Flexjet Honored with 12th FAA Diamond Award of Excellence for Outstanding Maintenance Training

DALLAS, April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- (www.flexjet.com) -- Flexjet, a leader in business aviation solutions, has been recognized by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with its highest honor for maintenance training—the FAA Diamond Award of Excellence—with 100 percent of eligible employee participation in maintenance training programs. Flexjet is the only fractional jet ownership program that has received this award for 12 consecutive years.

"At Flexjet, we are fully committed to safety and offering the highest level of training to our dedicated technicians," said Dave Gross, Vice President, Operations, Flexjet. "We are extremely honored to be the only fractional provider recognized for the past 12 years for our achievements, and applaud each of our hard-working technicians for their individual awards."

The FAA first created this award program in 1991 to encourage aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) and their employers to actively participate in training programs. To qualify for the prestigious FAA Diamond Award of Excellence, 100 percent of an organization's eligible maintenance technicians must pass specialized, continuous training in aircraft systems, regulations and FAA rules over a 12-month period.

Flexjet First in Industry to Receive Air Charter Safety Foundation Recertification

In addition, Flexjet is the first and only fractional jet ownership company to be recertified by the Air Charter Safety Foundation—known for recognizing the highest standards of safety—to earn its second Industry Audit Standard (IAS) registration.

The IAS is recognized as the industry's most thorough review of a company's compliance with safety and security regulations, as well as its development and implementation of a Safety Management System (SMS). To have a validated SMS in place ensures Flexjet's engagement at all levels of the organization, confirms top management's commitment and adherence to safety, and positions Flexjet for worldwide recognition of its SMS program. The Air Charter Safety Foundation's extensive inspection is also the only audit that specifically evaluates compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations for both Part 135 and Part 91, Subpart K, fractional jet ownership programs.

In addition, the IAS also assesses crew training, manuals, dispatch and other processes for safety and legality. Unlike other programs, operators cannot choose or hire their IAS auditors and will never have the same auditors for back-to-back audits.

For more information about Flexjet, please call 1-800-FLEXJET or visit www.flexjet.com.

About Flexjet

Richardson, TX-based Flexjet – a division of Bombardier, the world's largest business aviation manufacturer - first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet now offers whole aircraft ownership and management, fractional jet ownership, jet cards and charter brokerage services*. Flexjet is the first fractional aircraft program manager in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation's Industry Audit Standard. Flexjet's fractional program fields an exclusive family of Bombardier business aircraft - the youngest in the fractional jet industry with an average age of 4.3 years - including the Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 business jets.  For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com.  

Flexjet has an approved fractional ownership program pursuant 14 C.F.R. Part 91, Subpart K, and manages flights for individual aircraft owners under Part 91 whole aircraft management program. All other flights (e.g. Flexjet 25 card program, charter card program, supplemental lift, etc.) are provided by certificated air carriers in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, as Flexjet is not an air carrier.

About Bombardier

A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, were $17.7 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @BombardierInc.

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*The Flexjet 25 Jet Card program is operated under Part 135 by Jet Solutions, LLC, a U.S. air carrier. Flexjet acts as an agent for Jet Solutions, LLC, in connection with the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program. Flexjet acts as an agent for the customer for the Flexjet charter card and on-demand charter brokerage programs in arranging transportation operated under Part 135 by U.S. air carriers.

Bombardier, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Flexjet, Flexjet 25, Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Learjet 60 and XR are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

www.flexjet.com
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SOURCE Flexjet