Summary
- Single-engine jet aircraft face challenges due to commercial safety concerns and high operating costs.
- The Cirrus Vision Jet, despite limitations, suits private pilots and wealthy owners in general aviation.
- Competition arises from single-engine turboprops like the successful Pilatus PC-12, with future prospects like the Beechcraft Denali.
Single-engine jet aircraft are few and far between. They have not been widely adopted by aircraft manufacturers, and there are several reasons why manufacturers don’t want to produce them. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why.
Commercial safety risk?
Firstly, commercial airlines will never adapt to single-engine jet aircraft as it represents a considerable safety risk. Having just one engine is not as reliable or safe as having multi-engined aircraft – if something goes wrong with one engine, the aircraft can still fly.
Passenger confidence in flying on a single-engine jet aircraft would also likely not be very high. Manufacturers would rather concentrate on types that meet the stringent safety standards set by the regulatory agencies and in numbers that the airlines need.
Expensive to run
Single-engine jet operating costs will be higher than a multi-engine jet as they are less fuel efficient and more expensive to maintain. Insurance costs may be higher too, considering the risk factor. For an aircraft manufacturer, taking into account all the financial considerations, it is more cost-effective to concentrate on producing larger aircraft with lower costs.
The Cirrus Vision Jet
Single-engine jet aircraft would struggle to compete with multi-engine jets in terms of speed, range, payload and performance. These jets, like the Cirrus Vision Jet, are perfect for private pilots or wealthy owners and have their own place in the business jet or general aviation field, enabling smaller and more remote airports to be more accessible.
The Cirrus Vision Jet was certified in 2016 and can accomodate up to seven passengers with a range of 1,275 nautical miles or 2,360 kilometers. The fuselage is made of carbon fibers and it is powered by one Williams FJ33 turbofan engine, with a speed of 300 knots or 560 kilometers per hour. Famous for its emergency autoland and parachute system, it is a perfect aircraft for general aviation.
Versus the turboprop
Very light jets will always compete with high-performance single-engine turboprop aircraft. The turboprop aircraft is more efficient in the single-engine market. It has lower operating costs and has a similar range to the Cirrus Vision Jet. The Pilatus PC-12 is a good example of this.
It was designed as a high-performance utility aircraft, and as of 2023, over 2000 have been built. It is a popular aircraft used for corporate transport, air ambulance services and by government agencies and regional airlines.
The popular Pilatus PC-12
The PC-12 can take up to nine passengers and is a successful and reliable aircraft. It is suited to short runways and rugged conditions. It has a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-67 engine and Honeywell Primus avionics. The PC-12 has a range of 1,845 nautical miles or 3,417 kilometers and a speed of 528 kilometers per hour. Since the PC-12 entered service, Pilatus Aircraft have made improvements to the original model. These include:
- Increased maximum take-off weight
- More powerful engines
- New avionics
- Noise reduction measures
- New propellors
- Increased speed and range
The Pilatus PC-24 is a light business jet with twin engines derived from the PC-12. It was rolled out in 2014 and designed for extra speed and range. Pilatus wanted to maintain many of the PC-12’s features and rugged capabilities in a business jet.
Occupancy
Operating Weights
- Max T/O Weight: 10450 Lb
- Max Landing Weight: 9921 Lb
- Operating Weight: 6782 Lb
- Empty Weight: 5867 Lb
- Fuel Capacity: 2704 lbs Lb
- Payload W/Full Fuel: 1009 Lb
- Max Payload: 2257 Lb
Range
- Normal Range: 1309 nm
- Max Range: 1635 nm
- Service Ceiling: 30000 ft
Distances
- Takeoff Distance: 1475 ft
- Balanced Field Length: 2450 ft
- Landing Distance: 2783 ft
Performance
- Rate of Climb: 1920 fpm
- Max Speed: 280 kts
- Normal Cruise: 268 kts
- Economy Cruise: 209 kts
- Cost per Hour: $ 939.83
- Avionics: Honeywell Primus Apex
Power Plant
- Engines: 1
- Engine Mfg: Pratt & Whitney Canada
- Engine Model: PT6A-67P
Future turboprops
Looking to the future, there is the Beechcraft Denali, a single-engine turboprop in development by Textron Aviation. It is a brand-new design (not a derivative of another aircraft) that could compete with the PC-12. The aircraft will be powered by a General Electric Catalyst turboprop and a 5-bladed McCauley propeller. It will feature the Garmin G3000 avionics suite with emergency autoland, just like the Cirrus Vision Jet. It recently took part in a test program and is now in the flight test phase. It is Textron Aviation’s first ever turboprop aircraft.
In conclusion, single-engine jet aircraft will probably never be used commercially, although the Cirrus Vision Jet has its own place in the general aviation market. Turboprop aircraft are known to be reliable ‘workhorses’ and are much more cost-effective to use in the long term and have a similar range. They still continue to be made today and will remain a popular aircraft for multiple uses, certainly in areas in remote communities who rely on the aircraft for their needs.