The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will begin exploring new ways to integrate public charter operators into the National Aerospace System. Public charter operators (FAA Part 135) operate similar to a scheduled airline but have key differences. In simple terms Part 135 operators perform on-demand operations with aircraft aircraft up to but no more than 30 seats. Unlike scheduled airlines which require a minimum of 1,500 hours for pilots Part 135 public charter operators require much less hours. This is grabbing the attention of the FAA who is looking to make significant changes.
What This Means For Operators
The FAA looks to make amendments to the rules governing private charter operators. According to the FAA they, “intend to initiate a rulemaking to amend part 110 definitions of “scheduled,” “on demand,” and “supplemental” operations. If finalized, the effect of this proposed rule change would be that public charters will be subject to operating rules based on the same safety parameters as other non-public charter operations.” For public charter operators like JSX certain perks like departing from private terminals and no TSA screening may change. Minimum hour requirements for pilots of Part 135 operators may change as well. The TSA is also reviewing the safety and security requirements for Part 135 operators including a proposal for screening passengers and their belongings on all public charter flights. “Part of the safety mission of the FAA is identifying risk early on, and that’s exactly what we’re doing on public charters as usage expands. If a company is effectively operating as a scheduled airline, the FAA needs to determine whether those operations should follow the same stringent rules as scheduled airlines,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. It will be interesting to see how these changes will pan out for Part 135 operators.