Originally Posted by
NoWake200
I am wondering if these VLJs re going to be the next Bonanza/Baron doctor killers. Having a professional pilot(s) in the front seats is one thing, but how many are going to think they can handle them in RVSM airspace?
They scare me.
Rick
No, they are not going to be, no more than the turboprops and small jets that are out there currently. The insurance company will kill the dreams of many wana-be jet pilots, just like they have been doing for years.
People (non-pilots mostly) who hear "1.5 million dollar jet" have a mental picture of getting a Encore, 31a, or a Beechjet kind of plane, and are disapointed when they see that a VLJ is the size of a Baron. "Air Taxi" is not new, it is what Air Charter was called until the mid 80s. The "pay only for the occupied leg" is not a breakthrough. It means people will pay double for the time they are in the airplane. "Fly into small airports not packed with airline traffic." Where? Teterboro, Van Nuys, Ft. Lauderdale Exec? Oh yeah, no traffic at those places.
It may oppen up the rural country to more jet activity however.
VLJs will fill a unique place, and open up some opportunity, but the sky will not be blackened with them.