New jet owners are often surprised to learn that ownership alone does not determine which regulations govern how an aircraft is flown. In the United States, the key distinction is between Part 91, which covers private, non-commercial operations, and Part 135, which covers commercial operations for compensation or hire, and similar distinctions exist under other regulators around the world.
Part 91: private, non-commercial operation
An aircraft flown purely for its owner’s own transportation, with no compensation changing hands for the flight itself, generally operates under Part 91. This carries fewer operational and crew-duty-time restrictions than commercial rules, and is the default for an owner who never intends to charter the aircraft or carry passengers for compensation.
Part 135: commercial operation
The moment an aircraft is used to carry passengers or cargo for compensation, whether through a charter broker or a management company’s charter program, it generally must operate under a Part 135 (or equivalent) certificate. This brings additional requirements: more conservative crew duty and rest rules, more frequent and specific maintenance inspections, and formal operational control by a certificated operator rather than the aircraft owner personally.
Why this matters before signing a purchase agreement
An owner planning to offset costs through charter needs to confirm, before purchase, that the intended management company holds or can add the aircraft to an existing Part 135 (or equivalent) certificate, and that the aircraft’s configuration and maintenance program meet commercial requirements. Retrofitting an aircraft or its records to meet commercial standards after the fact is often more expensive and time-consuming than specifying it correctly from the outset. This is a conversation worth having with a management company and an aviation attorney early, not after the purchase agreement is signed.
Choosing between a midsize and an ultra-long-range jet is ultimately about matching capability to your real flying pattern — and once that choice is clear, the next priority is execution. Timing matters, and at IST Yacht & Jet we know how to source, negotiate, and deliver the right aircraft faster than the market standard, cutting through the usual delays and intermediaries.
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