Owning a private jet is a dream of many people, and it is also the ultimate symbol of a luxurious lifestyle, and status. But, all of them can’t afford a private jet due to the cost of purchasing, operating, and maintaining.
What if I were to inform you that a private jet exists that is surprisingly affordable and won’t break the bank? Yes, you read that right – the world’s cheapest private jet is out there, and it’s within reach for many more people than you might expect.
In this article, we’ll explore the world’s cheapest private jet, and find out how much it costs to own the luxurious flying machine.
So, get ready to jet set on a budget, and discover the world’s cheapest private jet.
Table of Contents
Which is the world’s cheapest private jet?
There are various cheapest private jets in the world such as HondaJet HA-420, Learjet 60, Cessna Citation X, Embraer Legacy, Embraer Phenom 100, Startos 716X, Cirrus Vision Jet, and others.
Nevertheless, among the cheapest options, the Cirrus Vision Jet makes its position as the smallest, and most economical private jet available.
Reduced production costs, lower operational costs, simpler maintenance requirements, and innovative design are some of the key factors that contribute to the Cirrus Vision Jet being the cheapest private jet.
Before exploring the price, maintenance, operating costs, and other details, let’s first discover the Cirrus Vision Jet.
The Cirrus Vision Jet: Affordable Luxury in Private Jet Aviation
The Cirrus Vision Jet (also known as the SF50) is the world’s first single-engine personal jet manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft, a company owned by a subsidiary of the Chinese government-owned AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China). Its headquarters is located in Duluth, Minnesota, United States.
With the Cirrus Vision Jet, we ushered in a new era of personal transportation where jet speed, jet comfort, and jet convenience are accessible. And after winning numerous accolades and awards – including the Robert J. Collier Trophy – we are just getting started.
– Cirrus Aircraft
Why is Vision Jet special?
The latest Cirrus Vision Jet is developed with innovative technology that adapts to the unique needs of every travel mission. It is becoming special due to the cheapest pricing among other competitors.
Key Features of the Cirrus Vision Jet
- Maximum Range of 1,275 nautical miles
- 305 KTAS Cruise Speed
- 2,036 ft Take-Off Distance
- 1,350 lbs Payload Capacity
- 7–Max Passenger Capacity
- Access to Shorter Runways
- Increased Initial Climb Performance
- Enhanced Safety Margins on Take-off
- Optimized Engine Thrust
The Vision Jet™ is the culmination of that same spirit of innovation. And it’s one example of how our team is always dreaming up what’s next in personal aviation.
– Cirrus Aircraft
One of the wonderful features of the Cirrus Vision Jet is the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). This award-winning CAPS system is designed to protect the pilot, and passengers.
Besides, the Safe Return emergency autoland system enhances the safety of Vision Jet by offering a safe autoland feature. This emergency system scans the surrounding environment and activates various technologies such as Terrain Avoidance, Weather Avoidance, and other settings for safe autolanding.
Interior Features
The new Cirrus Vision Jet features the largest cabin in its class with a spacious head and shoulder room. The modular seating design enhances the cabin’s versatility and offers a seating capacity of up to 7 passengers (up to five adults, and two children).
The seating arrangement can be configured in three different ways including family seating, executive seating, and complete seating.
- Family Seating – Full seating capacity for the entire family.
- Executive Seating – Luxuriously Bolstered seats with a center console.
- Complete Seating – Family Seating with Executive Seating Combined.
Talking about the technology, Vision Jet is equipped with industry-leading features such as the Perspective Touch+ by Garmin flight deck, Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Connectivity, Cirrus Global Connect, SiriusXM Weather & Radio, and more.
In a nutshell, the Cirrus Vision Jet offers advanced capabilities with G2+ (Generation 2+). The Williams FJ33-5A engine has been meticulously calibrated to expand the flight envelope to FL310, optimize thrust, and broaden your range, granting access to more airports and weather conditions.
The heightened performance empowers you to increase your range, accommodate additional cargo, and provides added confidence for take-off in hot temperatures or high elevations.
Additionally, with Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) capability, your Vision Jet can navigate higher flight levels with greater efficiency.
Technical Specifications of the Cirrus Vision Jet
DIMENSIONS
| Wingspan | 38.7 ft (11.79 m) |
| Length | 30.7 ft (9.42 m) |
| Height | 10.9 ft (3.32 m) |
| Cabin Width | 5.1 ft (1.56 m) |
| Cabin Height | 4.1 ft (1.24 m) |
WEIGHT
| Maximum Ramp Weight | 6,040 lbs (2,740 kg) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 6,000 lbs (2,727 kg) |
| Basic Empty Weight | 3,550 lbs (1,610 kg) |
| Max Zero Fuel Weight | 4,900 lbs (2,223 kg) |
| Maximum Usage Fuel | 2,000 lbs (907 kg) |
ENGINE
| MANUFACTURER | Williams International |
| Model | FJ33-5A |
| Thrust | 1,846 lbs |
PERFORMANCE
| Takeoff | 2,036 ft (620 m) |
| Takeoff Over 50 ft Obstacle | 3,192 ft (973 m) |
| Climb Rate | 1,609 ft/min |
| Max Operating Altitude | 31,000 ft |
| Stall Speed with Flaps | 67 knots |
| Max Cruise Speed | 311 KTAS |
| Landing Groundroll | 1,628 ft (496 m) |
Till this section of the article, we explored the features and uniqueness of the Cirrus Vision Jet.
