Are Private Jets Safe? Safety Statistics & Part 135 Explained

The critical distinction for any client of Hogani Jets: all flights coordinated through Hogani Jets operate under Part 135. This is not general aviation. The crew, maintenance, and oversight requirements are substantially more rigorous than owner-operated general aviation.

Source: NTSB and FAA aviation accident data. Rates are approximate averages across recent reporting years and vary year to year. They are presented for comparative context, not as precise current figures.

Part 135 charter is approximately 2 to 5 times safer than Part 91 general aviation on a per-flight-hour basis. It is more dangerous than commercial airlines by the same measure, though both represent very low absolute risk compared to surface transport.

Two-Pilot Requirement

FAA Part 135 requires a two-pilot crew (Captain and First Officer) on all aircraft over 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight. This covers virtually all midsize, super midsize, heavy, and ultra-long-range jets in the charter fleet. The second pilot provides a critical check on decisions, a second set of eyes on instruments, and the ability to manage the aircraft if the Captain is incapacitated.

Part 91 general aviation frequently operates with a single pilot. Single-pilot decision errors are a leading cause of general aviation accidents.

Mandatory ATP Certificate

Part 135 Pilots in Command must hold FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificates. An ATP requires a minimum of 1,500 flight hours, rigorous written and practical examinations, and demonstrated proficiency across all flight conditions. The equivalent in Part 91 general aviation is a Private Pilot Certificate requiring 40 hours and a far lower proficiency standard.

Recurrent Training Requirements

Part 135 operators must conduct recurrent training and proficiency checks for all crew at intervals specified by the FAA, typically every 6 to 12 months. This includes simulator training on emergencies, instrument procedures, and aircraft-specific abnormal scenarios. Recurrent training is mandatory: a pilot who does not complete it cannot fly commercially under Part 135.

Part 91 general aviation has no mandatory recurrent training requirement. A private pilot who earned their licence 20 years ago and has not trained since is technically current.

Operator Maintenance Standards

Part 135 certificate holders are subject to FAA oversight of their maintenance programmes. Aircraft must be maintained on FAA-approved inspection schedules. The certificate holder is accountable for airworthiness. An FAA Aviation Safety Inspector reviews the operator's maintenance records and programmes as part of ongoing certificate oversight.

Dispatch Control and Flight Planning

Part 135 operations require formal dispatch or flight release procedures before each flight. The crew and the company confirm that weather, fuel, aircraft condition, and crew qualifications all meet the regulatory standard before the flight departs. No equivalent formal process exists for Part 91 general aviation.

When Hogani Jets coordinates a charter, the flight operates under Part 135. The operator holds a current Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate issued by the FAA. The Captain holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. The aircraft is maintained on an FAA-approved schedule. A two-pilot crew is present on all midsize and larger aircraft. Recurrent training has been completed within the required interval. These are not options or preferences: they are the regulatory floor for every flight. This floor is substantially higher than Part 91 general aviation.

FAA Part 135 certification is the minimum legal standard for commercial charter. ARGUS and Wyvern operator certification programmes represent a higher voluntary standard that Hogani Jets uses as the primary vetting filter.

ARGUS Platinum certification (the highest level) requires the operator to pass a comprehensive third-party audit covering: crew training documentation and currency, aircraft maintenance records, safety management system, incident and violation history, operational control procedures, and insurance coverage. An ARGUS Platinum operator has been reviewed more thoroughly than the FAA's annual oversight cycle alone requires.

Wyvern Wingman certification applies equivalent audit standards. Either ARGUS or Wyvern certification on an operator indicates a third-party verified safety programme above the regulatory baseline.

Hogani Jets preferentially sources from ARGUS and Wyvern certified operators. For clients who require it, the certification level of the operator can be confirmed at the time of inquiry.

Understanding what causes aviation incidents helps clarify what Part 135 oversight addresses and what it does not.

Weather: Attempting flight into deteriorating weather conditions, icing, or below-minimum visibility is a leading cause of general aviation accidents. Part 135 dispatch procedures and crew training specifically address weather decision-making. Crews trained under Part 135 recurrent programmes have simulator exposure to weather emergencies that general aviation pilots typically do not.

Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT): Aircraft flying into terrain under instrument conditions without crew awareness of their altitude. CFIT is significantly reduced in modern aircraft by terrain warning systems (TAWS/GPWS) that are standard equipment on all Part 135 jets.

