ACI Jet Orange County: A Practical Guide for Private Flyers

TravelWoman standing beside a private propeller aircraft at ACI Jet South
ACI Jet South in Orange County: a starting point for private flying in California.

For anyone planning a flight, the useful questions go beyond which aircraft to choose. Where should you meet your crew? What can you arrange before arrival? And what support should an owner or operator request for the airplane?

This guide focuses on ACI Jet’s Orange County facilities, with a brief look at its other California locations.

About ACI Jet

ACI Jet was founded by pilot and aircraft mechanic Bill Borgsmiller in 1998, beginning as a one-person charter operation with a single aircraft. Today, the company provides private jet charter, aircraft management, maintenance and FBO services.

According to a 2026 Professional Pilot profile, ACI Jet operates 17 aircraft, records more than 6,000 flight hours annually and employs approximately 370 people. Its fleet includes Bombardier Global and Challenger aircraft, a Citation XLS, Gulfstream IVSP and Phenom 300.

The company’s 91,000-square-foot headquarters is located at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP). ACI Jet also operates facilities at John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA) and provides aviation services at Oceano Airport (L52).

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What Is an FBO?

An FBO, or fixed-base operator, provides airport services such as fueling, aircraft parking, storage and maintenance. For private-flight passengers, it can also serve as the arrival and departure point, with lounges and travel assistance.

Business jet on the ramp near ACI Jet at John Wayne Airport
A business jet on the ramp during a visit to ACI Jet in Orange County, California.

What Does ACI Jet Offer?

  • FBO and Ground Handling: Fueling, hangar space and ground support, plus passenger concierge services, transportation arrangements and crew amenities at Orange County.
  • Private Jet Charter: Regional and international private flights. ACI Jet’s operated fleet includes Phenom 300, Citation XLS, Challenger and Global aircraft; charter availability varies by aircraft.
  • Aircraft Management: Coordination of crews, flight schedules, maintenance and aircraft maintenance budgets, tailored to owners’ needs.
  • Aircraft Maintenance: Its San Luis Obispo facility is an FAA Part 145 repair station and Bombardier Authorized Service Facility, also supporting Cessna Citation aircraft. Services include inspections, repairs, avionics installations and AOG support.

Where to Find ACI Jet in Orange County

ACI Jet has two facilities at John Wayne Airport:

  • ACI Jet South: 19711 Campus Drive, Santa Ana, CA 92707. Phone: (949) 201-2560.
  • ACI Jet North: 19301 Campus Drive, Santa Ana, CA 92707. Phone: (949) 201-2550.

Both are listed on the official ACI Jet Orange County website.

ACI Jet South facility at 19711 Campus Drive in Santa Ana
The ACI Jet South facility at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California.

Confirm which facility your flight uses before arranging transportation, and provide your driver with the full street address and agreed meeting point.

What Passengers Can Arrange Before a Flight

ACI Jet advertises assistance with ground transportation, hotel arrangements and restaurant reservations. Its Orange County service list also includes catering, concierge assistance and secured vehicle parking.

Start with what your trip actually requires. For a family journey, ask about child seats for the transfer, bulky baggage and any assistance needed for boarding. For a business visit, share your meeting address and the time you need to be there.

Exterior of the ACI Jet South FBO at John Wayne Airport
ACI Jet South provides FBO and aviation support services at John Wayne Airport.

Before departure, confirm:

  • Arrival time: Get a specific instruction from your operator instead of relying on a general rule for private flights.
  • Documents: Ask which identification and travel documents your itinerary requires.
  • Luggage: Send the operator details of large suitcases, golf bags, strollers or other unusual items.
  • Food: Request meals and explain dietary needs in advance.
  • Additional charges: Ask which arrangements are included in your quote and which will be billed separately.

For an Orange County stay, give the concierge your actual destination and preferences. A restaurant booking, hotel transfer and family outing each require different planning; avoid building an itinerary around an assumed airport-to-destination travel time.

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What Aircraft Owners and Crews Should Request

Published Orange County capabilities include fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), aircraft towing, hangar space, ground power, lavatory servicing, potable water, and oxygen and nitrogen service. Crew amenities listed include a pilot lounge, snooze room, crew car, Wi-Fi and a conference room. Confirm availability at your assigned facility.

For a handling request, provide the aircraft type and registration, planned arrival and departure, passenger count, fuel requirements and requested ground services.

Twin-engine turboprop aircraft parked near ACI Jet South
A twin-engine turboprop aircraft parked at John Wayne Airport near ACI Jet South.

Then make the request specific. Ask whether suitable hangar space is available for your dates, when fueling should take place, and whether the requested equipment is compatible with your aircraft. If your schedule is uncertain, agree on how changes should be communicated.

For a longer stay, request an itemized estimate covering parking or hangar use, handling, fuel and additional services. Ask about any applicable minimum uplift, fee waiver or cancellation terms rather than assuming an arrangement applies.

Current Fuel Price Snapshot

Fuel prices change frequently, but AirNav listed the following full-service prices for ACI Jet North when checked in September 2026:

  • 100LL Avgas: $8.03 per gallon;
  • Jet A: $7.80 per gallon;
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel: $9.50 per gallon;
  • Prist/FSII additive: $0.20 per gallon.

The listing also showed discounts of $0.50 per gallon for 1,000–1,999 gallons and $0.60 per gallon for 2,000 gallons or more. Prices were listed as including taxes. Confirm the current price, discount eligibility and availability directly before arrival.

Safety Standards and Certifications

ACI Jet’s published safety credentials cover both flight operations and ground handling:

  • WYVERN Wingman: Renewal confirmed by WYVERN in June 2025 through its Flight Leader Program, with quarterly coaching and assessments covering risk management, training and emergency preparedness.
  • IS-BAO Stage 3: ACI Jet announced a successful renewal audit in January 2024. This level recognizes safety management integrated into daily flight operations and a sustained safety culture.
  • IS-BAH Stage II: Listed for its Orange County FBO, this credential addresses safety management in aircraft ground handling.

Maintenance: Capabilities and Scale

ACI Jet’s San Luis Obispo headquarters includes a 35,000-square-foot maintenance hangar within the company’s 91,000-square-foot complex. The MRO is an FAA Part 145 repair station and Bombardier Authorized Service Facility supporting Global, Challenger and Cessna Citation aircraft.

A 2026 industry profile reported a maintenance workforce of approximately 75–100 people and an inventory of nearly $10 million in critical aircraft parts. Services include inspections, heavy airframe work, avionics upgrades, warranty support and 24-hour mobile AOG assistance.

Business jets parked behind the security fence at John Wayne Airport
Business aircraft parked near the ACI Jet facilities at John Wayne Airport.

For AOG assistance, call (805) 548-1380. Orange County operators can contact the local unscheduled-maintenance team at (949) 201-2538. ACI Jet does not publish standard maintenance prices, so owners should request an aircraft-specific written estimate.

Aircraft Management for Owners

ACI Jet’s flight operations division has approximately 130 employees, including about 60 pilots and 40 cabin attendants. Dedicated aircraft and crew managers coordinate pilot schedules, inspections, flight logistics and individual cabin preferences for each managed aircraft.

An 11-person dispatch team supports flight planning and international operations. According to Professional Pilot, approximately 90% of the company’s international trips are coordinated in-house.

Maintenance contactPhoneEmail
Orange County AOG and unscheduled maintenance(949) 201-2538aog-sna@acijet.com
24-hour AOG hotline(805) 548-1380aog@acijet.com
General MRO inquiriesmrosupport@acijet.com

Contacts: ACI Jet Orange CountyAOG supportMRO inquiries

For pricing, request a written estimate for the aircraft model and required work, including labor, parts and any mobile-service charges.

Opening Hours and Nighttime Flight Planning

ACI Jet’s California locations have different operating arrangements, from staffed passenger terminals to self-service fueling. All hours below are local California time.

FacilityPublished hoursAfter-hours availabilityPhone
Orange County North (SNA)5 a.m.–11 p.m.11 p.m.–5 a.m. listed for emergency and medical flights(949) 201-2550
Orange County South (SNA)5 a.m.–11 p.m.11 p.m.–5 a.m. listed for emergency and medical flights(949) 201-2560
San Luis Obispo (SBP)6 a.m.–9 p.m.On-call support 24/7; 24-hour fueling advertised(805) 548-1330
Oceano (L52)24-hour self-service avgasStaffed terminal hours are not specified(805) 782-9722

Orange County: Terminal Hours and Airport Rules

John Wayne Airport permits general aviation operations 24 hours a day, provided aircraft comply with applicable noise limits and other airport requirements. This does not mean ACI Jet offers routine overnight passenger handling. Coordinate late arrivals and early departures with both the operator and FBO.

