Flying by charter gives you flexibility on the type of aircraft you can use.
There are several factors that will dictate aircraft that are appropriate for
your trip: the number of passengers traveling with you, the nature and amount of
baggage or cargo you'll be carrying, your destination, personal aircraft
preferences, and budget parameters will all factor into the type of aircraft you
need. Before you charter a trip, you can expect an operator or broker to explore
your travel needs with you. We'd like to offer you an idea of some of the
information that an informed purchaser of charter will have considered or will
need to consider with an operator or broker.
The first question will be how many passengers are making the trip and where
will you be going? The number of people in your party will tell the operator
what size aircraft you'll need and your location will indicate the required
range. Some high-altitude airports like Telluride, Colorado, have limited
accessibility, or accessibility that changes seasonally depending on the
aircraft.
Think about your destination and how fast you need to get there. Cruising speeds
vary widely, 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. With these figures in mind, it's fairly easy to conclude
that an 800mile/1,287km flight from Dallas to Chicago would take four and a half
hours in a propeller-driven aircraft, but less than two in a jet.
Aircraft performance, size and passenger capacity all determine price, and
choosing the right plane involves trade-offs. At first glance, price might make
the propeller plane more attractive, but consider that unless the aircraft has a
lavatory, you probably will need a pit stop. Also consider noise level. Jets
have pressurized passenger cabins and fly at altitudes where the noise of the
engines drops off, making conversations and meetings held at normal speaking
volume possible. While it isn't impossible to converse in a propeller plane
flying at 8,000 feet, you probably could not manage a nuanced business
negotiation or romantic chat with your sweetheart. Do you need to stand up and
speak to your group, make a phone call, have a cooked meal, watch a DVD or enjoy
a few hours of uninterrupted sleep? Be ready to talk to you operator or broker
about your needs and they'll help find the right aircraft for you.
You should also disclose any special type or quantity of baggage or equipment
you'll be bringing along. A safe flight depends on appropriate weight and
balance. You'd be surprised by some items that cause trouble. Snow skis, for
example, are too long for the baggage compartment of many small aircraft.
Operators are not allowed to lay loose items such as skis in the aisle.
Travelers with monster golf bags can encounter similar snags. Also disclose
things like the presence of heavy smokers, pets, or unusual items such as oxygen
canisters or potentially flammable material.