Reference
Private jet charter glossary for brokers
This private jet charter glossary defines daily broker vocabulary from AOC through WYVERN. It serves new brokers and ops staff in the US, UK, EU, and Gulf.
By Limitless Sky · Last reviewed 2026-10-02 · 9 min read
Part of the private jet broker knowledge base.
Entries are one to three sentences; follow linked guides for checklists and worked examples.
Key takeaways
- This private jet charter glossary aligns language across RFQs, client updates, and compliance checks.
- Regulation entries link to longer guides on Part 295, vetting, and UK/EU rules.
- Pricing and ops terms explain differences clients see between quotes.
- Link using /learn/private-jet-charter-glossary#term-slug from other pages.
Private jet charter glossary: how to use these definitions
Use the alphabetical sections below as a desk reference. Link to anchors such as #term-aoc from other guides when you introduce a term for the first time.
Definitions stay short on purpose. Follow linked guides for checklists, worked examples, and regional rules.
A
Charter broker terms starting with “A”.
ACA
The Air Charter Association (UK-focused trade body).
ACMI
Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) is a wet-lease style package. Brokers review who holds operational control in ACMI contracts.
Air charter broker
An air charter broker arranges charter on certificated operators. US DOT Part 295 sets duties for covered broker sales.
All-in quote
An all-in quote states a total for defined services with stated assumptions. Compare with conditional and indicative quotes.
AOC
An Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is issued by a national aviation authority showing an operator meets safety requirements for commercial flights. Brokers verify the operating carrier's AOC on European and many international trips. See vetting operators.
AOG
Aircraft on Ground (AOG) means the aircraft is unavailable, often for maintenance. Charter agreements may address substitute aircraft.
APIS
Advance Passenger Information System data is sent to border agencies before certain flights. Brokers collect passport details per operator instructions.
ARGUS
ARGUS International provides operator ratings and CHEQ research. Ratings are voluntary audits, not government licences.
B
Charter broker terms starting with “B”.
Back-to-back contract
Matching client and operator contracts with aligned cancellation and payment terms reduce refund disputes.
Bizliner
A bizliner adapts an airliner airframe (for example BBJ or ACJ) to private charter with wide cabins and long range.
Block time
Block time is chocks-off to chocks-on time used for billing. It often exceeds airborne flight time.
Bona fide agent
Under US Part 295, a bona fide agent acts for the charterer. Capacity affects required disclosures.
Broker disclosure
Required client information on operator identity, capacity, and insurance on US covered trips.
Broker liability insurance
Cover for the broker's arranging role. See insurance guide.
C
Charter broker terms starting with “C”.
CAA (UK)
UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Cabotage
Cabotage restricts foreign operators from domestic point-to-point work inside another country.
Cancellation schedule
Lists fees by days before departure. Client and operator schedules should match.
Certificate of insurance (COI)
Summarises operator insurance limits and dates. File on each trip after vetting.
Charter agreement
Contract for a trip naming parties, aircraft, price, and cancellation terms.
Charter quote
Operator or broker document stating price, validity, and conditions for a trip.
Charter segment
One take-off and landing pair; US segment fees apply per segment.
Charterer
The customer contracting for transportation, who may differ from passengers on board.
Client proposal
Broker presentation of options to the charterer before contract.
Commission
Broker remuneration, often a percentage. See how brokers earn.
Conditional quote
Includes known costs but excludes variables such as de-icing or extra handling unless triggered.
Crew duty time
Regulatory limits on pilot work and rest. May require crew change or overnight costs.
Crew overnight
Charges when crew must stay away from base, including hotel and per diem.
Customs
Border clearance for international arrivals. Confirm handling and documentation early.
D
Charter broker terms starting with “D”.
Daily minimum
Minimum billable flight time or daily rate on short legs.
De-icing
Removal of ice contamination before flight. Often priced separately in winter.
Deadhead
Non-revenue repositioning flight, related to empty legs and positioning.
Deposit
Payment securing the booking. Align client deposits with operator contract timing.
Direct air carrier
Operator in operational control of the flight. Must be disclosed on US Part 295 trips before contract.
DOT
US Department of Transportation — Part 295 enforcement.
Dry lease
Aircraft without crew. Misused dry leases can signal grey charter.
E
Charter broker terms starting with “E”.
eAPIS
US electronic APIS filing for certain cross-border flights.
EASA
European Union Aviation Safety Agency — safety rulemaker for member states.
EBAA
European Business Aviation Association.
Empty leg
Discounted repositioning tied to a primary trip. See empty legs for brokers.
F
Charter broker terms starting with “F”.
FAA
US Federal Aviation Administration.
FBO
Fixed Base Operator providing handling, fuel, and passenger facilities.
FET (federal excise tax)
US excise tax on taxable air transportation of persons plus segment fees. See charter taxes.
Flight brief
Operational summary of route, weather, and timing for crew.
Flight time
Typically wheels-up to wheels-down, distinct from block time billing.
Force majeure
Contract clause for extraordinary events beyond normal control.
Foreign carrier permit
UK CAA permission often required for non-UK operators on UK commercial charter.
Form 720
IRS quarterly excise tax return including air transportation taxes.
Fractional ownership
Shared aircraft ownership programme distinct from ad hoc brokered charter.
Fuel stop
En-route landing to refuel when range requires it.
G
Charter broker terms starting with “G”.
GenDec
General Declaration for customs listing crew, passengers, and cargo.
Grey charter
Unlicensed or improper charter, often with private aircraft. Insurance may not apply.
H
Charter broker terms starting with “H”.
Handling
Ground coordination services at an airport, often billed as a line item.
Handling agent
Coordinates ground services, slots, and permits at an airport.
Heavy jet
Large-cabin, long-range jet category. See categories.
