US Sikorsky S-76 fleet operator Associated Aircraft Group, a Directional Aviation company now doing business as Flexjet Vertical Lift, has once more secured its designation as a Wyvern Wingman certified operator following a successful audit, conducted by Wyvern in September 2022. The Wyvern Wingman standard, the first air charter audit standard in the aviation industry, provides a safety benchmark that allows air charter customers to assess performance expectations against recognised industry best operating practices before purchasing air charter services.

“As a premier fleet operator, Flexjet's safety culture with focus on SMS is present in everything we do. Our continued work with Wyvern is among the certifications that confirm our commitment to providing a framework for the best procedures and support of our helicopter operations,” says Flexjet Helicopters president Eli Flint. “We are proud to lead the industry in continuously seeking and achieving the highest safety and compliance standards.”

Wyvern Wingman operators are evaluated by the Wingman Standard criteria. The scope of the evaluation includes an assessment of operational activities, review on the company operational history and safety records, safety management system (SMS), internal evaluation programme, administrative compositions, technical documentation, pilot and aircraft records, training requirements and maintenance operations including technician training and experience.

“We congratulate Flexjet Vertical Lift for renewing Wingman certification, which validates its effective safety management system and excellence in managing operations and aircraft maintenance. Wingman operators stand out among their peers by allowing Wyvern to assess their conformity to best practices and continually monitor their information related to safety,” says Wyvern CEO Sonnie Bates.