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	<title>TWC Aviation's Jet Charter Blog</title>
	
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		<title>Seal of Approval: The Story Behind Independent Safety Audits</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:06:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John W. Tucker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Industry Articles]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Article by Andrew Richmond, CEO, and featured in The Air Charter Guide, Winter 2011/2012. Wyvern Wingman, ARGUS Platinum, and more recently IS-BAO and ACSF. You see at least one of these logos on the home page of most every charter operator. Those icons are there to assure charter customers that the company is independently audited [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><span style="color: #282828;">Article by Andrew Richmond, CEO, and featured in The Air Charter Guide, Winter 2011/2012.</span></em></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;"><a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ARichmond_Jet_web_border.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1213" title="ARichmond_Jet_web_border" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ARichmond_Jet_web_border-198x300.jpg" alt="" width="198" height="300" /></a>Wyvern Wingman, ARGUS Platinum, and more recently IS-BAO and ACSF. You see at least one of these logos on the home page of most every charter operator. Those icons are there to assure charter customers that the company is independently audited and certified to meet a certain standard of safety. There is much more to it than that, however. How an operator elects to participate in these audits, and why the charter clients use them, uncovers a complex series of decisions which ultimately have a tremendous impact on the charter industry. I set out to learn more about the major auditing organizations—why and how they came to be, examining how they differ and often complement each other, and the reasons a charter operator might choose one standard over another.</span></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">Do We Really Need Safety Auditing Firms?</span></em></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">The first question is, why do third-party auditing firms exist at all? And if they’re essential, what took so long? After all, safety has been an issue since the first days of private aviation. According to Wikipedia, in 1908 a man named Thomas Selfridge became “the first person to die in a crash of a powered airplane.” The pilot was Orville Wright. Two years later, Charles Rolls (as in Rolls-Royce) also died in a Wright biplane.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Over the years there have been numerous crashes involving private planes—from high profile incidents like Amelia Earhart’s in the thirties and Sen. Ted Kennedy’s in 1964, to scores more involving crop dusters, exhibition flyers, aviation enthusiasts, and air charter flights. Yet the first independent Part 135 charter safety standard was not established until 1991.</span></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">Isn’t FAA Approval Enough?</span></em></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Let’s start with the FAA, since no charter company can operate without FAA approval. Surely that’s sufficient. I asked Joe Moeggenberg, president and CEO of ARGUS International, for his perspective. ” The FAA’s resources are becoming incredibly limited. They have a difficult time getting funding, and their resources are being focused on the airlines. FAA 135 audits are strictly compliance audits. They check records, make sure training is done and medicals are up to date, but they don’t do process and procedure audits. I believe that as time goes on the FAA will continue to limit time spent on 135 operators.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Wyvern Consulting’s Managing Director, Brent Moldowan, also commented. “I think it’s well recognized within the industry that the Part 135 world is pretty diverse,” he said. “Each certificate has unique qualities, operates with different sets of manuals, different aircraft, all approved by the FAA, of course, but there was no shared, definitive safety standard.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">So the business aviation industry sees a need for even higher standards and best practices to further ensure safety in the air and on the ground. To say nothing of safeguarding the aircraft itself, a capital asset than can be worth tens of millions of dollars.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em><strong>Four Compelling Reasons for Charter Operators</strong></em></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">1. Customer Assurance and Marketing.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">A Wyvern, ARGUS, IS-BAO, or ACSF logo can help persuade customers that their charter flight will be safe. Charter operators use third-party certifications in their marketing to attract new customers and gain a competitive edge.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">According to Rob Zeitinger, a Los Angeles based aviation industry expert, “For average consumers, third-party certification is a decision making tool. It becomes a validation that the company subscribes to some safety standard and cares about quality. For charter operators, this means the more certifications validation you can get the better.” Rob added that third-party certification is also a validation for the operators themselves, as a sign of their own commitment to safety.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">2. Flight Department and Broker Demands.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Most corporate flight departments require at least one third-party certification. They have been audited themselves and often want to work with charter companies that operate to the same standard. As Joe Moeggenberg stated, “most leisure travelers are familiar with the logos, but not what’s behind the standard.”  However, he said, flight departments and charter brokers are extremely knowledgeable and have demanding expectations.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">This also holds true with companies that broker jets. Blair Lacorte, Chief Executive Officer at XOJET, said: “We won’t even look at operators who do not have ARGUS Platinum, Wyvern, or IS-BAO ratings.” Another example is The Flight Department, a leading charter broker that, according to founder and president, Brian Waldron, is “a Wyvern-only company” using only operators who pass Wyvern’s audit standard.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Aviation consulting firms play a role as well. “Our corporate and high net worth clients ask us to affirm that the charter operator satisfies their exacting requirements for that particular trip,” said Peter Agur, the Managing Director and Founder of the Van Allen Group, a management consultancy focused within business aviation. “They often want the operator to meet even higher standards than Wyvern or ARGUS Platinum. For example, many of our clients insist that both pilot and co-pilot are type-rated in that specific aircraft.”