Flexjet, Sentient parent acquires a helicopter operator

Directional Aviation’s OneSky Flight LLC has acquired Associated Aircraft Group AAG from Lockheed Martin

Directional Aviation’s OneSky Flight LLC unit has acquired Associated Aircraft Group from Lockheed Martin, a spokesperson for the company confirmed. The deal was first reported by Aviation International News yesterday.

A statement provided to Private Jet Card Comparisons said, “OneSky Flight LLC can confirm the acquisition of Associated Aircraft Group AAG from Lockheed Martin and we are happy to welcome the company to our family. It has long been a vision to bring vertical lift to the OneSky portfolio and this move brings us closer to that reality. Look for more details on our overall vertical lift strategy in the spring”

A helicopter “jet” card

According to AIN, AAG operates 10 Sikorsky S-76 medium-twin helicopters based in the New York City area. According to AAG’s website, the operator was founded in 1989. It has multiple bases throughout the Northeast U.S., including Wappingers Falls, New York, Bridgeport, Connecticut, Trenton, New Jersey, and Providence, Rhode Island.

AAG offers both fractional ownership and its version of a jet card, the AAG Excalibur Card. The helicopter “jet” card is sold in 10-hour increments. Like many jet card programs, members-only pay for occupied hours and are guaranteed availability. There are no blackout dates.

Aside from heliports, AAG lands on private or residential properties with permission from the owner, golf courses, or sports stadium parking lots.

Its website says, “If you have a question about a specific unusual landing site, just ask – we’ve probably flown clients to or from a similar location before.”

Seating capacity ranges from six to eight passengers and range is 300 miles.

Helicopter cards and shares for Flexjet and Sentient Jet?

The current OneSky U.S. portfolio includes Flexjet, which sells fractional shares, lease, jet cards; Sentient Jet, which is exclusive to jet cards; and FXAIR, launched last year focused on the on-demand charter market.

A spokesperson from OneSky declined to provide additional details. Boston-based Magellan Jets, which offers various jet cards and memberships, has been selling a helicopter-based jet card since 2018.

With COVID-19 sending more C-Level executives to work from home at second residences in the Hamptons, Jersey Shore, Hudson Valley, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and such, a helicopter option could be an attractive add-on for customers of Flexjet, Sentient, and FXAIR.

The trio also brings a large database of private aviation customers. Flexjet is the second-largest fractional fleet operator behind NetJets, and Sentient reported $400 million in jet card sales in 2020, a record for the company.

Blade, another provider of helicopter solutions, in December announced an IPO via a SPAC.