Determined Carrier Was 'Renting Out' Its Part 135 Cert

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Southwest Region office announced Friday it has revoked the air carrier operating certificate of American Air Network, Inc. (AAN).

American Air Network, of Chesterfield, MO, appealed the emergency order of revocation, but dropped the appeal after the FAA presented its case before a National Transportation Safety Board administrative law judge in December. The parties reached an agreement on certain terms of the revocation.

The FAA determined that AAN permitted flights for hire or compensation to be conducted on its air carrier certificate when individuals who did not hold an air carrier certificate exercised operational control of those flights. AAN described itself as "a Part 135 management company."

The revocation followed an October visit to American Air Networks by FAA inspectors who spent four days reviewing flight manifests, pilot and maintenance records, and observing operations.

The FAA's action is part of a national review of air taxi operational control issues. In another case involving operational control issues -- as was reported by Aero-News -- the FAA revoked the operating certificate of a company that permitted an uncertificated carrier to operate under its certificate when the certificate holder did not exercise operational control over those flights. That action followed a runway overrun accident at Teterboro, NJ, in 2005.

In a release issued by the FAA, the agency states this case sends a clear message that the FAA will act when it finds evidence that any air carrier is engaged in the franchising or rental of its air carrier certificate. The Federal Aviation Regulations require that an air carrier maintain operational control of the aircraft and crews on its certificate.

FMI: www.faa.gov