Learjet has long been one of the most reputable and on-demand names for light private aircraft. The Learjet 75, originally released in 2013, has commanded significant market share over the past few years. Now, the next iteration of this popular jet is soon to take the skies: the Learjet 75 Liberty. Not only is it expected to meet the lofty precedent set by its forerunners, it’s also set to disrupt the entire light jet segment in the way only a Learjet can.
Source: bombardier.com
A storied past
Ask anyone remotely familiar with the world of private aircraft, and you’ll inevitably hear them refer to Learjet with a sense of awe in their voice. First established in 1962 by developer William Powell Lear, the company immediately turned the world of light aircraft on its head with the Learjet 23. The state-of-the-art private jet was gorgeous, fast, and even cost-effective.
Over the decades, the technicians at Learjet, and their eventual parent company Bombardier, have continued to redefine what’s possible in flight, from the cockpit to the belly. Even as the market has continued to see more impressive competition year after year, Learjet has retained its place of honor. With the release of the Learjet 75, the venerable plane designer is poised to further entrench its position at the front of the field.
Source: Chad Slattery
Introducing the 75 Liberty
The Learjet 75 Liberty is built on the bones of Learjet’s previous 75 model; however, the Liberty has been redesigned from the ground up to improve the flight experience. If anything, the “Liberty” title refers to the extraordinary amount of space onboard.
At 19 feet long, the Learjet 75 is two feet longer than the competition. Learjet has made the most of the extra space by introducing its two-seat Executive Suite, a sealed-off area between the cockpit and main lounge. Two individual chairs offer three feet of legroom and matching fold-out tables. It’s a perfect space for executives on the go.
The Learjet 75 Liberty has opted to remove some of the seating, cutting the available number down to 6 (two in the Executive Suite and four in the main cabin). It’s also removed bulky items like auxiliary power and a lavatory sink (both of which can be re-added as options).
Best of all, the Learjet 75 Liberty has one of the fastest top speeds in its class at Mach .81. What’s more, even the most notable competition can’t compete with the Liberty’s superior range of more than 2,000 nautical miles.
Making revolutionary waves
As it prepares to enter the market, the Learjet 75 Liberty is poised as something of an oddity. That is, while it’s classified as a light jet, the enormous range and immense space make the Liberty seem almost more like a mid-size aircraft. Add to that the Liberty’s extremely appealing $10 million price tag, and it would seem as though one of the most revered designers in the aviation industry is ready to retake the throne. The Learjet 75 Liberty releases later this year, with much anticipation behind it.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
There’s no shortage of headlines talking about the “next big thing” in aviation. Most of them focus on VTOLs (vertical take off and landing) and autonomous flight vehicles, or new concepts that we might not see for another decade or more. But what about the future of aviation in the near-term? What’s powering demand for better private aircraft today? Below, we’ll look at four major trends that are real and tangible today, taking shape right before our eyes as the industry trudges forward into a new era.
Blazing new trails: a look at the path behind us
The world of aviation develops at a rate almost too fast for the naked eye to comprehend. In the last several years, the world of private flight has improved on every conceivable level, from customer-facing to technology-oriented.
Take, for instance, the rise of flight sharing. This concept has made private flight much more affordable to first-time flyers and hasn’t sacrificed an iota of the comfort and convenience associated with private travel. Then there’s the automatic return feature recently developed at Cirrus. In the event of pilot failure, the push of a single button will allow untrained passengers to return to the point of origin in safety. These are just two recent examples of innovation that show the diverse opportunities within aviation.
Aviation is an industry powered by the strength of its advancements. Here are four of the most fascinating, must-watch trends in aviation.
1. Supersonic jets
When the Concorde was shuttered, many in the general public believed the days of supersonic flight was over. A handful of investors and inventors kept the technology alive, however. Today’s supersonic prototypes are cleaner and more powerful than their predecessors. Now, a legal battle is in the works to ensure that supersonic jets can see the light of day once more.
2. Environmentally friendly jets
The threat of climate change is real enough, but the need to diminish our harm to the planet doesn’t stop our need to travel great distances in a short period of time. As a result, several firms are developing jets driven by biofuels that produce lower emissions than ever thought possible. Keep an eye out for advancements in microalgae and biodiesel as science pushes fuel to greener pastures.
