Ok, looks like I'm going to have a justifiable need for a jet in about a year. Anyway, David Klain said it's ok to have a jet, so it must be true.

Let's say I have the dough to plunk down on either a PC24 or a SJ30; those are the only birds that have my attention; everything I want (single pilot, >2000NM, good short field) seems only to be in these.

Can you even buy an SJ30? Nobody returns calls.

Is the PC24 even out? I want one before Crandall so I can make snarky comments to him like, "I see your bird still has a propeller on it; adorable!". When will they be delivering these things?

Honestly, I like the SJ30 better- about 500NM better, but it seems like the SJ30 is vapor ware but for a few flying examples. How is that plane not selling like hot cakes? I must have weird taste.

SJ-30 has obsolete avionics. Plus how do you get spare parts ?

You can buy a CJ4 today. Single pilot, 2,002nm range with 7 on board.

Phenom 300 too, 1,971nm range.

PC-24 is years away from certification.

Want 2,000mm range cheap with modern avionics ? Beechjet with G5000 and new engines might be my choice... it's a Mits thing. Second pilot ? Doesn't need to be rated, almost free, handy for talking care of "

But Nextant doesn't offer the G5000 (BIG mistake). Proline 21, not a fan.

-Pascal

just a thought the CJ 3 will go 2000 NM if you plan well , having owned a few diffrent jets
there are some options, what will your budget be are you convinced you want single pilot
i currently fly a 560 encore and routinely go to alaska from so ca depending on your mission you might look at a clifford conversion or a sierra sll with williams fans they will both go about 2300 NM with a reserve the williams are good engines but my preferance is the pratts 5500 hr's vs 4000 almost any one can work on the prats

John

I don't know if a Beechjet will go 2000nm, but it is a great jet for the price. If you don't mind another pilot and you want an easy to fly rocket ship, look at a Falcon 10. The CJ series makes the most sense for an owner pilot.

Syberjet seems like it has to be struggling for existence at this point, right? Website news hasn't been updated in almost a year, nobody's returning calls... Makes me think they're trimming people and cutting costs to survive when they should be doubling down to expand and launch the product.

The SJ30 is to the Merlin what the MU2 is to the Mits. I don't understand how this jet isn't selking like crazy. Maybe the 7-8 million range just doesn't have many owner pilots?

Either way, bummer.

The Williams Citation SII looks ok, but it's a Cessna. I really don't want anything to do with Cessna. Still, it's a 5mil delta...

There is a BT'r with last name Fairchild who is involved with the SJ30 project. He posted here a while ago.

SJ30: They've changed owner so many times the plane never got a shot at the title. It was also perhaps a victim of being a little bit too early. The VLJ craze didn't set in until much later. Hopefully the new owners can bring the stability that's needed and get the new updated version to the market. I know both Deja Vu and Morgan Freeman have orders on the SJ30i.

The SJ30 certainly has the credentials: great looking, fast as hell and best range of anyone. I've always rooted for it to do well and I think it will eventually find its stride.

I myself can not understand why there isn't a single pilot jet that can cross the continental US direct. Isn't this bizarre? If you want to go from NY to LA in the winter direct, you're s*it out of luck. Doesn't matter how much money you have - there is nothing to be had. It's not like we're talking 18hr legs here - it's a simple 6hr flight that any pilot could stand. Why are there no airplanes that can do this mission?

1) the number of people who can afford such a new jet and are capable of functioning PIC is small, even by jet standards. (yes, Im a big fan of used planes but those only get created by people who buy new)

2) At a given level of airplane expense. (Like $3,000 fillups) the cost of a copilot, even fully loaded with expenses, becomes a rounding error. Even if you don't want help, think of him as a personal valet/pre-flighter/dispatcher

3) At a given hull value/liability limit a second pilot may save more in insurance premium than he costs. Or he may make a given liability limit attainable. If you can buy a $20mm jet, $5mm smooth may not cut it.

Why? I think a V or Ultra would be one heck of a Jet for a single pilot.

Pilots buying a multi-million $ turbojet don't like to be told they need to piss in a bottle to go cross country.

1) the number of people who can afford such a new jet and are capable of functioning PIC is small, even by jet standards. (yes, Im a big fan of used planes but those only get created by people who buy new)

2) At a given level of airplane expense. (Like $3,000 fillups) the cost of a copilot, even fully loaded with expenses, becomes a rounding error. Even if you don't want help, think of him as a personal valet/pre-flighter/dispatcher

3) At a given hull value/liability limit a second pilot may save more in insurance premium than he costs. Or he may make a given liability limit attainable. If you can buy a $20mm jet, $5mm smooth may not cut it.

Yeah, that's why Craig is interested in single pilot jets. The SJ30 is too small inside to compete with other jets. Yes it might be faster, longer range, and more efficient.

Are they even available to purchase? A CJ anything seems like a very safe bet, considering their popularity.

I'm not saying it's an absurd idea. Clearly it appeals to some people. The question is whether it appeals to enough people that somebody makes the biggest, baddest SP jet ever.

And yes, it is about money. At some point, money will buy a seamless co-pilot experience. $100K/yr you hire a retired airline pilot who cannot work for anyone else and is responsible for having the plane fueled and ready to go on 60 minutes notice, 24/7/365 or having an alternate on hot backup. They also handle all the stuff associated with the plane. Might not make sense to Jason Crandall ... but it just has to make sense to enough guys writing $15-20mm checks that no mfr pursues it.

Bro, these things aren't even issues. Hire a good co-pilot who is capable of being a good captain, and just make him do all the crap you don't want to do. I always thought this would be an issue for me, but it has not been. In fact, it's been so awesome that I am kicking myself for not hiring this guy for this sooner. No longer do I have to waste time calling FBOs to fight about fees, check 6 different fuel program estimates for the 3 airports near where I have to go to find the best deal on fuel. I don't have to pull my plane in and out of our hangars, I don't touch my own bags, pre/post flight the plane, fuel it, file flight plans, get weather briefings, deal with customs, etc. I just pull up like a rockstar, hop in the left seat, do all the fun stuff and leave the crap to a hired hand. You are worried about not being able to change plans because of a previous engagement? Do you worry about your other employees like that? You are the boss and a pro understands how plans change. They are used to it, deal with it, and embrace it.

Hire the right guy and it will work out brilliantly.