CORONAVIRUS AND PRIVATE AVIATION – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A global pandemic over the COVID-19 was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). And for sure there are a lot of questions about coronavirus coming from clients and private jet members. So, here is a list of FAQ and answers around coronavirus situation, information about steps that are taken to ensure the safety and health of the passenger that is flying with private aviation.

  1. IS IT SAFER TO FLY WITH PRIVATE JETS THAN WITH COMMERCIAL AIRPLANES?

To fly with commercial aircraft, have a few risks. Such as, you are contacting more people in the aircraft and in the airport. You have less control of hygiene and cleanliness of the aeroplane. Use of private aviation strongly decreases the chances to catch a virus, because of usage FBO (fixed based operators) and private terminals, so the number of people you are contacting is very low. Also, the private jets are used by not more than 14 passengers on a flight and usually, these are the people you know. Chartering a private jet gives the client more control about their surrounding environments, such as in-cabin humidity and some more factors can be set for preventing illness.

 

  1. WHAT ABOUT THE PASSENGERS THAT BELONG TO THE GROUP OF RISK? SHOULD THEY USE PRIVATE AVIATION?

The passengers with serious health conditions and the older adults that belong to the risk group of complications from Covid-19 definitely should consider using private charter flights for travelling. Flying on a commercial aircraft increases the possibility of exposure because of the number of passengers in the aircraft and public terminals in the airport. Instead, flying by the private jet decrease significantly the number of people you interact and gives you an opportunity to control onboard conditions. The individuals that belong to the at-risk group should consider as alternative private aviation services.

 

  1. WHAT COUNTRIES I AM NOT ALLOWED TO FLY TO?

As known for the moment the travel restrictions are already taking place in Iran and China, in U.S. (all flights from Europe to the U.S. are suspended, except flights from the U.K.) for the period of 30 days from the March 13. In case your destination is in the suspending list, consider our Private Aviation Experts, who can provide other travel solutions and alternative routes to meet your needs.

 

  1. IS THIS SITUATION GOING TO AFFECT THE CHARTER FLIGHTS DEMAND?

Lately, we have noticed a significant rase on a private jet demand. Following the COVID -19 situation all over the world, the requests for private travelling will be rising continuously. Our Private Aviation Experts are recommending to take care of your next trip as soon as possible in order to secure preferred aircraft and all the preparing to meet your needs.

 

  1. WHAT is GATN DOING FOR THE PRIVATE FLIGHTS TO BECOME SAFER AND HEALTHIER?

To ensure health and safety in a private aviation area at these times our experts doing the best to provide our customers with additional protection during their trip. We actively communicating with all our operators to ensure the highest standards of safety is followed. All the operators we work with are expected to follow enhanced protocols as issued by the safety task force.

 

FAQ ABOUT BUSINESS AVIATION

 

  1. ANY ADVISES FOR THE BUSINESSES DURING THE COVID – 19 CRISES?

Businesses and business individuals who need to travel during this period are advised to consider private flying options. As was told, the FBOs, private terminals and private aircrafts minimizing the risks of infection instead of flying commercial. At times like this, private aviation is a helpful tool for businesses and business individuals providing comfortable, private and safe travel to the customers.

 

  1. SHOULD WE CONSIDER TO CANCEL SCHEDULED MEETINGS?

As outlined by the safety task force, there are should be precautions for in-person meetings. Our Private Aviation experts are available 24/7 to discuss and to help meet all the needs of your company.

 

COVID – 19
 
Due to the world emergency situation, restrictions on flights can be experienced.
The situation is changing quickly and we are unable to update the flights’ availability in real-time.
Delay in answering to inquires may be experienced, we are sorry for the inconvenience.

 

 

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

  1. WHAT IS COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS)?

The coronavirus belongs to the virus family that range from the common cold symptoms to more heavy illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus officially named COVID-19 that’s been spreading in the world since December 2019 is a new strain that previously hasn’t been identified in humans. It was first discovered in the city of Wuhan in China. By now over 100 countries have the victims of coronavirus. The CDS states that the virus spreads from person-to-person contact in a radius of about 2 meters. COVID-19 is spreading by respiratory droplets (sneezes and cough) of the infected individual.

 

  1. WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS?

According to the CDC, coronavirus symptoms emerge in 2-14 days after the contact with the infected person. Mainly is cough, high fever and breath shortness. In any case, not all affected individuals are showing the symptoms. The course of the disease range from mild to heavy illnesses and can be even fatal for the human.

