Industry-Leading Private Aircraft Safety Initiatives
Safety, security, regulatory compliance, and quality; these are our top priorties at all times and at all levels. They are the priorities supported by our company values and an underlying philosophy that inspires all of our actions to ensure we continue setting the standard for world-class aviation services.
We strive to operate above and beyond FAA and international regulatory standards. The safety designations bestowed upon us reflect our organization’s commitment and adherence to regulations and established industry procedures, and ensures our processes are certified and continuously monitored and improved.
Safety Management System
Safety Management System (SMS) is a quality management approach to controlling flight-related risks by providing accessible tools for monitoring safety-related processes. Pentastar Aviation’s own Safety Management System incorporates operational risk profiling with internal evaluation and quality assurance concepts, resulting in more structured management and continuous improvement in contingency operations. In addition, our robust SMS highlights our steadfast commitment to safety, ensuring secure ramp access and a safe environment for anyone who enters our facility.
Air Charter Safety Foundation
Pentastar Aviation is a member of the Air Charter Safety Foundation. The organization’s mission is to lead and support the advancement of the highest standards available to allow the business, charter and fractional ownership industry to offer the safest air transportation products in the world and to provide objective information about these standards and services to the public. Their vision is to promote and enable to highest levels of safety in personal and business aviation by promotion and facilitation of risk management programs, advocacy and support for the industry adoption of a common audit standard, dissemination of safety information, and creation of additional programs that advance the goals of the foundation.
ARG/US Platinum Rating
PACI holds an ARG/US Platinum Rating – The highest safety accreditation available, awarded only to those experienced operators who meet the criteria for the ARG/US Gold Rating and successfully pass a biennial ARG/US on-site safety audit. This on-site safety audit, administered by an independent unbiased third party, requires authentication of a well-developed Safety Management System, a clear and workable Emergency Response Plan, effective policies and procedures and documented records for all major aspects of operations and maintenance within a flight department or charter company.
Emergency Response and Preparedness
Pentastar Aviation has a well-documented Emergency Response Plan in place, should an emergency situation occur. We care about our employees and clients and regularly review our protocols and procedures, and conduct practice drills to test our preparedness. Our priority will always be first and foremost to protect people and ensure we are ready, responsive, and able to spring into action quickly.
“Safety, quality, and customer care cannot be measured simply by looking at websites or marketing materials. The highest performing aviation companies display a common set of day to day service behaviors, and invest in exceptional services to complement their robust safety culture. I have seen these exemplary qualities at Pentastar firsthand. Where most aviation companies just have a plan for contingencies, Pentastar has a comprehensive Program, ready around the clock to address any magnitude of service disruption, anywhere in the world. Our partnership spans over ten years, and Pentastar continually sets the example for the business aviation industry. They invest significant resources and time testing, monitoring, and improving their processes, all to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for their customers. We are proud to be their emergency services partner, and know they are well prepared to handle any unforeseen circumstance. If they ever need us, we will be right by their side to support them.” – Don Chupp, President and CEO, Fireside Partners Inc.
International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling
International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) is designed to promote use of industry best practices blended through a progressive Safety Management System (SMS) for Fixed Based Operations (FBO) and Business Aircraft Handling Agencies (BAHA). It provides baseline requirements for structuring a FBO/BAHA in the planning and conduct of their operations; it challenges these organizations to review their current systems, programs and procedures, recognize strengths and weaknesses in those procedures, and upgrade to a higher standard. The standard is based on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices in the preparation of handling business aircraft.The program centers on the Safety Management System (SMS) developed by ICAP and other operations-critical industries. It leads the operator from establishment of beginning principles to a sustainable SMS and operations program to a performance-based, risk averse culture for both large and small FBO/BAHA’s. Audits conducted every two years ensure conformance with the standard and provide valuable feedback to the operator. The registration certificate issued upon successful completion of an audit serves as proof of compliance with several key ICAO standards, which are required for operations in a number of countries.
National Air Transportation Association’s Safety First Training
Our Line Service Technicians receive thorough training and certification through the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) stringent Safety First Professional Line Service Training program.
International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations
International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) is a code of best practices based on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) International Standards and Recommended Practices. It is designed to help business aviation operational departments worldwide achieve a high level of safety and professionalism. Pentastar Aviation Charter, Inc. is registered as a Stage 2 IS-BAO operator.
National Air Transportation Association’s Safety First Clean Certification
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Safety 1st Clean standard certification, is a cleaning guideline developed in response to infectious disease and provides guidance on facility cleaning, disinfecting and facility operations in response to a pandemic. The goal of this standard is to safeguard our valued customers, their personal and corporate assets and FBO team members.The standard is a compilation of industry best practices from government agencies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and offers a checklist of the measures needed to be implemented in the company’s cleaning and sanitizing regimens to protect the health of customers and staff.
“In our business, adherence to regulations and established procedures is an absolute requirement, especially when the heat is on. This has been a core concept at Pentastar for as long as I’ve been here, and I’m very appreciative of this organizational discipline. In fact, it’s a very big part of why I’ve stayed here for so many years.”
– Michael Baker, VP of Safety & Compliance
Know Before You Go
Find answers to common questions about what type of items are safe to bring on an aircraft, what destinations may have travel restrictions, and other safety-related items you will want to know before your next trip.
HAZMAT Information
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations prohibit passengers from carrying hazardous materials (“hazmat” or “dangerous goods”) aboard commercially operated aircraft. For specific guidance, see www.faa.gov/go/packsafe or scan the QR code below with your smart phone:
You may also contact the U.S. DOT Hazmat Information Center for answers to any hazmat questions at phmsa.hm-infocenter@dot.gov or 1-800-467-4922.
When in doubt…Leave it out!
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
U.S. Department of State has created the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) which is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Doing so will allow you to:
- Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
- Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
- Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
To find out more and enroll in the program visit https://step.state.gov.
Business Travel Tips
U.S. Department of Justice Office of Private Sector (OPS) has developed a guide featuring best practices for business travel, to ensure the safety and security of the traveler and the information they may hold. For specific guidance, see www.fbi.gov/file-repository/business-travel-508.pdf/view.
Traveler's Checklist
U.S Department of State has created a Traveler’s Checklist of items to do before traveling abroad.
These items include getting:
- Informed about your destination and plan for the unexpected.
- Required documents such as your passport and visas.
- Enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security and emergency alerts.
- Insured for medical, evacuation, and other unexpected expenses.
To find out more and download the checklist click here.
CDC Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel
Center for Disease Control (CDC) has created a guide to help travelers when it comes to their health, and the health of others, while traveling. They identify these items as The Three P’s which advise you to be:
- Proactive by learning about your destination, seeing a doctor before you travel, and thinking about your health status.
- Prepared by packing smart, planning ahead for illnesses or injuries that may occur during your trip, knowing what to do if you become sick of injured on your trip, and knowing and sharing important information about your trip.
- Protected by practicing healthy behaviors during your trip and when you return home.
To find out more and get additional health related travel information click here.
