ARGUS and WYVERN Charter Safety Ratings
In the charter aviation industry, there are 2 trusted third-party safety rating agencies. The Aviation Research Group United States (ARGUS) and the WYVERN rating systems help to set the highest safety standards. Though each serves a similar purpose, they each hold operators to varying standards and offer unique designations. An understanding of these safety rating systems will help you make an informed decisions when selecting a charter.
ARGUS is an independent safety rating system, producing safety grades and maintaining records for thousands of aircraft and pilots. ARGUS International was founded in 1995 and is the most detailed source of third-party ratings for charter operations. If you’ve viewed safety documentation for chartered flights in the past, you may be familiar with ARGUS safety rating levels.
Operators that have a safety history equal to or greater than their peers are provided with an ARGUS Gold Rating, and through the addition of an on-site operational audit, can achieve the highest accreditation available through an independent, unbiased third party, an ARGUS Platinum Rating.
WYVERN is another independent company supplying ratings and certifications. The company creates and updates safety criteria and conducts regular audits. It also provides safety intelligence data, leader training, and software solutions. Through WYVERN, charter operators achieve certification.
The WYVERN Wingman program offers safety certification for charter operators. WYVERN Wingman operators show an elevated commitment to safety. They have to meet strict criteria, undergo regular audits, and keep WYVERN updated about any operational changes to maintain their Wingman status. WYVERN registration and Wingman certification are not equivalent.