Welcome to Silverhawk Aviation’s FAQ page. Here, you’ll find answers to our most Frequently asked questions about flying private. Furthermore, if you have a question not addressed on this page, please click “CONTACT US” to reach an aviation professional.
Costs vary widely based on aircraft type, distance, and one-way vs. round-trip pricing. Silverhawk Aviation’s base hourly rates range from $2,325-$7,800 per hour, depending on whether you’re flying a turboprop, light jet, or midsize jet. Click Jet Card Sample Flights to see pricing for what a Jet Card customer would pay for a typical trip.
Silverhawk is a registered member of Wyvern and has earned a Gold Rating in the ARG/US (Aviation Research Group / United States) rating system. This places us among a small group of elite charter operators worldwide. Silverhawk captains complete annual training at FlightSafety for each aircraft they fly, with additional recurrent training every six months. FlightSafety is widely regarded as the premier aviation training provider in the world. Each training course includes extensive classroom instruction, comprehensive examinations on aircraft systems and procedures, and several hours of simulator training. Flight tests cover all normal and emergency procedures to ensure the highest level of operational readiness. Silverhawk is also a member of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, which supports charter and fractional ownership operators by providing up-to-date safety information, promoting and facilitating risk management programs, and advocating for stronger, more consistent industry regulations.
We depart from locations across the Midwest, including major metropolitan areas like Lincoln, Omaha, Kansas City, Des Moines, and Wichita, as well as smaller communities in between. Ultimately, no matter your starting point, Silverhawk is focused on connecting Midwest customers with destinations across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Private jets can access thousands of smaller regional and executive airports that commercial airlines can’t, often getting you closer to your final destination.
The Silverhawk fleet includes the efficient King Air, agile light jets such as the Citation Ultra and Encore, and spacious midsize Citation Excel and XLS, ensures that we have the perfect aircraft for your travel needs. Each aircraft is equipped with premium amenities, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and comfortable seating, to provide a seamless and luxurious experience. Whether you’re planning a quick regional trip or a cross-country journey, our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional service tailored to your preferences.
While flights can sometimes be arranged on short notice, booking 15 days ahead gives you the best selection of aircraft and pricing.
It depends on the aircraft category. Turboprops can seat up to 5, light and midsize jets can seat up to 8.
Silverhawk Aviation does not have blackout or peak day restrictions. Many programs impose surcharges, longer notice requirements, or even flight restrictions around major holidays and high-demand periods. The number of peak days can range from 20 to 65+, depending on the provider.
Chartering is pay-per-flight with no long-term commitment. Jet cards involve a membership or prepaying into an account for discounted rates, while fractional ownership involves buying a share of an aircraft. Click one of the following links for more information: Private Jet Charter, Jet Card, Fractional Aircraft Ownership.
Yes! One of the perks of private aviation is that pets can fly in the cabin with you without the restrictions of commercial airlines.
Unlike commercial airlines that operate on fixed, high-frequency routes, private jets fly on demand. Repositioning is what happens when a private aircraft must fly without any paying passengers on board, simply to move the plane to where it needs to be for the next flight. It is one of the most expensive realities of on-demand private aviation.
The Silverhawk Difference: A Midwest First Strategy. We’ve built our operation around a simple but powerful idea: serve the Midwest exceptionally well and serve it efficiently. Our aircraft, crew, and infrastructure are based in the heart of the region we specialize in.
That geographic focus isn’t a limitation. It’s a deliberate competitive advantage. Because our clients and our home bases are in the same region, the deadhead miles that plague broad-footprint operators are dramatically reduced for us. When your departure city is our backyard, repositioning simply isn’t the burden it is for operators chasing bookings from coast to coast.
An empty leg flight is a private jet flight that occurs when an aircraft needs to reposition to its next scheduled departure location. Silverhawk offers these flights at discounted flat-rate prices rather than flying the route empty.
Yes! The only thing standing between you and a luxury private jet experience at a discounted rate is flexibility. Since empty leg flights are pre-determined by our existing charter schedule, departure dates, times, and destinations are set in advance. If you can roll with that, you can enjoy the perks of private travel without the full private price. For more information, visit our empty legs page.
Silverhawk’s empty leg flights are priced on a flat-rate basis. King Air flights start at $750 for trips under 300 miles. Light Jet flights start at $1,500, and Mid Jet flights start at $2,500 for the same distance range. Prices increase with distance, up to $3,000, $5,000, and $7,500, respectively, for routes over 800 miles. Prices are per flight, not per person. Distance is measured from the originating airport.
| AIRCRAFT | <300 Miles | 300-800 Miles | 800+ Miles |
| King Air | $ 750.00 | $ 2,000.00 | $ 3,000.00 |
| Light Jet | $ 1,500.00 | $ 3,500.00 | $ 5,000.00 |
| Mid Jet | $ 2,500.00 | $ 5,000.00 | $ 7,500.00 |
Silverhawk’s empty leg prices are per flight, not per person. You’re booking the entire aircraft, so the more people in your group, the better the per-person value.
Available flights are listed on our Empty Leg Flights page and updated in real time through the Silverhawk Aviation mobile app, available for iOS and Android.
It varies. Some empty legs are posted days in advance; others appear with just 24–48 hours notice. Downloading the Silverhawk app and enabling notifications is the best way to catch them early.
No, the departure time is set by the aircraft’s repositioning schedule.
Yes. Empty leg flights operate with the same aircraft, crew, and safety standards as any standard charter flight. Silverhawk’s safety credentials, including a Gold ARG/US rating and FlightSafety-trained pilots, apply to every flight we operate.
Fractional ownership programs operate under FAR Part 91, Subpart K, a regulatory framework the FAA specifically created for this model. It is distinct from charter (Part 135) and requires management companies to meet strict safety, training, and operational standards. Providers typically maintain comprehensive safety programs, rigorous pilot training, and quality control functions that can exceed what an individual aircraft owner would implement independently.
As a fractional owner, you are considered an aircraft owner for tax purposes, which can allow for depreciation deductions not available with private jet cards. However, sales tax may be triggered upon first use or delivery, and use tax can apply in states where the aircraft is operated. Consulting an aviation tax attorney is strongly recommended.
Not necessarily. Because multiple owners share the same plane, it may be in use or positioned elsewhere when you need it. In that case, we will substitute an equivalent aircraft from our fleet. This fleet flexibility ensures you’re never grounded due to usage or maintenance on your specific aircraft.