Air charter flights are actually more secure than scheduled airline service since you usually know everyone you are traveling with except for the crew members who are registered with the government. Passengers’ full names and dates of birth are now required so they may be checked against a government “no fly list.” Baggage is not normally searched unless the passenger’s behavior makes the pilot or crew suspicious.

Large aircraft charters have the option of departing from a main terminal, which uses the same gates as commercial flights. They can also leave from a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), which is separate from the main terminal but located at the airport. If a main terminal gate is used, security will be the same as scheduled service. If an FBO is utilized, passengers may still have to go through a metal detector and have their baggage inspected. This procedure applies if there are multiple parties on board, such as with public charters. If every passenger is related, such as a team or band, security screening may be waived or, at least, abbreviated.

Every part and component on an aircraft is given a time-life that is determined by the FAA. For commercial air charter operators, these times are usually cut in half. When the FAA’s time limits are reached, the part or component must be replaced, even though it may still have half of its service life remaining. No exceptions.

Time limits are in both actual hours of usage and calendar life. For example, most propellers have a five year calendar life as well as an hourly limit. If a charter operator has a brand new aircraft which has never flown, the propeller must be overhauled at the five year limit, even if it was never used.

Important note: Private aircraft, including fractional ownership airplanes, only need to have a part or component replaced when it fails. Certified charter operators, however, must act in accordance with the FAA time guidelines which require replacement of parts and components before a failure occurs. This is why it can be said that flying with FAA Part 135 charter operators, such as Charters by Air Denver uses exclusively, is a safer way to travel.