Question 1

Jets for Sale

Accepted Answer

Dominating the business and private jet market, Bombardier and Dassault respectively are setting the stage for other leading manufacturers such as Beechcraft, Cessna, Embraer, Gulfstream, Hawker and Learjet – all private jets that are available for sale at the moment. Considering the various factors that determine the pricing of a jet such as customization, class, range, avionics suite and mission possibilities, prices for jets can vary from relatively cheap to quite expensive. Browse the finest selection of new and used jet aircraft listings available by using our tailor-made search function on AvPay.

Question 2

What is a Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

A jet aircraft is powered by an internal combustion engine that uses a series of turbines to induct, compress and ignite a fuel and air mixture, creating a force of thrust out of the aircraft’s exhaust. The first jet aircraft to fly was the Heinkel He 178 in Germany, which first flew in 1939. The He 178 was followed by the Italian-built Caproni Campini N.1 which first flew in 1940. The first British jet aircraft to fly was the Gloster E.28/39 and was designed by Sir Frank Whittle.

The first jet aircraft to officially break the sound barrier in level flight was the American Bell X-1. Built in part from research carried-out on the British Miles M52, the Bell X-1 broke the sound barrier in 1947 flying at an altitude of 45,000 feet, with Chuck Yeager at the controls.

The first twin engine jet aircraft was the Heinkel He 280 which first flew in 1941, weeks before the first flight of the infamous Messerschmitt Me 262 – the world’s first operational jet fighter.

The world’s first four engine commercial jet airliner was the DeHavilland Comet, which took to the skies just four years after the end of the Second World War. The Comet initially suffered from a high accident rate with three aircraft being lost within a year of each other. The problem was subsequently attributed to the aircraft’s square windows (among other areas). Once these issues had been rectified the aircraft remained in service until 1997. A maritime patrol version of the aircraft was designed for the Royal Air Force and named the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod, which was in service until 2011.

The largest jet aircraft in the world is the Antonov An-225 Mriya, which first flew in 1988. Only one aircraft was built but was sadly destroyed in February 2022.

The fastest jet aircraft to have flown was the Lockheed SR71-Blackbird, which could fly at over three times the speed of sound. The aircraft’s skin expanded so much at such high speeds (due to the extreme heat caused by friction), that when sub-sonic the aircraft leaked fuel. The aircraft leaked so much fuel at slower speeds that an air tanker was required to refuel the aircraft shortly after take-off. The Royal Air Force’s fastest jet was the English Electric Lightning, which was operational from 1960 until 1988. The aircraft had a top speed of Mach 2.27.

Question 3

What is the bestselling Private Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

Without doubt one of the most popular families of private jets has to be the Cessna Citation family. The Citation family began in 1969 with the Cessna Citation I and since then over 8,000 Cessna Citation models have been built. The Citation range covers a wide variety of business jet aircraft which include the larger Cessna Citation X (known for being one of the fastest business jets on the market) as well as smaller models such as the Citation Mustang, which was introduced in 2006 and can carry four passengers in the cabin (plus one in the cockpit). The latest model to roll-out the Citation production line is the Cessna Citation Longitude, which first flew in 2016.

Gulfstream have been producing aircraft since 1958 and produce some of the finest business jets on the market today. Their current line-up includes the Gulfstream G650 ER, which is the second largest business jet they produce. Capable of flying 18 passengers at Mach 0.9 the ER stands for “Extended Range”, which adds around 500 nautical miles to the G650 model, giving the aircraft a range of 7,500 nautical miles. The aircraft’s large cabin windows paired with the low cabin altitude greatly reduce passenger fatigue and the cabin’s size enables you to split each interior section into different functions, enabling you to have a dining room, a lounge and a bedroom for example. The newest private jet in the Gulfstream range is the Gulfstream G700 which can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles, with enough interior space for up to 5 different living areas. In addition to having 20 large panoramic windows and a low cabin altitude, the G700 has a lighting system that simulates the sunlight of the time zone you’re travelling to, which is designed to help reduce jet lag.

France’s Dassault Aviation have produced over 2,500 Dassault Falcon aircraft since introducing them back in 1965. More than 2,000 Falcons are in service today and their range of Falcon Jets has grown from the 16 metre wingspan Falcon 20 to the 25 metre wingspan Dassault Falcon 6X. Dassault Aviation are planning on introducing the 33 metre wingspan Dassault Falcon 10X in 2025, to compete with Bombardier’s Global 7500 and Gulfstream’s G700.

