Sextant Readings Solutions | 10/12

Obama taps Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx as Transportation Secretary

Posted on April 30, 2013 by SRS

President Barack Obama has tapped Charlotte, North Carolina Mayor Anthony Foxx as the next Transportation Secretary.

Should the Senate approve of the nomination, Foxx will replace Ray LaHood, who decided to step down from his position near the end of January.

LaHood decided to stay on until a suitable successor was found and in the time since then has been very vocal about the state of decline American infrastructure has found itself in.

LaHood also took to his FastLane blog to discuss Foxx’s nomination calling him “the right man for the job.” LaHood pointed out pieces of Foxx’s experience that deal with specific infrastructure issues the country is currently facing, citing the Charlotte Streetcar Project, improvements made to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the expanded LYNX light rail system, freight and passenger rail upgrades and redesigned intersections on Interstate 85.

In response to his nomination Foxx said reaching across the aisle will be a priority under his oversight. “We must work together across party lines to enhance this nation’s infrastructure,” he said

Business Aviation Safety Seminar (BASS) sponsored by Flight Safety Foundation and NBAA is one of the best safety forums for Business and Charter Aviation

Posted on April 17, 2013 by SRS

Sextant Readings Solutions.

I attended the 2013 Business Aviation Safety Seminar (BASS) in Montreal last week (formerly CASS).

The session was well presented from a safety perspective but more importantly to my view was the level of commitment and adoption from an aviation sector that is not subject to the 14 CFR Part 5 rule that will affect Part 121 operators this year. The sector is demonstrating aviation safety management leadership in the adoption of SMS concepts, practices, and principles.

We heard many discussions regarding Quality Management, Quality Assurance, safety assurance, charter aviation safety, helicopter safety management, and compliance issues and solutions.

I highly recommend you attend next year

NetJets is the First and Only Private Aviation Company to Achieve Level IV of the FAA’s Safety Management System Pilot Program

Posted on April 1, 2013 by SRS

NetJets® Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and the worldwide leader in private aviation, announced today that the company achieved a new safety milestone in entering Level IV of the FAA’s Safety Management System (SMS) Pilot Program.

“The achievement of SMS Level IV underscores NetJets’ commitment to safety and enhances NetJets’ overall compliance-plus aviation safety management system,” said Shane Eyer, president of NetJets Aviation. “NetJets is dedicated to providing the most stringent operational, maintenance and training procedures in the industry and we are proud to reach this important safety milestone.”

NetJets is the first and only private aviation company to achieve Level IV as well as the first fixed-wing 14 CFR 135 operator and the first combined 14 CFR 135 / 91K operator to enter this level.

The FAA Safety Management System Pilot Program provides a four-level system to acknowledge development of a formal SMS according to FAA expectations and international standards. The overall objective of the program is to guide operators with developing and implementing an integrated, comprehensive Safety Management System for their organization. To accomplish this safety milestone, NetJets conducted thousands of hours of additional safety training for its employee group, along with the creation of new management review procedures to ensure the highest levels of safety are always maintained.

When it comes to safety, NetJets never compromises. NetJets’ safety standards meet and in most cases exceed FAA regulatory requirements. From NetJets’ FAA-type-rated pilots for every aircraft type, dual-release system, biannual simulator sessions, superior flight attendant training, FAA-approved in-house meteorologists, international flight planners to the state-of-the-art aircraft and FAA Diamond award winning maintenance program, NetJets leads the industry in every aspect of flight safety.

About NetJets® Inc.

NetJets® Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway® company, is the worldwide leader in private aviation with the largest and most diverse private jet fleet in the world. NetJets began in 1964 as the first aircraft charter and management company in the world. In 1986, NetJets pioneered the concept of fractional aircraft ownership – offering individuals and businesses all of the benefits of whole aircraft ownership and more, at a fraction of the cost. Today, NetJets offers a full range of private aviation solutions through its fractional programs in North America and Europe, including NetJets Shares, NetJets Leases and the Marquis Jet Card®, which provides access to NetJets though a 25-hour jet card. The North America program is managed and operated by NetJets’ subsidiary NetJets Aviation, Inc., and the European program is managed and operated by NetJets Transportes Aéreos, SA, a Portuguese/EU Air Carrier. In the United States, NetJets also offers aircraft management and on-demand charter services through its subsidiary, Executive Jet® Management, Inc. The NetJets companies offer worldwide flight operations. More information on NetJets, NetJets Europe, the Marquis Jet Card, and Executive Jet Management is available at www.netjets.com .

