University of Michigan Health System Signs Multi-Year Agreement with Pentastar Aviation

Sep 23, 2009 9:55 AM

The University of Michigan has signed a multi-year agreement with Pentastar Aviation to provide management and support for fixed-wing emergency medical operations for the Survival Flight program.

Survival Flight is a service provided by the University of Michigan Health System to support expedient air transportation for patients requiring specialized services and organ procurement for solid organ transplantation.

“We are pleased to provide support for the University of Michigan’s Survival Flight operations,” said Rick Maloney, President and CEO, Pentastar Aviation. “We feel privileged to be chosen from such a large field of candidates and we view our selection as evidence of our impeccable safety record, diverse capabilities and outstanding service.”

Pentastar and Survival Flight’s shared values of safety and excellent customer care make this an ideal partnership. The University of Michigan was impressed by Pentastar Aviation’s flawless safety record and by the organization’s dedication to detail and ability to deliver. Pentastar Aviation Charter, Inc., is an ARG/US Platinum-rated operator, having completed its FAA A008 (FAR 135 operational control audit) and being found fully compliant.

"We are looking forward to working with Pentastar, a Michigan company,” said Michael Valdes, Associate Hospital Director for Operations and Ancillary Services. “Our fixed wing operation is an integral part of our Survival Flight program, which supports many of our clinical programs with world-class air transport of patients and organ procurement teams. We are pleased to know that over 130 annual fixed wing missions will be carried out by Pentastar, an industry leader in safety and customer service.”

A 2007 Office Safety Inspection Program statement from Federal Aviation Administration officials noted that “Pentastar observes industry best practices, demonstrates consistency and sets the gold standard for 135 operators.”

This assessment followed a four-day inspection involving 15 FAA safety inspectors and yielded zero findings. Pentastar’s Maintenance and Avionics Department is a repeat winner of the FAA Diamond Award, recognizing its training for 100 percent of its personnel.

Pentastar Aviation has been a leader in the private aviation industry for more than 45 years. Headquartered at the Oakland County International Airport (PTK) in Waterford, Mich., Pentastar also operates a full-service Fixed Base Operation at the Van Nuys Airport (VNY), which is undergoing extensive expansion. During the past five years, Pentastar Aviation’s PTK location has consistently ranked in the top five FBOs in the United States in various industry surveys, including being voted the #1 U.S. FBO in 2008 in the Pro Pilot PRASE Survey. Pentastar Aviation specializes in aircraft management, aircraft charter, aviation advisors, maintenance and repair and avionics services. Pentastar Aviation has extensive maintenance capabilities and is the only independently-owned Gulfstream Authorized Warranty and Repair Facility in the U.S.

For more than 25 years, the U-M Survival Flight program has safely transported critically ill and injured patients of all ages from hospitals and accident sites across the state to the U-M Health System for specialized care, aid in rescue operations and transport harvest teams for organ donations. Since 1983, Survival Flight has flown more than 30,000 patient transports.

The University of Michigan Health System includes three hospitals (University Hospital, founded in 1869 as the first university-owned hospital in the U.S, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital), approximately 30 health centers and 120 outpatient clinics, the U-M Medical School and its Faculty Group Practice, the U-M School of Nursing and the Michigan Health Corp. This is the 15th year in a row that the University of Michigan has been named to the honor roll of "America's Best Hospitals,” as compiled by U.S. News & World Report. In 2009 UMHS was ranked 14th overall and received recognition for excellence in 14 areas of specialized care. USN&WR has also recognized it as having one of the nation's top children's hospitals and one of the top medical schools. For details see www.med.umich.edu.

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