Paperwork

Larry Skelly, the Safety Program Manager at the FAA's Nashville office, used to quip - "What makes a plane fly?" The correct answer he always sought from the audience was "Paperwork".

For charter operations, this is double the paperwork.

1) Air Carrier Certificate    After some three years in the application process, evidencing exactly how you will comply with the vast FAR part 135 regulations/specifications for both the pilot and the aircraft, this certificate is issued and must be publicly posted at the principal base of operations.

2) Insurance The Dept. of Transportation requires FAR 135 carriers to insure each seat for a minimum of $75,000 liability insurance and $5,000 medical expenses [My coverage is $100,000 per passenger].