The FAA earlier this month proposed a $285,000 penalty against Exec 1 Aviation, a midwest business aircraft charter provider, for using what it describes as "unqualified pilots" on multiple passenger flights.

The agency alleges that during a 30-day period between May and June 2015, Iowa-based Exec 1 Aviation conducted a total of 100 flights in a Cessna 500 Citation, 79 of which had revenue passengers on board, using 12 pilots who were unqualified due to their failure to complete required initial or recurrent training. Instructional subjects the pilots had not completed included cold-weather operations, engine-inoperative procedures, and abnormal and emergency procedures, among others.

Exec 1 Aviation has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s letter to respond to allegations.