Bombardier Introduces Workshops to an Expanded Safety Standdown Program in Geneva
Bombardier Aerospace, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), today announced that the fourth annual European Safety Standdown will be held on May 2 and 3, 2010, on the eve of the 10th annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE), at the Crowne Plaza Geneva Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland. This edition of the European seminar sees the introduction of practical workshops, a staple of the North American Safety Standdown.
“Over the past 14 years the Safety Standdown has grown from a small internal Learjet seminar to a worldwide safety program,” said Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “With established annual seminars now in North America and Europe, and the launch of a Latin American edition this year, the Safety Standdown program is ever evolving. There continues to be a need in the industry for crucial knowledge-based training, and Bombardier, working with NBAA and EBAA, is proud to be promoting this cause internationally.”
Bombardier Safety Standdown, held annually in Wichita, Kansas since 1996, made its European debut in Geneva in 2007. This year, the world-class seminar will feature an extended line-up of internationally acclaimed presenters, as well as a half-day of practical workshops such as professional discipline, human factors in aviation for maintenance technicians, advanced aerodynamics and a workshop for flight attendants.
Safety Standdown provides attendees with unprecedented insight into the human factors that cause errors in judgment and the latest training approaches, beyond the regulatory skill-based training, in order to avoid them. This initiative can benefit all operators - regardless of the type of aircraft they fly or its manufacturer– as they discover first-hand how they can apply the latest safety intelligence and expertise to their operations.
Bombardier pioneering safety worldwide
Originally conceived as a safety-training event for the Learjet flight demonstration team, the conference quickly gained a reputation for excellence beyond Bombardier’s customer base. In 1999, growing interest prompted Bombardier to open the event to all pilots – whether corporate, commercial or military.
Safety Standdown has been endorsed by top aeronautical training institutions for the quality and depth of its content. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the National Test Pilot School and NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) all offer continuing education credits to all attendees. As of November 2009, over 4,100 pilots, crew members, safety specialists and industry officials have graduated from Safety Standdown.
Bombardier Safety Standdown seminars are now held in the United States, Europe, Latin America and as part of the Bombardier M&Os in Asia.
On-line registration and additional details are available at www.safetystanddown.com.
About EBAA
EBAA is the leading association representing business aviation in Europe. In 1977, Dr. Ir. F.J. Philips founded the association to defend the interests of business aviation. Nowadays, over 500 Business Aviation companies, direct Members or Members of associate organizations rely on EBAA to protect their interests.
As the aviation infrastructure in Europe is changing rapidly with the introduction of the Single European Sky, the expansion of EASA’s role, the risk of inappropriate Security hobbling our business without enhancing safety, not to mention the threat of disproportionate rules for emission trading being applied to our sector, it has never been more important for business aviation to be properly represented. Indeed, at a time when the airlines are becoming more aggressive against us as our business grows at 7% per year, and we take more of their high value clients, proper representation to protect our needs and rights has never been more important.
Fortunately, thanks to our growing membership base and the extraordinary success of EBACE, our 50/50 JV with NBAA, EBAA has never been better placed to guard member interests, and their fleet which has grown from 107 aircraft in 1987 to over 800 aircraft today. Yet there are more than 3,000 business aircraft in Europe today, a growth of 25% since the start of the millennium. If you are one of the owners and operators of the 2,200 aircraft we do not represent, maybe it is time for you to join the Association and let us represent your legitimate concerns on behalf of an industry that is doing so well but is rightly anxious about its future.
EBAA really does influence the regulatory processes in Europe by taking an active part in consultancy hearings promoting the importance of business aircraft to the European economy and demonstrating that business aviation really can live side by side with the airlines as the alternative choice for the business traveler. Indeed, we are the only voice authorized to represent business aviation among the European Institutions. JOIN US TODAY!
Visit the EBAA web site at www.ebaa.org
About NBAA
Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