Hull insurance
Covers aircraft physical damage; separate from passenger liability.
I
Charter broker terms starting with “I”.
ICAO aircraft type
Standard type designator used in flight plans (for example C550).
Illegal charter
Passenger transport without proper operator authority, listing, insurance, or traffic rights.
Indicative quote
Budget estimate, not a firm offer until reconfirmed.
Indirect air carrier
Sells air transportation without operating the aircraft; Part 295 may apply.
International head tax
US per-passenger tax on qualifying international transportation. Check IRS for current rate.
IS-BAO
IBAC standard for business aviation operations with SMS stages.
J
Charter broker terms starting with “J”.
Jet card
Prepaid hours or funds product, different terms from single brokered trips.
L
Charter broker terms starting with “L”.
Landing fee
Airport charge often based on aircraft weight.
Landing permit
State approval required before landing in some countries.
Liability limits
Maximum insurance payout per occurrence on the policy.
Light jet
Entry jet category for short to medium trips.
M
Charter broker terms starting with “M”.
Markup
Broker margin added to operator net rate.
MEL
Minimum Equipment List permitting dispatch with certain items inoperative.
Midsize jet
Mid-range cabin and range category between light and super-midsize.
MTOW
Maximum Take-Off Weight used in performance and fee calculations.
Multi-leg
Itinerary with several flight segments under one trip.
N
Charter broker terms starting with “N”.
NBAA
National Business Aviation Association (US trade group).
Net rate
Operator price to the broker before client margin.
O
Charter broker terms starting with “O”.
One-way pricing
Single-direction charter price, often including positioning.
Open jaw
Arrive one city, depart another, affecting positioning.
Operating Licence
EU economic licence paired with the AOC for commercial air services.
Operational control
Responsibility for safe, compliant flight operations held by the certificated operator.
Option or hold
Temporary aircraft reservation before contract, with stated expiry.
Overflight permit
Permission to transit national airspace without landing.
P
Charter broker terms starting with “P”.
Parking fee
Ramp or parking charges during ground time.
Part 135
US certificate for on-demand charter operators.
Part 135 certificate
FAA certificate authorising on-demand charter operations in the US.
Part 295
US air charter broker disclosure and conduct rule. See guide.
Part 298
US air taxi rules; sections 298.80/298.90 cover operators that broker others.
Part 380 public charter
US rules for public charter programmes, distinct from typical single-entity broker sales.
Part 91
US general aviation rules. Not a substitute for Part 135 when selling charter.
PASS report
WYVERN trip intelligence product supplementing operator vetting.
Passenger liability
Insurance covering passenger injury claims on the operator policy.
Passenger manifest
List of passengers and baggage for security and customs.
Payload
Weight available for passengers and baggage after fuel and reserves.
Positioning flight
Moving the aircraft empty to the passenger pickup point.
PPR
Prior Permission Required for landing at restricted airports.
Q
Charter broker terms starting with “Q”.
Quote validity
Date and time until which an offer may be withdrawn.
R
Charter broker terms starting with “R”.
Range
Distance capability with stated fuel and reserve assumptions.
Registration / tail number
Aircraft identifier; must match operator certificate for the trip.
Repositioning
Moving aircraft without revenue passengers; see positioning flight.
RFQ
Request for Quote to operators on a defined itinerary.
Round trip
Out and return itinerary, possibly with minimums on each leg.
Runway length
Available runway affects which categories can operate safely.
S
Charter broker terms starting with “S”.
Sanctions screening
Checking parties against restricted lists before contracting.
Segment fee
US per-passenger per-segment excise amount; IRS adjusts periodically.
Single entity charter
Transportation for one charterer's group — core Part 295 scenario in the US.
Slot
Scheduled arrival or departure time at capacity-controlled airports.
SMS
Safety Management System for identifying and managing operational risk.
Sub-charter
Capacity purchased from another broker or operator to fulfil a sale.
Subject to availability
Aircraft not yet confirmed; do not promise a firm tail to clients.
Substitute aircraft
Replacement aircraft if original goes mechanical, per contract terms.
Super-midsize jet
Category between midsize and heavy with long range for many transcon trips.
T
Charter broker terms starting with “T”.
Tech stop
Brief stop without passenger change of plane, often fuel or customs.
Third-party liability
Covers damage to persons or property outside the aircraft.
Traffic rights
Permission to carry passengers between specific states or within a foreign country.
Trip sheet
Client and crew document with times, FBOs, contacts, and services.
Turboprop
Turbine propeller aircraft category for regional and short-field work.
U
Charter broker terms starting with “U”.
ULR (ultra-long-range)
Jet category for very long nonstop sectors.
V
Charter broker terms starting with “V”.
VAT
Value Added Tax on UK/EU sales depending on place of supply and agency structure.
Very light jet (VLJ)
Smallest jet category for short trips and small groups.
W
Charter broker terms starting with “W”.
War risk insurance
Coverage extension for certain geopolitical risks; may be required on some routes.
Wet lease
Aircraft with crew from lessor; operational control stays with lessor's AOC.
WYVERN
Safety firm offering operator registration, Wingman audits, and PASS.
FAQ
What is operational control?
The certificated operator responsible for conducting the flight safely and legally. Brokers arrange flights but do not hold operational control. See #term-operational-control.
What is an empty leg?
A repositioning flight sold at a discount, conditional on the primary charter. See empty legs for brokers.
What is the difference between Part 91 and Part 135?
Part 91 governs general aviation; Part 135 certifies on-demand charter operators in the US. Public charter sold on Part 91 alone may be illegal.
What does AOC mean?
Air Operator Certificate — authority to operate commercial flights. EU charter also requires an Operating Licence.
How do I link to a term?
Use label in knowledge base articles.