The needs of a business and what it can afford determine the kinds of aircraft it uses. Business aviation aircraft range from small, propeller-driven airplanes for shorter hops to fast, well-appointed "bizjets" that can fly internationally nonstop. They typically fly into smaller airports to avoid congested commercial hubs. They are flown by company pilots, contract pilots, sometimes by the company owners themselves.
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		PIPER SENECA V PA-34-220T The Piper Seneca V is a twin-engine, turbocharged, six-person aircraft. Courtesy of The New Piper Aircraft Corporation
[15k JPG, 49k JPG]		MOONEY OVATION M-20R Powered by a piston engine, the Mooney Ovation can carry four people. Courtesy of Mooney Aircraft Corporation
BOMBARDIER CHALLENGER CL 604 The twin-turbine powered Bombardier Challenger CL 604 can carry 9 to 19 passengers in different aircraft configurations. Courtesy of Bombardier Aerospace		[9k JPG, 18k JPG]
[14k JPG, 34k JPG]		SIKORSKY S-76 The Sikorsky S-76 twin-engine turbine helicopter can carry 8 to 12 passengers. Courtesy of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, United Technologies

	CONTRIBUTIONS OF BUSINESS AVIATIONBusiness aviation advocates, in conjunction with the general aviation community, have sought to keep airspace and airports safe for and open to general and business aviation. The development of reliever airports around major cities is one example of success. Advocates work with the Federal Aviation Administration and Congress on relevant regulatory issues and laws, such as air traffic control, safety, aircraft certification and maintenance, pilot qualifications, and user fees and taxes.
	OWN OR LEASE?Aircraft are available to businesses through the following arrangements. Chartering allows a company to rent an aircraft for a specific flight or block of time. Leasing affords access to aircraft without the substantial investment of ownership. Fractional ownership provides on-demand aircraft availability and makes business jets more affordable. This latest ownership arrangement has brought many new participants to business aviation. Full ownership requires a commitment to maintain the aircraft, provide flight crew, and cover all related costs. It is a good option if a company uses an aircraft more than about 20 hours a month. Aircraft have a 15- to 20-year life span or more, so used aircraft represent most--about 80 percent--of the sales market.

Updated: 06/16/98
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