What is a "Very" Light Jet?

So it would seem that the answer to the original question is that the difference is that it falls below an arbitrary weight limit.

Personally though I’m all in favour of the recent crop of ‘light’ aircraft falling under ‘lighter’ regulation.

Moggy

This is an area I am not expert in, but when you say Citations are ‘designed for single pilots’ does that mean they are also legally approved for hire and reward operations single crewed?

Moggy

No. basically designed for owner/pilots. Any 135 (charter) operation would need a crew of two.
And they’ve had a good safety record as such.

So are they or will they be certified with given conditions under CS/FAR23?

Yes. A recent Flying Magazine said that was the case. In other words, they’ll be certifed to light aircraft standards instead of transport category. But the field is large…as an example Cessna isn’t calling their Mustang a VLJ. And it costs quite a bit more than other entrants in the crouded market.

It will be interesting to see how many of the announced jets really make it to market.
At least two of the programs (both of which were new firms) have had prototype crashes…will those companies compaies rebound?
Also, how many small jets can the market support? If the market is going to grow, avionics will play a huge role in making operations simpler and safer for the expected crop of new to aviation owner pilots.

It will be interesting to see how some of these jets will do safety wise with the lesser certification standard…and single pilot operation.

Have you seen the new Piper Jet?
It looks like a Malibu fuselage with a twin nose and a jet in the tail…a la DC-10.
Cirrus is also developing a single jet.

I’d love to see a good article on this topic that addresses the safety issues, the certification standards and with pictures of all the announced players.

So, what is a “Very” Light Jet?

Is it the initial discharge from a Very Light Pistol?

So are they or will they be certified with given conditions under CS/FAR23?

This is an area I am not expert in, but when you say Citations are ‘designed for single pilots’ does that mean they are also legally approved for hire and reward operations single crewed?

Moggy

From Wiki

Ah. So MTOW under 4500 kg is the defining feature?

And Cessna Citations designed for solo pilots are not “Very” Light Jets simply because they have MTOW-s around 4700…4800 kg?

From Wiki

A Very Light Jet (VLJ) is a small jet aircraft approved for single-pilot operation. With a maximum take-off weight of under 10,000 lb (4,540 kg), they are lighter than business jets and seat between three and nine passengers plus one crew member.

Moggy