The Regulatory Landscape

Operating a private aircraft involves navigating a complex web of overlapping regulations from multiple authorities. For an aircraft based in Europe that also operates in North America, the Middle East, and Asia, the regulatory requirements can span dozens of different frameworks — each with its own filing deadlines, documentation standards, and enforcement mechanisms. A single compliance lapse can result in certificate actions, grounding orders, insurance coverage gaps, or significant financial penalties.

Plane Selection's regulatory compliance team is staffed by specialists with direct experience in aviation regulatory affairs. Many of our team members have worked within regulatory authorities before joining the private sector, giving us an insider's understanding of regulatory expectations, inspection protocols, and enforcement trends. This expertise is your shield against the compliance risks that can blindside even the most diligent aircraft owner.

Major Regulatory Frameworks

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) — United States

For US-registered aircraft or aircraft operating in US airspace, FAA compliance is paramount. Key regulatory areas we manage include:

• 14 CFR Part 91: General operating and flight rules for private operations, including equipment requirements, maintenance standards, flight crew qualifications, and operating limitations
• 14 CFR Part 135: Operating requirements for on-demand air carrier and commercial operations, applicable when your aircraft is placed on our charter certificate for revenue generation
• 14 CFR Part 43: Maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration standards
• 14 CFR Part 91 Subpart K: Fractional ownership operations requirements
• Airworthiness Directives (ADs): Mandatory compliance items issued by the FAA to address unsafe conditions. We track all applicable ADs and ensure timely compliance
• RVSM Authorization: Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum approvals for operations in RVSM airspace (FL290-FL410)
• ADS-B Out compliance: Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment requirements

EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)

For European-registered aircraft or operations within EASA member states, compliance with the European regulatory framework is essential:

• Part-NCO/NCC: Non-commercial operations with complex/non-complex aircraft
• Part-CAT: Commercial air transport operations
• Part-SPO: Specialised operations
• Part-M: Continuing airworthiness management requirements
• Part-145: Approved maintenance organization requirements
• Part-ORO (Organisation Requirements): Management system, flight operations, and crew qualification requirements
• EASA Airworthiness Directives: European mandatory compliance items, often mirroring but sometimes differing from FAA ADs

TCCA (Transport Canada Civil Aviation)

For aircraft operating in Canadian airspace or registered in Canada, we ensure compliance with Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and applicable standards. This includes subpart 604 (private operator) requirements and coordination with TCCA for airworthiness matters.

CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China)

Operations to and from China involve specific regulatory requirements including aircraft registration validation, crew licensing recognition, and operational approval processes. Our team has extensive experience navigating CAAC requirements for business aviation operations.

GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority — UAE)

For operations involving the United Arab Emirates — one of the world's busiest business aviation markets — we manage compliance with GCAA regulations, AOC requirements, and Dubai/Abu Dhabi slot management protocols.

Part 135 Operations

Many aircraft owners choose to place their aircraft on a Part 135 (or equivalent) charter certificate to generate revenue when the aircraft is not in personal use. This decision significantly expands the regulatory compliance requirements. Plane Selection holds the necessary certificates and manages all associated compliance obligations:

• Operations specifications (OpSpecs): Maintaining current, accurate OpSpecs that reflect your aircraft's capabilities and authorized operations
• Minimum Equipment List (MEL): Development, approval, and management of aircraft-specific MELs
• Training programs: FAA-approved training programs for all crew members, including initial, recurrent, and differences training
• Drug and alcohol testing: DOT/FAA-mandated testing programs including pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty testing
• Operational control: Maintaining proper operational control documentation, flight release procedures, and dispatch protocols
• Record keeping: Comprehensive record retention meeting Part 135 requirements for flight records, crew records, maintenance records, and operational records

Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are legally mandated maintenance actions issued by regulatory authorities to address unsafe conditions. Failure to comply with an AD renders an aircraft unairworthy — it legally cannot fly. Our compliance team:

• Monitors all AD issuances from FAA, EASA, and other applicable authorities in real time
• Evaluates each AD for applicability to your specific aircraft serial number and configuration
• Determines compliance deadlines and plans maintenance accordingly
• Coordinates AD compliance work with qualified maintenance facilities
• Documents compliance in your aircraft's permanent records
• Manages repetitive AD tracking for items requiring recurring inspections

Service Bulletins (SBs) issued by manufacturers are typically advisory rather than mandatory, but many have significant safety or operational implications. We review all SBs for your aircraft type and recommend compliance based on the bulletin's importance, cost-benefit analysis, and operational impact. When an SB is subsequently mandated by an AD, we ensure compliance is already in progress or completed.

Record Keeping and Documentation

Aviation regulatory compliance depends on meticulous documentation. The adage "if it isn't documented, it didn't happen" is literally true in aviation — undocumented maintenance, training, or operational actions are treated as if they never occurred. Our record-keeping systems ensure:

• All maintenance actions are properly documented with approved forms and signed by authorized personnel
• Aircraft logbooks, engine logbooks, and component records are maintained in both physical and digital formats
• Crew training records, medical certificates, and currency requirements are tracked and current
• Operational records including flight logs, fuel records, and weight-and-balance calculations are properly retained
• Insurance certificates, registration documents, and operational authorizations are current and accessible

Audit Preparation and Support

Regulatory audits — whether routine surveillance visits or triggered inspections — are a reality of aircraft operations. Our compliance team ensures your operation is always audit-ready:

• Proactive self-audits: We conduct regular internal audits of our own operations, maintenance programs, and documentation to identify and correct any deficiencies before regulators find them
• Audit preparation: When regulatory audits are scheduled, we prepare comprehensive briefing packages, organize all required documentation, and coordinate with your crew and service providers
• Audit representation: Our compliance specialists are present during all regulatory audits, serving as your primary interface with inspectors and ensuring accurate, consistent communication
• Finding resolution: If audit findings are issued, we develop corrective action plans, implement required changes, and communicate resolution to the regulatory authority within required timeframes

International Operations Compliance

Operating internationally introduces additional compliance layers beyond your aircraft's state of registry requirements. Plane Selection manages all aspects of international operations compliance:

• Over-flight and landing permits for restricted airspaces
• Customs and immigration documentation and coordination
• Cabotage rules and restrictions in various jurisdictions
• International noise certificate requirements
• ICAO compliance documentation
• Third-country operator authorizations (TCO for EASA operations)
• Navigation and communication equipment requirements by region
• Dangerous goods documentation and crew training