</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">3. Potential Liability Mitigation.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">In the event of a crash or other incident, a charter company or charter broker can be open to potential litigation. An independent certification of safety practices could demonstrate that the company was doing everything possible to protect its customers.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">4. Real Value to Customers and Operators.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">The fact is that third-party audits are valuable investments that pay off every time a plane lands safely. And that, after all, is the number one concern of customers and the number one goal of charter operators and brokers. “Audits force self reflection to help you become a better company,” XOJET’s Lacorte said. “They provide a historical snapshot of where we are with each audit point, showing what we’ve learned from previous audits and the improvements we’ve made.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">The bottom line is that, in a sense, charter companies have little choice— and spending a few thousand dollars on an audit to gain hundreds of thousands in revenue is hardly a tough business decision. Whether to participate with all four auditing firms is a more complicated topic, which I will address later in this article.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em><strong>Introducing the Major Players</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Founded in 1991, Wyvern Consulting Ltd. was the first safety auditing firm, followed in 1995 by Aviation Research Group/US (now ARGUS International, Inc.). These competing for-profit  companies are similar in many ways. Each has a set of standards, a process their trained auditors must follow, and offer levels of certification at different price points. And they both aggregate valuable information—such as preflight data on a specific plane and crew—that they market to flight departments, charter brokers, and retail consumers. There are differences, too, but let’s look first at the two nonprofit auditing organizations.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">In 2002 the International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (ISBAO) made its debut. This  standard was established by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), which has permanent observer status with the United Nations Specialized Agency for aviation matters.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Then in 2009, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) established their Independent Audit Standard (IAS). ACSF is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to improving the safety of air charter and shared aircraft ownership operations (fractional ownership).</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">IS-BAO and ACSF were developed in collaboration with other industry organizations around the world. Both standards are built around a Safety Management System (SMS)—a formal mechanism to evaluate and mitigate risk, and improve and promote a company’s safety practices, procedures, and culture. While Wyvern and ARGUS certify that an operator meets their standards, ISBAO and ACSF register a company to a public list of firms that satisfy their audit criteria.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Now for some details about these independent safety standards, and the organizations that developed them. In addition to learning about their own standards and services, I asked each of these organizations if the typical charter customer truly understands what audit certification signifies? And are four standards too many?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em><strong>The Wyvern Standard</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Wyvern Consulting, now owned by Avinode, developed The Wyvern Standard™ in cooperation with an advisory panel of individuals from Fortune 100 company flight departments, as well as other aviation professionals now called the Customer Advisory Board (CAB).</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">A charter operator can ask to be audited to earn either Wyvern Wingman status or become Wyvern Registered. Wyvern Wingman operators must pass annual physical audits. Wyvern Registered operators provide their data to the Wyvern system, but are not physically audited. As of October 2011 there were 90 Wyvern Wingman Operators.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Wyvern also has a partnership with IATA-accredited Aviation Quality Services (a Lufthansa company) which is authorized to perform Wyvern, ACSF, and IS-BAO audits outside of the Americas.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">Wyvern Trip-by-Trip Auditing</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Wyvern’s trip-by-trip auditing service provides aircraft and crew details. The audit can be conducted against The Wyvern Standard established by the CAB, or the FAA standard, which generally requires less pilot flight experience. The client can also establish custom, confidential criteria. The client purchases a subscription at a Basic, Premium, or Enterprise level for access to increasing amounts of information.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">What Makes Wyvern Different</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">“One of the things we have going for us is our legacy,” said Managing Director Brent Moldowan. “We have a 20 year history of zero fatalities on Wyvern-compliant flights. Our Customer Advisory Board remains very involved, meeting a couple of times a year to review the standard, and we are constantly monitoring operators. For example, we look for problems if there are wholesale changes such as a new management team—and move quickly to delist specific aircraft or crew members.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Auditors have an average of 36 years of aviation experience, and an average tenure at Wyvern of six years. Wyvern trains auditors yearly—onsite and online—to keep them up to date on the Wyvern standard.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">According to the company’s website, Wyvern assigns two specialists to every audit: one for operations and one for maintenance. Operations auditors must be ATP rated with extensive flight experience and a background in both management and quality assurance. Maintenance auditors must have the highest available maintenance certification and extensive management experience.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Each year approximately eight operators fail their Wyvern audit and are unable to rectify any discrepancies. And in a typical year five operators are delisted from the Wyvern Report.