Private Jet Safety 101 for Buyers

Plenty of people own private jets. In fact, a recent survey suggests there are more than 14,500 private jets in the United States alone. Every person who owns or operates a private jet should keep safety in mind. 

Buyers often focus on luxury and convenience, but long-term safety is a critical consideration when understanding how to buy a private jet. 

Owners are also responsible for creating a culture of safety within their organizations, and that includes hiring the right staff.

Why Private Jet Safety Matters So Much 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) creates and enforces rules pertaining to private jet operations. As an owner, it’s your responsibility to both understand those regulations and to follow them. 

If you don’t follow the rules, you could experience the loss of your aircraft, your crew, or both in an accident. You could also be financially liable for the damages you cause others. 

Private Jet Safety Regulations

In the United States, two key FAA rules apply to private jets. They are Part 91 (for private use of jets) and Part 135 (for charter use of jets).

The table below can help you understand how these rules are similar and how they differ: 

category	part 90 (private use)	part 135 (charter use)
Operator Type	Private individual or corporate owner	Certified charter operator
FAA Certification Required	No Air Carrier Certificate required; aircraft must be registered	Yes – FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate required
Maintenance Requirements	Must follow manufacturer’s recommendations and applicable ADs	Must follow FAA-approved maintenance program; subject to audits
Pilot Qualifications	No specific FAA requirement beyond appropriate rating; often Commercial or ATP	Commercial or ATP license required; subject to duty/rest limits
Training Requirements	Not required by regulation (except for type ratings, if applicable)	Required: Initial and recurrent training, including simulator and emergency training
Safety Management System (SMS)	Optional; not required by regulation	Strongly encouraged; required for certain operators (e.g., two pilots or 10+ seats)
Flight Crew Duty Limits	Not regulated under Part 91	Strict FAA-regulated duty/rest limits
Drug & Alcohol Testing	Not required	Required under DOT/FAA regulations
Operational Oversight	Minimal FAA oversight; ramp checks rare	Frequent FAA oversight including inspections, audits, and ramp checks
Insurance Applications	Lower premiums; requirements vary widely	Typically higher premiums; stricter compliance often demanded by insurers
Passenger Use	May not carry passengers for compensation or hire	Authorized to carry paying passengers
Recordkeeping	Basic logbooks for aircraft and pilot	Detailed records for maintenance, training, duty time, and operations

Operators in other countries have slightly different rules. For example, people within Europe must follow EASA regulations. However, all countries have regulations that apply to the operation of aircraft. 

Prepurchase Jet Safety Checklist 

As part of any purchase, a prospective jet owner should conduct a thorough prepurchase safety check. This step ensures that the aircraft’s current owner has maintained the equipment and can prove what’s been done. Experts should conduct this check for you. 

Good things to examine during a prepurchase check include the following:

• Maintenance logs 
• Service history 
• FAA airworthiness directives and certificates 
• Compliance with maintenance schedules 
• Incident reports
• Aircraft registration and titles 
• Expiration dates of safety equipment

A reputable seller knows that buyers need documents and paperwork before agreeing to a sale. Buyers should be leery of sellers who won’t share critical information with them. 

Conducting a Prepurchase Inspection (PPI) 

A prepurchase inspection is designed to help protect you from a potentially costly mistake. The information you gain at the end of this check can help you decide if you’re purchasing the right plane at the right price from the right person.

Why a PPI is Critical 

As the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association explains, an inspection is designed to uncover any damage or wear that isn’t immediately visible. An inspection can also help an owner understand maintenance issues that could pop up in the near future, so you can budget accordingly. 

At the end of an inspection, you may decide that an aircraft you were considering isn’t a good investment for your portfolio. Or you may uncover issues that merit a discount in the sales price, which you can negotiate with the owner. 

The information you get, either good or bad, can help you to make smarter decisions. 

Who Conducts a PPI?

The Piper Flyer Association explains that inspections should be performed at neutral facilities by trained inspectors. This professional should have experience in conducting inspections, and ideally, this person should know about the specific type of aircraft you’re considering. 

Your inspector shouldn’t be committed to the outcome of the sale. Instead, this person should provide a detailed report of findings that you can use to either move the sale forward or stop it. 

What’s Included in the PPI? 

A PPI takes time to complete, as every part of the aircraft is closely examined. From stem to stern, your inspector should access every part of the jet and provide detailed notes about the findings. 

Focal points of a PPI include the following:

• Paperwork: The aircraft’s registration, airworthiness certificate, and handbooks are carefully inspected. 
• Engine: The team looks for problems like leaks, corrosion, loose connections, and weak batteries. 
• Empennage: Everything, from hinges to trailing edges, is closely observed. 
• Wings and flaps: The team looks for issues like dings, warps, wrinkles, and staining.
• Fuselage: The doors, hinges, antennae, skin, and belly are all closely examined. 
• Landing gear: Struts, brakes, and tires are the focus of this inspection.
• Interior spaces: The cockpit and cabin are examined.

