It was 1962, five years before Super Bowl I, that Minneapolis built the first of its network of Skyways, linking the downtown office and shopping areas. That system was virtually completed by the time Super Bowl XXVI was played in the city’s Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in 1992.
Today that Skyway system links the downtown to the two-year old fixed-roof US Bank Stadium. That’s where the defending NFL champion New England Patriots will meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII on February 4, in a gridiron battle between two of America’s oldest cities.
It’s likely you’ll be aboard one of the 1,400 business jets expected to arrive at one of three area airports – Minneapolis International (KMSP), Flying Cloud (KFCM), and Downtown St. Paul (KSTP) – in time to join the other 66,000 ticket-holders and fans for the pre-Game festivities.
That’s about the same number of aircraft that arrived in the Houston Area in 2017, according to data from ARGUS International’s TRAKPAQ. That anticipated volume is why the FAA has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), requiring ramp reservations for arrivals and departures – including drop-offs – to and from all twenty-four surrounding area airports from Wednesday, January 31 to Monday, February 5, 2018. https://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/regional/super-bowl/
And then there’s The Game. The on-field contest pits New England’s veteran Tom Brady against Philadelphia’s Nick Foles, who leads the Eagles’ first trip to the Super Bowl since 2004.
And while The Game will be safely tucked away from the elements, traffic to and from the stadium will be at the mercy of the prevailing weather – so be prepared to bundle up and arrive early in Minneapolis!
Once again business jet and engine manufacturers, FBOs, and other support organizations are making special preparations to support you and your flight crews during Super Bowl week, to ensure that your flights to and from the Minneapolis area airports are as smooth and trouble-free as possible – even if you experience a maintenance issue upon arrival. Because when game ends on Sunday night and you’re ready to depart, you don’t want to find out that your aircraft is AOG (Aircraft On Ground), unable to depart for maintenance reasons.
Here are some of the business aircraft manufacturers and service companies who are staging support and service personnel, technicians, parts, and tooling in the Minneapolis area to stand by, as well as the ground service folks prepared to welcome you to Super Bowl LII:
Bombardier Business Aircraft
One of the most popular sports events in North America is coming up, and Bombardier Business Aircraft will be there to ensure its customers are supported for unscheduled and scheduled maintenance needs. Two dedicated Field Service Representatives as well as two Customer Response Team mobile units will be in the area. These mobile units carry state-of-the-art diagnostics tools supporting Learjet, Challenger, and Global aircraft, as well as a wide array of equipment, and will be located approximately 30 minutes from any of the five surrounding airports in the area.
For scheduling, contact your Bombardier Field Service Representative or the Customer Response Center 24/7.
North America (toll free): +1 866 JET -1247 (+1 866 538-1247)
International : +1 514 855-2999
Email: ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com
www.bombardier.com
Dassault Falcon Jet
Dassault Falcon Jet will offer a range of on-ground services to support Falcon owners to include frontline personnel and a GoTeam of experienced AOG Technicians with the parts, tools, and specialized equipment to handle a variety of maintenance needs.
And you’ll also have a chance to view their flagship, the large cabin, long range Falcon 8X on static display at Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM), located 19 miles SW of the Stadium.
Offsite resources will be available through the company’s network of Authorized Service Centers; a $25 million spare parts inventory conveniently located in Little Rock, AR and Louisville, KY; and our large-cabin, long range Falcon 900 aircraft dedicated exclusively to AOG support.
Falcon Jet AOG Command Center
Toll-Free: 800-232-5266
Tel: (201) 541-4747
Falcon Spares: 201-541-4809
www.dassaultfalcon.com
Embraer Executive Jets
The Embraer Services & Support team will be based in Minneapolis, backed by Elliott Aviation, at Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), for on-site maintenance, repair and overhaul. Duncan Aviation, in St. Paul, will also be ready to dispatch avionics, airframe and engine technicians.
Embraer Services & Support 24/7 Contact Center
Toll-Free: 1-888-362-2648
E-mail: contact.center@embraer.com
www.EmbraerExecutiveJets.com
Flexjet
Flexjet will be providing its Red Label service to Owners from the moment they arrive in Minneapolis for Super Bowl LII, at Signature Flight Support at KMSP and KSTP, and Thunderbird Aviation at KFCM.