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">When I asked whether four standards was too many, Brent said that the competition benefits the consumer and “challenges companies to continually improve their standards and offer new products.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em><strong>ARGUS Platinum, Gold Plus, and Gold Standards</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">ARGUS conducts charter operator audits and trip-by-trip safety checks (tripCHEQ). With TRAQPak, they market intelligence data service, aircraft operating cost reports, market research, and aviation and travel consulting. And through their PRISM subsidiary, the company offers training and business aviation systems solutions (PRISM).</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">Charter Operator Audits</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">There are three ARGUS certifications for commercial operators: Platinum (the highest level), Gold Plus, and Gold.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Platinum charter operators are physically audited to the more demanding platinum standards every 24 months</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Gold Plus operators are physically audited every 24 months, but are not held to the Platinum standard.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Gold operators are not physically audited, but provide information that is verified by ARGUS through FAA and other records.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">As of October 2011 there were 88 Platinum, 22 Gold Plus, and 313 Gold charter operators.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Operators that do not qualify for any ARGUS rating are classified as DNQ. Companies with inadequate information or history are classed as Non Rated.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">ARGUS tripCHEQ Auditing</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">ARGUS tripCHEQ (Charter Evaluation and Qualification) is a trip-by-trip auditing product that provides details about the aircraft and crew for a specific charter flight.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Trip auditing can be done against the ARGUS safety standard or custom criteria set by the customer. They can purchase the data by subscription, or pay for the tripCHEQ on a trip-by-trip basis.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">What Makes ARGUS Different</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">“There are many factors that set ARGUS apart,” said President and CEO Joe Moeggenberg. “For instance, every year we undergo an audit by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to insure our internal policies and procedures (auditor training, quality control, etcetera) meet IATA’s high standards. We are one of eight companies worldwide to be IATA endorsed to conduct IOSA audits. Along with IOSA, we can audit to ARGUS Platinum, ISBAO, and BARS standards. That means an operator can have ARGUS, IS-BAO, and BARS audits conducted during the same visit.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">ARGUS trains auditors annually, to ensure they consistently audit to the same standard. New auditors must have formal IOSA, IS-BAO or other training before starting ARGUS training, and a minimum amount of time in the industry. Operations auditors are mostly former pilots, maintenance auditors are all former mechanics or have a maintenance background. There are currently 48 full time and 52 contract auditors.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">According to the company, about five percent of operators fail the audit each year, usually because the proper documents are unavailable or are not up to date. The low failure rate is due to the fact that most companies know in advance whether they’ll pass the standard, and won’t pay for the audit if they know they’re not ready.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Joe said that, “as it stands right now, the number of audit standards seems about right.” He added that the competition does make things “tight” in the U.S., but that there are numerous market opportunities in other counties.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em><strong>IS-BAO</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">“IS-BAO was established by the business aviation community worldwide,” said IBAC Director General Don Spurston. “It is a code of safety practices developed by representatives from all sectors of the business aviation community, including both corporate and on-demand charter operators. It not a commercial endeavor, but has as its objective the facilitation and communication to operators of best practices collected by the community of operators and associations worldwide.” He added that updates to ensure currency are managed through a Standards Board consisting of current flight department managers.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">What Makes IS-BAO Different</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Spurston said that IS-BAO is first and foremost a Safety Standard. It is founded on a Safety Management System developed specifically for business aircraft operations. SMS has proven to facilitate safety improvements in aviation for the last ten years and is increasingly being recognized for its safety benefits. The SMS in IS-BAO is built on international standardization principles and is recognized and endorsed by the international community, including by the President of the Council of ICAO.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">There are three stages of IS-BAO Registration:</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">IS-BAO Stage I</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Conducted by specially trained and certified examiners, the Stage I IS-BAO audit is a systematic and objective review of a company’s aviation operations and maintenance framework to verify conformity with the standard.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Safety Management System (SMS)</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Organization and personnel</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Standard operating procedures</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Training programs</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Domestic and international flight operations</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Aircraft equipment and maintenance</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Company operations manual</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Emergency response plan</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Environmental management</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Occupational health and safety</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Transportation of dangerous goods</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Security</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">The audit emphasizes transparency, thoroughness, and cooperation between the audit team and company personnel. Auditors seek to uncover the cause of a non-conformity, not just the symptoms. Problems can often be corrected before the audit is completed. After successful completion, the charter operator becomes IS-BAO Stage I Registered.