FAA Subpoena Seeks Info from Sentient Leaders

The FAA on August 12 issued subpoenas seeking documents from Sentient Jet Holdings and executives at the charter/management, jet card and business aviation services company. Sentient Jet announced on Wednesday that it is splitting into two companies, along the same basic lines as it was before Sentient and JetDirect merged last April. No information was available by press time as to the content of the subpoenas, although AIN has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the FAA. The FAA would not comment on whether the subpoenas have anything to do with Sentient’s purchase late last year of the assets of TAG Aviation USA (including assets belonging to AMI Jet Charter). At about the same time, TAG Aviation Holding agreed to pay the FAA a record (and case-closing) $10 million civil penalty, the reason for which has never been adequately explained by the FAA. A Sentient official told AIN that “we intend to comply fully” with the FAA subpoenas. TAG Holding has no equity position in Sentient Jet Holdings. “It’s FAA policy neither to confirm nor deny we’re conducting any investigation,” an agency spokesman told AIN.