| Airway
Distance The actual (as opposed to straight line) distance
flown by an aircraft between two points, after deviations required by
air traffic control and navigation along prepublished routes. The
difference between this and straight line distance will vary throughout
the country.
ARO Airport Reservation Office.
Staffed by the FAA, this entity allocates landing and takeoff
reservations for unscheduled aircraft in and out of the busiest airports
in the United States (Newark, NJ; John F. Kennedy International, NYC;
LaGuardia, NYC; O'Hare Airport, Chicago; Washington National, Washington
D.C.).
Block Rates A lower "contract
rate" of scheduling significant amounts of charter time in advance on a
prearranged agreement.
Block Speed the average speed over
a specific distance "block-to-block" or door-to-door with respect to the
airport gate.
Cabin Class Twin The heavier
piston twins that have a separate passenger section.
Certificate FAA-issued license to
carry passengers for hire. |
Cruise
Speed The normal speed attained at altitude once the aircraft
is no longer climbing and is en route.
Cruise Range The distance an
airplane may fly at cruise speed.
Duty Time That portion of the day
when a crew member is on duty in any capacity (not just in-flight).
This can be a constraint on long day-trips as there are FAA-imposed
limits on the amount time allowed on duty.
FBO Fixed Base Operator.
Represents a large majority of the air charter industry. By
definition at a permanent location, this is a vendor of services,
maintenance, fuel, flight instruction, and aircraft sales, in addition
to charter.
Flight Time That portion of the
trip actually spent in the air. For billing purposes this
definition is generally strict and only applies from moment of liftoff
to moment of touchdown.
General Aviation That portion of
aviation other than the military or the regularly scheduled airlines.
Commercial unscheduled operations, corporate flight operations and
private aviation are the most conspicuous members of this group. |
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules (flight in the clouds).
Jet Aircraft Jets are powered by a
kerosene-fueled turbine engine. They differ from turboprops in
that their propulsion is derived not from a propeller but from the hot
gases forced from the back of the engine.
Knot Nautical miles per hour. The
equivalent of 1.15 mph. Standard measurement of speed in aviation
and marine operations. Abbreviated as kts.
Nautical Mile The equivalent of 1.15
statue, or standard miles. The standard measurement of distance in
marine and aviation operation. Abbreviated as nm.
Payload The amount of cargo and
passenger weight which an aircraft is capable of carrying with full
fuel.
Positioning Ferrying aircraft for
departure from other than originating airport. (Also for return.)
Propjet (or turboprop) A
propeller-driven airplane in which the engine is a jet turbine rather
than piston driven. |
Ramp
The apron or open "tarmac" in front of an FBO or terminal facility.
This space is busy, used for deplanement, parking of aircraft, etc.
Some facilities will permit automobiles do drive to the aircraft on the
ramp, a feature of real benefit to the traveler with heavy or bulky
luggage.
Range The flying distance of an
airplane, usually with a specific amount of reserve fuel.
Stage Length Distance of itinerary
nonstop leg.
Taxi Time That portion of the trip
spent rolling between the gate, terminal, or ramp and runway.
Turbine Engine The turbine engine
has no cylinders or pistons. Using kerosene as fuel, it operates
by compressing air, igniting it, and using the hot exhaust gases do
drive the turbine wheel. In turboprops, this power is used to turn
the propeller. In jets, the gases are forced out the back of the
engine to provide the propulsion. This engine type allows for much
greater speeds, longer ranges, and higher altitudes.
VFR Visual Flight Rules (flight
out of clouds).
Waiting Time That time that the
chartered aircraft and crew must wait on the ground during any portion
of the trip. |
