Fuel Efficiency Practices for Flying in a Private Jet Plane

Depending on size, payload, weather, and many other factors, you can expect your private jet plane to burn between 50 and 626 gallons of fuel per hour.

Some of these factors are out of your control, while you can influence others through smart aircraft selection, equipment upgrades, and more. Let’s take a look at both categories of best practices as your business looks to reduce your carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.

Winglets Reduce Drag
Reducing the lift-to-drag ratio reduces a used private jet’s fuel use. Newer business jet models are equipped with winglets - a concept borrowed from NASA. Winglets are small surfaces that lift air vertically to minimize the amount of air that flows around the wingtip.

Smart design like this can reduce carbon emissions from private jets by up to 66 percent within two decades, while reducing overall fuel consumption by about 37 percent.

Upgrade Wired Systems to Those with Wireless Transceivers
Wiring and cables for non-avionics components can weigh 16,000 pounds on a large jet. By replacing wiring in certain systems - such as cabin management systems, door sensors, landing gears, and more - with wireless transceivers, you can save on weight and reduce fuel consumption.

These wireless transceivers are still in research and development, but the idea is that they’ll use long-lasting batteries connected to transceiver modules that send signals to router concentrators powered by the business jet’s electrical system.

Carbon-Fiber Composites Are More Lightweight Than Other Materials

Aircraft engineers work tirelessly to develop new materials and manufacturing processes that are flight-safe and just as effective as their predecessors.

Carbon-fiber reinforced polymers have been used since the 1970s on tail components, but these composites are making their way to more components because they weigh less than materials like aluminum alloys. The total fuel reduction for upgraded materials is about 5 percent.

However, like other design upgrades, it’s less likely that you’ll find specialized materials on a used private jet for sale, unless you’re looking only at the latest model years.

Only Fly On Your Private Jet Plane When You Truly Need To
The age of remote work is here to stay, it seems. With companies across the world allowing their employees to perform their job duties outside of the office, it’s likely that your organization’s executives, too, can conduct business virtually, in lieu of traveling on-site.

If you’re looking to reduce fuel consumption, flying less frequently could be the answer. Ask yourself whether the trip is completely necessary, whether portions of it could occur online, and if the entire team needs to attend.

Cut Jet Weight by Limiting Luggage and Guests
Your private jet plane’s payload - its carrying capacity - doesn’t need to be maxed out every time you take a trip. By reducing the weight of luggage and passengers, you can actually save money on fuel fees. Here’s how you can do this.

• Instate a luggage limit for every business traveler aboard your aircraft. For example, if your executives are taking only a short trip lasting just three or fewer days, you could require them to pack their necessities only in a carry-on and personal item.
  
  

• Similarly, you can set a maximum weight limit for luggage placed in the cargo holds of your private jet plane. Not only will this reduce the weight on the jet, but it makes loading and unloading suitcases more mechanically safe for the crews responsible for doing the labor.
  
  

• Set rules about traveling with guests. Limit travel on the company’s business jet to only those directly employed. Similarly, only allow employees to participate in trips if their presence is absolutely necessary. By limiting the number of people on the aircraft, you can make significant cuts to fuel use.

Consider Greener Alternatives to Flying

Although flying on a used private jet makes traveling feel more efficient in terms of time, jets leave a large carbon footprint behind. This is particularly true on short-haul flights for trips that could have been completed by car-pooling in a single vehicle or taking another form of public transportation.

Consider utilizing more eco-friendly travel options instead of your used private jet on trips that would take fewer than a single business day by car or train.

Buy a More Fuel Efficient Pre-Owned Jet for Sale

Older aircraft or unnecessarily large aircraft use more fuel than their modern and smaller counterparts. Purchasing a used private jet that is more fuel efficient will save you money over the long-term.

Reduce your overall purchase price and financing requirements by selling your current private jet plane at the same time and working with an International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Accredited Aircraft Dealer.

To get started, find a dealer near you by searching on AircraftExchange.com, IADA’s exclusive listing website of used private jets for sale.