Aircraft Management
Part 91 and Part 135 management.
When you own an aircraft, a management company can run it for you, crew, maintenance, insurance, scheduling and compliance. The core decision is whether it operates privately under Part 91 or as commercial charter under Part 135.
Exclusive Partnership
SetFlight is exclusively partnered with Eleven Aviation for aircraft management.
Part 91
Private management
Part 91 is the FAA's set of general operating rules for private, non-commercial flying. Your aircraft flies only for you and your guests, with no charter revenue. You get maximum control, privacy and scheduling flexibility, and you carry the full operating cost.
- Total control and privacy over every trip
- Fewer operational and crew-duty restrictions
- No revenue, so you bear all fixed and variable costs
Part 135
Charter management
Part 135 governs on-demand commercial charter. Placed on a management company's Part 135 certificate, your aircraft can be chartered to third parties, generating revenue that offsets ownership costs. In return it meets stricter safety and operational standards.
- Charter revenue offsets fixed ownership costs
- Higher safety oversight, training and maintenance standards
- Some added wear and reduced availability when chartered
Part 91 vs Part 135 at a glance
| Part 91 (Private) | Part 135 (Charter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of operation | Private, non-commercial. The aircraft flies for the owner and guests only. | On-demand commercial charter. The aircraft can be chartered to paying third parties. |
| FAA certificate | No air-carrier certificate required. | Operated under a certificated Part 135 operator's certificate. |
| Cost offset | None. The owner carries the full cost of operating the aircraft. | Charter revenue offsets fixed ownership costs when you're not flying. |
| Rules & oversight | Fewer operational restrictions; maximum flexibility and privacy. | Stricter duty/rest limits, maintenance, training and airport minimums. |
| Your availability | Always your aircraft, on your schedule. | Slightly reduced when the aircraft is out on a charter trip. |
Many managed aircraft sit on a Part 135 certificate but still fly the owner's own trips under Part 91, chartering out only when the owner isn't using the aircraft. Revenue, depreciation and personal-use rules carry real tax implications, so confirm the structure with your tax advisor.
How SetFlight helps
Choosing between private and charter management comes down to how often you fly, how much you want to offset, and how much control and privacy you need. We help you model that honestly and connect you with vetted management companies whose standards we trust.
As with everything we do, we represent your interests with integrity, and if a simpler path fits you better, we will say so.