What is a VLJ and how is it different from a normal commercial airplane?

Not all aircraft are created equal, and even aircraft in the same category are often quite different, and there are many subcategories to consider when looking at various general aviation aircraft. Take, for example, corporate commercial jets. Some corporate jets are extremely large and the size of airliners; in fact, many are airliner conversions. Boeing makes business-class 737s and 757s, while Gulfstream, bombardier, and other major corporate aircraft manufacturers make extremely large commercial jets.

And then there are the typical business jets that we think of when we think of corporate aviation, private jet charter flights, or companies like NetJet and other fractional jet companies. Of course, there are also the VLJs. VLJ stands for Very Light Jet, and many of these are just four airliners with two pilots, seating just six people in total. They’re a bit smaller than even a Learjet 24, but they’re generally made from high-tech compounds and don’t weigh much more than a Piper Seneca with jet engines. And you can imagine how wonderful the acting is.

And since they’re a bit smaller, they don’t cost as much as a regular corporate jet, which would typically cost no less than $ 3 million new. Many of these jets cost around $ 1 million for a VLJ and sometimes a hair less. Some people in general aviation are concerned about VLJs because they cost so much less, so they will be bought by more people who may not have the experience to fly them properly. This means there will be more accidents, it will make the general aviation industry look bad, and it will increase insurance rates for everyone.

In fact, that’s a typical debating point, and the critics are right about it, as there have already been a few accidents and more are expected. Eventually, the FAA will get involved requiring more regulations and scrutiny for the pilots who fly them. In many respects, a small business could afford a VLJ, as a business tool, although it doesn’t even have the scope for a private jet, but they could fly regionally, making them perfectly viable for such applications.

The good thing about having a very light jet is that it is considerably faster than normal twin engines, and you also get the prestige of having a jet, without all the fuel costs. The industry predicts that this will be one of the fastest growing sectors in general aviation in the future. In fact, I hope you will please consider all of this and think about it.