By Ryan Hart
It's rare these days to see the rich and famous flying commercial airlines, even in first class. Instead, most invest in owning their own private aircraft or they choose the charter option. Such aircraft are diverse, from workhorse turboprops to flying palaces, which, can in some cases be airliners with every bell and whistle imaginable. And with the privilege comes the price tag, which can often run into the tens of millions, with Gulfstream, LearJet, and the Cessna Citation range among the most popular. Ryan Hart looks at some of the private aircraft options available on the market.
INTRODUCTION
Corporate-owned aircraft are typically mere offices in the sky, done up more with comfort than excess in mind, with amenities like solid leather seats, a satellite communications system so executives can stay in touch and maybe somewhere for the CEO to stretch out between meetings.
When price is no object, however, potential extravagances abound. Features such as surround-sound entertainment systems, exotic wood cabinetry and trim, gold-plated bathroom fixtures, hand-woven carpeting and original artwork combine to create rarefied spaces on high.
While sleek and gleaming business jets like Gulfstreams and Learjets remain the most recognisable of private aircraft, the field is vast and diverse. It includes everything from small single-engine piston aircraft, which until recently were primarily the playthings of recreational fliers, to turboprop machines long revered for business transportation, to intercontinental business jets on the scale of commercial airliners. That lush, $24 million custom-built jet, which boasted oak furnishings, leather sofas and room for up to 19 passengers, was much faster than commercial jumbo jets, and it proved a godsend for harried executives.
Size and performance remain the names of the game in the business/private aircraft genre. That's why corporations and celebrities with plenty of dosh to spare are forking over big bucks for the roominess and comfort of executive aircraft, many of which can travel at blistering speeds, far and above the 75%-or-so of commercial airliners.
To follow is a list of corporate aircraft that easily fit the definition of "luxury".
HAWKER 4000
The Hawker 4000 features an industry-first composite fuselage. Lighter and stronger than aluminium, this carbon-fibre technology allows for enhanced speed and range performance.
Featuring the same advanced avionics as the Boeing 777, the fully-integrated Epic system is a true full flight deck. With the Hawker 4000's world-class Honeywell Primus Epic® avionics system, pilots can effortlessly access large amounts of critical information in real-time to increase awareness and make smarter flight decisions.
From short trips to long journeys, the Hawker 4000's generously-sized cabin offers a stylish, comfortable setting for meetings or relaxation. With six feet of headroom, there is stand-up, stretch-out room for 8-10 passengers. The galley is complete with microwave, coffee maker, multiple ice drawers and storage. There is also a private full-sized lavatory. To keep passengers productive and globally connected, the Hawker 4000 comes standard with the Iridium Satellite Telephone System, and the Rockwell Collins Airshow® Cabin Management and information/entertainment System.
HAWKER 900XP
The 900XP's performance is a combination of advanced aerodynamics and pure power. Enhanced composite winglets and new engine technology help increase the aircraft's previous range by up to 300 nautical miles – with better fuel economy.
At the heart of the responsive flight deck is a fully integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21™ avionics suite, while the 900XP's custom-designed chairs ensure maximum comfort for business colleagues and friends alike, especially on long haul trips.
Passengers can stay in touch and work hard inflight with innovative, touch screen-enabled communications. The Rockwell Collins Airshow 21 Cabin Management System (CMS) delivers a host of information for work or play.
The Hawker 900XP has the ability to land on unimproved runways.
HAWKER 750
The Hawker 750 strikes a balance between power and efficiency and is capable of flying six passengers to a range of 2,100 nautical miles.
Capable of flying further between fuel stops, as well as taking off and landing on unimproved runways ensures business isn't limited to meetings or opportunities near large commercial airports.
The roomy cabin, with its on-board satellite communication, provides an excellent work space. Offering touch-screen simplicity, the Rockwell Collins Airshow™ 21 Cabin Management System (CMS) comes standard.
The 750's state-of-the-art flight deck is one of the one of the most logically designed of any business jet. Every switch and display is positioned for instant recognition and intuitive operation. Its easy-to-reach overhead panel houses all critical engine and system management switches. The system comes standard with a fully-integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite.
EMBRAER LEGACY 450 & 500
Designed in partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the interiors of the 450 and 500 offer comfort and style. Superior acoustical insulation, a flat-floor stand-up (six-foot) cabin, excellent pressurisation, and vacuum lavatories are other highlights, complementing superior performance and low operating costs.
