Aviation Industry’s Highest Safety Rating Embodies 'Culture Of Safety'

Flexjet has again received the most prestigious aviation safety rating in the United States, the Aviation Research Group/US (ARG/US) Platinum Safety Rating. Flexjet has now earned the biennial Platinum Rating for five consecutive two-year periods since 2008.

The ARG/US rating is the result of independent assessments and a multi-day, onsite audit that measures companies against the aviation industry’s best practices for safety.

“Of all the awards and distinctions Flexjet has received through the years, none means so much to us as the ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, which goes to the heart of our mission: The safe passage of our Owners, clients and flight crews,” said Flexjet Chief Executive Officer Michael Silvestro. “Earning this award for the fifth time is the result of the dedication of our pilots and flight crews, our operations staff and our maintenance and ground crews.”

ARG/US, an independent aviation research firm, provides safety ratings for aircraft operators based upon onsite audits and analyses using recognized benchmarks. Companies that have achieved the very highest safety standards earn the Platinum Rating. The ARG/US audit requires that an air carrier have a well-developed safety management system, a clear and workable emergency response plan, effective policies and procedures as well as documented records for all major aspects of operations and maintenance.

“The ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating is earned by only a relative handful of aircraft operators that meet or exceed strict standards for equipment, maintenance, flight crew experience and other factors that contribute to safety,” said Flexjet Chief Safety Officer Alan W. Ray. “We are proud of this distinction and the culture of safety it reflects, and work to earn it every single day.”

Out of the nation’s 2,159 commuter, charter and on-demand aviation companies, only 6 percent are rated Platinum by ARG/US. Companies can earn the safety rating, first offered by ARG/US in 2000, through a biennial assessment of seven demanding industry best practices including historical safety ratings, current aircraft and pilot background checks and passage of a rigorous on-site safety audit that takes several weeks to complete. The Platinum Rating is awarded only to experienced operators who meet the criteria for Gold and pass the ARGUS Platinum onsite safety audit.

The company also pursued and completed the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) audit and is registered as complying with the global standard. IS-BAO is a global, voluntary code of best practice with a safety management system at its core. Tailored specifically for business aviation operators, it is built upon and consistent with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization. This compliance is essentially an international standard of excellence in safety programs.

In addition to the ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, Flexjet was the first fractional jet ownership program to meet the increasingly strict Industry Audit Standard of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, perhaps the toughest standard for Part 135 air carriers.

Just this month, Flexjet earned the FAA's coveted Diamond Award of Excellence for the 18th consecutive year, more than any other provider of private jet travel. The Diamond Award is the FAA’s highest honor for maintenance training and recognizes a carrier’s commitment to excellence in maintenance, a crucial component of safety. Flexjet also is an active participant in the FAA’s innovative Part 5 Safety Management System.

(Source: Flexjet news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.flexjet.com