Aviation Part 135 // 14 CFR Part 135
Lose trips to weather,never to paperwork.
FileFlo reads the pilot records, training files, and maintenance logs already in your SharePoint or Drive, maps each to its 14 CFR §135 requirement, and flags every currency, medical, and AD before a ramp inspector would. No migration, nothing for IT to install. Wyvern PASS™ and ARGUS CHEQ™ packs export in one click.
By Chad Griffith, Founder & CEO · Reviewed May 26, 2026 · 3 min, no signup
What you get
Three things FileFlo does for Part 135 operators that a spreadsheet can't.
Every pilot current, every flight
All 14 currency requirements tracked per pilot per aircraft type: §135.293 competency, §135.297 instrument proficiency, §135.299 line checks, medicals, recurrent training. Every lapse surfaced at the trip-release layer, before a pilot is scheduled.
Wyvern PASS™ and ARGUS CHEQ™ in one export
100+ audit artifacts mapped to their 14 CFR section, exported as a single indexed binder. Pilot files, training records, OpSpecs, Management Specs, maintenance records, Part 120 D&A program, SMS documents.
FAA ramp check, offline-ready
One-tap mobile view surfacing the 12 inspector-requested artifacts in the order they're typically requested. Offline-cached for ramp areas with no cell. Structured around FAA Order 8900.1 inspector handbook procedures.
How it works
Four steps. One business day.
Connect your folder
Google Drive, Dropbox, SharePoint, or OneDrive. No data migration.
AI classifies every doc
Each file mapped to its 14 CFR section. Dates and currency intervals extracted.
Track and alert
90/60/30/7-day warnings for every pilot currency, medical, AD, and inspection.
Audit-ready, always
One-click Wyvern PASS or ARGUS CHEQ export. Ramp-check mode in your pocket.
The stakes
$37,377
per FAA violation. Per pilot. Per flight.
49 U.S.C. §46301 · 14 CFR §13.301 inflation adjustment
A single missed §135.297 instrument proficiency check across a 12-pilot operation exposes the certificate holder to mid-six-figure liability and a certificate action that suspends or revokes operating authority.
FileFlo Professional costs $2,990 / year. The 14 currency requirements per pilot are exactly what FileFlo's alerts are built to track.
The deadline
The Part 135 SMS deadline is May 28, 2027.
14 CFR Part 5 · Safety Management Systems
Every Part 135 operator needs an active Safety Management System, and the records to prove it, by then. FileFlo isn't your SMS platform: no FRAT, no hazard-reporting workflow (keep ARGUS PROS, Polaris VOCUS, or your in-house system for that).
What it does is what it always does: it knows what the rule asks for and keeps the evidence ready: SMS manual versions, Part 5 policy records, safety-training currency, and hazard/risk documentation, each tagged to its citation and exportable in a Wyvern PASS™ or ARGUS CHEQ™ pack in one click. Get the paperwork audit-ready before the deadline, not the week of.
See your FAA document-readinessPricing
Two tiers. No per-pilot fees.
- · 100 documents per month
- · 3 users
- · Owner-operators and small Part 135 charters
- · 1-3 aircraft
- · Unlimited documents
- · Unlimited users
- · Employee auto-detection
- · Audit trail · Project management
- · 3-20 aircraft
5-day free trial on both tiers. No credit card required to start. Annual pricing available with ~17% discount. Cancel anytime.
Running 20+ aircraft, multiple bases, or need SSO & an SLA? FileFlo Enterprise →
From verified G2 reviewers
"Quick onboarding, AI-powered compliance tracking that delivers clear ROI. The real-time dashboard makes it easy to check compliance status at a glance, and the automated alerts have reduced our admin work and made collaboration across branches smoother."
Platform definition
FileFlo is a Part 135 compliance management platform built for FAA-certificated air carriers operating under 14 CFR Part 135. It tracks 14 distinct pilot currency requirements (including §135.293 competency checks, §135.297 instrument proficiency checks, and §135.299 line checks) alongside aircraft maintenance records, Part 120 drug and alcohol program documents, OpSpecs, LOAs, and dispatch records. Audit packages export directly to Wyvern PASS™ and ARGUS CHEQ™ formats.
