors and cluttered rooms. First impressions matter, so make sure your jet is clean, well-maintained and presented in the best possible light. From the paint job to the hangar environment, every detail counts when wooing potential buyers.

And if you need to sell your aircraft, I can help. Send me an email so we can chat: [email protected]

AIRSHOWS

Spring Break for Pilots

That’s a wrap for the 50th Annual SUN n’ FUN Aerospace Expo. Early in the week, aircraft manufacturers debuted new models including the 700 hp Piper M700 Fury and the refreshed Cirrus SR22 G7, the 6th iteration of the SR series (the number 4 is bad luck for the owners of Cirrus Aircraft, hence no G4). Daher also updated the TBM 960 with enhancements to the Home Safe automatic landing protocol - now passengers can simply push a button to land at the nearest airport, rather than trying their luck in the cockpit if the pilot becomes incapacitated.

Spanning over 50 acres and utilizing an estimated 2,000 volunteers, this once small-town gathering has become the premier fly-in event for Yankees flocking south to escape the final days of winter; though it’s still only ⅓ the size of EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh (certainly not a bad thing).

Junkers A50 Heritage

Last year, Junkers Aircraft (pronounced “Yoonkers") revealed the A50 Junior - a modern refresh of the world’s first sports aircraft. The single-engine, two-seat low-wing monoplane with an oval fuselage cross-section took to the skies for the first time in 1929, but it was completely refreshed for 2023 with the addition of a Rotax engine, glass cockpit and several other 21st century improvements. However, based on “consumer feedback” (i.e. more than a few unhappy DMs), the people were not completely satisfied. Pilots all around the world thought the Rotax on a Junior changes the nose entirely, making the aircraft appear more tubular and cigar-shaped. But fear not because Junkers just revealed the A50 Heritage! And according to it’s German manufacturer, it “meticulously captures the essence of Hugo Junkers’ imaginative and original design” with its two-piece glass windscreen and Scarlett 7U radial engine.

This is one of those planes that grows on you the more you look at it. Pricing specifics are yet to be announced, but I’ll be sure to keep room for one in my [future] hangar, among the many other aircraft on my wish list.

New Dynon 12-inch Display

Dynon Avionics showed off the company's newest display, the 12-inch HDX1200. It joins the 10-inch HDX1100 and 7-inch HDX800 in the SkyView lineup. The new display carries over all the features of the existing SkyView HDX architecture, but adds a larger touchscreen display. Maybe bigger really is better?

SNIPPETS

NetJets pilots have given a resounding thumbs-up to their revised contract. With 98% participation, they're soaring into the sunset with extended medical leave and fancier retirement plans, leaving turbulence behind like yesterday's bad in-flight meal.

Daher is revving up production for its Kodiak planes, aiming to pump out 25 aircraft this year with a backlog longer than a TSA line during holiday season. The company's Sandpoint, ID facility now boasts a second assembly line, ensuring a smoother process from airframe assembly to customer delivery.

Oakland Airport officially became the “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport,” sparking ire from their neighbors across the bay. The city of San Francisco is accusing Oakland of deliberately confusing travelers with the new name, while Oakland insists it's just a savvy move to attract more visitors to the Bay Area, despite the impending legal storm promised by San Francisco's City Attorney.

Textron has breathed new life into its T182 turbocharged model, unveiling interior upgrades at Sun 'n Fun that include swanky new seats, power headset jacks and USB charging ports at every seat. With production resumed after a hiatus since 2013, Textron aims to cater to pilots' comfort and convenience, signaling its commitment to enhancing the Cessna piston aircraft lineup for pilots worldwide.

Finally Taking Flight: After years of consideration, plans for a second commercial airport near Las Vegas are getting off the ground. The Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport, set to be located in Ivanpah Valley, is poised to address the growing demand for air travel in the region and will help alleviate the strain on Harry Reid International Airport. Projected completion is 2037.

Watch the Behind the Scenes of making this newsletter here. It’s grown from 0 to 700 subscribers in just two weeks - or as my wife would say, “closing in on a thousand.” 🤣 Please help me reach my goal of growing flybuyer to over 10,000 aviation enthusiasts by sharing it with your friends!

Pilot Humor: State of the aircraft market

AIRCRAFT FOR SALE

MY TOP PICKS

This 1965 Piper Cherokee 235 might be a little old, but she’s got low time and a clean maintenance history. Recent Annual, complete logs, useful Load approaching 1400 lbs and will cruise at 135 knots - very clean airframe and it will fly until sold.

• Asking Price: $114,500

• Location: Fergus Falls, MN

This 2018 Cirrus SR22T G6 GTS includes a fresh Annual, low-time and fully-equipped with Perspective+, Spectra wingtip lighting, Flight Stream, Global Connect, Surface Watch and more! Original owner, bought new from Cirrus Aircraft.

• Asking Price: $869,900

• Location: Troutdale, OR

This 2021 Carbon Cub EX3 looks pretty darn sweet with the American flag decals. Fresh Condition Inspection by CubCrafters Service Center, includes a Garmin G3X Touch, Garmin Autopilot, ADSB in and out, Titan CC363 (186HP) engine with the Hartzell 83" Constant Speed Prop. This plane also has Acme Pro Series Shocks, 31" Alaska Bush Wheels and a Baby Bush wheel on the tail. It’s also worth nothing that it was built by a 7-time EX3 builder 👀

• Asking Price: $359,000

• Location: Somerset, KY

This 2021 Boeing Business Jet MAX 8 redefines luxury travel with its unparalleled combination of extended range and fuel efficiency. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this aircraft caters to the most discerning of travelers, offering an exquisite flying experience like no other, including a 17 passenger “VVIP” layout (that’s a new one for me) with 5 zones, two of which are full bedroom suites.

This thing is so ridiculous, I just had to include two photos. But buyer beware, this is a variant of the Boeing 737 MAX. You’ve been warned…

• Asking Price: You don’t want to know

• Location: Delaware, USA

Magnificently restored PT-6A powered Grumman Goose converted by McKinnon in 1968. This Super Goose was fully upgraded to McKinnon G21G configuration in 2020. Specs include 200+ knots TAS, 5 hours flight duration and 5,200 lbs. of useful load. This aircraft underwent a major rebuild and upgrade of all systems entailing over 30,000 man hours. This Goose is a true adventure aircraft - it has been used it to explore the Aleutian Islands, the Bahamas, Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands in just the last three years.

• Asking Price: $2,950,000

• Location: Seattle, WA

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Need to Sell Your Plane / Looking for an Aircraft? I’m the founder of Royal Aviation Group, a veteran-owned aircraft brokerage that specializes in social media and video content to get airplanes sold. Send me an email at [email protected] if you’d like to chat.