ACI Jet accepts text requests at (949) 344-2450 for its Orange County facilities. Specify North or South when arranging handling or a passenger pickup.

San Luis Obispo: On-Call Support After 9 p.m.

The SBP facility is at 4751 Aviadores Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Alongside 24-hour fueling and on-call support, it lists hangar space, a crew car, pilot lounge and snooze room. Requests can be sent to sbp@acijet.com.

For service outside regular hours, arrange staff assistance in advance and ask about callout charges, terminal access and transportation availability.

Oceano: Self-Service Fuel Near the Beach

ACI Jet’s Oceano location is at 561 Air Park Drive, Oceano, CA 93445. It offers self-service avgas, rental-car referrals and concierge assistance through sbp@acijet.com. The airport also has an on-field campground—a useful feature for a coastal fly-in stay.

The 24-hour fuel listing does not establish overnight staffing or confirm suitability for a particular nighttime flight. Pilots should check current airport information and NOTAMs separately from FBO service availability.

Why Flight Planning at SNA Matters

John Wayne Airport covers more than 510 acres and is home to nearly 500 general aviation aircraft. General aviation accounts for approximately 60% of airport operations.

SNA has two runways: a 5,700-foot main runway used by commercial and general aviation aircraft and a 2,887-foot runway serving general aviation.

Noise compliance is enforced for each general aviation flight. An aircraft that exceeds the permitted noise limits three times within three years may be denied use of the airport for three years. Operators should review current noise-abatement procedures when planning departures.

Visiting Paso Robles? ACI Jet’s current destination page directs travelers to its San Luis Obispo facility (SBP).

Why Choose ACI Jet?

  • Connected aviation services: ACI Jet combines FBO support, charter flights, aircraft management and maintenance within one company. Owners can coordinate aircraft care and flight operations through the same provider.
  • A dedicated contact for owners: Aircraft and crew managers connect managed-aircraft owners with flight operations, coordinating schedules, maintenance and cabin preferences.
  • Specialized maintenance expertise: Its San Luis Obispo facility combines Bombardier authorization with Global, Challenger and Citation maintenance capabilities, plus mobile AOG support.
  • Personal service: In interviews, ACI Jet’s leadership emphasizes long-term customer relationships and empowering frontline staff to resolve service issues directly.

Sustainability at San Luis Obispo

In February 2026, ACI Jet activated a 900-panel solar installation at its San Luis Obispo location. The system can produce up to 576 kilowatts of peak power and supplies electricity to the FBO, repair station and flight operations center.

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Who Should Consider ACI Jet?

Based on its published services, ACI Jet is worth considering for:

  • California and West Coast aircraft owners seeking coordinated management, crew support and maintenance.
  • Corporate and leisure charter clients arranging private flights and ground services in Orange County.
  • Global, Challenger and Citation operators evaluating a maintenance provider for inspections, repairs or avionics work.
  • Visiting pilots and flight departments needing fuel, parking, hangar space and crew facilities at SNA or SBP.

Sources: ACI Jet servicesMaintenance capabilitiesFBO locations

Private business jet parked at John Wayne Airport in Orange County
A private business jet parked at John Wayne Airport in Southern California.

For an initial inquiry, provide your travel dates, preferred airport and required services. Aircraft owners and operators should also include the aircraft model and registration so the team can confirm suitability, availability and pricing.

Before You Book or Arrive

Use this short checklist to bring the passenger and aircraft arrangements together:

  1. Confirm North or South, the street address and the meeting point.
  2. Get an agreed arrival time from the flight operator.
  3. Submit passenger, baggage, catering and transportation requests.
  4. Have the crew confirm fuel, parking and ground-service requirements.
  5. Request a written estimate and clarify any separately billed items.
  6. Keep a contact available for schedule changes.

For a first inquiry, state whether you are arranging passenger services, aircraft handling, maintenance or management. Include your dates and the relevant trip or aircraft details so the request can reach the appropriate team.

Service information checked September, 2026. Confirm current availability, hours and charges directly before travel.

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