Private Jet Safety Ratings: ARGUS, Wyvern and IS-BAO Explained

You get a charter quote. The operator says it is "ARGUS Platinum" or "Wyvern Registered." The broker says it is "IS-BAO certified." What do these labels mean? And can you trust them?

The legal base comes first

Every charter operator must hold an air operator certificate. In the US this is a Part 135 certificate from the FAA. In Europe it is an AOC from the national regulator. This is the minimum. It is the law. Our guide to the air operator certificate explains it.

ARGUS, Wyvern and IS-BAO are extra. They are private audits that go beyond the minimum. An operator pays for them on purpose. That is a good sign. But each one checks something different.

ARGUS

ARGUS is a company that rates charter operators. It looks at the operator's safety record, its pilot experience and its safety management system. Operators get a rating such as Gold, Gold Plus or Platinum. Platinum is the top level on its scale.

ARGUS also sells data to brokers and buyers. Many brokers use it to screen operators before they book.

Wyvern

Wyvern is another audit company. It audits operators and checks their documents, crews and procedures. It keeps a list of registered operators. A newer standard called Wingman is aimed at operators who meet a higher bar.

Wyvern focuses on how the operator runs day to day. Many corporate flight departments ask for it when they hire charter.

IS-BAO

IS-BAO is the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations. It is published by IBAC, the International Business Aviation Council. It is a code of good practice built around a safety management system.

It has three stages. Stage 1 checks that a safety system is in place. Stage 2 checks that it is working. Stage 3 checks that safety is part of the operator's culture. A higher stage means more proof.

IS-BAO is used by charter operators, but also by companies that fly their own aircraft.

Side by side

Name	Who runs it	What it looks at	Output
ARGUS	ARGUS International	Safety record, crew experience, safety system	Gold, Gold Plus, Platinum rating
Wyvern	Wyvern	Audit of operations and documents	Registered status, Wingman standard
IS-BAO	IBAC	Safety management system and culture	Stage 1, 2 or 3

What these ratings do not prove

• They are not a promise. A rating shows a good system on the day of the audit. It does not guarantee a flight.
• They are voluntary. An operator without one can still be legal and safe. But it gives you less to check.
• They are not the same. "Platinum" at one company does not equal "Stage 3" at another.
• They can be out of date. Ask for the date of the last audit.

Five questions to ask before you book

1. Who is the operator of this flight? Is it the company on the quote, or another one?
2. Does it hold a current air operator certificate? What is the number?
3. Which safety audit does it hold, and when was the last one?
4. How many pilots are on the crew, and what is their experience on this aircraft type?
5. Does it have a safety management system?

The first question matters most. A broker can sell you a flight that another company flies. Our guide to broker vs operator shows how to see who really operates the aircraft. Our broker vetting guide covers the broker side.

Cover and insurance are another check. See our guide to private jet insurance.

Sources: FAA, 14 CFR Part 135 (faa.gov); IBAC, IS-BAO standard (ibac.org); ARGUS International and Wyvern published rating descriptions.

Want to compare vetted providers? Browse operators in our Charter directory.