Business Jet Safety

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A recent article announced 2011 was the safest year ever for business jets.

The improvement in aircraft safety over the years is a combination of efforts between regulatory agencies such as Transport Canada and the individual operators.  Within Canada for example every Canadian aircraft operator is subject to the safety standards outlined and monitored by Transport Canada. These standards represent a minimum benchmark from which Canadian aircraft operators are expected to operate their flight operations within.  However, it is highly encouraged that the respective private jet charter and all operators create and implement internal processes that help manage and minimize the inherent risks that exist within the operating environment.  At Air Georgian, for example, we have created and implemented a Safety Management and Quality Management System,  in parallel, has helped us achieve the highest industry safety standard — IATA Operational Safety Audit.

Our Safety Management System was designed to manage the inherent risks associated with operating with the aviation industry/environment. By having a well-defined and supported SMS program, Air Georgian is able to identify and manage attendant risks and hazards.

Each member of Air Georgian’s executive and management team, along with our front line flight operations and maintenance staff, are required to clearly understand their roles and responsibility with respect to our SMS program. As outlined in our Corporate Communication Policy, managers and employees share information related to safety via the company website, company bulletin and blog forums, company newsletters and various safety conferences and seminars. Moreover, Air Georgian has assigned a dedicated Corporate Safety Officer whose day-to-day responsibilities include; developing and maintaining a reporting system that collects and deciphers safety related data, identification of hazards and risk management analysis.  Air Georgian’s Quality Management System (QMS) was designed to enable our company to identify, measure, control and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our performance. In parallel with our Safety Management System, our corporate commitment to an effective QMS program further supports our desire to be an industry leader in the realm of safe and efficient processes. The success of any Quality Management System relies heavily on the engagement levels of its employees. At Air Georgian, we encourage and support senior management and front line employees actively and positively foster a culture of employing innovative and effective solutions to company performance related concerns.

Through an integrated set of policies, processes and procedures, the benefits of Air Georgian’s Quality Management System are:

*Mitigate risk by maintaining ongoing compliance;

*Eliminate silos of data and avoid duplicate data entry;

*Evaluate the status of company performance;

*Drive continual improvement of service quality; and

*Reduce costs and unlock frozen resources

Operators who choose to engage in the same high level of safety standards as that of Air Georgian will continue to benefit from having an impeccable safety record and it is our hope, for the safety of the industry, flight crews and passengers, that regulators adopt and enforce standards that continue to improve air safety travel.

Proactively Preparing Pilots

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Advanced pilot training and flight crew preparation is essential to the operation of any commercial private jet charter service.  Pilots must have finely tuned cognitive skills to operate an airplane and ensure the safety of all passengers on board.  Air charter operators likewise must verify their staff maintain these unique skills.

Air Georgian has chosen to partner with Ottawa Aviation Services to help ensure the selection of the qualified pilots and first officers for employment, while at the same time assembling a pool of qualified candidates for potential future hire.

OAS uses an advanced set of pilot selection tests to assess Air Georgian flight crew applicants. These assessments validate (1) advanced aptitude skills, (2) English language proficiency and (3) personality profiles. The COMPASS (Computerized Pilot Aptitude Screening System) tests were developed by the European Pilot Selection & Testing Company and are extensively used by airlines in Europe and Asia.

Air Georgian recently completed its first round of assessments using OAS’s COMPASS test services.  Based on the initial test results and performance in training, Air Georgian is confident this testing will have long term benefit within its flight training program as well as positively affecting pilot and flight crew retention.

Air Georgian and OAS are also partnering on a airline pilot provisioning service.  OAS will effectively train flight crew candidates based on requirements defined by Air Georgian as part of its integrated ATPL (Air Transport Pilot License) program. Candidates will then be interviewed by OAS using the basic and advanced COMPASS battery of tests. Approved candidates will be offered an opportunity to interview with Air Georgian for potential employment as first officers.

This pilot training program was officially announced via press release last week.