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">IS-BAO Stage II</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">IS-BAO Stage Two verifies that safety and operational systems, policies, and procedures are being effectively utilized throughout the company. This audit reviews company policies and procedures, but the emphasis is on thorough one-on-one interviews with employees in all departments. The auditor seeks to determine whether these employees understand the policies, procedures, and documents, and comply with them as part of their daily workflow.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">IS-BAO Stage III</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">A physical audit to achieve Stage III registration focuses almost exclusively on one-on-one interviews to determine what is or is not working, what needs to be improved, and whether the established processes effectively identify and mitigate risk.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">The best practices incorporated in ISBAO are applicable to all operators, large and small. As of October 2011, over 150 on-demand charter operators have achieved an IS-BAO Certificate of Registration. The list of IS-BAO Registered Operators is updated continually at www.ibac.org/is_bao/registered-operators.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em><strong>ACSF IAS</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">The Air Charter Safety Foundation works to enhance safety through collaboration, education, and research. ACSF administers the International Audit Standard (IAS), a detailed, publicly available 211-page document. It is aligned with the IOSA single audit standard for the airline industry and adjusted for Part 135 charter and Part 91(k) fractional ownership operations. The foundation has oversight of the standard to ensure its integrity.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• The IAS audit evaluates the company’s SMS based upon published International Civil Aviation Organization and FAA standards.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Audited companies are required to conduct a comprehensive internal self-audit prior to the arrival of the on-site audit team.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Successful completion requires that audit elements be both implemented and documented.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• An on-site IAS audit is required every 24 months.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Operators must adopt and implement operational risk assessment.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Auditors are not chosen by the operator. The ACSF draws from a pool of available, ACSF-accredited audit companies and auditors to complete an audit.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• All participants must adhere to a firm conflict of interest policy, and an operator will never have the same auditors on sequential audits.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">• Operators are subject to suspension or removal from IAS Registry if they cease to meet the ACSF IAS standard.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">IAS Registered Operators are listed at www.acsg.aero/registery. As of September 2011, there were 28 companies listed on the registry. All of them are commercial operators.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">ACSF Trip-by-Trip Auditing</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">ACSF also offers Trip Specific Reporting. This fee-based service provides details about a charter customer’s trip, aircraft, and crew. Annual Audit reports on any ACSF IAS registered company are also available for purchase.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #282828;">What Makes ACSF Different</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">ACSF President Bryan Burns said that IAS is “the most comprehensive standard for charter operators—auditing for compliance, best practices, and the SMS. Our customers are charter operators, as well as educated end users, who truly understand the standard, as opposed to labels and brand recognition.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Bryan explained that ACSF revenues come through membership fees, donations, their annual safety symposium, and a minimal registration fee, as with IS-BAO. “We encourage operators to download and utilize the standard, regardless of whether we conduct the audit.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">ACSF provides a pre-audit check list that preps the operator on exactly what to expect months in advance. “We do not conduct audits ourselves, “Bryan said. “We accredit independent auditors who are trained annually. We want to keep an arm’s length from auditors with no influence of how the process goes. Our own internal committee then double checks each auditor’s findings, and our employees participate as observers when an auditor conducts his first ACSF audit.” He says that half of audited companies fail the first time, usually because they are not prepared for the SMS portion.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Bryan feels that there are too many audit standards. “We need one single universal standard, like IATA/IOSA has with the airline industry. You can have measurable, quantitative results with a standard that is universally understood and accepted.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em><strong>The Challenge for Charter Operators</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">Each of these aviation safety organizations can provide a greater level of insight to a charter operator on improving operations and increasing their margin of safety. The challenge for the charter operator is deciding which of these four organizations to partner with. Should an operator choose to work with all four firms? If it does, the costs could well exceed $100,000 per year, factoring in the fees paid to these firms, as well as time employees must spend in preparing for and participating in each audit. And when they finish their final audit for the year, the time to renew the first one they completed may be just around the corner. This puts the operator in a perpetual cycle of going through audits and updating manuals and procedures to satisfy the findings of each audit.