AeroVanti Air Club wants to disrupt private aviation with its sleek turboprops

It's not going to be cheap to charter a private plane, no matter how many companies promise to make it more affordable in the future. That doesn't mean it can't get cheaper. AeroVanti Air Club, which is announcing a $9.75 million Series A financing round led by Network1 Financial Securities, is betting on the Piaggio P.180 Avanti turboprop to offer lower hourly rates for its members.

Individual memberships cost $1,000 per month, family memberships cost $1,500 per month, and corporate memberships cost $2,500 per month. Half of what the most affordable WheelsUp flight will cost you will be charged at the hourly rate. There are no fees for changing places.

There are nine P.180s that make up the core of the company's fleet. AeroVanti will be able to fly passengers from Miami to the Florida Keys or from Boston to Martha's Vineyard with a helicopter.

The P.180 is intriguing. The plane with its stabilizers at the nose can seat seven passengers and can travel up to 373 miles per hour. It is slower than most jets and is comparable to other two-engine turboprops. The CEO of AMS Onsite and Coastal Laboratories says that his family used to own a Piaggio.

The image is from AeroVANTI.

I think it is safe. Light is what it is. He told me that it was fuel efficient and had a great range. It has one third of the carbon footprint as its competitors. The Super King Air 200 is 115 mph faster than the King Air 350, but it is powered by the same engines. It is also very enjoyable to fly.

Marjet Aviation was acquired by AeroVanti back in March for its Part 135 certificate. The company says that it helped it upgrade its operations.

We're in growth mode. The raise will allow us to become a full MRO. We are looking at some strategic M&A activity as we build out our customer service team.

Some of the company's members include football players, C-Suite executives and a family that goes to Disney World. They both have an appreciation for value. There are a lot of options when it comes to flying. He said that they were the only ones who could get you there safer, faster, and at a lower price.

Demand for private aviation is holding steady despite a boost in demand during the early days of the swine flu. It seems like the United first-class seat from Newark to Miami is no longer as good as it used to be.