Originally Posted by Ottopilot
I just read that article yesterday over the North Atlantic. The management is top notch and Bill Gates money being involved should help too. They said they will use two pilots and nothing about changing that. They should have a good chance of doing well. I think the aircraft may be the weak link. I'm not impressed with the performance. Mach .60 and 1200nm. I hope they can get enough business. People with money want speed and comfort. This plane has neither. Time will tell is they can do it. The FAA says there should be 5000+ VLJ's by 2017. We'll see.
I think the people with alot of money will not really be using these aircraft. This will most likely bring in a new breed of traveler into the aircraft charter market. I sat in one and it is very tight in the back. With 2 pilots you can only put 2 pax in the back and fill it up with fuel. It is the size of a Beech Baron in the back. The 1200 mile range is definitely stretching it. The problem is where will they fly? Do you want to slow to .60M to follow one of these at FL380?
I think it will do well with shorter legs like DCA to BOS or HPN to ACK.