Private Aviation Safety: Everything You Should Know

Safety should be assessed against the specific operator and aircraft, not a general promise about “private aviation”. Before contracting, identify who operates, under which authority, with which aircraft, crew and insurance.

AFAC: the Mexican Aviation Authority

The Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), part of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT), regulates all aviation in Mexico, private and charter included.

AFAC sets and supervises:

• Operator authority: the company must hold the permission or certificate applicable to the operation it will perform
• Crew licensing and fitness: these must match role, aircraft and operation
• Airworthiness: every aircraft must hold a current airworthiness certificate
• Maintenance programmes: mandatory inspections by flight hours and cycles

The Certifications an Operator Should Hold

AOC (Air Operator Certificate)

Ask the proposal to identify the operator and its applicable authority. The exact document and title can vary by service type; a broker saying that “everything is certified” is not enough.

IS-BAO

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations is a voluntary standard from IBAC, the International Business Aviation Council, certifying best practice in business aviation. Operators holding IS-BAO have demonstrated standards above the regulatory minimum.

ARGUS and Wyvern

These are the two principal safety auditing organisations in private aviation worldwide. An ARGUS Gold rating or Wyvern Wingman status means the operator has been examined thoroughly.

What to Check Before You Fly

As a passenger, there are several things you can and should verify:

1. The operator's certifications

Ask for the operator's applicable authority and check that the name matches the contract, aircraft and operation. If it is not clear in writing, do not contract until it is resolved.

2. The crew's experience

Required qualifications depend on role, aircraft and operation. Ask for confirmation of current licences, ratings, medical fitness and training rather than using one generic hour threshold as the sole safety measure.

3. The aircraft's age and maintenance

Age is not in itself a safety indicator — maintenance is. A well-maintained 20-year-old aircraft is safer than a five-year-old one that has been neglected. Ask about the maintenance programme and the date of the last major inspection.

4. Insurance

Every operator must carry liability and hull cover. In Mexico the minimum amounts are set by AFAC, but premium operators carry considerably more.

What VolarJets Should Confirm

VolarJets only informs and refers authorised enquiries. Before any commitment, the provider's proposal should allow review of:

• Operator: legal name and authority applicable to the operation
• Aircraft: specific model and registration, subject to disclosed operational changes
• Documentation: operator confirmation covering airworthiness, maintenance and crew
• Insurance: applicable cover and documentation the client needs to review
• Terms: responsibilities, changes, cancellation and operational decision-making

See the indicative aircraft catalogue or read the frequently asked questions for more on safety.