When choosing a private jet charter operator safety is a primary consideration, but what exactly should you look for? Private jet charters operate under Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 regulations, stringent safety requirements that cover everything from aircraft maintenance to crew fight time limitations and pilot qualifications. In addition to adhering to the FAA’s high standards for safety, operators can achieve additional third-party ratings – going well beyond simple compliance. Three well-known safety rating standards to look for when evaluating an operator are IS-BAO, ARGUS, and Wyvern Wingman. Read on as we explore each safety rating:

International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO)

IS-BAO is the only FAA-recognized aviation audit system for part 135 operators. The three-stage recommended code of best practices is the worldwide gold standard for business aviation, to help operators achieve the highest levels of safety. Operators undergo rigorous audits, evaluating their Safety Management System (SMS) and operations, as they advance through three rankings:

• Stage 1: confirms that the SMS infrastructure is established and that safety management activities are appropriately targeted
• Stage 2: ensures that safety risks are being effectively managed
• Stage 3: verifies that safety management activities are fully integrated into the operator’s business and that a positive safety culture is being sustained

Regular third-party audits are performed, every two to three years, to achieve and maintain IS-BAO certification. 

Schubach is among the fewer than 3% private jet charter operators nationwide to have achieved IS-BAO Stage 3 designation.

To learn more about IS-BAO, visit here. 

WYVERN

WYVERN is the first audit standard in the charter industry and provides a safety benchmark for clients to compare private jet operators. The evaluation, which recurs at least every 24 months, reviews and assesses the operator’s compliance with specific safety and risk-management standards.

• Wingman: Operators meet minimum safety standards.
• Wingman Certified: Operators meet higher safety standards, including enhanced safety management systems and risk mitigation.

Schubach Aviation holds the highest WYVERN rating, Wingman Certified.

To learn more about WYVERN, visit here. 

ARGUS

ARGUS is an internationally recognized certification for private jet charter operators. Comprised of three advancing rankings, the rigorous audit examines all aspects of a company’s operations:

• Gold: Operators meet basic ARGUS standards, have clean safety records, and pass basic inspections.
• Gold Plus: Operators meet all Gold requirements plus pass an on-site safety audit that verifies practices align with documented procedures.
• Platinum: Operators meet all Gold Plus requirements, have a functioning emergency response plan and safety management system, and meet or exceed industry standards.

Schubach Aviation is one of the upper 5% percent of 1,000+ U.S.-based charter operators to have achieved the highest “Platinum” level operator rating.

To learn more about ARGUS, visit here.