BlackBird Part 91 Archives

Surf Air buys online private aviation marketplace BlackBird Air; Creates Surf Air Mobility Corporation

February 13, 2020February 13, 2020by Doug Gollan

The new entity wants to ‘transform’ the 50-to-400-mile mobility market

50% of all flights are under 500 miles, it says

BlackBird was recently under FAA scrutiny

Surf Air has been trying to fly past liquidation of its European arm, a lawsuit with a former operator and IRS tax lien

Plans call for phasing out the BlackBird Air name

Los Angeles-based Surf Air said it has acquired BlackBird Air, an online aviation marketplace that has been under scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Authority.

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Should you charter a private jet online?

January 1, 2020January 2, 2020by Doug Gollan

After years of claims about Uber for private jets instant booking technology, it’s finally arriving. Should you book a private jet online?

After years of claims about Uber for private jets instant booking technology, it’s finally arriving. But should you use it?

Many of the broker websites and apps promising online bookings were nothing more than electronic request forms.

But that’s changing, and increasingly, you may find yourself able to rent a private jet or turboprop digitally from a broker or platform, and without much human oversight, or at least human oversight looking after your interests.

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BlackBird just raised $10 million to be the Uber of private flying…Here’s what I learned from reading the fine print with an aviation attorney

March 27, 2019March 27, 2019by Doug Gollan

Blackbird promises to “defy gravity” with inexpensive private flights on private jets, turboprops and piston aircraft. Takeoff with the knowledge that this isn’t a traditional air charter

“We bring you the freedom of flight…No matter who you are, no matter what you do, we all face challenges, obstacles, rules, limitations and frustrations—this daily struggle is gravity that pulls us down and tries to keep us from reaching our potential. Together we will defy gravity.” – BlackBird website

I leased a private aircraft and hired a pilot in less than 10 minutes. Was it legal?

On March 12, 2019, I received a press release from BlackBird CEO and founder Rudd Davis. It was titled, “We just raised $10 million to bring you more freedom.”

It read, “We started BlackBird to make personal aviation as accessible and affordable as driving. Today, I’m excited to announce, we’ve taken another huge step toward making this a reality with the close of a $10 million Series A.”

Continue reading “BlackBird just raised $10 million to be the Uber of private flying…Here’s what I learned from reading the fine print with an aviation attorney”