FAA Revokes AMI Jet Charter’s Certificate

October 31, 2007, WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revoked the air carrier certificate held by AMI Jet Charter of Burlingame, CA, on October 12 for allowing entities that do not hold air carrier certificates to exercise control over flights and for failing to keep records needed to ensure continued safety. The FAA found that AMI permitted TAG Aviation — an entity not holding a U.S. air carrier certificate — and various “charter ally” companies to schedule flight crews and operate flights in violation of federal regulations. The FAA alleges that AMI also failed to keep required records on maintenance, crew members, ground and flight training, and flight and duty time for the aircraft and crews operated by those companies.

The FAA originally warned AMI in mid-September about the deficiencies found by agency inspectors. When the company could not produce the appropriate records and demonstrate that it was maintaining operational control during a follow-up inspection that began October 1, the FAA issued an emergency suspension effective October 4. The revocation supersedes the suspension. “This case sends a clear message that the FAA will act when it finds evidence that any air carrier is engaged in the franchising or rental of its air carrier certificate,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Nicholas A. Sabatini. “Federal Aviation Regulations clearly require that an air carrier maintain operational control of the aircraft and crews on its certificate.”