Unique safety seminar receives endorsement from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
A record 330 pilots and crew members representing more than 140 operators of Bombardier and non-Bombardier business aircraft participated in an intense three-day “Safety Standdown” training seminar organized by Bombardier Aerospace in Wichita, Kan. from Oct. 28 to Oct. 30.
The only safety seminar to be offered by any corporate aircraft manufacturer, this year’s safety standdown focused on human factors and psychological aspects of flight safety, as well as advanced manoeuvring training and high-altitude aerodynamics. An optional one-day session also offered participants hands-on medical and emergency training, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), in-flight medical emergencies and land and water aircraft evacuation procedures, by FACTS Training, a division of Air Care International.
“This annual event is funded solely by Bombardier Aerospace and reflects our deep commitment to safety and desire to give something back to the aerospace industry,” said organizer Bob Agostino, director, flight operations, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft. “Through presentations by several of the leading safety experts in our industry, the goal is to help flight crews apply the latest knowledge about safety to benefit their passengers. This was underscored by this year’s theme of Attitude, Discipline, Knowledge.”
Industry Acceptance
The annual Bombardier Safety Standdown is earning recognition from both the pilot community and various agencies. It was recently officially endorsed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, one of the world’s leading aviation training institutions, which now offers 2.5 continuing education credits to all participants completing the sessions. “Bombardier's commitment to business aviation safety is exemplified by the breadth and quality of the content presented at their annual Safety Standdown. It's an exceptional opportunity for corporate pilots to refresh or supplement their training, interface with experts on a variety of subjects, and focus on issues such as cockpit resource management and crew interaction and efficiency. The curriculum is thorough and comprehensive so we not only endorse it, we're also pleased to offer continuing education units to participants,” noted Don Hunt, associate director, Center for Aerospace Safety Education, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Also attending officially for the first time this year were representatives from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Air Force and US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Pioneering test pilot Robert A. Hoover, 81, was also among the participants.
This year’s seminar was attended by pilots and crew from Fortune 500 company flight departments as well as small operators, representing 37 U.S. states and seven countries. Nearly 30 per cent of the attendees operate non-Bombardier aircraft.
“We were extremely pleased by the diversity of participants in this year’s seminar and proud that there are so many proactive professionals in our industry,” commented Mr. Agostino. “Our hope is that they will become mentors for others and advocates of the processes advanced during the sessions.”
The 2003 Bombardier Safety Standdown featured a taped message from the Hon. Ellen Engleman, Chairman, NTSB, and a keynote address by Gemini/Apollo Astronaut Captain Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon. Speakers included: Dr. Jerome Berlin, a leading psychologist who has studied pilots for 40 years and spoke about Applied Aviation Psychology; Dr. Mark Rosekind, a foremost industry authority on Fatigue Countermeasures; Dr. Tony Kern of the USAF Academy, who spoke about Professional Airmanship and Human Factors; and Col. Don Wylie, who provided a practical course on Advanced Maneuvering Training and High Altitude Aerodynamics.
The Bombardier Safety Standdown began seven years ago as an internal exercise organized and hosted by the Learjet* demonstration flight department in Wichita. In 2000 it was extended to include all corporate pilots, regardless of aircraft model, at the request of customers.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aviation products and provides services for the regional, business and amphibious aircraft markets. It also offers Bombardier Flexjet* and Bombardier Skyjet* business aircraft programs, technical services, and aircraft maintenance and pilot training for business, regional airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services company, is a world-leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational products. It also provides financial services and asset management in business areas aligned with its core expertise. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, the Corporation has a workforce of some 75,000 people and manufacturing facilities in 25 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2003 stood at $23.7 billion Cdn. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto, Brussels and Frankfurt stock exchanges (BBD, BOM and BBDd.F).
* Trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Information:
Dave Franson
Bombardier Aerospace
Wichita: (316) 946-3085
Leo Knaapen
Bombardier Aerospace
Montréal: (514) 855-7988