Canadian manufacturer Bombardier have been building aircraft since 1989 and are based out of Quebec. The company’s growth is in-part due to its acquisition of rival manufacturers Short Brothers, Learjet and de Havilland, which expanded its range of aircraft to include models such as the de Havilland Dash 8 and the Learjet family of light jets. The most successful business jets in the Bombardier line-up have been the Challenger series, which includes models such as the Bombardier Challenger 601, Challenger 604, Challenger 605 and the more recently built Challenger 300. The Bombardier Challenger 350 is an improvement on the 300 model and has an improved range of 3,200 nautical miles. Based on the Bombardier CRJ200 LR, the Challenger 850 is a stretched version of the Challenger 600 series and is Bombardier’s largest super-midsize aircraft. The largest in Bombardier’s business jet range, the Bombardier Global Express is a large cabin aircraft that can fly up to 6,000 nautical miles. The Global Express was developed into subsequent versions such as the Global Express XRS, the Global 7500 and the Global 8000, which compete with Gulfstream’s G700. The Global 8000 is planned to come into service in 2025 and is reported to have a range of 8,000 nautical miles.

Learjet was one of the first private jet manufacturers, having been founded by William Powell Lear in the 1950s. The company was subsequently bought by Bombardier Aerospace in 1990. Renowned for being small and fast, over 3,000 Learjets have been built and popular models include the Learjet 40, Learjet 45 and the Learjet 60. The last Learjet model to be produced was the Learjet 75.

Question 4

What are the best Private Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

What makes an aircraft the best in its class ultimately comes down to what you want to use it for. If you’re looking for an aircraft that’ll fly you from London to New York in as short a time as possible, you’ll probably like models such as the Gulfstream G650ER, Gulfstream G700 or the Bombardier Global 7500. The Gulfstream G700 has a range of 7,500 nautical miles with a maximum cruising speed of 0.925 the speed of sound. Each of the seats fitted to the aircraft convert into ergonomic beds, making the aircraft idea for any night flights.

If you’re looking for space, something larger such as a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) might fit the bill. Developed from Boeing’s range of commercial airliners the BBJ range covers the Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 models. Capable of being fitted with multiple double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (fitted with showers!), living rooms and dining rooms, a BBJ is practically an apartment in the sky! Competing with the BBJ range is Airbus, with their Airbus Corporate Jet range. The largest options available from both manufactures are the Boeing 747 BBJ and the Airbus ACJ 380.

If you’re looking for a private jet capable of flying to small, unprepared airstrips, the Pilatus PC24 should fit the bill. First flown in 2015 and following the success of Pilatus’ PC12 range, the PC24 features an advanced wing design as well as a double-slotted flap system, which are designed to help the aircraft operate out of short grass and gravel airfields.

The Hawker 400 series of aircraft (also known as the Beechjet 400 and originally manufactured by Mitsubishi) first flew in 1978. Capable of flying 1,300 NM at Mach 0.7 with four passengers onboard, the aircraft has since been remanufactured by Nextant Aerospace, who strip-out legacy aircraft, fit them with better avionics and engines, improve the aircraft’s aerodynamics and retrofit the interior with modern features such as Rockwell Collins’ Venue Cabin Management System, LED lighting and internet connectivity. The remanufactured aircraft also have an improved cruising speed and range.

If you’re an owner pilot and are looking for a small jet to fly yourself around in, the Cirrus Vision Jet is your ideal candidate. Developed from the popular Cirrus SR20 and Cirrus SR22 piston aircraft, the Cirrus Vision Jet features a very similar cockpit-layout, which is designed to make transition training as seamless as possible for owner pilots. The Vision Jet is perfect for SR22 pilots that have growing families, as the Vision Jet can carry an additional two passengers.

Question 5

How far can you fly a Private Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

With a range of over 9,000 NM, the Boeing 787 BBJ has probably the greatest range of any of the private jets available on the market today. Developed from Boeing’s Dreamliner commercial jet, which is designed to carry up to 335 passenger, the VIP version of the Dreamliner is designed to carry up to 40 passengers in complete luxury.

The Bombardier Global 7500 has a range of 7,700 NM and is capable of flying 19 passengers at Mach 0.925. It’s currently the world’s largest and longest-range purpose-built business jet and features four living sections as well as a full-sized kitchen.

The Gulfstream G650ER can fly 7,500 NM none-stop and offers the lowest cabin altitude in its class at just over 3,000 feet. Cabin altitude is often attributed to fatigue and the lower you can get it, the less fatigued you’ll be when arriving at your destination. Pair the low cabin altitude with the G650ER’s large cabin windows and you can expect to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.

