Who is HeliFlite Shares, LLC?
HeliFlite is a privately owned Delaware Limited Liability
Company with its Corporate Offices and operating base for
the New York Prime Service Area (PSA) at Newark International
Airport in Newark.
[back to questions]
How do I know if helicopter travel
makes sense for me?
A helicopter will always save you time on trips
up to about 250 miles, sometimes huge amounts of time. Helicopter
travel makes sense when you consider your time a precious
commodity and can afford to go by air. It especially makes
sense when you have places you want to go, but dread the
drive. We can put precise numbers on the time you can save
by helicopter and the cost to do so. But first we need to
know where you want to go and how often. You can share this
information with us by filling out our interactive survey
here, or by contacting
us by E-mail or telephone 877-FLY-HELI. [back
to questions]
How do I decide between charter
or fractional?
Generally speaking, if you plan to fly more than
50 hours a year, fractional may be more economical. Fractional
makes eminent sense if you have long term needs and are
comfortable committing to a five-year ownership term. Many
appreciate the shorter term nature and more limited investment
of purchasing flight time in blocks of 25 hours. This is
our HeliCard™ program. We can help you make the financial
analysis for either option. For infrequent users, spot charter
is the way to go. We quote a price for just one trip, even
if it’s only a six-minute hop to a nearby airport.
[back to questions]
What is HeliFlite's commitment
to safety and security?
At HeliFlite, our number one priority is safety. Our commitment
to pilot and crew training, customer service, maintenance
and security leads the field. HeliFlite's flight and ground
crew personnel are specifically trained in security situational
awareness and receive recurrent training every six months.
[back to questions]
What safety equipment is on board
HeliFlite aircraft?
Both the Bell 430 and the
Sikorsky S-76 are Category
A certified twin-engine helicopters, capable of single-engine
flight in the unlikely event of an engine failure. Their
cockpits are equipped with the latest safety features that
reduce pilot workload and improve efficiency. Each aircraft
is equipped with: a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS-1);
Electronic Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS); and a Global
Positioning System (GPS) for precise navigation in any weather.
[back to questions]
What are HeliFlite's Pilot requirements?
Minimum qualifications for the position of captain are 3,000
hours of total flight time, a first class medical certificate
and an Air Line Transport Pilot endorsement. HeliFlite captains
on average have over 7,000 total flight hours. Co-pilots
are required to have a minimum of 1,000 flight hours and
a second class medical certificate. HeliFlite co-pilots
have an average of 4,000 flight hours. HeliFlite's pilot
requirements are similar in nature to those of business
aircraft fractional programs.
[back to questions]
What type of training do HeliFlite
pilots receive?
All HeliFlite pilots are trained on a recurring basis by
FlightSafety
International. FlightSafety is the premier training
provider for business aircraft globally. HeliFlite pilots
train in a full motion simulator and practice all aspects
of professional airmanship. HeliFlite leads the industry
in crew resource management training (CRM) which ensures
that proper aircraft management and crew communication techniques
are used by flight crew members at all times. Recurrent
training is supplemented by HeliFlite's own in house training
program that includes aircraft equipment such as TCAS, weather
radar and GPS on a self-paced, monitored basis through a
continuous training (CTS) program. HeliFlite also instructs
its pilots in security situational awareness. [back
to questions]
How are the HeliFlite aircraft
maintained?
All maintenance is performed at our home base at Newark
International Airport under the supervision of and by HeliFlite
personnel. All HeliFlite maintenance personnel are Airframe
and Powerplant certified technicians. All aircraft are maintained
under rigorous maintenance standards including progressive
annual inspections, contributing to high mission availability
rates. [back to questions]
How do I schedule a flight with
HeliFlite?
You can call our HeliFlite scheduling and dispatch department
(1-877-FLY-HELI) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We will
arrange your flight and will coordinate with your business
aircraft or ground transportation. HeliFlite will also arrange
for any offsite landing requirements. HeliFlite specializes
in personalized service and has earned a reputation in the
market for such service. Whether you require special security
or would like special catering, music, reading materials,
or family pet handling on board your aircraft, HeliFlite
personnel are ready to meet your unique needs.
[back to questions]
What if my schedule changes or
I will be delayed for my flight?
If you are delayed, your aircraft will wait for up to one
half hour. Other arrangements can be made if you are late
or need to reschedule your departure. [back
to questions]
Do you guarantee availability?
