A Part 135 pilot is a professional commercial aviator who operates aircraft for compensation under a specific set of federal regulations. This role involves flying customers and cargo on non-scheduled, on-demand trips, distinguishing it from the fixed-route operations of major airlines. The career path requires high levels of skill and regulatory compliance. Understanding the framework of these operations, the pilot qualifications, and the day-to-day responsibilities is important for anyone considering a career in professional aviation.
Defining Part 135 Operations
Part 135 operations are defined by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and govern “Commuter and On-Demand Operations,” setting the standards for air charter and air taxi services. The defining characteristic is their non-scheduled, on-demand nature, meaning flights are based entirely on a customer’s specific route and schedule rather than a published timetable. This regulatory framework ensures a high level of safety and operational oversight for commercial flights that are not large-scale scheduled airline services.
Companies that hold a Part 135 operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can legally offer aircraft and pilots for hire to the general public. These operators range from small, single-aircraft companies to large, multi-fleet charter providers and fractional ownership programs. The certificate dictates the maintenance, training, and operational procedures the company must follow to maintain its authority to fly.
The regulatory structure of Part 135 provides flexibility for on-demand services while maintaining safety standards. This authority covers a wide variety of aircraft, from single-engine pistons and turboprops to large business jets. The rules ensure that the operator has met stringent requirements for airworthiness, crew qualification, and operational control.
The Role of the Part 135 Pilot
The Part 135 pilot is a versatile aviator whose daily duties extend beyond flying the aircraft, often acting as a flight planner, customer service representative, and safety manager. Due to the on-demand nature of the work, the pilot must be adept at adapting to rapidly changing schedules, weather conditions, and customer requests. This environment fosters proficiency in flying into smaller, less-equipped airports that scheduled airlines do not serve.
Executive Charter
Flying executive charter involves transporting high-net-worth individuals, corporate leaders, or entertainers in high-performance business jets. These missions often require operating out of major international airports as well as smaller, private airfields closer to the final destination. The pilot’s role includes managing a premium passenger experience, ensuring discretion, and maintaining a high level of operational readiness for international or long-haul flights that can be scheduled with little notice.
Air Taxi Services
Air taxi services involve shorter, regional flights using smaller aircraft like twin-engine pistons or turboprops to connect smaller communities or serve as feeders to major hubs. This work is characterized by a higher frequency of takeoffs and landings, often in challenging conditions at remote locations. Pilots gain substantial experience in diverse operating environments, building proficiency in managing shorter flight segments and turnaround times.
Air Ambulance and Medical Transport
Part 135 pilots are integral to air ambulance and medical transport missions, where the cargo is time-sensitive and often involves the transport of patients, organs, or medical teams. These flights are highly specialized and operate under intense time constraints, frequently requiring night flying and operations into unfamiliar airports. The pilot’s precision and adherence to procedures are paramount, as the safe and timely completion of the flight is directly tied to medical outcomes.
Aerial Survey and Specialized Missions
Niche work under Part 135 includes aerial surveys, pipeline patrols, or the delivery of specialized, high-value cargo to remote locations. These missions often require the pilot to fly specific, low-altitude flight profiles or utilize specialized equipment. The pilot must possess a high degree of technical expertise related to the mission, in addition to standard flying competencies.
Regulatory Requirements for Part 135 Pilots
Becoming a pilot-in-command (PIC) for a Part 135 operator requires meeting specific minimum qualifications set forth by the FAA. A pilot must hold at least a Commercial Pilot Certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings, along with an instrument rating or an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. A PIC must also have at least 1,200 hours of total flight time.
Within that total flight time, the regulations mandate specific minimums. These include 500 hours of cross-country flight time, 100 hours of night flight time, and 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (with at least 50 hours being actual flight). For operations involving turbojet airplanes or those with 10 or more passenger seats, the pilot must hold the higher-level ATP certificate.
Beyond initial certification, the pilot must successfully complete rigorous checkrides and training specific to the aircraft they will fly, including recurrent checks every six to twelve months. Pilots are also subject to extensive background checks and drug and alcohol testing programs. These regulations ensure that all pilots operating commercial flights meet a standardized, elevated level of competence and reliability.
Key Differences Between Part 135 and Part 121
Part 135 operations are structurally distinct from Part 121, which governs major scheduled air carriers. Part 121 carriers operate under a standardized system with rigid flight schedules and defined routes, while Part 135 operations are characterized by their on-demand, customized nature. This difference leads to variations in training, maintenance oversight, and crew regulations.
Part 121 operators are subject to more frequent maintenance oversight and strictly defined crew rest rules to manage fatigue. While Part 135 also has mandatory rest requirements, the rules can be less standardized across different operators, often resulting in less predictable schedules. A Part 135 pilot frequently takes on roles that a Part 121 pilot’s support staff would handle, such as flight planning, weather analysis, and passenger management.
The training cycle also differs, with Part 121 requiring standardized training frequencies for every pilot across their fleet. Part 135 training is tailored to the specific aircraft and the operator’s area of operation, allowing for greater flexibility. These distinctions mean that Part 135 fosters a more independent and versatile piloting environment.
Career Path and Lifestyle of a Part 135 Pilot
The Part 135 sector is often a career stepping stone, allowing pilots to rapidly build the turbine flight hours and complex aircraft experience necessary for advancement to major airlines (Part 121). Pilots gain experience flying different types of aircraft, from small turboprops to mid-sized jets, across varied domestic and international routes. This diversity of experience is valued in the aviation industry and accelerates a pilot’s professional development.
The lifestyle of a Part 135 pilot is defined by irregularity and being on-call, which is a direct result of the on-demand business model. Pilots may be home-based or operate on a rotating schedule, but trips can be scheduled with only a few hours’ notice, and return times are frequently unpredictable. This lack of a predictable schedule is often traded for the variety of destinations and the opportunity to fly high-end equipment.
Salary expectations in Part 135 vary widely depending on the type of aircraft flown, the complexity of the missions, and the pilot’s seniority. Pilots flying large, long-range executive jets typically command higher compensation than those in smaller air taxi services. Despite the variable schedule, the experience gained in Part 135 is a proven pathway toward the most lucrative careers in aviation.
The Future Outlook for Part 135 Operations
The Part 135 sector is positioned for continued growth, driven by increasing demand for private and on-demand travel. Fractional ownership models, where multiple parties own shares of an aircraft, have expanded the market for Part 135 services, making private air travel more accessible. This trend is expected to sustain demand for skilled pilots and specialized aircraft operations.
The emergence of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is poised to transform the Part 135 landscape. These new aircraft are expected to operate largely under existing Part 135 regulations, offering new air taxi services in urban and regional environments. Initial commercial operations of eVTOLs will require experienced pilots, creating a new segment of the Part 135 career path and a source of demand for qualified aviators.
While full autonomy is a long-term goal, the near-term future of AAM involves piloted operations, offering pilots the chance to gain experience on cutting-edge technology. This technological shift, combined with the stability of the charter market, suggests that the Part 135 sector will remain a dynamic and growing part of the professional aviation industry.