August 27th, 2010
 Beware of SEO firms making big promises I am amazed at the vast number of emails I get from SEO companies promising to get my aviation marketing website on page 1 of Google. These firms must not be doing their homework because my website is already on page 1.
Many times , these so called SEO experts who spam your inbox are snake-oil salesmen reincarnated, using unethical techniques to drive up search rankings. If you’re a novice to search engine optimization, you may be tempted to contact one of these firms – especially those who offer an enticing ploy of not charging until they achieve a target search objective. The problem is that in search engine optimization there is the right way (“White Hat” methods) to achieve good search rankings, and the wrong way (“Black Hat” methods).
Black Hat Methods Can Get You Blacklisted
SEO firms that employ “black hat” methods such as keyword stuffing, hidden text, cloaked and doorway pages, link farming, and blog spamming, can indeed improve your search rankings short-term, but these techniques violate search engine terms of service, putting your website at risk of being banned. Search algorithms identify these SEO tricks and will eventually blacklist your site from future searches, keeping potential customers from being able to find you. It happens every day, and quite often business don’t even realize it until much later.
More money to reinstate your site’s SEO status and integrity
One day your aviation business website appears on page 1 of Google and you happily pay the charlatan’s SEO fee; the next day, your website has been “blacklisted” and doesn’t appear on any search engine. Now that great deal is going to cost you more money, time and resources to correct the damage done.
The first clue a SEO firm may be unscrupulous is the fact they promote themselves via unsolicited emails; if they market their own company by using unethical spam techniques, how ethical will they be in their SEO practices to promote your aviation company? Not very.
In choosing a search engine optimization firm, you want a firm who has a proven track record of results and satisfied customers. It’s always a good idea to check a firm’s background and ask for references.
Tags: Aviation Marketing, Aviation search engine optimization, Aviation SEO, black hat SEO, blackhat SEO, how to choose search engine optimization firm, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, SEO marketing, SEO scams
Posted in Marketing, Online Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
July 30th, 2010
 Low-cost marketing tips that will keep your charter company flying The economy has been in a slump for some time, and while there are signs of improvement, the recovery is not here quite yet. Unfortunately, aviation has taken a disproportionate hit during these tough times, undeservedly positioned by the media as a prime example of corporate excess. Automobile executives flying corporate jets to Senate hearings only added fuel to the fire, and flamed an anti-aviation agenda in the news media.
Even those not hard hit by the economic downturn feel it is bad taste to flaunt their wealth. For example, a neighbor is installing a luxury pool in their backyard, but won’t allow the contractor to place a lawn sign advertising the pool company so as not to draw attention to this display of wealth.
Aircraft Charter Especially Susceptible in Tough Times
In good economic times, wealth expands, allowing for discretionary dollars to flow towards activities like private jet travel. During a recession, the opposite occurs, and businesses look to cut costs. They limit air travel in general and air charter in particular. Because an air charter company’s aircraft and infrastructure costs remain fixed despite the economic climate, an extended downturn can have a major impact on the company’s ability to sustain itself resulting with a number of high profile companies like JetDirect going bankrupt.
Smart Marketing Can Help Your Air Charter Company Get Through Tough Economic Times
In a down economy, aircraft charter companies that are able to maintain – even increase their marketing and sales efforts, through a smart, low-cost marketing program – will be best able to weather the downturn and emerge even stronger when the economy eventually improves.
Aircraft Charter Recession Strategy
PART I: Utilize cost-effective marketing tools
The first part of the air charter recession strategy is to utilize low-cost marketing tools that can have an immediate impact in generating sales. Look no further than your website.
1. How easy is it to book a flight or request a quote from your website? Many air charter websites have the ability to request a quote right from the homepage. Prospective customers may visit two or three websites. The one easiest to use, wins the business.
2. Is your website optimized for search engines? Will a prospective customer find you via a Google, Yahoo, or Bing search for air charter in your particular city? If you type “aircraft charter (your city)” into Google and your website does not appear in the first three pages, then you are at a definite disadvantage to those competitors that appear higher in the search ranking.