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">If operators elect to narrow their selection to one or two audits, they must determine which certifications their clients will insist upon. Should they choose the wrong firms, they risk losing business. As each of these audit firms attempts to gain market share by creating greater visibility to their audit services, the market has the potential to shift as to which firms a client deems necessary before booking flights. In the past, large charter brokers have created a major shift in the industry by aligning with one particular auditing firm, forcing a large number of operators to participate in these audits or risk losing a substantial volume of charter business. Operators must be prepared to shift their strategy as well. As many Part 135 operators have concluded, it is safest to be accredited by all four firms in order to maximize acceptance within the industry and project the greatest commitment to safety. Operators pay a steep price, however, both in membership fees and the time commitments from their executive team.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">If you are a charter operator, which approach is right for your operation? Ask your clients what matters most to them, and how they determine which firm best meets their requirements. Take the time to educate them on what the various ratings mean, and what they don’t mean. Once you understand what your charter clients are thinking, you will be in a better position to select your strategy.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #282828;">In the final analysis, as I mentioned earlier, charter operators have little choice but to have at least one independent safety certification. The combination of customer assurance and marketing advantages, flight department and broker demands, potential liability mitigation, and improvements in safety essentially makes the decision for them. It’s simply part of the cost of doing business if they want to grow and succeed in the charter industry.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em>Andrew Richmond is CEO of TWC Aviation, Inc., a privately-owned, international provider of worldwide jet charter, aircraft management, sales and acquisition services. Mr. Richmond is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, employees, and vendors—and to fostering a service-focused, team-oriented work environment. He has served as CEO since 2001.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #993300;"><em>Under his leadership, TWC Aviation has expanded rapidly to manage one of the world’s largest fleets of private jet aircraft, with a focus on large-cabin, long-range jets from every manufacturer. TWC has locations across the U.S. and abroad. The company is audited by third-party safety firms, achieving IS-BAO Stage II and ACSF registered status, and Wyvern Wingman and ARGUS Gold certifications. Mr. Richmond has an M.B.A. from the University of California at Irvine, and a B.S./B.A. in Business and Management Information Systems from Boston University.</em></span></p>
<div id="attachment_730" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 100px"><a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AircraftSafetyGuide-ACG.pdf"><img class="size-full wp-image-730 " title="PDF_Thumbnail1-1" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/PDF_Thumbnail1-1.jpg" alt="View PDF" width="90" height="116" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">View PDF</p></div>
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		<title>TWC Aircraft Charter and Flight Coordination to Exhibit at 2012 NBAA Schedulers &amp; Dispatchers Conference</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TWCAviation/~3/EtfZoylwEDY/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:52:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John W. Tucker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1188</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Kicking off a packed exhibition and show sponsorship schedule, TWC will have a booth at the 2012 NBAA Schedulers &#38; Dispatchers Conference, January 15-18, in San Diego. Eleven TWC team members from the jet charter and flight coordination service departments will be on hand to meet with new and current customers. Attending are Chris Battaglia, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SDImage.png"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1190" title="SDImage" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SDImage.png" alt="TWC Aviation at NBAA Schedulers &amp; Dispatchers" width="233" height="350" /></a>Kicking off a packed exhibition and show sponsorship schedule, TWC will have a booth at the 2012 NBAA Schedulers &amp; Dispatchers Conference, January 15-18, in San Diego. Eleven TWC team members from the jet charter and flight coordination service departments will be on hand to meet with new and current customers. Attending are Chris Battaglia, Yen Bui, Hayley Calams, Cherie Hecker, Jeannine Melendez, Anni Menaskanian, Pat Mury, Hilarie Roth, Lori Spevak, Aaron Sulzberger, and Natalie Villarreal.</p>
<p>For the first time, we’ll host a free photo booth within our exhibit space. Customers and TWC folks who know each other only by voice or name can capture their meeting with a digital picture, print out a copy on the spot and email a digital version to their office. We’ll also unveil our brand new TWC t-shirt design.   To arrange a specific meeting time in advance just email <a href="mailto:charter@twcaviation.com">charter@twcaviation.com</a> or call 818-815-3151, we are looking forward to seeing you in San Diego.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Five Jet Charter Resources No Private Flyer should be without</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TWCAviation/~3/y_WzGrJiygY/</link>
		<comments>http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/five-jet-charter-resources/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:57:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Cutshall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Charter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1179</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As with almost any other product or services there are usually some great resources out there that provide great insight in to the market.  Private jet charter is no different, so whether you are looking to find the perfect aircraft for your next charter, interested in the flight experience of your pilot, wondering if the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As with almost any other product or services there are usually some great resources out there that provide great insight in to the market.  Private jet charter is no different, so whether you are looking to find the perfect aircraft for your next charter, interested in the flight experience of your pilot, wondering if the plane you are about to fly on has ever been in an accident, or simply looking to track the progress of a corporate jet in flight, here are five resources you shouldn’t go without.<a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/integrated-services.png"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1180" title="integrated services" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/integrated-services.png" alt="" width="276" height="216" /></a></p>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.flightaware.com" target="_blank">Flightaware.com</a> – Flight Tracking &#8211; Allows you to track a corporate jet in flight, or see its recent flight history.  