Types of Private Jets
While many people categorize private jets as an asset class for wealthy individuals, some of these aircraft are relatively affordable to charter or purchase. Private jets exist in seven different categories:
While many people categorize private jets as an asset class for wealthy individuals, some of these aircraft are relatively affordable to charter or purchase. Private jets exist in seven different categories:
Very Light Jets (VLJ) are the most miniature private jets in the private jet market. VLJs house anywhere between 4 and 6 passengers. They are usually cost-effective to operate and maintain compared to the other jets. Their sizes allow the jets to access small airfields with short runways and narrow taxiways in remote locations.
Very Light Jets are suitable for short-haul flights that do not exceed a maximum range of three hours. Most VLJ private jet charters are for weekend getaways and can continuously fly between destinations 1500 to 2000 km apart. These jets have a small luggage compartment measuring less than 70 cubic feet.
Most VLJs are approved for single pilot operations and have a maximum take-off mass of less than 4500 kgs.
Light jets offer a larger passenger capacity than VLJs. Luxury private jets classified in this category can house from six to eight passengers in one flight with relatively the same range as the VLJs (two to three hours). Light jets can also access small airports with short runways located in remote or public areas.
This feature allows travelers to land in smaller, less congested airports rather than dealing with delays and congestion in larger, busier airports. These conditions make aircraft in this category ideal for business travel.
These airplanes are excellent choices for short-haul trips and have the advantage of having a higher payload than VLJs. Their baggage capacity ranges between 41 and 74 cubic feet.
Mid-size jets are the most preferred cost-friendly medium-haul jets. They are larger than light Jets and can house up to 10 passengers. They have larger fuel tanks that can support a nonstop flight of over 2000 nautical miles, which is approximately five hours at cruising speeds. Moreover, they can also serve short-haul flights, mainly by Light Jets and Very Light Jets.
Mid-size jets have large cabins ideal for a lavish private jet interior. Unlike Very Light Jets, most mid-size jets have the standing capacity for an average adult and additional luggage space of about 127 cubic feet. They also have onboard lavatory services, a WiFi connection as well as excellent phone services. These aircraft are operated by two pilots, house a flight attendant, and a service galley to serve food and drinks in flight.
They are cost-economical compared to larger private jets and can access smaller airports similar to light jets and very light jets.
Super mid-size jets are relatively larger than mid-size luxury private jets. They have a larger space in the cabin and faster cruising speeds compared to standard mid-size jets as well as light jets. They include the Bombardier Challenger 350.
These aircraft can fly continuously for seven hours at cruising altitudes and speeds, covering over 3500 nautical miles. Like mid-size jets, super mid-size jets have an enclosed lavatory as well as a service galley. Some of them also have room for a bathroom shower. They are operated by two cockpit crew members and have room for a flight attendant.
Super mid-size jets have more oversized windows and larger cabin compartments and can seat up to 14 passengers in a single flight. These types of jets are ideal for long-haul trips.
Aircraft in this category are more luxurious and expensive to operate and maintain than super mid-size jets. They have a broader cabin that can host up to 19 passengers in one flight. They have more enormous wingspans and larger fuel tanks that give the planes an endurance of around 9 hours or 6000 km of flying.
Like super mid-size aircraft, heavy jets have an enclosed lavatory and full galley onboard. These jets also have additional entertainment features such as a luxurious interior, WiFi connection, and Phone services.
One major disadvantage associated with aircraft in this category is that they require longer runways for taking off and landing. This means that passengers in this class will have to deal with the cons resulting from operations in congested airports.
Ultra-long-range heavy jets are more luxurious than heavy jets. They have ultra-long ranges of 10,000 km or 6000 to 6500 nautical miles. This range translates to around 12 hours of flight time at cruising speeds. The private jets classified in this category have a larger cabin that accommodates up to 19 passengers. These aircraft rose to popularity during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Ultra long-range heavy jets are suitable for trans-oceanic flights between continents and are ideal for frequent extended-range travelers in case you need yours today. They are furnished with lie-flat beds, automatically pull-up tabletops, refrigeration facilities, and luxurious seats among other expensive tastes.
These private jets cost more to charter, rental or purchase than other smaller categories and are a direct implication of extravagance and comfort for most travelers choosing them for air travel.
Private jets in this class are also called Bizliners or executive airlines. They are the largest and most costly private jets to charter or operate. They are modified to house 20 to 50 passengers while exposing them to sleek, state-of-the-art acquisition and deep luxury.
They house special business features such as conference rooms and extravagant sleeping quarters. They also have luxury bathrooms and hot showers to keep passengers refreshed inflight. Heads of states use executive airliners. A good example is Air Force One, a Boeing 747 operated by US presidents. In addition to a luxurious private jet interior, the AF1 has advanced military systems to protect the president from hostiles.
Executive airliners also have opulent interiors and spacious cocktail lounges. The owners can decorate the aircraft as much as they want, provided that the deco does not affect the safety of its operations. In a nutshell, Bizliners take private jet charters and ownership to the next level of luxury. Those who charter these jets should consider important factors such as costs. They are rare due to their expensive operational costs.
Aircraft in this category are either custom-manufactured or converted from commercial jetliners. They are used by heads of state, celebrities, and wealthy individuals. Former US president Donald J Trump has a Boeing 757 customized into a classy private jet. Prince Al Waleed bin Talai owns a Boeing 747-400 as his private jet cruiser.
