Surf Air Mobility secures FAA approval for OperatorOS software
- Surf Air Mobility receives FAA approval for OperatorOS flight software
- Approval covers Part 135 certificate for Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines
- Software enables electronic signatures, records, and manuals replacing paper processes
- Company plans to commercialize OperatorOS for other Part 135 operators

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Surf Air Mobility Inc. (NYSE: SRFM) has received Federal Aviation Administration approval for its proprietary OperatorOS flight operations software. The authorization allows the company’s airlines to use electronic alternatives to paper signatures, records, and manuals.
The FAA approval covers the Part 135 certificate under which Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines operate. This regulatory clearance permits pilots, mechanics, dispatchers, and trainers to work from screens rather than paper binders. Crew records, training data, weight and balance calculations, bulletins, and safety reports are now electronic.
Operational Scope
The digital transformation extends to every aircraft manual on the certificate, including the pilot operating handbook. OperatorOS serves as an authorized system of record for these critical documents. The software was developed and tested within Surf Air Mobility’s own airline operations before external release.
Louis Saint-Cyr, President of Airline Operations at Surf Air Mobility, stated that OperatorOS has made airline operations more efficient, reliable, and profitable. He noted that many Part 135 operators still rely on paper records and manual processes. Saint-Cyr described the FAA’s authorization as a vote of confidence in the software.
What the Numbers Show
The approval validates a shift from legacy paper-based systems to a unified digital platform. By consolidating crew records, safety reports, and aircraft manuals into a single electronic system, Surf Air Mobility aims to reduce operational friction. This integration supports the company’s strategy to commercialize OperatorOS for other operators beyond its own subsidiaries.
What is Surf Air Mobility's projected timeline and pricing strategy for commercializing OperatorOS to third-party Part 135 operators?
How might the adoption of electronic records and digital manuals impact the operational cost structure and profit margins of Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines?
Are there plans to seek FAA approval for OperatorOS under other regulatory parts, such as Part 121, to expand its applicability to larger commercial carriers?































