Air Charter Brokers
Why use an Air Charter Broker?
What can a broker bring to your charter trip?
The short answer is quite a lot.
Brokers have a distinct advantage over aircraft owners with a small fleet and should always be consulted before booking an aircraft.
An aircraft owner will instinctively try to keep his own aircraft airborne, even if what they have is not the correct aircraft for your journey.
A broker on the other hand will tend to source the correct aircraft or helicopters that are best suited to the journey, schedule or budget, and source them first.
A broker can also seek out the best rates and normally earns his commission from the aircraft owner, not you. Bigger brokers will also have better contingency plans in place for their clients in the event of changing schedules.
What happens if a thunderstorm is forecast over the airfield that you are supposed to land at? Alternative transport will be required and good brokers are accustomed to dealing with these issues far better than the single aircraft owner.
Another value added feature that you get from the better brokers is that if they find themselves dealing with an aircraft they're not familiar with, they will check with the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) in the US and CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) in the UK to ensure that the aircraft meets with current safety standards.
Even if they do pass an aircraft onto you 'sight unseen', they will always ensure that the mandatory paperwork and insurances are in place before doing so.
In most cases anyway, private aircraft are maintained to higher mechanical and decorative standards than commercial airliners.
Trip Planning
A broker is also useful in handling the details of the trip planning when you don't have time to do so.
The broker will survey most aspects of the trip and where appropriate obtain copies of flight certificates, literature about the aircraft to be used, as well as putting in place backup aircraft if deemed appropriate.
In addition, the broker will usually review the operator's flight manifests for FBOs, mileage enroute, anticipated departure and arrival times, and plans for overnight arrangements for aircraft and crew.
Does the operator carry insurance? What level of coverage does your company expect for your senior people?
Often insurance policies must be constructed for certain trips. Most air charter brokers have dealt with related insurance issues enough to know when and where to enquire. They know how apparent problems can be solved quickest and at the least expense.
In short, the broker is representing your interests. By ensuring s/he has the information to work with, your journey, and that of your passengers, will be an enjoyable one.
