1 Introduction
This document sets out to present a general methodology and overview to all the data and information presented in the Compare Private Planes premium subscription.
The objective of the Compare Private Planes premium subscription is to provide users with the information necessary to decide which private jet to purchase.
This document sets out where data is collected from, which data is included, and how figures are calculated. If you have any further questions please get in touch.
2 Key Facts
Each aircraft comes with a brief paragraph giving an overview of the aircraft. The aim is summarize the features and capabilities of the aircraft.
Typically, this information is about the performance and interior features of the aircraft.
The aim is to provide additional, qualitative information that cannot be conveyed through numbers of the tools.
2.1 Description
The overview content is subjectively chosen by the Compare Private Planes team.
Of course, it is hard to summarize and judge an aircraft in just a few sentences. Therefore, it is important that you consider all the additional information when comparing and learning about the aircraft.
2.2 Exterior Diagrams
All aircraft have exterior drawings to illustrate how they look. The diagrams are inspired by the real aircraft. However, they are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.
2.3 3D Models
All aircraft have an interactive 3D model to help visualize each aircraft. The diagrams are inspired by the real aircraft, however, they are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. They are only to be used for illustration purposes.
3 Performance Data
Performance data is available in both imperial and metric units. Imperial units is the default setting.
Range data is available in nautical miles, statute miles, and kilometers. Nautical miles are always available. The maximum range figure is collected directly from each manufacturer. The range figure displayed is the maximum range of each aircraft in its optimum configuration, optimum cruise speed, and optimum weather conditions.
Fuel burn figures are calculated from the calculation of the average distance covered in a flight hour. The optimum range figure is then divided by the average distance covered in a flight hour. This in turn results in the maximum flight duration of the aircraft. Manufacturer data results in knowing the maximum fuel that each aircraft can carry. This is then divided by the flight hour endurance to result in the estimated average gallons of fuel burnt per flight hour.
The maximum altitude is collected directly from the manufacturer, as is the rate of climb and initial cruise altitude.
The high speed cruise speed is the maximum cruise speed of each aircraft. The long range cruise speed is the optimum cruise speed for maximum range from the aircraft. Where the manufacturer has not presented the cruise speed in Mach, this has been calculated assuming the aircraft is flying in ISA (International Standard Atmosphere) conditions at the maximum cruise altitude of the aircraft.
Ground performance figures (take-off distance and landing-distance) are collected from the manufacturer. In the majority of conditions these figures are assumed at sea-level and ISA conditions. Take-off distance usually assumes MTOW and landing distance usually assumes typical landing weight. However, note that real-world figures will vary and are affected but not limited to factors such as weather conditions and weight.
4 Ownership Costs
Ownership costs demonstrate the estimated cost to own and operate your chosen aircraft per year. Entering your estimated annual flight hours will result in your total estimated annual operating cost. This is calculated from the fixed cost plus the hourly variable cost multiplied by the entered annual flight hours.
4.1 Fixed Costs
Fixed costs are the costs required to keep your aircraft on the ground before any flight hours have been introduced.
Crew Salary & Benefits
Crew salary and benefits are calculated using the average reported salaries by captains and first officers for each aircraft model. In the case that the aircraft is certified for single-pilot operation then the crew salaries is just for the captain.
The crew salary is adjusted depending on the region and relevant surveys and job requests in each region. Additionally, the crew benefits is calculated as a percentage of the crew salaries. This value is also adjusted depending on the region and the typical benefit rate in each region.
Training
Crew training figures are calculated based on the average of the initial type rating and annual recurrent training. The costs are calculated based on the average daily training rate and the hourly aircraft cost.
Hangar
Hangar costs are calculated from the footprint of each aircraft multiplied by the average square footage cost to rent an aircraft hangar in the chosen region. The square foot rental cost of a hangar is collected from the cost of a select group of airport hangars at the most popular airports within a specific region.
Most popular is defined as the airports with the most flight activity for business jets.
In order to determine the hangar space for each aircraft we use the FAA formula of (Wingspan + 10 feet)*(Length + 5 feet)
Insurance (Hull)
Insurance costs will vary depending on aircraft acquisition cost, region, owner details, and more. Therefore, the estimated hull insurance cost is using the industry average of 0.15% multiplied by the average pre-owned acquisition cost of each aircraft model.
Insurance (Liability)
Each aircraft is categorized into a liability insurance category. Light jets have a lower liability insurance cost than large jets, with aircraft in-between on a sliding scale. This cost is an assumed rate based on the typical risk profile for the aircraft type and crew.
Management
The cost to outsource all scheduling and logistics to an aircraft management firm. This cost is calculated through assuming a typical cost for each class of aircraft. This is then assigned to aircraft depending on their class.
Depreciation
The value that each aircraft loses in resale value year-on-year. This is calculated using the straight-line depreciation method based on the average percentage decrease in value every year for up to the past five years. The market value figure adjusted is the current average estimated market value for all model years of aircraft.
Miscellaneous
These costs are for subscriptions and unexpected costs that are likely to occur over one year of ownership. For example, navigational chart services are included in this cost and vary from aircraft class to aircraft class depending on the typical mission criteria.
For example, larger aircraft will need greater chart coverage as they will be flying in different continents. However, very light jets will need more regional chart coverage as they will likely be flying within one region.
4.2 Variable Costs
Variable costs are the costs that change depending on how much you use your aircraft. Our data provides this information on a per hour basis.
Fuel
This is the value amount for the volume of fuel that the aircraft will consume in a typical hour of flight – balanced out to minimize the impact of take-off, landing, and taxiing. This is calculated using the average cost of Jet A fuel in your chosen region then multiplied by the previously calculated hourly fuel consumption.
