The Charlotte County Airport Authority’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) has achieved NATA Safety 1st qualified status in the last quarter of 2018 and is now listed on the NATA FBO Status Map.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), which represents aviation businesses, developed its 'Safety 1st' program as an educational outreach and training arm to elevate the quality of FBO services and safety. The program brings best-practices training to FBOs and their staff for the safe handling of aircraft in their charge and related activities (from fueling to towing, and other ground-handling tasks).
In order to be listed on the status map, companies must adhere to strict qualifying tests and audits, and have all of their line service personnel enrolled or certified in a Professional Line Service Training (PLST) or Supervisor program. Additionally, students training status may not be listed as “lapsed” or “expired.”
PGD’s FBO is joining the ranks of a select few Safety 1st FBOs in Southwest Florida including Boca Grande Jet Center, Base Operations at Page Field and Private Sky at RSW.
PGD’s CEO James W. Parish, P.E. understands how important this new designation is.
“We know that safety is vital to the flight-planning process and that pilots actively seek FBOs that adhere to NATA’s Safety 1st best practices,” said Parish.
NATA’s FBO Status Map is a free cloud-based tool to help aircraft operators locate FBOs that are NATA Safety 1st trained throughout the world. NATA launched the FBO Status Map in 2016 to supplement the existing processes that operators use when selecting an FBO. It is searchable by airport ID, company name and address – and is designed for aircraft operators to verify the status of potential handlers from their tablets, PCs or smartphones in seconds.
“Attaining and retaining this status is one we take seriously, from overseeing ground servicing to excellent customer service, to practicing strong safety and security standards every day,” said PGD’s COO & Director of Aviation Ron Mallard, CM. ACE. “I am proud that PGD’s FBO team is meeting these high standards and has earned our spot-on NATA’s FBO Status Map.”