Red Label by Flexjet is known for flight crews assigned to a single aircraft. The superior service provided by Red Label flight crews extends beyond the jet and includes:
- Dedicated account managers
- Technologically advanced operational center
- Award-winning maintenance crews
- The highest standard of safety
- Private terminals
- The most feature-rich mobile app
Flexjet will have a full staff from every department from aircraft maintenance to Owner services on site to meet any needs our Owners may have while traveling through the terminal on their way to or from the game.
The Flexjet team, who will be wearing merlot Flexjet football jerseys, will personally greet each Flexjet arrival. In addition, should Flexjet Owners need any items to help them stay warm while headed to the game, a large selection of branded items will be available.
For the trip home, the jets will be stocked with his and hers Flexjet Super Bowl recovery kits.
“Whether our Owners have a relationship with the NFL, are hosting business clients or spending some family quality time, they know they’ll want for nothing while traveling with Flexjet,” said Megan Wolf, Vice President of Owner Experience.
www.flexjet.com
Gama Aviation
Gama Aviation, the global aviation services company, has increased its AOG peak period support in preparation for Super Bowl LII. It has placed additional mobile and field service engineer support at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International and surrounding airports to support the large wave of business aircraft expected to fly in between Thursday, February 1, and Game Day.
Dennis Richey, President of Gama Aviation Engineering, commented: “Our success in providing an effective and efficient service with exceptional quality & safety shows the bar we have set. It’s a true testament to the culture & practice our team has stood by since day one.”
www.gamaaviation.com
GE Aviation
GE Aviation will dispatch its OnPoint Mobile Response Team in Minneapolis, beginning Friday, February 2. The OnPoint Mobile Response Team is equipped with diagnostic tools to support CF34-powered Challenger aircraft. This experienced team supports more than 75 mobile CF34 repairs per year. In addition to GE Aviation, Bombardier will have a support team in Minneapolis to support GE Challenger-powered aircraft.
GE Aviation Fleet Support will also be available for around-the-clock assistance, providing a team of experts and a suite of resources as part of their commitment to timely and accurate resolutions.
The support and services provided by GE Aviation in Minneapolis are only part of the standard daily benefits for OnPoint Business Jet customers. GE’s comprehensive service solutions offering provides cost-effective protection against unexpected downtime. From program management and line maintenance to complete engine overhauls, GE’s OnPoint solutions covers all GE-powered business jets and customers with a growing global network of GE field representatives and Authorized Service Centers.
Click here for more information about GE’s OnPoint for Business jets.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Gulfstream will have a customer support team in place for Gulfstream operators during the week of the Super Bowl in Minneapolis.
Gulfstream’s Field and Airborne Support Team (FAST) tractor-trailer will be positioned at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport from Feb. 1-5. Known as FAST 1, the specially equipped 74-foot vehicle will have three technicians available to assist operators. The tractor-trailer has enough parts and tools to help multiple customers simultaneously and features a built-in generator, air compressor, satellite dish, and Wi-Fi service.
Gulfstream will also position one of its custom-outfitted FAST trucks, along with three technicians, at St. Paul Downtown Airport/Holman Field from February 1 to 5. The truck’s resources include technical data access, a consolidated toolbox, parts, a generator and a ground power unit.
Also working the event will be Gulfstream field service representative David Winkler, who is based in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
www.gulfstream.com
Honeywell
Honeywell has both Avionics and Mechanical Technical Support Engineers (TSE) standing by in the event they are needed to support any AOG service requirements for the time leading up to and just after Super Bowl LII. Additionally, Honeywell has reviewed the most commonly used parts and made preparations to ensure that stock is reserved in anticipation of any possible needs.
Honeywell recommends that owners and operators contact our technical support team 24 hours/7 days through the contact information below. Our Aerospace Remote Connect tool can securely diagnose an issue and determine if dispatching one of the local TSEs for on-site support is needed.
Honeywell Technical Support
Toll-Free: (855) 808-6500 or (602) 365-6500
E-mail: AeroTechSupport@Honeywell.com
AOG and Parts:
Toll-Free: (800) 601-3099 (option 4) or (602) 365-3099 (option 4)
E-mail: AOG@honeywell.com
Customer Support Website
Jet Aviation
Jet Aviation is providing charter services to customers attending the Super Bowl in Minnesota. If travelers to the Big Game need to book a last minute trip, please contact our charter support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. at +1 800 736 8538 or +1 800 342 8538.
