https://aviondesk.com/blog Articles from the Avion Desk team for chief pilots, schedulers and charter operators on running a flight department day to day. en-us Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/inoperative-equipment-91-213 https://aviondesk.com/blog/inoperative-equipment-91-213 91.213 inoperative equipment in plain steps: who can use 91.213(d), how MEL operators differ, placards, the logbook entry, and the Part 135 rule. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/aircraft-maintenance-forecasting https://aviondesk.com/blog/aircraft-maintenance-forecasting Aircraft maintenance forecasting from utilization: calendar, hour and cycle limits, average daily use, a worked example, and downtime planned around trips. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/aircraft-maintenance-tracking https://aviondesk.com/blog/aircraft-maintenance-tracking Aircraft maintenance tracking under Part 91: inspection programs, the records 91.417 requires and how long to keep them, ADs, life limits and counters. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/aircraft-management-software-checklist https://aviondesk.com/blog/aircraft-management-software-checklist An aircraft management software checklist: questions to ask in any demo or trial, grouped by area, the red flags to watch for, and a printable version. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/true-cost-of-a-trip https://aviondesk.com/blog/true-cost-of-a-trip Aircraft operating cost per hour, built properly: variable, fixed and per-trip costs, one worked trip, and why the hourly number people quote misleads. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/business-aviation-statistics https://aviondesk.com/blog/business-aviation-statistics Business aviation statistics from primary sources: US fleet size, 2025 jet deliveries, hours flown, NTSB accident rates, pilot jobs and economic impact. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-department-chargebacks https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-department-chargebacks A flight department chargeback, done within Part 91: cost allocation by hour, trip or fixed share, the 91.501 limits on charging, and federal excise tax. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-department-software-cost https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-department-software-cost Flight department software cost explained: per aircraft, per user and per module pricing, setup and migration fees, contracts, and the costs buyers miss. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-department-software https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-department-software Flight department software explained for buyers: what it covers, how Part 91 and charter needs differ, when spreadsheets stop working and what to look for. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-risk-assessment-tool https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-risk-assessment-tool Build a flight risk assessment tool that changes decisions: a sample FRAT with point values, score thresholds, tuning tips, and where it fits in SMS. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-scheduling-spreadsheet https://aviondesk.com/blog/flight-scheduling-spreadsheet How to build a flight scheduling spreadsheet: one row per leg, local and UTC times, crew columns, conflict formulas, a free CSV template, and its limits. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/how-to-price-a-charter-trip https://aviondesk.com/blog/how-to-price-a-charter-trip How to price a charter trip under Part 135: hourly rate, positioning, daily minimums, crew and airport fees, federal excise tax, and a worked quote. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/part-135-duty-time-limits https://aviondesk.com/blog/part-135-duty-time-limits Part 135 duty time limits under 14 CFR 135.267: flight time caps, the (b) and (c) tracks, 10 hours of rest, 13 days off a quarter and a worked trip. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/part-91-duty-time-limits https://aviondesk.com/blog/part-91-duty-time-limits Part 91 duty time limits don't exist outside subpart K. What does apply to crews, the NBAA and FSF guidelines, and a sample company duty policy to adapt. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/part-91-vs-part-135-vs-part-91k https://aviondesk.com/blog/part-91-vs-part-135-vs-part-91k Part 91 vs Part 135 vs Part 91K side by side: who each is for, when you can charge for a flight, duty and rest, pilot rules, maintenance and red flags. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/part-91k-duty-and-rest https://aviondesk.com/blog/part-91k-duty-and-rest Part 91K duty and rest under 14 CFR 91.1057 to 91.1062: the one- and two-pilot table, extensions, augmented crews, flight attendants and a worked example. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/pilot-training-currency-tracking https://aviondesk.com/blog/pilot-training-currency-tracking Pilot currency tracking item by item: flight review, 90-day landings, instrument currency, medicals, 61.58 and Part 135 checks, with a free CSV tracker. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/switching-flight-department-software https://aviondesk.com/blog/switching-flight-department-software Switching flight department software: what to export, how to clean it, a parallel run for one cycle, cutover day, team training, and what to keep archived. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/trip-sheet-template https://aviondesk.com/blog/trip-sheet-template A trip sheet template for business aviation: legs in local and UTC time, crew, passengers, FBOs, ground transport, catering, hotels, fuel and permits. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aviondesk.com/blog/vor-check-requirements https://aviondesk.com/blog/vor-check-requirements VOR check requirements under 14 CFR 91.171: every check method with its tolerance, what to log and who signs, common mistakes, and a free CSV log template. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT