Since its founding in 1945, US Part 135 Priester Aviation has earned a reputation as a safety-first aviation services provider. It recently completed renewals of three key safety audits: IS-BAO Stage III, ARGUS Platinum and Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) certification. These, plus its Wyvern registration, has put Priester among the elite one per cent of private jet operators that hold all four of these universally respected ratings.

“Achieving the highest levels of safety accreditation takes tremendous rigour and resources,” says Kurt Humm, Priester Aviation VP of safety and quality. “Adhering to these definitive standards demonstrates our ongoing dedication to not just maintaining a strong safety culture, but continuously building upon it.”

Priester first achieved IS-BAO certification in 2010, reaching its highest level, Stage III in 2014. Maintaining this certification verifies that safety management activities are fully integrated into operations and that a positive safety culture is being sustained.

It also renewed the ARGUS Platinum rating, the highest level of the ARGUS audit standard. The rating is reserved for air charter operators that demonstrate best safety practices, which are verified through onsite safety audits.

Priester, a founding member of the ACSF, once again renewed the exhaustive ACSF Industry Audit Standard. It verifies adherence to the organisation's operational, maintenance and safety management system standards and best practices.

“Everyone talks about the importance of safety, but we put actions behind our words,” states Andy Priester, chairman and CEO. “Meeting globally recognised standards of excellence increases passenger confidence and keeps us at the top of our game. We don't say we're the best. We prove our value.”