Large VIP Aircraft Operators Facing Greatly Increased Regulation Turn to Washington Firm for Assistance

December 1, 2010 – Washington, DC:

With the new Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) and other changes looming, indications are that operators of U.S registered large private aircraft (Airbus, Boeing, etc,) will soon be forced to comply with additional security and regulatory requirements. Large aircraft currently operating under an FAA Part 91 Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) will very likely be required to transition to a full Part 125 Aircraft Operating Certificate (AOC) in the near future. One significant part of the Part 125 certification process involves conducting a full or partial ditching demonstration, wherein the FAA evaluates a company’s emergency procedures, crew training, and onboard equipment, as well as the execution of procedures by the crew prior to and after a simulated aircraft ditching. Without adequate preparation and guidance, this can be a very difficult and expensive undertaking.

In October 2010, Bizliner Aviation LLC organized and orchestrated such a demonstration at Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport in support of a widebody VIP aircraft operator, overseeing the entire event from initial planning to satisfactory conclusion. Acting as compliance advisor and project coordinator, they prepared cockpit, cabin, and maintenance crews, developed safety plans, liaised with FAA, FBO, and airport authorities, and provided various equipment and supplies. “It’s a very complex process, with many factors and participants involved. Our plan considered a wide range of details and contingencies, allowing the operator to focus entirely on the successful completion of the demonstration,” stated Roger Pierce, Bizliner’s Director of Operations. For example, Bizliner’s Cabin Services Specialist arranged for the cabin crew to attend emergency procedures and cabin door simulator training at a major airline’s training facility. She then worked with the crew to develop and refine procedures to upgrade and improve their normal and emergency procedures and helped them prepare for the demonstration.

After weeks of planning and several days of onsite meetings and preparation, the demonstration was conducted with FAA observers acting as “passengers“ stationed onboard the aircraft, and with the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Fire & Rescue Department on-hand to provide emergency equipment and personnel as part of the safety plan. The aircraft and it’s equipment functioned correctly, the crew performed well, and, in a subsequent debriefing, the FAA observers informed company management that this important stage of the certification process had been successfully completed.

Key to the positive outcome was comprehensive planning, preparation, and organization. “We are very dedicated to safety and regulatory compliance,” said Pierce, “and a detailed, responsive, professional approach was essential to completing the demonstration. That helped us to guide and assist the operator, and made a very complicated job much easier.”

As requirements change, bizliner operators find themselves increasingly in need of help with navigating the complex regulatory and operational environments. Bizliner Aviation provides support for Airbus, Boeing, and other large cabin business jet aircraft in addition to the larger Gulfstream and Bombardier types. The company is managed by industry professionals who have successfully completed large VIP aircraft projects in the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and specializes in flight department set-up, operating certificate support, crewing, operational and into-service programs, as well as aircraft and interior completion / modification support. Bizliner’s goal is to build long-term relationships with clients by providing a full spectrum of services from basic single-event consultancy to full operations management, offering a flexible program customized to the exact needs of their clients. More information on Bizliner Aviation’s services can be found on their website at www.bizliner.aero. Email inquiries may be made to info@bizliner.aero. Rodney Cook, Director of Aviation, or Roger Pierce, Director of Operations may be reached by phone at US +1-202-747-3233, UK +44 2033185285, or Swiss +41 435016473.