Charter & Fractional
Operational control scrutiny could extend beyond charter operations
Aviation industry experts believe that the FAA’s next operational control focus will be on Part 91 operators, specifically management companies that manage

Aviation industry experts believe that the FAA’s next operational control focus will be on Part 91 operators, specifically management companies that manage Part 91 aircraft for owners. However, the FAA didn’t respond to AIN’s queries about whether the agency is focusing on Part 91 operational control or if it is interested in writing new regulations covering aircraft management companies.

The operational control concept is prominent in Part 121 and 135 regulations and is defined by the FAA as follows: “Operational control, with respect to a flight, means the exercise of authority over initiating, conducting or terminating a flight.” In Part 91, however, the regulations mention operational control only in the truth-in-leasing rules for large or turbine-powered aircraft (91.23) and in Subpart K, the fractional-share regulations.