Private Jet Glossary
Key terms and definitions you'll encounter in private aviation.
ARGUS
Aviation Research Group/US - a third-party safety auditor that rates charter operators. Ratings include Platinum, Gold, and Gold+.
Block Hours
Flight time measured from when the aircraft leaves the gate (blocks off) to when it arrives at the destination gate (blocks on). Jet card hours are typically sold in block hours.
Cabin Altitude
The effective altitude inside the pressurized cabin. Lower cabin altitude (6,000 ft vs 8,000 ft) means more comfort and less fatigue.
Charter
Renting an entire aircraft for a specific flight, paying only for flights you take without long-term commitments.
Dead Leg
See Empty Leg.
Empty Leg
A flight where the aircraft must reposition without passengers. These are offered at significant discounts (30-75% off) but have fixed schedules.
FAR Part 91
FAA regulations for general aviation operations (private, non-commercial flights).
FAR Part 135
FAA regulations for commercial air charter operations. Part 135 operators must meet stricter safety, maintenance, and pilot training requirements.
FBO
Fixed Base Operator - a private terminal at an airport that provides services to general aviation aircraft, including fueling, hangar storage, and passenger amenities.
Fractional Ownership
Purchasing a share (typically 1/16 to 1/2) of an aircraft, providing guaranteed access to that aircraft type for a set number of hours per year.
Heavy Jet
Large cabin aircraft typically seating 10-16 passengers with transcontinental or international range. Examples: Gulfstream G650, Bombardier Global 7500.
IS-BAO
International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations - a voluntary code of best practices for flight operations.
Jet Card
A prepaid block of flight hours (typically 25+ hours) purchased from a provider at fixed or capped hourly rates.
Light Jet
Small cabin aircraft typically seating 4-7 passengers with range up to 2,000 miles. Examples: Citation CJ3, Phenom 300.
Midsize Jet
Medium cabin aircraft typically seating 7-9 passengers with transcontinental range. Examples: Citation Latitude, Hawker 800XP.
Nautical Mile
A unit of distance used in aviation equal to approximately 1.15 statute miles or 1.85 kilometers.
One-Way Pricing
Pricing that charges only for the flight you take, not the repositioning flight. Helps avoid paying for empty legs.
Peak Days
High-demand travel periods (holidays, major events) where aircraft availability is limited and prices may be higher.
Repositioning
Moving an aircraft from one location to another without passengers, either to return to base or pick up the next client.
Round Trip
A flight that returns to the origin. May be priced differently than two one-way flights.
Super-Midsize Jet
Aircraft bridging midsize and large cabin categories, seating 8-10 with excellent range. Examples: Citation Sovereign, Challenger 350.
Turboprop
An aircraft powered by a turbine engine driving a propeller. More economical for shorter distances. Examples: King Air, Pilatus PC-12.
Ultra-Long-Range Jet
The largest cabin jets capable of 7,000+ nm range, connecting any two cities globally. Examples: Gulfstream G700, Global 8000.
Very Light Jet (VLJ)
The smallest category of jets, seating 4-6 passengers with limited range. Examples: Citation Mustang, HondaJet.
Wyvern
A third-party aviation safety auditor. Wyvern Wingman registration indicates an operator meets enhanced safety standards.