MicroJets or VLJ's Real or crazy ?

[FracCapt]

well, apparently one of the fracs likes the idea...

Said Joe Walker, Adam Aircraft president, “We have an agreement for 100 Adam A700s from a known, established fractional provider.” Asked if that provider was based in Columbus (home of NetJets), Cleveland (Flight Options) or Dallas (Flexjet), Walker said the two parties had agreed to provide no more details until the agreement was made final, probably before the end of this year.

http://www.ainonline.com/Publications/nbaa/NBAA_04/d2adamp1.html

It definitely wouldn't be Flexjet....it's not a Bombardier product, which is all they fly. Chances are it wouldn't be Flight Options, since management has always claimed that the VLJ's would not provide enough(any?) profit to be worthwhile. If the claim is indeed true, I would guess NJA. Time will tell, though.

 

[AA717driver]

GVflyer--Sorry, I didn't read close enough.

Anyone have the payrates? TC

 

[bafanguy]

"Hiring even a retired airline pilot(getting more expensive by the day as pensions and medical are gutted) still bumps the cost of ownership."


As one of those retired guys, my impression is the market will set the price of pilots just as it does now, not the potential problems those pilots might have with their own finances. I can tell you, a retired airline guy is in no position to make demands if he wants to find a job.

Personally, I'll believe this one when I see it in full swing, but Palm Beach Airlines has my info on file ( just in case I'm wrong...wait !! that can't happen, right ? ).

 

[Publishers]

Somewhere between the best guess and the worst is the reality. The price is driven by production of units. If the unit production is not maintained past the intial deliveries, price will climb.

There will be a market for these but not like some have predicted. More the light jet for the light company flying a 421 now.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

The cheapest one is the Eclipse, which is about $1.2. The rest range from about $1.5-$2.2. They all, basically, offer MUCH better performance than a Baron or King Air. Many of them are much better than the cheapest Citations/Beech Jets available, the cheapest of which are now $4+.

It will change a LOT of stuff in the aviation world.

CLiff
YIP

 

[Corona]

These jets are definitely going to arrive soon. Most of them are waiting for Pratt & Whitney Canada to certify the turbofan engine most of them will be using. I expect certification and delivery of the airframe will go quickly after that.

I concur w/ previous posts saying this will be a huge change in the aviation world. The key with these airplanes is they are cheaper, on a per-mile basis, than any pressurized piston or turboprop twin. They are also faster, though that speed comes with a smaller cabin than most turboprops. I believe the current guesstimate is that most jets will fly legs <2 hours. Fine with me; I get bored after two hours in the flight levels anyway.

The most important question for us, though, is: How much will pilots be paid to fly 'em. Considering current industry trends, I'm guessing about 20-25K, with pay topping out around 35K.

C

 

[wingnutt]

...so how many of you wanna take the bets that once these things hit, simply having turbine PIC will no longer be "magic"? (not that it guarantess a thing in this day and age) does anyone think the mins for all the decent jobs will go the way of fedex and require PIC time in aircraft over XX,XXX pounds?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I keep reading in the aviation magazines about a huge boom in microjets from the dozen or so potential manufacturers. Apparently these single-owner/pilot single engine jets are going to be delivered in the 1000's over the coming years.

I'd just like to know what everybodies thoughts are on this concept ?

Are these aircraft going to create a big new air-taxi market (and potentially flying jobs) or just clutter the airspace ? Could these aircraft affect the market against buying the more tradional business jets ? At $1million or less, as the projected costs for these aircraft, there are going to be a lot of punters out there on financed deals getting into jets.....perhaps ?

The mini biz jets are coming. We are to become independent taxi drivers... just like independent truckers. You buy your own rig, I mean aircraft-taxi and you search for a fare, like a buzzard tow truck driver trolling for wrecks!.... It will become a dog eat dog biz, but someone has got to do it..... as dis-unification and true capitalism tears our safety record into shreds.... It is one thing to get into a shady NYC taxi, it is another to climb into Capt Bobs Citation Mustang of the Checked FlagTaxi company at the local GA airport, cause pax wanna go 7miles/min....
Retied airline pilots will cash in whats left of the Defined Benefits and fly past Age60, tradeing in their ALPA wings for AOPA wings. AOPA will beocme the leading safety advocate in the industry...

The professional Air Line Pilot is becoming a legend and a static display at the NASM Udvar Hazy museum.

If I keep wearing my hat maybe I'll convince myself this isn't happening. Denial...Ignorance is bliss..... What are the sheeple doing? Maybe it is time to blend in the the flock.......

 

[wingnutt]

...of the Checked FlagTaxi company at the local GA airport.[/QUOTE]

lol...anyone else seen the 400 series cessna painted bright yellow like a taxi with a black and white checkered tail around the sacramento area?

 

[Silver Wings]

...of the Checked FlagTaxi company at the local GA airport.[/QUOTE]

lol...anyone else seen the 400 series cessna painted bright yellow like a taxi with a black and white checkered tail around the sacramento area?

Whilst I tend to agree that this dismal future may be the way it is heading, I just wonder if the regulators may this once earn their crust and generate some useful paperwork that actually set acceptable standards...... nope just dreaming......I know they'll cave in to politcial/economic pressure and make some concession that allow these microjets to be operated by any tom dick or harry. (no offense to pro pilots called >Tom Richard or Harold ).

The are single engine turbo prop commercial operation restrictions...so what about single jet restrictions ?

 

[Publishers]

Insurance companies make up the requirements for this, not the government. A company can buy into this for 1/5th of $1.250 m and have an operation that can do quite well.

 

[wingnutt]

lol...anyone else seen the 400 series cessna painted bright yellow like a taxi with a black and white checkered tail around the sacramento area?

...found it!

http://www.flyyellowairtaxi.com/whoweare.aspx