Considering the Safety Factor: What to know. What to ask.
by Kristopher Cannon, Director of Aviation Safety and Security, TWC Aviation
We invite you to compare TWC Aviation’s safety programs and policies with those of other charter companies. To help you make that comparison, here are some basic guidelines so you’ll know the right questions to ask and the key answers to listen for.
Aircraft Maintenance
Ask about scheduled maintenance and periodic inspections. How often are planes inspected? Are the mechanics factory-trained and certified? Are maintenance and repairs performed at an FAA-certified repair facility?
At TWC Aviation, we follow rigorous inspection and maintenance procedures as defined by the manufacturer. We have our own FAA-Certified Repair Station where our factory-trained mechanics employ the latest avionics, airframe, power plant, and inspection tooling and test equipment.
Pilot Training
Ask about safety training policies. The FAA requires pilots to go through emergency training annually. Make sure that the charter company meets that requirement. But does their training end there? Do they provide pilots with emergency water and winter weather training, cockpit breach survival, and security training? Are the pilots who will fly your aircraft type-rated in a full-motion simulator at a professional flight training facility? How often do their pilots attend full-motion simulator training?
TWC Aviation pilots take emergency training courses every six months—twice as frequently as the FAA requires. They are professionally trained by FlightSafety International using the most advanced simulators. Also, on every charter flight requiring two flight crew members both the Captain and the First Officer are certified type-rated on that jet.
Independent Audits and Certifications
Ask to see the company’s FAA Air Carrier Certificate. Also ask if they have undergone an onsite audit in the preceding twelve months by at least one independent aviation safety firm. You can verify the audit and review its findings by visiting the safety firm’s website.
TWC Aviation is certified by the FAA to conduct charters anywhere in the world. We are audited and approved by Aviation Research Group/US (ARG/US) and by Wyvern Consulting, Ltd. Also, our own internal safety and security experts conduct annual base inspections, and our Safety Committee meets regularly to review our methods and procedures.
Safety First
TWC Aviation is committed to meeting the highest safety standards. We worry about safety and security, so you won’t have to. All you have to do is relax and enjoy your flight. If you have any questions about TWC’s safety record, policies, or procedures, call 888-923-1001.
Kristopher Cannon manages TWC Aviation's comprehensive safety and security programs. He is TWC's liaison with the Transportation Safety Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and other governmental agencies. He is also an instructor with the University of Southern California's Aviation Security Program and a graduate of the USC Aviation Safety Program.
