Learjet 31A

For those unfamiliar with Learjets, their name is a synonym for speed. The Learjet 31 can reach a cruise speed of .81 Mach after climbing to its cruise level in just 28 minutes -- way beyond the capabilities of any competing light private jets. It has great runway performance and a low fuel burn, making it a great candidate for efficient, fast private jet travel.

The Learjet 31A’s cabin can carry up to eight passengers in its 17.1 foot-long cabin. Sixty-seven feet of baggage space are available, or about the equivalent of six sets of skis and four golf bags.
Two Garret TFE 731-2 engines provide 3,500 pounds of thrust each, giving this jet the ability to outperform the rest of the private jets in its class. It has a range of 1,610 miles (1,400 nautical miles) with four passengers, and performs well even in extreme temperatures and at high altitudes.

It can take off in 3,280 feet at sea level at its maximum take-off weight, significantly surpassing other light jets’ runway performance. Another area in which the Learjet 31A outperforms its competitors is in its climb rate – it can reach an altitude of 47,000 feet in only 28 minutes. Furthermore, at cruise altitude it flies at .81 Mach (458 ktas), making it the best light private jet in the speed category as well.

The Learjet 31A has excellent in-flight performance. Its rapid acceleration and rapid response capabilities make it a favorite among pilots. This jet is known for its smooth flights and good performance even outside the recommended flight envelope.

The strong point of the Learjet 31A is its avionics system. The Bendix/King suite has a KFC 3100 autopilot system, complete with automatic climb and descent modes that control the jet’s flight for the best possible performance. The control board is configured to make the pilot’s job as straightforward as possible – systems and circuit breakers are grouped together by function and have small EFIS displays to summarize activity. The layout of the controls makes the systems easier to read and cuts back on clutter. The Learjet 31A’s systems are so comprehensive that it meets the FAA safety standards mandatory for major airliners.

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For more information about the Learjet 31A, or for help in purchasing or selling one, contact Kevin O'Leary at koleary@jetadvisors.com or at 303-410-1900

Piaggio P-180 Avanti

The Italian private jet manufacturer Piaggio Aero company, like all other private jet manufacturers, announced their goals for the Piaggio P-180 before they started building it. They wanted a light private jet that could cruise at 400 knots, fly at more than 40,000 feet, have a 2,000 mile range, as well as be fuel-efficient and have a comfortable cabin. Considering the fact that no other private jet manufacturer had been able to create a jet that met such specifications, Piaggio had to be truly innovative in making the P-180.

Usually the cabin comes at the end of the design process of a private jet (which explains the oddly-shaped, cramped cabins that are ubiquitous among light private jets). Piaggio instead started by building a comfortable, large cabin, and then building rest of the jet around it. The spacious cabin seats seven passengers in full-sized seats. There is almost no vibration and the noise levels are low. There is baggage space available for about six suitcases and a few golf bags, a total of 44 cubic feet. And, true to Italian form, it is extremely stylish.

The most noticeable feature of the Piaggio is its wings – to be exact, it has three sets. These three sets effectively distribute flight loads and provide three lifting surfaces. The sets of smaller wings total a smaller amount of wing area than is usually distributed over a single wing, but manage to cut down on the Piaggio’s structure weight, drag, and increase lift. The engineers of Piaggio Aero designed the P180’s structure with the help of NASA software and perfected it with over 4,600 hours of wind tunnel testing.

Not surprisingly, the Piaggio takes off quickly (in less than 3,000 feet) and climbs to its flight level of 41,000 feet. At the time of its release, it was the fastest turboprop on the market with a cruise speed of up to 400 knots. It can fly more than 2,000 miles, which far surpasses the average high-speed cruise distance of competing jets. Not only is the Piaggio high-performing, it is economical. It has high fuel efficiency, a low specific fuel consumption, and can be flown by a single pilot.

The Piaggio’s six-blade turboprops are powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 engines, flat rated to 850 shp for improved efficiency. The heavy wing loading of the Piaggio provides for smooth handling in turbulence and solid, high flight level handling. The cabin is rated to 9.0 psi, meaning it can maintain a sea-level cabin at up to 24,000 feet.

The P180 uses the Rockwell Collins Avionics suite in the cockpit. The system is designed to be highly intuitive – switches and controls are grouped by function, and five sleek screens display systems information. WXR-840 solid-state weather radar and Universal UNS-1kFMS systems come standard for enhance situational awareness. A Rockwell Collins TWR-850 Doppler turbulence detection radar can be included if requested.

CJ4

Cessna’s latest private jet hasn’t been certified yet, but some details have already been released about how it will differ from the CJ3:

• Has shorter wing than CJ3

• Cruises at .75 Mach

• Uses two Williams International FJ44-4 engines

• Uses Pro Line 21 Avionics suite

• Increased fuel capacity

Learjet 45

New models of private jets come out every year, but it’s only once in a while that a jet is released that is truly innovative. The Learjet 45 is one of the rare jets that seamlessly integrates new technology with a tested and successful older design. Its speed and economy are to be expected – it is a Learjet, after all – but the rest of its small features add up to a high-quality private jet.

The Learjet 45’s cabin holds eight seats, usually in a double club layout, with plenty of room to swivel, recline, and track. The cabin’s length and width is 59 inches and 61 inches, respectively. Don’t be mislead by the measurements; the interior of the Learjet 45 was designed to offer the most usable passenger space possible so the passengers don’t feel claustrophobic.

Other fine points of the cabin’s design make it useful and comfortable, from work tables that fold down from the walls to an extra pressure relief port on the door for added passenger safety. The noise level in the cabin never exceeds 72 dB and a two-zone temperature control system ensures that both the cabin and the cockpit are kept comfortable. An external compartment provides 80 cubic feet of baggage space.

The Learjet 45 can fly 2,471 miles (2,147 nautical miles) nonstop and can cruise at 517 mph. Two AlliedSignal TFE731-20AR turbofan engines provide 3,500 pounds of thrust each on takeoff.
The standards for anti-ice systems were stiffened by the FAA while the Learjet 45 was still in the design phase. It comes as no surprise that the resulting private jet had the most advanced anti-ice system of any light- or mid-sized jet. The engine anti-icing system was completely redesigned for better ice removal. Bleed air load balancing software increases the engines’ total thrust, and improves the rate of climb while the ice removal system is in use. The software distributes the bleed air system between the two engines so that they perform uniformly.

The Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics system includes four large-format EFIS (ERO Frequency Information Systems) and a 3-D approach navigation system through a Universal UNS-1C FMS. For the first time in a Learjet, there are no restrictions on the lateral and vertical approach guidance simulations.

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For more information about the Learjet 45, contact Kevin O'Leary at 303-410-1900 or at koleary@jetadvisors.com

Gulfstream 550 GV-SP

It says a lot to the be among the first to pioneer something new, an honor which is the Gulfstream 550 deserves. It was one of the original private jets in the ultra-long-range class; at the time of its release it had the longest range (7,760 miles/6,750 nautical miles). It can complete trips of over fourteen hours and easily fly from Tokyo to New York or from New York to the southernmost tip of South America.

The cabin of the Gulfstream 550 is 50.1 feet long, 6.2 feet high, and 7.3 feet wide, for a total cabin volume of 1,669 cubic feet. Its extra-wide oval windows are unique to Gulfstreams and provide plenty of light and a great view. The cabin usually seats between fourteen and nineteen people. The size of the Gulfstream 550’s cabin is similar to that of the Gulfstream 500, but the layout has been modified to be more space-efficient. 226 cubic feet of internal baggage storage is available, a total of 2,500 pounds.

Other standard and optional cabin amenities include an Airshow 400 flight information system, a radio/satellite phone, fax machine, two LCD monitors, a DVD and CD player, wireless LAN, and power outlets. The two-zone temperature control system, which provides only fresh air, can be controlled from several locations in the cabin. Noise levels in the cabin are low, but additional sound proofing can be added if desired.

The Gulfstream 550 is equipped with two Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR700-710C4-11 engines, each able to produce 15,385 pounds of thrust on takeoff. Runway requirements for a sea level takeoff is 5,910 feet, at an elevation of 5,000 feet and a temperature of 77˚F, the required length is 9,010 feet. The Gulfstream 550 can climb directly to 37,000 feet in eighteen minutes.
The avionics suite of the Gulfstream 550 is unique among private jets. Gulfstream’s Plane View Cockpit is based on the Honeywell Primus Epic Suite. It is unique because it includes the Honeywell Head-Up Display (HUD) and visual guidance system as well as the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS), which together allow pilots to complete instrument in very low-visibility conditions. The EVS and HUD create a real-time display of the runway and the surrounding area with infrared sensors. The light sensors are accurate enough to display the reflective lights on the runway stripes. This system allows landings to take place in conditions that practically every other private jet cannot.

