Jerry Jones He may have revolutionized the business of professional football with lucrative television deals and state-of-the-art stadiums, but even he didn’t anticipate its effects airbus Corporate helicopter would have to Dallas Cowboys brand.

“We originally got the ACH145 for transport,” says Jones, referring to it as “DC-1” even though its official air traffic control sign is Bluestar One. “We wanted to commute between the Star, our Frisco headquarters and the Arlington stadium, but it had to take us to our other stores as well.”

The logistical advantages were obvious: the way from the star’s training field to AT&T stadium fell from a one-hour drive to a 13-minute flight. The helicopter’s 400 mile range reaches remote areas of Texas (where Jones has other business interests) and since the DC-1 can land anywhere, the 145 mph cruising speed is more efficient than a small plane.

But it was the promotional perks that surprised the cowboy owner the most. According to Jones, flying the Airbus over the Dallas Metro is the best billboard imaginable for the $ 5.8 billion sports franchise. “It gives the cowboys an aura, regardless of whether we circle the stadium and land in the parking lot on game day or carry business partners and sponsors with us,” says Jones. What he underestimated, he says, “is how interesting the helicopter is for our fans. It catches their attention and makes them think of us. “

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys on board his Airbus corporate helicopter.

Jeremiah Jhass

Team colors – navy blue, metallic silver, royal blue, and white – make up the custom interior, but the palette is muted. “We’re not about checkered tablecloths and sawdust floors,” says Jones. Instead, the team wants to “project a modern, urban cowboy image. No question about it, the helicopter conveys this cutting-edge look. “

The helicopter can accommodate up to 10 people, although the layout can be reconfigured through Mission. A custom carbon fiber chest doubles as an integrated liquor cabinet with phone charging ports and Angry Headsets for every leather seat. The improved soundproofing enables conversations that would be challenging for most other helicopters. After spending so much time aboard the DC-1, Jones feels at home in the cabin. “It’s like getting into one of my cars,” he says.

The helicopter also serves as an air shuttle for Jones and his family, both for business and for trips to the family farm. It’s also a formidable way to travel with the team’s sponsors, other executives Jones does business with, and sporting greats like former cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten. In March, retired Major General Patrick Brady, a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot and Medalist who evacuated 5,000 wounded from battlefields in Vietnam, took control. “This flight was particularly meaningful to me,” said Jones, whose family has long been associated with the National Medal of Honor Museum.

Friday nights were equally important to Jones and his wife, Eugenia “Gene” Jones, when, after arranging flights with local authorities, the couple landed outside the greater Dallas high school fields to watch their grandchildren play soccer. “Without that helicopter, it would have been impossible to make these games,” says Jones.

Safety has always been a priority. All-glass cockpit of the DC-1 with Helionix avionicsis intuitive and reduces the pilot’s workload. The helicopter terrain awareness and warning system is designed to avoid obstacles in flight. The helicopter with two Saffron Arriel 2E Turbo shaft motors, is also designed for single-engine flights. “It’s a very powerful system,” says Will Fulton, director of marketing at Airbus Helicopters of North America, who notes that the cowboys “spared no expense” in choosing all the safety options available.

The executive helicopter cut Jones’ commute from an hour’s drive to a 13-minute flight.

Jeremiah Jhass

DC-1 is also about branding. America’s Team can still claim the title of Most Valuable Sports Franchise in the World, even though it didn’t win one Super bowl since 1996. Jones understands the entertainment value of DC-1, however The Airbus just as often transports Jones and his players to local airports outside of Dallas to attend Salvation Army fundraisers and other events. “Often times these people aren’t football fans, but if we’re active in these areas, there’s a good chance they’ll see the game on Thanksgiving,” says Jones. “You will have more brand affinity.”

For a man known for his colorful conversation, the billionaire is downright awesome when he talks about his helicopter’s branding bonus.

“I’m joking, but I’m also semi-serious here,” he says. “I’d love to take it and land on every street in Texas. Or maybe five that end up in every ward in the United States. It’s a real attention grabber. “