NATA News

This fall, the Certified QC Inspector Workshop will provide attendees with a comprehensive advanced education in fuel handling topics. On September 10-11 (Van Nuys, CA), attendees will enhance their knowledge on fuel characteristics, filtration, sampling and testing, maintenance, and setting up a conformant inspection program. Additionally, this course will cover the importance of QC record keeping and documentation, along with how to prepare for a QC audit. To register, read testimonials, or for more information, including the agenda, click here.

Long Island, New York-based private jet charter provider, ExcelAire, is the latest aircraft operator to receive Stage III registration under the International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO). The program, launched in 2002, is a voluntary set of industry best practices that embraces the safety management system (SMS) culture. Companies must successfully pass audits to advance through the program. “Our commitment to the highest safety and performance standards provides our customers the kind of assurance and peace of mind afforded by only the finest operators,” said ExcelAire president Rob Sherry, noting the company maintains its ARG/US Platinum and Wyvern Wingman status and is also working to join the FAA’s SMS Voluntary program, which would grant the agency oversight over the carrier’s SMS protocol, adding another level of supervision to its safety program. Read more here.

Clay Lacy’s newest MRO—at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) Oxford, Connecticut—has secured FAA Part 145 certification. The approval gives Clay Lacy its third FAA Part 145 repair station, joining others at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD), both in California. This approval comes a little more than a year after the West Coast-headquartered Clay Lacy opened the OXC location, expanding its reach into the maintenance market and giving it an MRO anchor in the Northeast. Its OXC site spans 65,000 sq ft and houses factory-trained technicians and capabilities to provide service on Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault, Cessna, Embraer, and Hawker airframes. “Clients can rely on a highly skilled and trusted local resource for AOG support, line maintenance, avionics troubleshooting, and repairs, and interior updates and reconditioning,” said Chris Hand, Senior VP for Clay Lacy. Read more here.

Last week, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) announced that L.J. Aviation renewed its status on the ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry. “We congratulate L.J. Aviation on renewing their status on the IAS Registry,” said ACSF president Bryan Burns. “They have once again demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement.” The IAS is the first and only extensive audit program specifically created for on-demand operators by a committee of Part 135 and 91K industry leaders. It is conducted every 24 months and is in-depth in its evaluation of regulatory compliance and the operator’s SMS program against both FAA and international standards. Customers should look for the ACSF IAS registered logo and encourage their preferred charter provider to participate in the program. The ACSF makes its operator registry and key company details available at no charge, so verification of IAS registration is quick and easy. Charter consumers can view the registry at www.acsf.aero/registry. Supporting materials are available at www.acsf.aero/audit. Operators wishing to initiate the audit process should contact Russ Lawton at 1-888-SAFE-135 (888-723-3135).