Trends Transforming Aircraft Interiors

November 16, 2020 Aircraft owners want elegant, eye-catching cabin interiors made from materials that last. We looked at the latest trends in aircraft interior design and identified the top changes we are likely to see in interior refurbishment. Looking Cooler, Feeling Modern Trends highlight a color family movement from earthy warm to modern cool tones, […]

Aircraft Management: The Aviation Professionals Every Jet Owner Needs

By Joe Barber, VP Fleet Development, CAM July 15, 2020 Savvy business jet owners know how to maximize operational efficiency and safety, in the air and on the ground, while minimizing costs, complications and inconveniences. In short, how to enjoy the full benefits of jet ownership. How to own a private jet? There are five […]

Choosing Your Aircraft Management Company: Five Keys to Successful Due Diligence

By Joe Barber, VP Fleet Development, CAM July 9, 2020 In a perfect world, the due diligence process to select the right aircraft management company would be straightforward and objective. Competing proformas would be formatted identically with the same terms for every line item. There would be no hedging or ambiguity. No hollow promises or […]

Phenom Inspections: Owners Gain From Clay Lacy Experience

July 6, 2020 Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 aircraft manufactured in 2010 are coming due for their extensive 10-year, 120-month inspections; 2011 models must be inspected next year. To perform these inspections, Phenom owners throughout the Southwest are trusting their planes to the highly skilled specialists at Clay Lacy’s Embraer Authorized Service Centers at Van […]

Greater Client Value: Data-driven Decision Making, Segregated Accounts

July 6, 2020 We recently introduced two key initiatives to add greater value for our clients. First, a Financial Planning and Analysis department, with a dedicated FP&A Analyst, to transform aircraft data into actionable insights and enable true data-driven decision making. Second, segregated, interest-bearing checking accounts provide owners exceptional transparency, and make it easy and […]

Three Ways to Reduce Your Business Jet Ownership Costs

July 6, 2020 These are tough economic times, and let’s face it, corporations and ultra high-net-worth individuals are not immune from the economic downturns brought about by COVID-19. Thousands of companies rely on private aviation, or more aptly business aviation, to safely, efficiently and conveniently transport their teams where and when they are needed most. […]

Jet Charter Helps Businesses Drive Economic Recovery

May 28, 2020 We’re all adjusting to the many changes in our lives over the past few months. Finally, though, it appears we’re on a path to reconnection, rather than isolation. As businesses start to ramp back up it’s clear that private aviation will play a big part in our economic recovery and restoration of […]

Spring Break in Kyoto, Japan by Private Jet

A Spring Break Destination Full of Flowers The days are getting longer, the temperatures are starting to rise, and you can see Mother Nature begin to awaken in all her beauty. It must be spring. This year’s spring equinox falls on March 19, which means you can finally put away your heavy winter layers and […]

Q&A with Justin Rosen: Transforming the Ownership Experience

Justin Rosen Vice President, Aircraft Management & Business Strategy In a recent conversation, Justin Rosen, Clay Lacy’s Vice President of Aircraft Management & Business Strategy, discussed how the company is continually enhancing the aircraft ownership experience. “We optimize every aspect of our management services to serve and support our clients,” Rosen said. “Our approach is […]

New 24/7 Aircraft Maintenance Facility at Van Nuys Airport

Serving clients throughout the Western U.S., Clay Lacy moved into a newly refurbished and enlarged 24/7 aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for our FAA Part 145 repair station at Van Nuys Airport. Clients benefit from around-the-clock capabilities, including mobile AOG support, as well as a multi-million-dollar parts inventory, shorter repair times and greater value. […]

Top 3 Ski Resorts to Travel to in the Pacific Northwest

A three-hour charter flight from Seattle, Washington, will get you out of the city and onto the slopes of these top Pacific Northwest ski resorts — and January is the best month to go skiing. By the middle of January, the holiday crowds have left the mountains. Spring skiers will not arrive for another two […]

Three fall-inspired recipes for the sky

The weather is not the only thing changing around here. A new season brings with it a new line of fresh produce to prepare and serve at 41,000 feet. Clay Lacy Aviation cabin attendants always strive for excellence, and that means incorporating fresh, seasonal and local food throughout their menu. We asked three of our […]

NYC to Miami: Charter South for the Winter

We do not have to sell you on the weather in the Sunshine State. Florida is nice year-round. You could be there now playing golf or putting out to sea. Instead, here you are out in the cold. It does not have to be this way. Charter with Clay Lacy Aviation to the perpetual summer […]

