Guide
Understand how private jet safety actually works, from FAA Part 135 certification to ARGUS and Wyvern audits, so you know exactly what to ask before you charter.
The foundation
Private jet safety starts with the certificate the aircraft flies under. The difference between Part 91 and Part 135 is the single most important thing to understand before you book.
The rules an owner uses to fly their own aircraft. There is no air carrier certificate, lighter duty and rest limits, and no requirement for a structured maintenance program built for revenue flights. You should not be paying to fly under Part 91.
The FAA Air Carrier Certificate required to carry paying passengers on demand. It mandates two qualified pilots on jets, drug and alcohol testing, recurrent training, defined maintenance, and a named director of operations and chief pilot under FAA oversight.
The framework for scheduled airlines. Charter is not Part 121, but reputable Part 135 operators voluntarily adopt airline-grade practices like Safety Management Systems and IS-BAO registration to close the gap.
Every flight Private JetOne arranges is operated by a certificated Part 135 air carrier. As a New York-based broker, we never put a paying passenger on a Part 91 private flight dressed up as a charter, a shortcut that strips away the very protections charter rules exist to provide.
Independent audits
The FAA sets the floor. Independent auditors verify that an operator performs well above it, using accident history, on-site reviews, and validated operational data.
ARGUS issues tiered ratings: Gold reviews historical safety data, Gold Plus adds operator-supplied validation, and Platinum requires an on-site audit, an active Safety Management System, and an Emergency Response Plan. A current Gold Plus or Platinum rating is a strong signal of operational discipline.
Wyvern maintains a safety database and offers its Wingman standard, supported by a registered on-site audit of pilot records, maintenance, and procedures. Wyvern reports are widely used by corporate flight departments to screen charter providers.
The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) is a voluntary, ICAO-aligned standard built around a Safety Management System. Registration shows an operator manages risk proactively rather than reactively, with documented procedures and continuous improvement.
Crew & aircraft
Audits matter, but safety is ultimately delivered by trained crews flying well-maintained aircraft. Here is what stands behind every leg.
Your checklist
You do not need to be an aviation expert. A few direct questions, which we answer for you as your broker, separate a safe trip from a risky one. Cost should never be the only driver, and the cheapest quote sometimes reflects skipped standards.
Confirm the Part 135 certificate number and that the exact tail number is listed on it. A real broker will provide this without hesitation.
Ask for the operator's ARGUS or Wyvern rating and its date. Currency matters more than the badge itself.
Verify liability limits and that the assigned crew is current and dual-qualified for the aircraft and route.
Charter pricing reflects aircraft size, route, repositioning, crew, and demand. Safety is not a place to economize, so we present audited options and explain the cost drivers transparently rather than chasing the lowest possible number.
FAQ
ARGUS and Wyvern are the two leading independent safety auditors in business aviation. ARGUS issues tiered ratings (Gold, Gold Plus, and Platinum) based on historical safety data, operator validation, and on-site audits, while Wyvern offers its Wingman standard backed by a registered audit. Both review an operator's accident history, pilot experience, maintenance program, and operational control. A current rating signals that a third party has independently verified the operator meets recognized safety benchmarks beyond the FAA minimum.
A Part 135 operator holds an FAA Air Carrier Certificate that authorizes it to fly passengers for hire under stricter rules than private (Part 91) flying. Part 135 imposes tighter limits on crew duty and rest, mandatory maintenance programs, drug and alcohol testing, recurrent training, and a designated director of operations and chief pilot. When you charter through Private JetOne, every flight is operated by a certificated Part 135 air carrier, not a private owner flying under Part 91.
Ask for the operator's FAA Part 135 certificate number, their current ARGUS or Wyvern rating, proof of liability insurance with adequate limits, and confirmation that the specific tail number is on that certificate. Confirm the crew meets dual-pilot and recent-experience requirements for the aircraft. As your broker, Private JetOne vets all of this on your behalf and only sources aircraft from audited, certificated operators.
Charter flights operate under FAA Part 135 rather than the Part 121 rules that govern scheduled airlines, so some requirements differ, but the safety framework is rigorous. Part 135 still mandates two qualified pilots on jets, structured maintenance, duty and rest limits, recurrent training, and FAA oversight. Top operators voluntarily add IS-BAO registration, Safety Management Systems, and ARGUS or Wyvern audits that meet or exceed airline-grade practices.
Private JetOne is a New York-based broker that sources every trip from certificated Part 135 operators carrying current third-party audits such as ARGUS Gold or above, Wyvern Wingman, or IS-BAO registration. We confirm the tail number, crew currency, insurance limits, and maintenance status for each flight before you board. There are no membership fees, and our team is available 24/7 to answer safety questions about any aircraft we quote.
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