Hey, Wing Nut!

[alkamar]

I thought that would get your attention, Marty. I got to do a dream job today that I have always wanted to do since I was a kid. It was more pleasure than work, and no it wasn't one of Bill Clinton's work habits. It was my job to test our city mesh network in the police helicopter. I had trouble concentrating on signal strength at first, because I was enjoying the flight. We got weak signal in some areas, but it was pulling 911 dispatch and current patrol unit locations on the map. They responded to 3 calls while we were up, which meant a steep angle that let me see the ground without having to look down.
It was awesome. This had to be my best day of work, and I'll do it again in an instant if the opportunity arises.

 

[Mako Shark II]

(I'm laughing, because that DID get my attention!)

Welcome to the world of "Corporate Aviation"!!!

And despite what (bad press) the media reports, it's actually a very essential tool, despite what Congress & uninformed, well-intended folk might think about VIP's using Biz-jets to get around. (Okay, the recent trip to Washington DC on a Gulfstream IV (“G-4”) by GM Exec's really was brought to a negative boiling point, particularly in the wake of the Federal bailout, [Full Story Link] but still…

Corporate Aviation is a vital tool, and I’m pleased that you just got a taste of it. It is a rarity, to be sure, but look at the role it CAN provide when its not abused.

Yes, there are many Instances of indulgences, and Yes, it’s “expensive”, but compared to what??

What’s the cost to have a staff of high-priced Corporate type guru’s sitting on their hands, while they wait for a Commercial flight? (And I work for an Airline!)

This was exactly the scenario when six of us were on our way to Savannah from Memphis, oddly enough to visit the very same Gulfstream Aerospace, our contracted client. We were stuck (while the President of Gulfsteam waited for us....) at Atlanta Hartsfield under a frog-choking storm cell. It was at that very moment after a 6-hour delay when my boss, the CEO, looked around at his managment team and said, "What am I, an Idiot?!??" Then he immedaitely called the Chairman and demanded that the B.O.D. approve our order for our fractional ownership of a jet. His justification: TIME MANAGEMENT.

….and Yes…. It is kinda sweet, not to wait in TSA lines, and have the flexibility to fly on YOUR schedule, especially when the meeting runs long.

In your case, Helicopters are absolutely essential and entirely required in Civic support. Glad you got a taste.

Others in this group have a hand in this too. I know Tyson flies a Lear 45 or 60, not sure.

This very aircraft and others like it, were my corporate taxi for several years:

The most dangerous part is: Getting to the Airport!

 

[tgriffin]

Marty is exactly right. The company that owns the Lear 60 I fly has some of the largest companies in the world as it's clients. The negative attention that the media and current administration (not trying to start a fight here!!) have put on corporate aviation has really affected the whole aviation industry. While I agree that it wasn't a bright idea when the three largest automakers in the US hop on three different 30+ million dollar aircraft to come ask for handouts from the government, but, as Marty said a business aircraft that is utilized properly will more than pay for itself.

Here is an actual example of aircraft utilization that happened to us. The main guy we fly was on a skiing vacation with his family in Colorado (he airlined there by the way), when Walmart gives the company a call and insists there be a meeting with the top two execs of the company. Now, they were picked up by the corporate jet and flown to Bentonville, AR and had their meeting and squared the things that needed to be squared away.

They could have very easily gotten on an airline flight, but things could have definitely gotten delayed, canceled or re-routed. Most everyone that reads this forum has had a negative experience on an airline. I'm not busting out the airlines, I used to fly for one and enjoyed it, but there is so much behind the scenes that has to happen to have a successful on time departure.

Now, had the above example not gone like it had and they were not able to get there, the company could have lost a very "large" account. There are companies out there that need corporate aircraft. The companies that are shedding their flight departments and affecting a lot of the people's lives that made their living from them, aren't going on airlines. DON'T kid yourself!! They are just doing this as a publicity stunt, and now going on fractional and charter aircraft, which in the long run is more expensive than actually owning and operating their own aircraft.

OKAY....Sorry for Ranting and Raving... I have just have a good number of friends who have been deeply hurt by the negative attention of the media recently

Here is the aircraft I fly

Tyson

 

[mim37204]

Being in an aerospace research facility such as ours at MSU has let me see firsthand some really really cool aircraft.

This includes a number of NICE G-5's and even a Cessna Citation X, all the way to research craft and UAV's.
We have a good number of aero guys intern/get jobs at Gulfstream.

Heck, we even designed and built the Honda Jet here.

The big future for small commercial jets is going mach 1+, and extended range/fuel economy. All three are easily acheivable with modern advancements... It's just a congressional law preventing the faster than sonic travel over US airspace that holds that part back.

 

[alkamar]

Sorry to hear about publicity making hard on you and your friends. I am envious of people that get to do this on a regular basis.

I just got this cool free phone that took better video than I had expected. Here is a clip I call "Walking the Dog."



And here is a short cell phone clip of the flight.

 

[alkamar]

I thought I'd post a slideshow to share.

 

[tgriffin]

mim37204


If you could get on with Gulfstream, I'd say do it. They are the ultimate in corporate aircraft. I am hoping to break into the international corporate scene in the next few years. With all the over qualified people on the street now it is extremely competitive for a pilot to try and land a fortune 100 job. I hope that this economy will turn around and these companies will re-open their flight departments.

alkamar

A helicopter ride sure is cool!!! I almost went in that direction with my career. I have a friend of mine that I grew up with that owns 5 piston helicopters that they use to round up cattle and do wildlife surveys in S. Texas with.

