| In concept, VLJ's sem like the simple answer to the | | | | covered by a curtain or is called an "emergency toilet". |
| normally expensive nature of private charter jet | | | | I know for sure that I don't want to use or watch |
| service. They are cheap to buy (many being sold for | | | | someone use an emergency bathroom while on a 3 |
| under $2 million), cheap to operate and have a fairly | | | | hour flight. Small cabins and lack of galley are other |
| decent range (over 1000 nm). So why haven't they | | | | missing amenities that some business travelers cannot |
| worked? Why isn't air taxi service the new trend in | | | | overlook. |
| mid-range air travel? | | | | Another major concern is safety. The biggest safety |
| The basic answer is it's still not cost effective and the | | | | difference is that VLJ's are only built to hold 1 pilot. If |
| normally standard amenities of a "business jet" are | | | | the pilot has any problems in the air, the whole aircraft |
| absent in a VLJ. The quick shutdown of DayJet LLC in | | | | has problems. How many business travelers are willing |
| Florida is a great example of the inability of the "air | | | | to take that risk. |
| taxi" concept to make money. DayJet claimed they | | | | VLJ's are not the answer. The business jet market will |
| needed an additional profit of 40 million to stay in | | | | probably stay out of reach for the everyday business |
| business. The soaring price of jet fuel (sometimes as | | | | traveler. With the number of newly rich coming on daily, |
| high as $9/gallon) is also a major stumbling block to | | | | the business jet market will see plenty of opportunity in |
| many pilots and Air taxi companies. | | | | it's current market. Market expansion for the private jet |
| With regard to amenities, the VLJ's are lacking. VLJ's | | | | market does not currently seem like a feasible |
| usually have no bathroom. If they do it's usually | | | | opportunity. |