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Q: Are there any luggage/weight restrictions?
Yes, weight is a critical factor in any aircraft. It’s always a tradeoff between passengers, cargo and fuel. We are required to carry enough fuel to get to our destination and then fly for 45 minutes after that. The Blue Sky Taxi fuel reserve is to fly to the destination, then an alternate and then 45 minutes. So if you can leave the bowling ball in the closet, that means we can take more fuel and not have to stop!
Q: Are there any weather considerations when planning a flight with BlueSky Taxi?
Yes. Weather is the cause of most accidents. The Director of Flight Operations and the Captain will determine the safety of the flight given the current and forecast weather. We cannot risk your safety. We will alert you as soon as we see a potential risk that will prevent a safe flight.
Q: How are rates calculated if I am flying to and from airports which are not part of your home base airports?
Rates are based on a calculation of $3.50 per statue mile. There is usually a segment fee if the airplane has to be repositioned for pick up. That is also calculated at 3.50 per mile. Ramp fees, pilot waiting times are calculated as well. The booking department will quote the trip after contacting you for the details of the flight.
Q: How does BlueSky Taxi calculate its rates for services?
All rates are based on distance needed to fly from point of departure
to your destination (plus five miles for taxi and approach). Current
rate is $3.50 per mile (fuel surcharge may apply). Depending on the
airports used, a "Ramp Fee" may be imposed. If you choose an airport
which requires a Ramp Fee, our agents will inform you of this when you
are given your flight quote (1 out of 7 airports requires a Ramp Fee).
Q: How are BlueSky Taxi's services different from charter flights?
Blue Sky Taxi’s goal is to have our passengers in the air within 2 hours of contact at the point of departure specified by the passenger. We quote one way if the trip is one way. We don’t charge “dead head trips”. We make it up by posting the “Dead Head” leg and offering a discount.
Q: If I want to fly outside of your general 340 mile radius, how will the pricing change?
Blue Sky Taxi is glad to arrange services outside of its customary 340 mile flight radius. All custom, out of range flight costs are calculated on an individual basis and some additional fees may apply.
If you decide to use our service beyond the standard 340 mile flight time radius, the only additional charge will be for the extra distance (miles) needed to fly the aircraft BACK to within the "free" 340 mile
flying zone. As per policy, if the return leg is within the 340 mile flight radius, there is no charge to the customer at all.
Q: How many passengers are allowed?
The aircraft will seat 3 passengers very comfortably. One lucky passenger will sit “shotgun” up front with the Captain and 2 passengers will recline in the comfort of the 2 roomy back seats.
Q: Is there a fee for waiting time?
Yes. After the complimentary first hour, waiting time is billed at the rate of $30.00
Q: What is an "Empty Leg" flight?
The “empty leg” is the “dead head” leg of a trip.
Q: What benefits do I receive by booking an "Empty Leg" flight?
Your flight will be deeply discounted by up to 50% off of the standard fare. Check our website frequently for updated Empty Leg flight availability.
Q: What is Seat Sharing & how would I benefit?
Ride Sharing is for those passengers that are interested in sharing a plane to the same or similar destination. Share your flight details with us and we will do our best to match you up with another person that is interested in sharing the ride. Same price split 2 ways. Blue Sky Taxi cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a matching Ride Share partner for you, however, we do promise to notify you if we can find a match.
Q: What is Seat Sharing & how would I benefit?
Ride Sharing is for those passengers that are interested in sharing a plane to the same or similar destination. Share your flight details with us and we will do our best to match you up with another person that is interested in sharing the ride. Same price split 2 ways. Blue Sky Taxi cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a matching Ride Share partner for you, however, we do promise to notify you if we can find a match.
Q: What is the benefit of purchasing "Waiting Time" instead of re-ordering another BlueSky Taxi to pick me up for my return flight?
A: If you are flying to a destination for a short period of time (i.e. for a business meeting), it is very beneficial to you to utilize the "Wait Time" service. By reserving your Air Taxi at your location with the "Wait Time" service, you are preventing it from being immediately dispatched to another site and client. Most importantly, it means that your aircraft will be waiting and ready for you the moment that you need it. If you bypass the "Wait Time" service and attempt to re-order an Air Taxi to return you back to your original location, there may be scheduling conflicts which could require a significant wait time. Particularly if your location is in the outskirts of the BlueSky Taxi service zone, your wait may be quite long. BlueSky Taxi gives customers one hour of free wait time upon request. Every hour thereafter is $45.
Q: What methods of payment do you accept & when am I expected to pay?
Blue Sky Taxi accepts Visa, Mastercard, Traveler's Checks, and Personal Checks. Cash will only be accepted if the client has exact change. Pilots do not have the ability to carry change with them. Full payment is due upon the completion of your flight.
Q: I frequently travel within the Midwest for hunting. Are there special considerations to transport fire-arms?
Passengers are allowed to bring fire-arms on board Blue Sky Taxi aircrafts. However, all transported fire-arms must be fully enclosed in a lockable case and presented to the pilot for inspection PRIOR to
boarding the aircraft. For safety reasons, the transport of any hazardous materials is not allowed (for example: ammunition, propane tanks, explosives, fireworks, gasoline, etc.).
Q: What kind of credentials will my pilot have?
The Captain is an FAA certified Commercial Pilot who is instrument rated with a minimum of 1,500 hours of Pilot in Command time. The Captain is also tested every 6 months by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector on regulations, aircraft systems, emergency procedures, flight planning and all aspects of the operations of Blue Sky Taxi. Additionally, the pilot is given a very extensive flight test which will test the pilot’s ability to manage any emergency and conduct normal flight operations. Finally, an aviation medical examiner, the doctor, will administer a complete physical examination. If any segment of these tests do not meet stringent FAA standards the pilot, and plane are grounded until the standards are met or exceeded.
The airplane is the latest generation of single engine aircraft. It is fully automated which means that an on board air data computer and data acquisition unit feed digital information to the GPS navigation systems for heading, altitude and speed. This information is transmitted to FAA air route traffic centers for traffic awareness and avoidance, weather depiction, autopilot control and many other system functions. This allows the pilot to manage the on board aircraft systems to a greater degree never before seen in General Aviation.
All of these systems are inspected and maintained in accordance with strict FAA rules and regulations governing Blue Sky Taxi and its Maintenance Providers. The aircraft goes into maintenance every 50 hours and more extensive maintenance every 100 hours and even more inspections every 12 months of service.
This aircraft also is equipped with a parachute! It’s the only one that can make this claim. Don’t worry. You don’t have to jump. If necessary, the pilot will deploy a parachute which is attached to the aircraft, not the passengers. The plane gently descends to the surface and lands on its feet! Another safety feature that makes Blue Sky Taxi the best Air Taxi service in the world! |