Enterprise versions are also available for customized use.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.faa.gov" target="_blank">Faa.gov</a> – Aircraft Accident Data &#8211; You can conduct a search by registration number, also commonly referred to as a tail number.  However that can be changed easily.  This website also allows you to conduct searches by serial number, or by make and model of aircraft.  It takes a little research, but if you are curious about the history of a particular aircraft, this is a great resource.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.wyvernltd.com/" target="_blank">Wyvernltd.com</a> / <a href="http://www.aviationresearch.com/" target="_blank">Aviationresearch.com</a> / <a href="http://www.acsf.aero/" target="_blank">Acsf.aero</a> / <a href="http://www.ibac.org/is_bao" target="_blank">Ibac.org</a> – Here are four resources for learning more about the experience of your pilot, history of the aircraft or the charter operator you are flying with.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.aircharterguide.com" target="_blank">Aircharterguide.com</a> / <a href="http://www.charterhub.com" target="_blank">charterhub.com</a> – Two free online directories listing charter operators around the globe.  A more robust pay for service directory is <a href="http://www.avinode.com" target="_blank">Avinode.com</a>.</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Looking for more information?  Contact us today, we would be happy to help you find the perfect aircraft for your next flight.  Flyprivate@twcaviation.com</p>
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		<title>Private Jets for Sale – Market Update</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TWCAviation/~3/MF-jISKsVvE/</link>
		<comments>http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/private-jets-for-sale-market-update/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:21:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Cutshall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1174</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The business aircraft market seems to be swinging just like the stock market these days.  Overall, the market remains very soft with activity at or slightly below those of this time last year.  Despite lower inventories compared to the same period last year, prices continue to lag. It is still a buyer’s market, and if [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The business aircraft market seems to be swinging just like the stock market these days.  Overall, the market remains very soft with activity at or slightly below those of this time last year. <em></em> Despi<em><a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Global-7000.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1175" title="Global 7000" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Global-7000.jpg" alt="" width="292" height="173" /></a></em>te lower inventories compared to the same period last year, prices continue to lag.</p>
<p>It is still a buyer’s market, and if you have been considering the purchase of a private jet, now is an excellent time to make a purchase.  A key area to focus on is young used aircraft.  In a recent survey rele<a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Global-7000.jpg"><em></em></a><em></em>ased by UBS<sup>1</sup>, they surveyed a cross section of aircraft brokers, financiers, manufacturers, and others in the business aviation field.  47% of those surveyed believe young used aircraft inventors are higher than normal.</p>
<p>Why is this of interest when there are so many 12-15 year old private jets for sale available at such attractive prices?  Because the acquisition cost is only one-third of the equation when making a purchase.  The other two parts are cost of operation and resale value.  A young plane offers lower operating costs and offer greater chances for holding or increasing in value as the market continues its slow recovery.  Not to mention if you are considering offsetting the cost of ownership with revenue from jet charter.</p>
<p>Young aircraft in the today’s charter market demand a $300-$600 per hour premium.  Combine this with greater fuel efficiencies and lower maintenance costs realized in a young more efficient aircraft, the charter contribution could easily be double a similar size older aircraft.</p>
<p>If you would like to review an operating budget to see how you may benefit from TWC Aviation’s complete private jet service solution.  Contact one of our Directors 888-923-1001 or <a href="mailto:sales@twcaviation.com">sales@twcaviation.com</a></p>
<p><em>1 – UBS Business Jet Monthly – December, 2011</em><a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Global-7000.jpg"><em></em></a></p>
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		<title>TWC’s Kris Cannon Appointed to NBAA Security Council</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TWCAviation/~3/n2hP-exxmF4/</link>
		<comments>http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/twc%e2%80%99s-kris-cannon-appointed-to-nbaa-security-council/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:52:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John W. Tucker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About TWC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Industry Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The NBAA announced that Kris Cannon, TWC Aviation’s Director of Safety and Security, has been named as the newest member of the NBAA Security Council. At TWC, he oversees international flight activities, performs aircrew defense and travel training, and institutes safety protocols for all 300+ employees around the globe. Kris also teaches Corporate Aviation Safety [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/KCannon_Web_sm.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1163" title="KCannon_Web_sm" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/KCannon_Web_sm.jpg" alt="Kris Cannon" width="300" height="450" /></a>The NBAA announced that Kris Cannon, TWC Aviation’s Director of Safety and Security, has been named as the newest member of the NBAA Security Council. At TWC, he oversees international flight activities, performs aircrew defense and travel training, and institutes safety protocols for all 300+ employees around the globe. Kris also teaches Corporate Aviation Safety at the University of Southern California.</p>
<p>The NBAA Security Council is a group of aviation safety professionals who offer guidance to flight departments in a post-September 11 environment. This includes the creation, maintenance, and promotion of aviation security best practices, interpreting and implementing TSA and other governmental agency regulations, and other important responsibilities. The council is also the liaison between members of the private, corporate, and cargo aviation industry as well as the nation’s policy makers, ensuring that each of us has a voice in legislation.</p>