The Embraer Legacy 650 is a private jet which was derived from the Embraer ERJ145 family of commercial jet airliners. The aircraft has a range of 3,400 NM and has a cabin that can be divided into three sections.

Generally speaking the smaller the aircraft, the shorter the range. Embraer’s Phenom 300 is capable of carrying up to 6 passengers and has a range of 2,010 NM. Similar in size to the Phenom 300, the Hondajet can fly up to 1,653 NM and the Eclipse 400 can fly 1,256 NM.

Question 6

How much does a new or used Private Jet cost?

Accepted Answer

Broadly speaking a pre-owned private jet will typically cost between $750,000 and $75,000,000. A plethora of different factors will affect the asking price of a jet, depending on what equipment is fitted to the aircraft, where it’s up to in its maintenance cycles, the maintenance programs it’s enrolled-on, how many hours are on the airframe, engine and APU and when both the exterior and interior of the aircraft were last refurbished. Private jets are designed to increase productivity for business people and this could involve high-speed-internet and satellite phones being fitted to the aircraft. Private jets are also designed to be luxurious, and some aircraft are fitted with fully-working showers, double bedrooms, living rooms (with wide-screen televisions) and dining rooms furnished with gold-encrusted furniture. The sky is literally the limit when it comes to customising a private jet, so you can imagine that prices can range significantly from one aircraft to the next.

To give you an idea of prices for the higher end of the market, in July 2022 you could buy a Gulfstream G550 for around $22,000,000, a Dassault Falcon 7X for around $24,000,000 and a Bombardier Global Express for around $11,800,000. On the smaller end of the market you could buy a Learjet 45 for $2,500,000, an Embraer Phenom 100 for $2,500,000 and a Hondajet for around $4,500,000.

Question 7

What is the largest Private Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

The Boeing 747 first entered service with Pan Am back in 1970 and since then over 1,500 aircraft have been built. The Jumbo Jet was designed to carry more passengers than the Boeing 707 and was fitted to carry upwards of 350 passengers. When Boeing first introduced the Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), which was effectively a Boeing 737 passenger airliner that had been converted into a VIP aircraft, it became apparent that there was a market for Ultra High-Net Worth Individuals who were eager to purchase even larger aircraft, to be operated privately. While the Boeing 737 BBJ, 757 BBJ, 767 BBJ and 787 BBJ are all massive in their own rights, the biggest in the BBJ range is the Boeing 747 BBJ. The sheer size of the 747 BBJ allows the lucky owner to install a multitude of features such as banqueting rooms, night club areas, conference rooms, business class sections for accompanying staff plus much more. Once an owner purchases a Boeing 747 BBJ they’ll typically work with a completions centre to fully customise the interior, which can take several months to complete. The large size of 747 BBJs also make them an ideal head of state aircraft, since they’re able to transport large delegations over very long distances. Private aircraft carry fewer passengers, therefore there’s no requirement for large cargo bays. A lot of the time cargo bays are converted into fuel tanks, to increase the aircraft’s range.

Comparable in size to the Boeing 737 BBJ, Airbus’ ACJ 320 (Airbus Commercial Jet) is a commercial aircraft which has also been converted for private use. Featuring multiple cabin zones throughout as well as double bedrooms and en-suite showers, the ACJ range offers a wide selection of customisable options.

At the top-end of the purpose-built private jet market are the Bombardier Global 7500, Cessna Citation Longitude and the Gulfstream G700. These three aircraft will soon be joined by the Dassault Falcon 10X and the Cessna Citation Hemisphere.

Question 8

What is the difference between a Jet and a Plane?

Accepted Answer

A jet is simply a plane that’s powered by a jet engine. This can include jet airliners such as the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A319, business jets such as the Astra 1125 SP, Beechcraft Premier and the Eclipse 500 and Military Jets such as the Eurofighter, Panavia Tornado, Harrier and Sepecat Jaguar.

Jet engines are a lot more efficient at high altitudes which make them particularly suited to passenger aircraft – the higher you can fly, the smoother the air.

Drones that are powered by jet engines are currently being trialled by several militaries throughout the world, such as the Kratos XQ58 Valkyrie which first flew in March 2019.

Question 9

What is the safest Private Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

The safety of an aircraft not only depends on the build quality, but also on how well it has been maintained, how it has been flown and where it has been operated. For example, if you operate a jet aircraft out of an airport that’s located in a dessert, you’re more likely to discover corrosion issues on the turbine blades, wing leading edges and other surfaces that frequently come into contact with sand. If you regularly fly the aircraft above VMO in turbulence, or if you’re teaching students that land the aircraft heavily, you’re likely to find stress marks or micro fractures throughout the airframe.

