We’re covering more aviation-insider vocabulary. Why the need? It’s all in the name of operational safety. In private aviation, it’s essential—especially for pilots—to communicate clearly and quickly. And standardized terms allow for pilots and Air Traffic Control (ATC) to understand each other, no matter their native language.
Positioning: A flight free of paying passengers to relocate a private aircraft to another airport or to return it to its home base. Positioning flights are often sold as “empty legs” at a significant savings.
Quick turn: A rapid ground turnaround—typically under one hour and sometimes as quick as 30 minutes— that refuels, restocks and cleans a private jet in preparation for its next flight, keeping operations on-time.
Short field airport: An airport with a runway that is relatively short—typically under 2,000 to 3,000 feet—creating challenging takeoff and/or landing conditions that require special technique and appropriately equipped aircraft.
Tail number: An aircraft’s registration number, typically displayed on its tail, similar to a vehicle’s license plate. It can be customized like one, too! A tail number can sometimes be used to reveal what country the aircraft is registered in (e.g., N = USA), its age and model, and links it to its FAA records.
Ultra-long range (or ULR): Used to describe an aircraft that is purpose-built for non-stop travel over distances typically exceeding 6,500 nautical miles, most frequently used for international missions. ULR aircraft are equipped with enhanced cabin comforts for long journeys, including full-size galleys, lie-flat beds, lower pressurized cabin altitudes to combat jet lag, and premium connectivity and entertainment features.
Pax: Shorthand for “passanger.” The term is often used to communicate the total number of passengers on a private flight on manifests, catering orders, and aircraft specifications.
Block hours: The total number of hours an aircraft is in use for a mission, beginning when its engines start to when it’s parked and engines turn off at its destination.
PIC (Pilot-in-Command): The pilot aboard an aircraft that holds final authority and is responsible for its operation and safety during flight time.
SIC (Second-in-Command): The co-pilot aboard an aircraft that is second-in-command to the PIC. At Schubach Aviation, the SIC is both type-rated and fully simulator trained to operate the aircraft you have chartered.