 

  1. HOW MANY DAYS MUST PASS TO SEE THE SYMPTOMS?

The researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found that the incubation period of coronavirus takes on average 5.1 days. This research guided to the recommended 14 days of the quarantine period for individuals.

 

  1. WHAT PEOPLE ARE IN AT-RISK GROUP FROM COVID-19 VIRUS?

The individuals with a serious chronic medical condition as diabetes, lung and heart diseases and older adults belong to the at-risk group. The studies of the Journal of the American Medical Assn. tells that people ages 60 and older were more than 80% of the deaths in China. The individuals that belong to the at-risk group should take extra precautions to avoid the affection of coronavirus.

 

  1. CAN OUR PETS GET COVID-19? CAN THEY SPREAD IT OVER PEOPLE?

The CDC organization says that there is “any received reports about pets or any other animals got infected by the new COVID-19”. Also, there is any evidence that animals can carry or spread coronavirus. In any case, it is still recommended to wash your hands after contact your pets, because they can spread other types of diseases.

 

  1. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF?

There are several recommendations from the Disease Control and Prevention Center (CDC):

  • Avoid touching your face (mouth, nose and eyes) especially with unwashed hands.
  • Often wash your hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds or use sanitizer gel with at least 60% of alcohol
  • Avoid close contact with affected individuals.
  • Try to keep distance with the other people in a 2-meter radius if there are infected people in the community.

 

  1. WHAT ABOUT THE FACE MASKS?

There is no need to wear the face mask if you are not sick. But in case you have any of the symptoms of the disease, you should wear a mask to avoid spreading the virus. If you think that you are affected and you do not have a mask, cover your face when you cough and sneeze.

At how many beaufort helicopter can operate?

The bigger the helicopter the more windy conditions it can stand. Turbulence is experienced mostly when flying above mountainous terrain. It is on the pilot to judge the conditions and make the flight or not.

Is the helicopter safe?

I could say it is a lot safer than a car or other vehicle moving on wheels specially on the road.

Where can a helicopter land?

For helicopter flights within Athinai FIR the pilot and operator are solitarily responsible for selecting the area to be used as a landing spot, judging whether the area is situated out of inhabited areas or not, complying to the helicopter’s dimensions and performance restrictions during landing at and take off and of course in respect to the safety of the flight as well as the protection of persons and properties on the ground.

Can helicopter fly at night?

Of course they can and the do. Everywhere in the world except in a couple of countries one of which unfortunately is Greece…

How much luggage can I take in helicopter?

Depends on each helicopter type. Size and weight is very important for the safety of the flight. Sometimes there is space to put the luggage but not weight available. The maximum take off weight of each helicopter is very specific and must never be exceeded in any circumstance. This is the pilot’s responsibility. So when you are asked for your weight or the weight and size of your baggage be sure that this is for the safety of the flight and not to criticize your eating habits 😉

Can I smoke in helicopter?

No.

Should I close mobile phone in the helicopter?

You can use your phone, laptop, camera, send and receive sms. You can do whatever you want to enjoy and share the amazing feeling of the helicopter flight. Unless of course you are otherwise advised by the pilot.

How the manufacturing date of helicopter affects safety?

Helicopters are not maintained like cars. There is a specific maintenance program for each individual helicopter based on every hour not to say minute of operation. Components are checked and changed accordingly. All this is done by certified organizations with very high standards. This is why when you need a helicopter flight you should rent ONLY from helicopter companies that hold an AOC (Air Operators Certificate). In respect to the above be sure that a helicopter is always as new. Of course newer helicopters have more advanced systems.

Can I fly with helicopter outside of Greece?

You can fly anywhere in the world but take into consideration the slow speed and limited endurance of the helicopter. To give you an example, it took me 16 hours for a flight from Rochester UK to Athens Greece with 7 stops to refuel and an average speed of 120kts (222km/h) with a 5seat helicopter.

 

Is it possible to stay in the helicopter without headphones? What about the sound insulation?

Depending on the helicopter (VIP helicopters have sound proofing cabins) there is no problem if a passenger doesn’t wear the headphones. It is up to the pilot. This practice is not recommended though as it is a safety issue taking into consideration that only through the headphones the pilot can advice the passengers in case of an emergency.