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AIR CHARTER : Choosing an aircraft
You would need to view the entire charter
fleet together, or else you would never know the range of
choices you could have. The exact kind of charter aircraft
that would be appropriate for your trip is decided by a
number of factors like:
• The no. of passengers traveling with you
• The amount and nature of cargo/baggage
• The destination
• Your aircraft preferences
• Your budget
Before you go on a charter trip, expect an operator or
broker to discuss your travel needs with you. In this guide
we'd like to provide the reader an insight on the info that
you will need to consider with an operator or broker.
The most important question is how many passengers will
be making the trip and the destination? The number of passengers
will decide what size aircraft you'll need and your destination
will indicate the required range. Some high-altitude airports
have limited accessibility, or accessibility that changes
seasonally depending on the aircraft.
Another factor is the crusiing speed. Cruising speeds can
widely vary, but a rough speed estimate for propeller planes
is about 200 mph/322kmh, while jets fly at something closer
to 500 mph/805kmh. When estimating flight-times, add 10-15%
for the time necessary to achieve cruising speed and altitude.
You would need to give thought to your destination and how
quickly you need to get there.
Choosing the right aircraft involves factors like size
and passenger capacity, Aircraft performance and price.
At first sight, the price might make the propeller driven
plane more attractive, but then unless the aircraft has
a lavatory, one might to make a pit stop. The noise level
also has to be looked into. Thanks to pressurized passenger
cabins in jets and flight altitudes where the noise of the
engines drops off, making conversations at normal speaking
volume is possible. The same isn't all that comfortable
in a propeller plane flying at 7,000 feet. Feel free to
talk to your broker or operator about your requirements
and they will help find the correct aircraft for you.
Also, you should also intimate about any special cargo
or quantity of baggage/ equipment you'll be bringing along.
A safe flight depends a lot on appropriate weight and balance.
Surprisingly, some items can cause trouble - skis, as an
example, are too long to fit into the baggage compartment
of most small aircraft. Operators are also not allowed to
lay loose items such as skis in the aisle. Things like the
presence of heavy smokers, or unusual equipment such as
oxygen canisters or potentially flammable material should
be intimated too.
PISTONPROP SINGLE-ENGINE
Pistonprop single-engine aircraft ideal for short-range
flights with a few passengers or light load of cargo in
good to fair weather conditions. A gas combustion propeller
engine propells the Pistonprop aircraft. Pistonprops are
usually smaller than other aircraft categories and therefore
cannot fly as far without stopping for fuel. However, they
can access many airports with shorter runways, getting the
charter passenger closer to destination. Pistonprop single-engine
aircraft are flown by a single pilot, but a charter broker
usually provides a co-pilot upon request.
Usual Passenger Capacity: 3-4
PISTONPROP MULTI-ENGINES
Ideally suited for short-range flights for a small group
of travellers or small cargo, Pistonprop multi-engine aircraft
are are usually less relatively expensive than turboprops
or jets. Pistonprop multi-engine aircraft are considered
a lot safer and more reliable than single-engine piston
aircraft, especially in unpredictable weather situations.
Whereas pistonprop multis are usually larger than their
single-engine counterparts and can carry more passengers,
weight and cargo, they are still smaller than turboprops
and jets. Pistonprop multi-engine aircraft are usually flown
by a single pilot, but a a co-pilot can be provided upon
request.
Usual Passenger Capacity: 1-5
TURBOPROPS
The advantage of Turboprop aircraft is that they combine
the low-cost advantages of the piston aircraft at the same
time sharing some of the performance and cabin-comfort advantages
of light jets. Turboprops are powered by turbine-propeller
engines. With average cruising speeds of above 300 mph and
an average non-stop range above 1,000 miles, a turboprop
can travel further, faster and offer more comfort than piston
aircraft at the same time keeping charter costs below that
of jet aircraft. Used for short to mid-range flights, turboprops
can even access runways that are usually too short for jet
aircraft. Amenities include safety and performance and a
semi-private lavatory and pressurized passenger cabins for
added comfort. However baggage capacity here is limited.
Usual Passenger Capacity: 4-8
LIGHT EXECUTIVE JETS
Light jets are the entry level jet class in the industry.
Light jets are the most ideal choice for short to mid range
trips. With average cruising speeds of 440 mph and an average
non-stop range of about 1,500 miles, a light jet can usually
travel further and faster than non-jet aircraft while operating
in and out of airports inaccessible by the major airlines.
Amenities usually include:pressurized passenger cabins ,
safety and performance and a semi-private lavatory. Light
jets have limited baggage capacity and often cannot accommodate
large golf bags or skis.
Usual Passenger Capacity: 4-8
MID-SIZE EXECUTIVE JETS
Midsize Jet aircraft blend comfort, performance and economy
for medium-length flights. With average cruising speeds
over 500 mph and a non-stop range of about 2000 miles, a
midsize jet can travel further, faster and with more comfort
then light jets while operating in and out of airports inaccessible
by the major airlines. Most of the midsize jet aircraft
have external baggage storage and can accommodate a reasonable
amount of baggage. However, some aircraft only have internal
baggage storage and can pose problems for skis and other
bulky items. Most midsize jets offer private lavatories.
Usual Passenger Capacity: 5 to 9
AIRLINER - TURBOPROPS
Turboprops airliners merge advantages of a larger passenger
cabin with turbo-prop performance. Popular for short to
mid-range flights, they can land at airports with runways
that are short for jet-aircraft and are usually economical
than jet airliners. Turbo prop airliners are powered by
2 - 4 turbine propeller engines. In comparison with regular
turboprop aircraft they possess more powerful engines and
a longer non-stop range. Turboprop airliners also feature
pressurized passenger cabins for added comfort, safety &
performance. Some turboprop-airliners feature executive
configurations with multiple amenities whereas others have
commercial-airliner configurations to maximize passenger
seating capacity. While majority of turboprop airliners
are used for scheduled service, many are available through
charter companies, brokers and charter divisions of airlines.
Usual Passenger Capacity: 19 to 65
AIRLINER - JET
Jet airliners are very much capable of carrying large-groups
of people or heavy cargos on medium to long range flights
paths. Smaller jet airliners are termed as "regional"
and are suited for mid-range domestic transport, while larger
jet airliners can carry hundreds of passengers for over
thousands of miles non-stop. Jet airliners are usually powered
by 2- 4 jet engines and feature pressurized passenger cabins
that translate into added comfort, safety as well as performance.
Jet airliners can be executive configured -- featuring multiple
berths, a gym, lavatories, shower, meeting room and study,
plus 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 through charter companies, brokers
as well as charter divisions of major airlines.
Usual Passenger Capacity: 25 to 500+
HELICOPTERS
Helicopters or choppers have a distinct advantage - they
can move into and out of difficult to reach places like
big-city congestion or remote wilderness locations. Perfect
for small groups of people that need to travel shorter distances
in good weather conditions. Today's modern charter helicopters
are usually powered by a single jet engine or dual jet engines
and fly at speeds up to 175 mph for average ranges of 100-350
miles. Helicopter charter also enables passengers to hover
over and take photographs of a real estate site, carry the
injured to area hospitals, land in locations where airports
ate unavailable and generally get in and out of places faster
and easier than fixed-wing aircraft.
Usual Passenger Capacity: 3-10
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