Glossary of Aviation Terms | Deadhead

Deadhead | Paramount Business Jets

Deadhead is a term used in aviation when a certificate holder is transported by another plane between airports. The deadhead crew may be transported in any cabin, including a coach with the passengers on the flight, or on a jump seat in the cockpit or galleys of the plane. Deadhead crew time is added to the total duty time as an active crew member of a flight that day, and should not exceed certain limits. Deadheading may be on company aircraft, commercial passenger carriers, or by charter.

The carrier or charter should be FAR 121, or 135 certified. The company needs to ensure that the carrier or operator needs to be safe and reliable, but is not required to exclusively use the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment program to comply with the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.