Let ARGUS help your operation stand out with the Gold Certified Rating

Bloomfield, NJ (April 30, 2026) – Twenty-five years ago, ARGUS created the CHEQ rating system to analyze operators’ safety history and ensure they met stringent standards. This included a review of accidents and/or regulatory actions, verification of the AOC, D085 and insurance certificates, and validation of pilot type ratings and experience. Over time, ARGUS has recognized a need for greater due diligence to ensure the quality of the Gold rating.In 2025, we introduced the Gold Certified rating and began phasing out the legacy Gold rating. The legacy Gold rating will no longer be offered after May 2027, to be replaced by Gold Certified. Any current Gold operators who wish to maintain an ARGUS rating will have to complete an audit of their processes in addition to the existing CHEQ requirements.

For Gold Certified, we developed the ARGUS Basic Audit Standard (BAS) which is derived from the same ARGUS Audit Standard (AAS) used for Platinum ratings. Both are based on ICAO Annex 6 guidance and other recognized industry best practices. The BAS audit is considerably shorter than a full AAS audit, performed remotely in one day with one auditor.

While less demanding than a Platinum audit, the Gold Certified audit evaluates an operator’s conformance to essential elements from the same categories:

• Safety Management System and Emergency Response Plans

• Organization controls and personnel qualifications

• Manuals and recordkeeping

• Training of aircrew, maintenance, and operational control personnel

• Flight Operations management, SOPs, and operational control procedures

• Maintenance programs (maintenance control/planning, inspection programs, personnel qualifications, quality assurance, tool and parts control)

Additionally, all SMS questions are indexed to the relevant sections of Part 5, which will enable US operators to complete your FAA compliance statement with confidence. If you already have an SMS, the Gold Certified audit provides assurance that it is fully effective.

Any findings raised during the audit will be addressed through our Corrective Action process with our Audit Production manager, who will guide you to ensure corrective actions satisfy the intent of the standard. Once all findings are closed, you will receive your final audit report and Gold Certified certificate. Finally, ARGUS will promote your achievement through social media marketing and the argus.aero website.

Contact us today with questions on the ARGUS Gold Certification: https://www.argus.aero/products/argus-gold-certified

​​​​​​ABOUT ARGUS International

Founded in 1995, ARGUS International, Inc., an SGS Company, is a global leader in specialized aviation audit services, inspections, assessments, regulatory support, advanced Safety Management System (SMS) software, and aviation data solutions. Serving commercial, business, and helicopter operators worldwide, SGS ARGUS empowers organizations with the tools, insights, and expertise needed to elevate safety performance, enhance operational efficiency, and make confident, data-driven decisions. The SGS ARGUS mission is to build a safer, more connected global aviation community grounded in trusted expertise and innovative solutions that build lasting confidence across the industry. Learn more at www.ARGUS.aero.

Melissa Baumann, ARGUS International  

Director; Marketing | e:  melissa.baumann@argus.aero | t: +1-513.852.1022