Airport congestion and airline delays can make a person go mad, especially if they're running on a strict time schedule. For many travelers chartering a private jet is now the fast, easy and customized way to reach your destination safely and on time.
SEARCHING FOR A CHARTER COMPANY Are you ready to book your first charter flight? What do you need to know when choosing a charter operator? With all the intangible benefits of private air charter, not all operators will meet your specific needs and wants, so picking a charter operator can be difficult especially if you are chartering for the first time. Here are several key factors that should be considered when selecting an operator. (1) Identify charter operator that is right for you. (2) Know the operator's history and reputation. (3) Validate the operator. (4) Check the condition of the aircraft.
IDENTIFY CHARTER COMPANY THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU How do you find the right operator for you? In the charter industry, "one size does not fit all" and each operator can be geared to various types of functions from international travel to regional travel. Before you begin your search, answer the following questions to help gather the necessary information you need to find the right charter:
- What is the point of origin and the destination (city, state, country)?
- Are there multiple stops planned during the trip and where?
- When are your dates/times for travel?
- How many passengers will be traveling?
- Do you have aircraft cabin preferences or requirements (i.e. In–Flight telephone, lavatory, non–stop capability coast to coast)?
- Do you have special needs/requirements (propeller or jet aircraft, Flight attendant, medical accommodations)?
Search Method Besides the obvious, such as, the Internet and the yellow pages; you can find charter operators through many industry specific publications, online resources and charter brokers. Industry specific publications include, "The Air Charter Guide" and "The Charter Hub" that have information on officially rated operators. Online resources include Charter X, NBAA and Avinode. Charter brokers (Jets International, Bluestar Jets) are also a great resource for finding a good charter company; however, brokers will charge a finder's fee for their services. Keep in mind that brokers do not operate aircraft, but arrange flights with local operators in the area.
KNOW THE OPERATORS HISTORY AND REPUTATION Once you've narrowed down your search and selected a few operators to screen, your next step is to become familiar with the operator's history and experience. Steve Guzek, General Manager of FlighTime Business Jets in San Antonio says, "Knowing your operator is essential to picking a company who will provide you with reliable charter services...I recommend potential charter customers to do their research and know who is working for you before chartering a flight." Speak to other charter customers, visit the charter operator's facilities, and look up information about the operator in industry specific publications, and online resources to get a clear idea of the history and reputation of the operator. The local Flight Standards District Office is also a great source of information.
VALIDATE THE CHARTER OPERATOR Once you have found an ideal charter operator, the subsequent step is to validate the operator through official documentation. Validating a charter operator can be broken down into a 3 category process: (1) Verify FAA Documentation, (2) Confirm Insurance, (3) Authenticate Third Party Audits.
Verifying FAA Documentation In order to be a "fly for hire" company, charter operators must hold a Part 135 certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. To obtain this certificate, charter operators must follow strict FAA regulations in the area of aircraft maintenance, pilot training and aircraft operations. To verify if the operator is certified ask for a copy of their official Part 135 certificate.
Confirm Insurance An often overlooked criterion for a charter operator is their insurance coverage. You can tell what type of company an operator is by looking at their coverage limits. Typically, for small jets insurance limits are 25 million, mid sized jets $50 million and large jets $100 million. Operators with higher insurance coverage require the insurance company to audit the operator to ensure that all the pilots and mechanics have the appropriate experience and training to maintain the highest level of safety. The higher the coverage the more likely the charter operator will sustain a high level of safety and reliability. You may request a certificate of insurance to verify proof of coverage.
Third Party Audits The final step to validating a charter operator is verifing the company through third party audits. The most frequently used companies are the Aviation Research Group (ARG/ US) and Wyvern Report. These companies compile databases from the FAA, the Department of Transportation, and aircraft transactions to determine the safety record of the charter operator, the pilots and the aircraft.
CHECK THE CONDITION OF OPERATOR'S FLEET Once you have completed the validation process the final step is to check the condition of the aircraft. Most charter companies will have pictures and information on their current aircraft fleet. Be aware though, pictures provided by the operator may embellish the condition of the aircraft. The best way to ensure the condition of the aircraft is to view it personally, or talk to other people who have flown on it.
The most important thing to remember when chartering is to ask questions. With the information gained from this article you are now ready to charter a flight with peace of mind knowing that you have all the information necessary to find a reliable, safe and credible charter operator to meet your exact traveling needs.
