Types of Aircraft Charter
What type of Aircraft should I charter?
There are a range of aircraft to choose from in the world of air charter.
While every broker will try to offer you guidance, many travellers tend to have a preference for one type of aircraft over another. Here is a brief rundown of the different types of aircraft you might encounter.
SINGLE PISTON
Single-engine aircraft are ideally suited for short-range flights with a few passengers or light loads of cargo. They are designed to fly in good to fair weather conditions.
As the name suggests, they are propelled by a single propeller engine.
Single engine aircraft are typically smaller than other aircraft categories and therefore cannot fly far without stopping for fuel, but they are able to access many airports with shorter runways, thereby getting the charter passenger closer to their ultimate destination.
Single-engine aircraft are typically flown by a single pilot, but a charter provider should be able to supply a co-pilot upon request.
Average Passenger Capacity: 3-4
MULTI PISTON
Aircraft in the Twin Piston or Multi piston sector are economical aircraft suitable for short distance flights or light cargo.
Their big advantage is that they are usually less expensive than Turboprops or jets and more robust than single engine aircraft. They are also considered safer and more reliable than single-engine aircraft in poor weather situations.
Twin Piston multi-engine aircraft are typically flown by a single pilot, but a co-pilot can usually be arranged upon request.
Not suitable for much more than carry on baggage and there are usually no toilet facilities on board.
Average Passenger Capacity: 1-5
TURBOPROP
Aircraft in the Turboprop segment are a wide range of aircraft suitable for short and medium distance flights with a duration of up to 2-4 hours covering a range of over 1,000 miles.
Turboprop aircraft combine the low-cost advantages of the piston aircraft while sharing some of the cabin comfort advantages of light jets.
Turboprops are powered by turbine propeller engines.
Popular for short to mid-range flights, turboprops can access runways that are often too short for jet aircraft. Amenities often include pressurized passenger cabins and a semi-private lavatory.
Not suitable for carrying large baggage such as skis or golf bags.
Average Passenger Capacity: 4-8
LIGHT TO MIDSIZE EXECUTIVE JET
Aircraft in the Executive Jet segment are the most time efficient way of travel and are suitable for medium or long distance flights.
With average cruising speeds of 480 mph and an average nonstop range of anything from 1,500 miles to 2,200 miles, a jet can travel further and faster than non-jet aircraft while operating in and out of airports not accessible by the major airlines.
In the lighter jets, amenities often include pressurized passenger cabins and a semi-private lavatory while mid size jets often have a private lavatory and external baggage storage.
Some mid size jets are suitable for carrying skis or large golf bags.
Average Passenger Capacity: 4-18
HEAVY EXECUTIVE JET
Heavy jets are top-of-the-line executive aircraft offering optimum performance and amenities for long-range flights.
With average cruising speeds of 530 mph and an average nonstop range over 4,000 miles, a heavy jet with its use of Turbofan engines can travel further and with more comfort than smaller jets while operating in and out of airports not accessible to the major airlines.
Amenities usually found onboard heavy jets include a private lavatory, external baggage compartments, DVD, satellite phone, fax, and a full galley.
A flight attendant will normally be in attendance on such aircraft to improve safety and assist with gourmet catering for high-end business and entertainment.
Average Passenger Capacity: 10-19
Falcon 900 or 2000 Challenger 600, 601 or 604, Gulfstream II, III, IV or V
AIRLINER - TURBOPROP
Turboprops airliners combine a large passenger cabin as found on a jet, but with cost and performance associated with turboprops.
Popular for short to mid-range flights, they can often land at airports with runways too short for jet aircraft.
Turboprop airliners are powered by two to four turbine propeller engines. Compared to regular turboprop aircraft they usually have a longer nonstop range. Turboprop airliners feature pressurized passenger cabins.
Some turboprop airliners feature executive configurations with multiple amenities while others have commercial airliner configurations to maximize passenger capacity. While the majority of turboprop airliners are used for scheduled service, many are available for charter through charter companies and charter divisions of airlines.
Average Passenger Capacity: 19-65
Representative Aircraft: Beech Commuter 1900, Jetstream 31, Swearingen Metro
VIP Business Jets
VIP business jets are full scale passenger airliners converted for maximum business comfot and use.
The Airbus 319 was the first VIP corporate jet equipped to carry 29 passengers in comfort from Los Angeles to London. Configured with forward lounge seats the aircraft provides Satcom, printer and fax facilities and couches that double up as divan beds.
Its neighbour, the BBJ - Boeing Business Jet enjoys similar comfort and has a non stop range of 6,000 miles which means that it can fly half way around the world non stop - and exploit airstrips only normally available to smaller executive jets. The BBJ comes in different configurations that are highly personalised. A typical layout might be just 16 seats, an office, boardroom, hotel, cinema and restaurant - all in one. Alternatively, it can be reconfigured to fly 50 passengers in slightly less style.
Average Passenger Capacity: 16- 50
Jet Airliners
Aircraft in the Airliner segment are large jet aircraft suitable for all kinds of flights and ususally use Turbofan engines.
Aircraft capacity ranging from 50 to 400 passengers.Jet airliners are capable of carrying large groups of people or heavy cargos on medium to long-range flights.
The wide variety of jet airliner types encompass diverse performance characteristics. Smaller jet airliners are designated "regional" and are best suited for mid-range domestic transport, while the largest jet airliners can carry hundreds of passengers over thousands of non-stop miles. Jet airliners are powered by two to four jet engines and typically feature pressurized passenger cabins for added comfort, safety and performance. Jet airliners can be either executive configured, featuring multiple berths, lavatories, a gym, shower, meeting room or study, and other luxurious appointments; or economy-configured like a commercial airliner to maximize passenger capacity. While the majority of jet airliners are used for scheduled service, many are available for charter through charter companies, brokers and charter divisions of major airlines.
Average Passenger Capacity: 25 - 500+
Representative Aircraft: Airbus 300, Boeing 727, McDonnell-Douglas DC-10
HELICOPTERS
Helicopters can move into and out of difficult to reach places like big-city congestion or remote wilderness locations.
They are perfect for small groups of people that need to travel a short distance in good weather conditions. Today's modern charter helicopters are typically powered by a Turboshaft Engines and fly at speeds up to 175 mph for average ranges of 100-350 miles.
Helicopter charter enables passengers to hover to take photos of a real estate site, carry the injured to area hospitals, land in locations where there are no available airports and generally get in and out of places faster and easier than with fixed-wing aircraft.
Average Passenger Capacity: 3-10
Representative Aircraft: Bell Jetranger, Eurocopter Twinstar, Sikorsky S76, and Agusta 109
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