Safety is the only category we don't negotiate on.

Part 135 is the difference between a regulated commercial aviation product and an unregulated arrangement. Part 135 pilots have flight time minimums, type-rating requirements, and recurrent training cycles that exceed Part 91 by a wide margin. Operators carry $50M–$300M in liability insurance per occurrence, are subject to FAA inspections, and have to maintain documented Safety Management Systems (SMS) on most aircraft categories.

For an Austin private jet charter client, Part 135 is the floor. ARGUS or Wyvern auditing is the ceiling. We only operate above the floor.

ARGUS International is the most widely recognized third-party safety auditor in private aviation. ARGUS Gold means the operator has cleared a documented review of pilot experience, maintenance records, accident/incident history, and insurance coverage. ARGUS Platinum adds an on-site audit of the operator's facilities, training program, and Safety Management System. A small percentage of charter operators globally hold Platinum status.

For Austin clients, we default to ARGUS Gold or higher for every aircraft. For high-net-worth principals, board-level executives, and any flight carrying minors or pets, we recommend Platinum or Wyvern Wingman lift when available.

Wyvern is the other major independent safety audit standard in business aviation. Wyvern Wingman certification requires the operator to maintain a documented Safety Management System, enhanced pilot training tracking, and aircraft-specific risk assessments before every flight. Wyvern audits are on-site and recurring. Most Wyvern Wingman operators also hold ARGUS Gold or Platinum — the two standards overlap but are not identical.

For Austin private jet charter trips that involve international segments, mountain destinations (Aspen, Telluride, Sun Valley), or unusually short runways, we strongly prefer Wyvern Wingman or ARGUS Platinum operators because of the aircraft-specific risk assessment requirement.

Before any aircraft we quote is confirmed for an Austin charter flight, we verify: active FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate; the specific aircraft is on the operator's D085 specifications (legal to operate for hire); ARGUS Gold or higher / Wyvern Wingman status as appropriate; pilot-in-command total time and aircraft type rating currency; aircraft maintenance currency including any open airworthiness directives; and $50M+ liability insurance per occurrence for the specific aircraft and trip.

This documentation is available to any Austin client on request. We would rather lose a booking to a slower quote than rush an aircraft we have not vetted.

Grey-market lift typically shows up two ways. First: a private aircraft owner who flies under Part 91 offers the aircraft for hire, often through a friend or a broker who is willing to look the other way. This is illegal commercial operation — the aircraft is not authorized for charter, the pilots are not held to Part 135 currency, the insurance is private-use only, and a claim is likely to be denied. Second: a legitimate Part 135 operator quotes a flight on an aircraft that is not actually on their D085. Same legal exposure for the passenger.

We don't book either category. Read more in our explainer on what a Part 135 charter operator actually is.

If you book through us, every aircraft is verified before quote. If you're considering a charter elsewhere, ask the broker for: (1) the operator's name and FAA Part 135 certificate number, (2) confirmation that the specific tail number is on the operator's D085, (3) the operator's most recent ARGUS or Wyvern audit status, and (4) a certificate of insurance naming you as a passenger. Any reputable operator can produce all four within minutes. If they can't or won't, walk away.

The same standard applies to empty leg flights, group charters, and same-day departures — Part 135 status is not optional or negotiable depending on price.