Challenges Faced

1. Overwhelming Options:
   
   • The client, an aviation department for a family with multiple properties, faced a complex market with numerous aircraft makes, models, and features.
   • They lacked clarity on whether they should buy, charter, or fractionalize their private aviation needs.
2. Misaligned Purchase Goals:
   
   • Initial plans were focused on acquiring an Ultra Long Range (ULR) jet to accommodate two annual trips from Texas to Hawaii.
   • These flights only accounted for 5% of their annual travel, with the majority of trips being shorter regional flights.
3. Inexperience with Aircraft Feel and Functionality:
   
   • The client had no firsthand experience with the aircraft they were considering purchasing, making it difficult to assess suitability and comfort.

How HAA Provided the Solution

Heritage Aviation Advisors brought clarity and strategy to the decision-making process through the following steps:

1. In-Depth Flight Analysis:
   
   • Evaluated the client’s flight patterns, including frequency, passenger count, and average flight duration.
   • Found that 95% of their flights were under three hours with four passengers, making a midsize jet a more suitable choice.
2. Test Flight Strategy:
   
   • Arranged charter flights on six different aircraft models over two months, allowing the client to "test drive" options before committing to a purchase.
   • Ensured that every flight experience aligned with their needs for comfort, efficiency, and operational goals.
3. Cost-Effective Purchase and Operation Plan:
   
   • Recommended a newer midsize jet, which saved millions in acquisition and operational costs.
   • Developed a strategy to charter ULR jets for the Hawaii trips, eliminating unnecessary ownership expenses for those rare flights.
4. Operational Support:
   
   • Introduced contingency planning for maintenance schedules and AOG events, ensuring continuous availability.
   • Highlighted opportunities to generate revenue through chartering their new aircraft during idle periods.

Outcome Metrics

• Cost Savings:
  
  • Reduced acquisition costs significantly by choosing a midsize jet over an ULR jet.
  • Minimized operating costs while retaining the ability to handle longer trips through strategic chartering.
• Informed Purchase:
  
  • The client gained firsthand experience with multiple aircraft models, ensuring their final decision was based on practical knowledge.
• Increased Efficiency:
  
  • Streamlined their aviation strategy to meet both frequent and occasional travel needs without overcommitting resources.

Alternative Solutions

Without HAA’s guidance, the client would have purchased an ULR jet that was over-engineered for 95% of their trips. This would have resulted in higher acquisition, operational, and maintenance costs, and a misaligned aviation strategy.

Feedback from Client

"Working with Heritage Aviation Advisors saved us millions. The test flights gave us confidence in our decision, and their analysis made us realize we didn’t need to overspend on a jet for occasional long flights. Now we have a newer midsize jet that meets 95% of our needs, and chartering for the rest has been seamless."