The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order Friday immediately revoking the air carrier certificate of StarFlite Aviation, a Part 135 operator based in Houston, Texas. According to the FAA, the action follows findings that company management personnel knowingly falsified pilot training records.
The FAA alleges that between November 2019 and November 2024, management made multiple false entries in the training records of at least 10 pilots, including the chief pilot. The entries indicated that required check rides and competency checks had been completed in various aircraft when they had not occurred. The agency said StarFlite subsequently used pilots who were not properly qualified for at least 170 flights.
In addition, the FAA stated that StarFlite Aviation does not have qualified management personnel in place to ensure operational safety. StarFlite may appeal the emergency order by filing a notice with the National Transportation Safety Board.
The company’s website was not accessible as of Friday.
Interesting back story. According to court records 1., David Trigg- the current president of Starflite, was previously banned by the FAA from holding a 135 management position (Chief Pilot, DO, DOM) for NOT recording flights on leased aircraft so they didn’t have to pay the owner. This resulted in normal maintenance not being done and a host of other bad things.
I was informed that Starflite voluntarily stopped 135 ops when the FAA first started investigating the checkride issue back in 2024 (they continue to operate for several 91 jet owners). “Emergency Revocation” sounds like the FAA acts swiftly in cases like these but their published list of certificate actions shows it is typically two years from initial investigation to action-- even when you have operators/principals with a sorted history (including fatalities on checkrides)2. like Starflite and David Trigg.
1.https://www.txcourts.gov/All_Archived_Documents/14thCOA/Case/Opinions/052500/990187f.PDF
2.Aviation Accident Summary DEN03FA155