The blurred lines of Livestrong - the spin bike sham

[Race Radio]

Polish logic

If it makes you feel better substitute hookers and blow for jet fuel.....

 

[MacRoadie]

Blah, blah, blah...

Ok, who lifted the rock...

 

[BotanyBay]

What is it with you and Jet Fuel?
I do admit I find your obsession/schtick amusing

But seriously, why would the US Gov care about Lance's jet fuel?
First, there is the powerful jet fuel / business jet lobby backing Lance up.
And second, it is not like Lance is flying around in Air Force One.

Tell me RR, when you are at the airport waiting in line to take your shoes off and get searched, does it bother you that Lance can stroll up to his private jet, Nikes firmly on foot, and crack open a brewski as he enters the jet?
Bother you just a tiny bit maybe?

And tell me RR, when you travel on business, do YOU pay for your own jet fuel? Or do you have someone ELSE pick up the tab. I sure hope you pay your own way lol.

My Polish, you do seem to have a man-love thing for RR.

At $2.57/gal and considering a full load of Jet-A fuel for a Gulfstream G5 costs about $10,000.00 per fueling (plus many other operating costs)... If Lance were really concerned about putting as many dollars as possible towards the fight against cancer, he might consider downgrading to 1st class on a commercial aviation flight.

 

[kurtinsc]

My Polish, you do seem to have a man-love thing for RR.

At $2.57/gal and considering a full load of Jet-A fuel for a Gulfstream G5 costs about $10,000.00 per fueling (plus many other operating costs)... If Lance were really concerned about putting as many dollars as possible towards the fight against cancer, he might consider downgrading to 1st class on a commercial aviation flight.

A business class ticket from Texas to Europe is about 3-5 grand. I'd assume first class would be similar.

How many refuelings is that? Is it really much cheaper?

 

[Hugh Januss]

A business class ticket from Texas to Europe is about 3-5 grand. I'd assume first class would be similar.

How many refuelings is that? Is it really much cheaper?

Looks like that would free up another 5-7 grand to be but into the vital fight to raise Cancer Awareness.

 

[BotanyBay]

A business class ticket from Texas to Europe is about 3-5 grand. I'd assume first class would be similar.

How many refuelings is that? Is it really much cheaper?

Do you have any idea how much it costs to operate a G5? It's about $3,200+ per hour. Do the math on a flight to Europe. A 1st class seat on a Boeing is MUCH cheaper.

 

[BotanyBay]

Looks like that would free up another 5-7 grand to be but into the vital fight to raise Cancer Awareness.

Gotta keep the leader happy:

 

[lean mean &green]

A business class ticket from Texas to Europe is about 3-5 grand. I'd assume first class would be similar.

How many refuelings is that? Is it really much cheaper?

the $10K sounds low to me but if a correct figure, only deals with fuel. try tacking on the ground crew, mechanics/maintenance, storage/hanger fees etc etc etc. i doubt lance flies the damn thing himself so there's the little matter of a pilot(s) as well.

very few people actually buy their own jet because it is so costly. even those who fly private often have a contractual or leasing agreement. essentially, they have a time share with other wealthy travelers. they still have to call a day or two in advance for a plane to be ready. it's extremely expensive to buy into these programs. private air travel rarely saves you money, in fact you pay extra for the perceived convenience and status. according to a pilot friend of mine who worked in this industry after retiring from the navy, it's almost like throwing money away.

 

[lean mean &green]

Do you have any idea how much it costs to operate a G5? It's about $3,200+ per hour. Do the math on a flight to Europe. A 1st class seat on a Boeing is MUCH cheaper.

you beat me to it

 

[thehog]

Do you have any idea how much it costs to operate a G5? It's about $3,200+ per hour. Do the math on a flight to Europe. A 1st class seat on a Boeing is MUCH cheaper.

Having your own jet in executive circles is known as the "liquid" stage. Its when you have so much money that the thought of taking the jet on a 24 hour flight to Australia rather than first class doesn't enter your mind. I think you'll find it costs around 5k an hour to run. You also pay excessive airport entrance fees.

Armstrong used to timeshare his jet. He didn't own it he just bought a certain amount if hours per year for use.

He now has his own jet. One problem thou. He's still not "liquid" enough to afford a jet. He's only bringing in around 10 million a year which is not enough to run a jet. Thankfully Livestrong picks up the costs on the plane and all is sweet. He can pretend to be liquid. Also means Anna and the family can travel on the Livestrong dime also.

