Part 135 Employer Services — Nacelle Partners

Part 135 HR Challenges Aren't Normal HR Problems

Managing crew payroll, multi-base operations, and pilot benefits with standard HR tools is a problem that never gets better on its own.

Crew Classification Is Complicated

Part 135 pilots are employees — not contractors — but most WC and benefits providers treat flight crew as too high-risk to cover, or classify them incorrectly, leaving you exposed.

Multi-State Payroll Across Bases

Your crew flies from three bases in two states. Your dispatch team is remote. Your admin is at HQ. Managing payroll, state taxes, and benefits across all of that with a generic system is a part-time job in itself.

Benefits Your Flight Crew Won't Sneer At

Pilots and flight crew have seen airline-level benefits packages. Generic small-business health plans don't cut it. The gap between what you offer and what the regionals offer is why you lose crew.

FAA and DOT Compliance Administration

Random drug testing, alcohol misuse prevention, flight records, duty time tracking — the compliance burden on a Part 135 operator is enormous, and most HR vendors don't know what any of it means.

The Nacelle Employer Services Platform for Part 135 Operators

One employer services agreement covers your flight crew, dispatchers, and ground staff — with payroll, benefits, and WC built for how charter operations actually run.

WC for Flight Crew — Actually Covered

Workers' comp for Part 135 pilots and flight crew using correct aviation WC class codes. Pay-as-you-go billing tied to actual payroll, not estimated deposits. No year-end audit.

Flight Crew Benefits That Compete

Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability at group rates. Benefits packages built to retain commercial pilots and crew who have options — including going to the regionals.

Multi-State Payroll for Distributed Crews

Pilot pay, expense reimbursements, per diem, crew scheduling premiums, and state tax filing across every base — all processed through one payroll agreement.

FAA and DOT Compliance Support

Drug testing program administration (random, post-accident, pre-employment), records management, and flight duty time compliance support — built into your HR services.

Retirement Plans for Long-Tenure Crew

401(k) with employer match helps retain experienced pilots and crew. Give your Part 135 operation the retention tools that regional airlines use.

One Agreement for the Whole Operation

Pilots, crew, dispatchers, and ground staff. All under one employer services agreement. One renewal, one point of contact.

Everything Included Under One Agreement

No à la carte. No hidden services. One employer services agreement covers your entire workforce — every role, every state.

Payroll & Tax

Pilot and crew payroll processing
Multi-state tax filing across all bases
Per diem and expense reimbursement processing
Duty pay premiums and scheduling differentials
W-2 administration
State new hire reporting

Employee Benefits

Medical, dental, vision for crew and staff
Life and accidental death coverage
Long-term disability (especially for pilots)
HSA and FSA administration
COBRA compliance
Employee Assistance Program

Workers' Compensation (Pay-As-You-Go)

WC for Part 135 flight crew — correct class codes
Pay-as-you-go on actual payroll, no deposits
Claims management and return-to-duty support
No year-end premium audits
State WC filings handled
Experience mod tracking

HR & Compliance

FAA drug and alcohol testing program admin
DOT compliance documentation
Flight crew onboarding and I-9 / E-Verify
Employee handbook for Part 135 operations
FAA record compliance support
Termination and offboarding documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you cover our pilots under the employer services program?

Yes. Pilots and flight crew employed by your Part 135 certificate are covered under the Nacelle employer services program — payroll, benefits, and workers' comp. Correct WC class codes are applied from day one.

We operate across multiple states — can you handle that?

Absolutely. Multi-state payroll, tax filing, and WC compliance is core to what we do for Part 135 operators. Each base can have separate cost-center reporting while running through a single employer services agreement.

How does pay-as-you-go WC work for flight crew?

WC premium is calculated each payroll period based on actual wages and correct aviation class codes for your crew. No estimated deposits, no annual audit. You pay what you owe — period.

Do you handle the FAA drug testing program?

Yes. Your FAA-required anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention program is administered through your HR services. Random testing, pre-employment testing, post-accident protocols, and record retention.

Can we really offer competitive benefits against the regional airlines?

Through the Nacelle group plans, your pilots and crew access group health, dental, vision, and disability coverage at rates you couldn't get independently. Not identical to a major carrier, but genuinely competitive with regionals — which is where your recruitment competition actually is.

Employer Services Built for Part 135 Operations