Just launched is ShareZen, an online application that makes it easy for people to manage shared assets such as planes by offering them a simple system for scheduling use, tracking shared expenses, keeping up on maintenance and fostering owner communication.
The application is geared toward shared ownership of planes, boats and vacation homes – three popular categories of large shared assets in the rapidly growing “sharing economy,” according to developers. The rising popularity of shared plane ownership is reflected in the growth of companies such as Let’s Fly, which creates plan-ownership cooperatives. The 10-year-old company has helped pilots form more than 400 shared-ownership plane cooperatives around the globe, and has attracted 30,000 supporters and members.
“Shared ownership is nothing new in aviation,” said ShareZen co-founder and pilot Drew Bernard. “After all, the very first fixed-winged powered aircraft was owned together by a couple brothers named Orville and Wilbur. The number of people with access to planes to pursue their passion for flying is on the rise, as shared ownership continues to drive down the costs and increase the value and joy each aircraft can provide.”
But managing a shared asset presents challenges, including coordinating schedules and use, making sure the aircraft is maintained on schedule and expenses are shared equally, ensuring flight hours and logs are current, and communicating problems, changes or other information between all owners.
ShareZen provides a comprehensive but simple framework for owners of a shared asset, according to company officials. Once owners sign up for a membership – ranging from free for single owners to $39.95 per month for large groups – they use tools to coordinate all aspects of their shared plane.
“Some things are just better when they’re shared,” said Bernard. “But until now, shared-plane owners have had to cobble together ways to track and manage all the details. We designed a powerful but easy-to-use online solution that handles all the details so everyone can focus on enjoying the things they love – planes and flying – with people they trust.”
For more information: ShareZen.com