Now, let’s find out the price, operating cost, maintenance cost, and other factors of owning, and operating the world’s cheapest private jet.
How much is the world’s cheapest private jet?
The base price of a brand-new Cirrus Vision Jet starts from $1.7 million USD.
However, the price of the aircraft may increase depending on several factors such as customizations, avionics options, and delivery location.
Cirrus Vision Jet Operating Cost
The cost of operating the Cirrus Vision Jet depends on various factors such as frequency of flights, pilot recruitment, maintenance schedules, and other manpower requirements.
Normally, the direct operating cost of Vision Jet is somewhere around $700 per hour. Likewise, the annual fixed operational cost ranges from $177,000 to $179,000.
The various cost estimation of the Cirrus Vision Jet is illustrated in the table below.
| ACQUISITION COST | $1.7 million – $2.2 million |
| VARIABLE COST | $640 per hour – $782 per hour |
| ANNUAL COST | $570,000 – $700,000 |
| FIXED COST | $17,814 – $160,324 |
| RETAIL CHARTER RATE | $1,700 per hour |
| AVERAGE CHARTER RATE | $1,239 per hour |
Cirrus Vision Jet Operating Cost per hour
As per the Aircraft Cost Calculator, the data obtained from the 450 owner-operated hours annually shows the Cirrus Vision SF50 jet incurs a total variable cost of $427,950, and a total fixed cost of $316,376, resulting in an annual budget of $744,326.
With these calculations, the hourly cost amounts to $1,654.06. The following table illustrates the various costs of owning and operating Vision Jet.
Cost of operating Cirrus Vision Jet (Based on 450 annual owner-operated hours, and $7/gallon fuel cost)
| TOTAL FIXED COST | $316,376 |
| TOTAL VARIABLE COST | $427,950 |
| ANNUAL BUDGET | $744,326 |
| TOTAL HOURLY COST | $1,654 |
Let’s look at another table that shows the cost of operating the Cirrus Vision Jet when flying it for 200 hours annually.
| Total Fixed Costs | 200 hours per year |
| Crew salary | $115,297 |
| Crew Training | $6,540 |
| Aircraft Hangar Charge | $13,392 |
| Insurance Charge | $14,428 |
| Misc. | $30,000 |
| Total Variable Costs | 200 hours per year |
| Fuel Cost | $223 |
| Maintenance | $124 |
| Engine Overhaul | $135 |
| Crew/Landing/Handling | $225 |
| Misc. | $25 |
The total annual cost is $326,257 based on the variable, and fixed costs mentioned in the tables above.
Also Read: How much does it cost to rent a private jet in 2023?
Conclusion on Cheapest Private Jet
The Cirrus Vision Jet offers a compelling option for those wanting to own a private jet at a more affordable price point. Vision Jet SF50 is unique in the private jet aviation market with its innovative design, advanced features, and enhanced performance.
While it may not have the range or size of larger private jets, its versatility, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive choice for those looking for an entry-level private jet.
With Vision Jet, private aviation is no longer just for the wealthy elite, but a realistic option for a broader range of individuals and businesses.
Want to become a highly-paid private pilot? Read this detailed guide.
FAQs on Cheapest Private Jet
What private jet is the cheapest to buy?
At present, the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft is the cheapest private jet available in the market. You can purchase this awesome private jet with a price range of $1.7 million to $2.2 million.
Which is the minimum cost of a private jet?
The minimum cost of a private jet varies depending on several factors such as the size, range, age, and manufacturer of the aircraft. However, as of 2021, the Cirrus Vision Jet has been marketed as the most affordable private jet on the market, with a base price of approximately $2 million. It’s important to note that the cost of owning and operating a private jet goes beyond the initial purchase price and includes expenses such as maintenance, fuel, insurance, and other operational costs.
What is the cheapest new private plane?
At the time of writing this article, the Cirrus Vision Jet has been marketed as the most affordable new private jet on the market, with a base price of approximately $2 million.
Does the Cirrus Vision jet have a toilet?
Due to its cabin size, the Cirrus Vision Jet is not equipped with a toilet. While it is not uncommon for smaller aircraft to lack such facilities, some very light jets such as the HondaJet HA-420 do include lavatories.
