By Andrew Salmon

You don’t have to be a currency broker to understand the foreign funds you’ll be passing out on your next trip.

The following are six tips designed to help your money go as far as possible when traveling abroad:

1. Dollar For Dollar – Plan out your travel route well in advance and book hotels online. Many of the world’s hotels offer you cost breakdowns in the currency of your choice so you’ll know exactly how much you’re paying for that room or rental car. There are also online currency conversion sites to help in this area. Avoid credit card bill surprises by knowing how much things cost before packing your bags.

2. Stuff The Mattress – If your trip has been a long time in the planning, then one step of that plan should be checking the market value for the currency you’re going to need. If the exchange rate is at an all-time low six months before you’re scheduled to leave, then purchase the amount you’ll need for your trip and sock it away until departure time.

3. Credit Where Credit Will Do – Most credit cards charge extra for purchases made in other currencies. Capital One currently does not. So if you think you’ll be leaning heavily on the plastic for your next trip, you’ll want to switch to a card that does not add a fee to purchases made in foreign currencies. Finding this out before you leave rather than on the bill when you get home will save you some headaches.

4. Your Kingdom For A Bank ATM – If you do need cash while abroad, then find a bank ATM. Non-bank ATMs usually charge substantially higher fees for cash withdrawals than most banks so it’s worth it to take the time to find the bank closest to you. If you’re lucky, your bank at home will have a branch, or an affiliated branch, abroad which can save you some fees. Don’t pay for convenience while traveling unless you really want to pay for convenience.

5. Spend Like It’s Going Out Of Style – Banks will sell you currency at the highest current rate. However, they will not buy it back from you at this rate. So if you want to avoid this loss, spend your foreign currency while you’re abroad. If necessary treat yourself to a lavish meal at the airport restaurant. And use your coins to pick up reading material for the plane, snacks in the airport and so on. Back home, your change will be worthless so lighten your pockets before you board the plane.

6. Exchange Counter Bandits – If you simply have too much currency to spend or lack the desire to do so just to be rid of it, then be sure to avoid exchange counters in airports, bus terminals and train stations. As these places believe they have you at their mercy, they offer hideously low rates in a flat out attempt to take advantage of travelers desperate to shed unwanted currency. If you fall into this category, then exchange your money at the bank or hold onto it until you get back home. You’ll still lose on the exchange but not as much.

Author Information

Andrew Salmon is a contributing writer for the life insurance quote website LifeCover.ca.

Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A.) announced this month that it has won FAA approval for its Phenom 100 Synthetic Vision Technology with approval also coming from the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The Brazilian aircraft maker says that its technology “…recreates a visual topographic landscape from system’s terrain-alerting database through a sophisticated graphics modeling, simulating what the pilot would see with the naked eye in broad daylight.”

That’s an important for pilots flying in a number of weather conditions including fog, rain and haze or in darkness or during heavy instrument flight conditions. The resulting virtual reality display offers pilots a supplemental 3-D depiction of ground, water, obstacles, airports, and traffic.

“This safety-enhancing feature allows pilots to benefit from a far easier situational orientation, reinforcing Embraer’s commitment to providing a unique flight deck solution to the Phenom jets,” said Maurício Almeida, Embraer Vice President, Programs – Executive Jets.

The system counts on color-coded landscape, clearly showing with amber or red overlays those areas where potential flight-into-terrain risks exist. Towers or other obstacles that may interfere with the flight path are also color-highlighted and displayed with the appropriate symbology. SVT works with Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and Traffic Information Service (TIS) traffic technologies to depict targets in 3-D perspective, allowing real time assessment on how close and how high they are. Using familiar TCAS symbology that grows larger as it gets nearer, SVT makes traffic conflicts easier to see and identify.

Also available for retrofitting at a minimum downtime, SVT is a key feature of the ProdigyTM flight deck. Based on Garmin’s fully integrated avionics suite, ProdigyTM was exclusively developed for the Phenom jets and incorporates Embraer’s extensive experience in developing cockpits for commercial and defense aircraft. Human factors, enhanced situational awareness, glass cockpit with large displays, state-of-the-art avionics and single pilot operation are the design drivers behind every detail of this flight deck.

Next up is SVT approval for the Phenom 300, which will be the first light jet to offer this technology. Currently under way, the certification process is advancing as planned towards an entry into service in the coming months.

Source: Embraer

Richard Santulli isn’t sitting still. Literally.

The entrepreneur who started NetJets and was its CEO until leaving in 2009, has launched a new business in 2010. Milestone Aviation Group is the name of his latest startup, a Dublin, Ireland-based entity with U.S. offices in Columbus, Ohio. NetJets is managed and owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway group.

