Safety standards
EASA in Europe and the FAA in the United States set the operating rules. Reputable charter operators are also independently audited by ARGUS, Wyvern or IS-BAO — three voluntary safety rating systems.
Pilot requirements
Charter captains typically hold an ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) and 3,000+ flight hours, with type-rating recurrency every six to twelve months in a full-motion simulator.
Maintenance
Charter aircraft follow a manufacturer-approved maintenance programme with scheduled inspections after every flight, every 100 hours, every 12 months and at major hour milestones (typically 600, 1,200 and 2,400 hours).
Charter regulations
Commercial charter operations are flown under Part 135 (US) or AOC rules (Europe) — significantly stricter than the Part 91 rules that govern private owner-operators.
Operator certifications to look for
- —ARGUS Platinum or Gold
- —Wyvern Wingman
- —IS-BAO Stage 2 or 3
- —Valid Air Operator's Certificate (AOC)
FAQ
Frequently asked
Is private aviation as safe as commercial?
Top-rated (ARGUS Platinum / Wyvern Wingman) operators meet or exceed commercial airline safety performance metrics.
How do I get a private jet quote?
Send your route, dates and party size via the Limitless Sky contact form. A confirmed all-inclusive quote is returned within 10 minutes, 24/7.