3. AI and machine learning
These days, every airline passenger expects some form of Wi-Fi with their ticket. We’re a connected world, and we want to stay connected. As a result, firms like Honeywell (among others) spend billions of dollars a year to turn airline Wi-Fi into a wholly reimagined passenger experience. This goes far beyond inflight TV and video games. Expect a future where aviation is powered by machines that can predict, adapt, and plan for an optimal flight experience.
4. Increasing charter demand
Let’s face it: commercial flight has hit its peak. Without some serious quality-of-life improvements, most commercial flights feel more like flying buses than a distinguished means of travel. People have noticed, and charter businesses and independent airlines have seen an uptick in patronage.
An industry of experimentation
While those are some of the strongest tailwinds blowing in aviation, they are by no means the only way the industry is working to improve private flight. Advancements in biometrics, a reliance on energy-efficiency, and a commitment to increased comfort have created a collection of like-minded competitors continually working to outdo one another. Isn’t it time to get in on the fun?
Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.
There’s a big difference between buying a private jet and owning one. Like any vehicle, the sticker price you pay for a plane is just the start of the cost of ownership. Next comes upkeep and maintenance, fuel, and repairs. To really get the most out of a private jet, there are even more costs to consider, including the cost of licensing the craft, registering it, staffing crew, and more. All told, a private jet isn’t just a big investment; it’s a big ongoing investment.
A lifetime commitment
There’s a certain undeniable romance in purchasing a private jet. The idea of having a way to travel thousands of miles from home at the drop of a hat — to explore new environments, eat new cuisine and meet exciting, new people — is alluring. Before you make the leap, however, you should be aware of the costs associated with actually owning a private plane.
Let’s put it this way. If you bought a new car — even a gorgeous, new BMW — you wouldn’t expect it to run forever without breaking down. You’d need to take your car saw a mechanic from time to time to ensure it was in good working order. That miracle of German engineering is a blast to drive, but it doesn’t run on magic. You need fuel to keep it going. A private plane is no different. In fact, there are costs associated with a private plane that you’d never see associated with a car or truck.
Private planes, by the numbers
Let’s start with the entry-level price of a reliable private jet. For a plane that seats seven, like the Cirrus Vision SF50, you can expect to spend $2 million on a plane just off the assembly line. Once the plane is in the hangar, owners can expect to spend up to $400,000 on overall fuel and maintenance costs. If you go one tier higher, those annual fees can begin to triple, to $1.2 million.
Not impressed? Maybe you need a little more room. The Gulfstream 450 seats up to 19 people and can be bought brand-new for the bargain price of $40 million (give or take). You can find it for roughly half of that price on the refurbished market. Once you’ve got your gorgeous new (or new-to-you) G450 in the hangar, the annual cost of operating is the same: about $4 million every year.
That’s not the end of your costs, however. There’s insurance ($40,000 a year), hangar fees (between $80,000 and $160,000 a year) and state-of-the-art, must-have add-ons. Plus, you’ll need a crew to operate that private jet, too. The costs keep climbing.
Ideal for the right consumer
With all the costs associated with owning a private jet, you may wonder why anyone would invest the money. The answer is simple: convenience and comfort. You’ve heard the expression, “time is money.” The people who have discovered success in their line of work understand this maxim to be undoubtedly true.
As a result, when your business consistently takes you to the far-flung corners of the country or the world, you must get there quickly and with minimal hassle. What’s more, a private jet can reach an untold number of airstrips, cities, and countries that are all-but inaccessible to commercial flights. That’s why countless companies and successful entrepreneurs rely on a stand-by private jet to ensure they’re getting where they need to go, when they need to get there — regardless of the high costs of ownership.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Commercial aviation continues to struggle as the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on. But it’s not necessarily for lack of demand. While fewer people are flying and plane occupancy is subject to limited seating, commercial aviation has a new competitor: private jets. Private aviation has seen a significant uptick in traffic this year, in large part due to first-time travelers seeking a safe, comfortable, responsible alternative to economy-class seating.
Big-time business
Travel restrictions have long-since irritated those passengers who simply love to travel, and with the onset of COVID-19, those onerous restrictions have become even more cumbersome. As a result, more people than ever before have turned to private travel to ensure that they get transportation that’s as clean and safe as commercial travel — without all the hassle.
To underscore that increase in travel volume, Air Charter Service, the world’s largest aircraft charter company, reported in August a 51% increase in leisure bookings compared to the same month in 2019. More to the point, nearly half of ACS’ bookings in July came from first-time fliers. And who made up the bulk of those bookings? U.S. residents. In other words, if you’re in the mood to explore private travel, you’re in good company.
