ESPN: Patriots become first NFL team to have own planes reports:

The New England Patriots have become the first NFL team to buy their own plane to fly to games. Make that two planes.

Sources tell ESPN that the reigning Super Bowl champions bought two 767 Boeing wide-body jets in the offseason and retrofitted them with all first-class seats, some of which recline completely. On the outside of at least one of the planes is the team logo and five Lombardi trophies on the tail.

Apparently they are going to be based out of PVD. Article goes into the fact that the major carriers no longer want to do NFL charters so teams are coming up with different solutions. Personally I'm quite happy with the Pats getting two Boeing 767s: a great combination of two great teams!

Surely someone in the a.net community knows more about these aircraft?

The NFL did not buy them for the Pats. The Pats chartered them themselves and then painted it. They also appear to be Dynamic birds.

KLMatSJC wrote:

The NFL did not buy them for the Pats. The Pats chartered them themselves and then painted it.

Sorry, but not sure where you got the notion that the NFL bought the airplanes for the Pats. If it was from me, I didn't mean to suggest that.

The ESPN article says the Pats bought the two planes. You are saying that they are charters, not purchases? The ESPN article is pretty clear about the purchase and even says the Pats hope to charter them out during the off-season.

KLMatSJC wrote:

They also appear to be Dynamic birds.

Interesting!

That team has a lot of money, I would have to think. Surprised they bought such old birds. Probably got a great deal.

I think the payback here will be pretty quick, especially since there will be some revenue coming in from rentals during the off-season. Spotters down in Mexico City will be all over this in November for the Raiders game.

Looks like ex-DL or AA 767s. Dynamic's current 767s are all ex-BA with 8 doors. The planes will also likely transport the NE Revolution MLS team (same owner).

They are two ex-AA airplanes (N366 and N367, which will become N36NE and N225NE) . There are advertisements on the web for mechanics, flight attendants, etc.

sgbroimp wrote:

That team has a lot of money, I would have to think. Surprised they bought such old birds. Probably got a great deal.

I don't think it's any different than FedEx buying 'old birds.' The cycles will be few, including some rather short-haul segments (BUF, NYJ, IND, etc.) and that means their life spans will be pretty long.

sgbroimp wrote:

That team has a lot of money, I would have to think. Surprised they bought such old birds. Probably got a great deal.

Considering the (relatively) low number of hours they will fly per year, why buy new(er)?

Now the Patriots own 55 Jets.

Lets hope they keep the cabin properly pressurized........................................................

Oh I do love that tail painting.

aemoreira1981 wrote:

Now the Patriots own 55 Jets.

Yep, even before this, the Patriots owned the Jets!

aemoreira1981 wrote:

The planes will also likely transport the NE Revolution MLS team (same owner).

Only occasionally. Major League Soccer has all sorts of rules designed to enforce parity among the teams, including for travel. They otherwise fly commercial.

Here's an article about the league's policy (designed to keep costs for teams down, and at least in the past was part of sponsorship deals) focusing on the Portland Timbers (sponsored by Alaska Airlines): http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index ... occer.html

Unlike those leagues, MLS requires its players to regularly fly coach on commercial airlines. As stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement between MLS and the MLS Players Union, the league will allow clubs to charter planes for no more than four legs of travel to MLS competitions throughout the season, with some exceptions for short turnarounds in the playoffs.

So, the Revs might be able to use these planes for those four legs for MLS travel, as well as any non-league travel they might have (US Open Cup, CCL, should they qualify, etc). But they won't regularly use it, barring some kind of big change in MLS policy and their collective bargaining agreement - which could happen in the lifespan of these planes - but won't happen soon. The current CBA runs through 2019.

aemoreira1981 wrote:

Looks like ex-DL or AA 767s. Dynamic's current 767s are all ex-BA with 8 doors. The planes will also likely transport the NE Revolution MLS team (same owner).

Dyamics were Rolls Royce birds. I thought 767-300's were a hot commodity for cargo conversions.

These guys would do well to hire an Atlas, ATI, or other Part 121 carrier to operate the aircraft, and not try to do it themselves. The safety culture of an established Part 121 carrier is leaps and bounds above anything that one can do in-house. Start with Get There Itis, and go from there. If I were the life insurer on any of these players, I would have serious questions and maybe a desire to raise my rates.

Sure hope the tires are inflated...

If this becomes a trend for NFL teams to buy their own aircraft, one would think 77A would be a good, cheap candidate for this type of operation? While they are probably high on cycles, not many airlines want them and could be bought fairly cheap I'd assume.

I wonder who will operate the airplane for them. Will they use someone like Atlas for crew, maintenance and insurance?

chrisnh wrote:

I think the payback here will be pretty quick, especially since there will be some revenue coming in from rentals during the off-season. Spotters down in Mexico City will be all over this in November for the Raiders game.

