What Is Clearance Void Time?
When an aircraft departs a non-towered airport under instrument flight rules (IFR), Air Traffic Control (ATC) assigns a clearance void time to ensure the safe management of departures and arrivals during periods of limited visibility. The clearance void time sets a deadline for the pilot to take off in their private jet before the clearance becomes invalid, thereby preventing the plane from taking off.
Clearance void times are essential for ATC to maintain separation between aircraft during IFR departures and arrivals at non-towered airports. This is particularly important when pilots rely solely on their aircraft’s instruments for navigation.
To comply with FAA regulations, clearance void times cannot exceed 30 minutes. If a private jet takes off after its clearance void time or without proper clearance, it could result in a loss of separation with an arriving jet, creating a dangerous situation. The pilot may also face disciplinary action, including license suspension or revocation.
What Is A Fixed-Base Operator?
When you book a private plane, you can depart from a fixed-base operator (FBO), which is a service center for aircraft. FBOs can be privately owned or owned by the airport or local government, and are usually located a short distance from the main terminal at major airports.
FBOs provide a range of services, including aircraft maintenance, fuel service, catering, ground transportation, and hangar services. Many FBOs own their own aircraft, ranging from helicopters to heavy jets and airliners. In the United States, there are around 5,200 FBOs, including independent operators and chain operations.
An emerging trend is for FBOs to partner with major hotels and retailers to offer luxurious amenities such as plush lounges, private meeting rooms, and spas. If you book a private plane through an FBO that is partnered with a hotel, you can step off your plane and into your hotel.
Using an FBO for your private plane offers several advantages, including convenience, discretion, and security. There are no long queues or wait times, simply arrive at the FBO 30 minutes before your flight. Pass through check-in and security and board your plane directly. High-profile travelers can avoid the public and paparazzi by taking ground transportation directly from the FBO to the aircraft. Valuable cargo can also be escorted directly to the aircraft once it has cleared security.
What Is Cabotage?
Despite the prevalence of private jet travel, the legal concept of “cabotage” remains important. This term originally referred to domestic trade or transport along a country’s coastline, but it now encompasses all forms of domestic transportation, including rail, air, ship, and road. In private aviation, cabotage regulations apply to aircraft that transport passengers via jet charter or hire within a given country. Charter flight operators are required to comply with rules and laws specific to private jet flights, which includes operational requirements and passenger regulations. To monitor and enforce cabotage violations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires flight operators to notify them of crew and passenger information for each leg of a flight in the United States. To ensure compliance with cabotage guidelines, it’s advisable to use a reputable flight broker. For instance, ARGUS- and Wyvern-rated aircraft operators that charter private jets and airplanes follow cabotage rules for private flight charters within the United States.
What Is Argus?
ARGUS specializes in generating reports for Part 135 operators that cover safety, operating costs, and market research. As a third-party safety auditor, they perform on-site safety audits for charter brokers such as FlyUSA. The ARGUS audit is a comprehensive “Process and Systems” audit that confirms the flight operation is managed, organized, and run in accordance with industry best practices, emphasizing a strong commitment to safety. In addition to assessing the operator’s consistency in meeting its objectives, ARGUS also reviews adherence to applicable regulations and customer contract specifications.
FlyUSA utilizes ARGUS’ Certified Charter Broker Program to address concerns surrounding the legitimacy of charter brokers and private/business jet charter operators. The program offers clients confidence and assurance in their decision to hire a charter broker for their travel needs, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, proper insurance coverage, and appropriate management of financial responsibilities.
What Does A Mechanical Delay Mean?
In the context of a private jet, a mechanical delay refers to an unplanned and unexpected delay in the aircraft’s departure or arrival due to a mechanical issue or problem.
Mechanical delays can be caused by various factors such as engine or equipment malfunctions, issues with avionics or navigation systems, or problems with the aircraft’s structure. These types of delays can result in the need for repairs, parts replacement, or other maintenance work to be performed before the jet can safely take off or land.
Mechanical delays are typically beyond the control of the airline or passengers, and can be frustrating for those impacted by the delay. However, they are necessary to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board the private jet.
Repositioning Vs. Reposition Time
In the context of private jet charters, the act of moving a jet from one location to another to facilitate a requested charter flight is referred to as “repositioning.” This is often necessary when a passenger needs to fly from a location where a suitable aircraft is not available. However, repositioning a chartered private jet can result in significant fees for the passenger.
It’s important to note that “repositioning” should not be confused with “reposition time,” which is a term used in airline operations to refer to the time it takes for an aircraft to move from the departure gate to the runway. This time can be affected by aircraft traffic, and in turn, impact aircraft charter rates. However, for private jet charters at smaller airports, reposition time is typically minimal, resulting in lower charter rates.
What is WYVERN?
WYVERN Ltd is the leader in aviation safety risk management and training. Building on its 30-year reputation for delivering value to the aviation community, WYVERN ensures operational excellence through its flagship Wingman and Flight Leader Programs. WYVERN’s EXACT Program is a comprehensive and professional safety certification program for UAS end-users and operators. WYVERN’s Safety Leader Training Course™ provides the education and training that enables professionals to achieve operational excellence in any aviation organization skillfully.
Private jet charter and aircraft management company, FlyUSA has successfully enrolled in the WYVERN Broker Membership program.
FlyUSA proudly raises the bar and exceeds the standard for safe, affordable, private air travel for business or pleasure. We pride ourselves on offering a professional and personalized private flight service at the right price.