In 1994 grav-thrust technology, although highly reliable (as it has no moving parts) is considerably more expensive to both set up and run than older propulsion systems. Because of this, large-scale use of grav-thrust systems is still confined to the militaries of the world.
Commercial aircraft remain almost exclusively jet propelled - vectored thrust VTOL vehicles fuelled by liquid hydrogen, and using highly advanced, adaptable, low-noise jet engines. Most, for efficiency, travel at subsonic speeds, though there are a number of supersonic commercial airliners too (for example, the Dornier DO-57).
The only exception to the general trend is the Minervan MZ-94, the worlds only commercial grav-thrust aircraft. It is very much a technology showcase, however, and is only operated by the state-subsidised 'Air Minervien'.
A subsonic lifting body configuration VTOL commercial airliner designed in the 1960's. It is capable of carrying approximately 650 passengers with a world-wide range. Its upper deck has a bar/lounge with two elliptical skylights.
A subsonic lifting body configuration VTOL commercial airliner designed in the 1960's as a rival to the Boeing 646. It is capable of carrying approximately 700 passengers with a world-wide range, though in slightly more cramped conditions than those on the Boeing 646. Its upper deck has a bar/lounge with an elliptical skylight.
A supersonic VTOL commercial airliner designed in the 1970's. It is capable of carrying approximately 250 passengers at speeds of Mach 3 with a world-wide range.
The worlds only grav-thrust civilian airliner, capable of carrying 500 passengers at slightly over Mach 1 with a world-wide range. It is considerably more spacious inside than a jet airliner of the same size, with passengers sitting on two levels with a lounge in the centre of the upper deck, with a large skylight.
A VTOL hypersonic executive jet, capable of world-wide range at speeds of up to Mach 5.3, making it the fastest commercial aircraft in the world. Depending on how the interior is configured it can carry anything from twenty people in fairly cramped seating to roughly half a dozen in extreme luxury.
Champions statistics of the Learjet 10H; also in PDF.
A modified version of this Learjet was used by the Player Characters.