Orlando, FL, October 21, 2009 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with ARGUS International, Baldwin Aviation and AeronomX to offer new Safety Management System (SMS) Workshops for the business aviation community. These respected training vendors will provide the knowledge necessary for NBAA Members to understand safety management systems and implement them into their flight operations.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards now specify that an SMS requirement be incorporated into national safety regulations for operators of non-commercial aircraft (i.e., FAR Part 91) over 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight or turbojet-powered aircraft. The compliance date for these standards is November 2010.
"NBAA is pleased to work with ARGUS International, Baldwin Aviation and AeronomX to offer these important new safety-focused workshops to both Members and non-Members," said Doug Carr, NBAA vice president, safety, security & regulation. "Through the use of an SMS, operators can proactively identify and manage risk, which will allow business aviation to meet global operating standards while continuing to improve upon its admirable safety record.
"The Association encourages SMS implementation for all business aircraft operators, and these workshops will help them meet that goal," Carr said.
ARGUS International, Baldwin Aviation and AeronomX have significant experience in providing SMS training to all segments of the business aviation community. NBAA selected these vendors through an open and transparent request-for-proposals process.
Beginning in early 2010, the new SMS training will include:
"Introduction to SMS," designed to be a two-day event that covers the basics of aviation safety and SMS concepts "SMS Toolkit Workshop," designed to address the SMS implementation and development process. This workshop is intended to be a one-day event for operators that are planning to utilize the International Business Aviation Council’s SMS Toolkit. Together, the two new NBAA workshops will give Association Members the tools they need to implement an SMS that complies with ICAO standards and the safety regulations being developed by major aviation authorities around the world. Workshop dates will be finalized and announced within the next few months.