<p>TWC Aviation is an aircraft management company, serving as a corporate flight department to a worldwide fleet of private business aircraft. Kris’ expertise and training in both Charter 135 and Owner 91 operations gives him a unique perspective. As a member of the council, his participation in the ongoing dialogue and sharing of best practices will enhance safety, privacy, security, and confidentiality in TWC’s operations. He will also be in position to help communicate the unique needs of business aviation to governmental organizations, and work with them to develop improved policies and procedures that raise the level of safety throughout our industry.</p>
<p>Find more information about the NBAA Security Council at <a href="http://www.nbaa.org/about/leadership/committees/sec/">http://www.nbaa.org/about/leadership/committees/sec/</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Reach for the Skies – Private Jet Charter</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TWCAviation/~3/HlNfGeFW61o/</link>
		<comments>http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/reach-for-the-skies-private-jet-charter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:05:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Cutshall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Charter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1155</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Andrew Richmond, Chief Executive Officer of TWC Aviation, will be featured on a panel of private aviation professionals scheduled to speak at the Luxury Travel Expo 2011 taking place December 6-8th at the Mandalay Bay Resort &#38; Casino. The breakout session is titled: Reach for the Skies: Private Jet Charters and Journeys; and will take [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Andrew Richmond, Chief Executive Officer of TWC Aviation, will be featured on a panel of private aviation professionals <a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gulfstream-private-jets.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1148" title="gulfstream-private-jets" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gulfstream-private-jets.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="223" /></a>scheduled to speak at the Luxury Travel Expo 2011 taking place December 6-8th at the Mandalay Bay Resort &amp; Casino.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The breakout session is titled: Reach for the Skies: Private Jet Charters and Journeys; and will take place Wednesday, Dec. 7th, from 8:45-9:45am.   It will address topics that matter most to private jet travelers and travel agents alike.  More information is available at www.luxurytravelexpo.com.  If attending the show, stop by TWC Aviation&#8217;s booth #436 or schedule an appointment with one of our Sales Directors by calling 800-538-6070 or email flyprivate@twcaviation.com.<a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/LuxTravExpo.bmp"><img class="size-full wp-image-1156 aligncenter" title="LuxTravExpo" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/LuxTravExpo.bmp" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></p>
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		<title>The Jet Aircraft of Today are right out of a Science Fiction Novel</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TWCAviation/~3/BRQuLV24EPc/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:40:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Cutshall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1147</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Technology grows by leaps and bounds on a daily basis. When you are looking to make your next technological purchase, you usually look at all of the specifications of the product. After all, you want to know what that product can do for you. Will it increase your productivity? Will it add to your bottom [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Technology grows by leaps and bounds on a daily basis. When you are looking to make your next technological purchase, you usually look at all of the specifications of the product. After all, you want to know what that product can do for you. Will it increase your productivity? Will it add to your bottom line? Will said product ultimately add a level of convenience to your life? All of these questions can be asked when you’re looking to purchase your aircraft. Purchasing a<strong><a href="../../sales/showroom.php"></a></strong> jet aircraft <a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Gulfstream1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1151" title="Gulfstream" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Gulfstream1.jpg" alt="" width="425" height="300" /></a>can be an exciting and important decision for your business.</p>
<p>It is an exciting prospect because buying a plane means investing in new technology. What was once previously considered science fiction has become reality in the aircraft of today. Not only are airplanes capable of traveling the entire globe in record times, they are also capable of increasing your productivity and comfort. When you purchase an aircraft with TWC Aviation, you aren’t just purchasing any ‘ol aircraft, you’re purchasing a moment in the evolution of the modern day aircraft.</p>
<p>It’s important to know what your new or prospective purchase is capable of. You wouldn’t purchase a tool without knowing its full potential; why would you purchase an aircraft without knowing if its capabilities match your needs? We know you’re a discerning consumer; and because of this, we have taken the time to not only provide data and photos on the aircraft you’re interested in, but we will also work with you to identify travel patterns, on-board amenities, and operating budgets. . With our collection of <strong> </strong>private jets for sale, you are sure to find a plane that suits your needs and your style.</p>
<p>Owning an airplane is more than simply owning a vehicle. It is owning a culmination of scientific achievement. The aircraft of today bring the world closer together, a feat previously thought impossible. As new technologies in aviation emerge travel times will be reduced, fuel efficiency will improve, and more individuals will take to the skies. If you’re looking to invest in a modern tool that will enrich your business now and in the future, look no further than TWC Aviation.</p>
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		<title>Aircraft charter that makes good sense</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TWCAviation/~3/n4MS_xhiH3U/</link>
