WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $382,000 civil penalty against Universal Flight Training of Sarasota, Fla.,  for allegedly conducting illegal passenger-carrying flights.

The FAA alleges that between October 2015 and February 2019, Universal Flight Training and its affiliate, Universal Flight Services, conducted at least 26 paid passenger-carrying flights in multiple airplanes. The agency alleges the companies did not have the required FAA operating or air carrier certificate to conduct those flights. 

The FAA further alleges the companies used unqualified pilots who did not complete FAA-required training, testing, and competency checks. 

Universal Flight Training and Universal Flight Services have been in contact with the FAA about the case.