ARGUS International, Inc. (now part of SGS) is a company that provides aviation safety ratings, audits, and data services for charter operators, flight departments, and brokers.

Key Programs

ARGUS Ratings (Gold, Gold Plus, Platinum)

  • Gold → Operator meets baseline safety requirements.
  • Gold Plus → Includes additional historical safety and aircraft operational analysis.
  • Platinum → The highest level, requiring an on-site safety audit of operational and maintenance practices.

  • CHEQ (Charter Evaluation and Qualification)
    ARGUS’s system that checks operator data, pilot background, training, and aircraft records to provide real-time safety reports.

  • Auditing & SMS
    They perform third-party audits on operators to verify compliance with safety management systems (similar to IS-BAO but via their own methodology).

Why It Matters in Aviation

  • Charter clients and brokers often use ARGUS ratings as a safety benchmark when choosing an operator.
  • Many corporations require ARGUS-rated operators to reduce liability and ensure their executives fly with proven safe operators.
  • Complements IS-BAO: ARGUS is more commercial-client focused, while IS-BAO is an international industry standard framework.