The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued an emergency order that revokes Texas-based StarFlite Aviation’s Air Carrier Certificate, effective immediately.
The FAA alleges the Part 135 air charter management company knowingly falsified pilot training records between November 2019 and November 2024. The company’s management personnel made numerous false entries regarding the training records of at least 10 pilots, including the chief pilot, resulting in unqualified pilots being used on at least 170 flights. The fraudulent entries showed that check rides and competency checks were performed on various aircraft when they had not been.
The FAA also alleges the company’s conduct demonstrates a disregard for public safety and that it lacks qualified management personnel to ensure the safety of its operations.
StarFlite completed 14 flights last year. The latest was a roundtrip flight on Dec. 7.
The company can appeal by filing a notice with the National Transportation Safety Board. The company has not commented publicly and its website is currently unavailable.
StarFlite Aviation specializes in private jets, providing private aircraft charter, management and travel for corporate, entertainment and sports clients. It has 11 aircraft legally listed to fly, although a recent FAA listing of charter operators and aircraft showed 22 aircraft on StarFlite’s charter certificate.
The company received $856,000 via the CARES Act during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the continuation of employee wages, salaries and benefits.