We've seen some big failures in light jet charters - like Day Jet - and several Mustang operators that just didn't work out - yet at the same time we have Wheels Up and JetSuite - along with all the fractional operators.

So I'm curious - if you had access to a dozen or so HondaJets - and you could have your main base in a major North American city - within 500 miles of 250 million people - would you be looking at Membership, Fractional, straight charter - or ???

Open to any ideas or thoughts .... thanks.

 

First you might wonder if the Honda Jet itself will be a success.

 

I think the fractional model is flawed.

 

Use a regional model and limit the geographic area to cut down on repositioning costs. West-Coast only would help you avoid both lower-cost Plane Sense PC12s and JetSuite CJ3s on the East Coast.

 

First of all, this is a tough racket, period. You must have more than a good business plan; you must have a genuine formula for success, and even then... You need contacts, contracts, connections, money, lots of money, Etc. Ad nauseum. Also luck, don't forget luck... Much of the projected US ultra light jet market has waned due to circumstances effectively beyond its control [economy, globalization, politics, blah blah...] That market was small business owners, a majority of which were expected to be the traditional self made variety, with the types of businesses doing 10 Mil a year or so. Much of that base has been decimated. Therefore I would think the ultra light jet provider segment would be somewhat saturated at this point, to begin with. Basically the operators who will be successful with these size jets in the US will primarily be the folks who already are. The manufacturers need a global market to be successful. Not trying to dissuade you, just make sure you know the score before getting in too deep.

 

I don't see the market for a VLJ or personal jet fractional. A TBM or Meridian heck, even a Cessna Corvalis or Mooney Acclaim will get a few people anywhere in their region within minutes of a VLJ for much less with the added bonus of the fractional owner, more likely a pilot, looking really cool to his friends or colleagues. Those with jet money are going to want a citation.

 

You need to cover a niche, Avantair had one and blundered it, Plansense has one. What can the Honda Jet do that no other jets like it can't do? May want to go talk to Pilatus (24), but I'm sure Plansense is on it. Maybe a civilian VTOL will get more attention, JRA or JRB to anywhere in the NE for cheaper than a straight helo will get more attention than a small Honda Jet operator. Or try something with three holes and get special mountain authoization that get you in and out of places like SUN, TEX, ASE, EGE, TRK, JAC, etc when other can't, but I think RNP .3 may fade hopes of that working out.

 

Surfair is trying to cover the west coast.

 

The only thing a HA-420 has over competition is a slightly higher top speed which is of minor value in short-distance operations. The numbers do not work out very well for air taxi use. You'll be left with curb appeal which is not much to go on. From what I hear, when these airplanes sell, and they are still not certified, it is to deep-pocket types who want something unique and really do not care about much else.

 

It would be good to see some actual hard numbers and limitations published on the Honda jet, as of yet I see sales brochures...