Private Aviation Glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms you'll encounter when exploring private jet empty leg flights.
Empty Leg(Deadhead flight, Ferry flight, Repositioning flight)
A flight that occurs when a private jet must fly without passengers to reposition for its next trip. Operators sell these at 25-75% below normal charter rates rather than fly completely empty.
FBO(Fixed Base Operator)
The private aviation equivalent of an airline terminal. A separate facility at the airport where private jet passengers check in, wait in a lounge, and walk directly to their aircraft. Major FBO chains include Signature Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, and Jet Aviation.
Part 135
The section of FAA regulations governing on-demand air charter operations. Any operator selling charter flights must hold a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate. This is the baseline legal requirement for commercial charter operations in the United States.
Charter Rate(Hourly rate)
The standard price for hiring a private jet, typically quoted as an hourly rate or a fixed price for a specific route. Empty leg pricing is compared against charter rates to determine the discount.
Market Rating(Deal score)
Empty Leg Index’s proprietary assessment of how a listing’s price compares to the estimated charter rate for the same route and aircraft type. Ratings range from Exceptional Value (50%+ below market) to Above Market.
Exceptional Value
A market rating indicating the listing is priced 50% or more below the estimated charter rate for the same route and aircraft type. These deals are rare and typically book within hours.
Corridor(Route)
A city-pair or airport-pair that empty legs fly between. For example, TEB to MIA (Teterboro to Miami) is one of the busiest U.S. empty leg corridors.
ARGUS
The most widely recognized independent safety rating system for U.S. charter operators. ARGUS ratings include Gold, Gold Plus, and Platinum (the highest level, held by approximately 5% of operators).
Wyvern
An independent aviation safety audit company. Wyvern certifications include Registered Operator (entry level) and Wingman Certified (the top tier, requiring an extensive on-site audit every 24 months).
IS-BAO(International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations)
The only FAA-recognized aviation audit system for Part 135 operators. Consists of three progressive stages, with Stage 3 indicating a fully embedded safety culture.
Light Jet
Aircraft category seating 4-8 passengers with a range of 1,000-2,000 nautical miles. Examples: Citation CJ3+, Phenom 300E, Learjet 75. Typical charter rate: $3,000-$5,000/hour.
Midsize Jet
Aircraft category seating 7-9 passengers with a range of 2,000-3,000 nm. Examples: Citation XLS+, Hawker 800XP, Learjet 60XR. Typical charter rate: $4,000-$6,000/hour.
Super-Midsize Jet(Super-mid)
Aircraft category seating 8-12 passengers with a range of 3,000-4,000 nm. Stand-up cabins. Examples: Citation Latitude, Challenger 350, Gulfstream G200. Typical charter rate: $5,000-$7,500/hour.
Heavy Jet
Aircraft category seating 10-16 passengers with a range of 4,000-6,000 nm. Full stand-up cabins, enclosed lavatories, often flat-bed capable. Examples: Challenger 604/650, Gulfstream G-IV/G-V. Typical charter rate: $7,000-$12,000/hour.
Turboprop
Propeller-driven aircraft with turbine engines. Slower than jets but more economical for short routes (under 500 nm). Examples: King Air 350, Pilatus PC-12. Typical charter rate: $1,800-$3,000/hour.
Positioning Fee(Repo fee, Deadhead charge)
A fee charged when the aircraft must fly empty to reach the passenger’s departure airport before the trip. Empty legs are the flip side of positioning — they are the return repositioning flight.
METAR
A standardized aviation weather observation report. Issued hourly (or more frequently) for airports. Contains wind, visibility, clouds, temperature, and pressure data in a coded format.
VFR / IFR(Visual Flight Rules / Instrument Flight Rules)
VFR conditions mean clear skies suitable for flying by visual reference. IFR conditions mean reduced visibility requiring instrument-based navigation. IFR conditions may cause delays but do not prevent private jet operations — all charter aircraft are IFR-certified.
Jet-A
The standard fuel for turbine-powered aircraft (jets and turboprops). Jet-A prices vary significantly by airport and FBO, typically ranging from $5-$9 per gallon. Fuel is 30-40% of operating cost.