Medium-size business jets fill a travel requirement unmet by any other mode of transport. They will endure, despite ups and downs in the economy.

A medium—or mid-size—business jet, as the term is generally used, is one which offers much of the utility of the large jets, but in a less costly and more easily managed package. The definition of a mid-size jet has become somewhat blurred, as the aircraft industry continued to develop an ever more extensive span of choices. There are now super-mid-size designs that are somewhat larger than traditional mid-size jets, and small jets that can perform more nearly like a mid-size aircraft. In truth, it is capability, as much as sheer physical size that places an aircraft in the medium jet category.

Range will always be one of the chief attributes desired, generally allowing the airplane to be used for intercontinental travel, with proper planning. More efficient fanjet engines and computer-designed wing profiles developed over the last three decades have produced vast improvements in capability, translating into a speed increase with no more fuel burn than in earlier jets, or a long-range cruise speed that sips fuel. With this enhanced ability to make lengthy flights, the comfort of a larger cabin is much more important than it would be during an hour-long trip in a light jet. Considering that the passenger compartment will be occupied for hours on end, a small cabin’s entry crouch cannot be tolerated. There will be a need to stretch one’s legs in the aisle periodically, and working in a foetal position while doing paperwork will not serve. As business aviation pioneer William P. Lear once put it, rather succinctly: A real business airplane needs a stand up bar and a sit down toilet. A tasteful, fully functioning lavatory is mandatory in a mid-size jet cabin, as is an aisle that is both tall and wide.

The seating capacity of a medium business jet is generally eight to 12, although perhaps only half the seats will be usable when range is a priority. For move-around comfort, cabin volume ranges between 500 cubic ft and 1,000 cubic ft.

Performance delivered over long distances is important to the buyers of medium size jets, with speed approaching 500 knots normally desired; the cruise Mach number will typically be around Mach .80. Maximum range of the mid-size jets varies considerably from aircraft to aircraft, due to tank configuration, but flights of 2,500 to 3,000 nautical miles are typically possible. When comparing range profiles, it is important to adhere to the formula developed by the US National Business Aircraft Association, which factors in standard crew, baggage and passenger weights, and fuel for approach, diversion and reserve.

Airport requirements are of vital interest as well. After all, if the aircraft cannot reach the destinations required by the user, it is of limited value. Most medium jets require 4,000 ft of runway for a balanced-field takeoff, although some heavier models need up to 6,000 ft in high or hot situations, and landing length requirements vary from 2,500 to 3,500 ft.

What will all this sybaritic travel require by way of investment? The medium jet offerings fall within a range of $13 million (Rs 67 crore) to $25 million (Rs 128 crore), as priced at present. However, the economic downturn of the past year has made life particularly difficult for the manufacturers of these airplanes, creating a buyers market. Oddly enough, orders for the large-cabin business aircraft are holding up well, as super-rich buyers are interested less in operating economics as in maintaining image and lifestyle. On the other hand, the true corporate user, who must justify the flight department’s contribution to the health of a company, is finding money for new jet purchases hard to come by.

Staying the Course
An economic recession, however troubling, is of limited length, while travel requirements will be on-going, if corporations are to meet business commitments. Given that fact, business aircraft will not go away, and in fact, will be more vital than ever to a company’s existence, unless it’s fortunate enough to conduct business only in locations served by convenient airline schedules. Some firms will use a condominium-type timeshare, or fractional, mid-size jet service, and others may drop back to on-demand chartering rather than owning. However, when urgent travel is required, having the company jet waiting is beyond price.

Honeywell Aerospace of Phoenix, Arizona, US issues yearly market forecasts of the business jet industry, in which it has a consuming interest because Honeywell subsidiaries are major producers of fanjet business aircraft engines, avionics and flight control systems. Despite the global monetary crisis, in its release of the forecast at the 2008 NBAA conference, Honeywell stuck to its optimistic survey results, which had been gleaned from sources in a broad spectrum of the industry. In the next 10 years, Honeywell sees a market for $300 billion (Rs 15,45,295 crore) in new business jets, about 17,000 units, although delivery figures will be unevenly spaced over the decade. It remains to be seen if the 2009 Honeywell forecast remains auspicious.

The Current Crop
It may be that the midsize business jet sector will gain falloutstrength from the booming sales of large-cabin jets, as some more realistic buyers shift purchase plans to smaller, yet just as capable, aircraft. We will examine the various company products in the following paragraphs.