Ankeny, Iowa-based Part 135 Hawker 400XP operator Exec 1 Aviation has been awarded Wyvern Wingman PRO certification after achieving excellence in association with its ongoing participation in Wyvern's Flight Leader Program (FLP).

Wingman PRO was launched in October this year, and Exec 1 is among the first participating companies to be certified. It validates organisational safety culture utilising advanced safety culture evaluation tools recognised by safety experts and regulatory bodies worldwide, and is a safety benchmark set above Wyvern's flagship Wingman programme.

“There is no other way to do this amount of flying without putting safety first,” says Exec 1 Aviation CEO and president JR Boesen. He credits the safety programme's success to the operations, maintenance, sales and safety management teams working together at the company to build a robust programme that puts safety at the forefront of all operational aspects. “We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with Wyvern as we continue to grow and improve our safety processes and culture, and we appreciate Wyvern's assistance and accountability to serve as a resource and advocate for aviation safety.”

Wyvern Wingman PRO is issued once an already established Wingman operator demonstrates effectiveness in all areas of SMS, excellence in the addressing of human factors and organisational safety culture, and continuous conformity to international standards by way of an internal audit programme.

“Exec 1's certification as a Wyvern Wingman PRO operator sets it apart from other operators in the air charter industry. This achievement validates its commitment to attaining and maintaining an enduring safety culture that elevates its performance above other operators who are just beginning to embrace the value of formal safety risk management,” says Wyvern CEO Sonnie Bates.