One private jet that has proven quite dependable over the years is the Hawker Siddeley HS 125, which first flew in 1962. Over 1,700 aircraft have since been built and the aircraft was used by the Royal Air Force as both a navigational trainer and a private jet for the Royal Family (called the Dominie). Subsequent versions of the HS125 include the Hawker 400, Hawker 800 and Hawker 800XP.

Question 10

What is the fastest Private Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

While passenger aircraft such as Concorde were capable of supersonic flight back in the late 1960s, every private jet that has since been produced has been subsonic. The main reasons for this (at least in the 21^st century) are noise and pollution. Most aircraft engines in use today require an afterburner to propel the aircraft beyond the sound barrier and this involves burning a great deal of fuel. Nowadays aircraft manufacturers have to adhere to strict emissions standards, and this unfortunately prohibits the use of most afterburners. Aerion tried to deal with this issue with the Aerion AS2, which boasted supersonic capability without the use of an afterburner. The aircraft also tried to tackle the issue of noise, through being designed in a way that drastically reduced the aircraft’s supersonic boom. Boom Technology are making remarkable progress with their Boom Supersonic aircraft, which it is hoped will be able to fly at Mach 1.7.

In addition to the noise and emission challenges, aircraft need to be designed in such a way that allow them pass through the powerful shockwave that’s created when passing through the speed of sound.

The fastest private jets nowadays can cruise at between Mach 0.85 and Mach 0.95 and are typically built with super critical wings, which are designed to reduce the shockwaves produced when approaching the sound barrier, which cause wave drag. Aircraft that fly close to the sound barrier include the Gulfstream G700 and the Bombardier Global 7500 which can fly at Mach 0.925, the Cessna Citation X which can fly at Mach 0.935 and the Dassault Falcon 7X, Dassault Falcon 8X and Bombardier Global 5500 which can fly at Mach 0.9.

Interestingly the Royal Air Force’s English Electric Lightning could fly at Mach 1.9 and the United States Air Force’s Lockheed SR71 Blackbird was reported to be able to fly at over Mach 3!

Question 11

What is the cheapest Private Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

The price of a business jet aircraft will naturally be linked to the size of the aircraft, so let’s start the answer to this question with a Very Light Jet – the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet. The aircraft was developed from the Cirrus SR22 model and is the world’s first single engine jet aircraft that has been purposely built to be operated by private pilots. The aircraft can seat 6 passengers and in July 2022 the prices for a pre-owned Vision Jet ranged from $2,450,000 to $3,400,000.

Moving-up in scale to the Light Jet Segment we have the Honda HA 420 HondaJet. The Hondajet is built in North Carolina and first received FAA type certification in 2015. The aircraft can seat up to 7 passengers and is distinguishable from other private jets by the two turbofan engines which are mounted on pylons above the aircraft’s wings. Having engines mounted above the wings is said to maximise the cabin space and reduce the noise in the aircraft’s cabin.

The Eclipse 550 is a light jet that was manufactured in New Mexico from 2014. The aircraft was developed from the Eclipse 500 and could seat 6 passengers. Sadly the Eclipse 500’s manufacturer, One Aviation, entered bankruptcy and production was halted in 2017.

The Embraer Phenom 100 is a Brazilian-built light jet and has been in production since 2008. The aircraft can carry up to 7 passengers and is similar in design to the larger Phenom 300, which can carry 9 passengers. Impressively for such a small aircraft, the Embraer 300 is equipped with a lavatory at the rear of the aircraft.

Finishing-off our line-up of light jets is the Cessna Citation M2. The Citation M2 is a development of the Cessna Citation 525 range, which includes models such as the Citation CJ1, the Citation CJ2, the Citation CJ3 and the Citation CJ4. The Citation M2 is fitted with more powerful engines than its predecessor, providing the aircraft with up to 15% more thrust. It’s also fitted with the modern Garmin G3000 avionics suite.

Question 12

Is it expensive to own and maintain a Private Jet Aircraft?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is yes! One way to keep maintenance costs down is to make sure you have a complete and thorough pre-purchase inspection carried-out by an approved Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility (MRO), so that you can identify and fix any issues before taking ownership of the aircraft. When issues are discovered during pre-purchase inspections you can usually find room to negotiate with the aircraft seller, so you might be able to purchase the aircraft for a lower price.

