THE BEST SMALL JET YET

摘要

The term "very light jet" (VLJ) refers to an emerging category of small jet-powered aircraft that deliver the speed and sophistication of a private jet in a less-expensive craft that requires less training to fly. In tests this year, the most capable VLJ so far, the PiperJet, reached its flight ceiling of 35,000 feet, the same relatively turbulence-free altitude that commercial airliners use. With a planned 414mph cruising speed and a 1,300-nautical-mile range, the $2-million PiperJet can fly from New York to St. Louis in less than 2.5 hours without refueling.