Typical Findings 

There are no real “typical” findings of a PPI. Instead, your inspector should offer a detailed report about everything that was examined and what turned up. 

For example, your inspector may find evidence of oil leaks in the engine. The inspector might make an educated guess about the cause and explain how much a repair might cost. If the leak is extensive, the cost might seem prohibitive, which could prompt you to end the sale. 

PPI Costs

Your inspector has the right to charge reasonable fees for the work. The final cost can vary by the size of the aircraft and the systems involved. Prepare for fees ranging from about $700 for smaller jets to $4,500 for large aircraft. 

Buyers are typically responsible for paying for a PPI. Your fees aren’t refundable if you back out of the deal. 

Ensuring Safe Flight Operations

Your commitment to safety shouldn’t end when you’ve signed a sales contract and purchased a jet. Instead, it’s your role to create a culture of safety within your organization.

The steps you’ll take to build this culture will vary, depending on the people on your team. 

In-Flight Crew 

Hiring the right staff members can mean avoiding accidents, such as the crew-caused near-miss on a runway in Chicago. When your staff understands that they must follow the rules as a condition of employment, and they know how seriously you take these guidelines, accidents are less likely. 

Good steps to take include hiring people with successful histories in the industry. Check their references and backgrounds before you make a hire, and ensure they’re trained on the safety equipment on your aircraft. 

Third-Party Aircraft Management

Some jet owners outsource staffing to a third party. Safety steps are expected and helpful in this situation as well. 

Your partner should also focus on hiring experienced pilots and training them appropriately. Your onboard crew should have extensive experience in creating safe flight environments, and you should be able to inspect the organization’s training documents. 

Private Jet Maintenance and Inspection Requirements

Creating and following private jet maintenance schedules is an important part of your role as an owner. Jet maintenance costs are minimal when compared to the fees associated with an incident. 

Several types of inspections are required. They are summarized in this table: 

inspection type	frequency	description
Pre-Flight Inspection	Before every flight	Performed by crew; checks fluids, control surfaces, lights, tires, documentation, etc.
Post-Flight Inspection	After every flight (if required by operator)	Ensures no damage or anomalies occurred during flight; varies by SOP or program.
A-Check (Light Maintenance)	Every 400–600 flight hours or 200–300 cycles	Basic systems check: fluid levels, filters, brakes, visual inspections, avionics.
B-Check	Every 6–8 months (rarely used today)	Intermediate check; typically absorbed into A or C checks in modern programs.
C-Check (Comprehensive)	Every 18–24 months or ~3,000 flight hours	In-depth structural and systems inspection; aircraft out of service for days.
D-Check (Heavy Maintenance)	Every 6–10 years (~20,000 flight hours)	Extensive teardown and inspection of airframe, wiring, corrosion, etc.
Annual Inspection (Part 91)	Every 12 calendar months	Required for aircraft under Part 91; must be signed off by an IA (Inspection Authorization).
100-Hour Inspection	Every 100 flight hours (if for hire)	Required for aircraft used for hire (e.g., flight training, charter under Part 91).
Time-Limited Inspections	Based on hours, cycles, or calendar limits	Includes engine overhauls, gear replacements, life-limited components.
Service Bulletins / ADs	As issued	Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are mandatory; Service Bulletins (SBs) may be recommended or required by contract.
ELT & Safety Equipment Checks	Varies by item (e.g., ELT = 12 months)	ELT: tested every 12 months; other safety items (oxygen, fire bottles, raft kits) vary by expiration or cycle.

Insurance and Liability Considerations Regarding Safety 

The Flight Safety Foundation explains that underwriting decisions are often tied to things you can’t control, such as the age of the aircraft. However, your maintenance practices and claims history can influence your price as well. 

Building a culture of safety at your organization can keep your overall insurance costs low. Ensuring you have adequate coverage means you can use your policies when something unexpected and unavoidable happens. This coverage is essential.

Common Safety Pitfalls to Avoid as a Private Jet Buyer 

Many private jet owners make mistakes involving safety. Understanding those common errors can help you to avoid them. 

Typical mistakes include the following:

• Skipping a prepurchase inspection
• Accepting key documents (such as maintenance logs) as valid without checking them 
• Hiring staff without proper vetting
• Not creating safety training documents 
• Using outdated equipment
• Getting insufficient coverage 
• Neglecting cabin safety 
• Overlooking cybersecurity risks

Looking for a Private Jet Broker You Can Trust?

At Element Aviation, we specialize in creating smooth jet purchase transactions. We can help you find the perfect jet and ensure you’re well informed before you complete the sale. We handle all the details, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands.

Contact us to find out more about our aircraft sales capabilities.