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.
Also known as: wyvern wingman, wyvern registered, wyvern pass, wyvern safety rating
Wyvern Consulting offers operator safety audits in two main tiers. Registered confirms the operator meets baseline standards (Part 135 certificate, insurance, pilot experience thresholds, accident-free record over a defined window). Wingman is the higher tier — adds an on-site audit, a deeper review of the operator's safety management system, and ongoing surveillance.
Wyvern also runs PASS (Pilot and Aircraft Safety Survey), a per-trip pre-flight check that verifies the assigned crew and aircraft are in good Wyvern standing on the specific day of the flight. Wyvern PASS and ARGUS Trip CHEQ are functionally parallel products.
Operators often carry both an ARGUS and a Wyvern rating because corporate buyers' safety requirements list one or the other. Carrying both is a stronger signal than carrying one, but the underlying audit content overlaps substantially.
How SkyAccess Uses This Standard
SkyAccess displays each operator's Wyvern tier (Registered or Wingman) on their profile page. Travelers can filter the empty-leg search by Wyvern rating. For bookings on Wyvern-certified operators, SkyAccess runs a Wyvern PASS check against the assigned crew and aircraft on the booking day — confirming current certification status — before the booking confirmation is issued.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Wyvern Registered and Wingman?
- Registered confirms baseline standards (certificate, insurance, pilot experience, accident-free record). Wingman is the higher tier — adds an on-site audit, deeper SMS review, and ongoing surveillance.
Related terms
- 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.
- 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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