Santulli launched Milestone earlier this month, attracting $500 million in private equity funding for a business whose primary thrust will be to lease helicopters. Writing for the August 8, 2010 issue of the Telegraph, Emma Rowley reports that financing will be made available to “…great operators who find themselves too heavily leveraged to expand or bid for contracts.”

That may give Santulli an important niche to exploit given the tough financing market for any type of aircraft these days.

Helicopter leasing isn’t something new for Santulli who founded RTS Helicopter Services Corporation in 1983 before turning his attention to fractional ownership of business jet aircraft beginning in 1986.

The business jet sector of corporate aviation continues to remain flat following the 40 percent drop in demand when the financial markets crashed in 2008.  Interest in helicopters hasn’t fallen as sharply as oil companies and other clients need to fly out to their rigs. Despite the BP oil spill, off-shore drilling continues especially away from U.S. shores. Expect Milestone to compete for new and existing business globally.

Milestone is offering up to 100 percent financing for customers and promises a quick turn around on applications, with plans to render their decision within three to five business days.  The company says that they are in business to serve customers all around the world from the company needing a single light duty helicopter to the business desiring a small fleet of heavy choppers.

Though helicopters are Milestone’s main business, the company will have its hand in private jet leasing too. Milestone is targeting corporations, high net worth individuals, governments and businesses awaiting delivery of their private jet, providing the same financial backing and schedule offering to helicopter leasing clients.

Will Santulli succeed? Given his high visibility he should thrive. Aviation International News reports that he has already signed on one firm customer and is going after contracts in Nigeria, Brazil and Canada worth $110 million.

References and Resources

Aviation International News: Santulli Back in Bizjet Business

Independent: Warren Buffett Protege Beefs up the Irish Racing Set

Photo Credit: NASA

By Sujan Patel

Singapore is known as a thoroughly modern city.   Its shopping malls and casino/resorts, as well as its cuisine and arts scene, make it a popular destination in Southeast Asia.  Its infrastructure and cleanliness make it infinitely more accessible than some of the region’s other top destinations.  But, beyond the shopping malls and hotels, Singapore is a very green city.  It has plenty of outdoor activities and offers easy access to nature.

MacRitchie Reservoir is part of the Central Catchments Nature Reserve. Despite heavy farming in the past, nearly 100 hectares (247 acres) of primary rain forest remain around the reservoir.  There are plenty of walking options, with trails ranging from short circles of less than 3 km to longer hikes of 11 km.  Of course this is Singapore, the world’s cleanest city, so some of the trails are protected from the wetlands environment by a system of boardwalks.  This is as close as you can get to nature without getting your feet wet.   One of the highlights near MacRitchie is the HSBC-sponsored Tree-Top Walk.  Elevated boardwalks bring visitors in close contact with the forest canopy.

Singapore’s most exclusive and beautiful golf club, Sentosa Serapong Golf Club, is one of two of Sentosa’s scenic and challenging golf courses.  A recent upgrade (completed in 2007) has given this course a world-class layout that would be challenging even to professionals.  The seaside stretch of holes are some of the most scenic of any course in the world.  Of course, this is not one of the cheapest places to hit the fairways, but it is definitely one of the highest quality golfing spots in Singapore.

Despite that it is one of the world’s most modern countries, bicycling is a popular pastime (and way to get around) in Singapore.  Night cycling (where large groups of riders get together to ride through the streets) has become popular for both locals and visiting bike enthusiasts.  This is a great way to see the nighttime cityscapes.  The rides are held several times each year and include guides and support vehicles to ensure a safe ride. It is possible to book a private tour if you are able to get a group that is large enough.

Not all of Singapore is urban.  Bukit Timah Nature Reserve features easily-accessible trails that offer great sightseeing excursion that include Southeast Asian animal and plant life.  Since it is only 12 km from the center of Singapore, it is easy to reach.  It is quite possible to hike amongst the insect and plant life in the morning and return to the city to enjoy an urban shopping adventure along Orchard Road in the afternoon.  There are very few places in East Asia that offer a similar combination of wildness and convenience.

Scuba diving is popular throughout Southeast Asia.  Tourists come to swim next to shipwrecks and coral reefs and to view the unique marine wildlife of the region.  Singapore is no exception to the diving craze.  There are plenty of dive operators that can be accessed from the city.  One of the most accessible and popular dive site sis located in the islands of Pulau Redang, off of the East Coast of Malaysia.   Pulau Tioman, another popular dive site, can be accessed directly from Singapore by ferry. This is a popular spot for snorkeling (because of the crystal clear water near the shore), as well as diving in deeper waters.  For scuba novices, there are dive schools in Singapore that can help you earn your certification.  Some education packages also include a dive trip to one of the dive sites in the nearby Malaysian isles.

