We live in a world where it’s assumed that “Bigger is Better.” But what if we told you that when it comes to private jets, sometimes big things come in small packages as these sleek silver birds prove?
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Industries have seen trends towards smaller, sleeker styles before. Anyone old enough to remember how cellphones were before the iPhone and especially even further back before flip phones knows what big, bulky, and utterly inconvenient monstrosities they could be. The same holds true for older portable gaming systems.
In both of these cases, the key to customer satisfaction didn’t come from beefing up the size of the unit itself but rather by adding features while slimming down the design. Why shouldn’t that be true of some private jets?
Not every private jet owner wants something as massive as a Boeing 747 or Airbus. A smaller, sleeker private jet can be a great way of creating a more intimate, luxuriant, and ultimately relaxing flying experience.
Of course, just because you are willing to sacrifice in the way of size doesn’t mean that you want to give up other amenities. Flight range and speed remain important. If you’re going to spring for a multi-million dollar private jet, you definitely want to get to your destination on time.
Size-wise, these private jets may be some of the smallest options on the market but they’re set to make a big splash where it counts with consumers.
1. Cirrus Vision Jet
With the distinction of being the only single-engine jet to be certified by the FAA, the Cirrus Vision Jet was the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy, which is awarded for great American aeronautic achievements.
This jet is certainly on the smaller and more compact side, measuring just 31 feet long and standing just less than 11 feet tall, which is smaller and shorter than most business jets in operation today. Even so, it boasts a wingspan of 38 feet 8 inches.
For as small as it may be, however, the Cirrus Vision Jet still has it where it counts, namely speed and distance. The jet can travel at a maximum cruising speed of around 445 miles per hour with a range of about 1440 miles.
All of these factors have helped set it apart from other small jets as a potentially more accessible and affordable option.
2. Honda HA-420 HondaJet
Chances are that when you think of Honda, aircraft isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. That said, the Japanese motor giant created an aircraft production subsidiary in 2006 with one of its flagship products being the Honda HA-420 HondaJet.
Almost immediately, the Hondajet caused a stir among industry insiders, making the “Best of” lists for Robb Report, Aviation Week & Space Technology, and Popular Science as well as earning the AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence.
The HondaJet measures just over 42 feet long, has enough room for two crew members and six passengers, and is capable of a cruising speed of 483 miles per hour.
3. Learjet 45XR
Among those in the industry as well as private jet enthusiasts, Learjet has been a big name for decades now. The Learjet 45 has been around since the mid-90s with the XR variant being introduced in 2004.
One of the upgrades for the XR version was the Honeywell TFE731-20BR turbo engine, which enables it to take on a heavier load than its unmodified form and can likewise achieve a greater cruising speed, topping out around 535 miles per hour.
This type of jet is capable of making Los Angeles to London flights relatively quickly. London Air Services has placed an order for Learjet XRs, which cost around $65 million.
4. Stratos 714
While Learjet has been around for decades, this private jet is one of the newest on this list, first debuting in 2016. It is also one of the smallest private jets to crack our list, measuring just short of 26 feet long, though future models may be slightly larger.
Stratos Aircraft has also announced plans to make the aircraft’s interior roomier by adding 31 inches to the fuselage area. It may also see its name change before it enters wide circulation. Stratos Aircraft currently lacks the funding to have it fully certified.
Even so, the Stratos 714 appears to be promising, especially for such a small private jet. The Stratos 714 boasts a maximum cruising speed of 460 miles per hour, which is lower than some of these planes yet still impressive given its small size.
5. Beechcraft Premier IA
This aircraft straddles the line between larger business jets and smaller private personal jets with Hawker Beechcraft touting this line, which first debuted in 2001, as “the world’s largest, fastest, most advanced single-pilot business jet.”
Whether or not it has retained that title more than twenty years later, the Beechcraft Premier IA is an improved version of the original model. It features top-flight avionics equipment as well as a roomier cabin design and achieved FAA certification in 2005.
The Beechcraft Premier IA can carry seven passengers and has a top speed of around 526 miles per hour. When carrying five passengers, it has a maximum range of 1645 miles.
6. Cessna Citation CJ4
Another long-standing name in the private jet industry, Cessna has produced many larger personal and business jets. The Citation CJ4, on the other hand, is meant for personal use. It is the seventh jet in the Citation series and debuted in 2006.
This private jet requires only one pilot to fly and can carry up to nine passengers. It also boasts a maximum cruising speed of 519 miles per hour and a maximum range of 2259 miles.
As with other Cessna Citation jets, the CJ4 features a swept wing design. It was temporarily grounded by the FAA in 2011 due to battery issues but these have long since been resolved and the CJ4 once more cleared for flight.
7. One Aviation Eclipse 500
While Eclipse Aviation faced liquidation in 2008, many of its assets live on, including the Eclipse 500. Since it was first introduced in 2006, hundreds of units have been produced, including an upgraded 550.
The Eclipse 500 measures just over 33 feet long. Add to that the fact that this jet is flown by a single pilot and can carry five passengers and the Eclipse 500 emerges as one of the most intimate private jets on this list. It can feel as if it is a flying sports car, down to the fact that it doesn’t have an onboard lavatory.
Despite that small size, the Eclipse 500 is capable of reaching a maximum cruising speed of 425 miles per hour. Its small size is seen reflected a bit more in its limited operational range, “only” being able to cover 1295 miles.
8. One Aviation Eclipse 700 “Canada”
The EA700 was a follow-up to the Eclipse 550, the modified version of the Eclipse 500 listed above. It retains a similar type of fuselage, measuring 4 feet 2 inches at its tallest point and 4 feet 8 inches at its widest point.
This model sees a slight upgrade over its predecessor in terms of speed and range as well. The Eclipse 700 is able to reach a maximum cruising speed of 441 miles per hour and boasts a range of 1611 miles.
In addition, this model is able to take off from runways that are 2400 feet long and land on ones that are 2880 feet long. The EA700 also boasts a sleek, chic aerodynamic design.
9. Embraer Phenom 100EV
Brazil isn’t necessarily known as a private jet powerhouse but Embraer is the third largest producer of civil aircraft in the world after Boeing and Airbus.
Their Phenom 100EV measures just a bit more than 42 feet long with a wingspan just over 400 feet. It holds fewer people as well with a pilot and six passengers.
While that may be larger than some of the truly tiny planes on this list, it’s still small compared to most private jets. What’s more, while a $4.495 million price tag isn’t “small” by any means, it is less expensive than most other private jets on the market.
The aircraft has a maximum range of 1178 miles. While that may not seem to be much compared to some other ranges on this list, that is still good enough to cover the distance from New York to Miami.
10. Embraer Phenom 300
By contrast, this offering from Embraer is a much larger private jet, measuring just over 52 feet. The company’s Phenom 100EV was first introduced in 2009; since then, more than a hundred have been built.
It also comes up big in its onboard features. It can carry up to nine people, does indeed have an onboard lavatory, and is purported to have more luggage storage space and the largest windows of any jet in its class.
In terms of speed, it has a top speed of 518 miles per hour. It also has a maximum range of 2268 miles, which is good enough to rival some larger luxury jets.
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