This post was originally published on July 3, 2018. It was updated on March 8, 2022.
On the surface, it may seem like fractional aircraft share owners enjoy the luxury of owning a private jet or turboprop without having to deal with managing the operations, but to say that fractional aircraft ownership is just a hassle-free option would be doing it a disservice. The reality is that the benefits of fractional jet ownership extend well beyond ease and convenience.
As with all important investments, you have to first understand how fractional aircraft ownership works to understand how it will benefit you in the long run. At PlaneSense, Inc., transparency goes a long way. Here’s a breakdown of the structure of fractional aircraft ownership so you can understand exactly where your money is going, what you’re agreeing to, and the benefits you’ll receive when you invest in fractional aircraft ownership.
The Fractional Ownership Model
Simply put, a fractional aircraft ownership program is an expanded form of co-ownership of professionally managed aircraft. Fractional ownership involves purchasing a share—typically a multiple of 1/16th—that will afford an allotment of occupied hours of fractional aircraft use per year plus a nominal amount of taxi time. You will also be required to sign a multi-year aircraft management agreement.
Other options for private jet travel that allow flyers to steer clear of commercial travel include:
- On-demand shared flights
- Jet cards
- Aircraft membership programs
- Aircraft charter services
While these options all have advantages and disadvantages, the reliability of the fractional jet ownership model is unbeatable. As a fractional owner, you have access to an entire fleet of aircraft identical to the one you have purchased. Guaranteed aircraft availability is hard to come by in the industry, but with the PlaneSense fractional program, aircraft availability is guaranteed with as little as twelve hours’ notice. You simply will not find that with a jet card program.
Because liquidity of your investment is a key benefit of fractional aircraft ownership, it’s important that your fractional program manager has a long, stable track record in the industry.
The entire PlaneSense® program operation is customer-centric and geared toward convenience, reliability, efficiency, and overall ease and comfort. Even during peak travel periods, such as popular holidays, adjustments are made to accommodate accordingly and create an equitable sharing arrangement for all owners. The PlaneSense® fractional ownership program features a fleet that includes both the Pilatus PC-24 jet as well as the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircraft.
Costs of Fractional Aircraft Ownership
PlaneSense, Inc. believes fractional private aircraft owners deserve to know exactly what part of the operation their budget is going toward, and that information is shared up front.
Management is a primary component that is integral to the success and safety of any aviation sector. Your monthly management fee covers fixed costs like:
- Pilot compensation
- Comprehensive pilot training
- Insurance
- Aircraft storage
- Frequent, thorough inspection and maintenance
- Regular refurbishment
- Administration
Beyond those fixed costs, the rest of what you pay for is the actual use of the fractional share, which is typically charged per hour. Fractional ownership in the PC-12 or PC-24 jet also offers greater availability as a share owner has access to an entire fleet, rather than one aircraft.
Benefits of Fractional Jet Ownership
As the most efficient, productive, and discreet option available on the private aviation market today, the underlying structure of PlaneSense® fractional ownership sets share owners up for unique benefits and advantages that other non-commercial flight options fail to offer. Fractional aircraft ownership strikes the perfect balance of letting the flyer be in control of their trip, but not bogged down in the operational details. Share owners won’t miss having to adhere to an airline’s schedule.
Even at major airports, fractional aircraft and other private aircraft are handled separately from airlines, with distinct terminals.
The goal of the PlaneSense® fractional program is to make your private flights simple. Simple is driving right onto the tarmac in some locations for direct access to the aircraft. Simple is guaranteed availability with only hours’ notice. Simple is bypassing air and ground traffic congestion by accessing airports closest to your destination. Simple is fractional ownership.
Luxury and efficiency are two concepts typically considered to be mutually exclusive, but with the PlaneSense® fractional program, you’re investing in a service that refuses to compromise prestige for comfort or comfort for efficiency. The goal is to get flyers from Point A to Point B as quickly and as safely as possible while also ensuring that their expectations for enjoying the trip are not just met, but surpassed.
For more information about the benefits of fractional aircraft ownership for private, recreational, and business aviation, contact us today or download our guide.