Boosting Airline Efficiency with Outsourced Flight Operations: Air Georgian Partners with World Air Operations

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Earlier this month, Air Georgian signed a partnership agreement with startup World Air Operations (World Air Ops) to provide a turnkey operational solution for airlines, business aviation departments and other worldwide aircraft operators. Airlines and other aircraft charter operators aiming to reduce costs and boost efficiency by outsourcing their operations can now turn to the Air Georgian-World Air Ops partnership.

Borrowed from a concept developed in the 1980s – outsourced aircraft maintenance – Air Georgian and World Air Ops offer aircraft operators complete outsourced operational support, thereby reducing costs and freeing them to concentrate on generating income through their core business of flying passengers and cargo. Each member brings its expertise to the team – World Air Ops is the provider of logistical and operational support, such as flight planning, securing air traffic rights, and sourcing fuel; while Air Georgian offers its infrastructure to provide flight dispatch and flight crew scheduling services. Together, they offer clients a total operational package.

Startups, existing airlines and corporate flight operators contracting this type of turnkey service, benefit by avoiding costly expenditures associated with operations, software and training. Operators who commit to outsourcing part or all of their operational elements realize both the cost and performance benefits of this outsourced model. They are more focused on their core competency and revenue-generating portion of their business, and have the confidence that a highly professional and competent team is managing their operational needs.

The outsourced operational support model is gaining traction among domestic and international operators, with an increase seen in both requests for information as well as presented proposals in 2011. Air Georgian and World Air Ops are certain that the outsourced model is a true winner and that 2012 will continue to see increased interest and commitments from operators.

Check out a press release for the announcement of this new Canadian outsourced flight operations partnership here.

 

Preparing for a Charter Flight with a Pet

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Starting December 15th, 2011, Air Georgian private aircraft charter customers will have the option of traveling with their Pet in the Cabin (PETC). This now aligns our scheduled flying policies, with those of our private jet charter department.  Advance reservation for PETC is required and it is strongly recommended it be done within 24 hours after making the booking to ensure that PETC can be accommodated.  Please contact Air Canada reservations for more details.

Below you will find some helpful tips to make sure your pet is ready for takeoff.

Preparing your pet for travel

  • Purchase a pet carrier or kennel well in advance so your pet has time to become familiar with its kennel.
  • The kennel must be prepared prior to check-in.
  • Feed your pet 4-6 hours prior to departure time as a full stomach may cause discomfort during travel.
  • Prior to arrival at the airport, give your pet adequate exercise.
  • Bring along a leash so that your pet can be taken for a walk prior to departure and upon arrival.
  • Provide your pet with water right up until check-in and then empty the water dish and leave it inside the kennel.
  • Arrive at the airport early (at least 30 minutes prior to the suggested check-in time).
  • Make sure your pet and/or the kennel has an identification tag with your home address, phone number as well as the address and phone number at your destination.  It is a good idea to include your pet’s name as well.
  • Pack a favorite toy or item for your pet.
  • Do not padlock the kennel in case airline staff needs to access your pet in the event of an emergency.
  • It is recommended that a veterinary certificate be provided for kittens less than twelve weeks old stating that the animal is fit to be transported.
  • In most cases, cats and dogs should not be given any tranquillizers or sedatives prior to travel.  Sedatives affect the animal’s natural ability to maintain balance and equilibrium, which can be dangerous when the kennel is moved.

Air Georgian Becomes a Calgarian Corporate Citizen

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Air Georgian recently joined the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and will be participating in several networking and local industry events.  Air Georgian is looking forward to meeting business and industry representatives from Calgary, gaining exposure for its aircraft charter and dedicated aircraft shuttle programs and expanding it customer base in the region. We believe the Calgary Chamber of Commerce is well positioned to help us achieve these goals and we are pleased to be a new member.

Air Georgian currently operates three Beech 1900D Airliners in Calgary.  Our air charter operations include Tier III regional airline support under the Air Canada Express brand, as well as our on-demand and scheduled private jet charter service.