Jet Edge International Enhances Fleet with Addition of Gulfstream GV

Posted on March 29, 2013 by SRS

Press release March 28, 2013, 9:03 a.m. EDT

LOS ANGELES, Mar 28, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Jet Edge International, one of the fastest-growing large cabin aircraft management and charter companies in the U.S., has announced the addition of a Gulfstream GV aircraft with worldwide WIFI. The new addition will compliment the current Jet Edge GV fleet and be solely dedicated to charter. In addition to the GV, Jet Edge will receive a G650 in early 2014, which will also be dedicated to charter.

“Jet Edge is extremely pleased to add another GV aircraft to our fleet. Our fleet growth is a testament to our seasoned operational team, safety systems and internal sales culture. We’re proud to provide our clients with one of the largest fleets of well-appointed Gulfstream aircraft in the world,” said Bill Papariella, president of Jet Edge International.

The new GV has 13 seats and a private aft cabin bedroom suite that includes a large aft lavatory, as well as a walk-in closet. The jet also has sleeping accommodations for three in the forward cabin, a comprehensive full-sized forward galley, forward lavatory, and an extensive entertainment system featuring Air Show and worldwide Wi-Fi. The Jet Edge charter fleet consists of GV, G450, GIVSP, GIV, GIII, and G200 large cabin aircraft located within the United States and China. Jet Edge will also be adding a GIV and GIVSP early in the second quarter of 2013, as well as two new Gulfstream 280s in 2013. Jet Edge moved to a wholesale charter model in mid-2012, which allows the company to serve the broader sales distribution network in the United States and return greater ROI to their aircraft owners

“Our mission since acquiring the company in August 2011 has been to generate a safe, reliable and charter-friendly fleet of large cabin aircraft in strategic locations across the globe. By sticking to the model of ‘like aircraft,’ it provides our sales distribution network with reliability, mechanical recovery and ease of booking, and our owners get unique charter revenue opportunities unlike those available with a ‘home base’ sales approach,” said Papariella.

About Jet Edge International

Jet Edge International, a Bard Capital Company, has quickly become a leader in private aviation and one of the fastest-growing, full-service integrated large cabin jet management and service companies in the world. Jet Edge International offers individuals and companies 365-day-a-year guaranteed access to one of most diverse and state of the art large cabin and super mid-size jet fleets in the world, with unparalleled and award-winning safety programs. Jet Edge International also offers aircraft management, charter management, on-demand charter, aircraft acquisition and sales, and maintenance services. The Jet Edge leadership team’s aviation expertise spans flight operations, charter management, aircraft sales, marketing, and maintenance management. For more information on Jet Edge International, please visit www.flyjetedge.com. SOURCE: Jet Edge International

Bristow Group Announces Major New Search And Rescue Contract Award In The United Kingdom

Posted on March 27, 2013 by SRS

Bristow has a 36-year history of providing UK Search and Rescue services – Employment opportunities anticipated for the UK workforce in facilities, aircraft manufacture, and operations – Contract expected to generate approximately $2.5 billion in revenue

HOUSTON, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Bristow Group Inc. the leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, announced today that The Department for Transport in the United Kingdom has awarded its UK affiliate Bristow Helicopters Limited (Bristow Helicopters) a new contract to provide civilian Search and Rescue (SAR) services for all of the UK. The SAR services contract has a phased-in transition period beginning in April 2015 and continuing to July 2017 and a contract length of approximately ten years.

Under the terms of this contract, Bristow Helicopters will provide 11 Sikorsky S-92 and 11 AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters that will be located at ten bases across the UK. Each SAR base will operate either two S-92s or two AW189s. In addition to the ten bases with 20 aircraft, there will be two fully SAR-equipped training aircraft that can be deployed to any base as needed.

William E. Chiles, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are honored that our affiliate Bristow Helicopters was selected by The Department for Transport to provide this vital service for the people of the United Kingdom. This award will employ 22 of the world’s most technologically advanced and safest helicopters which will dramatically improve the capability to save lives and significantly reduce the UK Government’s costs for the next decade. It is planned that some of the military personnel currently involved in SAR in the UK will join Bristow Helicopters to work under this contract, and we look forward to welcoming them into the Bristow family.”

