Private jets, often seen as symbols of luxury and comfort, also generate quite a few questions regarding their safety. Private aircraft accidents, when widely publicized and out in the limelight, seem to gently imply that they must be unsafe. A closer look at the accident report data and safety procedures will paint a more nuanced picture. The aspect of safety of private jets in Canada and all over the world depends on a myriad of factors such as aircraft maintenance, pilot training, regulatory oversight, and operational procedures.
One of the arguments used to stigmatize private aviation as a risky tender spot with a banker is that, statistically, there are more accidents per flight hour in private aviation than in commercial aviation. This is because of the variative nature of private aviation, spanning a large spectrum of aircraft types, with equally variant operational experiences of pilots, usually separated by the type of airspace or environment, and also tiny airports that may or may not have adequate services of air traffic control. But again, it is imperative to separate the specific areas within private aviation. Private jet operations under company ownership would generally tend to be closer to commercial jets in safety measures and may even surpass the latter in some respects.
There are many factors that provide absolute safety to private jet travel. Aircraft are maintained under strict maintenance schedules with regular inspections demanded from the authority (such as Transport Canada). Most of the well-known operators for the private jet voluntarily go for higher standards of safety by acquiring third-party safety audits from organizations such as ARGUS and WYVERN. These organizations evaluate aspects such as the operator’s safety record, maintenance procedures, pilot training, and operational procedures, thus giving passengers an added assurance.
Pilot training for private jet operations is also very strict. Pilots must always hold the appropriate licenses and ratings, including instrument ratings and usually type ratings on the aircraft they are flying. Although experience levels may be more varied than among commercial airline pilots, reputable charter companies will generally seek to employ only highly experienced Pilots who undergo additional recurrent training, including simulator training for emergencies. Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) also impose specific requirements regarding the licensing, training, and flight operations of all aircraft, including private jets.
Private jets also come with some intrinsic safety advantages. They often fly higher than commercial airliners and hence avoid turbulence and severe weather conditions better. It also has the capability to utilize a much wider network of smaller airports in emergencies when compared to large commercial airliners limited to major hubs. Less people in private jet travel means less security risks and exposure to threats to health that a commercial runway and terminal would otherwise present. Besides, FBOs used by private jets are much better controlled and less congested.
Nevertheless, safety issues often exist in private aviation due to issues such as lack of standardization in operator standards and maintenance practices, and the skill level of individual pilots, especially in owner-operated aircraft. To reduce the risks posed by these concerns, it is in every passenger’s best interest to select the charter company that has transparent safety certification and a proven safety record. Any prospective passenger must inquire into an operator’s safety accreditations, pilot qualifications, aircraft maintenance history, and emergency plans.
To conclude that accident rates of private aviation may be statistically higher than commercial aviation, the safety of private jets is a complex issue with a number of contributing factors. Reputable operators in countries like Canada are bound by harsh regulations and regularly go beyond these through voluntary safety audits and employing an expert workforce. Due to the dilemma in identifying the appropriate operator on one’s own, with the aid of travel consultants who understand safety, a passenger’s journey can be enjoyed as one of the safest means of transport next to convenience and comfort.