Participating in the Regional Aviation Safety Council

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Air Georgian representatives attend numerous aviation industry events each year. Recently, Mike Munro (Halifax Base Manager) and myself attended Transport Canada’s Regional Aviation Safety Council conference in St. John’s, NL. This is an excellent event put on by Transport Canada’s Atlantic Region. Several topics were discussed by the many aviation industry professionals in attendance, all concerning best practices relating to both scheduled airline and aircraft charter operations. The opportunity to learn from the experiences of our peers is invaluable.  Air Georgian also actively contributed by giving a presentation on the Line Operations Safety Audit that we successfully conducted in 2010. Air Georgian will continue to attend this event, and others like it, as doing so plays an important role in our philosophy and commitment to continuous improvement.

Air Georgian’s Expansion Featured in the Canadian Business Journal

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Air Georgian, a proud member of the Air Canada Express family, is featured in the Canadian Business Journal for the expansion of its corporate jet charter services in Calgary and its addition of outsourced flight operations and crew scheduling services. Air Georgian will continue to expand its Canadian operations to address a growing corporate and private customer base.

What’s Not Allowed on a Private Jet Charter Flight

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We are asked this question on a regular basis and there is really no difference between a private jet charter flight and a regular commercial airline flight. But for clarity, here is an exhaustive list of prohibited items for passengers on all flights.

A.    Guns, firearms and other devices designed to cause serious injury by launching harmful objects or items that could be mistaken for such a device, including:

  • Firearms of all types, including pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns
  • Toy, replica and imitation weapons that could be mistaken for real weapons
  • Parts of firearms (excluding telescopic sights)
  • Compressed air and CO2 guns, including pistols pellet guns, rifles and ball bearing guns
  • Signal flare pistols and starter pistols
  • Bows, cross bows and arrows
  • Harpoon guns and spear guns
  • Slingshots and catapults

B.    Devices designed to stun or immobilise, including:

  • Devices for shocking, such as stun guns (e.g. tasers) and stun batons
  • Animal stunners
  • Chemicals, gases and sprays such as mace, pepper spray or capsicum spray, tear gas, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays

C.    Objects with sharp points or sharp edges that could be used to cause serious injury, including

  • Items designed for chopping, such as axes, hatchets and cleavers
  • Ice axes and ice picks
  • Razor type blades such as box cutters, utility knives, and safety razor blades
  • Knives or knife-like objects of any length
  • Scissors with blades longer than 6cm as measured from the fulcrum
  • Martial arts equipment with sharp points or sharp edges
  • Swords, sabres

D.   Work tools that could be used to either cause serious injury or threaten the safety of aircraft, including:

  • Crowbars, hammers
  • Drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power drills
  • Tools with shafts longer than 6cm (excluding the handle that could be used as weapons, such as screwdrivers and chisels
  • Saws, including cordless portable power saws
  • Blowtorches, gas torches
  • Bolt guns and nail guns

E.    Blunt objects that could be used to cause serious injury when used to hit, including:

  • Sporting bats
  • Golf clubs, billiard cues, ski poles
  • Hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks
  • Brass knuckles
  • Clubs and batons, such as billy clubs, blackjacks and night sticks
  • Martial arts weapons

F.    Explosive or incendiary substances or devices that could be used to cause serious injury or threaten the safety of the aircraft, including:

  • Ammunition, propellant powder, gunpowder
  • Blasting caps
  • Detonators & fuses
  • Replica or imitation explosive devices
  • Mines, grenades & other military supplies
  • Flares or fireworks
  • Canisters or cartridges that create smoke

G.   Liquids, aerosols and gels

  • liquids, aerosols or gels – other than formula, milk, breast milk, juice or food for infants- in containers that exceed 100 ml or 100 g in capacity and that do not all fit in a single clear plastic resealable bag that is sealed and does not exceed 1 L in capacity

H.    Dangerous goods

  • Dangerous goods as defined in section 2 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 that are not being transported as set out in Part 12 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations
  • Caustic materials (including acids)
  • Carbon dioxide cartridges and other compressed gases