Book your first flight
Securing passage onboard a private jet isn’t just for those with millions of dollars to spend on their vacation. In fact, it’s remarkably simple. You can visit the website of one of several companies (like Air Charter Service, mentioned above) that operate out of every major city in the United States and fly to destinations worldwide.
Getting tickets works just like it would on any commercial airline. You’ll pick your departure and destination cities, plus the number of passengers on the flight. The costs of a private jet flight will vary greatly, depending on several factors. Are you renting the entire plane or just one seat on an otherwise open flight? How many passengers are on the manifest? How far are you going?
Although the price is higher for a standard seat on an open private jet, most passengers prefer the increase in personal amenities and customer service.
Plan carefully: Many private jets have access to smaller airstrips that are ultimately closer to your final destination. Make sure you know all the options available when planning out your itinerary.
Book early: Remember that bookings for private jets are soaring, so secure your spot as soon as possible — just as you would when buying tickets on a commercial flight.
Negotiate: You’re buying a ticket from an independent operator, not a big commercial business. That means there’s wiggle room on the price. Use the website to find a reasonable price, then pick up the phone and give the operator a call to sweeten the deal.
You’ll still need photo ID: Don’t leave home without it!
Manage your luggage weight: You’ll have more space when you book a spot on a private jet, but don’t go overboard. A commercial airline will charge you for going overweight with your luggage. A private jet company will tell you to leave it behind.
Picking the right flight doesn’t have to be a trial. You just need a little know-how and the confidence to ask a few questions. Don’t worry — if private flying becomes routine for you, you’re sure to settle in just fine.
Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.
There are lots of factors that affect the duration of a transatlantic flight. Taking off from a major hub like New York or Atlanta and arriving in London or Paris can take between six and eight hours. Weather can increase or expedite the time, as can the time of day and the activity of the jet stream. One thing’s for certain: you’re going to spend roughly the equivalent to a workday aloft, from takeoff to touchdown. It’s an accepted truth, but one that could be changing for the better very soon.
A new transatlantic bar
Earlier this year, a British Airways passenger flight flew into the history books. On its routine voyage from New York to London, the Boeing 747-436 settled in a fast-moving jet stream courtesy of Storm Ciara. Pushed along by the powerful gusts of wind, the Boeing reached peak speeds of 825 miles per hour, roughly 50 miles faster than the speed of sound and nearly 200 miles an hour faster than the average commercial flight across the Atlantic. The entire flight took just four hours and fifty-six minutes.
Experts on the subject hailed the flight as achieving a “phenomenal speed.” The Boeing’s peak speed is, indeed, impressive, but it’s nothing compared to what could be on the horizon.
Building on history
It wasn’t too long ago that clients were hopping between continents on the Concorde, a supersonic passenger plane that made the Transatlantic trip in three-and-a-half hours. Despite boasting breakneck speeds and the esteem of exclusive clientele, the Concorde wasn’t much more than fast.
Although former clients rave about the experience, they uniformly agree that the Concorde was cramped and noisy. Some proclaimed that, though there was a lavatory on board, it was too small to use. Beyond the Concorde’s famous cuisine, the only real amenity on the craft was a signed certificate of proof you flew on the vessel.
Prohibitively high maintenance costs combined with increasing concerns over the craft’s environmental impact led to the Concorde’s 2003 retirement. The demise of the Concorde has done little to dampen inventors’ enthusiasm for supersonic flight. A new age is dawning, one where flight speed records are in jeopardy of being smashed.
virgingalactic.com
Virgin galactic has entered the chat
In August, Virgin Galactic entered the supersonic jet race. The company’s proposal would seat just 19 people (as opposed to the Concorde’s 100) and travel at more than 60,000 feet. The goal would be to make a transatlantic jump in just 90 minutes. Reps from Virgin Galactic underscored that their supersonic jet would not produce the same pollution that made the Concorde infamous. In fact, the thing Virgin Galactic’s Chief Space Officer seemed proudest of was the notion that the supersonic jet would run on sustainable aviation fuel.
Virgin Galactic isn’t the only company chasing an environmentally friendly supersonic jet. Aerion’s AS2 will rival the Concorde’s speed, cruising at Mach 1.4. The AS2, however, will kick up the exclusivity. It only seats 10.
Those creature comforts aside, the most astonishing claim made by Aerion is its boast that the AS2 will be carbon-neutral from day one. Said Aerion CEO Tom Vice, “We don’t believe that speed and protection of our environment need to be mutually exclusive.”
