Every operator, aircraft, and crew we arrange for a Los Angeles charter goes through our internal safety due diligence process before we present any options. When you see a quote from us, these obstacles have already been satisfied internally to meet or exceed the FAA requirements.
We work as advisors before, during, and after the trip.
How We Vet Every Flight
Every flight we arrange is operated by FAA-certified Part 135 carriers, or under the standards of Part 121 for airliner-size operations. Part 135 is the FAA’s set of rules for on-demand, for-hire charter, and it carries stricter operating, crew, and insurance requirements than FAR Part 91, the rules for private, non-commercial flying that cannot be sold as charter. For international trips, we work to confirm operators meet or exceed the equivalent safety standards of the host country. Whether it is a large group charter, an air ambulance, or cargo, we work to confirm the regulatory framework is matched to your trip.
Operators assign the flight crew, and we vet the operators before any quote leaves the desk. Before presenting an aircraft, we conduct a documented review of the operator’s current certifications, the pilots’ experience, currency, and their experience in the specific aircraft type they will be flying you on. We also review the operator’s incident history, and insurance documentation. The same process runs on every arrangement we make.
Third-Party Safety Reports
Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them. Wyvern has been a third-party aviation auditor since 1991. Where the operator participates, we pull Wyvern and ARGUS reports as part of our vetting, and each report provides a verifiable record of the operator we are about to arrange. You can confirm our Wyvern registration through the badge above.
The Airport Itself
Airport selection is part of the safety review on every Los Angeles trip. Van Nuys (VNY) is the default for most flights into the area, and Hollywood Burbank (BUR) becomes the alternate when the runway at Van Nuys is contaminated, when weather conditions close the field, or when the operator identifies a performance limit for the specific aircraft on the day. The operator and the Pilot in Command hold final authority on whether a runway, time slot, or weather window is safe to use. Our job is to put the right option in front of them and to brief you on what that decision means for your trip.
The main runway at Van Nuys is around 8,001 feet, which supports the light through heavy jets we charter most often. We coordinate with the operator on aircraft load and weather conditions before confirming the field.
Weather and the Go / No-Go Call
Weather is part of safety planning on every trip. The Pilot in Command and the operator make the final go or no-go call, based on the conditions on the day. We monitor forecasts as the trip approaches, and you can expect your advisor to reach out as soon as a concern becomes apparent, not at the private terminal.
We cannot and will not force an operator to fly a trip we have safety concerns about. When weather conditions warrant a change, we may recommend expediting departure, delaying, or using an alternate airport, subject to scheduling and aircraft availability.
Broker Disclosure
Disclosure under DOT Part 295: We always act strictly as the agent for the client, never as the operator.
For more on how the firm works, see the about page. The full agent disclosure carries in the site footer and in your booking confirmation document.
What Safety Looks Like on Your LA Trip
By the time you board, our process has run end to end:
- A Part 135 operator with a documented record
- Pilot experience, currency on type, and operator incident history reviewed
- Wyvern and ARGUS reports referenced where the operator participates
- The aircraft matched to the runway with aircraft load and weather factored in, and an alternate field considered if the runway condition or an operator performance limit calls for it
Book with confidence. Our due diligence runs before the trip begins. For details on routes, operators, or non-emergency medical transport, see the FAQs or the medical and air ambulance page.