Private Aviation Glossary

Operator definitions align with FAA charter rules and industry usage; see editorial policy and quote red flags.

Pair terms with the quote checklist and charter cost calculator.

Airport Slot→

An airport slot is a scheduled time window for an aircraft to arrive at or depart from a congested airport. Slots are separate from landing permits and overflight authorization: they coordinate ramp, runway, and air-traffic capacity when demand exceeds infrastructure at busy fields.

ARGUS→

ARGUS International audits charter operators and publishes safety ratings (for example Gold and Platinum tiers) used by corporations and brokers to vet Part 135 operations.

Augmented Crew→

Augmented crew means adding a second flight crew or relief pilots so duty periods can extend beyond what a single crew may fly under FAA Part 135 limits. It is an operational tool for long legs or aggressive same-day itineraries, not a passenger comfort upgrade.

Block Time→

Block time is the billable flight interval operators use for charter—typically from wheels-up to wheels-down or chocks-off to chocks-on—not the same as gate-to-gate airline scheduling or your door-to-door day.

Certificate Holder→

The certificate holder is the entity that holds FAA operating authority for a commercial flight, such as a Part 135 air carrier certificate. On charter trips, the certificate holder named on your contract should be the operator responsible for crew, maintenance, and release of the flight.

Crew Duty Time→

Crew duty time is how long a flight crew may remain on duty under FAA rules before required rest. Part 135 operators must comply with flight-time and duty-period limits in 14 CFR Part 135 Subpart F.

De-icing→

De-icing removes ice, snow, or frost from an aircraft before takeoff when conditions require it. Operators cannot depart with contaminated surfaces; fluid type and billing are agreed in the charter contract or added when weather demands.

Deadhead→

Deadhead is industry slang for flying an aircraft without revenue passengers—often the same empty leg described as repositioning or a ferry on invoices.

Dry Lease→

A dry lease provides an aircraft without crew. The lessee supplies pilots and assumes operational responsibilities defined in the lease, unlike a wet lease where crew comes with the aircraft.

Empty Leg→

An empty leg is a repositioning flight an aircraft must fly without paying passengers, often sold at a discount to recover some of the cost.

FBO→

FBO stands for fixed base operator—the company that runs the private terminal at an airport. FBOs handle arrivals and departures, fueling, ramp services, lounges, and ground coordination for charter and private flights.

Federal Excise Tax (FET)→

Federal excise tax is a U.S. government tax on air transportation charges for many domestic charter flights, collected by the operator and reported on IRS Form 720. The applicable rate and taxable base are set in federal tax law—not by brokers.

Ferry Flight→

A ferry flight is empty aircraft movement without paying passengers, often to position the jet for your charter, return it to base, or relocate it for the operator's next trip. Ferry hours may bill on your invoice when they exist solely because of your itinerary.

Fuel Surcharge→

A fuel surcharge is an extra line some operators add when spot fuel prices move above what was baked into the quote. It is contractual—some charters include fuel in the hourly rate, others pass through volatility after a threshold.

Landing Fee→

A landing fee is what the airport charges for runway use, usually based on aircraft weight and local fee schedules. It is separate from FBO handling, which the private terminal bills for ramp and passenger services.

Landing Permit→

A landing permit is government authorization for an aircraft to land in a foreign country or at a restricted airport. It is separate from overflight permission: you need both when an international charter crosses foreign airspace and touches down abroad.

Minimum Flight Time→

Minimum flight time, also called a daily minimum, is the least number of flight hours an operator will charge per day regardless of how short the actual flight is.

Occupied Hourly Rate→

The occupied hourly rate is what you pay per hour the aircraft flies with passengers on board. Positioning or ferry hours—empty legs to reach you or return afterward—are usually billed separately, often at the same or a negotiated rate.

Overflight Permit→

An overflight permit is government authorization for an aircraft to fly through a country's airspace without landing. International charter routings across Canada, the North Atlantic, Europe, and the Caribbean often require overflight permits filed by the operator before departure.

Overnight Fee→

An overnight fee is a charge that applies when an aircraft stays at an airport overnight, often combining parking with related crew or handling costs.

Part 135→

Part 135 is Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations governing on-demand charter and commuter operations in the United States—crew qualifications, maintenance, operational control, and drug and alcohol programs for commercial flights.

Part 91→

Part 91 is Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations governing private, non-commercial aircraft operations in the United States. It covers owner-operated flights, certain corporate flights, and personal flying where passengers are not paying for transportation as a commercial service.

Ramp Fee→

A ramp fee, sometimes called a parking fee, is a charge for an aircraft to park on the ramp at an airport, often for the time between arrival and departure.

Repositioning→

Repositioning is the empty flying needed to bring an aircraft to your departure point or move it afterward, billed to you when there is no paying passenger.

Segment Fee→

A segment fee is a per-passenger government charge that can appear on certain domestic air transportation segments, including some charter itineraries, depending on routing and how the trip is taxed and ticketed.

Tail Number→

A tail number is the aircraft registration identifier, usually an N-number in the United States, painted on the tail and used on flight plans, contracts, and FAA records.

Wet Lease→

A wet lease is an arrangement where the aircraft owner or lessor provides the aircraft and crew to another operator. In commercial aviation the lessee typically holds operational control under defined lease terms, not the lessor.

Wyvern→

Wyvern Ltd. audits charter operators against documented safety standards and issues ratings such as Registered and Wingman, commonly referenced in corporate flight departments.

Broker

A company that arranges a charter on your behalf by sourcing aircraft from Part 135 operators. The broker does not hold the FAA operating certificate; the certificate holder named on the contract operates the flight.

Broker margin

The fee a broker earns for sourcing the aircraft, vetting the operator, and managing the booking. It is part of the price of the service, not a hidden markup.

Charter

Renting a whole aircraft and crew for a specific trip, priced per trip rather than per seat.

Fractional ownership

Buying a share of a specific aircraft with a multi year management agreement, paying an upfront share cost plus monthly management and occupied hourly rates.

Heavy jet

A large cabin jet category suited to long trips, including many transatlantic routes, with higher hourly cost.

Hourly rate

The price charged per hour of flight for a given aircraft, before taxes and fees. It varies by category, operator, and market conditions.

Jet card

A program where you prepay for a block of hours at a fixed or capped hourly rate, trading flexibility for predictable pricing and availability.

Knot

One nautical mile per hour, the standard unit for aircraft speed. Cruise speeds in this site are given in knots.

Light jet

A common category for regional trips with room for a small group and luggage, balancing cost and capability.

Midsize jet

A category with stand-up cabins and longer range than light jets, suited to coast to region trips.

Nautical mile

A unit of distance used in aviation, slightly longer than a statute mile. Route distances here are in nautical miles.

Occupied hour

An hour flown with passengers on board. Many programs bill on occupied hours rather than total aircraft hours.

Operator

The company that holds the certificate to operate the aircraft and is responsible for the flight, crew, and maintenance.

Peak day

A high demand date, such as a holiday, when programs may apply surcharges or restrict availability.

Positioning

Moving an aircraft to your departure airport or back afterward. Positioning hours may be billed to the trip.

Super midsize jet

A category with faster cruise and transcontinental range, often used for non-stop coast to coast trips.

Turboprop

A propeller aircraft driven by a turbine engine, efficient for short trips and able to use shorter runways.

Ultra long range jet

The category designed for non-stop intercontinental flights with the largest private cabins and the highest hourly cost.

Very light jet

An entry level jet category for short trips, with jet speed and a compact cabin.

Wheels up time

The moment the aircraft lifts off the runway, often used as the agreed departure reference for a charter.