AOL story involving Crystal Air Aviation

I've never heard of this particular operator, but there are certainly plenty of bottom feeding charter operators in the world, who cut corners-- so it's certainly plausible. Bonus points if they are located in south Florida...

On the other hand, this guy is a former FAA inspector, and those guys often have issues when they move into the real world (which is why few of them do), so this could also be much ado about nothing.

In general, you really want to do your due diligence on any charter operator you use. Wyvern is a good starting point. And don't just jump at the lowest quote.

 

FAA FINDINGS VINDICATE CRYSTAL AIR AVIATION
Slanderous Statements To Tabloids By Former Employee Found To Be Unsubstantiated By FAA Report

Phoenix, AZ, August 11, 2012 - Crystal Air Aviation has suffered in silence since December 2011, all the while knowing it was innocent of all claims by former employee, George Thomsen. “My family and the families of our founders have suffered greatly at the hands of someone, who in my opinion, is evil to the core for spreading lies for personal gain,” stated Robert Salvo CEO of Crystal Air Aviation.

On March 19, 2012, in response to Mr. Thomson's slanderous attacks, Crystal Air Aviation filed a civil lawsuit against Mr. Thomsen in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Given Thomsen's failure to respond, the court entered a default judgment against Thomsen on June 15, 2012. To follow, the court will set damages based on the actual and consequential damages proved by Crystal Air Aviation, as well as those damages deemed appropriate pursuant to the court's discretion.

Mr. Salvo, who also acts as an aviation safety consultant for government auditing agencies, is lobbying for stronger PRIA (Pilot Record Information Act) rules and immunity from lawsuits for those companies that give full disclosure on their former employees during required background checks. “Had we received all the information which should have been available to us on Mr. Thomsen’s past working performance, there would have been plenty of red flags which would have removed him from the hiring process,” claimed Mr. Salvo. “In addition, with regards to Mr. Thomsen’s boasting of being a former FAA inspector, further research revealed that he worked for the FAA less than a year. This information was amongst other misleading information on his resume.”

As a result of this experience Crystal Air Aviation has now incorporated psychological testing into its new hiring process. In addition, it no longer accepts training and checking records from a pilot candidate’s former employer and the company accomplishes all flight checks in-house.

With damages that could be in the millions of dollars, Mr. Salvo felt it unfortunate that the tabloids and online publications are under no obligation to verify if what they are reporting is actually fact or fantasy. “I sympathize with our entertainment industry clients who have to deal with tabloid misinformation on a daily basis.” Continued Mr. Salvo.

It is important to also note that Crystal Air Aviation’s aircraft have undergone numerous spot checks by the FAA and have been found to be flawless. Accordingly, to quote from an FAA report on Crystal Air Aviation’s maintenance procedures, Crystal Air Aviation not only met but “…was exceeding the requirements” of the Federal Regulations. Crystal Air Aviation was also instructed by the FAA, “do not change anything in the way you are conducting business – you are doing it perfectly.”

Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ., Crystal Air Aviation (to whom Crystal Air Group acts as agent) is a FAR Part 135 Air Carrier operating under Certificate # ZC6A829L.

 

Sorry to hear about this, although I can't say I'm surprised. I've never had good luck working with former FAA inspectors. I know some great ones who are still with the FAA, but the ones who leave short of retirement seem to often have issues.

Are you just a bot trying to clean up your firm's reputation, or is there an actual person behind the account?

 

Jennifer Lopez makes for a good looking passenger though.
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Unfortunately this is how many feel about government employees, they just can't make it in the real world. That said I am sure it is just a small number that have issue, just like in the civilian world.