Oxford, Connecticut (August 1, 2023) – Tradewind Aviation, the leader in regional air mobility, is thrilled to announce its recent approval of its new Safety Management System (SMS) by the Federal Aviation Administration. Formal approval recognizes Tradewind as being within ‘active conformance’ with the FAA’s Voluntary Safety Management program, with automatic approval assured upon completion of the agency’s rulemaking process. It further ranks Tradewind among an elite group of Part 135 Operators of on-demand and scheduled air service that have achieved the same status.
The main thrust of an SMS is to avoid or mitigate accidents by providing an organization-wide approach to identifying safety hazards, assessing and managing safety risk, and assuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls. This system further provides a set of decision-making processes and procedures that can improve safety by assisting an organization in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling its aviation-related business activities. Acceptance into the SMS program requires a rigorous validation and credentialing process conducted by the FAA’s certificate management team and officials.
Creation of Tradewind’s SMS was a multiyear effort spearheaded and finalized by Director of Safety Sarah Zimmerman. With the FAA’s approval, Tradewind has gone from “active applicant” to “active conformant,” placing it among the top 2% of Part 135 Operators in the US that have completed the agency’s SMS voluntary program process and demonstrating the airline’s culture of safety promotion. It also confirms that Tradewind’s SMS meets the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The benefits of the FAA’s approval of Tradewind’s SMS are manifold, including increasing safety, realizing cost savings, and demonstrating to clients, aviation talent, and other players in the aviation industry that the private airline has made and continues to make safety a priority. It also improves Tradewind’s data-informed decision making to prioritize resource allocation and enhances its communication about safety via a standard that is well recognized throughout the industry, increasing client confidence in turn.
Taken together, Tradewind’s active conformance of the FAA’s Voluntary Safety Management program reveals the private airline’s commitment to a proactive culture of safety and status as a leader in business aviation. “Our dedication to enhancing our culture of safety and being proactive and predictive to address problems before they occur has never been stronger,” noted Eric Zipkin, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tradewind Aviation. “Coupled with the continuous attention we give to aircraft management, maintenance and charter operation, the FAA’s approval of our SMS is proof positive that when Tradewind Aviation says we ‘Fly Personal,’ we mean it.”
For more details, visit www.flytradewind.com, contact the reservations team: charter@flytradewind.com, or call 1-203-267-3305. For further information, follow Tradewind Aviation on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook @flytradewind and LinkedIn.
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ABOUT TRADEWIND AVIATION
Founded in 2001 by Eric and David Zipkin who have turned their passion for flying into the leading regional private operator, Tradewind provides personal air travel—both private and scheduled service—throughout North America and the Caribbean. Tradewind believes that every single flight is an opportunity to create an exceptional client experience with their people, planes, and personal service. Their unique approach to flying is less harrowing than flying commercial and more intimate than flying private. It is flying personal. And it is what they strive for every day.
Tradewind provides unique and efficient private travel solutions for leisure or business travel, with access to hundreds of airports throughout North America including the Southeast, as well as the Caribbean in their modern fleet of Pilatus PC-12 and Citation CJ3 Jet aircraft.
Tradewind also provides scheduled service to top leisure destinations throughout the Northeast and Caribbean, including Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Newport, St Barths, Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, and Antigua.
Tradewind’s vision is for an elevated flight experience that is streamlined and understated, where every flight deserves the highest quality aircraft, crew, and service, giving passengers control over their own time and confidence in their travels.
Tradewind Aviation Media Contact
Caroline Keane
Hawkins International Public Relations – A FINN Partners Company
HIPR_tradewind@finnpartners.com