Jet Card vs Charter vs Ownership Analysis

✈️ Jet Card vs Charter vs Ownership Cost Analysis Tool

For flight operators, fleet managers, and aviation executives, determining the most efficient access model—whether Jet Card, Charter, or Ownership—is a critical part of operational planning. This tool by Aero Sync enables professionals to compare projected costs across all three models over any selected time period.

The calculator is built specifically to support strategic planning, budget modeling, and procurement decision frameworks in active flight departments. It allows users to simulate expected operational costs under customizable conditions, offering clarity in comparing long-term value between options.

🧮 What This Tool Provides

The tool calculates:

• Total projected cost comparisons chart over a defined number of years
• Total operational costs over defined years for these 3 scenarios
• Cost per flight hour
• Net Present Value (NPV) using a user-defined discount rate

The outputs are presented in side-by-side format, allowing for straightforward cost structure comparison and operational alignment.

⚠️ Note: These are projected results only and are intended to support—not replace—formal procurement analysis. This tool is not a substitute for certified financial, legal, or operational evaluation and should not be the sole basis for major acquisition or contracting decisions.

🧾 Input Parameters Explained

To provide flexibility for various flight operation profiles, the tool includes these input categories:

General Inputs

• Years to Analyze – Sets the time horizon (1–20 years)
• Annual Flight Hours – Expected operational hours per year
• Tax Rate (%) – Effective tax rate applied to ownership tax deductions
• Discount Rate (%) – Used for time-value analysis via NPV

Jet Card Model

• Hourly Rate ($) – Per-hour program charge
• Minimum Commitment (hrs/year) – Minimum annual hours billed
• Initiation Fee / Annual Fee – Program setup and renewal costs

Charter Model

• Hourly Rate ($) – Cost per charter hour
• Minimum Booking (hrs/trip) – Minimum flight duration per booking
• Booking Fee – Flat per-trip fee
• Estimated Flights per Year – Anticipated number of trips annually
• Deadhead Factor (%) – Accounts for non-revenue repositioning legs

Ownership Model

• Purchase Price & Down Payment – Aircraft acquisition and financing inputs
• Loan Interest Rate & Term – For debt structure modeling
• Residual Value – Forecasted resale value at end of term
• Annual Fixed & Hourly Variable Costs – Ongoing operational expenses
• Annual Utilization – Expected hours flown each year
• Tax Deductible Portion (%) – Assumed tax treatment on qualified costs

📈 When and Why to Use This Tool

This tool is designed for real-world application in:

• Fleet planning and optimization
• Private aviation program modeling
• Evaluating aircraft acquisition vs on-demand access
• Vendor comparison for contract negotiations
• Pre-budgetary alignment across departments

It provides immediate visibility into cost structure differentials that would otherwise require complex spreadsheet modeling or consultant input.

⚠️ Conditions & Limitations:All results are based on user-entered data and financial assumptionsMarket rates, tax impacts, and utilization can vary significantly in real operationsNPV outputs reflect financial structure but not operational or logistical constraintsAero Sync recommends using this tool as part of a broader decision-making process that includes legal, tax, and operational review

🔧 Developed by Aero Sync

This tool is a part of Aero Sync’s initiative to deliver precision planning resources for the business aviation sector. It is intended for use by experienced flight operators and aviation teams, offering an advanced projection model that complements real-world planning—not replaces it.