200+ private aviation terms every charter broker should know.
Last updated: May 2026
The vertical distance of the aircraft relative to the ground. Different from Above Sea Level (ASL).
Acronym for "Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance." Also called a Wet Lease, it's an aircraft leasing model where the operator (lessor) leases the aircraft to a client/airline (lessee) with all those items at a given hourly rate. See Dry Lease.
Air charter of a private jet, helicopter or turbo-prop certified to provide air transport to medical patients. Typically granted priority in air traffic control.
Act of renting or leasing a jet or plane for transport of cargo or passengers for a specific trip. When remunerated, they have to comply with FAA CFR Part 135 regulations.
One who is contracted on behalf of the end user of the charter flight. A charter broker works to ensure flexibility and options for the purchaser of the air charter flight.
Responsible for the licensing, maintenance, safety and operations of the air charter company. The air charter operator is not always the owner of the jet, helicopter, or airliner that is available for charter.
The service to pilots that promotes the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic. Usually each country operates its own Air Traffic Control service.
The equipment used or intended to be used for flight. An aircraft is any machine that gains support or lift from the reaction of the air. This includes jets, airliners, drones, sea planes, and helicopters.
An area that is used for takeoffs and landings of aircraft. Airports can be on land or water. Different from airfield.
Speed of an aircraft relative to its surrounding air mass. Different from ground speed.
Airport allowing an aircraft to land when landing at the intended airport is not possible, typically for safety, fuel, and weather reasons.
The actual (as opposed to straight line) distance flown by the aircraft between two points, after deviations required by Air Traffic Control or any required navigation requirement along published routes. Different from Track Miles.
Vertical distance between an object and a surface reference point, in aviation usually being the sea level.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "A."
The approval granted from a national aviation authority to an aircraft operator to allow it to use an aircraft for commercial purposes.
A critical, high-priority term indicating that a plane cannot operate, take off, or fly due to technical failures, severe maintenance issues, or parts shortages.
An onboard source of power that enables air conditioning, heating, galley facilities and cabin lighting to be used on the ground when the main engines are not operating. The APU is actually a small additional jet engine that doesn't provide any forward thrust and acts solely as a generator of electricity. Not all aircraft are equipped with an APU.
Hard-surfaced or paved area around a hangar.
The general operation, development, production and use of aircraft. Often referring to the term of "aviation industry" as a whole.
The most commonly used online aircraft charter marketplace.
Short for "Aviation Gasoline." Usually followed by the octane rating. Used by piston-engined aircraft.
The electronic control systems airplanes use for flight such as communications, autopilots, and navigation.
Also called Gate-to-Gate time in commercial aviation, it's the time between an aircraft first moving from its parking place for the purpose of flight, until it comes to rest on the designated parking position and all engines are stopped. It's the time used in commercial aviation ticketing.
Contract rate for scheduling a fixed and usually larger than usual number of air charter time in advance on a prearranged agreement, usually resulting in lower hourly rates.
The average speed of an aircraft, calculated from the moment it leaves the departure gate until it arrives at the destination gate.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "B."
An aircraft that is chartered for the purpose or use in business transportation.
Transport of passengers between two cities in the same country by a foreign airline.
Tradable certificates representing the removal or avoidance of one metric tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Used by companies and governments to offset emissions.
The principal greenhouse gas emission. Carbon is largely thought to be the most dangerous greenhouse gas.
Monetary contributions to renewable energy research and production projects, designed to reflect and mitigate the user's own greenhouse gas emissions e.g. through air travel.
Thousand foot increments of altitude to ensure vertical separation and avoid collision. Assigned based on magnetic direction, where odd altitudes assigned for eastbound flights, and even ones for westbound flights.
A catering, meal, or drink service provided for jet charters. Catering in private aviation generally refers to the provision of in-flight meals.
The heights above the earth's surface of the lowest layers of clouds or obscuring phenomena that is reported as broken, overcast, or obscuration, and not classified as thin or partial.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "C."
Usually called "Jet Card," pre-paid air charter plan, either for a block of charter hours at a pre-defined fee, or a set debit balance in dollars.
A scheduled flight with a fixed origin, destination, and departure/arrival times, operating for remuneration. Commercial flights operate under the FAA CFR Part 121 regulations.
