Is NetJets Part 135?

Business aviation regulatory questions have gotten complicated with all the Part 91 versus Part 135 distinctions, the fractional ownership certificate structure debates, and “what rules actually govern the flight you’re on when you fly NetJets” questions flying around. As someone who has spent years studying business aviation regulatory frameworks and the specific certification structure that governs fractional ownership operations, I learned everything there is to know about how NetJets fits within the FAA regulatory system. Today, I will share it all with you.

But does NetJets operate under Part 135, really? In essence, yes — and under Part 91 Subpart K simultaneously, because the dual certification structure reflects the hybrid nature of fractional ownership operations that don’t fit cleanly into either pure private aviation or pure commercial aviation categories. But it’s much more than a regulatory checkbox. For fractional owners evaluating what safety standards govern their flights, and for aviation professionals understanding the certification landscape, the specific regulatory framework matters because it determines what operational requirements apply.

Understanding Part 135

Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations governs commuter and on-demand operations — air taxi, charter, and non-scheduled flights where the operator is providing air transportation for compensation or hire. Part 135 imposes more rigorous requirements than Part 91 private operations: higher pilot qualification minimums, more demanding training and check requirements, stricter aircraft maintenance standards, and operational control requirements that put the certificate holder in charge of flight dispatch. That’s what makes Part 135 endearing to passengers evaluating commercial charter safety — the regulations codify a baseline of operational practice that goes substantially beyond what private aircraft operators are required to maintain.

Part 91 Subpart K and Fractional Operations

Part 91 Subpart K was specifically developed to govern fractional ownership programs like NetJets, Flexjet, and Wheels Up. It recognizes that fractional ownership is neither pure private aviation nor pure commercial charter — the owner has an ownership interest in the aircraft but also participates in a managed program that operates the aircraft professionally. Part 91K establishes safety standards, maintenance requirements, and operational control procedures specifically calibrated for this hybrid category. Don’t make my mistake of treating Part 91K as simply “Part 91 with a K” — at least if you’re comparing it to standard Part 91 private operations, because Subpart K imposes materially more demanding requirements than standard Part 91 in most operational areas.

NetJets’ Dual Certification

NetJets holds both Part 91K authorization for fractional operations and Part 135 certification for on-demand charter. The dual structure is operationally necessary because not every flight falls cleanly into the fractional ownership model — some flights involve charter arrangements that fall under Part 135’s commercial charter framework. This flexibility allows NetJets to provide fractional owners and charter clients with appropriate service within the correct regulatory structure for each flight type.

Pilot Qualifications and Training

Part 135 minimum pilot qualifications include a commercial pilot license with instrument rating and specific flight experience minimums — higher than Part 91 private operations. NetJets’ actual qualification standards exceed the regulatory minimums. Recurrent training involves simulator sessions, ground school, and proficiency checks on a defined schedule. Initial and recurrent training programs are reviewed and approved by the FAA. First, you should understand that NetJets’ training program is among the more rigorous in business aviation — at least if you’re comparing fractional providers, because the company’s scale allows it to operate dedicated simulators and training facilities that smaller fractional programs contract out to training centers.

Maintenance Standards

Part 135 maintenance requirements include specific inspection intervals, mandatory maintenance programs, and record-keeping requirements that exceed general aviation standards. Aircraft must be maintained under approved maintenance programs with documented compliance. NetJets’ maintenance organization maintains the fleet to these standards across a large number of bases and aircraft types, which requires systematic processes rather than the ad hoc approach that works for smaller operations. The company’s fleet management infrastructure — tracking maintenance status, compliance with airworthiness directives, and component life limits — is a significant operational capability in its own right.