Pilot error in abnormal situations: Multi-crew operations (required under Part 135 for large aircraft) provide crew resource management (CRM) that single-pilot operations lack. Two trained pilots managing an abnormal situation produce measurably better outcomes than one.

Maintenance failures: Far less common in commercial operations than general aviation due to the oversight requirements on Part 135 certificate holders.

Before any charter, Hogani Jets confirms the operator holds a current Part 135 certificate and verifies their safety standard status. Clients who want to conduct their own verification can check the FAA's Air Carrier Certificate database for the operator's Part 135 status, and the ARGUS or Wyvern websites for their current certification level. Confirmed incidents or violations against a specific operator are visible in FAA enforcement databases. A legitimate operator will not object to being verified through these channels.

Part 135 sets the minimum. Not all operators certified under Part 135 are equivalent. Maintenance culture, crew training depth, aircraft age and equipment standards, and safety management programme maturity vary meaningfully between operators.

This is why the broker's operator selection matters. Hogani Jets does not present every available Part 135 operator to clients. The pool is filtered to operators who meet ARGUS or Wyvern standards, maintain modern aircraft, and have clean regulatory histories. The cheapest quote in the market is frequently from an operator at the bottom of the quality range within Part 135. Price and safety quality are not independent variables.

For any charter inquiry, Hogani Jets confirms the specific operator, their Part 135 certificate status, and their safety level before the charter is confirmed. Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573.

All charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers who hold full operational control and regulatory compliance for every flight.

Are private jets safe?

Part 135 charter is significantly safer than general aviation. Accident rates run 0.3 to 0.5 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours. General aviation runs 1.0 to 1.5. Commercial airlines remain the safest category at approximately 0.07.

Is private jet charter safer than general aviation?

Yes. Part 135 is 2 to 5 times safer than Part 91 general aviation per flight hour. Part 135 requires dual-pilot crews, ATP certificates, and recurrent training. General aviation requires none of these.

How does private jet safety compare to commercial airlines?

Commercial airlines record accident rates 4 to 7 times lower than Part 135 charter. Both categories carry very low absolute risk. Airlines benefit from the highest regulatory tier and mandatory safety management systems.

What is Part 135 and why does it matter for safety?

FAA Part 135 is the regulatory framework for on-demand commercial charter. It requires ATP-certified captains, two-pilot crews, recurrent training, and FAA-approved maintenance. These requirements set it well above Part 91 general aviation standards.

What is the difference between Part 135 and Part 91 safety?

Part 135 operators must carry dual-pilot crews, ATP certificates, recurrent training, and FAA maintenance oversight. Part 91 general aviation has no mandatory recurrent training and permits single-pilot operations. The regulatory gap is significant.

What do ARGUS and Wyvern certifications mean for safety?

ARGUS and Wyvern are independent audit firms that certify Part 135 operators above FAA minimums. Their audits cover crew training, maintenance history, and safety management systems. Platinum or Wingman status confirms independent verification beyond regulatory requirements.

What causes accidents in private aviation?

Weather decision errors, controlled flight into terrain, and pilot error in abnormal situations are the primary causes. Part 135 addresses all three through simulator training, mandatory TAWS systems on jets, and multi-crew operations.

How does Hogani Jets vet operators for safety?

Hogani Jets sources from certified operators. Each operator's Part 135 certificate is confirmed before any aircraft is presented. Cost is not the filter. Certification history and regulatory standing are.

Can I verify an operator's safety record myself?

Yes. The FAA's Air Carrier Certificate database confirms Part 135 status. ARGUS and Wyvern list their certified operators publicly. FAA enforcement records show violations by specific operators. Any legitimate operator will not object to this.

Is the private jet that Hogani Jets books always safe?

Hogani Jets sources from certified Part 135 operators with clean regulatory histories. No flight operation carries zero risk. Part 135 charter represents a materially lower risk profile than general aviation. Certification status is confirmed before every booking.

Are turboprops as safe as private jets?

Turboprops operate under the same Part 135 framework as jets. Safety outcomes depend on certification and crew standards, not engine type. Both carry materially lower accident rates than owner-flown general aviation.

What happens if a medical emergency occurs mid-flight?

The pilot declares an emergency and diverts to the nearest suitable airport. Part 135 crews are trained in emergency procedures. Most private jets carry basic medical equipment. Ground teams coordinate services at the diversion point.