Creating a comprehensive view of the safety and quality of private aircraft.

The private jet charter market is constantly in flux, and aircraft operators fluctuate in quality and reliability over time. After years of experience in on-demand charter, evoJets created the IQS to capture a full range of factors that affect the safety and quality of the aircraft available.

In general, most on-demand charter operators are small businesses, and like any small business they experience lapses and improvements in performance. For this reason, the IQS is a rolling internal score managed by evoJets for every aircraft in our charter network.

IQS Ranking Factors

The IQS takes a 360-degree view of the aircraft and aircraft operator under review. Rather than rely solely on third-party ratings, the IQS creates a composite of important safety and quality factors.

Every aircraft considered for an evoJets charter flight is ranked by the factors below, and internal records are maintained for each. If the overall IQS score does not meet our minimum standard, the aircraft will not be used. Scores change over time, up and down, depending on the ratings earned in each category below.

Successful Missions Completed (Operator)

Successful Missions are tracked on a rolling 6-month basis for every operator and aircraft. Consistent delivery of successful flights is an important ranking factor in the IQS.

The aircraft and operators in the on-demand space are constantly changing. Planes experience wear and tear. Even the most reliable aircraft operated by the most reputable operator can dip in quality from time to time.

Any of the following will disqualify a flight as a Successful Mission:

• Poor, ineffective, or inconsistent communication by operator with evoJets personnel
• Negative passenger feedback on crew, condition of aircraft, in-flight experience
• Pilot or operator-induced delay, mechanical issue, or otherwise trip-altering situation

Successful Missions Completed (Aircraft Type)

In addition to evaluating flights by operator and specific planes in a fleet, the IQS keeps records on all aircraft types in general. If issues continue to arise with a plane type, or negative passenger feedback is received for a specific aircraft over time, these are important factors to consider.

Any of the following will disqualify a flight as a Successful Mission for an aircraft type:

• Mechanical issues
• Performance below expectations (fuel stops, payload restrictions, etc)
• Passenger complaints (noise, cabin comfort, etc)

Aircraft in Operator Fleet

The number of aircraft in an operator’s fleet is a strong indication of its ability to successfully complete missions consistently over time. This is not to say that smaller fleets cannot consistently complete successful charters, but only that larger fleets typically have the infrastructure and backup aircraft in place to deliver quality service.

A small fleet is generally described as 1-4 aircraft. The average fleet is typically 5-9 aircraft. Large fleets are usually 10-15 planes, with some exceeding 20 or even 50 aircraft.

Larger fleets score higher in the IQS.

Aircraft Year of Manufacture (YOM)

Aircraft age is a polarizing topic in private aviation. Companies offering brand new planes say that ‘newer planes are safer, nicer, more luxurious’, while those with older aircraft contend that newer planes are ‘more expensive, but no more capable or safer than older planes’.

Our view at evoJets is that both statements are true, in certain contexts. To some flyers, a 1991 aircraft new to the charter market, hardly flown and with a brand new custom interior could be just as marketable as a 2002 plane with heavy hours and its original interior.

That said, newer planes, in general, are typically newer-feeling, lower on hours, and offer more advanced pilot and passenger technology.
Newer aircraft receive higher scores in the IQS.

Interior Refurbishment

Interior refurbishment is a key component in cabin quality. Aircraft YOM is only a small piece of the puzzle.

As discussed above, a brand-new interior can make a plane feel superior to one that is 10yrs newer, or more, to its passengers. Considering both YOM and interior refurb creates a more accurate view of the condition of an aircraft.

New interiors rate higher in the IQS.

Insurance

The minimum insurance required by evoJets is $10MM for Turboprops and $50MM for Jets.

Beyond these minimums, there is often a correlation between higher premiums and general care of the aircraft by its owner(s). Aircraft with higher insurance levels are given a boost in the IQS.

Years with Current Part 135 Certificate

Aircraft operators enter and exit the on-demand market all the time. Owners will place a plane into part 135 operations when it makes sense for them and can pull it off the market at any time. The longer an operator stays active on its current Part 135 certificate, the more committed they generally are to their charter business, and the more experience their team will have.

The longer an operator has carried its current Part 135 certificate, the higher they rate in the IQS.

Operator Rating on ARG/US & Wyvern

While evoJets does not require a rating on ARG/US or Wyvern, we do recognize the importance of these ratings. If an operator does not carry either certification, their overall score in the IQS must be very high to be considered for charters.

The rating levels for ARG/US are Gold, Gold+, and Platinum. The rating levels for Wyvern are Registered, Pass, and Wingman. IQS score increases with higher ratings.

Aircraft Amenities

Cabin experience can be improved by a variety of amenities. Preferences vary, but most passengers appreciate the following upgrades:

• Cabin Attendant
• WiFi
• Enhanced Multimedia (iPads, cabin controls)
• Lavatory (partial, fully enclosed, sink/vanity)
• Galley (partial, full, extended)
Any of the following will score a plane higher in the IQS.

Relative Cost & Value

While pricing does not correlate directly to safety or quality, value is an important factor in the IQS. Certain aircraft are overpriced while others are reasonably priced, sometimes for no apparent reason.

Seasonality and the demand placed on certain routes can affect prices, and some owners are simply greedier and others. Hourly rates can vary by 20% or more for the exact same aircraft type across different owners, trips and time of year.

Your evoJets Account Executive will identify these gaps in value so you avoid the bad deals and take advantage of the good ones.

Pilot Situational Experience

For certain trips, like complex international routes and winter operations in mountainous airports, it is important to consider specific pilot experience. In general, evoJets will strongly recommend an aircraft piloted by crew with direct operational experience in non-standard situations.

For winter flights into places like Aspen, Telluride and other mountain areas, we almost exclusively use planes based in Colorado, or confirm that the crew has significant experience operating in those areas. Situations vary, but this sort of analysis is important and should be a front-line concern for flights with a higher degree of difficulty.

Partner Reviews & Recommendations

The on-demand charter industry is a smaller community than most would imagine. Being in business for nearly 15 years, evoJets has cultivated amazing relationships with FBO’s, operators, and brokers all over the country.

New planes come into the charter market all the time, and when those aircraft are presented to us for charter we often rely on the reviews and recommendations of our partners in the industry. From our very first communication, we begin to create an IQS score for that aircraft and operator.

Contact us any time.

(877) 970-5387 (JETS) | info@evojets.com