What Is A VLJ And How Is It Different From A Regular Business Jet?
Not every aircraft is the same, and even aircraft in the same category are often quite different, and there are so many subcategories to consider when looking at various general aviation aircraft. Take corporate business aircraft for instance.
Some corporate aircraft are extremely large, and the size of airliners, in fact many are airliner conversions. Boeing makes a business class 737 and 757, while Gulfstream, bombardier, and other major corporate aircraft manufacturers make extremely large business jets.
And then there are the typical business jets that we think of when we think about corporate aviation, private jet charters, or companies like NetJet and other fractional jet aircraft companies. Of course, too there are the VLJs. VLJ stands for Very Light Jet, and many of these are only four passenger aircraft with two pilots, holding only six people total.
They are a little bit smaller than even a Learjet 24, but generally made out of high-tech composites, and not weighing much more than a Piper Seneca with jet engines on it. And you can imagine how wonderful the performance is.
And since they are quite a bit smaller, they don’t cost as much as a regular corporate jet aircraft, which generally new would be not less than $ 3 million. Many of these jets are right around $ 1 million for a VLJ, and sometimes a hair under.
Some people in general aviation are worried about the VLJs because they cost a lot less, so more people will be buying them who might not have the experience to fly them correctly. This means there will be more crashes, and it will make the general aviation industry look bad, and raise insurance rates for everyone.
Indeed, that is a typical debating point, and the critics are actually right about that, as there have already been some accidents, and more are expected. Eventually the FAA will get involved requiring more regulations and scrutiny for the pilots that fly them.
In many regards a small company could afford a VLJ, as a business tool, even though it doesn’t have nearly the range needed for a private jet, but they could be flown regionally, making them perfectly viable for such applications.
The good thing about having a very light jet is that it is quite a bit faster than the normal twin-engine aircraft, and you also get the prestige of having a jet aircraft, without all the fuel costs. The industry predicts this will be one of the fastest-growing sectors in general aviation moving forward. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.
Imagine a Super Sonic Business Jet, but Don’t Wait Too Long For That Thought – Almost Here
Supersonic transportation has come a long way since the 1970s. The SST and Concorde were ahead of their time, but were a logical next step. It takes a lot of energy to overcome the coefficients of drag to reach supersonic speeds, and it also takes a superior aerospace design, one which also takes advantage of the changes in both high and low speeds.
Is it possible to build a supersonic business jet? Absolutely, the question is; is it possible to build an efficient one? Gulfstream believes the answer is yes, and they are rapidly making that happen.
In fact, Flight Global Magazine noted at the NBAA Convention (October 30, 2012) that the future of Business and Corporate Aviation will be supersonic in an article titled “NBAA: Gulfstream “very close” to supersonic business jet design,” by Stephan Trimble out of Orlando. The article stated;
“Due to R&D Technology done at Gulfstream and NASA, the engineers and designers as Gulfstream now can decrease sonic booms and supersonic shockwaves,” and they have also stated that they have the power plant technology to operate these aircraft without limitation.”
Does this mean the 1% crowd can get to their destinations even faster? Yes, and although a supersonic business jet will cost quite a bit of money, it will also save a huge amount of time. It means that traveling across the pond, or very large distances, such as halfway around the world can easily be done in the same business day without missing a beat. Although Gulfstream has not announced what the price might be, they have proven that it is feasible, and that they can do it.
Most of the individuals in the market for a supersonic business jet are probably not so concerned with the price as they are all about saving time – because in their world time is money. That’s how it works in the business world, especially at the upper levels. Although most CFOs of large companies might disagree these aircraft are a worthy investment, those who are the movers and shakers in the global dynamic will see them as indispensable business tools.
It’s good to see that these will be made in the United States, utilizing US technology, and will not be sacrificing the public peace, as they will remain quiet even as they accelerate to supersonic speeds to cruising altitude and to then off to their intended destination.
I have no doubt whatsoever that once these become available there will be waiting lists to buy them. Maybe this next generation of high-performance supersonic corporate business jets is just what the US aviation sector needs. Please consider all this and think on it.
