How Jet Charter Companies Mitigate Risks 

Safety is an important part of running a jet charter company. After all, accidents can cost a company everything from aircraft to staff to their reputation. 

Common risk-prevention steps include adhering to rules, hiring the right staff members, getting proper insurance, and inspecting aircraft. 

Keep reading to find out how charter companies reduce risk and how you can check their work before you book a flight. 

Adhering to FAA Safety Requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates safety in airspace across the United States. Jet charter operators are held to a high standard, as they’re responsible for carrying passengers on chartered flights. 

The rules are complex, but this table summarizes the typical FAA rules charter jet operators must follow:

category	requirement
Operating Certificate	Operators must hold an FAA-issued Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate for charter operations. Part 91 rules apply to private, non-commercial flights.
Pilot Qualifications	Pilot-in-command must hold an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) license, be type-rated for the aircraft, and complete recurrent training every 6 months.
Duty & Flight Time Limits	Duty and flight time are limited (e.g., 14 hours max duty time, 10 hours max flight time in 24 hours, with mandated rest periods).
Maintenance Inspections	Aircraft must undergo 100-hour inspections, progressive or phased inspections, and comply with a Part 135 maintenance program.
Aircraft Airworthiness	Operators must comply with all applicable Airworthiness Directives (ADs) Service Bulletins (if adopted) and maintain updated maintenance and log records.
Drug & Alcohol Testing	Operators must have a DOT-compliant drug and alcohol testing program covering flight crew, dispatch, and maintenance personnel.
Weather Minimums	Operators must follow stricter IFR and VFR weather minimums than Part 91, particularly for takeoff, approach, and landing.
Operational Control	Operators must maintain operational control, including scheduling, dispatch, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Manuals & SOPs	Operators are required to have FAA-approved General Operations Manual (GOM), Training Manual, Hazardous Materials Manual, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Emergency Equipment	Aircraft must carry approved emergency and survival equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, life vests, ELTs, first-aid kits, and oxygen where applicable).
Crew Rest Facilities	For long-duration flights, crew rest areas may be required if augmented crews are used.
Passenger Briefings	Pre-flight safety briefing required for passengers, including emergency exits, seatbelt use, and oxygen mask operation.
Recordkeeping	Operators must maintain extensive records for training, maintenance, flight logs, duty times, and safety reports for FAA inspection.
Safety Management System (SMS)	It is encouraged (and required for some operators) to implement a Safety Management System to proactively manage risk and improve safety performance.

Robust Aircraft Vetting & Inspections 

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association explains that impulsive jet purchases are both common and costly. Reputable jet charter companies are different, as they take time to inspect each aircraft before the purchase is complete. 

A pre-purchase inspection is incredibly thorough and typically includes the following items:

• Paperwork, including logbooks and airworthiness certificates
• Engine health
• Empennage (the tail assembly)
• Wings and flaps 
• Fuselage
• Landing gear
• Cabin

Qualified mechanics (ideally, professionals with FAA certifications) should perform these inspections. This professional also typically investigates the availability of parts, just in case repairs are needed.

After the purchase, the operator must follow detailed aircraft maintenance schedules. Some inspections happen before takeoff, and others happen when the aircraft has been in the air for 100+ hours, and others happen yearly. Each one comes with documents that prove the work was done.

Recurrent Training & Qualifications for Pilots 

Reputable charter companies are careful to hire qualified staff. Pilots are responsible for a company’s staff, passengers, aircraft, and reputation. Private jet pilots and crew members are critical for safe flight. 

Training schools explain that most pilots go through several rounds of interviews and tests during the hiring process. They also must complete a simulator test or an in-person test flight before they’re hired. 

Pilots must also provide key documents, including proof that they’re qualified to pilot the company’s specific aircraft. The FAA has type ratings—detailed records about each class of aircraft. 

The FAA also requires continuing education, so pilots can keep their skills and knowledge sharp. Pilots must also undergo regular medical exams and certifications to prove they’re healthy enough to pilot the plane without incident. 

This chart summarizes typical qualifications needed by charter pilots: 

qualification	standard for charter pilots
License	ATP (Airline Transport Pilot)
Minimum Flight Hours	3,000+ total, 1,500+ in jets
Type Ratings	Required for specific aircraft
Recurrent Training	Every 6–12 months in simulators
Medical Certificate	Class I (renewed every 6 months or annually)

Proactive Emergency Preparedness

Aircraft accidents are rare, but problems can occur. When they do, staff steps in to keep everyone safe. 

The National Transportation Safety Board explains that these emergencies are possible during a flight:

• Cabin depressurization
• Hijacking 
• Passenger illness and injury 
• Smoke and fire 
• Severe turbulence

Since problems can occur, the FAA requires operators to create and maintain safety training programs for their staff. These classes are made to ensure that staff have the knowledge, skills, and training to step in when an emergency happens. 

Third-Party Safety Checks & Certifications 

Reputable operators don’t stop with the required certifications from the FAA. Instead, they reach out to third-party agencies for additional training, guidance, and certifications.

Three main agencies provide this type of certification, including the following:

• ARGUS: This company provides a Charter Operator Rating based on a company’s safety history, pilot experience, compliance with regulations, and more. Moving through the certification process can help an operator examine how they do business and how they can be safer. 
• WYVERN: This company provides registered operator and wingman ratings based on assessments of the crew, training policies, and compliance with industry rules. Assessors may also examine how the operator’s aircraft is maintained and repaired. 
• IS-BAO: The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) is a little different than the other two agencies we’ve discussed. This organization provides guidance and training to help operators meet ideal operational and technical standards.

Customer Transparency 

Reputable companies do more than simply accept money for their services. Instead, they provide detailed information for their potential customers that explains how they will keep them safe. 

Key aircraft maintenance and safety certifications you can request from your potential flight partner include the following:

• Your pilot’s license number and type rating
• Your aircraft’s maintenance record 
• The aircraft’s registration number
• The aircraft’s inspection record
• The organization’s training documents and policies

Some of these documents are private and proprietary, so your operator may ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement before giving you access. However, a reputable partner won’t deny your request outright. 

Comprehensive Aircraft Insurance

Aircraft insurance is an important part of any aircraft operator’s toolkit. Policies don’t just protect the company from potential losses, but they can also protect passengers when something goes wrong. 

Tools like this can help operators understand how much insurance might cost for the aircraft they’re purchasing. In general, it’s an expensive but necessary item. 

Many different insurance policies are required for comprehensive coverage.

This table explains how each policy works: 

insurance type	purpose
Aircraft Hull Insurance	Covers physical damage to the aircraft itself, including damage while in motion (taxiing or flying) and not in motion (parked)
Liability Insurance	Covers legal liability for bodily injury or property damage to third parties (not including passengers) caused by aircraft operations
Passenger Liability Insurance	Provides specific coverage for bodily injury or death of passengers onboard the aircraft; often included in combined liability policies
Crew Coverage	Covers injuries to pilots and crew, often through workers’ compensation, employer’s liability, or accident/disability policies
Hangarkeepers & Ground Ops	Covers liability for damage to other aircraft or property while the aircraft is on the ground, including during maintenance or storage
War Risk Insurance	Optional coverage for acts of war, terrorism, hijacking, and confiscation by foreign governments; may be required in high-risk areas
Loss of Use Insurance	Provides compensation for loss of revenue or utility while the aircraft is grounded due to covered damages
Spare Parts Insurance	Covers loss, theft, or damage to spare parts kept in storage or in transit

Interested in Learning More About Jet Charters?

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Whether you want to learn more about jet charters, or you’re ready to book a trip, we’re here for you. 

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