MERL1N - Commonly Asked Questions

Experience the ultimate convenience and ease of business and leisure travel through a unique, low-cost fractional leasing program. Based in San Antonio, Merlin One, a new venture of Airlift USA, LLP, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Merlin One Aircraft, LLP, has evolved from the realization that private aircraft ownership is too expensive to rationalize, commercial airline transportation is no longer a suitable option and there is a need for a cost-effective alternative. Here are some commonly asked questions about the program:

What is the term of the program?

The program is a 24-month commitment.

Do the units provide any ownership in the aircraft?

No: it is a fractional lease program.

How much flying time is a Unit Holder entitled to?

The program is designed for 75-100 hours per annum per Unit Holder. If a Unit Holder reaches 100 hours in a given 12-month period, further flying will include a supplemental charge of $1,000 per hour.

How many airplanes are currently in the program?

Four

Are operations single or dual pilot?

The aircraft is certified for single pilot operations, but as a customer preference a co-pilot is available at an additional charge of $250.00 per day.

Why only four aircraft in Phase One of the program?

There are a number of factors contributing to this decision, most significant is that Airlift’s current infrastructure can only handle this incremental activity. Additional aircraft will require more staffing and time.

Since there are four Lessees per airplane, what happens if I want to use the airplane and it is not available?

There will be a pooling arrangement between the four planes. If yours is not available, you will have access to one of the other three. In the rare occasion when all four aircraft are gone, the nearest will be brought back to San Antonio in the evening and ready for your use the next day. This guarantees 24-hour access.

Can my friends and I share a unit?

As long as the unit is leased to one entity there can be a sharing arrangement between partners in the entity.

If we sign up today, when will our aircraft be available?

All four aircraft are on-line and operational.

How many units are available?

Phase One of the program involves four aircraft, or 16 units. Presently, eight units have been taken, leaving eight available.

If an engine or other component requires premature overhaul, as a Lessee, am I at risk for this added cost?

No, the only variable costs to the Lessee are fuel, pilots, ground handling and catering. All maintenance costs are covered in the fixed-monthly cost. If a component needs repair, overhaul or replacement, it is covered by Merlin One, period! There are no surprises.

How do I schedule the airplane for use?

Simply call the Merlin One number tel: 210-366-8766 and speak to Julie Schawe, Merlin One’s Customer Relations Specialist.

How often will the airplane be down for maintenance?

Scheduled maintenance is every 100 flight hours. The down time for each check is 5-7 business days. Given the utilization plan of 300-400 hours per airplane per year, the airplane will be down for four weeks for maintenance each calendar year. Unscheduled maintenance will be done at Airlift’s maintenance base in New Braunfels on an as required basis after each flight.

If my plans take me out of town for up to one week, do I pay the cost of deadheading the aircraft back to San Antonio and then the cost of picking me up?

Only if you plan to be gone more than seven days, otherwise the aircraft remains with you and you pay the cost of flying the pilot back and forth by purchasing a round trip ticket from the destination to San Antonio and back.

Can I take the aircraft to Canada and Mexico? How about South America?

Absolutely, the extra insurance for these operations is included in the monthly fees.

What are the runway requirements?

3,500 feet paved.

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If you would like to read from paper format, please feel free to download and print our brochures--thank you.