Even if you are really tired of reading about Donald Trump, I encourage you to take a look at the June/July 2011 edition of Business Jet Traveler, where you will find him on our cover. We first began working on what ended up as a six-page cover story about Trump more than a year ago and have been waiting for the right time to spotlight him. For obvious reasons, the right time was now. Despite the circus, Mr. Trump is nothing if not a committed private aviation enthusiast. For this reason, and many more, we felt he would be of interest the readers of BJT, since most are also frequent users of business aviation.

The current edition of Business Jet Traveler includes a colorful, four-page profile of Donald Trump by BJT editor Jeff Burger. A separate section includes many unpublished details of his posh new Boeing 757-200, which is currently being completed by Stambaugh Aviation in Brunswick, Ga.

When we last spoke to him, Trump was still hedging on the question of whether or not he would run for President of the United States. When asked if he would use the new airplane to campaign, he said, “I would certainly think so. That would be the ultimate, right?”

Indeed. Campaign season is upon us and anyone who is serious about a run is going to need a serious jet. And this month’s issue also includes an article by New York Times columnist and frequent BJT contributor Joe Sharkey about how business jets are an essential tool for presidential hopefuls.

Just before the issue went to press, Trump announced he would not run. Jeff scrambled, checked his profile again and updated it. A few days later, after the issue had been printed, Trump said he might reconsider, if the Republicans could not field a candidate whom Trump thinks could beat President Obama in the November 2012 election. So it seems the question we posed on the cover of the issue, “Donald Trump: Will Air Force One Ever Replace His New 757?,” remains applicable and probably will for some time.

Coincidentally, our respected editor in chief Randy Padfield was in fact (though indirectly) fired by Donald Trump many years ago when he worked for him as a helicopter pilot. We at Business Jet Traveler and AIN Publications had been hearing bits and pieces of this story for years and were delighted to finally hear more of it. I'm quite sure you will enjoy reading it, too.