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for more information about the G550 or other private jets, contact Kevin O'Leary at 303-410-1900 or at koleary@jetadvisors.com

Learjet 40

The Learjet is quite a contender in the competitive private jet market. Its cruise speed, cabin space, and technological advancement are greater than other light private jets. It has excellent range/payload flexibility and climbs quickly to elevations far above most air traffic and bad weather. Its range allows for nonstop flights from Chicago to San Francisco or from Singapore to Hong Kong -- trips that few other light private jets could complete.

The Learjet 40’s cabin is, to the pleasure of its marketing department, the biggest of its class. It stretches to a length of 17.7 feet, a width of 5.12 feet, and a height of 4.92 feet, which works out to a total cabin volume of 363 cubic feet. There are seats available for seven passengers, and baggage compartments that can store 65 cubic feet of baggage.

The Learjet 40 also outperforms the competition while in the air. Its average cruise speed is 457 ktas (.79 Mach), but can cruise as fast as 464 ktas (.81 Mach). It can fly up to 2,248 miles (1,954 nautical miles) nonstop and take off in 4,285 feet at high altitudes. Its runway capabilities at sea level are less than 3,400 pounds. Even when loaded to its maximum takeoff weight of 20,350 pounds it can take off in just 4,250 feet from a sea level runway.

Despite the high speeds of the Learjet 40, it has relatively economical fuel consumption due to its aerodynamic design that cuts down on drag and its two fuel-efficient Honeywell TFE731-20AR-1B engines.

The Honeywell Primus 1000 digital avionics suite certainly keeps up with the high-performing jet: its four cathode ray tube screens are located at logical positions on the control panel. The designers of the Learjet 40 paid a lot of attention to arranging the avionics in an easy-to-use, logical layout, ultimately making the pilot’s job easier – and each flight safer.

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Questions about the Learjet 40? Interested in finding one, or need help selling yours? Call Kevin O'Leary at 303-410-1900 or e-mail him at koleary@jetadvisors.com

Boeing Business Jet (BBJ)

The Boeing Business Jet is a member of the venerated 737 family. The 737s collectively have over 60 million hours of flight time and are still in high demand in the commercial aviation market. The BBJ sold more than a hundred planes in just four years of production, and orders continue to come in. No other private jet offers as much cabin space or reliability. After all, the BBJ is a descendant of commercial aircraft, designed to last decades.

The Boeing Business Jet’s full name is the BBJ 737-700 IGW. IGW stands for “Increased Gross Weight,” much of which is due to its massive cabin. The total cabin volume is 5,390 cubic feet and can be configured almost any way desired. Most configurations divide the cabin into four compartments (in addition to a crew rest area). The four compartments generally consist of a board room, a lounge, a VIP bedroom (with a queen-sized bed, if desired), a business office, and two lavatories with showers.

The BBJ, despite its size and its maximum take off weight of 171,000 pounds, can take off from a sea level runway in 5,885 feet. At an altitude of 5,000 feet and a temperature of 77˚F, the required runway distance increases to 9,645 feet. For comparison’s sake, the average takeoff distance of heavy private jets at sea level is 5,500 feet. The average MTOW of these private jets is 52,000 pounds, 30% of the BBJ’s MTOW.

Another area in which the massive BBJ performs like one of the smaller heavy private jets is in its climb rate. It climbs directly to 37,000 feet in 25 minutes. At this altitude it achieves its high speed cruise of 470 ktas. At 39,000 feet it gets optimal long range cruise performance of 451 ktas. Its range, with eight passengers and required NBAA IFR reserves, is 6,098 nautical miles. It can easily complete trips from Denver to Tokyo or from Los Angeles to Frankfurt – distance is no limitation. Its required amount of runway for landing will not be a limiting factor, either: when carrying four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves, the BBJ needs only 2,330 feet to land.

The Boeing Business Jet is pretty economical as far as ultra-long-range jets go: on a 6,000 nautical mile trip carrying eight passengers, such as New York to Beijing, it will use 10,000 gallons of fuel and reach the destination in 50 minutes. On a shorter trip of 1,000 nautical miles with eight passengers, such as from Denver to Detroit, 1,600 gallons of fuel would be used and the flight time would be 30 minutes.

The flight controls themselves are designed to be extremely easy to use, so that even pilots from third world countries with little flight training could use them. Even though any pilot qualified by FAA standards to fly a Boeing Business Jet will have ample experience, the thought is nonetheless comforting. The plane lacks no piece of guidance or system awareness technology that could be added to a commercial or private jet.

Truly, the BBJ lacks nothing. For those that can afford it, it is the epitome of everything that could be desired in a private jet.

for more information on the Boeing Business Jet, contact Kevin O'Leary at koleary@jetadvisors.com or 303-410-1900.