Sometimes a new product comes along that is sufficiently technologically advanced that it is the equivalent of a quantum leap: a distinct step above the previous state. Even more rarely a group of talented people come along and capitalize on this new advancement and change the market place. I think I had the opportunity to witness this yesterday when I flew in a new Piaggio Avanti. Piaggio is owned by Ferrari and the Avanti is their new executive airplane that completely changes the light jet market. It's as fast as any of the small jets, can take off and land on a smaller runway, goes as high, is quieter, is roomier than all small jets and even many large jets on the inside (bigger than a Citation X) ... and costs a lot less to purchase and operate.
Mo' better, less dough.
We flew from Reno to Vegas in one of Avantair's fractional planes along with some of the owners/operators of the company. We cruised at over 400knots groundspeed, at 27,000', in a larger and quieter cabin than anything for twice the price. Avantair can't get enough of these planes for their fractional sales. The factory is back ordered. When one of their customers/owners books a flight for which there is no Avanti available Avantair will send a charter jet. A much more expensive charter jet ... which generates customer complaints as the jet is noisier/smaller/uglier and no faster. Most of their customers are part owners in larger jets (G4's 5's etc.) and use Avantair for coastal / Colorado flights, saving the bigger jet for cross country and international travel.
Plus the plane is pretty to look at. My dad's master's thesis was on the canard airfoil and there are a lot of advantages to this design. It's nice to see form follow function and result in something that looks nicer than everything that came before it. I guess that's not too surprising since the manufacturer is owned by Ferrari. Check out the pics, it's really a sweet ride.
So, uh, I'm still more than a little short of the fractional buy in price, but if any of you sign up be sure to invite me along for a ride.