Vampire Aviation Vampire

Single Jet

The Vampire is a single-seat experimental jet aircraft developed by Vampire Aviation, representing one of the few ultralight-category jet designs certified for civilian operation in the United States. Built around a compact turbojet powerplant, the Vampire occupies a rare niche as a personal jet small enough to qualify under experimental amateur-built rules yet capable of genuine jet performance. With a maximum takeoff weight under 1,700 pounds, it is among the lightest jet-powered aircraft in active use, offering private pilots an accessible entry point into jet operations without the complexity or cost of certified business jets. The type's diminutive size and single-engine configuration make it more akin to a high-performance sport aircraft than a traditional jet, yet it delivers cruise speeds well above typical piston singles and the unmistakable turbine experience. Its operating envelope reflects the ultralight jet compromise: a never-exceed speed around 230 knots and approach speeds in the 80-knot range, with stall characteristics closer to a fast experimental than a jet trainer. The Vampire remains a boutique aircraft, with only a handful built and flown primarily by owner-pilots and specialty operators exploring the experimental jet market. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.