Block Time Daily Use

This document includes information on selling aircraft block time contracts, redeeming the time once sold, reviewing block time details for individual customers, and making block time adjustments.

Before you can do any of the above, the Aircraft Block Time option must be enabled and defined by an Administrator in the Financial Parameters. For more information, including a general overview and instructions on enabling the option, please see About Block Time.

Block Time Sales

Block Time is sold to customers as a part of the normal receipt preparation process.  However, the block time must be the ONLY purchase in the transaction.  Selling and redeeming block time on the same ticket is not allowed.

Depending on Financial Parameters settings, staff may be required to enter a Block Time Creation Code in order to create a Block Time Contract.  This code serves to limit which staff members can sell block time. To sell block time:

• Place the customer who will use the Block Time in focus, and then create a new Sales receipt for that customer.  In Step 1 of the receipt preparation process, select "WV � Block Time Purchase" and click Add. 

Block Time Purchase

• You will then be taken to the Block Time Purchase screen to enter the details of the block time contract.

Block Time Purchase Details

• On the block time purchase screen, select the aircraft or FTD for the contract.  Aircraft types are listed first, followed by specific tail numbers, then Flight Training Device (FTD) types, and then specific FTDs.  While block contracts for a specific tail number are possible, we suggest contracts always be based on aircraft / FTD type.  Otherwise, changes in your fleet could result in contracts that cannot be redeemed.
• Once a type or tail number is selected, enter the number of hours and the hourly rate.  These values are required, and must be a positive numbers.  The block time rate must be less than the "usual" rate for the resource.  Otherwise, the system will never suggest redeeming from the contract block.
• The Block Time Contract Duration field is pre-filled with the default duration (from the Financial Parameters), but the duration can be set to any number of days not to exceed 365. 

Example Block Time Details

• After all fields are complete, click Add to add the item to the receipt and return to the receipt. You'll see a line item for the Block Time Purchase. Please review the line item for accuracy. Notice that the line item can be deleted, but not revised. If a mistake has been made, simply delete the line item and start again. Once you are certain the contract is correct, complete the payment step and finish the receipt to activate the customer�s Block Time Contract.

Block Time Line Item

Block Time Redemptions

Block Time may be redeemed by any staff user having the ability to create a receipt.  When a customer with available block time flies in the contracted aircraft or type, the system will automatically suggest the redemption of block time during the receipt preparation if it is advantageous to the customer.

• The system suggests redemption of block time by including a Redeem Block Time button on the receipt.  If the customer has multiple Block Time contracts for the resource or resource type on the receipt, the number of applicable contracts will be shown next to the button.  A second block time contract can be redeemed on the same receipt if the first contract is "used up."  When multiple contracts exist, the system will apply Block Time in order of expiration date, and then rate.  (If multiple contracts expire on the same day, the contract with the lowest rate will be redeemed first.)

Redeem Block Time

• Block Time should be redeemed only after all items have been added to the receipt.  Because Block Time redemption is a form of payment, line items on the receipt cannot be revised after Block Time has been redeemed.  (If a revision is necessary, you can delete the Block Time Redemption line item, make the necessary revision, and then redeem the Block Time again afterward.)
• After you click the Redeem Block Time button, you will see the Block Time rate applied to the original resource line item, with taxes (if any) appropriately reduced. You will also see a new "Block Time Redeemed" line item showing a payment for the time used from the Block Time contract.  If the hours remaining in the block are not sufficient for the flight time, or if there are redemptions from multiple blocks, line items will be added to the receipt to show the various hours and rates.

Block Time Redeemed

• Charges for other than block time resources (including fuel surcharges, aircraft taxes, instructor time, etc.) still must be paid by the customer – either by a charge to an open account or as a payment.  Block time funds can only be used for the contracted aircraft or FTD.

Non-Block Time Charges

Customer Block Time Redemption.  For systems that allow customer self-dispatch and check-in, customers with Block Time Contracts may also redeem Block Time during the check-in process.

Customer Block Time Report

Enabling Block Time adds numerous reports to your system.  Customer-specific reports are available from the Front Desk tab.

To review Block Time contracts for a specific Customer, place the customer in focus and select View/Update, then select Block Time in the Customer Information section. This Customer Block Time report lists all Block Time contracts for the customer.

You can also quickly access the above mentioned report by placing the customer in focus and clicking the Stat option.

Customer Block Time Report

Clicking on the Details button on a Block Time line item drills down to the Block Time Details page. The Block Time Details page shows information specific to one Block Time Contract, including the Block Time Purchase ticket, all redemption tickets, and any adjustments. 

If the Block Time Adjustment Code has been set and there is Block Time remaining, buttons to Adjust/Refund Block Time and Adjust Expiration are also available.  You cannot make adjustments if the Block Time is already fully used.

Block Time Details

Block Time Adjustments

There may be situations where an adjustment to a Block Time Contract is necessary.  The system provides for two types of adjustments, both of which require the Block Time Adjustment Code set by your System Administrator.

• Block Time Refunds.  This process removes a specified number of hours from the remaining hours in a contract, and creates a credit line item in an amount equaling the specified time at the block rate.

  If the customer receiving the block time refund has an open ticket, the credit can be included in that open ticket.  Otherwise, a new ticket with the credit line item is created.

• Changes in Contract Expiration.  A log of expiration date changes is retained.

11/06/09 cli