Whenever you see two aircrafts belonging in the same category side by side on a hangar, you can’t help but compare them. Most often than not, they will both turn out the same but not quite.

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Here’s a sample of two aircrafts that are categorized as very light jets.

The basic common denominator between the two aircrafts is that both of them are constructed using Aluminum, both can seat up to 6 passengers, both are powered by Pratt & Whitney engines although Eclipse uses PW610F while Citation Mustang used PW615F.

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They differ very slightly in all other aspects. Check the following:

Specs                                       Eclipse 500              Citation Mustang
Seating Cap. With Full fuel            3                                   2
Pressurization                               8.5 psi                          8.3 psi
Length                                          33.7 ft.                         40.6ft
Wingspan                                     37.9 ft                          41.3 ft
Length (cabin)                              12.3 ft.                         14.7 ft
Width (cabin)                                 4.7 ft.                           4.5 ft.
Height (cabin)                               4.2 ft.                           4.5 ft.
Eco. Cruise                                 331 ktas                       298 ktas
Max Cruise                                 375                               340
Ceiling                                        FL410                           FL410
Range Max Cruise w/Max Pax     611 nm                        889 nm

The price of the jets are quite different. The Eclipse 500 can be purchased for an amount of USD$2.15M while the Citation Mustang has a price of USD$2.7 - 3M.    

Recently, the Eclipse 500 was issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive grounding all active Eclipse 500 due to an incident in Chicago’s Airport but after investigation the problem can be fix with a software change. They were again given a clearance to fly afain after a day of the issuance of the AD.

The manufacturer of the Citation Mustang does not regard it as a typical standard VLJ because they based the design of the aircraft from the larger jets and the certification process they have gone through for the aircraft was just the same standards they used with Cessna’s CJ series.

No matter how much two aircrafts are the same or how different, it all boils down on the pilot and the passengers’ own preference and requirement.

If one has a budget for a USD$52M and wants an aircraft that can hold 18 passengers in full luxurious surroundings and convenience then the Boeing Business Jet 1 is definitely the right choice of plane waiting in the runway.

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Boeing Inc. struck a partnership with General Electric to build aircraft with a framework just like a Boeing 737 but the space and the amenities are designed to pamper just about 18 people instead of a hundred or more.

There are leather swiveling seats, huge sofas, full-height showers; bedrooms that would just make any passenger forget that they are a thousand miles high.

Aside from the queen size beds, the plane is equipped with the last Internet and entertainment technology. There are huge, flat screens with DVD players, Satellite telephone, High-speed online connection and the best audio facilities. The plane is also installed with comfortable lavatories with sophisticated designs. Every comfort that a 5-star hotel can offer, the BBJ1 can.

The aircraft does not only look good, it can also fly you over several destinations with a range of 6,169 miles to a top speed of 528 miles per hour.

One can acquire this aircraft with the basic aircraft design or have reconfigured to a certain design or layout.

It was first tagged as Bombardier Continental when it was launched back in Paris Air Show in 1999. The manufacturer Bombardier by 2002 changed its name to Challenger 300 when they had a major rebranding program in which they divided the aircrafts into three groups such as Learjet, Challenger and Global.

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This aircraft can seat 8 passengers and is categorized as a super-mid-sized jet. It is a perfect aircraft for corporate executives who always have last minute meetings before reaching their destination since it has an incomparable area for conference and work purposes.

Bombardier Aerospace made sure that Challenger 300 is built for heavy usage. It can fly non-stop to a range of 3,100 nautical miles or around 5,741 km. The best thing about this aircraft is the speed. It has the capability of cruising the passengers with a speed of Mach 0.80. One need not stay long in the air especially if there is an important meeting on the other side of the world.

With only about USD$16M Bombardier Challenger 300 can park in your private hangar. Get all the latest info and specific details on the aircraft’s performance and technology on their website: Bombardier Challenger 300

Bombardier Aerospace is launching the company’s newest members of their fleet, the Cseries Family today, July 13, 2008 at the Farnborough 2008.

