Safety at NCA

How We Keep Every Flight Safe

Every flight is planned, crewed, and reviewed under a Safety Management System built for our own fleet of jets and turboprops.

ARGUS Gold Rated

NBAA Member

Two Pilots on Every Flight

Our Approach

A Practical, Accountable Approach to Safety.

Private aviation depends on trust. Clients need to know the people managing their travel and aircraft are paying attention to the details that protect time, assets, and people. That is why our operation is built around structured oversight, clear communication, and a safety-first mindset that informs every service we provide, including private charter.

NCA cockpit prepared for flightFlight Deck

Proactive Reporting

Our Safety Management System (SMS) supports proactive reporting, careful review, and continuous improvement. It helps our team identify concerns early, strengthen accountability, and respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.

Submit a Safety & Service Observation

Industry Alignment

Our flight standards draw on safety resources and best practices from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

Four Pillars

The Four Pillars of SMS.

Our Safety Management System is organized around four pillars that shape how we plan, operate, and improve.

01

Policy

We define the operational standards, responsibilities, and safety objectives that guide every aircraft under our care.

02

Risk Management

We identify potential hazards early and evaluate risks before they affect a mission, schedule, or aircraft condition.

03

Assurance

We monitor performance, review outcomes, and verify that our processes are working as intended.

04

Safety Promotion

We reinforce safety through communication, training, and a culture of accountability across the team.

Operational Examples

How Safety Shows Up in Practice.

King Air wing locker open for loadingThe Experience

Safety You Can See

Strong safety standards should be visible in the client experience. Trip planning, aircraft readiness, crew coordination, maintenance oversight, and day-of-flight communication all work better when they are managed with structure and professionalism.

Blue taxiway light with an NCA Pilatus PC-12 on the ramp behind itThe Process

Readiness Starts Well Before Departure

A safe, reliable operation depends on consistent aircraft oversight, careful coordination, and respect for maintenance requirements. For charter and owner aircraft alike, we keep operations organized, compliant, and prepared.

See Our Fleet
NCA aircraft at sunsetThe Result

Confidence on Every Flight

Our clients rely on North Central Aviation because we treat safety, service, and operational reliability as connected responsibilities. That approach supports better communication, better preparation, and greater trust in each flight.

Operational Standards

Standards Written for How We Fly.

Our safety program runs on a technical framework, not a generic template. It is tailored to our operation, our aircraft, and the standards we expect our team to uphold.

NBAA member

As an NBAA member, we draw on its safety resources, operational tools, and industry benchmarks to inform how we operate.

View NBAA Safety Resources
15 Months
Building Our Framework

Our safety management framework took 15 months to build.

Gold
ARGUS Rated

NCA holds a current ARGUS Gold rating, an independent third-party safety rating for charter operators.

2012
Part 135 Certificate

FAA Part 135 certificate JVWA272N, held since 2012.

Charlie Igo, Pilot & Safety Officer

Charlie Igo

Pilot & Safety Officer

Corporate pilot and Certified Flight Instructor.

Safety Leadership

Meet Our Safety Officer.

Charlie Igo leads North Central Aviation’s Safety Management System. A corporate pilot with NCA and a Certified Flight Instructor, he began his flying career teaching, which built his foundation in safety and clear communication. Before aviation, he spent more than a decade leading operations in civil construction, composites manufacturing, and automation, including roles as a vice president and a director of operations. That background shapes his practical approach to accountability, process control, and risk management, and to a safety culture built on reporting, review, and continuous improvement.

Meet the Full Team

FAQ

Safety Questions.

Quick answers about how North Central Aviation approaches safety. For anything else, call our team at 651-301-8890.

Call 651-301-8890
Who leads safety at North Central Aviation?

Charlie Igo, our Pilot & Safety Officer, leads NCA's Safety Management System. Hannah Holtz serves as a Safety Team Lead, supporting the SMS and mission-risk analysis.

What is NCA's ARGUS rating?

NCA holds a current ARGUS Gold rating, an independent third-party safety rating for charter operators.

How are NCA pilots trained?

Every NCA pilot completes recurrent training at FlightSafety twice a year.

What is your safety record?

Zero NTSB-reportable accidents or incidents. We hold an ARGUS Gold rating and operate under a documented Safety Management System.

How long has NCA held its Part 135 certificate?

Since 2012. Our FAA Part 135 certificate number is JVWA272N.

Who has operational control of my flight?

On flights NCA operates, NCA holds operational control. As the FAA Part 135 certificate holder, we are responsible for the crew, the aircraft, and every go/no-go decision, including weather. When we arrange a trip on another operator's aircraft, that operator holds operational control under its own certificate, and NCA stays your point of contact.

What insurance do you carry?

Liability coverage that meets or exceeds industry standards for Part 135 charter operations. Coverage details are available from our charter team on request.

How do I report a safety concern?

Submit a Safety & Service Observation online or call 651-301-8890. Reports are confidential, non-punitive, and reviewed by our safety team.

Report a Safety Concern.

Clients, crew, and vendors can share safety or service observations at any time. Reports are confidential, non-punitive, and reviewed by our safety team.