The new-generation Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion™ avionics system provides extensive situational awareness with a highly intuitive interface. Honeywell's HTF7500E state-of-the-art engines incorporate the latest technologies for meeting performance requirements with improved efficiency. Embraer says the jets will be the fastest in their categories and the only ones equipped with cutting-edge fly-by-wire electronic flight controls that increase operating safety and passenger comfort, while reducing pilot workload and fuel consumption.
EMBRAER LEGACY 600, 650 AND LINEAGE 1000
These newbies complement the company's Legacy 600, Legacy 650 and Lineage 1000 jets already in production. All three aircraft are blue chip executive jetliners.
The Lineage 1000 is something else. A wide variety of configurations meet all passenger requirements with enough space to work, rest, and hold meetings. Optional items that come with the aircraft include Wi-Fi technology, access to the Internet, and Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). Honeywell's Primus Epic® integrated avionics system has five Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) multi-functional control screens, Cursor Control Device (CCD), auto-throttle, weather radar with turbulence detection, and other state-of-the-art technologies. The Lineage 1000 is equipped with the latest electronic fly-by-wire flight control system.
EMBRAER PHENOM 100
Able to accommodate up to eight occupants, the Phenom 100 has seven different interior options designed in partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA. The aircraft has the latest in cockpit design and competitive features, including a private aft lavatory. And acccording to Embraer, it has the largest baggage capacity in its category. The aircraft is capable of flying nonstop from Brisbane to Melbourne.
PIPER M-CLASS AIRCRAFT
M-Class aircraft offer Piper performance and safety built upon a proven airframe that has been an industry standard for years. Three refined derivatives comprise the full line: the Meridian, the Mirage and the Matrix. Each product fits its own niche and price point, and each aircraft provides a seamless step-up to the next level. Created to maximise the private travel experience, the M-Class line balances performance, efficiency and simplicity.
2012 Improvements
For its 2012 model year, Piper has enhanced both pilot and passenger comfort for the turboprop Meridian. The biggest design changes have enhanced pilot comfort and cockpit access through incorporation of newly-designed seating. Getting into a new Piper M-Class cockpit has never been easier, with flat fold-down aft-facing seats, a fold-down co-pilot seat and a cockpit assist handle to aid access.
Sculpted Cockpit
The cockpit has been sculpted to provide more elbow and hip room and additional seating comfort. The newly designed side panels have larger map pockets capable of handling pilot iPads, which are quickly becoming essential flight tools. When folded flat, the co-pilot seat offers a work surface and cup holders. The cockpit seat backs also are restyled for a modern appearance. The aft-facing seats have been redesigned with larger and reshaped bottom cushions, and the back cushions have been enhanced for firmer lumbar support, all for added long-range comfort.
More Air Circulation
Making the cabin environments even more appealing, Piper has revamped internal air distribution. The Matrix and Mirage cockpits have newly engineered ducting and adjustable directional air flow vents for improved heated air volume distribution. In the unpressurized Matrix, a shutoff has been added to the modulation valve for cockpit control of ambient external air. The piston Matrix and Mirage aircraft also have beefed up cabin vents for more durability.
PIPER MERIDIAN
The flagship of the current Piper production fleet, the Piper Meridian is a single engine turboprop that seats six with club-seating. The standard list price is $2,071,500, equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite.
FALCOMPOSITE FURIO RG
The Falcomposite Furio RG kitplane, designed and built in New Zealand by brothers Giovanni and Lapo Nustrini, is a two seat kitplane of carbon fibre construction. A low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear, the Furio may be powered by a range of four-cylinder horizontally-opposed piston aircraft engines, including the Lycoming IO-360 (18 0HP) and IO-390 (210 HP)
"The Furio is a state-of-the-art. high-performance aircraft that enables a new generation of pilots to experience the satisfaction of building and flying their own aircraft," says Giovanni Nustrini.
"Innovative developments in composite technology have enabled the development of an airframe comprised of fewer than thirty structural components. Assembly is simpler and considerably faster than for currently available kit aircraft, and no specialist knowledge or tools are necessary.
"The Furio has the speed, power and feel of a fighter plane and yet has light and beautifully harmonised controls that make it effortless to fly. The Furio has styling that is classically Italian, supreme comfort for long-duration flights and 360-degree visibility offering outstanding views."
The aircraft kit is in full production with the first 14 kits delivered to clients in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the USA. The first two production kits are now flying around in New Zealand both using the new Lycoming IO-390 engine and a Hartzell-blended aerofoil two-bladed propeller.
