When Business Jet Traveler interviewed entrepreneur Mark Cuban back in 2010, he explained how he purchased a Gulfstream V online. First, he looked at info about the jet on the manufacturer’s website and sent an e-mail to set up a demo flight for his pilot, who reported back that he loved the airplane. Then, recalled Cuban, “I sent another e-mail saying I wanted to buy it. I got the banking instructions, wired the money, and that was it.”
How could he buy a $40 million airplane sight unseen? Well, consider that according to the latest listing of the Forbes 400, Cuban’s net worth hovers around $2.5 billion. So what’s the worst that could have happened? Say he hated the airplane or the bottom fell out of the market and he wound up selling his GV at a loss of $5 million. He’d be out 0.2 percent of his net worth. That’s like someone with $1 million losing $2,000—almost pocket change.
If your resources are on a par with Cuban’s, congratulations: you’re one of the rare individuals who can afford to purchase a jet almost as casually as some people would buy a suit of clothes. Go ahead and order your airplane online—and pass the just-published seventh annual edition of Business Jet Traveler's Buyers’ Guide on to a friend who needs it more than you do.
Chances are, of course, that you’re not in Cuban’s position. For you or even for your company, a business jet—or fractional share, jet card or charter flight—probably represents a big expense, and you can’t afford mistakes. If that’s the case, you need all the help you can get—starting with BJT's award-winning Buyers’ Guide.
In the 2014 edition, you’ll find data about all the aircraft models you might be considering for purchase or use as well as information on airplanes that are likely to become available in the next few years. You’ll also discover advice about financing and aviation insurance and about charter, jet cards and fractional shares. In addition, we’ve included a look at the world’s top-rated FBOs, and directories of completion and refurbishment centers, cabin-electronics manufacturers and business-aviation caterers. This is your one-stop shop for information about buying bizjets and related products and services.
So consider: Are you, like Mark Cuban, in a position to shrug off a mistake that could run into six or seven figures? If not, I’d suggest you spend some time with your copy of our 2014 Buyers’ Guide and benefit from its wealth of information and expert advice. The magazine costs you nothing and its contents could save you plenty.
Jeff Burger joined Business Jet Traveler in March 2004, a few months after the publication’s launch. Besides editing the magazine, he has written many articles for it and conducted its interviews with such luminaries as Sir Richard Branson, James Carville, Suze Orman, Donald Trump, F. Lee Bailey, and Steve Van Zandt. Burger helped to oversee the introduction of BJT’s annual Readers' Choice surveys and Buyers’ Guide.
During his years with the magazine, it has won well over a hundred editorial awards. In 2011, Burger received the Gold Wing Award for Reporting Excellence from the National Business Aviation Association and the Aviation Journalism Award from the National Air Transportation Association. He has also won writing and editing awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. BJT, meanwhile, was named Best International Publication in 2017 in the Aerospace Media Awards. It was also a Magazine of the Year finalist in 2011, 2013, and 2016 and an Overall Excellence winner in 2018 in competitions sponsored by the American Society of Business Publication Editors.
Before coming to BJT, Burger spent 14 years at Medical Economics, the nation’s leading business magazine for doctors, where he served on the editorial board; directed staff recruiting; oversaw a $2 million annual budget; and was financial editor, news editor, and director of special projects. He has been editor of several publications, including Phoenix Magazine in Arizona, and has been a consulting editor at Time Inc. His articles have appeared in more than 75 magazines and newspapers, among them The Los Angeles Times, Barron’s, Reader’s Digest, Gentlemen’s Quarterly , and Family Circle. Chicago Review Press published his books, Springsteen on Springsteen: Interviews, Speeches, and Encounters, Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen: Interviews and Encounter, Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon, and Dylan on Dylan: Interviews and Encounters. His music writing appears on multiple websites, including his own byjeffburger.com.
Burger, a summa cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, lives in Ridgewood, N.J. He and his wife, Madeleine, have two grown children. His off-hours passions include cooking, travel, technology, movies, and music.