Paving the road
It will still be a few years before supersonic jets become readily available, but we can dream. In the meantime, there is still a world of possibilities in private aircraft for traversing the transatlantic flight at top speeds. And, if you catch the right gust, you may find yourself touching down hours ahead of schedule!
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
The Granite State is the first state in the union to legalize flying cars. On July 28, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) signed NH HB1517 into law. Nicknamed the “Jetson Bill” after the futuristic cartoon family, it’s the first piece of legislation of its kind — one designed to make personal air travel acceptable as the world moves rapidly toward vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) craft. It’s great news for VTOL startups not only in principle, but because it lays the groundwork for future states to open the airways with similar legislation.
The world of roadable aircraft
For so long, the realm of flying cars has remained the stuff of science fiction. It’s also been the single-most common complaint whenever someone is annoyed that the modern age isn’t futuristic enough. Where are all the flying cars? Apparently, they’re in New Hampshire. Or will be soon enough.
Though it may seem like cutting edge legislation, the theory behind HB1517 is simple. Indeed, the key to making personal aircraft street-legal was already in place in the form of regulations imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To hear one New Hampshire representative explain it, the new bill will only require one extra step to turn your personal plane into a roadable aircraft. Once you’ve satisfied the FAA’s regulations, you’ll just need to drive down the street to the DMV and get a license plate.
HB1517 doesn’t mean New Hampshire’s citizens will soon see private aircraft landing on the streets outside their homes. Instead, HB1517 allows personal craft to land at one of the state’s landing strips, retract its wings and continue its journey.
Kickstarting an industry
Legislators in New Hampshire have high hopes for HB1517. This new piece of legislation was crafted for two primary reasons. First, by embracing advanced technology in print, New Hampshire hopes to draw more technology firms.
The second reason for HB1517 is the precedent it sets. Now that one state established regulations to allow roadable vehicles, the expectation is that other states will follow suit in short order. That legislative landslide could give rise to a new industry, headquartered in New Hampshire.
Hot competition
The state of New Hampshire may not need to wait long before companies and private pilots race to the state to test out their toys. As the CEO of Samson Sky told Forbes, “I consider this ideal legislation for allowing this type of vehicle to become part of the broad, regular system of travel.”
Samson Sky is bringing their sporty Switchblade to the market. This unique aircraft can extend its wings and move its tail into (or out of) flight position in less than three minutes. The PAL-V ditches the jet engine in favor of a modified pusher prop/helicopter mash-up that sports a dual-control cockpit and sleek Italian design. Convenience is the name of the game with Terrafugia’s aptly named Transition. It goes from car to plane in under 60 seconds and runs on unleaded.
samsonsky.com
Blazing new trails
There is still some time until roadable aircraft are commonplace, but HB1517 opens the door wide for progress in the market. Working prototypes catching eyes on runways and boulevards throughout New Hampshire should inspire the public imagination and spur other states to quickly follow suit. When New Hampshire’s politicians say that HB1517 could mark the birth of a new industry, they’re not kidding. The future is coming.
Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.
A full master bedroom suite. A marble sink. Original artwork. No, we’re not talking about an upscale apartment in Manhattan — we’re talking about the ACJ320neo: the new gold standard for luxury flying. Opulent, spacious, grandiose, and breathtaking are just a few of the words you might use to describe this recommissioned Airbus A320. To really do it justice, you might just have to stand there, mouth agape, taking it all in. Words simply don’t do it justice.
With great power comes great luxury
The world is getting smaller every day. High-powered executives and heads of state are expected to travel enormous distances in the blink of an eye. Of course, the world doesn’t stop turning because you’re in transit. These same people need to stay on the job or recharge their batteries while heading from point A to point B. That’s the problem Acropolis Aviation will address with the G-KELT, their first completed ACJ320neo, a line of opulent recommissioned commercial aircraft.
The ACJ320neo is designed to be all things to all travelers: fully equipped office, luxury suite, first-class restaurant, and home away from home. To make it happen, designers implemented some exciting technological updates to match an interior that’s fit for royalty.
If Buckingham palace could fly
When perusing the features onboard the ACJ320neo, it’s impossible not to think you’ve stepped into the future. Keeping your mouth from watering is also a bit difficult.
Flowing design: The cabin of the ACJ320neo is designed to emulate flowing sand dunes and rivers. The result is a relaxing space that’s perfect for catching up on your sleep.