Toll-Free: 1-800-736-8538 or 1-800-342-8538
www.jetaviation.com
Jet Linx
Jet Linx ensures that its members flying to the Super Bowl from one of its fourteen private base locations nationwide are provided with the ultimate personalized VIP treatment as they depart for the big game.
In addition, Jet Linx is a leading provider for aircraft management services, offering a spectrum of benefits ranging from aircraft acquisitions to cost-effective aircraft operation to aircraft maintenance..
www.jetlinx.com
NetJets
NetJets is adding outstanding ground service to its flight offerings, creating a temporary exclusive-use, full-service FBO at St. Paul’s Holman Field for clients headed to Super Bowl LII.
The temporary NetJets FBO, leased from Signature Flight Support, features a private hospitality lounge equipped with a bar, catering, and televisions. After the game, Owners are offered a special inflight menu for Minneapolis departures, as well as special chauffeured auto rates, and an invitation to an exclusive Saturday night Super Celebration.
“We expect more than 300 NetJets flights into and out of the region around the time of the big game, and that requires special accommodations,” said Eric Lampert, VP Owner Experience Operations. “More than 50 operations coordinators from NetJets will be onsite to ensure everything is a seamless experience for Owners.”
“Owners who may have experienced long delays in the past when trying to leave a Super Bowl host city can now go from game to ground transportation, to their flight with ease. NetJets makes it look easy,” added Pat Gallagher, EVP of Sales at NetJets.
www.netjets.com
Pratt & Whitney Canada
P&WC has the world’s largest worldwide service network and most experienced service experts in the business ready to serve our business aviation customers. We will have strong customer support presence at this year’s Super Bowl including:
- Mobile Repair Team in Battle Rock
- Two FSRs standing by within driving distance
- 24/7 access to remote experts with P&WC’s Onsight, mobile audio-visual “virtual support” service
- In-region Customer Manager support
- Parts availability within 12 hours
- A pool of rental engines available
24 Hour Global Service
P&WC Customer First Centre (CFirst)
USA & Canada: 1-800-268-8000
International: (IAC*) +8000-268-8000
Email: cfirst@pwc.ca
www.pwc.ca
Rolls-Royce
Each year, the Super Bowl draws an unprecedented amount of business aviation traffic and Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis will be no different. Rolls-Royce would like to assure our customers that we will be ready to support you during this event should an issue arise.
Rolls-Royce Customer Manager, Larry Enfield, will be in the Minneapolis area along with strategically positioned parts and technicians, to help if you have any engine-related issues. Please feel free to contact Larry using the information below.
For AOG assistance for spare parts, our support staff will be ready to help, and may be contacted at:
Spares AOG: +1 855-777-7273 (+1-855-RRSPARE)
Mobile: +1 612-991-2307
Email: larry.enfield@rolls-royce.com
www.rolls-royce.com
Signature Flight Support and Priester Aviation
Signature Flight Support’s two area locations, KSTP and KMSP, have secured aircraft overflow parking on closed taxi-ways from the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC), which oversees both airfields. KMSP is completely booked, and KSTP is anticipated to be full by Friday.
For transient flight crews waiting on site for owners to return, Signature is providing food, refreshments and big screen TVs to watch the game at their FBOs.
Textron Aviation
The Textron Aviation 1Call support team will be standing by to assist customers attending the Super Bowl. One of Textron Aviation’s more than 60 Mobile Service Units (MSUs) will be on-site in the Minneapolis area to support the full line of Cessna Citation, Beechcraft King Air, and Hawker turbine business jet and turboprop aircraft attending the event, with additional technicians stationed in Milwaukee. These MSUs are equipped to perform limited inspections, engine, tire and brake service, and more.
Additionally, as part of our Air Response Service, U.S.-based support aircraft are available to rush parts and technicians in response to AOG situations to keep Textron Aviation owners and operators in the air.
Textron Aviation 1Call Support Team
Phone: (316) 517-2090
www.txtav.com
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