3. Are you active in industry groups that serve aviation as well as industries that use air charter services? Networking is still a great, low-cost way to meet new customers and build a network of associates who can refer business to you.
4. Are you getting your story out to the press on a consistent and frequent basis? An on-going public relations campaign is another relatively low-cost, but effective way to build awareness for your air charter business with prospective new customers.
PART II: New Opportunities Exist, Find Them!
 Lady Gaga would find charter more comfortable in her crazy costumes The second part of our Air Charter Recession Strategy is to be on the lookout for new opportunities – even when business turns south.
1. Corporations that have closed flight departments. Many of the aforementioned automakers have sold off their corporate jets, and closed or reduced their flight departments. However, these high-level business executives will prefer not to fly commercial if a practical charter alternative is made known to them.
2. Individuals who have sold their private jets. Like those celebrities that have traded Humvees for a Tesla, owning a private jet these days is considered much too bourgeois. But Lady Gaga must travel, and she’s not going to feel comfortable in one of her crazy outfits, even if she flies first-class.
3. Companies sending teams of people on location. Any company that needs to send a team of employees to service a client’s needs on location is going to find air charter an attractive and cost effective alternative to commercial air travel. Research engineering and consulting firms or other industries that need to transport teams of staff to the same locale. Reach out to them and show them how a private charter flying direct to their destination can provide considerable savings in cost and time.
4. Companies doing business in locations not served by major airports. If a business executive needs to book connecting flights into regional, rural or secondary airports, the cost for commercial flying rises dramatically. Educate these companies about the savings air charter can provide in terms of money and time when travelling to regions not served by major airlines.
Tags: affordable executive travel, aircraft charter, Aviation Marketing, charter flights, cheap airfares, corporate travel, flight alternative, Lady Gaga
Posted in Aircraft Charter, Airport Marketing, General Aviation, Light Sport Aircraft, Marketing | Comment »
June 30th, 2010
 Regional and smaller airports are under constant pressure from encroaching development, noise complaints, environmental issues, and over/under utilization, with the ultimate goal of adversaries to close or curtail operations. An effective step airports and the aviation community can take to protect its interests is to create a non-profit organization to become an effective voice and representative for the airport.
Unfortunately, most airports and their respective GA communities don’t organize until a crisis threatens — often too late to be an effective counter force to the opposition’s efforts formed months or even years earlier in pursuit of its anti-aviation agendas.
How to organize effectively
The Westchester Aviation Association, a not-for-profit organization, is an excellent example of how this kind of organization which represents the general aviation community at Westchester County Airport (HPN), just outside of New York City, has helped that airport thrive.
Founded in 1982, the WAA has been a consistent and vocal voice for GA at the airport. They have made great strides in community outreach to address resident concerns, and have maintained strong ties to local, state and federal officials. The WAA has been successful in communicating the benefits the airport provides to the community by direct and indirect revenue, convenience and safety.
Combined efforts block anti-aviation legislation
Recently, a New York Congresswoman backed legislation that would implement a permanent ban on nighttime flights at the airport. The WAA was instrumental in reacting quickly to the proposed legislation, and was successful in getting it blocked. The WAA’s success illustrates the value of an active airport association in place before a crisis threatens the aviation community.
Through diligent community organization, communication and education, the WAA also serves as a model for others to counter attempts to curtail aviation growth for airports and deal with encroaching development, noise complaints, and other issues.
This May, the WAA co-sponsored a major event at Westchester County Airport with Hawker Beechcraft. The event was well attended by politicians, corporations, media, local businesses, civic organizations, and even a former astronaut to illustrate the economic benefits of regional airports.
“Our airport is clearly a tool that promotes economic development,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “The airport is home to more than 80 businesses, employs 1300 people and contributes $649 million to the local economy.”
Regional airports would do well to follow the WAA model.
