Very Light Jets South Bend IN

Private jets have, since the 1980's, been the privilege of the super-rich. With price tags on basic models starting around 6 million dollars, it is not hard to see why they remain out of reach for everyday use. When you add to that the cost of maintaining, insuring, and hiring a crew for a plane of that size, it becomes even more costly. The Very Light Jet, or micro jet, market seeks to change that. Very light jets are loosely defined as any jet with a GTW, or gross takeoff weight, of less than ten thousand pounds. Small planes like this have a great many advantages over their larger siblings, not the least of which is a greatly decreased crew requirement. Whereas regular business jets require at least 2 crewmembers, very light jets are permitted to fly with one. Given the option between an aircraft charter that is bigger than needed to transport only a few people, or one of the compact private jets, it is easy to see why many choose this form of private transportation over the other options available.

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While it is a steadily increasing market, delivery of aircraft is behind schedule. This means that only a small fraction of the over three thousand very light jets that have been ordered have actually been delivered. There are many reasons for the delay in delivery, ranging from slower-than-anticipated FAA certification to delays in getting the component parts from their respective manufacturers. Since very light jets are created from an mix of parts from many different manufacturers, then cobbled together on an assembly floor, supply train delays can spell disaster for a delivery timeline. Due to the fact that these air charter jets have just recently grown in popularity the demand for them is much bigger than the supply available. Over time these private jets will replace some of their larger counterparts and provide those in need of an air charter with a cost effective option. Look for more of these jets to be produced in the coming years as their popularity continues to increase and the manufacturing process becomes more finely tuned.

Call now for your finest private charter aircraft. 1.800.732.1653

There are many different types of very light jets that are either currently being manufactured, or are in the process of receiving their FAA certification. The smallest of the very light jets is designed to seat only three passengers in addition to the one pilot. The larger versions of these private jets are designed to seat up to eight and are piloted by a crew of one. The need to maintain a proper maximum take-off weight has resulted in new manufacturing processes and new materials, such as carbon-fiber, being used in their construction. These carbon-fiber skinned aircraft are up to 50 percent lighter than their aluminum-skinned counterparts. By reducing weight and carrying capacity, the very light jets are set to fill a niche market with small aircraft charter companies. Using the latest in composite technology allows the newest of the very light jets to use up to fifty percent less fuel on a trip of the same length than a similarly-sized turboprop with aluminum skin.

Call now for your finest private charter aircraft. 1.800.732.1653