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Safety certifications

Our Safety Standards

Safety is the first question we ask about every flight. Here is how we choose the operators we work with, and what the industry's safety ratings actually mean.

Our standards for every operator

Before we quote an operator, we check:

  1. FAA Part 135 certificate (or the foreign equivalent for international operators), current and in good standing.
  2. Independent safety audit ratings from at least one recognised auditor (see below), with higher ratings preferred and available on request.
  3. Insurance with liability limits appropriate to the aircraft and number of passengers.
  4. Crew qualifications, including pilot experience minimums and type ratings. Two-pilot crews can be required on any jet.
  5. Safety Management System (SMS), a formal programme for identifying and managing risk. The FAA requires Part 135 operators to have one in place by 2027, and the best operators adopted SMS years ago.
  6. Aircraft history and maintenance status for the specific aircraft quoted.

Corporate clients can add their own requirements, and we will build them into every quote.

What the safety ratings mean

ARGUS. ARGUS International audits charter operators and rates them, from Gold through Gold Certified and Platinum to Platinum Elite, based on safety data, on-site audits of operations, maintenance and training, and safety management. Platinum and Platinum Elite are its highest ratings.

Wyvern. Wyvern's Wingman Standard is an audit-based certification focused on safety management, operational control and crew qualifications. Wyvern-recommended operators are widely used by corporate flight departments.

IS-BAO. The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, created by the International Business Aviation Council, is a code of best practice with three stages of registration. Stage 3 indicates a mature, embedded safety culture.

ACSF IAS. The Air Charter Safety Foundation's Industry Audit Standard evaluates Part 135 operators against FAA regulations and SMS principles.

The broker's role

Ambition Jets is a charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft. The operator holds operational control and responsibility for the flight. Our role is to choose operators carefully, be transparent about who is flying you, and stay with you throughout the trip.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a Part 135 operator?

FAA Part 135 is the set of US regulations for on-demand commercial air carriers. A Part 135 certificate requires approved training programmes, maintenance standards, pilot duty limits and FAA oversight. Anyone selling seats or flights to the public in the US must use a Part 135 operator; private owners flying themselves operate under the less strict Part 91.

Who has operational control of my flight?

The operator does. As a broker, Ambition Jets arranges the flight, but the Part 135 certificate holder is responsible for the aircraft, crew and conduct of the flight. Your quote and charter agreement always name the operator.

What is an illegal charter?

An illegal charter is a flight sold to the public by someone without a Part 135 certificate, often a private aircraft offered "for hire" under Part 91. These flights may lack proper pilot training, maintenance oversight and insurance. The FAA and industry groups warn travellers to avoid them, and we never arrange them.

Charter desk · 24/7/365

Where do you need to be next?

Tell us the trip. A charter advisor will come back with vetted aircraft options and all-in pricing, usually within the hour.

Request a QuoteCall 1-800-647-0677