VLJ program, is it going to work? Will there be a market for these aircraft?

Question

I see several companies have entered the market in these small light jets. the theory is that only one pilot needed, cost under a million dollars (although I have not seen any price quotes lower than 2 milion), able to fly into smaller fields, but still have the range and speed of larger Biz jets. Is this possible, the cost of owning a jet is still quite high, and do we want single pilot jets being flown by (I would think in many cases) King Air or Saratoga pilots with little or no jet time, but plenty of cash. Comments.. opinons?

Answer 1

Those jets wil be an exciting addition. its as revolutionary as when Lear came out with the very first business jet and changed the way we viewed private travel forever.

I am not worried about the VLJ program itself, i do however, think that our airspace and air laws needs to be reorganized to accomodate them. The qualifications required to operate them in certain kinds of airspace needs to be evaluated.

Personally, as a business owner, i love the idea that i can think about a new jet instead of a new baron. I love the idea that i can have jet-style efficiency in my personal hangar.

Answer 2

VLJ brings one thing to my mind...And that is Doctor..or Lawyer....add too much money...and a lack of experience...an ego large enough to float the titanic....After the first wave of accidents that will result from these things...insurance premiums will be through the roof...for ALL of us. I do see one industry booming from the production of these...and ultimately it will not be the aircraft manufacturers....it will be the funeral homes that bury all of the innocent people who did not know  the guy they were flying with @ 41,000' had just barely broke 3 digits in his logbook...anyway...I think for someone with experience in jets...they will be fine...But with anything....money will buy anyone...anything...even if it is their fate.....sorry my outlook is so grim...but so is this program....

Jonathan S

ATP-LRJET,HS-125

CFI/AGI

Answer 3

First of all, while you might be right about many Saratoga pilots, you are obviously badly misinformed about most King Air pilots. I have thousands of hours PIC in King Airs, which have turbine engines that are essentially jets that drive propellers, and in many ways they are harder to fly well than a lot of jets. Any competent King Air pilot would have absolutely no problem transitioning to a VLJ's or a Boeing 737. Fact.

Second, VLJ's do not have the same range and speed as most larger biz jets. They have relatively short range, particularly when the seats are full, and except for the low-end Citation series of jets, they are slower than just about everything else that is turbojet powered. At least one turboprop, the Piaggio Avanti, is faster than the current crop of VLJ's that have been type certified by the FAA.

Third, while the original goal of Eclipse was to market a VLJ for under $1M, this has not been possible. While prices may eventually come down a bit, it is not likely to happen anytime soon. Considering that a new Beech Baron (a 47 year old design)  costs over $500K, a $1.5M VLJ represents a good value.

Fourth, while they are indeed single-pilot aircraft, many insurance companies (if not most)  require VLJ's to be flown with a crew of two. This will certainly be the case for any IFR Part 135 charter operations. Also, a type rating is required for all turbojet powered aircraft, including VLJ's, which entails a fair amount of training plus a checkride, so not just any idiot can jump into one and go joy riding.

The VLJ has, and will certainly continue to fill a niche in private and commercial aviation, but it may very well turn the whole industry on its head at some point in the future. If I were a betting man, I'd put money on it.

Answer 4

Nothing new. The Bede 5J was introduced nearly 40 years ago. I has had practically no impact except for a few hobbyists.

Answer 5

The range and speed of these VLJs are not that impressive.

Though the market seems to be accepting this new category, the owner-flown market is not as certain as Flying Magazine $ells it I suspect. Over 100 people, however, with deposits down on the new Mustang, have completed the FlightSafety Mustang pilot course. How many of those were certified as single pilot operators remains a mystery.

I think the insurance industry is comfortable with the training that is being offered to this segment. I am told that single pilot type ratings are NOT given away at the local county fair.

Anyone who dooms and glooms about this... And you know who you are up there above this answer....  is just being naturally regressive. The technology is here. h**l, when I was kid growing up in the 80's, we were all pretty well convinced that this was right around the corner. Well, Im all growed up and still, no George Jetsons out there. We are finally starting to make that transition and we shouldnt be so afraid of it.

Im encouraged by this new category and I hope it works out.

Answer 6

I think the VLJ is going to change everyting about general aviation.  which would be great for me, more planes flying, means more avionics, which means more avionics that need service

Answer 7

I'm really not sure that the niche that exists is large enough to make it profitable for the VLJ companies. In addition to the type ratings required by the feds, some of the manufacturers are requiring a minimum amount of time with some sort of baby sitting instructor pilot. It sounds as if they're trying to get ahead of the product liability problems that may arise in the future.

For what you'd be spending, why not just get a used King Air or Cheyenne? The range and load is about the same. You'll just arrive about 15 minutes later.

Still, it is an exciting concept.

Answer 8

Sure it will.  I might even be interested in one.