---
title: FAA Proposes $2,388,500 Fine Against Stratus Aviation for Operating Unairworthy Aircraft
canonical: https://federalfeed.com/faa-proposes-2-388-500-fine-against-stratus-aviation-for-operating-unairworthy-aircraft/
published: '2026-10-30T10:42:10-04:00'
updated: '2026-10-30T10:42:10-04:00'
author: FederalFeed Staff
section: Air Travel
tags:
- FAA
- Air Travel
source: Federal Aviation Administration
source_url: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-proposes-2388500-fine-against-stratus-aviation-llc-alleged-operation-unairworthy
publisher: FederalFeed
attribution: Copyright FederalFeed. Quote with credit to FederalFeed and a link to the canonical URL above.
---

# FAA Proposes $2,388,500 Fine Against Stratus Aviation for Operating Unairworthy Aircraft

On October 30, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a civil penalty of $2,388,500 against Stratus Aviation, LLC, doing business as Wings Flight School, located in Vacaville, California. The FAA alleges that in October 2022, Wings installed an unapproved temperature gauge in a Cessna 172M Skyhawk, rendering the aircraft unairworthy and operated it on approximately 280 flights between February 2023 and September 2024 in a careless or reckless manner.

Wings has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s notice to respond to the agency.

---

### Press Release: Federal Aviation Administration

*Reproduced in full from the [Federal Aviation Administration](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-proposes-2388500-fine-against-stratus-aviation-llc-alleged-operation-unairworthy).*

#### FAA Proposes $2,388,500 Fine Against Stratus Aviation, LLC for Alleged Operation of an Unairworthy Aircraft

Friday, October 30, 2026

**WASHINGTON**, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $2,388,500 civil penalty against Stratus Aviation, LLC (dba Wings Flight School) of Vacaville, California, for allegedly operating an unairworthy aircraft.

The FAA alleges Wings installed an unapproved temperature gauge in a Cessna 172M Skyhawk in October 2022, which made the aircraft unairworthy.

The FAA further alleges that Wings operated the unairworthy aircraft on approximately 280 flights between February 2023 and September 2024 in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger lives or property.

Wings has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s notice to respond to the agency.

Source: [Federal Aviation Administration](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-proposes-2388500-fine-against-stratus-aviation-llc-alleged-operation-unairworthy)