What Are Part 135 Charter Flights and Why Do They Matter to Student Pilots?

When student pilots first start training, they often focus on airline careers or recreational flying. But there’s a lesser-known path that can be incredibly rewarding, dynamic, and even more accessible—flying charter under Part 135.

At Colorado Flight Center, we don’t just teach aviation—we operate a Part 135 air charter service too. And that opens up some exciting opportunities for students training with us.

What Is “Part 135”?

“Part 135” refers to the section of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that governs on-demand air charter operations.

Think of it like this:

Regulation	Applies To	Common Example
Part 91	Private operations	A private owner flying their own aircraft
Part 135	Commercial charter	Air taxi or private charter flights
Part 121	Scheduled airlines	Major carriers like United or Southwest

Under Part 135, operators can fly paying passengers or cargo on flexible schedules, usually in smaller aircraft. This includes:

• Business charters

• Medical flights

• Tourism flights

• Cargo deliveries

• Remote-area operations

Why Should Student Pilots Care about 135 Charter Flights?

If you’re training to be a commercial pilot or CFI, understanding and eventually flying under Part 135 can launch your career faster and provide valuable experience you can’t get anywhere else.

Here’s how:

1. Real-World Commercial Ops

Part 135 Charter Flight pilots fly in diverse weather, terrain, and scheduling conditions, often into smaller airports. You’ll learn to be flexible, sharp, and ready for anything—skills that airline recruiters love.

2. Earlier Job Opportunities

You can start flying for Part 135 operators with:

• A Commercial Certificate

• Just 500–1,200 hours of flight time (versus 1,500 for the airlines)

Some charter companies even hire dual-role CFI/Charter Pilots, helping you build experience and income simultaneously.

3. Exposure While You Train

At Colorado Flight Center, students see live charter operations in action. You might:

• Observe trip planning and dispatch

• Talk to active Part 135 pilots

• Learn how charter flying differs from Part 91 or airline ops

You’ll get a head start understanding what it takes to fly professionally, before you’ve even finished training.

What’s It Like to Fly Part 135?

Part 135 pilots enjoy variety and autonomy, but it’s not a “9 to 5” job. You’ll:

• Fly to remote or non-towered airports

• Adjust to last-minute schedule changes

• Build a deeper understanding of regulatory compliance and decision-making

If you enjoy problem-solving, hands-on flying, and working closely with passengers or clients, Part 135 might be your perfect match.

Common Misconceptions

“Charter flying isn’t as professional as airline flying.”❌ Not true. Part 135 operations must meet strict FAA safety standards, and many charter pilots later move on to Part 121 roles—or stay in charter because they enjoy the flexibility.

“You have to own your own plane to fly Part 135.”❌ Nope! Most charter pilots fly company-owned aircraft.

Launch Your Charter Career with CFC

At Colorado Flight Center, we’re uniquely positioned to help you:

• Learn Part 135 regulations firsthand

• Train with instructors who actively fly charter missions

• Explore potential job opportunities with our in-house charter team

We don’t just teach flying—we live it.

Ready to Explore the Charter Path?

Whether you want to fly for the airlines or carve your niche in charter aviation, it all starts with one flight.

Book your Discovery Flight with us today, and get a glimpse into the world of commercial aviation through the lens of Part 135.