Every aircraft requires regular maintenance and generally speaking the more complex the aircraft, the more inspections are required. Mandated inspections include:

Annual inspections
A Checks – completed every 200-300 flights or every 400-600 flying hours
B Checks – completed every 6-8 months
C Checks – completed every 20-24 months
D Checks – completed every 6-10 years

You might also wish to have progressive inspections carried out, which are aimed at identifying minor issues before they become major issues requiring further repair work.

When looking to purchase your next multi-engine jet aircraft it’s important to check the total time on each engine doesn’t differ too greatly. If they do, you may find that your aircraft spends a lot more time in the hangar than planned, as each engine will reach its hourly limits at different intervals.

The price to operate your aircraft naturally depends on how many hours you fly per year. If you don’t fly very many hours you may wish to lease the aircraft to a charter operator, who’ll charter the aircraft to private clients. This can be a good source of income that can help cover some of the aircraft’s maintenance costs. It can also be a good way to keep your pilots current, if you’re not flying very often.

Your operating costs will also depend on where your aircraft is based. Each airport has different hangarage, maintenance, fuelling, handling and FBO services which can vary greatly in price. Each city may have a variety of airports and you’ll want to pick one that best suits your aircraft and your budget. London owners for example can choose from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport, London City Airport, Stansted Airport, Southend Airport, Elstree Aerodrome and Biggin Hill.

Question 13

Who are the main Private Jet manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

The main manufacturers on the larger end of the private jet market are Airbus and Boeing. Airbus produces the Airbus Commercial Jet, which historically included the Airbus A318, Airbus A319, Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 models. With the acquisition of the Bombardier C Series this now includes the ACJ220, which features a floor space of 73 metres squared – almost 3 times the size of a regular, large business jet! Airbus also offer the massive ACJ350, which has up to 308 metres squared of floor space, spanned over 8 different zones. Capable of flying up to 22 hours none-stop, the ACJ350 has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.

Crossing the Atlantic we then have Boeing who manufacture a competing range of top-end, large business jets. Boeing produces the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), which are the VIP versions of their commercial airliners. The current BBJ range includes the 737 BBJ, 777X BBJ, the 787 BBJ and the 747-8 BBJ.

In business for over 80 years, Canadian manufacturer Bombardier have produced a range of iconic aircraft that include the Bombardier Challenger 601, Challenger 604 and the Challenger 605. Developed from the Challenger 600 series, Bombardier introduced the 3,100 NM range Challenger 300 in 1999 and the 3,200 NM range Challenger 350 in 2013. Bombardier also produces the Global Express large-cabin jets, which include the Global 5000, Global Express XRS, Global 6000, Global 5500 and the Global 6500. The flagship of Bombardier’s Global Express range is the Global 7500, which has a maximum range of 7,700 NM and can cruise at Mach 0.925.

Famous for producing popular models such as the Cessna 172 and the Cessna 152, Cessna have been producing the Cessna Citation range since 1972. Over 8,000 Cessna Citation aircraft have been built and popular models include the Cessna Citation Bravo, Cessna Citation XLS, Cessna Citation Mustang and the new Cessna Citation Latitude.

Flying the flag for France, Dassault Aviation have been producing private jets since 1963 with the introduction of the Dassault Falcon 20. Since then, Dassault’s range of aircraft has grown with their aircrafts’ size and their latest model is the Dassault Falcon 6X, which is capable of flying 5,500 NM. Planned for 2025 is the Dassault Falcon 10X, which is expected to have a range of 7,500 NM.

Brazilian manufacturer Embraer entered the private jet market with the Embraer Legacy 600 in 2002. The aircraft was based on the ERJ135 airliner and can fly 13 passengers in an interior that spans 3 sections. Embraer then extended the range of the Legacy 600 with the introduction of the Legacy 650, which could fly up to 3,900 NM. In 2007 Embraer entered the light jet market with the Embraer Phenom 100, followed by the Embraer Phenom 300.

Gulfstream entered the corporate aircraft market in 1959 with the Grumman Gulfstream I, which was a twin turboprop aircraft designed to carry up to 24 passengers. The Gulfstream II was introduced in 1967 as the company’s first business jet and could fly 3,550 NM. The company has come a long way since then and Gulfstream’s latest model, the Gulfstream G700, is one of the best private jets available on the market today.

One of the newest entrants into the private jet market is Pilatus, who introduced the Pilatus PC24 in 2018. Built on the knowledge acquired from the highly successful Pilatus PC12, the Pilatus PC24 can operate from short, unprepared runways.

Private Jet Aircraft for Sale