For those who want a bit of adrenaline with their outdoor activities, Singapore’s Sentosa area has a skyride and a luge track that can be used by anyone.  This is more of a glorified slide than a real luge track, but riders can control the speed of their sled.  The slide is 650 meters long.  It begins near the Imbiah Lookout Cluster.  A chairlift takes riders to the top of the slide.  Some people consider the sky-ride aspect of this experience as attractive as the sliding.  The views are decent and there are packages available for $20-$50 for those who want to spend and entire evening sliding.  Single rides are $10.

Author Information

Sujan Patel has been a travel blogger for over four years. Most recently he has been the lead blogger for Airline Tickets & Airport Parking, which provides unique travel advice for air travel and airports.

Beginning today, Jet Venue is rolling out a new feature–Spotlight–to focus on the businesses, services and people who help make business aviation great. What better company to start with then Netjets, one of the most recognized companies in corporate aviation.

Founded: Launched in 1964 as Executive Jet, many years before it became best known as a provider of fractional jet ownership. Brigadier General O.F. “Dick” Lassiter founded the company, but it wasn’t until 1986 when the concept of fractional jet flying was introduced by Richard Santulli.

Business Model: The company uses 13 lines of aircraft–light, medium and large duty–in their fleet, carrying 6 to 18 passengers each. Customers are offered an ownership share of the aircraft of their choosing or can get a jet card redeemable for flight time.  Netjets supplies the crew, performs the maintenance and all other care for the aircraft; customers pay for their share of the upkeep.

Significance: Netjets is the leader in fractional jet flying with more than 800 aircraft in their fleet. The company flies from point to point to destinations all around the world. Marquis Jet is their jet renting entity, selling jet cards in 25-hour flying increments.

Net Worth: Executive Jet Aviation was acquired by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway company in 1998. The business was officially renamed Netjets, Inc. in 2002.  Class A Berkshire Hathaway stock trades for a mint closing at $117,000 a share recently.

Notables: Even Netjets hasn’t been immune from the economic problems facing the rest of the world since 2007.  In the first half of 2009, Netjets lost $350 million with the company replacing senior management and consolidating operations in order to shake up leadership and cut costs.

World Headquarters:

NetJets Inc.
4111 Bridgeway Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43219-1882
614-239-5500
netjets.com

Hiring: Visit the company’s career page for job information or go directly to pages set up for pilots, flight attendants or corporate positions to find work.

The Sun of Abu Dhabi

By Blogjunkie

Scheduled for completion in 2011, the Shams Abu Dhabi project on Al Reem Island just might be the most ambitious architectural undertaking ever attempted. With a price tag of nearly $7 Billion, this resort, residential and recreational facility is expected to be the new playground for the world’s most affluent individuals. It will include over one hundred skyscrapers and a million square metre park, not to mention miles of white sandy beaches, breathtaking sunrises and awe-inspiring sunsets.

First Phase

Shams Gate, also known as the Gate District, is the first phase of the Shams Abu Dhabi project and is expected to be completed on schedule. The two main towers, Sky Tower and Sun Tower, are nearly ready for residents to start moving in. Amenities include a proposed shopping mall, beach and park access, and available public transportation into the city’s business district.

The Gate Towers, of which there are four altogether, are rising steadily, and The Arc, which can be seen in the original project plans, is above ground and being worked on. There is also a private gym, spa, tennis courts, and childcare facilities. The retail section is close to 70% pre-leased, and will be completed at the same time as the Sun and Sky towers. It will open to the public in the fourth quarter of 2010 once the towers have a significant number of residents.

Apartments For Sale

You can own an apartment in the new Shams Abu Dhabi project for a mere AED 6,500 per month, a sum that equals just over $1,750 USD or £1,200 GBP, not bad for a mortgage payment. Even better, to make sure they fill the space that is being created, the banks are offering a 4.99% interest rate. You can get in cheap and lock in a low monthly payment right now, something that has been difficult to do in other parts of the world during the recent economic recession.

The plan that Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council came up with in 2000 to improve their city is called Abu Dhabi 2030. It’s an ambitious thirty year endeavour which will conclude with this seaside city possessing an enormous amount of prime beachfront property. Some of it is complete now; more is on its way soon. Once a small village populated by camel herders and pearl divers, Abu Dhabi is now one of the most stunning cities on earth, well worth a visit, and not a bad place to live either.