Maintenance
All aircraft need to follow a strict maintenance schedule dictated by the manufacturer. Hourly costs are calculated from the total estimated cost for the average maintenance inspection for the aircraft, divided by hourly intervals for each aircraft.
Engine Overhaul
Aircraft engines all require major maintenance know as an “overhaul”. In most cases this occurs on an hourly basis (e.g. every 4,000 hours the engines need to have an overhaul). However, some aircraft operate on an “on-condition” basis. The engine overhaul cost here suggests the cost per hour that should be set aside to cover the cost of an engine overhaul when required. This is calculated from the total cost of an engine overhaul for the specific model of engines on the aircraft divided by the overhaul interval.
Ground Fees
Ground fees includes landing and handling fees as airfields away from the aircrafts homebase. For each region the published landing fees per 1,000 lbs for the most popular private jet airports are collected. The average is then taken across all airports. This is then multiplied by the maximum landing weight for the selected aircraft. Parking and handling fees are calculated in the same way. These values are then added together and adjusted for the average mission length for the selected aircraft. The average mission length is taken from real-world aircraft utilization data since 2019.
Miscellaneous
Hourly miscellaneous costs cover any potential unexpected costs or subscription services such as Wi-Fi or a cabin phone service.
5 Acquisition Costs
Acquisition costs represent the estimated market value for each individual year of each aircraft model. These values can be adjusted based on the number of airframe hours and the predicted estimated future values are also provided.
5.1 New Purchase Price
The new purchase price is the stated manufacturer list price for each aircraft before any options. These values are not adjusted for inflation and are for the final delivery year of aircraft only.
5.2 Pre-Owned Values
Pre-owned market values are collected from the stated sale price of each aircraft and is updated regularly.
5.3 Airframe Hours
Each aircraft model has an average hourly fleet figure. Based on the inputted airframe hours the current market value will be adjusted be a certain percentage depending on the number of hours above or below the average fleet hourly figure. This helps to provide an estimated adjusted value.
5.4 Predicted Future Values
Future values are estimated based on the previous depreciation curve and applied to the current average market values.
6 Range Map
The interactive range map displays the maximum stated range for each aircraft. Refer to Chapter 4 to see how this value is calculated.
The distance can be adjusted depending on the number of passengers onboard. The adjustment is calculated from the difference between the maximum seat empty range and the maximum seat full range. This value is then divided by the typical passenger configuration number to receive a distance per passenger impact.
7 Interior
Interior data for each aircraft includes the maximum number of passengers, typical passenger configuration, the cabin noise, maximum cabin altitude, the sea level cabin, and the number of living zones.
The maximum number of passengers is the certified maximum for each aircraft. The typical passenger configuration is the expected number of passengers on the aircraft. For example, an aircraft with a belted lavatory will be included in the maximum passenger capacity but not the typical passenger capacity.
The cabin noise is the reported decibel noise level in the cabin at cruise altitude. This value is only available for some aircraft.
The maximum cabin altitude is the altitude pressure equivalent in the cabin when the aircraft is flying at its maximum certified altitude. The sea level cabin is the altitude that the aircraft can cruise at while maintaining a sea level altitude in the cabin. These values are calculated using the maximum pressure differential of each aircraft to establish the cabin altitude.
The number of living zones is the manufacturers stated maximum living zone configuration.
8 Features
The features section includes the minimum number of pilots required to operate the aircraft, if a toilet is available, a shower option is available, if the cabin can sleep passengers in a lie-flat configuration, the avionic suite, if the cabin has a flat floor, inflight baggage access, and if there is a dedicated bedroom option available.
9 Powerplant
The powerplant data includes the typical engine option for each aircraft. Information includes the engine make, engine model, the thrust per engine, along with the total thrust output. This data all comes straight from the aircraft manufacturer.
The exterior noise level data is the official data published by the EASA.
10 Weights
The weights for each aircraft include the maximum take-off weight, the maximum landing weight, maximum payload, the basic operating weight, the maximum ramp weight, the available fuel, useful payload, and the maximum baggage weight. This section also includes the total baggage capacity of each aircraft, with the split between internal and external baggage.
All the data is collected from the official manufacturer data.
See below for the definitions of each weight.
Maximum Take-Off Weight This is the maximum weight that the aircraft can take-off with, in order to still meet all airworthiness requirements. This is the total weight of the aircraft if you were to place it on scales.
Maximum Landing Weight This is the maximum weight that the aircraft can land with while maintaining all airworthiness requirements. If an aircraft is too heavy when landing it may cause structural damage to the aircraft.
Maximum Payload This is the maximum weight of all passengers and cargo that the aircraft can withstand.
Basic Operating Weight This is the weight of the aircraft with everything it requires for flight excluding payload or fuel. This, therefore, includes items such as oil and other standard items.
Maximum Ramp Weight This is the maximum weight of the aircraft in order to taxi or be towed around the airfield. This includes the fuel used for taxi and engine run ups.
Available Fuel This is the maximum fuel that the aircraft can hold.
Useful Payload This is the difference between the maximum gross weight and the empty weight.
Maximum Baggage Weight This is the maximum weight of any cargo or baggage.
11 Dimensions
The dimensions for each aircraft are available in both meters and feet. The exterior dimensions are the measurements from nose to tail (length), ground to the heights point (height), and from wingtip to wingtip (wingspan).
The internal dimensions of the aircraft are the total useable cabin space. The height is measured in center of the aircraft to represent its highest point. The width represents the widest part of the cabin. And the length represents the useable cabin space (excluding cockpit and luggage).
The door dimensions have only a height and width measurement.
Featured Image: Oleg V. Ivanov / Shutterstock.com
