Business aviation glossary

In business aviation, as in general aviation, terms can sometimes be confusing or complicated to understand. AEROAFFAIRES has compiled a glossary of all the terms used in private aviation. It also includes the NATO alphabet, which is used in aviation.

A – Alpha

Business aviation: This differs from commercial aviation with its scheduled routes and from tourist aviation. In business aviation, the aim is to be able to obtain a private flight on demand and made to measure. With 10 times more airports available than commercial aviation, and very flexible schedules, business aviation is synonymous with saving time and maintaining productivity. Take a quick look at the 10 reasons to choose business aviation.

Aircraft charter: This is the term used to describe the provision of an aircraft for use on a rental basis.

Aircraft: This refers to all aircraft capable of moving through the air. This includes aeroplanes, private jets, helicopters, drones, dirigible balloons and all other flying machines.

Air Ambulance: For repatriation or medical evacuation, a private jet can be chartered to provide medical transport for patients.

Airport: A set of facilities and services required for the smooth operation of air transport routes.

Altiport : Like Courchevel, for example, an altiport is an aerodrome located in mountainous terrain. They are often more difficult to access and have shorter runways. The Vulcanair TP 600 or helicopters can get there.

B – Bravo

Biofuel (SAF): Biofuels (SAF: Sustainable Aviation Fuel) are organic fuels made from renewable plant matter. These days, more and more private jets are using some of these fuels. This solution for a more sustainable future is rapidly expanding in the sector.

C – Charlie

CTA: Air Transport Certificate. Essential for public transport and therefore for business aviation. This certificate, issued by the carrier’s country of origin, guarantees that the carrier meets all the necessary standards and regulations in force.

Cargo: Cargo aircraft are used to transfer a variety of goods. This may involve transporting bulky parts or objects, private parcels or medical deliveries, but also heavy, imposing or even dangerous goods. Certain jets, such as those made by ATR, are ideal for this type of mission.

Short-haul: This corresponds to a short flight of about 1 hour, or about 500 km between the two destinations. The Citation Mustang is the perfect private jet for this type of flight.

Cabotage: In air law, cabotage is a rule that must be respected. It represents a journey made entirely within a single country and where the private jet is part of another country. In this case there is cabotage, and it is prohibited (with some exceptions). Among other things, this rule makes it possible to avoid competition.

D – Delta

De-icing: This is a necessary operation in the event of frost or snow. It involves removing the snow or ice from the wings and the entire cabin of the private jet. The aim is to avoid weighing the aircraft down during take-off and flight and potentially compromising safety.

DGAC: Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (French Civil Aviation Authority). In France, it is responsible for issuing Public Transport certifications.

E – Echo

ETD and ETA: These stand for “Estimated time of departure” and “estimated time of arrival”. These are the abbreviations for your flight’s estimated departure and arrival times.

Eurocontrol: This is a European organisation whose aim is to manage air traffic flows and guarantee air safety.

Stopover : This is when an aircraft has to land to refuel before taking off again. It may also take on other passengers or provide freight services, for example.

F – Foxtrot

FBO: Fixed Based Operator. In business aviation, it is in fact a private terminal for passengers on private jets, but also a place offering assistance to airlines operating in private aviation.

Air freight: This is the name given to air cargo transport.

G – Golf

Ground Power Unit (GPU) : These are the mobile or fixed generators used to supply aircraft with electricity from the ground.

H – Hotel

HDV: This is the abbreviation for flight time.

Heavy jet: These are long-haul private jets carrying up to 16 passengers over a long distance. In business aviation, long-haul private jets are often at the cutting edge of technology and comfort to guarantee a long flight in the best possible conditions. Examples of heavy jets: Gulfstream G800, Global Express or Falcon 8X.

I – India

Registration : On all private jets, you will see a registration code in the form of letters. Often inscribed on the side of the aircraft, this code identifies the country of origin of the aircraft.

J – Juliette

Private jet: This is an aircraft that can be chartered on request for professionals or private individuals. Often smaller than commercial airliners, they access 10 times more airports than other airlines.

K – Kilo

L – Lima

Long-haul: This corresponds to a journey of more than 3,500km. The Challenger 850, the Global 5000(Bombardier) and the Falcon 7X(Dassault Aviation) are just some of the business jets offering exceptional comfort on these long-haul routes.

Light jets: These are light private jets generally seating a maximum of 7 people. They can cover distances of up to 3,000 or even 3,500 km on average. Examples of light jets include the Pilatus PC-12, the Citation II and the Phenom 300.

M – Mike

Medium-haul: This corresponds to a journey of up to around 3,500km, or a flight time of around 3 hours between two destinations. The Learjet 75 and Citation VI are examples of private jets suitable for this type of journey.

Midsize jets: These are medium-sized, intermediate jets, carrying around 10 passengers over a distance of around 5,000 km. Examples of private jets in this category include the Citation Latitude, the Challenger 300 and the Gulfstream G200.

N – November

O – Oscar

P – Dad

Pax : Commonly used in business aviation and tourism in general, this is the name given to passengers.

Pilot: This is the captain, the person in charge (with his co-pilot) of flying the private jet.

Q – Quebec

R – Romeo

Range: This refers to a private jet’s ability to cover its maximum distance without making any stops.

S – Sierra

Slot: a slot is a specific time slot. Whether it’s for take-off or landing, airlines need authorisation to be able to take off and land at an airport at a specific time. No slots, no flights!

STOL: “Short Take Off and Landing”, this characterises aircraft that can take off and land on reduced runways (less than 1000 metres). This is the case, for example, with the Pilatus PC-24, the Vulcanair TP 600 and helicopters such as theÉcureuil AS350.

SKY CO2: This is a project that AEROAFFAIRES supports, in order to guarantee eco-responsible action. At AEROAFFAIRES, 100% of CO2 emissions are offset via a reforestation project.

T – Tango

Public Transport (TP or TPP: Transport Public de Passagers): A clear distinction must be made between public and private transport. In public transport, these flights are for commercial purposes and hold the CTA (Certificat du Transport Aérien).

Private transport: This refers to flights by aircraft for non-profit-making or leisure purposes. These flights are not subject to public transport legislation and are therefore not safe. At AEROAFFAIRES, we only operate with aircraft certified for public transport.

Turboprop: These are small propeller-driven aircraft that are ideal and economical for travelling short distances. Moreover, these aircraft are better able to land on short runways and thus reach more destinations. Examples of turboprops: Piaggio Avanti P 180, Pilatus PC-12 or King Air 90 GT.

U – Uniform

UTC : Universal Time Coordinated. It is international time without the constraint of time differences. This makes it easier to understand flight schedules.

V – Victor

Group flights: In business aviation, you can charter private jets for group flights. For large or small groups, for company seminars or other occasions , AEROAFFAIRES can find the right aircraft for you.

Empty leg : Each private jet belongs to a base. After a flight, it must return to its home base if it has no other direct flight. This flight is therefore made empty, with no passengers on board. However, they are often marketed at very low fares in order to make the flight as profitable as possible.

Visual flight: This is a flight made without any technological assistance. These types of flight depend on weather conditions (weather minima) because there is no assistance with navigation or visibility.

Instrument flight: Unlike visual flight, instrument flight relies on technological navigation aids during the flight. This type of flying enables aircraft to operate whatever the weather conditions.

W – Whisky

Weather Minima: Minimum acceptable weather conditions in terms of visibility. This corresponds in particular to the cloud ceiling required for landing, especially for visual flights.