A light jet manufactured by Nextant Aerospace in the USA, the Nextant 400XT is based on the design of the ever-popular Beechjet 400A, with modifications including more fuel-efficient and powerful Williams FJ44-3AP turbofan engines and a new avionics suite from Rockwell Collins.

Although based on the airframe of the Beechjet 400A, the Nextant 400XT is manufactured in a factory-like process and utilises up to 88% replaced and overhauled components, which enables it to be considered a new aircraft.

The Nextant 400XT has a maximum range of 2,005 nautical miles, some 672 greater than that of the Beechjet 400A, allowing the Nextant 400XT to serve city pairs that weren’t possible by its predecessor. Other modifications include newly rebuilt seats, custom upholstery and cabinetry as well as an all-new cabin management system.

The Premier 1 is a light jet developed and manufactured by Hawker Beechcraft in the USA.

Introduced in 1998, the Premier 1 first flew on 22nd December 1998 with deliveries commencing in 2001. Since then, the aircraft has seen over 290 deliveries globally.

The Beechcraft Premier 1 is well known for having the largest cabin in the light jet class – one comparable to that of a midsize jet, offering unrivalled space and comfort for those shorter flights.

The Cessna Citation CJ3 and CJ3+ are light jets developed and built by American manufacturer Textron Aviation Inc.

Based on the earlier Citation CJ2, the model 525B Citation CJ3 features a longer cabin, greater range and larger engines than those of its predecessor. The Cessna 525B Citation CJ3 was introduced in 2002 and flew for the first time the following year.

Two variations of the 525B have been manufactured; the Citation CJ3 and the upgraded Citaiton CJ3+. The latter model features a redesigned cockpit, which includes an updated Garmin G3000 touchscreen avionics suite. The Citation CJ3+ has a maximum range some 250 nautical miles greater than the earlier Citation CJ2+.

The Cessna 525B Citation CJ3 has since gone on to form the basis for the larger Cessna 525C Citation CJ4 model.

The Cessna 525C CitationJet 4 (CJ4) is a light jet developed and built by Cessna Aircraft Company in the USA and first flew in May 2008.

The largest model in the Cessna 525 CitationJet family, the model 525C CJ4 has had many design modifications, differentiating it from the similarities held by other family members. The CJ4 features a longer cabin, greater range and cruise speed as well as a redesigned fuselage, tail and wing structure.

Unlike previous CitationJet models, the 525C CJ4 features a sweeping wing design, adopted from the larger Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign. It also has a cabin 20 inches (0.5m) longer than the CJ3. Uprated turbofan engines allow the CJ4 to cruise 65km/h faster and up to 230km further than the CJ3+.

To date, more than 300 CJ4 airframes have been delivered around the world.

The Cessna 550B Citation Bravo is a light jet developed and manufactured by Cessna in the USA. Following its first flight in 1995, a total of 336 Citation Bravo’s were delivered between 1996 and 2006 when the production line was closed.

Derived from the earlier Citation II and S/II, the Citation Bravo features upgraded Pratt and Whitney PW530A engines, as well as a new landing gear design and an updated avionics suite.

With an increase in cabin space over a very light jet, the Citation Bravo is among the most cost-effective light jets for charter when travelling as a group of between four and seven passengers, or when travelling as a smaller group on flights longer than those possible by very light jet. The Citation Bravo also boasts a spacious 73 cubic feet baggage capacity making it ideal for sporting trips.

The Cessna 525A CitationJet 2 is a light jet developed and built by Cessna Aircraft Company in the USA.

The Cessna 525A CitationJet 2, which was based on the earlier CitationJet 1, was introduced in 2000 and features a longer cabin, greater range and larger engines than that of its predecessor.

There were two variations of the 525A manufactured – the CitationJet 2 and the CitationJet 2+. Similar to the original Cessna 525 CitationJet, the latter model featured updated avionics, improved performance as well as full authority digital engine control (FADEC). The CitationJet 2+ also has a maximum range some 600 nautical miles greater than its predecessor.

The Cessna 525A CitationJet 2 has since been developed to form the base of larger models of the aircraft; namely the CitationJet 3 and 4.

­­The newest members of the hugely successful Learjet family of aircraft, dating back to as early as 1963, the Bombardier Learjet 70 and 75 are the most technologically advanced variant and offers unrivalled comfort and efficiency in the light jet category.

Manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace of Canada, the Learjet 70 and 75 are both derived from the earlier Learjet 40 and 45, production of which ended in 2013 when the 70 and 75 superseded.

With a typical capacity of eight passengers, the Learjet 70 and 75 offer a double club configuration, a feature unique in the light jet category.

A flat floor allows for greater comfort and ease of movement throughout the cabin and advanced Honeywell TFE731 turbofan engines offer reduced cabin noise. All of this combined with a state-of-the-art cabin management and entertainment system provides the perfect aircraft for flights of smaller groups and up to five hours in duration.

The newest variant of the Learjet 70 and 75 development is the Learjet 75 Liberty which features a reduced capacity of six passengers to offer greater cabin comfort and an increased maximum range of 2,080nm (3,850 km).

The Hawker 400XP is a light jet, which was developed and built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the MU-300 ‘Diamond’.

In 1985, Mitsubishi sold the design and production rights to Beechcraft who initially manufactured the aircraft under their own designation, the Beechjet 400. Following design revisions and a buyout of the Hawker series of business jets in 1993, the Beechjet 400 went on to become the Hawker 400XP.

Since its first flight as the MU-300 in 1978, nearly 1,000 aircraft have been delivered globally.

Alongside the Hawker 400XP, the Beechjet 400 was also developed for service in a variety of roles such as the T-1 Jayhawk military training variant for the United States Air Force and the T-400 variant for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, proving testament to the design’s exceptional performance and capabilities.