How to Read a Wyvern PASS Report Before a Charter Flight

What a PASS Report Is

Wyvern compiles PASS reports by cross-referencing the operator's registration data with real-time information about the proposed flight. The report pulls from Wyvern's database of operator audits, pilot records, aircraft maintenance status, and insurance verification.

A PASS report answers one question: Is this specific flight, on this specific aircraft, with these specific pilots, from this specific operator, meeting Wyvern's safety standards right now?

Sections of a PASS Report

Operator Profile

The first section identifies the operator and their Wyvern registration status:

• Operator name and certificate number
• Wyvern status: Wingman or Registered (Wingman is the higher tier, indicating the operator has been audited and meets Wyvern's full standards; Registered means the operator participates in the program but has not completed the full audit)
• Registration date and most recent audit date
• Base of operations

What to look for: Confirm the operator is currently active in the Wyvern program. Check that the registration has not lapsed. A Wingman status is preferred over Registered.

Pilot Qualifications

This is the most valuable section of the PASS report. It covers the specific pilots assigned to your flight:

• Pilot-in-command (PIC) and second-in-command (SIC) names
• Certificate types (ATP, Commercial)
• Type rating for the assigned aircraft
• Total flight hours and hours in type
• Recurrent training dates and training provider
• Most recent proficiency check

What to look for: Both pilots should hold ATP certificates. The PIC should have substantial hours in the specific aircraft type (500+ is a reasonable benchmark). Recurrent training should be within the last 6-12 months at a recognized facility (FlightSafety, CAE, SimCom). If training dates are older than 12 months, that is a flag worth questioning.

Aircraft Information

The report details the specific aircraft (by tail number) assigned to your flight:

• Aircraft type and model year
• Total airframe hours and cycles
• Most recent major inspection (phase check, C-check, or equivalent)
• Avionics suite
• Maintenance tracking program
• Aircraft registration status

What to look for: The aircraft should be on a recognized maintenance tracking program. The most recent major inspection should be within the program's required interval. Aircraft with very high total hours and cycles are not necessarily a concern if the maintenance is current, but significantly older aircraft (25+ years) warrant a closer look at the inspection history.

Insurance Verification

Wyvern verifies the operator's insurance coverage:

• Liability coverage amount (per occurrence and aggregate)
• Hull coverage
• Insurance carrier name
• Policy expiration date

What to look for: Liability coverage should be $100 million or higher for most charter operations. Some high-value clients and corporate programs require $200 million or more. Verify the policy is current and will not expire before your flight date. The insurance carrier should be a recognized aviation underwriter.

Safety History

The report includes any known safety events, incidents, or FAA enforcement actions:

• FAA enforcement history
• NTSB incident/accident records
• Wyvern-reported safety events
• Drug and alcohol testing compliance

What to look for: A clean record is ideal. Minor incidents (ramp damage, bird strikes) are part of normal operations and should not automatically disqualify an operator. Serious incidents (runway excursions, gear-up landings, airspace violations) or FAA enforcement actions (certificate suspensions, civil penalties) are significant flags that require further investigation.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Wyvern verifies the operator's DOT drug and alcohol testing program:

• Program registration status
• Random testing compliance rate
• Most recent audit of testing records

What to look for: The program should be current and compliant. Testing rates that fall below DOT minimums are a red flag.

Red Flags in a PASS Report

Watch for these specific issues:

• Pilot training older than 12 months. Recurrent training at 6-month intervals is the industry standard for PICs. Annual training for SICs is acceptable but not ideal.
• PIC with fewer than 250 hours in type. A pilot may be fully qualified by regulation but lack the experience you want on your specific aircraft.
• Insurance below $100 million. This suggests an operator cutting costs in a critical area.
• Wyvern status showing "Registered" rather than "Wingman." Registered operators have not completed the full Wyvern audit. This is not automatically disqualifying, but Wingman is the preferred standard.
• Recent FAA enforcement actions. Any certificate action (suspension, revocation, civil penalty) in the past 3 years warrants questions.
• Lapsed maintenance tracking. If the report cannot confirm current maintenance status, do not fly.

How to Get a PASS Report

PASS reports are typically requested by:

1. 01Your charter broker. Most reputable brokers request a PASS report as a standard part of their trip planning process. If your broker does not offer one, ask for it.
2. 02Corporate flight departments. Companies with travel policies requiring third-party safety verification use PASS reports for every charter booking.
3. 03Directly from Wyvern. Individual clients can request reports, though this is less common.

The cost of a PASS report is typically $50-$150 and is often absorbed by the broker or operator as part of the trip fee.

PASS Reports and the Bravo Platform

The Bravo register shows each operator's Wyvern status (Wingman or Registered) on their profile. This is a quick first check before diving into a trip-specific PASS report. Use Bravo to identify Wyvern-certified operators in your departure area, then request a PASS report for the specific flight once you have narrowed your options.