Unless they have them chartered out significantly in the offseason there is no way this will be an investment with a quick payback. It costs up to $4 million per year for the current charters. That airplane with an all new interior is going to cost over $10 million and the maintenance and operating costs will be millions per year.

MO11 wrote:

They are two ex-AA airplanes (N366 and N367, which will become N36NE and N225NE) . There are advertisements on the web for mechanics, flight attendants, etc.

N366AA and N39367. Previously owned by Unical Aviation; now owned by Team 125, Inc., with, as you say, those tail number changes pending.

Somebody is getting fired for that leaked photo...

...five Lombardi trophies on the tail.

They can thank the Giants that they have room for their trophies on the tail.

I'll be curious to see what they do on the inside!

And when your private 767 goes tech then what? When your Delta 767 goes tech, delta gives you a new 767 ASAP before winding up on the news.

Not so fast. The Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen operated two B757's N757AF and N756AF. 5=745AF was a dedicated team airplane with FC seating and a huge galley mid ship. The Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Mariners and the Seahawks used this airplane exclusively with the exception of the Blazers which also used 757AF (now Trumps airplane). Both of these aircraft were on a Part 125 Certificate and I suspect that the 767's are as well with a name like Team 125 Inc.?

Newbiepilot wrote:

I wonder who will operate the airplane for them. Will they use someone like Atlas for crew, maintenance and insurance?

chrisnh wrote:

I think the payback here will be pretty quick, especially since there will be some revenue coming in from rentals during the off-season. Spotters down in Mexico City will be all over this in November for the Raiders game.

Unless they have them chartered out significantly in the offseason there is no way this will be an investment with a quick payback. It costs up to $4 million per year for the current charters. That airplane with an all new interior is going to cost over $10 million and the maintenance and operating costs will be millions per year.

Yea the benefit really isn't saving money as much as gained flexibility. Their travel scheduling just got a whole lot easier.

32andBelow wrote:

And when your private 767 goes tech then what? When your Delta 767 goes tech, delta gives you a new 767 ASAP before winding up on the news.

That's why they bought two.

aemoreira1981 wrote:

Now the Patriots own 55 Jets.

Bwahahahahahahahahahaha

I hope they sell models.. want a 1/200 scale one

I personally can't stand the NE 'Cheaters" but good for them to buy their own planes and I think the paint job is fantastic. Now as for a 40-year old QB in the NFL playing against guys who could be his own kid...

Wonder if the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, or Bruins will be using them too.

Squeezix wrote:

Sure hope the tires are inflated...

Sure hope whomever measures the tires has a few different gauges that measure the same.

spahrtan wrote:

If this becomes a trend for NFL teams to buy their own aircraft, one would think 77A would be a good, cheap candidate for this type of operation? While they are probably high on cycles, not many airlines want them and could be bought fairly cheap I'd assume.

777 will have a long service life, but with 767 you know USAF is buying 179 or more tankers in the coming years so the parts should be available for the foreseeable future.

Moose135 wrote:

...five Lombardi trophies on the tail.

They can thank the Giants that they have room for their trophies on the tail.

Don't want all that paint on the tail to shift the CG back too far...

Slug71 wrote:

Wonder if the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, or Bruins will be using them too.

Doubt it -- the ownership groups have no overlap at all, the seasons do overlap, etc.

The second 767 is for carrying the team's Uggs.

Shame they didn't put this on the tail for a season. Haha



Boston Burbs are home, so needless to say "more probably than not was generally aware of ball deflation activities" wasn't an acceptable burden of proof.

Revelation wrote:

Squeezix wrote:

Sure hope the tires are inflated...

Sure hope whomever measures the tires has a few different gauges that measure the same.

Doesn't matter. They'll just blame it on the cold air.

As usual, the Pats out-class the J-E-T-E Jets!



versus:

wjcandee wrote:

These guys would do well to hire an Atlas, ATI, or other Part 121 carrier to operate the aircraft, and not try to do it themselves. The safety culture of an established Part 121 carrier is leaps and bounds above anything that one can do in-house. Start with Get There Itis, and go from there. If I were the life insurer on any of these players, I would have serious questions and maybe a desire to raise my rates.

This looks like a season long charter contract with Dynamic Airways. 2 frames due to Dynamic doing a good job breaking their aircraft.

wjcandee wrote:

These guys would do well to hire an Atlas, ATI, or other Part 121 carrier to operate the aircraft, and not try to do it themselves. The safety culture of an established Part 121 carrier is leaps and bounds above anything that one can do in-house. Start with Get There Itis, and go from there. If I were the life insurer on any of these players, I would have serious questions and maybe a desire to raise my rates.

Worst case, at least the lock on the AFC East would be over.

Slug71 wrote:

Wonder if the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, or Bruins will be using them too.