What To Ask Your Jet Charter Broker Before You Fly

You need to know this. Brokers and other private jet charters often focus only on finding the lowest cost option for your trip. Buy it low to sell it high. They’re not paying attention to the quality of aircraft, experience they’re putting you in or the proficiency of the pilots flying for you. When was […]

Asset management: Improved reporting capabilities

Ownership of a business jet represents an ongoing investment, which means that aircraft management is actually asset management. Complete, accurate and timely reporting are critical. Clay Lacy’s new reporting capabilities provide clear, transparent and actionable information that clients can access easily at any time, from any device, wherever they happen to be. These new capabilities […]

120-month inspections due for Phenom 100 and 300 jets

The very first deliveries of Phenom 100 and 300 produced in 2008 are coming due for their 120-month inspection this year. This inspection is largest and most thorough in the Phenom maintenance manuals. The interior is completely removed, all inspection panels are opened, and the gear are removed and sent for overhaul. The estimated downtime […]

Meet Clay Lacy’s new VP, Flight Operations, and our new Chief Pilot

Dondi Pangalangan, Vice President of Flight Operations Dondi is responsible for providing leadership and guidance to Clay Lacy’s flight operations, control center functions, inflight services, and safety, security and regulatory compliance. He works closely with our pilots, cabin attendants, clients and leadership team, ensuring that safety, service and value are at the core of all […]

Clay Lacy opens Dallas-Fort Worth office

Clay Lacy has opened an office at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (KFTW) in Fort Worth, Texas. Headed by Chris Broyhill, Senior Vice President, Part 91 Operations and Regional Development, the new office will focus initially on supporting the company’s aircraft management clients, followed by a full-service operations center, hangar facility, private jet charter services […]

Get to know Joe Barber, Vice President of Fleet Development

Clay Lacy attracts the best and the brightest, highly accomplished professionals with vision as well as expertise. Joe Barber, our Vice President of Fleet Development, is one example. In 2018, the NBAA named Joe to its first Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes young professionals for their career accomplishments and dedication to […]

Listening and responding to our clients

In late 2018, Clay Lacy initiated a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative client feedback survey. Working closely with the Seefeld Group, an established marketing research consultancy serving the business aviation sector, our performance was objectively measured against what our customers identify as most important. As a result of those research findings, we are implementing the following […]

Fall destinations for the private jet traveler 

Fall is upon us. The cooler temperatures and the crisp air bring a new buzzing of energy and the changing of the leaves to remind us of the colors we’ve been missing for months. While Mother Nature’s other seasons may be more popularized with holidays, sunshine, and new beginnings, it is fall that makes us […]

Meet our aircraft management team

September 6, 2019 Our aircraft management team serves as the executive point of contact for our aircraft owners. Each executive brings wide-ranging business aviation expertise to serve our clients with personalized attention—and each either holds or is working toward their NBAA Corporate Aircraft Manager (CAM) certification. In future issues, we will highlight individual team members, […]

Beat the deadline for FANS and ADS-B

Clay Lacy’s FANS 1/A+ STC is FAA and EASA approved for the Gulfstream GIV, GIV-SP and GV, and Challenger 601-3A/601-3R business jets. Price and downtime depend on the specific configuration, but the typical cost is under $300,000, with only 14 business days of downtime. This STC is also available for installation at Authorized Universal Avionics […]

Scholarships for the next generation

Developing and nurturing tomorrow’s pilots, mechanics, cabin attendants, dispatchers and other aviation professionals is critical to our industry. To help these new workers receive the best education and training, Clay Lacy Aviation provides scholarships to promising students pursuing aviation degrees, licenses or certifications. “Helping new generations of business aviation professionals has been a foundational mission […]

Save $45,000 when you trade up to Gogo AVANCE L5

If you have been waiting to upgrade your Gogo ATG system to 4G Wi-Fi, the perfect time is right now. Trade up to Gogo Biz AVANCE L5 by December 31, 2019 and receive a $45,000 installation credit, or a full year of free Gogo Biz 4G Pro service valued at $52,140. To qualify, all you […]

A long-term strategy for crew recruitment and retention

Quality of life. Compensation and retirement benefits. Scheduling flexibility. Predictable career paths. These are among the complex and interrelated reasons why many pilots leave aircraft management and jet charter companies for jobs at commercial airlines or corporate flight departments. Many others choose not to pursue business aviation opportunities at all. Simply put, pilots are leaving […]

