Short answer? Not always — and especially not if you’re particular about your aircraft.
Understanding the Pros and Cons of a Charter Certificate
The idea of chartering your aircraft to offset fixed costs like hangar fees, maintenance reserves, insurance, and crew salaries is tempting. On paper, a charter certificate seems like a smart way to turn a liability into an asset. But in real-world operations, it rarely works that cleanly.
At La Casa Jet, we get this question all the time — and we usually respond with a cautious, experience-backed “it depends.” Here’s why, in most cases, the downsides outweigh the gains.
How a Charter Certificate Affects Aircraft Utilization and Depreciation
Increased Utilization = Accelerated Depreciation
Every charter flight adds hours, cycles, and wear. Utilization jumps significantly — in some cases 2x to 4x more than owner-only use.
This means:
- Accelerated depreciation, especially critical for newer or higher-end aircraft.
- Higher maintenance costs, often sooner than planned.
- Shortened engine and airframe life cycles.
- Increased frequency of downtime, inspections, and unexpected AOG events.
Offsetting fixed costs sounds great — but if it’s shortening your aircraft’s market value by hundreds of thousands of dollars, is it really a win?
No One Treats It Like You Do
You care about your jet. You selected the interiors. You notice when a rug is misaligned or when fingerprints are left on the wood veneer.
Unfortunately, charter clients don’t care the same way you do — and neither do their guests, their dogs, or their personal assistants. Even with a professional operator and a caring crew, the truth is:
- Not all passengers treat private aircraft with respect.
- Food and drink spills happen more often.
- Wear-and-tear on high-touch areas increases dramatically.
- Cleaning and reset standards vary depending on the operator.
If you’re the type of owner who doesn’t like strangers adjusting cabin seats or handling your aircraft’s amenities, charter can quickly become a source of frustration rather than income.
Alternatives to a Charter Certificate for Offsetting Costs
A Smarter Option: Sharing With a Trusted Buddy
If you’re not ready to put your aircraft on a charter certificate, but still want to offset some costs or increase aircraft utilization, sharing with a trusted partner or friend can be a smart alternative — when done right.
Unlike charter, where strangers use your aircraft and you give up some control, a private use-sharing agreement keeps things personal, predictable, and within your standards.
Benefits of Private Sharing Agreements
- Known users: You know exactly who’s flying — no wear-and-tear surprises.
- Aligned expectations: If your partner is also detail-oriented, you can agree on cleaning standards, stocking preferences, and handling protocols.
- More control: You retain scheduling priority, or define rules in advance.
- Cost-sharing: Fixed expenses like hangar, insurance, and maintenance can be split, often bringing your monthly burden down significantly.
Planning for a Successful Sharing Arrangement
- What if you both want to fly during a holiday?
- Who decides on upgrades, downtime, or new crew?
- What happens if one person’s flying habits change?
That’s why at La Casa Jet, we help clients draft clear agreements, set up usage tracking tools, and manage scheduling as neutral third parties. Done right, buddy-sharing can be a powerful way to fly more and spend less — without compromising your aircraft’s condition or your own peace of mind.
Final Thoughts on Using a Charter Certificate
Putting your aircraft on a charter certificate might sound financially appealing, but the real cost often shows up in ways you can’t recoup — from faster depreciation to the emotional frustration of seeing your aircraft mistreated. For owners who value control, discretion, and pristine condition, chartering can feel like giving up too much for too little.
Sharing with a trusted partner offers a more balanced alternative. With the right structure and support, it can reduce costs without sacrificing the integrity of your aircraft or your peace of mind.
At La Casa Jet, we’re here to help you make the right call — and support you every step of the way.