Flawless connection: To help you keep in touch, the ACJ320neo comes equipped with high-speed Internet access.
Stand tall: With the industry’s widest and tallest interior, the ACJ320neo boasts 15% more cabin volume than the closest competitor.
Go anywhere: The ACJ320neo is capable of a 6,000-mile flight in one jump. That’s the equivalent of flying from London to Beijing in a single trip.
With the ACJ320neo, you won’t miss a single creature comfort while you’re traveling. Indeed, you might miss some of the ACJ320neo’s amenities while you’re home!
Source: airbus.com
A grand tradition
The ACJ320neo is the latest Airbus to raise the bar on spacious private jets. It’s a competition that major commercial manufacturers have waged for years.
Sometimes it’s for a specific customer. Saudi Arabia’s Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal owns two luxury jets. The first is a refitted 747. The second is a Custom Airbus A380 that totaled $500 million by the time they finished the concert hall and Turkish bath.
Other times, aircraft are created for specific purposes. Take the world’s most expensive private jet: Air Force One, which cost approximately $660 million. Of course, Air Force One’s budget focuses less on solid-gold fixtures (like those found in the Sultan of Brunei’s plane) and more on being able to survive a nuclear blast.
Fly the Custom Skies
More than anything, the ACJ320neo proves there is more ground to be broken in the world of private flight. With bold new entries like Acropolis Aviation’s G-KELT, the ripple of innovation will be felt at every echelon of the personal aircraft industry.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
In the modern age of very light jets, models like the Cirrus Vision SF50 and the Honda HA-420 HondaJet rule the skies. These planes boast speed, range, and efficiency that leave little to be desired. They represent the pinnacle in single- and dual-engine performance. Now, they face a competitor in the Celera 500L from Otto Aviation. This new prototype jet offers better range, efficiency, and emissions … all packaged in a rare pusher prop design. It’s an unlikely competitor, to say the least.
Source: ottoaviation.com
Meet the Celera 500L
Even if you weren’t aware of the impressive technical specifications of Otto Aviation’s flagship, the prototype Celera 500L would turn heads on its own. In an industry dominated by jet engines and turboprops, the Celera stands out. The new plane effortlessly combines modern innovation with old-school know-how to create a futuristic jet rooted in the foundations of aviation.
If you’re not familiar with a pusher prop setup, the idea is relatively simple. Where a turboprop has a propeller at the front of the vessel, pusher props like the Celera put the propellor at the rear. The pusher prop design has been around for decades. In fact, the final propeller-driven aircraft tested by the Air Force was a pusher prop called the XB-42. Unfortunately for the XB-42, technological drawbacks of the time and the advent of the jet engine conspired to largely shutter the development of this intriguing aircraft.
Enter Otto Aviation, whose Celera looks like something a swashbuckling, heroic sky pirate might fly. The prototype for this pusher prop has completed 31 test flights, and the manufacturer is confident about the future.
Source: ottoaviation.com
Efficiency incarnate
In theory, the benefits of the pusher prop design come down to one major design choice: the placement of its propeller. In a traditional turboprop, the propeller at the front of the plane disrupts the air’s natural flow, causing the wings to lose crucial flight efficiency. By placing the propeller at the rear of the aircraft, the wings can slice through undisrupted air and make the most of their natural shape.
The Celera 500L takes things several steps further in terms of its physical design. Every precaution has been taken to reduce drag on the plane; the result is a bullet-shaped aircraft that soars through the skies with ease.
Compared to the competition, there is no competition. Otto Aviation’s prototype gets 18 miles to the gallon at a minimum. Comparably sized jet aircraft only get three miles to the gallon on a good day. Not only does that improve fuel efficiency, it dramatically increases the craft’s range. What’s more, the Celera 500L costs about $330 an hour to operate. Jet aircraft cost about $1800 an hour to maintain. It’s a major leap in efficiency across the board.
Private aircraft for the masses
The Celera 500L is a plane with a purpose. Otto Aviation maintains its commitment to bringing private travel to the masses. By the time the Celera 500L reaches the market (anticipated in 2025), Otto Aviation hopes to deliver a private jet experience at commercial aircraft prices.
Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.
Every week, there’s something new in the world of eVTOLs. But it’s not often the headlines are as exciting as the most recent one from eHang. The company has announced the first successful passenger flight of its eHang 216 around Yantai, China. This marks the first successful test of its kind and scope — a huge leap forward in the development of eVTOLs as air-taxis. And, with a global parade lined up to showcase similar tests in multiple countries, eHang may have just become the frontrunner in the future of autonomous air-taxis.
