Redefining Peace of Mind in the Sky: The Jet Linx Approach to Safety
We believe safety is personal. It involves vigilance, transparency, and dedication, and keeping a promise to our clients. It’s about real people protecting one another.
As we approach our Ninth Annual Safety Summit this June, there’s no better time to explore how safety is more than jargon on a preflight checklist. This year’s Safety Summit theme, Beyond the Checklist, reflects our belief that aviation safety is much more than checking off boxes.
So, what does aviation safety look like in practice? We understand that safety can be abstract, and the terminology can be numbing. But it doesn’t need to be – let us give you a quick breakdown on aviation safety, the Jet Linx way!
A Brief History of Aviation Safety
In the earliest days of aviation, safety was largely trial and error. Aircraft were untested, flight paths undefined, and regulation nonexistent. As aviation matured so did the growing need for safety framework. Aviation safety in the U.S. was formalized with the passage of the Air Commerce Act in 1926, followed by the formation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1967.
Structured rules and inspection standards were introduced, from required pilot certifications to airframe inspections and data-driven safety systems. Safety in aviation evolved into a science. However, most of these regulations were geared towards commercial airlines.
Private aviation, once an unregulated corner of the skies, quickly embraced innovative technologies, resulting in a safety record comparable to major airlines. Since our founding in 1999, Jet Linx has been a leader in private aviation safety, continually going beyond what is required by the FAA. We’ve set our own standard of safety for our clients and their families, allowing us to fly more than 200 million miles – incident free.
In short, aviation is safer today than it has ever been, and it’s only getting better.
Understanding the Language of Safety
Private aviation comes with its own dictionary. Here are a few key terms every traveler should understand:
- ARGUS & WYVERN: Independent auditing organizations that review operators for safety risk management, awarding different certifications for different levels of safety excellence. Jet Linx has maintained its rating with ARGUS since 2007 and its WYVERN rating since 2014.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): FAA: U.S. agency that sets the minimum safety standards and acts as a watchdog for the industry. Jet Linx works closely with the FAA to ensure compliance and airworthiness of our aircraft.
- International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO): An organization that implements a global code of best safety practices for operators. Jet Linx has maintained its IS-BAO Stage 3 rating since 2015.
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): An independent U.S. government agency responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and incidents.
- Pilot in Command (PIC): The pilot responsible for the safe operation of an aircraft.
- Safety Management System (SMS): A structured approach to managing risk and improving safety. An SMS allows an operator to proactively identify hazards and systematically eliminate risks. In 2024, the FAA mandated all Part 135 operators (like Jet Linx or our competitors) to implement Safety Management Systems.
Key Pieces of the Jet Linx Safety System
1. Pilots Who Know Their Aircraft Personally
Unlike operators who rotate pilots between different aircraft, Jet Linx pilots are assigned to fly the same exact aircraft. They take ownership over the plane, just like they would with their own vehicles. Jet Linx also requires two pilots on every flight. “I know every sound, every response characteristic of my aircraft,” explains Jet Linx pilot Mia Loxley, who has flown the same Citation XLS for two years. “When something feels even slightly different, I notice it. That familiarity creates a level of safety you can’t achieve by constantly switching aircraft. I treat my plane like a part of my family, and I take great care of it.”
2. Local Service with National Support Personally
Our unique model of local service supported by a national infrastructure means our clients get the best of both worlds. From dedicated Client Relations teams to our in-house Flight Coordination and Fleet Optimization teams, every flight is supported by levels of oversight that prioritize safety above all else. Jet Linx’s Regional Vice President Ashley Allisma recalls: “During a weather event in Omaha, I received a call from a worried spouse whose family was inbound. I shared live updates from our Flight Following team and even connected directly with the pilot. That combination of national resources with personal connection is uniquely Jet Linx. A smaller operator or a large national brand simply couldn’t have provided a touch like that.”
3. The Annual Pause That Says It All
Since 2017, we’ve done something virtually unheard of in private aviation: we ground our entire fleet for our Safety Summit and pause all revenue-generating flights. All 500+ team members stop their work and come together to focus on improving safety at Jet Linx. “It sends a powerful message when a company willingly stops retail operations to focus entirely on safety, and this is the ninth year in a row that we’ve made the commitment,” notes Jet Linx President and CEO Brent Wouters. “It says everything about us – we put safety first. Always, no matter the price.”
In a time when uncertainty can define travel, Jet Linx offers confidence and peace of mind. We invest in the tools, the people, and the systems to keep you safe, because that’s the only way we know how to fly.
Stay tuned as we share more about the 2025 Safety Summit, and discover how we promise worry-free private travel solutions.
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