Safety First. Always.

Our Safety Management System (SMS) protocol requires our pilots to hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot License (highest available) and to receive rigorous training that far exceeds the industry standard. NICHOLAS AIR pilots participate in two annual training courses, receive simulator-based flight training to be type-rated in the aircraft, and must perform two check rides per year with an FAA-approved check airman.

The NICHOLAS AIR Safety Management System (SMS) is a program encompassing system safety and safety management processes. SMS is recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) as the next step in the evolution of safety in aviation. Similar to other business and operational decision-making systems, SMS is a decision-making tool.

The role of safety is performed by every NICHOLAS AIR team member. Our SMS program continually challenges our organization to examine our operations and all decisions surrounding the operations. It promotes the continuous safety improvement through the use of reports and data collection to assess, analyze, and control risk. The NICHOLAS AIR SMS program reinforces and is an extension of our corporate culture of predictive thinking versus reactive thinking.

IS-BAO

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and its member associations, is a recommended code of best practices designed to help flight departments worldwide achieve high levels of safety and professionalism. IS-BAO is an industry standard built for operators, by operators that provide standards based on the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS). Both the FAA and CAA in Canada recognize IS-BAO as meeting the ICAO standard. The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) also recognizes IS-BAO as an industry standard for business aircraft operations.