Austria's GlobeAir, which operates a fleet of six Mustangs, claims to be the first VLJ operator in the world to achieve the Wyvern Standard. Bernhard Fragner, ceo, says: "It is remarkable that GlobeAir has achieved this recognition in just two years."

The Wyvern Standard, he says, is an audit standard developed in co-operation with the most sophisticated and demanding corporate flight departments in the world that far exceeds the regulatory requirements for air charter flight operations and maintenance.

GlobeAir's Georg Bernhofer spearheaded the company's application which involved an on-site safety audit, also known as a safety evaluation. He says: "Part 135 charter operators are measured against the Wyvern Operating Standards, which far exceed government regulatory oversight. The Wyvern Operating Standards are an enhanced set of safety measurement criterion, which were developed over the years in co-operation with The Wyvern Customer Advisory Board. CAB's panel consists of representatives from the most sophisticated and demanding corporate flight departments in the world."

Bernhofer says the Wyvern Standard makes a real difference in safety as it recognises the absolute necessity for experienced and well-trained pilots and staff.

"Of all the 2,034 FAR Part 135 fatalities from January 1991 to August 2010, none involved a Wyvern-recommended aircraft or air crew. Of all the 1,719 Part 135 accidents from the same period, only two of those non-fatal accidents were attributable to Wyvern recommended operator aircraft. Looking at just Part 135 turbine accidents from August 2005 to August 2010, jets flying charter flights incurred five fatal accidents and 22 fatalities – but not one of these jet fatalities occurred on a Wyvern-compliant flight."