Private aviation

South Florida CEO, Nov, 2004 by Joan Gonzalez

Blue Star's edge, he adds, is that the company does not require you to buy the aircraft or pay monthly maintenance fees. The Sky Card is somewhat like a debit card, with the cost debited against your account with the company, providing total flexibility. While your money is in your account, Blue Star pays 6 percent on the balance, which is credited for use toward future flights.

"We are one of the fastest growing private aviation companies in the country, up over 300 percent," says Seigel. "Fractional was great in the 80's, but in today's situation, we offer customers a unique product. At Blue Star you can pick and choose and have more than 50 types of airplanes at your fingertips. You can have 10 hours or 100, you pay only for what you use. Our safety record is impeccable and we have an independent third-party give the aircraft, crew and operator a full inspection once a year."

In addition to an office in Boca Raton and New York, Blue Star has 15 offices worldwide and has plans to open offices in Miami and Naples by the end of 2006. Seigel says the company acts as a brokerage firm, purchasing free seats from other private jet companies. It caters to small- and medium-sized companies and individuals. "We handle everything a customer wants, from the finest catering to Barney videos for children to a specific wine," he says. "We take them from Miami to the Bahamas in 40 minutes or fly them around the world for two months."

Seigel can also come to the rescue when need be. When Hurricane Jeanne threatened the Cayman Islands. Blue Star whisked families out of harm's way and after the storm had passed it sent cargo planes in with generators, food and medicine.

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Although in business for a little more than a year at Ft. Lauderdale's Executive Airport, SmartJets, whose slogan is "Just Plane Smart," is aligned with some heavyweights. Its parent company is Aero Toy Store and Global Jets, a charter company, is a subsidiary. Chip Gesner, SmartJets president, explains that his company sells hourly rates rather than shares of an aircraft.

The Aero Toy Store, which is owned by Morris Shirazi, provides SmartJets with access to a fleet of current-model, light, medium or heavy aircraft. "You are not restricted to one aircraft, as in fractional ownership, but can select the craft that best suits your needs at the time of travel," Gesner says. "We have aircraft that can go from Fort Lauderdale to Japan without stopping. Families that want to fly together can drive their car up to our hangers and leave it, taking off when they're ready."

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Gesner adds that the advantage of buying time as opposed to ownership is that you only pay for actual time spent using the aircraft. "$105,000 will get you approximately 25 hours in a light jet," he says. "The money invested in your SmartCard is as good as cash. If you decide to buy an aircraft from Aero Toy Store, 100 percent of your balance is available towards that transaction."