Helium Report’s effort to bring you the latest information on private jets brought us to the second showcase of Porsche’s eleven-city Business Aircraft and Jet Preview tour, which landed in the Bay Area on Thursday. The Oakland International tarmac held the latest private and business aircraft, many of which were juxtaposed with a Porsche companion.

Helium Report Highlights

Avantair’s Italian-made Piaggo Avanti P.180 turned heads with its whiskered and forward wing design, which, according to Avantair, “delivers a smoother ride.” Its turbo-prop engine also claims the highest fuel efficiency compared with mid-size jets, and even other turbo-props. Additionally, the bottom-up engineering of this plane results in a shorter wingspan, and the largest cabin space in the turbo prop class.

Company representative Keith Little of Sino Swearingen talked with Helium Report about the challenges and resources needed to launch their SJ30 (of which 138 are already on order) -- the fastest and longest range light jet ever. Although the passenger cabin space is on the small side, the SJ30 has a range of 2,500 n.m. and a top speed of 486 kts (560 mph).

Helium Report also examined the inside of the large Embraer Legacy 600, which accommodates 10-16 passengers in a split-room layout. The price tag on the Legacy 600 runs about $25m. Embraer is on schedule to launch their smaller Phenom 100 in mid-2007, according to their online progress report.

A guide to private aviation options is available from Helium Report analysts.