Doubt it -- the ownership groups have no overlap at all, the seasons do overlap, etc.[/quote]

Paul Allen's 757 was used for the football, baseball and basketball teams at the same time. No problems if these teams are not in the playoffs, then it gets interesting. No mechanical delays either, always a flight mechanic onboard along with security to keep the jail blazers in order.

You may recall that the LA Dodgers had an Electra and the a B707 for many years for team travel. Nothing new here to see.

Revelation wrote:

aemoreira1981 wrote:

Now the Patriots own 55 Jets.

Yep, even before this, the Patriots owned the Jets!

Yes, and the Giants owned them twice.

Revelation wrote:

Slug71 wrote:

Wonder if the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, or Bruins will be using them too.

Doubt it -- the ownership groups have no overlap at all, the seasons do overlap, etc.

Was thinking more along the lines of chartering them.

KLMatSJC wrote:

The NFL did not buy them for the Pats. The Pats chartered them themselves and then painted it. They also appear to be Dynamic birds.

The title was a question about the Pats buying them. Nowhere did it say the NFL bought them. The comprehending the question before commenting.

chrisnh wrote:

sgbroimp wrote:

That team has a lot of money, I would have to think. Surprised they bought such old birds. Probably got a great deal.

I don't think it's any different than FedEx buying 'old birds.' The cycles will be few, including some rather short-haul segments (BUF, NYJ, IND, etc.) and that means their life spans will be pretty long.

You want low cycles from long haul, not from short-haul segments. If the plane had done nothing but JFK-ORD-LAX and another was available the just flew JFK-NRT. I'd buy the JFK-NRT bird. The more cycles the higher cost to maintain it.

Makes sense, one for the team, and one for Bradys ego.

Revelation wrote:

Squeezix wrote:

Sure hope the tires are inflated...

Sure hope whomever measures the tires has a few different gauges that measure the same.

spahrtan wrote:

If this becomes a trend for NFL teams to buy their own aircraft, one would think 77A would be a good, cheap candidate for this type of operation? While they are probably high on cycles, not many airlines want them and could be bought fairly cheap I'd assume.

777 will have a long service life, but with 767 you know USAF is buying 179 or more tankers in the coming years so the parts should be available for the foreseeable future.

Moose135 wrote:

...five Lombardi trophies on the tail.

They can thank the Giants that they have room for their trophies on the tail.

Don't want all that paint on the tail to shift the CG back too far...

Slug71 wrote:

Wonder if the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, or Bruins will be using them too.

Doubt it -- the ownership groups have no overlap at all, the seasons do overlap, etc.

Why hope the CG does not move back. Airlines load more weight in the rear to push the CG farther back for better fuel burn.

Is this not because the legacies are pulling away from charters and the charter airlines in America are going bust, I.e. eastern? (although they've been bought by swift but how reliable will that be?)

2018 New England Patriots Football Schedule

Will be exceptionally "low hours"

1) At Buffalo Bills New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY
2) At Chicago Bears Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
3) At Detroit Lions Ford Field, Detroit, MI
4) At Jacksonville JaguarsEverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
5) At Miami Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
6) At New York Jets MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
7) At Tennessee Titans Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
8) At AFC North Opponent TBD* Site TBD (Unless Melbourne AU is awarded an NFL franchise)

wonder if Jerry Jones will get a 747 or two for his team??

RockIsland41 wrote:

wonder if Jerry Jones will get a 747 or two for his team??

Figured he'd go A380.

So much winning from Robert Kraft. The Tom Brady Express.

BravoOne wrote:

You may recall that the LA Dodgers had an Electra and the a B707 for many years for team travel. Nothing new here to see.

Quick correction, it was a Boeing 720-023 aircraft not a B707. Here is the link to the history of Dodger transports thru the Brooklyn and Los Angeles years. http://www.thinkbluela.com/2014/01/the- ... e-dodgers/



After the 2014 season the San Francisco Giants announced they were purchasing a 757 for the team, that ended up going nowhere, and they ended up with Vision for the 2015 season.

dampfnudel wrote:

Revelation wrote:

aemoreira1981 wrote:

Now the Patriots own 55 Jets.

Yep, even before this, the Patriots owned the Jets!

Yes, and the Giants owned them twice.

The Giants deserved their wins, they played great when the chips were down. So did the Jets, 47 years ago!

Enjoy the memories. It looks like Brady's career is going to outlast both Payton's and Eli's!

rbavfan wrote:

Why hope the CG does not move back. Airlines load more weight in the rear to push the CG farther back for better fuel burn.

Good point. Let's see if we have some more paint to put on the tail after this season.

airzona11 wrote:

So much winning from Robert Kraft. The Tom Brady Express.

In the Pats Fans forum, someone showed a tweet saying the planes should be referred to as the AirKraft!