Five winter private jet destinations for snow or sun  

Can’t decide if you would rather hit the slopes or lounge on a beach during your upcoming winter vacation? With private jet travel, you no longer need to decide on mountains or marine life but can maximize your holiday and experience both. Here are the top five private jet destinations for snow and sun this […]

How To Fly On A Private Jet: Private Plane Travel

Planning a private flight and want to know the quickest, best and most seamless way to book the private jet charter of your dreams? Here are seven simple steps on how-to travel by private jet. 7 Steps To Flying On A Private Jet: 1. Send Private Jet Trip Details The first step to booking a […]

Top five seaplane destinations in New England

Private jet travel opens up a world of adventure and enjoyment, but there remain a handful of destinations that are simply inaccessible by private jet. Seaplanes, or floatplanes as some call them, offer the perfect complement to the private jet; offering a convenient, exciting, and stylish way to experience a summer holiday (albeit a unique […]

Three Traits the Best Aircraft Managers Share

Entrusting your aircraft to a professional aircraft manager is a significant decision with long-term implications on safe operations, ownership experience, overall enjoyment of your plane, and resale value. How does owning a private jet work? Owning a private jet is simple when you engage the services of a professional aircraft management company who coordinates all […]

From private jet purchase to first charter flight

A growing number of private jet owners are chartering their aircraft when not in use to reduce the cost of ownership. Before a jet can be chartered, it must conform to a specific set of rules set forth by the FAA (known as Part 135) and be listed on an FAA air carrier certificate. The […]

Top 4th of July travel destinations by private jet

July 4th is a holiday that welcomes mid-summer vacationers and invites individuals to take a slow-pause to hectic work schedules. Whether you prefer to celebrate independence in the center of a vast metropolis— with fireworks sparkling overhead— or cuddle quietly under a remote night sky, here are the top destinations to travel by private jet […]

5 Ways Aircraft Management Saves a Private Jet Owner Money

Through pooled purchasing and thoughtful decision making, an aircraft management company can save a private jet owner 25-30% in annual operating expenses over a single aircraft flight department; while also improving safety and service. Here is an overview of the five areas that aircraft owners will save when choosing to partner with a reputable aircraft management company. Fuel Fuel is the largest variable cost that private […]

Flying from LA to St. Barth: Tradewind Meets Clay Lacy

For discerning travelers en route to the Caribbean, the transfer between a large-cabin charter jet and a final-leg turboprop can often lead to inconsistencies in service. In response, Tradewind Aviation and large-jet operator Clay Lacy Aviation have partnered to provide seamless access to St. Barth, including plane-to-plane transfer averaging just 10 minutes.     To […]

Top Memorial Day Travel Destinations By Private Jet

Whether you would like to sink your toes into the sand, sit back and enjoy the views of sweeping vistas, or stroll through streets that take you back in time, the best way to arrive to your Memorial Day weekend trip is by private jet. Here are the top five destinations, to charter a private jet, for […]

3 Tips For Booking An Experienced Private Jet Charter Company

December 14, 2022 Interested in traveling to your next business meeting, private island escape or weekend getaway in complete comfort and privacy— with no headaches or hassles? Here are three insider tips to make booking your next private jet simple and hassle-free. 1. Book Early The unpleasant and overcrowded landscape of commercial aviation, along with […]

The Latest and Greatest Private Jets to Hit Business Aviation

The latest and greatest business jets redefine freedom, convenience, and comfort; launching the private aviation industry further and faster than ever before. Here is a look at some of the most anticipated jets to launch the next era of private jet travel.     Gulfstream G500/G600 Gulfstream ushers in exciting innovations with the introduction of […]

3 Spring Events That Perfectly Pair With A Private Jet

 Snow melting into spring invites a bright new set of activities to the calendar. The options of where to go in March, April and May are almost as endless as are the ways to get there. Whether jet-setting by private aircraft, sailing away on a mega-yacht or landing via personal helicopter, here are the ideal […]

Hottest Food Trends ‘Flying’ On Private Jets

Dining at 41,000ft, on a private jet, is an elevated experience— one that is tastefully designed and artfully created. Cabin attendants take great care to prepare meals or snacks that fit a guest’s desired tastes. These in-flight professionals spend thoughtful hours researching and understanding dining trends, client preferences, and how food might present during flight. […]

5 Trends In Business Aviation In 2018

Business aviation is a dynamic and ever adapting industry that continues to experience robust growth across worldwide markets. There are a variety of factors influencing the sector including an increase in demand for qualified pilots, a pronounced interest in private jet travel (and the time savings and efficiency it provides), and a heightened sophistication of […]