Source: honeywell.com
A bold new direction
While big-name tech companies like Tesla and Google continue to struggle with self-piloted cars, Chinese company eHang is bypassing the roads entirely in favor of taking to the skies. The company’s flagship eVTOL aircraft, the 216, has been racking up service miles for the last two years. Along the way, it has accumulated a sterling reputation for private transportation.
With a range of roughly 20 miles, the 216 is perfect for transportation around most major cities. The autonomously piloted aircraft has tested the market in more than 21 cities and 6 countries, successfully completing more than 2,000 flights in all weather conditions without issue.
For the moment, the 216’s limited range makes it ideal for quick jaunts around the city, plus a bevy of sightseeing opportunities. Of course, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) strict rules regarding air space make it difficult for eHang’s 216 to breach the United States market. Though the FAA has issued flight approval for the eHang 216, its ability to function in the commercial space is limited. Fortunately for the company, the provincial government of Quebec is more open to experimentation.
Transport Canada (the FAA of the Great White North) issued a Special Flight Operations Certificate to allow eHang to begin preliminary flights throughout the city, and, eventually, the country. As eHang builds an increasing number of friendly markets throughout the world, it’s only a matter of time before the United States government takes notice.
The cutting edge
The 216 isn’t the world’s first eVTOL, not by a stretch. The idea for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft can be traced all the way back to Leonardo da Vinci’s sketchbooks. Countless inventors have tried their hands at eVTOLs, but few have met with the same success. Even contemporaries of eHang don’t have quite the same panache. For example, a test air-taxi program conducted by German company Volocopter is currently ongoing. The Volocopter, however, still requires the use of a pilot.
Other aerospace companies experimenting with autonomous flight are steps behind eHang, as well. There is no other company that allows travelers to take off and land wherever they need without having to control the aircraft. Truly, if there was a frontrunner in the world of eVTOLs, eHang is the odds-on favorite — a fact that becomes clearer with future successful unpiloted tests.
The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.
Life is full of first-time experiences. Your first day of school. Your first kiss. Your first job. Your first time on a private jet. These are all exciting, scary moments because you have no idea what to expect, but you are excited to take that next step. Boarding a private jet for the first time is a vastly different experience from flying commercial — one many people are uncertain of because they’re not sure what to do.
It’s natural to be insecure about how to proceed — a familiar feeling with any new endeavor. There’s no reason to worry — a little information about how to book your private flight and what to expect goes a long way in bringing certainty to this new experience. If you’re hoping to get into the air on a charter flight, there are five ways to do it.
Charter aircraft. Think of a charter company as an on-demand flight just for you. You’re paying for a ticket on a private plane. Fares can vary wildly from the lowest-cost flights ($1,200 per flight hour) to the highest-cost ($12,000 per flight hour), and largely depend on where you’re headed and whether you’re renting a single seat or the entire aircraft.
Jet and fraction cards. When you purchase a jet card or a fraction card, you’re essentially setting aside a lump sum of money (typically starting at $25,000) to rent a certain number of hours on a private jet. Jet cards are becoming incredibly popular throughout the United States. As a result, the cost of purchasing one is falling all the time.
Membership programs. A membership program works much like a jet card. Rather than funding a card, you buy into a specific fleet of aircraft and a particular set of services offered by individual companies. As a result, it’s essential to shop around and compare options before committing to a membership program.
Fractional share ownership. Fractional share ownership sits somewhere between a membership program and flat-out ownership. Fractional programs offer customized service and more control over your flight time than other options, in exchange for monthly fees plus a nominal per-hour flight charge.
Purchase. For fliers exceeding 200 hours of flight time, outright purchase could be the right choice. Purchasing an aircraft brings numerous advantages, not least of which is complete control over travel plans.
Although charter flights are more expensive than their commercial alternative, they provide critical benefits. They’re safer, for one — and that’s to say nothing of the enormous savings in time and convenience that go hand-in-hand with a private flight.
For decades, many travelers remained wary of private flight because of misplaced concerns over cost, or belief that it’s challenging to find charter opportunities. Now, a new generation of companies have emerged, committed to making private flight more accessible than ever before. They’re finding plenty of demand from those willing to take the leap into something new, unknown, and exciting.
Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.
