| Charter flight - hiring a plane and a pilot for travel to | | | | When it came out in 1958, the Gulfstream I |
| a specific destination - goes all the way back to 1913 | | | | considered the finest aircraft for charter fight yet |
| when an enterprising pilot started carrying passengers | | | | built, and its $1 million dollar price tag did not prevent |
| between San Francisco and Oakland (the only other | | | | it from gaining a significant market share. Although |
| alternative in those days before the Bay Bridge was | | | | later this aircraft and its successor, the Gulfstream II |
| a slow-moving ferryboat), it was actually the federal | | | | were later retrofitted with jet engines and renamed |
| government who made the first use of charter flight | | | | the Gulfstream 100 and 200 respectively, when it |
| in the sense of hiring individuals and small companies. | | | | comes to corporate jet travel, the name most |
| The year was 1918, and the purpose was to carry | | | | people remember is Lear. |
| the mail for corporate business and banking interests. | | | | The 1964 Lear Jet was the first private jet |
| The reason was to reduce the "float time" on checks | | | | manufactured and mass-produced for the general |
| during which funds were unavailable. By 1925, airmail | | | | civilian market. Today, its descendant, the Lear Jet |
| was being carried on a regular schedule. | | | | 60 is one of the most common corporate jets in use. |
| Corporate jet travel for executive travel has roots | | | | Other business and corporate jets include the |
| that predate the development of a viable jet engine | | | | Gulfstream IV-SP, which not only features oak |
| - all the way back to the 1920's, in fact when virtually | | | | furnishings, leather sofas and a soundproof interior, it |
| all powered aircraft still used piston engines and | | | | is capable of circumnavigating the globe in 37 hours. |
| propellers. The first private aircraft intended for | | | | The Cessna Citation X is capable of carrying 12 |
| business use was the 1932 Beech Model 17 | | | | passengers in comfort at speeds of nearly 1000 |
| Staggerwing. This sleek-looking aircraft epitomized | | | | kilometers per hour, making it the fastest production |
| futuristic, art-deco design, with retractable landing | | | | aircraft made. |
| wheels and a luxuriously-appointed interior that | | | | Along with the increase in comfort and capability |
| featured mohair-cushioned seats with leather trim and | | | | have also come steep increases in price and upkeep |
| room for five passengers. This was followed up in | | | | costs, which is why companies find it more |
| 1937 with the Beech Model 18 Twin. It was the first | | | | cost-effective to simply chart flights on corporate |
| aircraft designed especially for business charter flight, | | | | jets on an as-needed basis. A charter flight is not |
| and 7,000 were built and sold over the next | | | | only more cost-effective, it can also result in |
| thirty-two years. | | | | significant tax savings for your company as well! |