Fixed-Base Operators Certified for Sustainability

 Two area fixed-base operators have been certified to the new sustainability standard for aviation businesses from the National Air Transportation Association.

Clay Lacy Aviation, the long-time FBO at Van Nuys Airport, received the designation from the Washington, D.C. trade organization on Dec. 14 while Sun Air Jets received the Tier 1 designation for its Camarillo facility on the same day. 

Developed by a working group under NATA’s environment committee, this industry standard is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO2, increase use of more environmentally friendly energy sources, reduce waste and encourage sustainability operation-wide, Clay Lacy said in a release. 

Scott Cutshall, Clay Lacy’s senior vice president of development and sustainability, said the certification is an important step in the company’s journey toward sustainable operations. 

“A lot of time and energy has been invested by NATA staff and their environmental committee to develop this standard and the tools that will help aviation businesses incorporate more sustainable practices,” Cutshall said in a statement. 

Clay Lacy Aviation has in place a long-term strategic plan to operate more sustainably on both the ground and in the air. It is working on the development and use of sustainable jet fuel and offers carbon offset programs for customers and business jet owners. The company recently installed a 500-kilowatt solar array at its Van Nuys headquarters. It is also preparing to break ground on two new facilities at Oxford-Waterbury Airport in Oxford, Conn. and John Wayne Airport in Orange County that will use sustainable construction and operational practices to reduce the environmental impact, the company said in its release. 

Mary Brehm, director of business development for Sun Air Jets, said that it was an honor to work closely with the environment committee on the project and other environmental initiatives. 

“Sun Air Jets is committed to further reducing the carbon footprint at their FBO and will be regularly evaluating and adjusting the baseline energy usage with a goal to achieve Tier 2 status at their next renewal,” Brehm said in a statement. 

Like Clay Lacy, Sun Air offers sustainable jet fuel and carbon credits through TerraPass, a San Francisco-based company that uses the proceeds from Sun Air’s investments to fund other ventures that reduce harm to the environment. Carbon credits allow companies to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions.

The aviation firm’s Van Nuys hangars are designed to be environmentally friendly and include a solar rooftop system.