Fans of business aviation enjoy keeping up with all of the news this important industry generates on a regular basis. I’ve long been a fan of Aviation International News and Business & Commercial Aviation, two of the better print publications available.

The NBAA recognizes the importance of journalism to business aviation by awarding an annual Gold Wing Award at the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention Media Kickoff Breakfast. This year’s convention will be held October 19-21 in Atlanta, Georgia. Since the award was first given in 1996, 21 people or journalistic groups have been recognized.

As in years past, the NBAA is seeking nominations this year from business aviation supporters for work that they admire. To that end, Jet Venue is sharing how you can recognize a journalist you appreciate:

Entry Rules:

Entries may be single articles, features or a series on business aviation issues published in print or digital formats, including but not limited to magazine, newspaper, newsletter, blog, podcast and video entries.

Stories should have appeared in print, online or on-air between June 1, 2009, and June 1, 2010.

All entries should be submitted as follows, with completed entry form attached:

• For articles originally published in print: Submit article clipped and pasted or taped on white paper.

• For articles originally posted online: Submit URL and article either in hard copy or as PDF file on CD.

• For audio/video entries, submit URL and digital files on CD/DVD.

Entries will be judged by a panel of experts, and their decision is final.

The deadline for the 2010 award is August 20, 2010. Entries must be postmarked by this date to be eligible.

All entries become the property of NBAA and entrant gives consent for reprinting/duplication. Entrant also gives NBAA permission to use entry and entrant’s name for educational or promotional purposes.

Entry Submissions:

Mail the completed 2010 Gold Wing Award Entry Form with accompanying materials by August 20, 2010, to:

NBAA Gold Wing Award
Attn: Dan Hubbard
1200 18th Street NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036

For more information, contact:

Dan Hubbard
NBAA Senior Vice President, Communications
Tel: (202) 783-9360
E-mail: dhubbard@nbaa.org

You can also download the entry form and rules by clicking on this link.

Source: NBAA

As the 2010 NBAA Flight Attendants Conference in San Diego drew to a close earlier this week, recipients of the 40 Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians scholarships were notified of their prizes. More than 100 business aviation professionals were on hand for this year’s conference, the 15th annual meeting of cabin crewmembers.

The Flight Attendants Committee together with the NBAA pull together awards from industry trainers and educators including the following sponsors:

• Air Routing International, A Rockwell Collins Company
• AirCare International, Ltd.
• Aramco Associated Company
• ASI Group
• Beyond and Above Corporate Flight Attendant Training
• Bombardier Aerospace
• Cornerstone Strategies LLC
• Corporate Flight Attendant Training by Susan C. Friedenberg
• The Corporate School of Etiquette
• The Darden School at the University of Virginia
• Dassault Falcon Jet
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• FACTS Training
• FlightSafety International
• GA Food Safety Professionals
• Jet Professionals, LLC
• M Foods Ltd. Corporate Flight Catering
• MedAire, Inc.
• Pelham Training
• S.T.A.R.K. Survival Co., Inc.
• Survival Systems USA Inc.

This year’s recipients include a number of recognizable names including some previous winners. They are:

