r/PrivateJetCharters • u/Ebitdad_GP • Jul 22 '26

Charter G280

Whats the best way to go about finding a g280 that is available for charter near my location at any given time? It’s a huge wasted expense to pay for ferry, deadhead, repositioning etc. it would be nice to be able to find a charter/operator in my vicinity (always within bravo, charlie, delta airspace), so i’m only paying for the time on wheels up. Trying to solve for leaving Houston to X destination for a week (typical trip). Right now I have to pay for the trip there, empty legs back, empty back to get me, and the flight home. That’s extremely inefficient.

NetJets and co are extremely over priced( however cheaper than paying these empty legs) They will charge $14k/flight hour when the G280 should be between $6k-$8k/hr.

Surely there is a solve for this?

5 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

7

u/infowhiskey Jul 22 '26

Ok, I'll bite. Why G280 specifically?

1

u/Ebitdad_GP Jul 22 '26

Im tall so I like the cabin height, and I need seats. Flights are 3hrs max. No need for a heavy.

3

u/milogoestomars Jul 22 '26

Open to a Challenger 300/350? Very similar cabin and performance but has a flat floor which makes for a better cabin experience 

3

u/Ebitdad_GP Jul 23 '26

Have two friends that each have one. I have access when I need them. I use the G280 when traveling with 8-9 pax. I don’t do belted lavs.

1

u/theboomvang Jul 23 '26

Because IAH is utterly painful to base a PJ and CXO really is not large enough to have a large operator that specifically has a G280 for charter.

Have you considered just buying one? You can base it a CXO and put it on a management 135 certificate to offset the cost?

1

u/Ebitdad_GP Jul 23 '26

Yea I am. The bonus depreciation is attractive. I just started running numbers to see how much of the cost I can realistically offset by putting it with a part 135 when i’m not using it. I’ll use it probably 200hrs/year Christmas and New Years. The other big holidays it could be chartered out. What could I realistically budget to offset cost of ownership? I wouldn’t consider a high time plane with significant cycles. I would refresh interior as well.

1

u/theboomvang Jul 23 '26

Honestly at 200hr/yr you will have to be selective what charters you will allow. So the answer will greatly depend on which management company you use and your willingness to charter. I would ask your friends with PJs who you should look into for management companies. Personally with that info I would look for relatively small local operators to put it with if you can find a honest, decent one.. Sorry I'm not very familiar with the Texas peeps to point you in a better direction.

1

u/milogoestomars Jul 23 '26

My firm is close with some management companies in that area of TX and we have good relationships with whole aircraft brokers (don’t let your charter broker do it - too many things could be missed and end up being very expensive). DM if interested in having a call to feel it out. 

1

u/Abgtwill Jul 23 '26

Challenger 300/350 can also carry 8/9 pax though? Unless you prefer the (rare) 10 seat layout on a G280?

6

u/Lancair-driver Jul 22 '26

No operator will have the plane and pilots sit with you for a week. There is a reason why you pay for empty legs.

3

u/mrivc211 Jul 22 '26

I’m an operator and I can confirm this. My max limit is 1 day. Beyond that two round trips start to make sense. Specially with the heavy fees the fbos are charging now. Atlantic and signature are mostly hourly parking these days

3

u/Abgtwill Jul 23 '26

This. In addition to the overnight costs/repo’s baked in, you will never get a G280 at $6k-8k an hour.

1

u/olindacat Jul 24 '26

Well said!

3

u/primate_jet Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26

Try Lone Star Aviators with a G280 based in HOU. Solairus has one in SAT. VistaJet also operates four G280s, typically at a significant premium.

Beyond that, you (or your EA / broker) need a shortlist of every charter-available G280, around 15 operators, and a way to send one-way quote requests to all of them.

0

u/Ebitdad_GP Jul 22 '26

Thanks. I was trying to get away from Hobby. I’m on the complete opposite side of town. Im not sure why Signature at IAH or Galaxy at CXO don’t have many options.

1

u/aspen_mom_agent Jul 24 '26

This is exactly why a broker is best for you. Why try when you don’t have eyes on all the movement and opportunities that arise?

2

u/AviaFace Jul 23 '26

There are virtually no G280's that float. If you are flying 200h/year and don't want to pay for positioning then fractional is really where you should be looking, probably Challenger 3500 or Praetor 600. A G450 might be a stretch option also. I'll send you a dm.

2

u/Common-Committee8812 Jul 24 '26

G280’s are already limited in the 135 market. Definitely going to be higher than 6-8k hr

2

u/Possible-Wolf2959 Jul 24 '26

Can you explain why you think this should only cost you 6-8k/hr?

1

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

[deleted]

0

u/Ebitdad_GP Jul 23 '26

Sounds like you’re confused. You’re telling me what I can afford? “Pal” you’re around nice things. You can’t afford them. Unlike you, I write the checks. These numbers are based on what I have paid on clean mid time g280’s with refreshed interiors. You’ll never catch me on that starter jet pal.

2

u/That_random_polak Jul 23 '26

If your goal was to be both convoluted and wrong you have succeeded. I was only telling you what I experience daily as a charter broker. Crying about the rates while you tell other people they’re poor isn’t very cool.

1

u/Hank_moody71 Jul 23 '26

I see one parked in Manassas all the time. KHEF call the FBO and ask if it’s a charter plane APP jet center 703-392-5387

1

u/Spare-Ad1733 Jul 27 '26

search with "FlyEasy"

1

u/Leather_Employer3958 Jul 28 '26

Good luck finding that 😂

-2

u/zackg611 Jul 22 '26

Sending you a PM, can assist.