Your pilot's credentials are the first line of defense between a smooth flight and a dangerous one. Whether you're booking a last-minute charter or comparing providers for regular travel, knowing what to verify—and how—separates responsible operators from shortcuts. Here's what you need to check before your aircraft ever leaves the ground.
Why Pilot Credentials Matter More Than You Think
Private aviation operates under different oversight than commercial airlines. While the FAA still certifies pilots, charter companies vary in how rigorously they screen and train their crews. A pilot with a valid license might have minimal experience in the aircraft type you're flying, poor recency in specific conditions, or gaps in safety training that only show up during emergencies. Your due diligence directly impacts safety outcomes.
Start With FAA Certification Basics
Every pilot flying you should hold at minimum an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license or Commercial Pilot license with the appropriate ratings for the aircraft. Request their certificate number and verify it directly on the FAA's Airmen Inquiry system (available at faa.gov). This takes five minutes and confirms the credential is active—not suspended or revoked.
Check for:
- Type ratings for your specific aircraft (a Citation X pilot isn't automatically qualified to fly a Bombardier Global 7500)
- Current medical certificate (first, second, or third class; required for all flying)
- Recency requirements (pilots must log specific flight hours within 90 days for passenger operations)
- Endorsements for specialized conditions like high-altitude operations or complex avionics
Dig Into Flight Experience and Training Records
A pilot's total hours matter less than where those hours came from. Someone with 3,000 hours in cargo operations over Africa and 500 in the specific turbine aircraft you're flying is stronger than someone with 10,000 mixed hours across flight schools and regional airlines.
Ask charter brokers or operators directly:
- How many hours has the pilot flown in this aircraft model?
- When was their last proficiency check, and what were the results?
- What's their experience with your departure and arrival airports (especially relevant for mountainous terrain, short-field operations, or international travel)?
- Have they completed manufacturer-specific training this year?
Most reputable operators conduct recurrent training every 12 months at a minimum—often twice yearly. This isn't a regulation for many charter operations; it's a standard that separates safety-focused companies from budget operators.
Verify Safety Records and Background Checks
Request the operator's Drug and Alcohol Logbook and confirmation they screen pilots for violations. While the FAA maintains a database of enforcement actions, many operators go further with third-party background checks and continuous monitoring programs.
Don't accept vague answers like "our pilots are professional." Ask specific questions:
- What disqualifying events would trigger pilot removal?
- How often do you audit compliance with rest requirements?
- Do you use fatigue risk management software, especially for multi-leg trips?
- Are pilots screened for undisclosed medical conditions annually?
Assess Operator Oversight, Not Just Individual Pilots
Even excellent pilots work within an operation's culture. Charter companies with robust safety management systems—documented checklists, standardized procedures, accident investigation protocols, and continuous training—produce consistently safer outcomes.
Operators affiliated with Part 135 certification (commercial charter operations under FAA Part 135 regulations) face mandatory standards. However, some high-quality charter operations run under Part 91 rules, which are lighter but still require competence. The key difference: Part 135 has unannounced audits; Part 91 is largely self-policing.
When comparing options, services like Mercoly help you find and compare trusted private jets and charter providers in one place, making credential and safety vetting easier.
What to Do Before Booking
Request a safety summary from any charter company: pilot credentials, maintenance records, insurance coverage, and their safety management system. Reputable operators welcome this scrutiny and provide detailed responses within hours. If they deflect or offer vague reassurances, move to another provider.
For regular charters, consider request-specific pilots after your first flight if you had a positive experience. Continuity with a trusted crew reduces communication errors and builds familiarity with your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I ask to meet or interview the pilot before booking a charter? Most operators will accommodate a brief pre-flight meeting or video call, though scheduling constraints sometimes limit this—it's worth requesting when booking.
Q: What's the difference between Part 91 and Part 135 operators? Part 135 charter operators face FAA oversight, mandatory training standards, and audits; Part 91 operators follow lighter regulations and are more self-regulated, though top-tier companies voluntarily exceed minimums.
Q: How recent should a pilot's training records be? Annual recurrent training is the baseline; reputable operators require training every 6–12 months, and the most recent session should be within the last 90 days.
Verify pilot credentials directly with the FAA, ask detailed questions about training recency, and always request a safety summary before booking.