How to Buy a Small Jet Aircraft

The FAA, or Federal Aviation Administration, classified a new segment of planes called VLJ (very light jets) in 2006. These small jets seat from two to nine passengers and have a short range in comparison of a midsize jet. Some VLJ manufacturers include Adam Aircraft, Cessna Aircraft, Embrear, Maverick Jets and Piper Aircraft. Theses small jet aircraft have a 1,000- to 2,000-mile range and may cost about $1 million to $3 milllion dollars new.

Instructions

1. Determine how many people you will be transporting on average on each trip. This information will help you determine the seating capacity you need for your small jet.

2. Evaluate how many miles you want to fly with one shot without refueling. Some have a shorter range of under 1,000 miles, while other small jets have a range over 2,000 miles.

3. Decide if you want to buy a new or used small jet. You can buy a well-maintained used VLJ for half the price of a new jet. A new jet is going to cost a lot, but if you don't want to have any worries about past maintenance issues, you may want to buy a new VLJ.

4. Contact an aircraft broker (see Resources below). A jet broker can be found by conducting a search on the Internet or by looking up the nearest FBO (fixed base operator). Someone at the FBO can refer you to the appropriate broker for your needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the Internet to find sellers all over the country. You will have more negotiating power if you look to other states than where you reside.

• If purchasing a small jet aircraft, ask to see the complete maintenance records. If they are incomplete, you may want to skip purchasing that aircraft.

Resources

• This website has a great comparison chart for various VLJs.
• A jet broker source to purchase new and used small jet aircrafts