Biz Jet purchase?

[SteamDriven]

Dear Biz Jet community,

I'm out of my depth here, being a 747 Captain, but would appreciate some comment.

A friend of mine is interested in buying a jet that is capable of operating non-stop from the Bahamas to Geneva. It must be large enough to be able stand up in the cabin and the budget is around $10mill.

A preference for a Hawker 400 with fan jets has been expressed but only as a Hawker is the currently used airframe.

Thanks in advance for any information.

[Flight Safety]

MYAF to LSGG is 4113nm. The Hawker 400 has about half this range. The only aircraft that really fit your needs are either the Falcon 900 or a Gulfstream IV. Both are at least twice your budget to own.

Fractional ownership of either aircraft could fit your budget if it fits your planned flight hours per year, but the problem here could be finding a fractional operator who flies out of the Bahamas (Geneva shouldn't be a problem).

[SteamDriven]

Thanks for the info.

According to the broker, the Challenger 601 would do it with no problem but then he is a broker?

[Flight Safety]

The max range for a 601-3R Challenger is about 3500nm.

You might look at the following websites for info to help with selecting an aircraft.

Look at the airports database near the bottom of the main page to look up the airports.
http://www.landings.com/

Use the Great Circle Mapper on this website to calculate the ranges required.
http://gc.kls2.com/

Use the info on this website for both aircraft specifications and buying options. I just found this website, and it seems to have some interesting information, including discussions on a variety of purchase options. Also look at the free information tools.
http://www.jetsales.com/

(Edited for "too tired" mistakes)

[ 24 September 2001: Message edited by: Flight Safety ]

[SteamDriven]

Thanks very much for the information.

Your help is very much appreciated.

Hope I can return the favour some day. ;)

[flaps8]

Dear Capt Steam Driven
The info you have been given is of course sound, However if your friend does not mind the odd tech stop then for his 10 bars, he could look at; Hawker 800xp,learjet 60, or the Astra [ now Gulfstream ] with MUCH lower operating costs than Falcon/G4/C604. :eek:

[411A]

....or the Lockheed L1329 (JetStar II). Very low capital cost and four engine reliability, if this should prove to be important.
Stand up room, and airliner feel, superb.
Ah.....Lockheed!

[Flight Safety]

I was browsing the Gulfstream website, and they have a nice GIII for sale in the $10 million range. It would easily serve your needs with one fuel stop. There are 3 Astra's available also, all with "make offer" sale prices, though I might be more comfortable with the GIII going over the Atlantic.