Air Charter Safety Symposium Draws Record Attendance

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) hosted its 2011 Air Charter Safety Symposium at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia on March 15^th and 16^th. The symposium provided two days of learning and discussion on topics such as how to develop a positive safety culture and a successful emergency response plan.

Presentation highlights from the Symposium included:

         A Safety Management System (SMS) update from Dr. Don Arendt, SMS program manager for the FAA, who noted the need for top management to stimulate a healthy safety environment, build trust and gain knowledge through a company-wide SMS program. Dr. Arendt discussed the FAA SMS Pilot Project, which currently has 60 Part 135, 43 Part 121, 4 Part 141, and 10 Part 145 participants.

The Honorable Earl Weener, board member, NTSB, provided an overview of safety issues affecting business aviation with a focus on airframe icing and runway excursions. He noted that although there are efforts to raise awareness of these issues, there are still recurring issues in aviation accidents.

Presentations on Emergency Preparedness and Response were given by Don Rickerhauser, manager of safety and security with Bombardier FlexJet, and Bob Schmidt, director of operations for Million Air Dallas. Both presentations highlighted the importance of being prepared for an emergency through development of an emergency response plan and the need to put that plan in practice at least annually. Preparation through planning, training, exercises and appropriate service level agreements can significantly assist an operator in properly managing an accident and providing care for those people affected.

Presentations from the symposium are available to the public on the ACSF’s Web site at www.acsf.aero.

Next year’s Air Charter Safety Symposium will be held on March 13^th and 14^th, 2012.

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Tags: ACSF, air charter, Air Charter Safety Foundation, part 135, safety, SMS

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