FAA Scrutinizing Charter Brokers

What is the role of an aircraft charter broker, do current regulations support this role and who has operational control on brokered flights? The FAA and DOT are seeking answers to these questions in the aftermath of the nonfatal takeoff abort of a Challenger 600 at Teterboro Airport on February 2.

Another issue concerns contractual arrangements “when non-certificated entities provide pilots and aircraft to certificated Part 135 operators.” In late March, the FAA e-mailed all FSDOs asking them to “conduct an inventory to determine how many of these arrangements exist.” The results of this request remain “internal FAA communications,” according to a spokesperson.