Safety first: in choosing a management company for your jet aircraft or even in choosing a charter operator, there are many considerations, the most important of which is (or should be) safety.

Clay Lacy Aviation, founded in 1968, is a pioneer in the private aviation industry, bringing the first Lear Jet to the West coast and chartering it to the who's who of Hollywood royalty. Today, operating the largest fleet of jet charter aircraft West of the Mississippi, Clay Lacy Aviation's four decades of experience is appreciated by its distinguished clientele. They demand great service, great value and, of course, a company culture where safety is always paramount.

There are many factors to operating an exceptional jet charter and aircraft management service, but a few important items you should consider are: flight crew evaluations and proficiency, continuous crew training curriculum, maintenance capabilities, independent audits, mid security.

Experienced Crew and Support Team

Your charter operator should encourage you to ask questions regarding your crew's proficiency and experience.

Clay Lacy Aviation's pilots are highly regarded as being the best in the industry. Before a Clay Lacy Aviation First Officer upgrades to Captain, they must first satisfy rigorous eligibility and experience requirements. In addition, they must then gain the approval of the most experienced pilot in the world, Clay Lacy. His personal pilot proficiency evaluation check rides are recognized within the industry as being the most comprehensive, realistic and challenging. Only after earning Clay Lacy's personal trust and confidence will a pilot earn the distinction and honor of being a Clay Lacy Aviation Captain.

One should also inquire into the experience of their management company's and/or charter operator's dispatch personnel. Effective dispatching goes far beyond just scheduling.

Clay Lacy Aviation, for example, employs FAA certified Aircraft Dispatchers, who understand the challenges and limitations posed by weather, traffic delays, crew rest standards and international planning.

Continuous Training

Clay Lacy Aviation pilots attend annual or semi-annual training at Flight Safety and Simuflite. Flight Safety International and CAE Simuflite are industry recognized and respected providers of aviation training services including classroom instruction, coursework and intensive aircraft simulator training.

Unlike most aircraft management and jet charter operators, Clay Lacy Aviation enhances this training with its own, on-site, state-of the-art flight simulator.

There are many benefits of having an on-site simulator. It offers many real time features, including full visual display, full auto-pilot, auto-throttles, and even cutting-edge technologies such as auto-land capabilities. With over 5,000 airports in its database, this simulator can realistically present almost any airport in the world. High altitude operations, poor weather, crew coordination, airport proficiency, emergency operations, and training are 'all now available anytime. It is Clay Lacy's belief that having their own "in-house" flight simulator available 24 hours a day enables CLA pilots to attain and maintain a superior proficiency and standardization level, exceeding other operators and the minimum requirements set forth by the FAA.

Maintenance

Last minute mechanical issues can cause delays or even cancellation of your charter fright. Other operators may not be able to switch you to a comparable substitute airplane, and will have to rely on their ability to remedy the mechanical issue at hand.

In addition to allowing you access to the largest charter fleet on the West coast, Clay Lacy Aviation also operates its own 24 hour, 7 days a week, Class IV FAA Repair Station (BKER301L) at Van Nuys, Airport. They will soon offer flail maintenance service at its Seattle, Washington base. Class IV, or "heavy maintenance", means that Clay Lacy Aviation performs all required maintenance tasks in-house, a capability not offered by other West coast management and charter companies. By performing this comprehensive range of maintenance services as well as on-site inspections and aircraft interior refurbishment, Clay Lacy Aviation retains a complete and thorough history of the aircraft they maintain.

Independent Audits

It is important to choose a flight operator that receives outside auditing beyond the local FAA. Often you might hear reference to "Wyvern" and/or "ARG/US."

Wyvern Consulting, Ltd. is an industry recognized independent aviation consulting firm specializing in on-site safety evaluations of charter aircraft operators. Wyvern performs these audits on a select group of top charter operators as recommended by major high volume charter customers.

Following their 2005 independent audit, Wyvern reported that "Clay Lacy Aviation continues to be a very professional, well run organization that continually strives for improvement and excellence."

Aviation Research Group/U.S. ("ARG/US") similarly conducts industry respected on-site safety audits that verify the charter operator is managed, organized and run in a manner conducive to continued safe operations.

Upon completion of their last audit, Clay Lacy Aviation received a "Platinum Rating", ARG/US's highest rating.

Security

Whether your travels are within the U.S. or in other parts of the world, very often special security issues may arise. Choosing a charter operator who is experienced with these issues is critical.

By way of example, in certain parts of the world, landing a charter jet aircraft can attract a lot of attention. Certain precautions should be made to ensure the security of the passengers, crew and aircraft.

Clay Lacy Aviation has four decades of experience operating worldwide, including countries where special precautions were warranted. When the U.S. government needed to fly personnel to a very sensitive situation involving a Mig and 13.S. C-3 reconnaissance plane on a Chinese island, they chose Clay Lacy Aviation. When a pathfinder aircraft was required to lead the Pegasus missile delivery to the Canary Islands, the choice was also Clay Lacy Aviation. With over 37 years of exclusively operating private jet aircraft, Clay Lacy Aviation's experience is unequalled.

In any event, the important thing to remember is that it's okay to ask questions. The best management and charter clients are the most educated.

Should you wish to explore these or any other questions you might have, feel free to contact Brian Kirkdoffer, Clay Lacy Aviation's Vice President and General Manager. He can be reached at [e-mail] or at 818-989-2900.