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Despite the continuing price increases, Bombardier continues to make new planes that will serve a larger number of flying enthusiasts designed particularly for the passengers belonging on other lower side of the market.

They have created and manufactured jets for the upper class and they want the others to be able to experience the bombardier way of flying by creating a couple of aircrafts that will let them have the convenience and comfort that every Bombardier aircrafts is known for while making it cost effective.

They are not private jets but commercial aircrafts, which are scheduled to be released in 2013.  They may be for commercial use as it can seat around 100 –140 people but Bombardier said that it would have the feel of a private jet.

The manufacturer combines several cost effective ways in which it has the most advanced materials but it will consume around 20% less fuel and it is four times quieter than other aircrafts of its class, emitting around 20% less of CO2 and 50% NOX.

Check their specifications at Cseries Family.

It is the month of July and the situation has not changed. Despite the fuel price increase, the private jets are still tearing the skies.

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To the ordinary mortals, commercial flying is like a bitter pill that they do not have a choice but to take in. To the ultra high net worth community and the corporate world, flying private is still their only choice for traveling.

Commercial flying is out of the question even if it is on the first class. It will not immune anyone of flight delays and cancellations. Private Jet means no security screening and they passengers go directly to their own private terminals.

In the past week, a lot of talks circulated on who are paying for that kind of privilege. There was a report on how the private jets are not paying their fare share. The report that was released to the media are stating that ordinary taxpayers are paying a very steep price for those who have the capability of using private jets. It was quite a controversial analysis and there are people who are crying foul on the side of the people from private aviation.

The thing is people can argue and debate on those issues but it is only the Congress who can act on the matter and say what is fair for everyone concerned.

Expect to see more private jets cruising in Minnesota skies this fall. The reason? The Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held there.

 
Photo Credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas

There will be a large number of high-ranking government VIPs and Republican businessmen who will be flying in and the Federal Aviation Administration has released new guidelines on how to manage the influx of aircrafts that will coming in to Twin Cities.

They already are expecting heavy traffic with the private jets and chartered aircrafts that will be landing in the airport nearest to the convention building. There will be a small percentage of those who will fly commercial.

Since it’s the Republican bigwigs that are coming to town, the FAA then announced that aircrafts that are about to land on airports within the next 10 miles of the convention area must stop for a security check at 3 designated airports.

As early as now, airports are making necessary adjustments on their hangar space so they can all accommodate the private jets that are coming in September. They are not really worried with those convention participants who will fly in commercial since they believe that the scheduled flights can handle the delegates. They are more concerned with the air traffic increase that will definitely occur when the private jets arrive. Although, the most airports that will be likely affected are St. Paul Downtown, Minneapolis-St. Paul International and the one in Eden Prairie.
 

There is a variety of computer programs that are being offered in the market today.  Every single pilot, newly trained or those who has so much flying hours will benefit in going through these flight simulation softwares.

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FsXPand

A software solution for cockpit building which is good for those who are just starting to try this type of softwares. Click the following to get more details of the software: Features, FAQ and if you want to download it, go here: Flyware, Download, FAQ.

Project Magenta

If you are in need of more depth and has a bigger budget then, Project Magenta is right for you. It is one of the most popular and recognized flight simulation programs in the market today. It has the capability to be used as a stand-alone or can be interconnected with other flight simulators as well.

Click on the following to get more information about the software: Features, Demo Downloads, Products

Ellie Systems

Their software gives a unique flight simulator experience. They designed the program to better enhance the pilot’s skills by creating one that has speed, accuracy and realism. They produced avionics systems and utilities that are fully compatible with the Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Click the following to get more details on the software: Products, Update, and Product Support Forums.

 
Photo Credit: Charles & Clint  Photo Credit: Elsie esq.

Sim Avionics

They offer a complete avionics solution for flight simulators. They created their products that have the capability to run on different PC’s with varied configurations.

