Falsified records lead to Starflite Air Carrier Certificate revoked

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) put out an emergency order on Feb. 27, to revoke the air carrier certificate of StarFlite Aviation, indefinitely. This action follows findings that there were falsified pilot training records that were knowingly being submitted.

private jet, Gulfstream IV-SP, stationary — Private Jet Edge International, N945GS, Gulfstream IV-SP © Anna Zvereva

StarFlite air charter management company found to be giving falsified entries

StarFlite Aviation is a Houston-based Part 135 air charter management company that specialises in private jets. The company provides private aircraft charter, management and specialised travel for corporate, entertainment and sports clients. Its fleets are reported to have approximately 12 aircraft, which range from mid and heavy jets like the Gulfstream IV-SP. It was alleged that between November 2019 and November 2024, management falsified entries in training records for at least 10 pilots, including the chief pilot.

The required check rides and competency checks on various aircraft had not occurred, and StarFlite used pilots who were not properly qualified to operate on 170 flights. The FAA also found that the company lacked qualified management personnel to ensure the safety of its operations, and the conduct demonstrates no real regard for safety when flying. When conducting investigations, it was found that the FAA listing of charter operators and aircraft published this month, since September, showed 22 aircraft on StarFlite’s charter certificate. This comes after reports that the U.S. restructures FAA amid safety oversight scrutiny, showing the FAA cracking down on any safety implications this could cause.

cherry tree, sign, orville wright federal building — The sign for the Orville Wright Federal Building, which houses the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), © G. Edward Johnson.

StarFlite have yet to respond or appeal the decisions from the FAA

After excluding the duplicates, the company only held 11 aircraft that were listed to fly legally. The tail numbers listed were N768KD, N218MD, N300SF, N345FM, N378SF, N400SF, N551CB, N563BB, N570DC, N650SF, N651SF, and N713WT. There have been no comments made by the company as of yet and its website is currently unavailable. During Covid StarFlite received financial aid and received $856,000 via the CARES Act that were exclusively supposed to be used on continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries and benefits.

StarFlite may appeal the FAA Emergency Order by filling a notice with the National Transportation Safety Board.

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