Private Jets in the 21st Century
76Technology leaps forward
There have been incredible advances in the technology used in private jets, or business jets as they are commonly called now. The newer generations of these beautiful aircraft are far quieter and more fuel efficient than their predecessors. They provide improved ventilation and air quality for passengers. And the passenger cabin technologies now include email, fax, high-speed access to the Internet, cell phone and BlackBerry use, Blu-Ray DVD, high-definition video monitors, and iPod docking stations for productivity and entertainment.
The most startling advances have been made in the cockpit. The 21st Century business jet features EFIS (electronic flight instrument systems) otherwise termed a "glass cockpit" for digital navigation, communication, and management of flight control systems and engines; GPWS (ground proximity warning system) that alerts the crew if the aircraft is in danger of hitting the ground; and TCAS (traffic collision avoidance system) that detects other aircraft that may be nearby.
There are many models of business jets to choose from but I will present a few examples in this article for your perusal that stand out in my mind as exceptional machines. My hope is that you will enjoy this tour de force as much as I enjoyed preparing this presentation.
Learjet 45
The Learjet 45 costs over $10M and seats up to nine passengers. It has a range of 2400 miles and cruises at 525 miles per hour.
Citation X
The Citation X is the fastest of all business jets topping out at 703 miles per hour. This luxury aircraft is priced at over $20M. It can fly approximately 3700 miles without refueling and configured with between eight and twelve seats in the cabin.
Falcon 7X
The Falcon 7X has three engines. Generally, it will have twelve passenger seating. This aircraft has a cruise speed of 559 miles per hour with a range of nearly 6000 miles.
BBJ
The Boeing Business Jet is the largest of the aircraft I am presenting for your viewing pleasure. The interior may be customized to carry as many as 63 passengers—or as few as eight (obviously with plenty of room to spread out and including a kitchen and a bedroom). The BBJ can travel 7000 miles without a fuel stop at around 528 miles per hour. They run about $50M.
Gulfstream 650
The new Gulfstream 650 is a magnificent flying machine. They usually hold eighteen passengers. This aircraft cruises at 562 miles per hour with a range of 7000 miles. The price tag? Sixty-five million dollars.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Mr. Schumann— Thank you very much. Coming from you— a man who owns a private jet; is a certified jet aircraft pilot; and runs marathons—this is high praise indeed!
Another of many fascinating articles, Mr. Watkins - even more so now knowing that the 650 should be the new ne plus ultra. Everyone I know aspiring to wealth is still stuck on the old G-V as the standard ... now I have an excuse to call them and let them know we have a new benchmark.
Ahh ... keeping up with the Joneses never seems to get easier. And, of course it runs on solar power and rainbow-colored thoughts per the new administrations dictates, does it not?
Very interesting
Hi James; I wish I had a job again flying one of these birds!! Estan Fuller
Great job James and great photos too.
Arch Dynamics— Oh, but it is all ostentatiousness! Thank you my friend for enlivening the conversation. And yea, these birds are way green.
Kushal Poddar— Thank you, my poetic friend.
Captain Fuller— What a pleasure to hear from you. I think the left seat of that 650 has your name on it.
Mr. C. Thorman— Thank you. It means a lot coming from you because I have seen a website you built and it is magnificent.
Your fascination for these jets is understandable. If i had the means i would own one. I had the pleasure of being flown in one of these, after a Polo game, when when i had to rush back for an impt meet. It was great! Btw, we used to fuel these 'toys' back in the 90's, when we were servicing gen av. My husband(d) used to fly small planes.
IslandVoice— Nice to hear from you! Thanks for reading and leaving your note. My dad and one of my brothers are business jet captains. So, you used to have an FBO?
One guy said he never flew because it was in the Bible. A pilot asked him what he meant. The guy replied, "Jesus said, Low I am with you always." :) Great photos and article.
lefseriver— HA! That's funny. Thanks for the kudos and the note!
Love your hu b. I just wish I had the means to fly.
Keep on Hubbing!
eovery— I'm glad you enjoyed it. That makes it worthwhile. I'll keep Hubbing as long as I can.
Glad to know about your dad and brother. Pilots are altogether a unique breed. Fyi, our FBO was in Manila.
I plan to buy a jet when I grow up! :D
Great hub!
IslandVoice— Some who has been in the business! I had an FBO for 14 years. We did everything: Used jet sales, charter, maintenance, refurbishment, pilot training. We bought a jet from Manila once. Our Director of Maintenance spent a week there looking it over. Nice to hear from you!
nazishnasim— Thank you for viewing and the compliment.
I like the style of Falcon 7X!!!
jajeisan5892— You have exquisite taste! The 7X is the coolest thing going right now. And all for a mere fifty million dollars, too! :D
You either bought from a man named Enrique Zobel, the Cojuangco's, or fr their trusted men. We supplied jet fuel, serviced oil drilling with helicopters, did ASTM training... and gawked at all the 'birds'. I like the Lear, but that's the only jetplane i flew.
IslandVoice— I will have to ask my Director of Maintenance who we dealt with and I will let you know.
Sweet!! Love that falcon 7x. Must be nice to travel that way. Interesting read.
You have a good eye! That 7X is state of the art, for sure. That is the first jet aircraft ever produced solely on a computer—without a mockup or prototype to use in a wind tunnel or whatever. Thanks for tuning in and leaving word.
Very nice jets! Even in my small country (Portugal), private jets are already a huge business, you know? Lots of (rich/important/extravagant) people prefer to travel in this jets company !
caoshub— Yes they are. I am glad to hear aviation is a big business in Portugal. I would love to visit your country some day. Thank you for leaving your comment.
Hi James, Great article and the pictures are incredible! I just read about your problems with hp and am so glad you got it all straightened out, I haven't read all your posts yet, but am quite sure I will. Thanx for all the great information and I hope you stick around for years to come.
outdoorguy38— Good afternoon. Thank you for the compliments! I am really pleased to be back with the Hub Pages Community. I look forward to reading your work soon.
The picture above shows a PC-12MG cockpit and not a G650 cockpit!!!
Gerry— Really. I think I got it off of the Gulfstream manufacturers web site. I appreciate you pointing this out. Let me take another look . . .
James ... this picture is from the BMW desgin work in the USA and it shows the Pilatus PC-12 NG Cockpit. Please check the pilatus web-page! www.pilatus-aircraft.com.
Hi James. Yep ... the picture you are showing under the name Gulfstream G650 cockpit does show the cockpit of the Pilatus PC-12NG aircraft. Please check www.pilatus-aircraft.com. The avionics of the PC-12NG is made by Honeywell. The picture shows the so called Pimus Apex Avionics Suit. The cockpit design was done by BMW design Works in the USA.
Gerry— Thank you noticing that error. I believe it is corrected now. I appreciate your sharp eye. I don't know how it happened.
Thanks for a great voyage James A, my spirit had a great fun touring around (",). BLESSINGS!
ladyeagle_cdc— I am glad you enjoyed it. You are welcome and I thank you for your comments. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community!
Douglas D. Schumann says:
6 months ago
Great photos, James and interesting facts.