What IS-BAO Stage 3 & Wyvern Wingman Mean When You Charter

Every Part 135 charter operator in the United States meets the FAA's requirements. That is the floor, not the ceiling. When you compare operators, the certifications an operator has earned voluntarily tell you how far above that floor it chooses to work.

This guide explains what each of Chantilly Air's safety certifications actually measures, who verifies it, and how to use that information when you charter.

What do safety certifications mean when you charter a private jet?

Safety certifications are voluntary, independently audited standards that verify how an operator manages risk, trains its people, and maintains its aircraft, above and beyond what federal regulation requires. The FAA licenses an operator to fly. A certification body such as IBAC or WYVERN sends auditors to confirm the operator has built durable systems around that license.

What auditors verify:

• Documented procedures for every phase of flight and ground operations
• A functioning Safety Management System (SMS), not a binder on a shelf
• Crew and staff training that exceeds regulatory minimums
• A culture in which employees participate in safety rather than simply comply with it

For a charter client, the practical meaning is simple. When an operator earns these certifications, the work of vetting its safety systems has already been done by experts on your behalf.

What is IS-BAO Stage 3?

IS-BAO Stage 3 is the highest level of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, a code of best practices developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). Stage 3 is now formally designated Progressive Stage III (PS3).

What Stage 3 requires:

• Third-party, on-site audits rather than self-assessment
• Evidence that crews and staff actively participate in safety documentation and processes
• A Safety Management System sustained over time, not assembled for an audit

Chantilly Air's IS-BAO status:  Chantilly Air's charter operation holds IS-BAO Stage 3 and has renewed it through successive audit cycles.

As Tim Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer, put it at the time of one renewal, "By renewing our IS-BAO Stage 3 and Wyvern Wingman accreditation, we illustrate to our customers and vendors our sincerity in providing the highest level of safety in our operations while delivering industry-leading customer service."

What does Wyvern Wingman PRO verify about a charter operator?

Wyvern Wingman PRO is the aviation industry's first standard developed specifically to audit air charter operations, and it is regarded as one of the industry's highest safety benchmarks.

What an operator must demonstrate:

• Exceptional performance across every element of its Safety Management System
• Effective management of human factors and organizational safety culture
• Consistent compliance with international standards, verified through robust internal audit processes

Chantilly Air's Wingman PRO status:  Chantilly Air earned the Wyvern Wingman PRO designation for its charter operation in May 2026, building on the Wyvern Wingman standard the company had held for years.

Andrew Day, Chief Operating Officer at WYVERN, described the progression as reflecting "their ongoing commitment to going above and beyond regulatory requirements."

Why does it matter that the FBO and maintenance team are certified too?

A flight is only as safe as the ground handling before departure and the maintenance behind the aircraft. Many charter operators certify the flight department alone. Chantilly Air has extended independent auditing to all three sides of the operation.

IS-BAH Stage II for ground handling

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) applies the same SMS framework to FBOs and ground handlers. Chantilly Air Jet Center earned IS-BAH Stage I in 2021 and advanced to Stage II in 2024, confirming that safety risks in fueling, towing, and aircraft handling are actively managed.

Wyvern Wingman FBO and Wingman MRO

In June 2026, Chantilly Air achieved dual Wyvern Wingman certifications for its FBO and its FAA Part 145 repair station. WYVERN's evaluation in each division covered:

• Safety Management System
• Safety culture
• Risk management processes
• Emergency response planning
• Training programs

Combined with Wingman PRO for flight operations, the three certifications form what WYVERN described as a fully integrated safety culture across the entire company.

FAA Diamond Award for maintenance training

The FAA's Diamond Award of Excellence is the highest level of its Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Awards program, and it is earned only when 100 percent of an organization's maintenance technicians exceed FAA training requirements in a given year. Chantilly Air's maintenance team received the Diamond Award for six consecutive years.

How should you use these certifications when comparing charter operators?

Ask three questions of any operator you are considering:

1. Is the certification current? Ask to see the certificate or registry listing and the date of the most recent audit.
2. Does it cover the aircraft you will actually fly on? Include any aircraft the operator manages for owners.
3. What does the operator hold beyond the flight department? Ground handling and maintenance carry their own risk.

An operator that answers all three without hesitation has done the work. Chantilly Air's certifications are documented in our press releases and are available on request from our charter team.

Charter with Chantilly Air

When you fly with Chantilly Air, the certifications described above are not a list on a wall. They are the reason your aircraft is ready when you arrive, your crew is prepared before you ask, and your time on the ground at Washington Manassas Airport (KHEF), 36 miles from downtown D.C., feels effortless.

Every part of your journey is cared for by a team that has invited independent review of its work:

• In the air: IS-BAO Stage 3 and Wyvern Wingman PRO
• On the ramp: IS-BAH Stage II and Wyvern Wingman FBO
• In the hangar: Wyvern Wingman MRO and FAA Diamond Award

Our charter team would be glad to talk through your next trip, from aircraft selection to arrival, and answer any questions about how we operate.

Request a charter quote or Talk to our team!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IS-BAO required by the FAA?

No. IS-BAO is a voluntary standard administered by the International Business Aviation Council, not a regulatory requirement. An operator can legally fly charter without it. Holding IS-BAO, particularly Stage 3, indicates the operator has chosen to be audited against an international best-practice standard beyond FAA rules.

What is the difference between IS-BAO and Wyvern Wingman?

IS-BAO is an industry-wide operational standard from IBAC covering the whole flight operation and its Safety Management System. Wyvern Wingman is an audit standard from WYVERN Ltd. built specifically for charter operations, with added emphasis on safety culture and human factors. The two are complementary, and holding both means an operator has been assessed by two independent bodies using two different frameworks.

How often are these certifications renewed?

Both IS-BAO and Wyvern Wingman require periodic re-audit to remain in good standing; neither is a one-time award. Ask any operator for the date of its most recent audit. Chantilly Air's most recent Wyvern audits were completed in 2026.

Does the FAA Diamond Award apply to charter flights?

Indirectly. The Diamond Award recognizes the training of maintenance technicians, not the flight operation. It matters to charter clients because the same Part 145 repair station that earns it maintains aircraft in Chantilly Air's charter and managed fleet.

Do Chantilly Air's certifications cover managed aircraft as well as charter?

IS-BAO Stage 3 and Wyvern Wingman PRO apply to Chantilly Air's Part 135 flight operation, which includes aircraft flown for charter. If you are an owner considering aircraft management, our team can explain how a managed aircraft is brought under the same Safety Management System