ARGUS Rating
ARGUS is a private safety-audit firm that rates Part 135 charter operators on three tiers (Gold, Gold Plus, Platinum). An ARGUS rating is a voluntary third-party signal that the operator has passed an independent audit of pilot qualifications, safety management, and operational history.
Also known as: argus international, argus gold, argus gold plus, argus platinum, argus rated operator
ARGUS International is one of two dominant third-party charter safety auditors in the US (Wyvern is the other). Operators pay for an ARGUS audit voluntarily — there's no FAA requirement to carry an ARGUS rating — and use the rating in commercial sales because corporate flight departments and high-end charter buyers often filter by it.
The three tiers represent escalating scope. Gold confirms pilot experience, training, and safety-management-system basics. Gold Plus adds an on-site audit of the operator's facilities and a deeper review of safety records. Platinum is the highest tier, requiring an active SMS (safety management system) certified by IS-BAO Stage 2 or equivalent, additional safety culture audits, and ongoing surveillance.
ARGUS also runs Trip CHEQ — a per-flight verification that the assigned crew, aircraft, and operator are all currently in good ARGUS standing. Marketplaces and broker channels often run Trip CHEQ before confirming a booking on an ARGUS-rated operator.
An ARGUS rating is not a substitute for the underlying air carrier certificate — every legitimate charter operator must hold one regardless: Part 135 in the U.S., or the equivalent authority abroad. ARGUS is a supplementary signal that the operator opts into independent auditing.
How SkyAccess Uses This Standard
SkyAccess displays each operator's ARGUS tier (Gold, Gold Plus, Platinum) on their profile page and in search results. Travelers can filter empty-leg search results by ARGUS Gold or higher. For bookings on ARGUS-rated operators, SkyAccess runs an ARGUS Trip CHEQ against the assigned crew and aircraft on the booking day — confirming current certification status — before issuing the booking confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between ARGUS Gold, Gold Plus, and Platinum?
- Gold confirms pilot experience, training, and safety-management basics. Gold Plus adds an on-site audit. Platinum requires an active IS-BAO Stage 2 or equivalent SMS, additional safety culture audits, and ongoing surveillance — the highest tier.
- Is ARGUS Gold enough for a safe charter operator?
- ARGUS Gold confirms baseline pilot and SMS standards above the FAA Part 135 minimum. Many highly-respected operators hold Gold; many also hold Gold Plus or Platinum. The rating is one signal among several (operator history, NTSB record, FAA enforcement history) rather than a single binary answer.
Related terms
- Wyvern Rating
Wyvern is a private safety-audit firm that rates Part 135 charter operators on two main tiers (Registered, Wingman). Wyvern is the second-largest third-party charter safety auditor in the US after ARGUS; ratings are voluntary and reviewed annually.
- IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations)
IS-BAO is an internationally-recognized business aviation safety standard administered by IBAC (the International Business Aviation Council). Operators register at one of three stages (1, 2, 3); higher stages confirm a more mature safety management system.
- Part 135 Operator
A Part 135 operator is an FAA-certificated company authorized to fly paying passengers on private (non-scheduled) charter aircraft under 14 CFR Part 135. Every legitimate private jet charter flown in the United States — including every empty leg — is operated under a Part 135 certificate; operators based elsewhere fly under the equivalent authority in their own jurisdiction.
- Empty Leg Flight
An empty leg flight is a one-way private jet flight sold at a discount because the aircraft has to fly without passengers to its next paid booking. Empty legs are typically priced 25–80% below retail charter, with the discount widening as the departure window narrows.
Sources
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