Safety standards for private jet charters vary by location, type and size of the aircraft, and other factors. There are federal regulations that govern safety rules for business aviation, but there are also private and industry-led safety standards you should be aware of when choosing a charter operator.
FAA Charter Certification
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducts a lengthy analysis of private jet charter operators before they become certified. The certification process required to grant an aircraft and its operator the right to carry the general public as paying passengers is both painstaking and exhaustive. It takes many months, sometimes even years, to become an FAA-certified Air Carrier.
As a customer, you should always require that your private jet charter operator and aircraft are FAA-certified. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you are unsure whether your operator and/or aircraft are certified, it’s completely appropriate to ask them to produce proof for your records. You can also do your own checking on the aircraft and charter operator at the FAA’s website.
IS-BAO
The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) is the newest and most comprehensive safety standard for private jets. Only a small number of charter operators have achieved IS-BAO registration to date. These operators have demonstrated the upmost in safety compliance through successful completion of an audit by an International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) accredited auditor.
IS-BAO is a comprehensive safety program developed by the industry, for the industry. It’s separate from for-profit third party entities that rate charter operators based on their own criteria.
Wyvern
Wyvern LTD is an independent business that makes its money by analyzing and approving private jet charter operators. It evaluates applicants based on their known flight history, internal documentation and safety practices. Wyvern provides comprehensive charter operator information, including history, background, pilot information, FAA documents, and insurance coverage. They also warn of any accidents, incidents, FAA Letters of Correction and Warning Notices related to the charter operator.
Wyvern-approved flights have a safety record that is completely unblemished. Of all the 1,177 fatalities from January 1991 through April 2009, not one involved a Wyvern-recommended aircraft or aircrew.
ARG/US
Aviation Research Group/US (ARG/US) provides business aviation consulting services, and also collects and distributes information and research. One of the services they offer is charter operator reviews and ratings. Charter operators can subscribe to ARG/US’s services and obtain a rating of Gold, Gold Plus or Platinum, at increasing subscription rates and audit intensity. Private jet charter customers may also then subscribe to ARG/US and access those ratings and pertinent operator information.
Of the 2,150 currently registered charter operators in the US, however, only 335 have chosen to subscribe to ARG/US’s safety ratings service. Many charter operators decided to drop their ARG/US rating in 2009 when the group began charging an ongoing fee for each rating level.
