| It could happen someday. Your company could reach | | | | When deciding on how to best spend your money, |
| the point in it's marketing, sales and service where you | | | | and how the rates are going to compare, you might be |
| need to quickly and efficiently travel where commercial | | | | concerned on how the weather will affect where you |
| jets rarely go. And when that happens, you need to | | | | go and how much you pay. Some air charter |
| know how private jet charter rates stack up and how | | | | companies will automatically check on the weather |
| you should compare different private jet charter | | | | conditions that will influence your travel itinerary. This is |
| options. Is the operator safe? How much experience | | | | to ensure safety, and it also helps the customer make |
| does the pilot have? How many hours will you spend | | | | an informed decision. Some companies might offer |
| in the airplane you are going to be using? These are | | | | alternative destinations and even be able to take care |
| some of the many questions that arise when trying to | | | | of ground transportation costs to get you from the |
| determine whether or not to fly on a private charter | | | | nearest alternative to where you need to be. |
| jet and should be considered when comparing | | | | Obviously you want to make sure that you are getting |
| different companies' rates. | | | | your money's worth, but many companies are |
| First of all, is the private jet charter operator keeping | | | | dedicated to helping you get where you need to go |
| his planes well-maintained and inspected? All U.S. | | | | safely. |
| aircraft should be subject to inspection based on | | | | Those involved in extensive travel may want to use |
| aircraft manufacturer's specifications--specifications | | | | private jet charters quite often. Another alternative to |
| that must be approved by the Federal Aviation | | | | the one-time charter is the fractional ownership option. |
| Administration (FAA). These inspections, depending on | | | | This is where a group of businesses or very wealthy |
| the plane type and size, will occur at set intervals of | | | | individuals join together to pay for a private aircraft, |
| years and flight-time. The FAA rules that apply | | | | and then share it amongst themselves. While this might |
| specifically to charter jet services are found in the | | | | seem to offer a greater amount of availability for the |
| FAA part 135 regulations. Many private jet charter | | | | aircraft, it also might lead to some problems in |
| companies use third party companies to conduct | | | | availability when it is needed. The plane might be in a |
| audits to confirm their compliance with the FAA | | | | different region entirely being used by one of the other |
| regulations. | | | | fractional owners. There are also concerns over |
| Pilots for private jet charter companies also comply | | | | whether there is an exit fee out of the option and any |
| with the Part 135 regulations. This includes being | | | | extra maintenance fees for the aircraft which might |
| certified to fly certain types of aircraft, meeting the | | | | not have been stated up-front. |
| training requirements set forth by the FAA, and going | | | | Many companies operate a flight-card option, though |
| through simulator training at set intervals. In addition to | | | | these will be more expensive up-front by requiring a |
| these requirements, the FAA requires scheduled drug | | | | membership fee. When purchasing a flight card it is |
| tests, physicals, and flight checks. These regulations | | | | also important to remember to check for other fees |
| help to ensure that the pilots are fully qualified and that | | | | that might not be listed with the hourly rate for the |
| safety maintains a number one priority. | | | | plane, such as fuel costs, meal service costs, and |
| Another question you might ask is whether or not the | | | | charges for the crew, which may be billed separately. |
| chosen air charter company is outsourcing your flight | | | | Many of these flight cards do offer discounts in certain |
| to someone else. The airplanes that are used by | | | | areas and rewards programs, so it is certainly an |
| private jet charter companies are typically owned by | | | | option for you if you plan on traveling around a lot. |
| either wealthy individuals or corporations. Since the | | | | Private jet charter is not just for the rich and famous. |
| planes obviously are not in use constantly, many of | | | | In certain situations, you may find it to be the most |
| these corporations and individuals will contract with air | | | | efficient and most cost-effective solution for your |
| carriers registered with the FAA. This means that | | | | business. Just be diligent to research all of the options |
| these air carriers are the ones who actually operate | | | | and make sure your comparing the right numbers |
| and service the aircraft and who train the pilots and | | | | when you make your decision. |
| technicians for the aircraft. | | | | |