		<comments>http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/aircraft-charter-that-makes-good-sense/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:28:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Cutshall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Charter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1144</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We all know there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.  Well that holds true when deciding how much charter you should place on your aircraft when looking to offset private jet ownership costs.  There is a point of diminishing returns when chartering your aircraft.  The average use of a jet [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We all know there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.  Well that holds true when deciding how much charter you should place on your aircraft when looking to offset private jet ownership costs.  There is a point of diminishing returns when chartering your aircraft.  The average use of a jet aircraft today is 400-500 hours per year.  Anything more diminishes the resale value of the aircraft, incurs additional maintenance expenses, and requires additional pilots as to allow for time off, training, and vacation.  All three of these will cost more money than the contribution you receive from flying those extra hours.</p>
<p>By keeping the total use of your aircraft to 500 hours per year or less you will reduce your overall cost of ownership, maintain resale value, and keep a loyal crew who is focused on your needs rather than looking for the next best opportunity.</p>
<p>The quantity of charter is not as important as the quality.  For more detailed information on how to get the most value out of offering your jet for air charter, contact one of our Aircraft Management Specialists today.  They will spend time listening to you needs and develop a strategy that achieves your aircraft ownership goals.</p>
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		<title>When to Upgrade from Air Charter to Jet Ownership.</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TWCAviation/~3/mJkACbe-3Fw/</link>
		<comments>http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/when-to-upgrade-from-air-charter-to-jet-ownership/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:46:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Scott Cutshall</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1135</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are familiar with aircraft charter, then you already know how convenient traveling by private jet can be.  After flying on various aircraft models and with several charter companies, you may be considering acquiring your first business jet.  There are four triggers to know it is time to make the transition from air charter [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong></strong>If you are familiar with aircraft charter, then you already know how convenient traveling by private jet can be.  After flying on various aircraft models and with several charter companies, you may be considering acquiring your first business jet.  There are four triggers to know it is time to make the transition from air charter to jet ownership.</p>
<ol>
<li>Simplicity.  Owning      your own aircraft provides the ultimate flexibility for your travel schedule.  You are free to make last minute travel      plans and adjust those plans in real-time without the concerns or      restrictions related to charter or fractional flying</li>
<li>Availability.  If you      are consistently having a difficult time finding an aircraft you are happy      with or the models of aircraft you like are rarely available, it is time      to consider ownership.  There are      very few newer model business      aircraft consistently available for charter when and where you need      them.  So if age of the aircraft is      important to you, a purchase may be the best way to ensure you are always      flying on a newer aircraft.</li>
<li>Safety, Security, Privacy.       Traveling by private jet affords an unparalleled level of safety,      security and privacy.  With aircraft      ownership you will have the same pilots, cabin attendants, and mechanics      for every flight whom will become familiar with you, your family, friends      and business partners.  Aircraft      ownership is the only way to consistently ensure this level of familiarity      and comfort.</li>
<li>Frequency.  If you spend      more than 150 hours a year in the air, aircraft ownership is something you      should seriously consider.  It will      afford you greater simplicity, availability, and ease of travel then you      have ever experienced before. <a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/jetsales.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1137" title="GULFSTREAM JET FLEET" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/jetsales-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></li>
</ol>
<p>In addition to enjoying the benefits of jet ownership, it can also be a valuable asset to your business operation. Imagine having the latitude of boarding your own private jet when the need arises. Rather than chartering a plane and going through customary procedures, you’ll be free to conduct your business anywhere you choose.</p>
<p>Our team of aviation professionals provides comprehensive services for every step of the ownership process from the initial acquisition to establishing your personal flight department and aircraft management, to maintenance and jet sales.  Contact us today for to discuss your aviation needs. <a href="mailto:sales@twcaviation.com">sales@twcaviation.com</a> – 888-923-1001</p>
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		<title>Honoring those who have served this Veterans Day</title>
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		<comments>http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/honoring-those-who-have-served-this-veterans-day/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:51:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John W. Tucker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About TWC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/?p=1125</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, they day fighting ceased to end World War I, and went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. (11/11/1918 at 11:00am). Following World War II, on June 1, 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iStock_000000095967Small.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1127" title="iStock_000000095967Small" src="http://www.twcaviation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iStock_000000095967Small-300x225.jpg" alt="American Flag" width="300" height="225" /></a>Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, they day fighting ceased to end World War I, and went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. (11/11/1918 at 11:00am). Following World War II, on June 1, 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.</p>
<p>While the day of November 11<sup>th</sup> is of historical significance, the true purpose of Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  It is because of these brave men and women that we enjoy the freedoms we have today.</p>
<p>From all of us at TWC Aviation……….Thank you for your service.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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