 

[tgriffin]

deleted

 

[alkamar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14749237#post14749237 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mim37204
Being in an aerospace research facility such as ours at MSU has let me see firsthand some really really cool aircraft.

This includes a number of NICE G-5's and even a Cessna Citation X, all the way to research craft and UAV's.
We have a good number of aero guys intern/get jobs at Gulfstream.

Heck, we even designed and built the Honda Jet here.

I thought that was a prototype at first. I haven't seen anything sub par that bears the Honda name. They make some of the quietest and most dependable small engines.

 

[Mako Shark II]

Okay.... My turn. (Marcus, this thread is like candy to me!!!!)

It’s nice to talk “shop” in a novice environment. Sometimes, we’re too close to it all to remember to appreciate why we got into aviation in the first place. Let see…. Where to start?

First of all, Marcus you were on a Bell Jet Ranger. A mainstay with millions of flight hours. Awesome! I also like the FLIR (and for those of you that may not know: That’s a "Forward Looking Infra-red Radar". It provides an “eye in the sky”, even if it 100% cloudy, rainy, whatever. Kind of important for VFR (visual) flying, like Helo’s.

Tyson, thanks for the clarification. The 60’s are sweet. Working for Pinnacle Airlines Corp., I too am familiar with Bombardier Aerospace. (We fly 124 CRJ200 & 16 CRJ900’s for Pinnacle and 14 Q400’s for Colgan Air.) And just to think: in addition to making my CRJ's and your LearJets, they make Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Sea-Doo Waverunners! Crazy Canadians!

Mim, ever hear of Atlantic Aviation? They’re a prime sub-contractor to the Honda Jet project. The C.O.O. is an acquaintance of mine. They're over in Greensboro if you ever want a referral.

And Tyson is spot on: if you can get on with General Dynamics (NYSE: "GD" (parent to Gulfstream), do it. I have spent ton of time in Savannah and know a lot of top people down there. Great Company! Really Good People!

Okay, but don't tell them that I’ve also done work for their arch rival: Dassault FalconJet. The 7X is still one of my all time favorites. Tell me this isn’t Sexxy!

7X - Flooded Runway Test:

7X â€"œ Landing

7X â€"œ at Cruise

....and it’s predecessor: the Dassault FalconJet 900EX

All it takes is about $54,000,000.:eek1:

 

[tgriffin]

Bombardier makes a great product. I've got about 1800 hrs in the crj-200. Great airplane, just extremely under powered. The 7X is awesome. There is a company in Memphis that was going to be taking delivery of one(sorry, don't wanna name names) but word on the street is it isn't coming now. I saw one in Rogers, AR the other day. Very Nice!!!!

Marty, you need to get me the hook-up @ Gulfstream.... HAHA.. just joking. I am really hoping to get myself in a position to be flyng a G-550 or the new G-650 one day!!! If that happens I'm planning on a rather large SW tank. For now I have to have what my little learjet can pay for!

 

[aslavatortin]

I wish I had time to get a license! My cousin flies a C-17 for the USAF and some of my fondest memories involve riding sideways, doors-open in a UH-60 when I was in the Army. And how about jumping out of perfectly good airplanes?

 

[Mako Shark II]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14750703#post14750703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tgriffin
The 7X is awesome. ...... I saw one in Rogers, AR the other day. Very Nice!!!!

....I am really hoping to get myself in a position to be flyng a G-550 or the new G-650 one day!!!

You know the Falcon Completion Center is over in Little Rock, right? Dassault flies them in "green" (stripped naked, primed and empty), then completes them with Avionics, Interiors, Paint and just about anything your little (wealthy) heart desires! Last time I was in those (gleaming!) Hangars, they had 12 (!!!!) 7X's, plus other 900EX & 2000's on the floor in various stages of completion. (That's like $650+ Million dollars on the floor.... No joke!)

As to the new Gulfstream 650... You and every other Jet-Jock! Get in line. That aircraft will re-affirm Gulfstream as: "The World Standard". (Fast & L-o-n-g range!)

G650

(Sigh...) Oh, to be stupid wealthy....

 

[tgriffin]

Yep, they have a very nice facility. I commuted out of Little Rock for three years when I worked for Air Wisconsin. I tried for two years to try to get a job in Little Rock. Very tough market to break into. Someone has to die or retire for an opening to come up with some of them. I have two friends I'm counting on to get me on with their flight department. They have several G-V's and Sikorsky helicopters. Supposedly getting the 650's when they come out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, even though it's in the northeast. COLD winters!!!!

 

[alkamar]

Wow. I have never seen a 7x before, but you are right, it is a very sexy craft. Since times are tough, I would settle for the Honda for family travel. Though I would have to sell a few of the kids on the black market first to afford one.

 

[mim37204]

Ha.



I would try for Gulfstream, but my concentration is in rocketry & spacecraft.

Besides, something about having the knowledge to design any of these aircraft, and then design something perfectly tuned to forcefully take it out of the sky is cool to me. And if you really want to split hairs, something to take that out of the sky. Anti-missile missiles!

First day of aero you learn one thing. It's different than any other engineering branch... Aero guys make weapons, everyone else just makes targets.

 

[Mako Shark II]

Can't we all just get along?