The Cessna Caravan is a workhorse in every sense, hauling passengers, cargo, or both through rugged environments across the globe. But while the aircraft’s performance is legendary, interior upgrades can make all the difference in comfort, utility, and versatility. That’s where Flex LT by Worthington steps in.
We sat down with team member Alyssa at Flex LT by Worthington to learn more about their specialized seating options for the Caravan. From STC certification to field-tested durability, here’s what she had to say:
Q: Can you give us a quick background on Flex LT by Worthington
and how your seats fit into the Caravan market?
A: Worthington Aviation has been supplying spare parts, repair
programs, and maintenance services since 1998. Flex LT is a specialized
division focused on flexible interior solutions. Our seats allow Caravan
owners to switch between cargo and passenger configurations quickly and safely.
Q: What sets your Caravan seats apart from others?
A: They’re modular, lightweight, field-serviceable, and corrosion-resistant.
You can reconfigure them in minutes without tools.
Q: Are they stowable for cargo missions?
A: Yes. They collapse and fit into the cargo area or underbelly pod—
perfect for remote operations.
Q: Are they certified?
A: Yes. Our seats are FAA TSO-certified, STC-approved for the
208/208B, and PMA authorized. We also hold EASA and ANAC certifications.
Q: What safety tests have they passed?
A: They meet FAA static load testing, and we’re working toward
dynamic crash certification.
Q: Any modifications needed?
A: None. Drop-in design — no drilling or tools required.
Q: Is installation documentation provided?
A: Yes, each seat includes FAA-approved Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA) with guidance for installation, maintenance, and cleaning.
Flex LT seats are designed to keep up with the rugged, multi-role demands of Caravan operators. Reliable, flexible, and compliant—they’re ready to support your next mission.
Contact: Will Perez – wperez@worthingtonav.com | +1 651-263-4717
By Chris Rosenfelt
A question that I receive fairly often is concerning the Fuel Condition Lever in the Cessna Caravan. People mainly want to know when they should use the Low Idle and High Idle positions.
Before getting into specifics, let's start with the basics. The Fuel Condition Lever is connected to the Fuel Control Unit (FCU) and has three positions: Idle Cutoff, Low Idle, and High Idle.
The Cutoff position stops all fuel to the engine fuel nozzles. The Low Idle position provides an RPM of 52% Ng, while the High Idle position provides 65% Ng. Low Idle is also known as Ground Idle, and High Idle is referred to as Flight Idle.
Unfortunately, some Caravan operators instruct their pilots to never place the Fuel Condition Lever into High Idle, claiming it is unnecessary. This is incorrect. The **Before Takeoff** and **Before Landing** checklists both require the lever to be set to High Idle.
The reasoning usually given for avoiding High Idle is to save fuel or to prevent a pilot from taxiing too fast after landing. Some believe it reduces brake wear during ground operations.
At Caravan Nation, we strongly recommend following the official AFM/POH procedures, which specify using **Low Idle only on the ground** or in the rare case of an air start. High Idle provides significantly faster throttle response — something you absolutely want in a go-around scenario.
As stated in the Cessna 208B Caravan Information Manual: "The higher gas generator idle speed for flight provides faster engine acceleration when adding power (from an idle condition) on approach or for a balked landing go-around."
If you are ever in doubt about when to use High or Low Idle, always refer to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).
By Chris Rosenfelt
Dating back to the early 1980s, when the Cessna Caravan first took to the air, FlightSafety International was there training pilots on how to safely fly this wonderful aircraft. To this day, they have trained more Caravan pilots than any other company in the world.
In 2018, FlightSafety International joined forces with TRU Simulation + Training to create FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training. On a recent visit to the Wichita East Learning Center, I was reminded why FlightSafety maintains such a strong global reputation for excellence.
The Caravan was born in the “Air Capital of the World” — Wichita, Kansas. The first Caravan, N208LP, made its maiden flight from nearby McConnell Air Force Base. Today, pilot training and maintenance training for the Caravan continue in Wichita at the Wichita East Learning Center and the Wichita Maintenance Learning Center.
The Wichita East Center features 23 advanced simulators, including all three Caravan simulators: the Caravan G1000, Caravan G600, and Caravan I. Before my arrival, the FlightSafety Textron team provided access to their excellent MyFlightSafety portal and FlightBag app — both powerful study tools.
Upon arrival, I was welcomed by Center Manager Scott Politte and Sales Manager Mike Croitoru. Their professionalism and genuine enthusiasm immediately reminded me why FlightSafety is trusted worldwide. This was my third learning center visit, and once again I felt their commitment to high-quality training.
After a tour of the impressive facility, I was introduced to Caravan instructor Jerry Sheehy — knowledgeable, welcoming, and highly experienced. Many instructors at the center have spent years perfecting their craft, a strong sign of dedication and passion.
Students can choose between in-person classroom learning or LiveLearning (online). I prefer hands-on training, so I chose the classroom option. The center also has a Caravan Garmin G1000 training kiosk, a fantastic tool for learning every detail of the system — especially useful for pilots transitioning from analog flight decks.
My instructors for the G1000 kiosk, Brad Amstutz and John Scott, were patient, knowledgeable, and thorough. The kiosk makes it easy to develop “muscle memory” for G1000 flows, menus, and procedures.