More kits are scheduled to be delivere this year, to customers in the USA, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Facomposite is offering a series of different levels of build assist programs. The first is a basic week-long program while the second that lasts a fortnight and allows owners to complete the bonding of the most critical parts of the aircraft.
"These programs are available here in New Zealand or at our base in the USA, Fort Collins Colorado," Nustrini says.
"After the two weeks owners will then have to complete the systems, easy trimming of the airframe composite parts, then engine installation, instruments, etc.
"We also have more extensive programs tailor-made for each individual. Over half of our clients build the Furio entirely on their own, without any Build Assist as the Furio is a very straight forward aeroplane to assemble."
THE EXTRA 500
Melbourne-based Avia Aircraft has been named as Australasian dealer for the $1.75 million Extra EA 500 Spirit Turboprop. "Extra Aircraft of Germany have been leaders in the design and manufacture of aerobatic aircraft for the past 30 years," said Moishe Gordon, CEO of Extra Aviation Australasia. "The introduction of the EA-500 Spirit Turboprop from Extra Aircraft continues that strong legacy and will herald in Australia a new era of efficiency in the pressurised single engine turboprop market.
The aircraft comprises composite materials, the 450 shaft horsepower Rolls-Royce 250 series engine, and the latest Avidyne Entegra R9 avionics suite.
"We see enormous possibilities for this aircraft in the Australian environment," said Charles Gunter, CEO of Avia Aircraft. "Requiring just 625 metres of unimproved ground for both takeoff and landing, combined with a range of 1,600 nautical miles (including reserves), the Extra 500 is capable of several point to point missions. In real world conditions the Extra 500 has the advantage of the Rolls-Royce M250 power plant enabling the aircraft to operate efficiently below significant headwinds with minimal fuel penalty."
The Extra 500 will also operate at 25,000 feet with fuel flows as low as 105 lbs/hr (59 litres/hr). "The fuel economy per mile betters most high performance piston singles," added Gunter. "The comfortable, pressurised, six place cabin is more than 20 per cent larger in volume than its nearest competitor, and it will fly 500 nautical miles further with the same payload. All of this at a lower price point. Extra is what this remarkable aircraft delivers!"
The Extra EA-500 Spirit Turboprop will make its Australian debut in March 2012.
EUROCOPTER EC145
When people think of luxury aircraft, more often than not they think of corporate jets. But Eurocopter's EC145 Mercedes Benz-style helicopter proves that luxury isn't restricted to fixed wing aeroplanes. Combining two companies with reputations for class, style and elegance, it's little wonder the chopper is tailored for high-end corporate, executive and private operations.
Conceived in a styling project led by the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy, the interior of the EC145 Mercedes-Benz Style is inspired by the German car manufacturer's prestigious vehicles. It features deluxe materials, elegant woods and ambient cabin lighting, along with multi-function boxes.
Head of Design at Mercedes Benz, Professor h.c. Dr Gorden Wagener, said the interior design of the EC145 'Mercedes-Benz Style' helicopter represents the classic passion of the Mercedes-Benz design language and fulfils the very highest expectations in terms of elegance, luxury and comfort."
With its versatile interior, the EC145 Mercedes-Benz Style is tailored to a broad range of travels: executive transportation, family voyages, as well as leisure and sport trips. All seats are mounted on rails and can be easily reconfigured for different seating arrangements from four to eight passengers – or removed to make room for luggage. Multi-purpose storage is made possible by numerous attachment points on the floor and walls.
Eurocopter offers the widest helicopter range in executive and private aviation, comprising 12 different model types in the light single-engine, light/medium twin-engine and heavy twin-engine categories, which accommodate from four to 19 passengers in executive and private configurations. More than 500 helicopters have been sold in these market segments during the past four years to customers ranging from private owners and charter companies to small/medium enterprises and multi-national corporations.
Eurocopter EC135 Hermes
For the ultimate in designer luxury aviation, Eurcopter has teamed up with French fashion brand Hermes, to kit out a proven light twin helicopter. From the outside, the helo looks like a new species of bird: svelte, imaginary, futuristic.
Brown throat, light-coloured body with a strange, randomly draped orange ribbon, and a long easily identified tail ending in a loop.
The interior is as impeccable as the lining of an Hermès jacket, perfect even down to the invisible stitching.
The EC135 Hermès version offers a unique travelling experiences, tailor-made for high-end corporate, executive and private operations. Fitted throughout with the highest quality materials and finishing, the EC135 sits comfortably amidst Eurocopter's unique 'Stylence' family of helicopters.
