San Francisco (December 12, 2013)
– Solairus Aviation has once again proven its absolute commitment to safety by earning the arduous Stage Three certification of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), becoming one of less than 1% of North American private aviation operators to have done so. Solairus’ Stage Three certification not only confirms the organization’s ongoing commitment to the enhancement of its Safety Management System (SMS), but verifies that its crew members and staff are actively participating in the process. Stage Three is not about procedures and manuals; it is about participation, documentation, and process.
IS-BAO is a voluntary standard administered and awarded through on-site third party audits, recognized world wide as a high standard for safety, security, and efficiency in the private aviation industry. Solairus was originally awarded Stage One certification in early 2010 after the creation and implementation of the company’s SMS. In early 2011, Solairus earned Stage Two certification after proving the development and adherence to the SMS throughout the organization.
“The timeline for going from IS-BAO Stage One to Stage Two is mandated,” stated Solairus Vice President of Maintenance, Rene Cervantes. “Technically an operator can choose to remain at Stage Two indefinitely without ever obtaining Stage Three. With a fully implemented and effective SMS in place, we chose to push ourselves to obtain Stage Three the first year we were qualified to do so. IS-BAO certification is an exponential process with each audit becoming increasingly difficult to pass. Solairus has been through nearly 15 third-party audits in the past five years, and IS-BAO Stage Three was by far the most difficult, as it forced us to prove that we not only have correct safety procedures in place, but that those procedures are being objectively scrutinized and improved upon at a constant pace by the entire organization.”
For Solairus Safety Program Manager, Ryan Hernandez, highlighting Solairus’ dedication to improving safety performance as a goal in and of itself was key to securing Stage Three certification.
“The Stage Three audit process distinguishes itself by focusing on learning about Solairus’ internal ability to measure ourselves and how we take corrective action as needed,” Hernandez said. “In essence, Stage Three does not merely show that we have safety procedures written, it shows that those procedures are actively in use, that they are in a perpetual state of evolution, and that the metrics we use to measure our efforts are evaluated and championed at every link in the chain of command.”
For Chief Operating Officer, Greg Petersen, the manner in which Solairus achieved IS-BAO Phase Three certification is as impressive as the certification itself.
“A tremendous amount of work has gone into building the SMS that our Flight Ops, Maintenance, Training, Safety, and Dispatch departments steward on a daily basis,” Petersen said. “As a result of their efforts, Solairus’ successful audit report showed zero negative findings in any inspected areas, with several areas noted as ‘exceeding standards.’”
“This audit was measured against what has been determined to be ‘best practices’ in the industry. To be noted as exceeding standards indicates that we are not only clearing the hurdle, we are setting the bar in business aviation,” Petersen continued. “Solairus’ senior management has always held the belief that the safety of our passengers and our people is paramount. It is extremely rewarding to see that philosophy so passionately embraced by our team of dedicated professionals every day.”
About Solairus Aviation:
Solairus is a US-based private aviation services company whose core business is assisting aircraft owners with the safe, reliable, and efficient management and operation of their aircraft. Our services are customized to meet the client’s individual travel and financial requirements, and to support their flight operation with the highest standards of safety and personalized service, regardless of the location of the aircraft.
Solairus was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Solairus has over twenty-five base locations across the United States, Europe and Asia, employing more than two hundred flight crew and support personnel to operate a fleet currently numbering over fifty aircraft. Solairus is an Aviation Research Group/US Platinum-Rated and Wyvern Wingman certified charter operator. Solairus has also received the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award and is an IS-BAO Stage Three certified company. Solairus offers a full range of services in addition to aircraft management, which include aircraft charter sales, aviation support services, and consulting.
For more information about Solairus Aviation, visit www.solairus.aero or call 800-359-7861.
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Solairus Aviation Media Contact:
Eric Wildt
707-775-2788
ewildt@solairus.aero