Private Aviation Glossary

A plain-English guide to the terms you'll encounter when chartering a private jet. Compiled by Jetvice — pilots first, brokers second.

Aircraft & operators

ARGUS Platinum

The highest safety rating issued by ARGUS International, an independent aviation safety auditor. Operators must pass on-site audits, demonstrate safety management systems, and maintain accident-free records. Jetvice charters only with ARGUS Platinum-rated operators.

Wyvern Wingman

The premium safety standard from Wyvern, an independent operator-vetting service used by Fortune 500 flight departments. Wingman operators undergo annual on-site audits and pilot-record verification. Jetvice charters only with Wyvern Wingman-rated operators.

EASA

European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Sets aviation safety standards across European member states.

FAA

United States Federal Aviation Administration. Regulator for civil aviation in the U.S.

Part 135

The U.S. FAA regulation governing on-demand commercial air taxi and charter operations. All legitimate U.S. private jet charter operators hold a Part 135 certificate.

AOC

Air Operator Certificate. The European equivalent of a Part 135 certificate, required for any operator that flies passengers commercially.

Operator

The company that owns or manages the aircraft and employs the crew. Jetvice is a broker — we connect clients with vetted operators rather than operating aircraft ourselves.

Broker

An intermediary who arranges charter flights on the client's behalf, sourcing aircraft from multiple operators. Reputable brokers (like Jetvice) work only with safety-rated operators and disclose their pricing transparently.

Aircraft categories

Light jet

Small private jets seating 4–7 passengers, optimized for short flights up to ~3 hours. Examples: Cessna Citation CJ2/CJ3, Embraer Phenom 300, Pilatus PC-24. Typical hourly rate: €3,000–€5,000.

Midsize jet

6–9 passengers, up to ~4 hour flights, with stand-up cabin and enclosed lavatory. Examples: Citation XLS+, Hawker 800/900XP, Learjet 60XR. Typical hourly rate: €5,500–€8,500.

Super-midsize jet

8–10 passengers, up to ~6 hour flights. Examples: Bombardier Challenger 350/3500, Citation Sovereign+, Praetor 600. Typical hourly rate: €7,500–€11,000.

Heavy jet

10–14 passengers, transatlantic range. Examples: Falcon 2000LXS, Challenger 605/650, Gulfstream G450. Typical hourly rate: €10,000–€15,000.

Ultra-long-range jet (ULR)

12–19 passengers, non-stop intercontinental range. Examples: Gulfstream G650/G700, Bombardier Global 6000/7500, Falcon 8X. Typical hourly rate: €14,000–€22,000.

VIP airliner

Wide-body or narrow-body airliners (Boeing BBJ, Airbus ACJ) configured for private use. Used for very large groups or extreme range missions.

Booking & pricing

Empty leg

A flight an operator must fly empty to reposition an aircraft after dropping off a previous client. Sold at a steep discount — typically 40–75% off standard charter price. Same aircraft, same crew, same safety standard.

Repositioning leg / Ferry flight

A flight to move an aircraft from its base to where the client departs from. If priced into your charter, you pay for that movement. Empty legs are repositioning legs sold to a different client.

Block hours

The flight time billed to the client, measured from when the aircraft starts taxiing for departure to when it stops at arrival. Most charter pricing is by block hour.

Charter (on-demand)

Pay-per-flight private jet hire. No upfront commitment, no membership. Most flexible model. Best for buyers flying fewer than ~75 hours per year.

Jet card

A pre-paid block of flight hours with a single provider, sold as a card. Fixed hourly rates, sometimes with availability guarantees. Sensible above ~50 hours per year.

Fractional ownership

Buying a share (typically 1/16 or larger) of a specific aircraft, with associated monthly management fees and hourly costs. Breakeven vs. on-demand charter is roughly 75–150 hours per year.

Whole aircraft ownership

Buying an aircraft outright. Makes financial sense above ~400 hours per year for most aircr

aft categories. Includes hangar, crew, insurance, and maintenance overhead.

Airports & operations

FBO (Fixed-Base Operator)

The private terminal at an airport where charter passengers board, clear customs, and access ground services. FBOs offer private lounges, fast-track immigration, and direct ramp access — meaning passengers can arrive 10–15 minutes before departure rather than hours.

Slot

An assigned takeoff or landing time at a slot-controlled airport (e.g., London Heathrow, Nice in summer, Ibiza in July). Required for high-demand airports and seasonal peaks. Operators must request slots in advance, and they cannot always be guaranteed.

Permit

Government authorization to fly through, take off, or land in a country's airspace. International charter flights often require permits, which Jetvice arranges as part of the booking.

Handling

Ground services at the airport — fuel, baggage, catering, lavatory service, GPU (ground power), customs assistance. Charged by the FBO and included in your charter quote.

De-icing

Application of de-icing fluid to remove ice and snow from the aircraft before departure. Common in winter at northern airports. Cost ranges from €500 to €4,000 depending on aircraft size and location.

STOL

Short Take-Off and Landing — aircraft capable of using shorter or restricted runways. Critical for airports like Courchevel, London City, St. Moritz, and Saint Barth.

Flight types

Air ambulance / Medevac

Emergency or planned medical transport flights, typically with onboard medical crew and equipment. Available 24/7 worldwide.

Air cargo charter

Dedicated cargo flights for urgent freight, oversized shipments, or dangerous goods that don't fit scheduled cargo capacity.

Group charter

Charter of larger aircraft (regional jets up to wide-body airliners) for sports teams, corporate events, or incentive travel — typically 30–300 passengers.

Helicopter charter

On-demand helicopter flights for VIP airport transfers, scenic flights, or short hops where ground transport is impractical (ski resorts, islands, remote sites).

Rules of thumb

Light jet ≈ €5,000–€18,000 per flight for short European hops
Empty legs save 40–75% on standard charter prices
Charter is cheaper than ownership below ~75 flight hours per year
Slots matter most in summer Mediterranean and during major events (F1, Cannes, New Year St. Moritz)

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