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A new type of aircraft appearing on the general aviation scene is the Very Light Jet (VLJ). A VLJ, according to the National Business Aircraft Association, is a jet aircraft weighing 10,000 pounds or less. VLJs are certified for single pilot operation, and most will have very automated flight and systems control capabilities. Most of the VLJs that are currently being developed will have two engines, although there are a significant number of designs under development that will have only one engine. The primary technological advancement that has made the VLJ possible is the recent development of small, reliable turbine engines. Throughout aviation history, advancements in aeronautics have been driven primarily by advancements in propulsion technology, as has the development of the VLJ. The transition of the VLJ from concept to reality has been dependent upon the development of suitable powerplants. Why is there such a buzz about VLJs? There are several reasons. VLJs are expected to be significantly less expensive to purchase and operate than the current fleet of business jets. Many businesses and private owners that previously could not afford to purchase and operate a business jet will be able to afford a VLJ, at least according to the currently projected costs. VLJs are also expected by many to make a significant impact upon commercial aviation. Many charter and air-taxi operations are expected to take advantage of the VLJ in opening new markets for air service. But it is not only the reduced costs of VLJs that is expected to make an impact. VLJs will have the capability to operate out of airports that are currently unable to be served by jet aircraft. Most VLJs are expected to be able to safely operate from airports with runways as short as 3,000 feet. This capability will make it possible to operate from thousands of small airports throughout the nation. The outlook for VLJs, however, is not all rosy. There are significant obstacles that may inhibit VLJs from fulfilling the most optimistic prognostications. There have been problems with the development of the small engines. One of the pioneering companies in the VLJ industry, Eclipse Aviation, has been forced to abandon the engine that was intended for its VLJ from the beginning. Eclipse did find a replacement engine, and proceeded with the program, but at a cost of greatly exceeding the original projected price of the airplane, and delaying production by years. And if VLJs do have the impact to aviation that many are predicting, it will come with significant growing pains. The prediction of thousands of VLJs filling the skyways has the FAA concerned about the ability of the current air traffic control system to handle the increased load. Some experts also have concerns as to whether many of the pilots who fly these airplanes will be able to safely handle them. In spite of their small size and simplified systems, they are still advanced airplanes, and will demand commensurate skill sets of their pilots. Whether the VLJ concept develops to its predicted potential remains to be seen. There are numerous examples in aviation history where predictions of great advancements and production booms simply did not occur as expected. Will the VLJ concept go down in history as just another botched prediction? Only time will tell. |