Very Light Jets (VLJs)

The Very Light Jet (VLJ) is a newcomer on the aviation scene.  VLJs are small planes generally created for a single pilot and four to eight passengers. They have a maximum takeoff weight of 10,000 lbs and come equipped with cutting edge lightweight avionic systems.  With a cost ranging from $1 million to $4 million per aircraft, the VLJ puts owning or sharing ownership of an aircraft within the reach of individuals other than the rich and famous.

As production increases, VLJs will be utilized for fractional ownerships, air taxis, corporate jets and other recreational purposes. The VLJ is classified as a general aviation aircraft and when not flying into commercial hubs, they will typically fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which assign the pilot responsibility for visibility and airspace. A few examples of this aircraft are the Eclipse Jet and the Honda Jet.

Aviation industry reports indicate that more than 7,500 VLJs will be delivered between 2007 and 2016. This will be largely dependent on the growth of the air taxi market and if airlines replace their aging commercial airplanes with VLJs to support a growing on-demand market.

The United States Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) August 2007 report on VLJs forecasted different factors that could influence the VLJs’ effect on the National Airspace System (NAS) and what issues the flying public may expect once these aircraft are routinely in service. The largest area for concern to the flying public is the impact on capacity at commercial hubs. The current NAS system will struggle with this increase as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control System is faltering under its current capacity, which is seen in recent upswings in runway incursions. Increasing the FAA's workload could ultimately lead to an alarming rise in runway incursions. 

Contact Us

If you or someone you know is interested in seeking legal recourse due to wrongful death or personal injury as a result of a Very Light Jet (VLJ) incident or crash, please contact Motley Rice aviation attorney and former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation Mary Schiavo by email or call +1 800.868.6456.