A regional, scheduled airline, providing regional and short-haul flights on a regular schedule, usually in high frequency.
Short for "Condensation Trails," streaks of condensed water vapour created in the air by aircraft flying at high altitudes.
An airspace of defined borders within which Air Traffic Control service is provided to IFR flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification.
A company flight department which has earned a "Part 135" certificate to carry passengers for compensation.
Winds blowing perpendicular or not parallel to the runway or the aircraft's flight path.
The normal speed attained at altitude once the aircraft is no longer climbing and is en route.
A level altitude maintained by an aircraft while in flight.
The necessary repositioning of flight or cabin crew, traveling as passengers on a flight to work a subsequent trip, usually paid and on-duty, but not operating the aircraft.
Also called "Minimum Height," height at which a decision must be made during an instrument approach to either continue the approach or to execute a missed approach.
The process of removing and preventing accumulation of snow, frost, or ice from flight-critical surfaces of an aircraft. De-icing formulas are usually a compound of glycol or alcohol based liquids designed to lower the freezing point of water.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "D."
Fees charged by an operator or airport when a charterer keeps an aircraft beyond the completion of the flight, or when an aircraft exceeds its allotted time at an airport, hangar, or apron.
Method to account for assets whose value decreases over time because of factors such as age, wear or market conditions.
Occurs when an air charter itinerary is designed such that it is more costly to keep the plane away from base than it would be to return home empty.
Opposed to a "Wet Lease." It's a leasing model where the operator (lessor) leases just the aircraft to the client (lessee), without crew, maintenance, and insurance. See ACMI.
Usually pronounced "ee-uh-suh," it's the EU authority for civil aviation, with duties including safety, certification, inspection, and legislation. It is the European equivalent of the FAA. See FAA.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "E."
Glass cockpit avionics that integrate all flight parameters into one optimized instrument. These modern systems offer enhanced reliability, reduced weight, simplified installation and overall cost savings.
Uses aircraft inputs such as position, attitude, heading, and air speed, and glide slope, which along with internal terrain, obstacles, and airport databases predict a potential conflict between the aircraft's flight path and terrain or an obstacle.
A radio transmitter activated automatically by the impact of an accident. Emits a warbling tone on the international emergency frequencies. ELT signals can be received by nearby FAA facilities, aircraft overhead, and search and rescue (SARSAT) satellites.
A re-positioning flight where the aircraft is flying empty, flying over to its next revenue generating flight. Chartering an empty leg can often cost significantly less than a full-price charter.
Acronym for "Estimated Time of Arrival," it is the projected and tentative time the plane is expected to arrive at a gate or parking spot.
Acronym for "Estimated Time of Departure," it is the projected and tentative time the plane is expected to depart a gate or parking spot.
The US Department of Transportation's agency for aviation in the United States.
Airport, airfield or helipad 3 to 4 character identifiers as defined by the FAA. Common airports will usually have the same FAA LID and IATA Code. LAX for example is both an FAA LID and IATA Code. All airports, airfields, or helipads have an FAA LID. See IATA Code and ICAO Code.
Often colloquially called a "private jet terminal," provides ground services for air charter clients such as onsite mechanic, fuel service, catering, ground transportation and other transit services.
A flight for the purpose of returning an aircraft to base, delivering an aircraft from one location to another, moving an aircraft to and from a maintenance base.
A commercial or private aviation entity or individual developed to subcontract the maintenance, operation or marketing of corporate or commercial aircraft.
A period which commences when a flight or cabin crew member is required to report for duty, and finishes when the aircraft finally comes to rest and the engines are shut down at the end of the last flight. Different from Duty Period.
Filed with an Air Traffic Control facility, it's the specific information regarding the flight or intended flight of an aircraft. It must be approved by either air traffic control or the governing aviation authority such as the FAA in the United States of America.
Time the aircraft is in flight. The point of time between take off and touchdown.
A specialized advanced on-board computer system that automates a wide variety of in-flight tasks, such as fuel calculation, navigation, flight planning, or performance management, therefore reducing the workload on the flight crew.
Refers to any object not intended on being on the runway, that may cause hazards to aircraft or people on the ground.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "F."
