When your Destination Changes Everything
Jets are meant to make life easier, but as with most things, the devil is in the details. Operating aircraft can be a complex endeavour and there are a number of physical and regulatory restrictions that can hinder you from fully experiencing the convenience they are meant to provide. A big restriction can be the length of the runway at the airports you plan to use. There are certain runways that some jets cannot use due to their length and/or approach. If this describes your local runway or a runway you will frequently be using, you will want to tailor your aircraft search to include aircraft that can take off or land there or that have been certified with the capability to land there. Otherwise, you will have to use a runway that is further away, and it will add time and energy to your trip.
Understand the parameters of your local runway or the runways you plan on using frequently before you finalize which aircraft model you want to buy. Speak with your aircraft broker or Management Company to find out the details of these runways and if certain aircraft can or cannot use them. It is not only the runway length that can limit the ability of a plane to successfully and legally fly in and out, but also the approach pattern (mountains,, buildings, etc.), runway conditions and whether it is operating as a charter or private flight. As a result, you will want to get a professional’s advice in this area.
Know your aircraft’s capabilities. Your aircraft may state on paper that it can land on certain runways, but if you are operating as a charter flight, legal requirements mandate a significant increase in runway length which often removes the ability of a plane to operate from a selected runway. Furthermore, there are many circumstances where a plane can land at an airport, but taking off becomes a problem. When you add the heat of a hot day and/or a high altitude to the equation, it gets even more complicated. On some flights, you may need a lighter fuel load or cabin load to be able to use certain runways. Your crew and management company are the experts here and will know exactly where
you can fly, but having a basic knowledge as an aircraft user will help you understand the complexities of your flights and be aware of possible restrictions when using or wanting to use certain airports.
This can help to narrow the search for an aircraft that will meet your requirements. Take a long objective look at how much you will use challenging runways. It is tempting to choose a jet based upon the most restrictive circumstances, but often this means you end up with the wrong aircraft for most of your flights. Find the aircraft that can handle 80% of your trips the most capably and focus your search around this. For example, if you go to Lugano or St Tropez only once or twice a year, then buying a jet that can use these runways may not result in the most effective aircraft for the rest of your trips. If, however, you spend 6 months a year in a second home in these locations then it might be important to have an aircraft that can use these challenging airports. Speak with your broker to develop a custom aircraft search based on your specific needs and desires.
Notable Short Runways in Europe
LCY – London City Airport: 1508 metres
CEQ – Cannes Airport: 1610 metres
LTT – La Môle – St Tropez Airport: 1180 metres
LUG – Lugano Airport: 1420 metres
SAY – Siena Airport: 1393 metres
ZHK – Gstaad Saanen Airport: 1400 metres
Aircraft Known for Excellent Short Runway Performance
Cessna Citation Sovereign and Sovereign+
Embraer Phenom 300
Dassault Falcon 50EX, 50, 2000LXS, 900LX, and 7X (Falcons are famous for their short runway capabilities)
King Air 350