In early 2012, Bristow Helicopters was awarded a Gap SAR services contract that commences in July 2013, utilizing four, latest technology S-92 helicopters based in Scotland at Stornoway and Sumburgh. The Gap SAR contract is expected to run for about four years until transition occurs for these two bases to the new longer-term contract announced today.

Mike Imlach, Bristow Helicopters Managing Director, said, “Bristow Helicopters has a proven reputation for exceptional UK search and rescue services, having performed such services over 36 years with world-class operations that included unmatched flight safety performance, extensive aircrew training, first class maintenance facilities, supply-chain partners, and project procurement and contract management. Affiliates of Bristow Group Inc. currently operate similar search and rescue services in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Dutch Antilles, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, and Trinidad.”

Under the terms of this new SAR contract, Bristow Helicopters currently anticipates earning approximately $2.5 billion in revenue. Jonathan Baliff, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, added, “We believe that these contract terms and conditions are transformative from an operational and financial standpoint for our company. The number of helicopters operated, combined with the revenue and earnings generated under this contract, will create both a larger and lower risk company going forward.”

“The total capital requirement for this project is expected to be approximately $1 billion, much of which is dedicated to the acquisition of 22 of the most technologically advanced, SAR-equipped S-92 and AW189 helicopters ever built. We believe that the financing plan based on our company’s capital strength was an important criterion for the selection of Bristow Helicopters to provide this life saving service which requires a high level of safety and on-time reliability, and at higher service levels and lower cost than previously anticipated by the UK government. We are confident that Bristow Helicopters will provide excellent rescue services to the people of the United Kingdom.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this news release that state Bristow’s or management’s intentions, expectations or predictions of the future – including its ability to complete and fund the above-referenced SAR services, the timing for beginning the SAR services, expected revenue generation and whether the SAR services will be beneficial to Bristow’s operations are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statement as result of unanticipated circumstances including but not limited to termination of the contract by the Department or higher costs. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially is contained from time to time in Bristow’s SEC filings, including but not limited to Bristow’s annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Bristow Group Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, including financial estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ABOUT BRISTOW GROUP INC. Bristow Group Inc. is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. The Company has major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Trinidad. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.bristowgroup.com.

        Contact: Linda McNeill
                 Bristow Group Inc.
                 (713) 267-7622

Bristow Group is has a long history of supporting Helicopter and rotor safety, compliance, safety assurance, quality management, and safety integration.  As an active member of Helicopter Association International (HAI Safety) and promotes Helicopter Safety Management to the industry

Heli-Expo 2013 Safety Challenge provides insight into safety issues

Posted on March 19, 2013 by SRS

The Heli-Expo 2013 Safety Challenge provided insights into all aspects of Safety Management from Safety Culture and leadership through Flight Operations and Maintenance to safety analysis and preventative actions.

Well received by al attendees, the Safety Challenge attendance reflects the growing interest in all things related to Safety.

As SMS consultants, auditors (IS-BAO) and solution providers, we extend our thanks to HAI for creating the Safety challenge and for its choice of speakers who imparted their knowledge.

As helicopter organizations begin to implement safety management programs, we support the industry with expertise, leading-edge solutions, mobile safety management access, and integration of FOQA and FRMS to support your safety culture. If we can help you, please call us at 415 689 4SMS or visit us at www.sextantreadings.com.

Proud members of HAI

Trends on Rotorcraft Safety in the current FAA Safety Briefing provides good insight

Posted on March 8, 2013 by SRS

Lee Roskop, an operations research analyst in the FAA Rotorcraft Directorate, has written an excellent article in the current March/April) of the FAA Safety Briefing.

He says “The trend in U.S. rotorcraft accidents in 2012 reinforced the message that the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), the government, and the rotorcraft industry groups have communicated for years; that is, too many helicopter accidents occur in three industry sectors: personal/private, instructional/ training, and aerial application.”

He also comments that “The data and analysis from 2012 paint a clear picture of the problem.”