Audit findings
The five most common Part 135 penalties.
| Finding | Source | Max civil penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Expired §135.297 instrument proficiency check | 14 CFR §135.297 | $37,377 / pilot |
| Missing §135.293 competency check evidence | 14 CFR §135.293 | $37,377 / pilot |
| Lapsed §135.299 line check | 14 CFR §135.299 | $37,377 / pilot |
| Missing AD compliance evidence | 14 CFR §39 | $37,377 / airframe |
| Incomplete Part 120 random testing pool | 14 CFR Part 120, Subpart E | $37,377 / test cycle |
Beyond civil penalties, lapsed currency can trigger a certificate action (suspension or revocation of operating authority); the financial impact dwarfs any single fine.
14 CFR Part 135
The 14 currency requirements tracked per pilot.
Currency requirements are layered, with different intervals (12-month, 24-month, calendar-month rule), different aircraft-specific scopes, and different inspector expectations. FileFlo tracks all 14.
| # | Requirement | Source CFR | Interval | Aircraft scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initial competency test (PIC) | §135.293(a) | Once per category/class | Aircraft-specific |
| 2 | Recurrent competency check | §135.293(b) | 12 calendar months | Aircraft-specific |
| 3 | Instrument proficiency check (IPC) | §135.297 | 6 calendar months | Aircraft-specific |
| 4 | Line check | §135.299 | 12 calendar months | Type-specific |
| 5 | Recurrent ground training | §135.351 | 12 calendar months | Crewmember-wide |
| 6 | Emergency training | §135.331 | 12-24 months | Type-specific |
| 7 | Crew Resource Management (CRM) | §135.330 | 12 calendar months | Crewmember-wide |
| 8 | Flight review | §61.56 | 24 calendar months | All certs |
| 9 | First-class medical certificate | §61.23 | 6 or 12 months (age-based) | All PICs |
| 10 | Second-class medical (if required) | §61.23 | 12 months | SIC if required |
| 11 | TSA Security Coordinator training | 49 CFR §1544 | Annual | Designated crew |
| 12 | Part 120 pre-employment D&A test | 14 CFR Part 120, Subpart E | Pre-hire | All safety-sensitive |
| 13 | Part 120 random testing eligibility | 14 CFR Part 120, Subpart E | Continuous pool | All safety-sensitive |
| 14 | Hazmat training (if applicable) | 49 CFR §172.704 | 3 calendar years | Hazmat handlers |
Each requirement has its own status color (green/yellow/red), its own advance-warning interval (90/60/30/7 days), and its own evidence-required document type. FileFlo surfaces any lapse at the trip-release layer, so a pilot who would go out of currency is caught before the release.
Audit packages
Wyvern PASS™ and ARGUS CHEQ™ in one export.
Independent safety audits (Wyvern PASS, ARGUS CHEQ, IS-BAO Stage I/II/III) are increasingly mandatory for charter operators serving Fortune 500 corporate flight departments and high-net-worth charter clients. Each audit document checklist runs to 100+ artifacts.
Wyvern PASS™
Pilot files, training records, OpSpecs and Management Specs, maintenance records, drug and alcohol program records, SMS documents, dispatch records: all cross-referenced to their 14 CFR or audit-standard citation.
ARGUS CHEQ™
Crew qualifications, training currency, aircraft maintenance, SMS records, OpSpecs, Part 120 D&A program, exported as a single indexed binder with regulatory basis on every page.
Wyvern PASS and ARGUS CHEQ are trademarks of their respective audit organizations. FileFlo is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Wyvern Consulting Ltd. or ARGUS International, Inc.
FAA Order 8900.1
Ramp Check Mode, offline-cached.
Ramp checks happen with little or no notice. FAA inspectors typically request specific documents within minutes: pilot certificates, medical, recent §135.297 check evidence, aircraft airworthiness, MEL, weight-and-balance, OpSpecs C001-C300, current Authorization to Conduct Operations.
FileFlo's Ramp Check Mode is a one-tap mobile view that surfaces the 12 inspector-requested artifacts in the order they're typically requested, offline-cached for ramp areas with no cell service. Structured around the FAA Order 8900.1 inspector handbook procedures.
A dedicated ramp-check view puts the inspector-requested artifacts in one place, in the order they are typically asked for, built for the moment of an unannounced inspection.
Competitive comparison
How FileFlo compares to three dedicated Part 135 tools.
| Capability | FileFlo | FlightPro 135 | Part135sms.com | Polaris VOCUS (Aerocompass) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot currency tracking (all 14 fields with CFR citations) | Yes | Yes (currency module) | Partial (SMS-focused; basic currency) | Yes (currency module) |
| §135.297 instrument check (aircraft-specific tracking) | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| §135.299 line check (type-specific tracking) | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Wyvern PASS™ audit pack export | Yes (native) | Partial | No | Yes |
| ARGUS CHEQ™ audit pack export | Yes (native) | Partial | No | Yes |
| Part 120 D&A program (random pool + MRO + SAP + DAMIS) | Yes | Partial (records only) | No | Yes |
| FAA Ramp Check Mode (offline 12-artifact view) | Yes | No | No | Partial (browser only) |
| Aircraft maintenance (AD / MEL / TBO monitoring) | Yes (auto-monitoring) | Yes (maintenance module) | No | Yes |
| SMS (Safety Management System) workflow | No (roadmap Q3 2026) | Yes (full SMS) | Yes (SMS-first) | Yes (full SMS) |
| Crew scheduling / dispatch | No (integrates only) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dual Part 91 / Part 135 operations | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Pricing transparency | Yes ($89 / $299 on site) | No (quote-only) | No (quote-only) | No (quote-only) |
| Free trial | Yes (5 days, no card) | Partial (demo only) | Partial (demo only) | No |
Honest summary
FileFlo is the deepest document and currency platform with the lightest flight ops footprint. If you need flight scheduling, SMS workflow, and FRAT in one system, choose FlightPro 135 or Polaris VOCUS. If you need audit-ready document depth at a fraction of the price, choose FileFlo. Most operators use both: FlightPro or Polaris for flight ops, FileFlo for the regulatory document and currency layer.
Honest limits
What's not in FileFlo, and that's intentional.
Full SMS workflow
Operators wanting comprehensive Safety Management System workflows (FRAT, hazard reporting, risk register, SMS manual versioning) should keep a dedicated SMS today. FileFlo's lightweight SMS module is on the Q3 2026 roadmap.
Flight scheduling / dispatch
FileFlo doesn't replace flight ops platforms like FlightPro 135, Avianis, or Polaris VOCUS. We integrate at the trip-release layer to block dispatch when currency or document gaps would cause a violation, but we are not the schedule.
Two-way maintenance system integration
FileFlo monitors AD compliance, TBO limits, and inspection intervals directly. Bidirectional sync with CAMP Systems and Veryon Tracking+ is on the Q3 2026 roadmap. Operators using those today can import compliance status via document export.
FRAT (Flight Risk Assessment Tool)
FRAT scoring is a dedicated SMS function. FileFlo does not generate FRAT scores today. Operators typically pair FileFlo with ARGUS PROS™, Polaris VOCUS SMS, or an in-house FRAT.
About the author
Built by an operator who's been audited.
Chad Griffith, Founder & CEO of FileFlo, built this platform after watching multiple operators in his network draw Enforcement Investigation Reports (EIRs) over preventable documentation gaps, not flight ops issues, just expired records nobody flagged. FileFlo's currency taxonomy was reviewed by two Part 135 Directors of Operations and one former FAA Principal Operations Inspector before launch.
The math
Penalty exposure by fleet size.
FAA civil penalties for Part 135 violations reach $37,377 per occurrence. FileFlo Professional = $2,990/year.
| Fleet size | Penalty exposure | FileFlo ROI |
|---|---|---|
| 3 aircraft / 6 pilots | $25,594 | 8.6x |
| 5 aircraft / 12 pilots | $51,188 | 17.1x |
| 10 aircraft / 20 pilots | $85,314 | 28.5x |
| 20 aircraft / 40 pilots | $170,628 | 57.1x |
Penalty exposure excludes certificate actions (suspension or revocation), which carry far greater financial impact through lost revenue and reinstatement costs.
Frequently asked
Director of Operations Q&A.
Every answer cites a specific 14 CFR section. Last reviewed May 26, 2026.
Does FileFlo track 14 CFR §135.293 PIC qualifications?+
Yes. FileFlo tracks all currency components under §135.293, including initial competency tests, recurrent competency tests, instrument proficiency, and aircraft-specific qualifications. Each PIC's status displays at the trip-release level, flagging any lapse that would cause a §135.293 violation before release.
How does FileFlo handle §135.297 instrument proficiency checks?+
§135.297 requires an instrument proficiency check within the preceding 6 calendar months for any PIC operating IFR or in marginal VMC. FileFlo tracks the IPC date per pilot per aircraft type, alerts at 90/60/30/7 days, and exports IPC evidence directly into Wyvern PASS and ARGUS CHEQ audit packages.
Does FileFlo enforce §135.299 line check intervals?+
Yes. §135.299 requires a line check within the preceding 12 calendar months for each PIC in each aircraft type. FileFlo tracks line check date by pilot-aircraft pair, not by pilot alone, so a pilot current in a King Air 350 but lapsed in a Citation V is correctly flagged.
Can FileFlo generate Wyvern PASS audit packages?+
Yes. FileFlo's audit-pack engine produces both Wyvern PASS and ARGUS CHEQ document packages, mapping each requested artifact to its corresponding 14 CFR section. Export takes 30-90 seconds depending on operation size. Includes pilot files, training records, OpSpecs/Management Specs, maintenance records, Part 120 D&A records, SMS documents, and dispatch records.
Does FileFlo handle Part 120 drug and alcohol program records?+
Yes. FileFlo manages 14 CFR Part 120 D&A program records: random testing pool selection, MRO (Medical Review Officer) records, SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) files, and DAMIS (Drug & Alcohol Management Information System) reporting evidence.
Can FileFlo manage dual Part 91 / Part 135 operations?+
Yes. Many Part 135 certificate holders also operate Part 91, corporate flight departments running both certificated charter and proprietor flights. FileFlo tracks currency separately for each operation type per pilot, so the IFR currency required for a Part 135 leg doesn't get confused with Part 91 currency rules.
Does FileFlo integrate with CAMP Systems or other maintenance tracking software?+
FileFlo monitors AD compliance, TBO limits, MEL items, and inspection intervals directly from your existing maintenance documents. Two-way integration with CAMP Systems and Veryon Tracking+ is on the Q3 2026 roadmap.
What's the setup time for a typical Part 135 operator?+
One business day. FileFlo connects to your existing folder structure (Google Drive, Dropbox, SharePoint, or OneDrive), classifies the documents automatically against 14 CFR section, and produces a baseline gap report within 24 hours. Most operators find 8-15 missing or expired records in that first scan.
Is there a free trial?+
Yes. 5-day free trial with no credit card required. Includes full Part 135 functionality: pilot currency dashboard, audit-pack export (Wyvern PASS + ARGUS CHEQ), Part 120 D&A records management, and FAA Ramp Check Mode.
What does FileFlo cost?+
Starter: $89/month (100 documents/month, 3 users), suitable for 1-3 aircraft. Professional: $299/month (unlimited documents, unlimited users, employee auto-detection, audit trail, project management), suitable for 3-20 aircraft. Annual pricing available with approximately 17% discount. No per-pilot fees.
Does FileFlo replace my flight scheduling or SMS system?+
No. FileFlo is the regulatory document and currency layer. Operators typically pair FileFlo with a flight ops platform (FlightPro 135, Polaris VOCUS, Avianis) and an SMS platform (ARGUS PROS, Polaris VOCUS SMS, or in-house). FileFlo's roadmap includes a lightweight SMS module in Q3 2026, but operators needing full SMS workflows should not switch from a dedicated SMS today.
How do you pass a Part 135 audit?+
An FAA Principal Operations Inspector pulls pilot currency, training, aircraft, and manual records during 135 surveillance. Under 14 CFR 135.63 you must keep pilot and training records current and retained, generally 12 months. Passing means every required record is present, in date, and produceable in the inspector's order, with each gap traceable to its CFR section.
What are the Part 135 recordkeeping requirements?+
14 CFR 135.63 requires certificate holders to keep records showing each pilot's currency and qualification, including the 135.293 competency check, 135.297 instrument proficiency check, 135.299 line check, and 135.351 recurrent training. Retention is generally 12 months for pilot and training records; load manifests are kept 30 days under 135.63.
When is the Part 135 SMS deadline?+
Under the FAA's 2024 Safety Management Systems final rule (14 CFR Part 5), all Part 135 certificate holders must have an FAA-accepted SMS in place by a single deadline of May 28, 2027. This adds recurring SMS documentation, hazard reporting, and safety assurance records to what operators must keep audit-ready.
Further reading
Related Part 135 resources.
See your FAA readiness before the ramp inspector does.
Three-minute self-assessment. No signup. We'll surface your top Part 135 currency gaps and what to fix first.
Or email chad@getfileflo.com directly
Free: 18-page FAA Compliance Calendar (Part 91/121/135/145)
Annual inspection schedule, AD compliance tracking matrix, pilot recurrent training calendar, Part 120 D&A program calendar.