Jeff Lee, President of the WAA, said the partnership between the organization, local government and community residents has been key to the development of the airport.
“The airport spurs jobs and brings business to the area,” said Lee. “So we reached out to the community and tried to find common ground between local citizens’ concerns and airport operations.”
The WAA proves the success accomplished by a fully developed and sustained community-aviation relationship providing a healthy, local economy to benefit all communities neighboring a regional airport.
Listen in on WAA community/business event
Click here to listen to a brief podcast of this effective aviation event WAA May Event, Westchester Business Takes Flight.
If you wish to join the Westchester Aviation Association and be a part of its on-going efforts in supporting GA at HPN, click here for an application form.
Tags: anti-aviation, economic benefits of aviation, Hawker Beechcraft, Jeff Lee, regional NYC airports, Rob Astorino, WAA, Westchester Airport, Westchester Aviation Association, Westchester County
Posted in Airport Marketing, General Aviation, Uncategorized | Comment »
June 21st, 2010
 Effective June 30, 2010, air traffic controllers will no longer use the term “taxi to” when authorizing aircraft to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway. With the change, controllers must issue explicit clearances to pilots crossing any runway (active/inactive or closed) along the taxi route. In addition, pilots crossing multiple runways must be past the first runway they are cleared to cross before controllers can issue the next runway-crossing clearance. One exception to the new rule is at airports where taxi routes between runway centerlines are fewer than 1,000 feet apart. In this case, multiple runway crossings may be issued if approved by the FAA Terminal Services Director of Operations.
The elimination of the “taxi to” phrase will apply only to departing aircraft. Arriving aircraft will still hear the phrase “taxi to” when instructed to taxi to the gate or ramp. However, controllers in these situations still will be required to issue specific crossing instructions for each runway encountered on the taxi route. For more information on the change, refer to FAA Order N JO 7110.528, which can be found at: http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N7110.528.pdf.
Tags: air traffic controllers, FAA guidelines, FAA ruling, taxi to, taxi to aircraft, taxi to runway
Posted in Aircraft Charter, Commercial Aviation, General Aviation, Light Sport Aircraft, Uncategorized | Comment »
June 10th, 2010
 While lines, security clearance, traffic, and even volcanic ash have caused havoc with business travel, inventive companies are coming up with unique solutions for those who must fly frequently for business.
One interesting business travel alternative was recently introduced by Panorama Flight Service, a mid-sized charter firm located at Westchester County Airport just outside New York City. The new program, Your Flight Department (YFD), is essentially your own, private mini airline ready to fly at your convenience, 24/7, whenever and wherever you need to fly.
With YFD, a fast, high-performance aircraft with experienced, certified pilots are assigned exclusively to you. Designed to accommodate up to three passengers, YFD will transport you and your team anywhere within a 600 mile radius in less than 3 hours. The best news is that the service is surprisingly affordable, significantly less than flying first class, and without the hassle of flying commercial — no traffic delay driving to the airport, no waiting at the terminal, no security hassles, no connecting flights. It is simply parking lot to runway: 20 minutes tops — and, yes, you can keep your shoes on!
This personal flight service is not exclusively for the Fortune 500 CEO; the program offers significant tax advantages, which drops the cost down for small business owners and executives who travel frequently. With YFD, your time becomes more productive with added flexibility and convenience in travel arrangements.
With the YFD, Panorama handles all aircraft management and staffing. All you do is call and let them know where and when you want to go; your aircraft and pilot will be waiting on the ramp. There you have it: your own mini airline for less than flying commercial.
Panorama is clearly on to something. With commercial air travel becoming one big headache, smart aviation executives are providing cost-effective travel alternatives to the big airlines. Hey, just the savings on aspirin alone makes the program worthwhile.
Listen to a podcast on this topic Your Flight Department (YFD)
Tags: Panorama Flight Service, Westchester Airport, Westchester Charter flights, Westchester County Airport, White Plains Airport, YFD, Your Flight Department
Posted in Aircraft Charter, General Aviation, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
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