Now lets not debate the untold damage to the environment by taking a jet rather than a passenger plane whereby the fuel damage is shared.

 

[BotanyBay]

you beat me to it

I used to be more familiar with the jet leasing industry. Fuel costs have gone WAY up in the past 3 years, so the hourly rates may have gone way up too.

It costs about $600K+ per year to "operate" one (plus fuel). An engine re-build costs $1MM, a paint job around $250K. Leasing is far more expensive "per hour", but hardly any wealthy guy needs to fly so often as to warrant actually buying his own plane.

Then there is the added environmental impact of burning 3400 gallons of Jet-A to deliver one man (+ entourage) across an ocean.

A guy like Lance could choose to fly commercial, get VIP treatment at the airport, private pre-boarding lounge, etc... but perish the thought, the guy in the next row might attempt to chat him up in-flight. And Lance could choose to buy that seat just to keep it empty.

 

[Velocentric]

The standard justification I've heard regarding Lance and his love of the private jet is it's for security. As one of the most recognisable people in the World apparently He's at risk if he flies commercial.

I feel sad for all those Hollywood A listers who are far more recognisable but don't have a Charity of their own to consider their security.

 

[BotanyBay]

Having your own jet in executive circles is known as the "liquid" stage. Its when you have so much money that the thought of taking the jet on a 24 hour flight to Australia rather than first class doesn't enter your mind. I think you'll find it costs around 5k an hour to run. You also pay excessive airport entrance fees.

Armstrong used to timeshare his jet. He didn't own it he just bought a certain amount if hours per year for use.

He now has his own jet. One problem thou. He's still not "liquid" enough to afford a jet. He's only bringing in around 10 million a year which is not enough to run a jet. Thankfully Livestrong picks up the costs on the plane and all is sweet. He can pretend to be liquid. Also means Anna and the family can travel on the Livestrong dime also.

Now lets not debate the untold damage to the environment by taking a jet rather than a passenger plane whereby the fuel damage is shared.

Tiger Woods can afford his own Jet. If Lance owns one too, either he's having others pick up the tab, or he's being reckless with the finances. No way is Lance liquid enough to just hop on the jet whenever he wants. That'll burn money not unlike MC Hammer.

 

[D-Queued]

The standard justification I've heard regarding Lance and his love of the private jet is it's for security. As one of the most recognisable people in the World apparently He's at risk if he flies commercial.

I feel sad for all those Hollywood A listers who are far more recognisable but don't have a Charity of their own to consider their security.

Turns out the poor guy is insecure.

Dave.

 

[BotanyBay]

The standard justification I've heard regarding Lance and his love of the private jet is it's for security. As one of the most recognisable people in the World apparently He's at risk if he flies commercial.

I feel sad for all those Hollywood A listers who are far more recognisable but don't have a Charity of their own to consider their security.

The security angle is BS. Every major airport has a VIP entrance service for celebs for exactly that reason. Any airline would give him a private waiting room.

Anyone know his tail number? There's a service out there that allows you to track the takeoffs and landing of private jets (if he's not requested it be kept private)

 

[thehog]

Tiger Woods can afford his own Jet. If Lance owns one too, either he's having others pick up the tab, or he's being reckless with the finances. No way is Lance liquid enough to just hop on the jet whenever he wants. That'll burn money not unlike MC Hammer.

]

Tiger in his day and still now is earning much more than Lance can ever hope to pull. Tiger can afford his own jet. He's liquid. He's the first billion dollar sportsman.

It was only last week Madonna was stuck on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to New York. Thats costs around 4k for upper class and its not first. There she was traipsed across the snow on the tarmac when the plane couldn't move.

Lance would never do that. The last time he flew commercial was when he broke his collarbone. He ended up getting drunk on the flight, abusing other passengers and then tried to pick up the flight attendant! He later claimed it was the pain killers mixed with one drink!

http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/the_awful_truth/b106071_liquored-up_lance_loses_it_on_plane.html

 

[Beech Mtn]

Yeah, that is an old Falcon they used for a photo shoot. Here is his actual plane.

G-IVSP

The security angle is BS. Every major airport has a VIP entrance service for celebs for exactly that reason. Any airline would give him a private waiting room.

Anyone know his tail number? There's a service out there that allows you to track the takeoffs and landing of private jets (if he's not requested it be kept private)

Looks like N7LA. Is that the number you're looking for? I can't imagine someone who was so "concerned" about "security" wouldn't have requested it be kept private.