The accident trend continues even though IHST, the FAA, other government groups, and the rotorcraft industry have reinforced the message that pilots and operators need to take steps to ensure safer flights.

See the article at What’s Trending in Rotorcraft Safety?

Corporate Flight Department

Posted on March 5, 2013 by SRS

The decision to implement an enterprise-wide Safety Management Information System (SMIS) reflects a significant and highly visible commitment of time and capital to a successful safety culture and sets a framework for the collection, analysis and sharing of safety information.

Organizations are expected to define, document and communicate the safety roles, responsibilities and authorities throughout the organization. The SMIS provides a mechanism to capture the roles and responsibilities of the organization’s members for effective routing and assignment of safety-related tasks and activities.

Key safety personnel must be clearly identified in the organization. The SMIS should enable the free flow of hazard and safety event information to these individuals whether fully identifiable, de-identified or anonymous while providing tools for monitoring the effectiveness of safety risk controls.

Ensuring adequate preparedness is contingent on all participants having rapid access to the most current, up-to-date plans and procedures, effective training and documentation and active testing and validation of the Plan and the organization’s ability to implement it.

SMS documentation and records are extensive, reflecting more than just the organization’s SMS Manual and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). All safety-related documentation needs to be configuration/revision controlled. Key recipients (copyholders) must be assured access to the most current versions and the organization must be able to verify receipt and acknowledgement of key documents and removal of obsolete documents. Records control is also a key concern for safety management as well as for compliance. The SMIS should have the capability monitor and control the currency and status of all key documents and records supporting the safety of the operation.

As the saying goes, “the only constant is change”. Today’s dynamic aviation organizations are constantly bombarded with changes that impact their operations, both internally (mission requirements, economic challenges, fleet mix, employee turnover, reorganizations, etc.) and externally (new customers, regulatory requirements, noise restrictions, and procedures, etc.). The SMIS must be flexible enough to accommodate continuous change while providing a consistent structure and functionality that enhances change management rather than obstructing it. This includes the ability to quickly add and remove resources (people) from the system while capturing and reapplying standardized requirements, automatically within the SMIS.

With change comes the opportunity for continuous improvement and continuous improvement demands change. It’s a continuous cycle. Key to successful improvement is the ability to analyze safety performance and identify gaps or weaknesses with improvement potential. Whether identified through audits and evaluations, data analysis, corrective and preventive actions or management reviews, the SMIS must provide the ability to analyze performance, identify opportunities for improvement and enable the successful introduction of changes into the environment.

Safety communication and awareness is about more than displaying banners and slogans in the break room. Real-time access to critical safety information, delivered to all relevant personnel is a minimum requirement for the SMIS. By engaging all involved personnel, expectations and awareness is raised. A SMS Information Management solution when fully implemented, it (i) collects safety data; (ii) tracks, reports, and accesses risk: (iii) assigns responsibility for corrective action/ preventive action; and (iv) A SMS Information Management solution analysis capability with real-time graphical presentations. It integrates with your existing email and network environment to provide active notification and escalation communications based on user-defined thresholds. A SMS Information Management solution integrates customer complaint management, supplier management, employees, training and assets into a single data system providing you with an unmatched capability to monitor and manage safety across all of your operations. A SMS Information Management solution supports voluntary and confidential reporting including ASAP, MSAP, ISAP, RSAP (Air, Maintenance, In-flight and Ramp Safety Action Programs respectively), integrates with FOQA and FRMS (such as Jeppesen’s CrewAlert, enables mobile users, and supports IEP programs.

Unlike other software solutions that focus exclusively on reporting, a SMS Information Management solution is based on the PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT cycle promoted by FAA and ICAO in the Global Aviation Safety Roadmap and ISO for global quality systems. This enables a systematic and holistic approach to Safety Management with a single, central solution that integrates the management and analysis of incidents alongside proactive SMS activities such as internal audit providing effective Safety Risk Management and Safety Assurance.

Join our LinkedIn Group “Safety Management (SMS) for Business and Charter Aviation”

Posted on February 28, 2013 by SRS

Our LinkedIn group “Safety Management (SMS) for Business and Charter Aviation” is rapidly expanding.

Join our group and actively participate in discussions about Safety Management implementation and experiences in Business, Corporate Flight Department and Charter Aviation

The Group is here: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2539391&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr