Aircraft Acquisition Planning [Hardcover]

Al Conklin (Author), Bill de Decker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

This book takes afresh look at the aircraft acquisition planning process at a time when fractional ownership, charters, leases and managed aircraft are creating revolutions in the comparative processes needed for good management and flight planning in a flight department.

From professional aviation managers to consultants to students, this text has much to offer. The book covers evaluating aircraft needs, defining key missions, analyzing alternatives, financial analysis and writing the acquisition plan. Real world examples illustrate the steps needed for good management and planning of any aircraft acquisition.

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About the Author

Al Conklin joined the Air Force immediately upon graduating from Lehigh in 1942. After ten years of active duty, he became one of Aero Commanders first regional sales managers. Since then, he’s been involved with all phases of business aircraft acquisition and fleet planning. Al has been a factory demo pilot, managed fixed base operations, been a Cessna aircraft distributor, and has sold countless turboprops and corporate jets. Al is the founder of the aviation information and consulting firm of Conklin & de Decker.

Bill de Decker’s background includes the study of aerospace sciences and transportation economics at Princeton University. After graduation, Bill worked at North American Rockwell as an aeronautical engineer on the Apollo program and other projects. From there, he went to Boeing’s helicopter division, sold Falcons for Dassault, and subsequently joined the management team at FlightSafety International. Bill has decades of experience assisting corporations, government agencies, and individuals in the acquisition of aircraft.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 268 pages
• Publisher: Conklin & de Decker Institute of Aviation; 1st edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966678702
• ISBN-13: 978-0966678703
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #886,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Basic Corporate Aviation Analysis, September 28, 2005

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Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Aircraft Acquisition Planning (Hardcover)

This book is an introductory text for procuring a corporate aircraft and setting up a corporate flight department. The authors are distinguished in their field, but knowing a lot does not necessarily mean that they are gifted writers. The book is very dull, even more than an average textbook, and is fairly amateurish in overall presentation. The specifics are quite dated (particularly in the aircraft specific selection area), but most important principles are discussed, although frequently only in a cursory manner.

The book covers aircraft needs, key missions, evaluation parameters, technical analysis (which is one of the weaker sections), fleet size, financial alternatives and analysis (even though more options now exist than when the book was written), and acquisition planning.

The book is very general, and the combination of large margins, large font, and many black and white illustrations means that you can comfortably read this book in one dedicated day. The material presented is good, it just isn't especially detailed. Certainly someone wanting to know the intricacies of financial analysis for corporate aviation will need additional references, as will people who want to learn to evaluate different corporate aircraft for potential purchase or lease.

I think the book rates three stars: the material is general, but overall fairly good, but the production values leave something to be desired, as does the currency and completeness of the text.