Air Charter Safety Foundation Appoints Larry Soles as Director of Operations

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is proud to announce the appointment of Larry Soles as its new Director of Operations.

Soles joins ACSF with an extensive background in operational safety leadership, most recently serving as Senior Director of Operational & System Safety at Wheels Up, where he directed the Safety, Security, and Compliance teams. During his tenure, he designed and implemented a leading-edge, enterprise-wide Safety Management System (SMS), advanced investigation and root cause analysis processes, and led a comprehensive safety technology transformation. Soles also spearheaded the integration of QuickBase solutions to streamline safety data management, improving visibility and efficiency across the operation.

Previously, Soles held senior safety leadership roles with another Part 135 operator and a large regional airline, where he overhauled both SMS and Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS) programs. He began his aviation career as an enlisted aircrew member in the United States Air Force, giving him a cross-sector foundation in safety, discipline, and operational performance.

Recognized as an industry expert in SMS, Soles is a Certified Just Culture Champion and Root Cause Analysis Master Facilitator. He has been a featured speaker at major industry forums, including the American Airlines SMS Industry Forum, Aviation Safety InfoShare, and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) SafetyNet webinars.

“ACSF has long been at the forefront of advancing safety across business and charter aviation,” said Soles. “I am excited to bring my experience in building enterprise-wide safety systems, leveraging tools like Quickbase, and collaborating with operators of all sizes to help strengthen the programs that ACSF delivers to its members and the industry.”

Debi Carpenter, President of ACSF, welcomed Soles to the team: “Larry’s deep expertise in SMS and operational safety, combined with his proven track record of implementing technology-driven safety solutions, will be instrumental as ACSF continues to expand its programs and resources. His leadership will help ensure that our members have the tools and support they need to advance the highest safety standards in aviation.”

As Director of Operations, Soles will oversee ACSF’s expanding portfolio of safety programs, including the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Industry Audit Standard (IAS and IAS Lite), Flight Data Monitoring (FDM), and Member Assistance Program (MAP), helping operators strengthen their SMS frameworks and foster a culture of continuous safety improvement.