legions of fans worldwide and a sales backlog,” Weinshank says. “We started our charter operation with it. It was a beautiful airplane then, and it just gets better and better.” Powered by the PT6 Pratt & Whitney engine — an industry stalwart with over a billion flight hours logged — the PC-12 combines reliability, comfort (think roomy and quiet) and fuel economy. It emits 40 percent less carbon than a leading light jet, due to features such as a first-of-itskind digital autothrottle and aerodynamic wingtip devices. Decisions around exterior paint and interior fabric have led to a decrease in harmful chemicals and material waste. Cutting wasted time: from empty legs to nights on the road Still, aircraft selection is just one part of the efficiency story. The greater opportunity lies in what charter aviation can eliminate: indirect routes, missed connections, overnight stays and time lost in transit. For businesspeople, point-to-point travel brings increased productivity and fewer nights in a hotel. For private travelers, it could mean making it home for a once-in-a-lifetime event or simply in time to tuck the kids into bed. “A common misperception is that it’s always high-net-worth individuals flying with us,” Weinshank notes. “And that’s actually not true. People travel with us for any number of reasons — especially when time is critical.” Western Aircraft actively markets and fills empty legs both through its own platform and that of third parties. For travelers open to it, it facilitates flight sharing, making flying more accessible and sustainable at the same time. The point-to-point model: bridging infrastructure gaps Charter air travel brings an alternative to centralized hub-and-spoke flight maps, diversifying available options. This approach is especially impactful in the US, where flight routes concentrate around high-traffic urban hubs, leaving large swathes of the country underserved. Following the pandemic, many Americans relocated away from major metro areas as remote work and satellite offices took hold — making flights from smaller airports hugely relevant. “I would like to see charter leveraged more for really efficient point-to-point use cases,” Weinshank shares. “Currently, if someone wants to fly from Boise to Reno they have to connect through Portland or Seattle or Salt Lake City, for example, consuming valuable time.” Agile charter aviation services could address gaps within the nation’s travel and logistics operations without demanding large infrastructure investments. “There are opportunities everywhere. Because of the sheer size of the US, we probably rely on air travel more so than European countries, who have highspeed rail as a realistic alternative,” Weinshank adds. “It’s about finding solutions for unmet transportation needs, and these solutions will have trickle-down effects on regional innovation, development and prosperity. We as a team are excited by the potential here.” Expanding economic opportunity: full-service aviation & logistics partnerships Today, Western Aircraft holds a long list of titles: charter airline, new and preowned aircraft dealership, fixed-base operator, authorized service center, certified aircraft repair station and worldwide parts distributor — with a team of 350 specialists in maintenance, avionics, interiors and more. “Our strength is in the verticals and in program management,” Weinshank notes. “We just have so 19 BRAND STORY
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==