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Related Compliance Guides
- Aviation Compliance Guide →
FAA Part 91, 121, 135, 145, and Part 107 drone operations. AD compliance, A&P/IA certs, Part 120 D&A testing.
- Operational Compliance Framework →
The complete operational compliance framework: regulators, document checklists, retention schedules, maturity model.
- Compliance Glossary →
Plain-language definitions of FMCSA, OSHA, CMS, EPA, HIPAA, CMMC, and state cannabis terms with CFR citations.
Regulatory Foundations for FAA Compliance
Aviation compliance in the United States is anchored in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, with the heaviest documentation burden falling on Part 135 charter operators, Part 145 repair stations, and Part 91 corporate flight departments. The bedrock airworthiness obligation lives at 14 CFR §91.7, which makes the pilot in command responsible for determining the aircraft is in condition for safe flight, a determination that depends on retrievable maintenance, inspection, and Airworthiness Directive evidence. Repair stations operating under 14 CFR Part 145 must maintain a Repair Station Manual, Quality Control Manual, and §145.219 work-order records that an FAA principal inspector can review on demand, while charter and on-demand operators under 14 CFR Part 135 carry parallel manual, training, and recordkeeping obligations tied to their Operations Specifications.
Layered on top of operator-specific rules are two cross-cutting maintenance frameworks. Airworthiness Directives issued under 14 CFR Part 39 are legally enforceable safety mandates: non-compliance with an AD is a per-violation event regardless of whether the aircraft was operated. The general performance, recordkeeping, and return-to-service rules at 14 CFR Part 43 govern every maintenance event on a type-certificated aircraft and define the §43.9 and §43.11 logbook entries that surveyors, insurers, and Wyvern/ARGUS auditors all demand. FAA civil penalties reach $37,377 per violation in 2026 (49 U.S.C. § 46301, inflation-adjusted), with separate accruals available for each day a violation continues, which is why a single missed AD or expired training record can compound into six-figure exposure during an enforcement action.
When an FAA inspector arrives for a ramp check, surveillance, or §145.215 audit, the inspector's first request is documentary evidence: pilot certificates and medicals, AD compliance status, the most recent §43.9 maintenance entry, training records under §135.293, manual-revision tracking under §135.21. FileFlo's compliance taxonomy maps every classified aviation document to the specific 14 CFR section that demands it, so an inspector asking for "the most recent §145.219 work-order on this rotable" gets an answer in seconds, not a frantic file-cabinet search.
How FileFlo Compares to Aviation Compliance Platforms
Capability comparison based on publicly available product documentation and vendor websites as of May 2026. FileFlo row highlighted. Compare pages link to detail breakdowns.
| Platform | Primary Use Case | 14 CFR Coverage | AD Tracking | Maintenance Records | Pricing Floor | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMP Systems | Continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP) for business + corporate fleets | Deep (Part 91 / 135 / 145 maintenance) | Yes (CAMP-tracked) | Yes (§43.9 / §91.417) | Custom quote | Demo only |
| Veryon (Traxxall) | Maintenance tracking + diagnostics post-merger | Deep (Part 91 / 135 maintenance) | Yes | Yes (§43.9 / §91.417) | Custom quote | Demo only |
| Flightdocs | Cloud-first maintenance tracking for Part 91 corp + Part 135 | Deep (Part 91 / 135 maintenance) | Yes | Yes (§43.9 / §91.417) | Custom quote | Demo only |
| WingX | Part 135 charter dispatch + flight ops | Partial (Part 135 dispatch focus) | No (maintenance via integrations) | Partial (ops logs) | Custom quote | Demo only |
| Avantext | Document management + manual distribution for Part 145 / Part 91 corp | Partial (manuals + tech pubs) | No (document reader) | No (manuals, not records) | Custom quote | Demo only |
| ATP CTS | Pilot training records + currency tracking | Partial (Part 61 / 135 training) | No (training-only) | No (training records only) | Custom quote | Demo only |
| FileFlo | CFR-cited document intelligence across every aviation doc type | Full (Part 91 / 135 / 145 + Part 39 + Part 43 cross-cited) | Yes (Part 39 + §91.403 sub-cited) | Yes (full chain-of-custody, §43.9 / §91.417 / §145.219) | $89/mo (Starter) | 5-day free trial |