Glossary
The air charter community has developed its own industry-specific business and technical terminology that may be unfamiliar to newcomers. Here is a list of common terms and their definitions:
Airway Distance
The actual (as opposed to straight line) distance flown by the aircraft between two points, after deviations required by air traffic control and navigation along established routes. The difference between this and straight line distance will vary throughout the country.
Block Rates
The average speed over a specific distance "block-to block", or door-to-door with respect to the airport gate.
Bill Margin
The difference between the flight charges assessed by the charter operator and the flight charges assessed by the charter broker.
Certificate
FAA-issued license (in this context sometimes referred to as ticket, part 135 license, etc.) to carry passengers for hire.
Charter Broker
A company or individual that buys charter at wholesale and resells it at retail. The broker is responsible for payment to the charter provider, for assessing end-user taxes and fees, and for ensuring their customer's safety and satisfaction. A charter operator may act as a broker to provide supplemental lift to their customers.
Charter Operator
A company or individual that holds aircraft charter certificates and provides charter services to retail and wholesale customers.
Cruise Speed
Cruise speed is the normal speed attained at altitude once the aircraft is no longer climbing and is en route.
D-085
Page 85, section D, of an operator's federally mandated Operations Manual. This certified page lists all aircraft that the operator may legally offer for charter.
Deadhead
Originally a noun, now a verb meaning to fly the return leg of a trip without cargo or passengers. Originally coined during the infancy of the major airlines, the term was pejoratively applied to company employees or spouses, who were strapped into otherwise empty seats to give the appearance of high business volume.
Duty Time
That portion of the day when a crew member is on duty in any capacity (not just in the air). This can be a constraint on long day-trips, as there are FAA-imposed limits on the amount of time allowed on duty.
Empty Leg
Also known as "one-way availability". Since charter trips typically charge for round trip travel, empty legs can often represent relative bargains.
FBO
Fixed-base operator, which represents a large majority of the air charter industry. By definition at a permanent location, this is a vendor of services, maintenance, fuel, flight instruction, and aircraft sales, in addition to charter.
Flight Time
That portion of the trip actually spent in the air. For billing purposes this definition is strict and applies from moment of lift-off to moment of touch-down.
General Aviation
That portion of aviation other than military or commercial scheduled operations. Most major metropolitan airports tend to have a separate "general aviation" terminal, where a chartered flight is likely to depart or arrive.
Great Circle Distance
The shortest distance between two points on a globe.
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules. Flight in clouds.
ILS
Instrument Landing System. Low-level approach equipment at certain airports. Its presence is benefit to travel planner because instrument landing system improves trip reliability as closely as possible to the level of scheduled airlines, which generally fly from airports with these facilities.
Layover
A night spent in the middle of the trip in a city other than home base for the aircraft and crew.
LEG
Describes one direction of travel between two points. Commonly used in referring to a planned itinerary, it may not indicate all landings such as fuel stops.
Lift
Any aircraft engaged for transport.
Medivac
Medical evacuation (usually emergency).
Part 91
The set of federal regulations that govern private aircraft use.
Part 135
The set of federal regulations that govern the commercial hire of aircraft.
PIC
Pilot in command. The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft during flight time. Also referred to as captain.
Positioning
Ferrying aircraft for departure from other than originating airport.
Positioning Time
Time estimated for an aircraft to travel to the trip departure position.
Propjet
A propeller driven airplane, in which the engine is a jet turbine rather than piston driven.
Ramp
The apron or open "tarmac" in form of an FBO or terminal facility. Some facilities will permit automobiles to drive to the aircraft on the ramp, a feature of real benefit to the traveler with heavy or bulky luggage.
Repositioning Time
Time estimated for an aircraft to return to its based position after completion of a passenger segment.
Segment
Describes the unit of flight between take-off and landing. Sometimes used interchangeably with the term leg.
Taxi time
That portion of the trip spent rolling between the gate, terminal, or ramp and runway.
VFR
Visual Flight Rules. Flight out of clouds.
Waiting Time
That time that the chartered aircraft and crew must wait on the ground during any portion of the trip.