 

[Velocentric]

You can track it here, should you be interested:

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N7LA

Although it appears to have been removed from the system as N7LA owned & operated by Mellow Johnnys Aviation LLC hasn't operated since January 15th 2009

 

[BotanyBay]

You can track it here, should you be interested:

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N7LA

Although it appears to have been removed from the system as N7LA owned & operated by Mellow Johnnys Aviation LLC hasn't operated since January 15th 2009

Funny, that log says it was a Cessna Skylane 182 flight in Wisconsin. Odd.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

You read me wrong. The Flinders licence payment was in addition to the 2 million personal TDU appearance fee.*

The Flinders had been commissioned long ago with the funding in place. The centre exists today but they are moving to the new site when its complete.*

There was political pressure to get Armstrong name into the FMC even thou he's not done anything in terms of raising the funds or assisting with the initiative. So someone probably Rann forced the project owners to spend some of the funding in buying the "Livestrong" name to name part of the centre. (it wouldn't surprise me if Armstrong pressured Rann to arrange this)

So Armstrong was paid again in addition to his appearance fee.

Now it's not unusual that medical centre have corporate sponsorship. In fact most need corporate money to survival. But its highly unusual to see a medical centre paying a corporate in this case Lance Armstrong to "dedicate" his name to the centre.*

So Armstrong turns up to mark the building of the centre. The local press bill his appearance as if he has donated the funds for the centre and Livestrong is supporting the medical unit. As it turns out Livestrong walked away from the deal giving nothing. No programs, no money, no staff, nothing. They took the naming fee and ran!

Now it's not popular to question how money is spent on these types of places. The FMC is a really good thing. The Livestrong part stinks but the opposition government is not going to dig too deep on something that would only make them look bad by questioning.

I bring all this up to show that Livestrong is doing sweet FA in terms of research and treatment. They'll happily take the cash and the accolades of such a centre but not contribute to it.

Although I am interested in 'Velocentrics' post I am not convinced that Flinders paid extra for the Livestrong naming.

Here is a run down on what I remember:
The first mention of renaming it was byDr. Andrew Southcott speaking during Parliment in February 2009.

 

[Velocentric]

Thanks for linking to the transcript Dr M.

Again, and hopefully in the clearest language possible:

I am not aware of additional funds having been paid to Armstrong or the Foundation for the use of the name or for an appearance fee / expenses.

What I do have are people within the group that would know who have informed me the Livestrong 'brand' was not donated but is actually licensed for use by Flinders. What the licensing payments are I do not currently know but have been told corresponding amounts by the people who have spoken with me. What the term of the license agreement is I do not currently know.

Only once I am able to verify this information myself (and I'm working on it) will I make the figures public as I do genuinely believe this information belongs in the public domain.

Regarding the flight tracker - I noticed it said it was a different aircraft type. Odd that all the photos and other details match up though.

On a vaguely related note: How big an ego must you have to need a personalised Tail number on your private jet?

 

[thehog]

Although I am interested in 'Velocentrics' post I am not convinced that Flinders paid extra for the Livestrong naming.

Here is a run down on what I remember:
The first mention of renaming it was byDr. Andrew Southcott speaking during Parliment in February 2009.

Parliamentary privilege. All subsequent releases have "dedicated" where the privilege does not apply.

I'm not saying I'm right but I've heard there was a fee. What exactly does "giving" the name actually do?

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Funny, that log says it was a Cessna Skylane 182 flight in Wisconsin. Odd.

It is a Gulfstream IV - its cost per hour is $4,073.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Parliamentary privilege. All subsequent releases have "dedicated" where the privilege does not apply.

I'm not saying I'm right but I've heard there was a fee. What exactly does "giving" the name actually do?

I have no problem accepting that it was not donated by LA (or the LAF) - in fact I linked this piece 2 months ago on a seperate thread.

A lasting link between cycling legend and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong and South Australia will be created when a new Woodhead designed centre for cancer research at Flinders Medical Centre is dedicated in his name.

But I am just not sure you are correct to suggest that there was an extra and seperate payment made.

 

[Race Radio]

Armstrong bought the tail number from the original owner. You can file to have your tail number taking off the tracking service, so it will not show up on Flightaware. It is quite common.

Private jets are great.....makes it much easier to take your "Gear" with you