Recorded on 08/30/2023

From Chartering to Ownership: Inside the World of Private Aviation

Lifestyle Services

Would you like to share with close friends or colleagues?

Commercial air travel has become increasingly unpredictable for a multitude of reasons, including outdated software, unruly passengers, and pilot shortages. The commercial airline industry’s woes, however, have proven advantageous to the private business aviation industry, which saw a record 5.5 million private business flights last year – up 10 percent from 2021.

Anyone who has wasted time and money due to a recent commercial airline mishap may want to explore the growing private airline sector. For over three decades, Jet Support Services, Inc (JSSI) has been the leader in providing maintenance support, private consultations, and financial services to the business aviation industry. JSSI’s CEO Neil Book and JSSI’s Vice President, Nel Stubbs share the pros and cons of various private flight options including charter flights, jet cards, shared ownership, and full ownership. They also provide insight into the operating costs of aircraft ownership, explain how to factor in aircraft utilization, and talk about how to budget for the total cost of ownership. Finally, they offer guidance on tax considerations, including how state, local, and federal taxes are applied to each ownership option.

Listen to this interview for an insightful and informative look at the growing private aviation sector to evaluate whether it makes sense for your business or family, and to learn more about the future of private travel.

About Neil Book

Since 2012, Neil Book has served as a Director and the CEO of JSSI, broadening the product and service offerings to include software, parts sales, engine leasing and consulting, leading the company through a period of 500% top and bottom line growth. He has led multiple debt and equity transactions for the organization, including the 2020 and 2022 recapitalizations with GTCR and Genstar.

Prior to joining JSSI, Neil launched and led Juniper Networks’ Mobile Security business unit, in connection with the acquisition of SMobile Systems, Inc., where he served as President and CEO. SMobile was an early innovator and market leader in creating security applications for the rapidly emerging smartphone market. Neil is the inventor of two cyber security patents.

Neil began his career at AT&T, holding a variety of management positions. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware.

About Nel Stubbs

Nel Stubbs is Vice President of JSSI | Conklin & de Decker business unit, and Director of Consulting Services with the JSSI | Advisory Services.

Nel has been in the business aviation industry for more than 35 years and has consulted with numerous Fortune 500 companies and high-net-worth individuals on aviation tax-related matters at both the federal and state levels. Nel is considered one of the foremost tax experts in the industry and has extensive experience in the areas of tax planning, cost and financial analysis, budgeting, aircraft ownership and operating structures and tax audits.

Over the course of the last 35+ years, Nel has worked with the Internal Revenue Service and various state departments of revenue and taxation regarding tax issues associated with general aviation aircraft. She is also an active participant in industry-related tax activities, a frequent speaker at seminars and industry forums, and has been widely published in the aviation trade press.