HeliFlite guarantees availability, with access 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week (12 hours for fractional ownership,
48 hours for HeliCard™ customers). [back
to questions]
If the helicopter is meeting
my business jet, how are the arrangements made to meet the
aircraft?
HeliFlite operations personnel utilize commercially available
software that enables the company to track inbound and outbound
business aircraft (as well as HeliFlite aircraft) by "tail
number". This system enables us to anticipate your arrival
by business aircraft, and ensure that a helicopter is running
and nearby upon your arrival. HeliFlite will coordinate
with your flight department, aircraft management company
or fractional provider. [back
to questions]
Can I land at a non-airport
site and how are those arrangements made?
Yes, a powerful advantage of the HeliFlite program is the
ability of the aircraft to land at a non-airport location.
Landings at approved heliports and heli-stops are standard
operating procedure. Landing at new, non-airport locations
require a site survey by HeliFlite personnel for safety
and other operational considerations and local municipality
approval. HeliFlite has been successful in obtaining off
airport landing approvals for a number of its owners. [back
to questions]
Are pets allowed onboard the
aircraft?
Yes, pet are welcome onboard all HeliFlite aircraft. [back
to questions]
What is Fractional Ownership
and how does it work?
An individual or company purchases a share, or interest
in a helicopter without assuming maintenance or management
responsibilities that come with owning your own aircraft.
You purchase only as much flight time as you need to meet
your travel requirements. HeliFlite provides professionally
trained pilots, maintenance, hangar, insurance and scheduling.
HeliFlite provides expert aircraft management services associated
with the ownership of your helicopter. HeliFlite manages
everything concerning the care and operation of your helicopter
interest. The ownership experience is truly "turnkey" and
hassle free. Schedule your trip with one simple phone call.
[back to questions]
What are the initial investment and recurring costs
associated with fractional ownership?
In addition to the initial acquisition, there is a monthly
management fee (adjusted annually, not to exceed 4% or CPI-U)
which covers your proportional share of pilot, maintenance,
hangar, insurance and other fixed costs of ownership. There
is also an occupied hourly rate which covers fuel, lubricants
and warranty program. The Bell Genuine Parts Support Plan,
provides warranty protection for your aircraft share for
the five-year period. You pay a fuel variable (built into
the occupied hourly rate) and approximately 7.5% FET tax
on your occupied flight hours only. [back
to questions]
How does HeliFlite calculate
occupied hours?
There is no minimum flight time billed to HeliFlite owners.
Actual flight time is billed in 1/10 increments (each 1/10th
increment equaling 6 minutes). In addition, 2/10 hour is
added to each occupied flight. [back
to questions]
What other fees am I responsible
for?
Owners are billed for all other costs associated with their
flights such as landing fees, heliport wait times, special
use fees, special catering, ground transportation and taxes
in a manner consistent with owning your own aircraft.
[back to questions]
What is the term of the program?
The program term is 5 years. As an owner, you have the right
to sell your interest back to HeliFlite at the end of the
five year period for Fair Market Value (FMV). At the end
of the 5 year period, you may leave the program with your
FMV payout, or re-enroll using your equity as an offset
to a new ownership
interest. [back to questions]
Why own a share in a
helicopter when I also own a share in a jet?
Cabin class helicopters are indisputably the most efficient
way to travel distances of 200 miles or less. For flights
originating or terminating in Manhattan, the helicopter's
ability to transport you directly from the three Manhattan
heliports saves a significant amount of time by avoiding
congested ground arteries to airports such as Teterboro,
White Plains or to cities or locations within 1 1/2 hours
flight time. Typically, HeliFlite can transport you from
Manhattan to a destination
such as Philadelphia or the Hamptons in less time than it
would take to drive to one of the local New York airports
to catch a business jet. [back
to questions]
What type of aircraft are offered
through the HeliFlite program?
HeliFlite offers the Bell 430
for both charter and fractional programs, as well as the
Sikorsky S-76 for charter.
Both are twin-turbine executive class helicopters that are
larger, quieter and more comfortable than single-engine
types offered by other regional charter providers. Moreover,
our aircraft are always flown by a crew of two, enhancing
safety. Both are configured to seat six to seven passengers.
All possess advanced avionics similar to systems found on
well equipped business jets. These features include a traffic
alert and avoidance system, weather radar and GPS navigation.[back
to questions]
