The main products to consider are:

Fractional Ownership
You buy a share of a plane, typically sold in 1/16 increments. This equates to 50 hours of flying per year. You choose the aircraft that best fits your travel needs. There is an initial purchase, plus monthly management fees and then fees for each hour flown.

Closed Fleet Jet Cards
These are offered by operators that run their own fleets. So there is a very consistent level of service and aircraft.

Charter Jet Cards
May be offered by both charter brokers and charter operators. The aircraft may be a little more variable, although many companies have very exacting standards. Prices tend to be lower than for closed fleet cards.

On Demand Charter
You book an individual aircraft as needed. So there's a lot of flexibility and potentially a lot of variability. Rates start at about $3,000 per hour for an older light jet.

There are many reasons to use private jets and jet cards. The reasons that we hear most often are:

• Time Saving, You can arrive at the airport just minutes before your scheduled departure time, fly directly to your destination, make productive use of your time onboard, avoid overnight stays, avoid waiting in lines at the airport,

• Privacy, it’s your plane to have open meetings and discussions, and stay out of the limelight

• Flexibility, planes can be ready in a few hours, and can change schedules to suit you

• Reduces Stress, no rushing to meet a fixed departure time, no hanging around in crowded airports

• Image, a private plane projects a well run, efficient, successful individual or organization

There are many good reasons to use private jets, but you need to do your due diligence before signing on. Here are some questions to ask potential providers, with a much fuller set provided in the Guide to Private Aviation.

• What is the independent safety rating on the fleet being offered?
• What aircraft types are included in the program?
• Are there any repositioning fees?
• How often do the pilots receive training?
• What is the geographic area included in this program?
• Are there any blackout periods?

SherpaReport analysts have interviewed private aviation customers and management working at various providers and have spent hundreds of hours researching the various options. The result is an in-depth, independent Guide to Private Aviation, that includes details on each of the different options and the major providers.

Answer the questions below to get an initial idea of which private aviation option may be best suited to you, then download the complimentary Guide to learn more about it.

If you have any questions after reading the Guide, or you just want to discuss options, please feel free to contact our President & Senior Analyst, Nick Copley. His email is included in the Guide.