• Catherine Alexander – Flight Attendant initial training program, Beyond and Above Corporate Flight Attendant Training
• Jill Bagley – Management of Inflight Illness and Injury training including AED/CPR certification by MedAire, Inc.
• Lauren Brewton – Management of Inflight Illness and Injury training including AED/CPR certification by MedAire, Inc.
• Janine Brisebois- Two-day emergency training with open water survival, S.T.A.R.K. Survival Co., Inc.
• Elena Campbell – Initial Corporate Flight Attendant Training program, Corporate Flight Attendant Training by Susan C. Friedenberg
• Jennifer Caruso – AirCare’s in-flight emergency medical training program, AirCare International, Ltd.
• Lucy Del Real – General Emergency Training, FlightSafety International
• Barbara Desmarais – Initial/Recurrent emergency training, FACTS Training
• Connie Dice – Corporate Aviation Security Training (CAST) program, ASI Group
• Eliza Donnelly – Initial Cabin Attendant Training, FlightSafety International
• Richard Duma – Flight Attendant initial training program, Beyond and Above Corporate Flight Attendant Training
• Betsy Dwyer – Initial/Recurrent emergency training, FACTS Training
• Julie Furmanczyk – Recurrent Cabin Attendant Training, FlightSafety International
• Dove George – Flight Attendant initial training program, Beyond and Above Corporate Flight Attendant Training
• Caulette Gilfoil – Initial Corporate Flight Attendant Training program, Corporate Flight Attendant Training by Susan C. Friedenberg
• Pamela Glaze – Management of Inflight Illness and Injury training including AED/CPR certification, MedAire, Inc.
• Priscilla Gutenberg – Management of Inflight Illness and Injury training including AED/CPR certification, MedAire, Inc.
• Blake Haber – Professional development course focuses on topics for flight department managers, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Cavett Hill – Basic EMT Training Course, Pelham Training
• Tiffany King – Aircraft Service Training, The Corporate School of Etiquette
• Jacqueline Kulas – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• Kathleen Laughlin – Advanced Service/Culinary Course, The Corporate School of Etiquette
• Sharon Ann Lopez – Aviation food safety training course, GA Food Safety Professionals
• Christa Mabry – Partial scholarship to one of two Executive Education courses, The Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia
• Danielle Mercier – Two-day emergency training course, Survival Systems USA
• Jewel Miller – $1,500Jet Professionals, LLC,
• Lisa Morganti – NBAA Professional Development Program (PDP) Course, Cornerstone Strategies, LLC
• Tammy Natalia – $500, Air Routing International, A Rockwell Collins Company
• Valerie O’Grady –AirCare’s in-flight emergency medical training program, AirCare International, Ltd.
• Kristin Otto – $500, Aramco Associated Company
• Stephanie Peck – $500, Dassault Falcon Jet
• Christy Pellegrino – Career Essentials™ Training, FACTS Training
• Jeri Polo – Flight Attendant initial training program, Beyond and Above Corporate Flight Attendant Training
• Katherine Rickfelder – Career Essentials™ Training, FACTS Training
• Ronda Smith – $1,000, M Foods Corporate Flight Catering
• Soumontha Thipsouvanh – Two-day emergency training with open water survival, S.T.A.R.K. Survival Co., Inc.
• Nancy Vasseur – Aviation food safety training course GA Food Safety Professionals
• Stephanie West – Two-day emergency training course, Survival Systems USA
• Alexis Wozney – $1,500, Bombardier Aerospace Corporation
• Valdine Zakzanis – Flight Attendant initial training program, Beyond and Above Corporate Flight Attendant Training

Since awards were first offered in 2000, some 386 scholarships have gone to individuals seeking cabin and safety training. Congratulations to each of this year’s winners and special thanks to each of the companies who contributed.

Source: NBAA

Photo Credit: Benjamin Earwicker

By Kristi Davis

If you own just one bottle of wine, you would not have any problems storing it. But if you have more than that and you have no plan of consuming it shortly after you have purchased them, you might have considered having wine racks to hold the bottles.

Both online shops and brick and mortar stores are offering a wide array of wine rack designs that you can choose from. Or you can opt to have your wine holders custom-made to ensure that all your requirements and needs for a wine cellar or rack are met. Your choice of wine rack design will depend on many factors; some of which are the amount and type of your wine collection, your storage space, and your budget.

Type and Amount of Collection. Wine connoisseurs have different specific likes and preferences. Others are fond of collecting big bottles like Champagnes and Burgundy.  While other enthusiasts like to have red wines only, white wines only, in different bottle sizes (half-bottled or spit, 750-mL, magnum). Big time collectors and commercial establishments do not just store wine bottles but wine cases.

The best wine rack for your collection is designed to have shelves that will fit and hold securely your precious collection. If most of your collection consists of big bottles, then the shelves must also be spacious enough to house the bottles. The quantity of your collection should also be considered during your selection of wine cellar design. Also, make allowances for future collection.

Available Storage Space. The space where you want to keep your wine bottles will determine the type of wine rack that will suit your homes. Good for you if you have more than enough space for your collection. You can freely play around with your wine rack designs. But do not worry about having limited space for there are minimalist designs that can be mounted on the wall or fixed on cellars, under the stairs, and the likes. Custom wine cellars are a better option for you to really maximize your available space.

Budget. Wine shelves construction expense could run from very affordable to extravagant depending on the design details and its size. Your budget may limit you on certain elements like grandeur and certain amount of durability. But, bear in mind that you can still have a superb wine cellar or rack even while under budget constraints.

These factors should help you decide which among the designs of wine cellars you have encountered is best for your wine collection.

If you are interested in finding more information on wine racks, custom wine cellars, or entry doors be sure to visit Grotto Custom Wine Cellars.

Photo Credit: Julienb

Changes to “Original” Medicare Benefits

Changes to Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans

Changes to Medicare Part D

Changes to Medicare Advantage Plans

Author Information