The purchase of a "share" of an aircraft. Fractional owners are guaranteed access to one. They usually pay a fixed monthly maintenance fee as well as an hourly fee, with the major advantage of not having to carry crew, maintenance and all associated fees.
A planned, intermediate landing made solely to refuel an aircraft, allowing it to complete a journey that exceeds its maximum range or payload capacity.
An often temporary charge for the increased price of fuel to offset fuel price volatility.
An aircraft's main body structure housing the flight crew, passengers, and cargo.
Refers strictly to private aviation used for private or leisure purposes, not for hire.
Time standard based on the Earth's rotation. While often used interchangeably with UTC, GMT does not observe daylight saving, and is based on solar observations. See UTC and ZULU TIME.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "G."
US owned satellite positioning system, velocity and time system. Highly accurate navigation aid.
System designed to alert pilots if their aircraft is in immediate danger of flying into the ground. Also called Ground-Collision Warning System.
The shortest straight line distance between two points on a globe. Appears curved on a planisphere world map.
The speed of an aircraft relative to the surface of the earth.
A service provided for luxury jet charters before or after the flight. Ground transportation can be limo service or luxury car rental.
An enclosed structure for housing aircraft.
An aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 255,000 lbs.
A rotor driven aircraft that uses vertical axes with pitched blades to generate lift and stability.
A helipad is used for takeoffs, landings and occasionally for parking of helicopters. Usually marked by the letter "H."
The area of land or water used for the landings and takeoffs of helicopters.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "H."
Commonly pronounced "eye-uh-tuh," is the trade association for the world's airlines, setting technical, ticketing and safety standards in commercial aviation.
Standardized 2-letter airline designators and 3-letter location identifiers for airports and cities defined by the International Air Transport Association. LAX for instance, is the IATA code for Los Angeles International Airport. Airports that do not have any form of commercial aviation activity usually do not have an IATA code. In the US, an airport will usually have the same IATA Code and FAA LID. See FAA LID.
Commonly pronounced "Eye-Kay-Oh," is an agency of the United Nations. The ICAO is charged with the development of principles and techniques of international air navigation.
Standardized 4-letter airport, airfield, and navigational aid identifiers defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization. KLAX for instance is the ICAO identifier for Los Angeles International Airport. Most airports around the world have an ICAO code. Some US airports do not have an ICAO, but will always have an FAA LID. See FAA LID.
Rules of the road for flights permitted to penetrate clouds and low visibility conditions by reference to cockpit flight instruments and radio navigation. Aircraft must be equipped accordingly and pilots certified for IFR flight. Flight plans and ATC clearances are required. Flights are monitored and traffic separated by Air Traffic Control, usually by radar.
A precision instrument approach system utilizing radio transmitters at the runway ends which provide precise left-right and up-down indications to the pilot permitting aircraft to land during periods of low ceilings or poor visibility.
Conditions such as visibility, distance between clouds, ceiling level that do not meet the standard for visual meteorological conditions, requiring pilot to navigate using instruments.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "I."
Proof that your aircraft and crew meet safety and operational standards.
Any airport designated by its contracting state to carry out the duties of customs and immigrations for international departing and arriving flights, along with other duties.
An intermediary who facilitates the leasing or purchasing of an aircraft.
Act of hiring crew; leasing an aircraft for the purpose of private air transportation.
An intermediary who facilitates the charter of an aircraft.
Narrow and high altitude winds, usually flowing from West to East. Frequently used by pilots and flight planners to reduce travel time and fuel efficiency.
Purchase or lease of a complete aircraft by a relatively small number of owners, often through a partnership or limited liability corporation.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "J."
The most common measure of aircraft speed, representing the number of nautical miles travelled per hour, where 1 Knot equals 1 Nautical Mile per Hour (1Kt = 1nm/hr).
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "K."
An extended period of time spent in the middle of the trip in a city other than home base for the aircraft and crew.
A single direction of travel between two points. For an air charter itinerary, a leg could be represented by repositioning and fuel stops. See Empty Leg.
The upward force generated by the wings, allowing the aircraft to go airborne.
An aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of up to approximately 20,000 lbs.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "L."
The ratio of a vehicle's speed relative to the local speed of sound.
Commonly refers to an aircraft or flight used to transport injured patients to hospital. See Air Ambulance.
An aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) between approximately 20,000 and 45,000 lbs.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "M."
The maximum weight, inclusive of fuel and payload, at which a pilot is allowed to attempt a take off. It is determined directly by the manufacturer. See Payload.
The network of airspace, navigational services facilities and equipment, facilitating the movement of aircraft above ground.
Provider of Air Traffic Control services to aircraft flying in UK airspace and over the eastern part of the North Atlantic.
A unit of distance for air and sea vessels corresponding to exactly 1,852 meters. It is based on the Earth's circumference and is equivalent to one minute of latitude (1/60th of a degree) along any meridian.
Any form of device that guides a pilot and aircraft from one area to another.
The process of recording, planning and controlling the movement of an aircraft or vehicle from one point to another.
National Business Aviation Association.
An airport without a control tower or air traffic control. Pilots are responsible for their own separation.
Aviation acronym for "Notice to Air Missions," but the currently accepted definition is "Notice to Airmen."
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "N."
A booked trip from one departing location to an arriving location, without a confirmed return trip back to the original departing location.
Responsible for the licensing, maintenance, safety and operations of one or more private charter aircraft. The operator is not always the owner of the luxury jet, business jet or private jet that is available for charter.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "O."
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "P."
The path of aircraft traffic around an airfield, at an established height and direction, for the purpose of take-off, landing, or hold procedures. At tower-controlled fields, Air Traffic Controllers supervise the pattern by radio (or in non-radio or emergency conditions by red and green light signals).
Aviation short-form term referring to "Passengers."
Anything that an aircraft carries beyond what is required for its operation during flight such as fuel and on-board equipment, referring to cargo or passengers.
The pilot with ultimate authority, final decision, and responsibility for safety and operations of the aircraft during flight.
Pricing model based on the specific origin and destination.
Any documentation, receipt, or transaction record confirming that money has been successfully sent or a financial transaction completed.
Ferrying aircraft for departure from other than originating airport. See Empty Leg.
Any form of water (rain, snow, hail, or sleet) falling from the atmosphere.
The vendor of choice for Air Charter Agents, Jet Charter Brokers or Charter Jet Operators. Usually built through strong relationship building, often resulting in preferential pricing.
An airport used by general aviation and private aviation but is ineligible for use by scheduled and commercial travel.
An aircraft owned by a private person or organization.
An intermediary who facilitates the hire of a private aircraft, usually comparing options from operators. See Jet Charter Broker and Jet Broker.
Hiring a private jet aircraft for a specific itinerary, as opposed to ownership or fractional ownership of an aircraft. See Jet Charter.
An airspace area where flight and any form of aircraft operation is prohibited except by prior arrangement with the controlling agency.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "Q."
A detailed, customized estimate provided by brokers or operators outlining the total cost to rent an entire aircraft for a specific itinerary.
Transmission of a radio pulse that provides information on range and elevation of objects in the path of transmitted pulses.
A device used by aircraft for the purpose of communication.
The apron or open "tarmac" in front of an FBO or terminal facility. This space is used for deplaning, parking of aircraft.
The maximum distance an aircraft is certified to fly on a single tank of fuel, and at its lightest configuration under ideal cruising conditions. It's expressed in nautical miles (nm).
A departure time restriction issued to a pilot by ATC (either directly or through an authorized relay).
The travel time for charter aircraft traveling to or from base en route to the departure or from the destination of the particular air charter trip.
Airspace that (when "Active" or "Hot") usually restricts civilian or commercial aircraft such as in the event of rocket flight or military exercise.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "R."
Smooth area prepared for landings and takeoffs of aircraft.
A foundational aviation safety principle requiring pilots to actively scan for and maneuver to avoid other aircraft, particularly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). In the US, helicopters are prohibited from operation under this measure when near busy airports.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "S."
An advisory issued in times of severe weather that is significant to the safety of all aircraft.
Refers to the allowed time window an aircraft will be allowed to land or take off.
A varying speed at which sound travels through a medium. The speed of sound varies according to atmospheric conditions. See Mach Speed.
The chartering of an aircraft for the purpose of transporting members of sports teams to sporting events.
The length of the flight from take-off to landing in a single leg.
A unit of length equal to 1,609.34 meters, primarily used in land navigation in the UK.
An aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) between approximately 45,000 and 95,000 lbs.
An airplane's registration number.
Winds that are more than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the runway.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "T."
An airport surface paved with the substance, especially a runway or an apron at a hangar.
Takes wind out of the picture. True air speed is the speed of an aircraft relative to undisturbed air. A static plane on the ground with a head wind of 30 knots, will show an IAS (Indicated Air Speed) of 30 knots, but a TAS (True Air Speed) of 0, as the plane is not moving relative to the undisturbed air mass. See IAS.
An advanced type of GPWS that provides the flight crew earlier aural and visual warning of impending terrain, forward looking capability and continued operation in the landing configuration.
Time the aircraft is in transit to the runway up to the point of take off.
A volume of controlled airspace set up at the confluence of airways in the vicinity of one or more major airports to protect traffic climbing out from and descending into the airports.
A passive anti-collision system detecting and alerting pilots to nearby transponders but not providing evasive instructions or coordination with other aircraft. See TCAS.
An active cockpit system to detect other transponder-equipped aircraft, alert pilots, and command or coordinate evasive action between aircraft. See TCAD.
Short for "Technical Stop," refers to an operationally required stop an aircraft has to make at an airport en route to its final destination, usually for duty time or refueling requirements.
Refers to the verification of safety, maintenance and operations by an independent auditor.
An airborne transmitter that responds to ground-based interrogation signals to provide Air Traffic Controllers with more accurate and reliable position information than would be possible with "passive" radar; may also provide Air Traffic Control with an aircraft's altitude.
Engine that uses compressed air to generate thrust to spin a metal shaft inside the motor. Turbines are vital components in jet engines and also power turboprop aircraft.
Aircraft with jet engines that operate turbines which operate air compressors.
An aircraft with a jet engine powering a turbine, in turn powering a propeller.
An aircraft designed for intercontinental flights, typically with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) above 95,000 lbs.
A common radio frequency used at controlled airports for local pilot communication. UNICOM is also used by a Fixed Base Operator for general administrative uses, including fuel orders, parking instructions, etc.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "U."
Refers to the UTC timezone, and a 24-hour system. It is the primary time standard in aviation by which the world regulates time. While it may seem similar to GMT, UTC is based on atomic accuracy. In aviation, it is often specified by the letter "Z" or "UTC" at the end. For example, 4:00PM would be expressed as "1600Z" or "16:00 UTC." See ZULU TIME and GMT.
Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing.
Regulations allowing pilots to operate aircraft in clear weather conditions, primarily by visually referencing the ground and surroundings. See IFR.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "V."
The ability to see and identify prominent un-lit objects during the day and lit objects of prominence at night, expressed in meters, therefore representing the unobstructed distance a pilot can see.
Referring to aircraft with a Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) of 10,000 lbs.
Conditions such as visibility, distance between clouds and a ceiling that is equal to or better than the specified minimums. See IMC.
The time the aircraft is waiting on the tarmac for the departure of its next leg of the itinerary.
Predetermined geographical position defined relative to other navigational aids.
Lowest (worst) visibility conditions under which an aircraft may legally be flown under visual flight rules. When visibility is less than specified minimums, an aircraft must fly under instrument flight rules or not at all.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "W."
A small, stabilizing, rudder-like addition to the tips of a wing to control or employ air movement, thereby increasing fuel economy.
Aviation short-form term for "weather," often referred to in conversation with other brokers, operators, and dispatchers.
A third-party rating system of private aircraft operators measuring adherence to ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards for safety management systems, emergency response plans, and internal evaluations. Included is a two-day, on-site audit recurring every 24 months.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "X."
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "Y."
The side-to-side movement of an aircraft on its vertical axis.
The control wheel of an aircraft, similar to a car steering wheel.
ICAO alphabet letter for the letter "Z."
Refers to the UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) time zone. It is a 24-hour system. It is the primary time standard in aviation by which the world regulates time. In aviation, it is often specified by the letter "Z" at the end. For example, 4:00PM would be expressed as "1600Z" or "16:00 UTC." See UTC and GMT.