The straight answer most providers won’t give you, with actual numbers.
Here’s the thing…… most private aviation companies will make you fill out a form, sit through a pitch, and wait around for a “custom quote” before they’ll tell you what anything actually costs. We’ve never thought much of that approach. Feels backwards. You don’t buy a car that way, why would you buy this that way.
If you’re a business owner in Kansas City thinking about flying private, whether that’s your first flight or you’re finally done with the airlines, you deserve a straight answer before you even pick up the phone. So here it is.
What Actually Drives the Cost
A few variables do most of the work:
- Aircraft type. Bigger aircraft, longer range, more cabin space, higher hourly rate. The turboprop and the mid-size jet are different tools for different trips.
- One way vs. round trip. Round trips are priced more efficiently because the aircraft goes home. One-way pricing has to account for repositioning. The gap can be bigger than you’d think, so pay attention to it.
- Your program structure. Jet Card or fractional? Both have published hourly rates, but they’re built for different flying habits and different commitment levels.
- Fuel surcharge. Applies across the board. Calculated against the nationwide average Jet A price above a $4.00 baseline. Separate line, but predictable, no surprises hiding in there. Fuel prices may vary based on location and broader energy pricing.
Here’s what those numbers actually look like.
Jet Card Hourly Rates from Kansas City
Our Jet Card is a prepaid flight account. Deposit funds, fly when you need to, pay per hour. Unused balances don’t expire.
| Aircraft Type | Round Trip | One Way | Day Rate |
| Turbo Prop | $2,325/hr | $3,375/hr | $3,300 |
| Very Light Jet | $2,850/hr | $4,750/hr | $3,300 |
| Light Jet | $3,375/hr | $6,000/hr | $3,300 |
| Mid Jet | $4,925/hr | $7,800/hr | $3,300 |
Four tiers, ranging from a $100,000 Tier 1 deposit (6% trip discount, 12-month rate lock) up to a $350,000 Tier 3 deposit (10% discount, 18-month lock, fully refundable). There’s also a Membership tier with no deposit at all, just a $10K initiation fee and $5K annual renewal. Every tier includes guaranteed availability within a 6-hour window. No peak day charges. No blackout dates.
What a Typical Kansas City Trip Actually Costs
Here’s a look at an actual quote flying from Kansas City to Scottsdale for 8 passengers using Jet Card Tier 1 Round-Trip Rates, for a 3 night, 4-day trip.
| Line Item | Rate | Quantity | Total |
| Light Jet | $3,375 per hour | 5.4 hours | $18,225 |
| Day Charge | $3,330 per day | 4 days | $13,200 |
| Fuel Surcharge | $750 per hour | 5.4 hours | $4,050 |
| Segment Tax | $5.30 pax segment | 16 pax segment | $85 |
| Federal excise tax | 7.50% | $33,346 taxable cost | $2,501 |
| Tier 1 Trip Discount | -6% | – | ($2,129) |
| $33,577 |
Why Silverhawk in Kansas City
We’re the largest light jet operator in the Midwest. We’ve been at this since 1991, and our Kansas City location gives us Midwest-native coverage from a city that does serious business.
Geography does the work here. Midwest-focused operations mean less repositioning, lower overhead, and we price accordingly. We back that with a guarantee: best-value Jet Card in the Midwest. Find a better deal, we genuinely want to hear about it.
We’re locally and employee-owned. When you call, you get someone who answers to you.
The planes are nice too, since people always ask. New paint, new interiors, Wi-Fi, current avionics across the fleet. Worth mentioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum flight time?
Yes, one hour per day, per program. Under an hour, you’re billed at the one-hour minimum.
Blackout dates or peak-day surcharges?
None. Neither program has them. Guaranteed availability, every day of the year.
What airports does Silverhawk use in Kansas City?
Kansas City area airports including Charles B. Wheeler Downtown (MKC) and Kansas City International (MCI), depending on route and aircraft. We’ll tell you which makes sense for your trip.
How does the fuel surcharge work?
Calculated off the nationwide average Jet A price above a $4.00 baseline. Round trip, billed at live flight time × 1. One way, × 2. Separate from the hourly rate, same formula for every customer. No markup, no mystery.
What’s the right program if I’m just getting started?
Jet Card. Deposit funds, fly when you need to, pay per hour. If your hours grow and fractional starts to make sense, we’ll tell you. Simple as that.
If you’re in Kansas City and want to talk through what flying private could look like for how you actually travel, or just want a real number for a specific route, reach out. No pressure, no pitch. Just a straight conversation.
Silverhawk Aviation serves Kansas City and the broader Midwest with Jet Card and Fractional Ownership programs designed for business owners who fly 25–150 hours per year. To start a conversation, contact us at mark@silverhawk.com or visit silverhawkaviation.com.