Click the following to get more information about their products: Features, Download and Available Editions.

If you are down on your budget or just want to try it out first before buying anything, check the following freeware sites:

Flight Deck Soft

JK Utilities

MyFsPanel

CRJ Glass Cockpit

There is a new personal aircraft to be unveiled on July 29, 2008. It is called Martin Jetpack.

Photo Credit: Mike Miley

You have never heard of it? It is not surprising since the company behind kept it a secret for a long time. I am definitely sure this is a marketing strategy. If you will visit their website the only thing you can see is a page announcing the launching of their aircraft, which will be held at EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh this July.

The manufacturer, Aeroshell Square, issued a press release calling the event as the “most eagerly awaited personal aircraft man ever dreamed about.” They tagged it as “Fly Your Dream.”

Ever since flying enthusiasts saw the 007 movie back in 1965 called Thunderball, everyone dreamt of the idea of using a jetpack and a lot of companies are trying to develop a better personal jetpack.

Unconfirmed reports said that the company is from New Zealand or Australia and that it took them 27 years in developing the aircraft. Even the EAA spokesperson Dick Knapinski said that the company requested the EAA organizers to help them keep certain info a secret until they reveal everything on July 29.

The manufacturer said that that the personal aircraft would have a distinctive quality that is so unique. The Martin Jetpack has the capability of flying a hundred times longer than the 1960s Bell Rocker Belt and that it complied with the Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.

Due to an incident with one of their aircrafts, which prompted the National Transportation Safety Board to recommend to the Federal Aviation Administration to make a quick inspection on all Eclipse500 in active service, which resulted to a problem that can be fix by computer software, is now on the priority list of the Chairman of the Committee for Transport and Infrastructure in the House of Representatives.

Photo Credit: Marion Doss

US congressman James Oberstar and his committee is overlooking over some allegations that the United States Federal Aviation Administration gave certification on Eclipse Aviation’s very light jet, Eclipse500 despite some objections coming from the FAA’s very own aircraft engineers and overseeing flight-test pilots.

He made a directive towards another government agency, the Department of Transportation, specifically the Office of the Inspector General to make necessary investigation if there is any truth to the allegations.

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However, when the Eclipse Aviation President and Chief Executive Officer Vern Raburn was asked about Eclipse 500 safety issue, the said that they have not received any communication or directive from both the government agencies, the FAA or OIG for any kind of investigation about the matter.

The US congressman office said that if the Office of the Inspector General confirms the allegations then, a hearing would probably take place by September.

It should be noted that Congressman Oberstar was the very same lawmaker who ordered an investigation after a whistleblower’s complaints over the closeness of the relationship between local FAA officials and Southwest Airlines that made it possible for the airlines to operate without AD compliance. This investigation resulted in grounding 10% of the airlines fleet last March. Same thing happened with American Airlines that stranded several thousands of passengers.

As more ultra-high net worth Russians are traveling different cities locally or internationally using private jets these days, Prestige Jet just launched another website to cater for them alone.

Photo Credit: Alex Saveliev

The Russian version of their website will truly assist in the fast-growing demand of private aircrafts by the Russian’s super rich community. Experts and market watchers even predicted that there would be a major increase on sales and charter in private aviation in the Russian market.

The recent financial report of Merrill Lynch shows that a high percentage of the aviation sales came from the Russians, Asians and Latinos. Ever since the nearly 29 percent annual increase in the dollar income per head in Russia came about, new freshly minted millionaires just went shopping spree on anything and everything pricey.

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Prestige Jet already has a very solid client base but it would truly boost their business more if they come up with a website that was made especially for them. Russians affluent community is very much aware of the difference between commercial and private flying and so business is really soaring high. One example was the recent football match Russia participated in. The Vienna Airport was one of the busiest during that week.

The official English website has included Arabic and Russian Links. Check them out here: PrestigeJet.