Attending the Ground Handling Safety Symposium, conducted by the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), offers our editorial team an in-depth look at the challenges faced by FBOs and ground handlers serving the general aviation industry.

Whether discussing ramp operations like fueling safety or aircraft movements, providing customer service or looking internally at safety management systems (SMS), a lot goes into quality ground handling at FBOs.

But the collaboration fostered by events like the Ground Handling Safety Symposium allow the industry to learn from one another and elevates the best ideas and practices.

Throughout the five-year history of the Ground Handling Safety Symposium, it has been established that ground service providers can tangibly improve operations by analyzing critical data and using the information gleaned from data to make changes for the better. At this year’s event, more action was taken on data-driven operations as NATA leaders announced the creation of the Ground Safety Alliance (GSA).

The GSA is designed to be an industry-led organization intended to bring thought-leaders together to leverage data and help advance ground handling safety for both the business aviation and general aviation communities.

“Data is critical for aviation business success and has been used to improve safety in aircraft operations for years. The GSA will provide the foundation for ground handling operators and other industry stakeholders to collaborate on the collection, analysis and distribution of safety data and intelligence,” Michael France, NATA managing director, safety and training, said in a press release announcing the formation of the GSA.

The GSA will be led by a governing board of nine industry leaders from key FBOs and general aviation businesses.

The GSA’s board members are currently working to implement a comprehensive safety data collection program that protects confidentiality while providing operational insights. The GSA also plans to announce opportunities for FBOs, aircraft operators, safety consultants and others to join the alliance in improving safety through the use of data.

Many hands make light work. And with stakeholders from all corners of the business aviation ground handling sector contributing, it is exciting to see what the GSA will accomplish.