Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, What’s It All About?

Mardi Gras, also known as “The Feast Before the Fast” is a celebration of indulgence. although celebrated by a variety of different people, traditionally, it the last day Catholics are allowed to indulge before Ash Wednesday when many begin fasting and giving up their ‘bad habits’ for lent.

In the United States, we like to celebrate Mardi Gras in a big way. It is commemorated by wearing masks and loud colors, indulging in rich foods, enjoying brews and dancing. Where do most of the festivities take place? New Orleans of course! ‘The Big  Easy’ is the place to be on February 21st. Bourbon street will look like a mirage of colorful mayhem filled with non stop celebrations involving fabulous floats, jubilant marching bands, outrageous performers, lavishly crazy costumes, along with copious amounts of beads and king cake.

New Orleans, LA

Surely New Orleans, LA isn’t the only place having all the fun on Mardi Gras…Check out where other famous Mardi Gras celebrations take place!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Mardi Gras is combined with their annual Carnival of Brazil which happens to be their most famous holiday. During the festivities, people can be seen dancing and parading through the streets to a samba beat.

 

Nice, France

The carnival in Nice is a 10 day celebration where parades take place day and night. The city-wide party explodes with fireworks, spectacular floats, and a gorgeous flower parade where flowers are featured on floats, all the beaches, and given to the people.  

 

Cologne, Germany

Here, Mardi Gras is known as the ‘fifth and foolish season’ and during the parade, a carnival queen and king are elected.  

Where will you spend Mardi Gras this year?

          Comment below and let us know!

5 Must See Sites in the Air

Traveling to your destination to experience places in person is one way to travel. Another way to experience sites is in the air. Fly over these cities to get a birds’ eye view of these gorgeous iconic scenes!

Depart or arrive in San Francisco and see the architectural genius of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Fly from Miami to Houston to see the Everglades, a natural region of the subtropical wetlands which were shaped by water and fire.

Travel from New York to San Francisco to see the Great Salt Lake which has 11 recognizable islands and is the largest salt water lake in the western hemisphere.

Flying over Arizona? Check out the intricate landscape of the 277 mile long canyon carved by the Colorado River.

If you’re traveling from St. Louis to Seattle, you can see Yellowstone National Park and see three states at once, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.

To witness these breathtaking views in the lap of luxury from the private jet of your choice, book a trip with Starbase Aviation. Visit our website http://www.StarbaseJet.com or call (877) 837-5387 to get started.

Jets For Your New Year’s Resolutions

What is one of the first things people do when the New Year rolls around?….Make resolutions of course!

We looked up some of this year’s most popular resolutions and determined that with every resolution, there is a jet that fits right in line with your goals for the New Year. Want to spend more time with your family? Lead a healthier life in 2012? Volunteer more? We’ve got you covered with aircraft that will actually help you keep your 2012 resolutions.

2012 Resolution: Get Fit & Stay Healthy

Aircraft: Hawker 400XP

The Hawker 400XP is one of the most efficient and preferred jets of its class. With impressive speed (479 mph) and range (1,350 sm), this aircraft will inspire you to get moving!  You can take a trip to Colorado and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in no time.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Resolution: Volunteer more & Spend more time with family and friends.

Aircraft: Gulfstream V550

The Gulfstream V has been a very popular jet since its arrival. This particular model seats up to 19 people so you can travel with all your family and friends and spend time together on this luxuriously roomy aircraft on the way to your next destination. If you want to volunteer more in the New Year, gather a mission group together and do some work benefiting others out of the country.  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Resolution: Manage stress & Travel more.

Aircraft: Gulfstream IV

If your New Year’s resolution involves taking more time to relax, then the GIV is the perfect choice. Its plush leather seating, luxurious dining options and impressive record for safety and reliability will make you feel incredibly pampered and at ease. If your goal is to travel more, the GIV has great range and easily connects to a number of international locations.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starbase Grand Opening Event a Success!

Starbase Aviation hosted their first VIP Grand opening event in Dallas, TX celebrating the newly renovated offices.

Hundreds of guests were invited to experience the star treatment at the gala featuring luxury aircraft, automobiles, upscale cuisine and a cigar bar with a tequila tasting.

The event showcased several of Starbase Aviation’s luxury aircraft, including a Learjet 60 and a Cessna Citation CJ2, which guests intriguingly toured. Another highlight of the evening; an exhibit of luxury automobiles provided by Park Cities Lincoln and Prestige Ford, which premiered a stunning new line up of luxury and highly sought-after vehicles. Catering was hosted by celebrity chef and restaurateur, Kent Rathbun of Abacus and Jaspers, among other popular restaurants. Clay Thompson from the Havana Boys Club provided fine cigars and tequila tastings, and a variety of other elixirs and spirits were also provided. Guests thorougly enjoyed the musical stylings of The Ricki Derek Trio whose tone transported guests back in time to when Frank Sinatra was live on stage.

Many local celebrities were also in attendance including: Gene & Julie from KVIL, Andrea Ridout of the TV show Dig In and national radio show Ask Andrea (heard locally on 1190 am), and the Mayor of Addison, Todd Meier, among many others.

 Check out some pictures from the event!

 

To view the rest of the event photos, visit our Facebook Page at Starbase Jet Charter.

Using iPads in the Cockpit

iPads are moving to the cockpit!

Instead of relying solely on paper charts, many pilots have tested out iPad’s charting and flight plan applications while flying and believe it to be a great tool to have in the cockpit.

What are the Advantages of Using iPads in the Cockpit?

• iPad’s will be safer to use than traditional paper charts while flying
• The touch screen and illumination display will make for easier use and accessibility while flying the plane.
• The lightweight device makes it easier to sort through charts and allows pilots to access a variety of information with ease.
• The iPad helps to track maintenance problems by collecting information at the source.
• The addition of the iPad will also make for a less cluttered cockpit.

Several iPad applications have been developed in favor of pilots in part due to requests for navigating through a more efficient electronic platform. Many pilots already use iPads for personal use so integrating iPads into use for work will not bode much of a learning curve. Pilots will be able to download a number of applications for their pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight routines and they now have the option of saving content for future viewing on the iPad. Currently, there are dozens of iPad applications ready to use in the cockpit including applications for weather, airport information, charts including sectionals, low & high en-route charts, terrain, moving map & optional geo-referenced approach plates map. Furthermore, pilots can log on to a website called www.mygoflight.com so they can easily organize and find all the iPad applications they need.

Many pilots are eager to begin using these devices in the cockpit. The FAA has begun to approve the use of iPads in the cockpit as a secondary tool to complement paper charts. Once air carriers win FAA approval, pilots will be able to navigate electronically, and not have to rely on the traditional pencil-on-paper route.  

Click below to watch a video of Starbase Aviation’s Director of operations, Jeff Curl on KHOU’s Channel 11 discussing the potential benefits of using iPads in the cockpit.

Starbase Aviation’s Director of Operations Jeff Curl Discusses Advantages of the iPad