The aerospace industry Essay Example

a VLJ, also referred to as a microjet, is a compact jet designed for a single pilot and carrying 4-8 passengers. With a maximum weight below 4,540 kg (10,000 pounds), VLJs are lighter than traditional business jets and often operate as air taxis. These aircraft can use runways as short as 3,000 feet, compared to the 4,000 or 5,000-foot minimum requirement for the smallest jets presently in operation.

According to the Federal Aviation Agency's report, there are over 5,000 small and underused airports in the United States, which is a significant advantage. There are two primary categories of Very Light Jet (VLJ) buyers, as shown by current and projected aircraft orders. The first category is recreational transportation users, while the second, much larger segment consists of those transporting passengers for conducting business between major metropolitan regions. The micro light jets are set to serve as corporate planes, allowing smaller companies who may have never thought of purchasing a private plane to view a mini-jet as a viable option due to its significantly reduced price tag and operating costs.

With the introduction of a new generation of safe and fast jets, very light jet ownership and travel have become a reality for a significant number of businesses and individuals. These jets offer the latest innovations in green operations, improved fuel efficiency, and quiet operation. As a result, larger companies are now eagerly opting to replace their larger and more expensive hanger hogs with these jets. VLJs are popular among private individuals, air taxi and fleet operators, charter providers, and corporate operations. Their development can be traced back to the mid-1990s when NASA established the General Aviation Propulsion (GAP)

program. This program supported the development of low-cost, energy-efficient turbofan engines to revolutionize the nation's general-aviation industry.

Michigan-based Williams International won the engineering competition with their design for a 100-pound engine that would generate over 750 pounds of thrust. Thanks to a cooperative research and development grant from NASA, Williams caught the attention of high-tech engineer Vern Raburn who was impressed with their powerplant. Raburn founded Eclipse Aviation and set out to build a jet powered by Williams' engine that could accommodate 5-6 people. Eclipse reintroduced the concept of light jet travel, targeting usage by the Fortune 1000 instead of just the ultra-wealthy. Unfortunately, the story did not have a happy ending.

Eclipse engineers decided that the Williams engine lacked sufficient torque. The aftermath of the 9-11 attacks led to a rapid shift in general aviation due to mounting security concerns and disgruntled passengers. Decreasing profits resulted in reduced services, impacting customers, and causing many to seek alternative travel options. Business travelers had already started exploring jet cards and fractional operators before 1999. This interest market has experienced various operational scenarios, with some coming and going while others persist.

The concept of VLJ involves owners piloting small, easy-to-handle microjets for their transportation needs at an affordable cost. The FAA must consider several issues related to VLJ operations, including the involvement of the insurance industry and the use of professional pilots. Presently, eight companies are working on their own VLJ models to tap into this emerging market.

Despite attempts by several individuals, the FAA reports that there are approximately 20 models of Very Light Jets (VLJs) currently in different phases of development, certification, and manufacturing. The following are examples of

VLJs: