2016 ACSF Safety Symposium A Success with Record Attendance

Washington, DC, March 22, 2016 — The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) completed its ninth annual Air Charter Safety Symposium on March 8–9, 2016. The event was held at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia.

For the second year in a row the Symposium set a record for attendance. The two-day gathering drew 115 people, including aviation executives, directors of operations, chief pilots, safety officers, risk managers and schedulers. The conference also attracted 22 sponsors.

“Once again the attendance for the Safety Symposium exceeded our goal,” said ACSF President Bryan Burns. “This is attributed to our members and the air charter industry as a whole, making safety the top priority within their businesses. We are very pleased with the turnout and quality of our presenters,” noted Burns

The theme for this year’s symposium was, “Safety: A Small Investment for a Rich Future.” Some highlights from the symposium included:

  • Keynote speaker, Charlie Justiz, Ph.D., Managing Director, JFA Inc. noted that “Safety processes are usually considered adequate until one of them fails and there is an accident.” Justiz reviewed lessons he learned while at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the best practices that were implemented to ensure that safety processes were adequate and constantly tested.
  • Dann Runik, Executive Director, Advanced Training Programs, FlightSafety International discussed the importance of standardization, and what can happen when standards either don’t exist or are purposely ignored.
  • Troy Smith, Special Agent, U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Program Manager of Aviation Safety discussed how to use safety metrics to get the attention of senior management, line pilots and support staff to focus on internal safety programs. Smith explained how to implement simple programs to measure safety efforts within a charter operation or flight department.
  • Dan McCune, Associate Vice President for Safety, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, discussed accident prevention through safety culture enhancement. McCune explained that safety culture is a product of senior leadership, and how strong leadership can ensure that a culture of compliance is instilled and constantly nurtured to prevent the downward spiral into disaster.
  • The Honorable Chris Hart, NTSB Chairman discussed how improvements in safety can lead to complacency and decreased safety vigilance. “As the ‘low hanging fruits’ are addressed,” noted Hart, “continued improvement becomes ever more difficult and necessitates more thinking out-of-the-box.”
  • John Allen, Vice President, Safety, Jet Blue Airways spoke about the new FAA Compliance Policy, and what it means for FAA inspectors and certificate holders. “The new FAA Compliance Philosophy was 10 years in the making through vibrant internal debate within the FAA,” said Allen. “With the new policy comes an evolution of the relationship between the regulator and regulated. This policy advocates for the use of training, counseling and other safety improvement tools and use enforcement when the other tools are inappropriate,” noted Allen.
  • Other topics included Applied System Safety & SMS in Business Aviation, Drones and Unmanned Vehicles, and a panel discussion on the advantages of participating in an aviation safety action program (ASAP).

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message

Go Rentals Discount

Go Rentals shall provide the following rates for vehicle reservations to agents, employees and members of

  • ACSF Toyota Corolla: $64.99 Daily Rate 
  • Toyota Camry: $74.99 Daily Rate 
  • Toyota Rav4: $92.49 Daily Rate

Go Rentals’ standard rates shall apply to reservations in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.

Go Rentals shall provide the clients and customers of ACSF (collectively, “Clients”) a 20% discount for vehicle reservations applied against the daily rate in effect at the time of reservation.

MedAire Benefit

Ensure comprehensive safety and support with MedAire’s industry-leading solutions, expertly tailored for Business Aviation. As a valued member of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, you are eligible for an exceptional 20% discount on the first-year retail price of MedAire360 Assistance Membership. 

Why MedAire360?

MedAire360 stands at the forefront of aviation risk management and resilience. The program integrates advanced medical, security, and operational support, meticulously developed through nearly 40 years of industry insights, real-world experience, and technological innovation. MedAire360 ensures each flight is safeguarded with proactive risk mitigation, cutting-edge medical diagnostic equipment, and comprehensive safety training resources. 

Key Benefits:

  1. Discount: 20% off the retail price per aircraft tail. 
  2. Eligibility: Available to new customers only. 
  3. Duration: Discount applies to the first year of MedAire360 Assistance Membership. 

How to Redeem:

ACSF members can take advantage of this exclusive offer by presenting proof of current ACSF membership to the MedAire sales team during the enrolment process. 

Why Choose MedAire?

For nearly four decades, MedAire has solidified its reputation as a cornerstone of aviation safety and security. The MedAire360 Assistance Membership is designed to integrate top-tier medical and security assistance, rigorous crew training, and state-of-the-art medical kits for onboard health and safety. The membership provides 24/7 access to aviation medical and security specialists, VIP medical support at destination points, and seamless coordination for essential services worldwide. 

MedAire’s services are crucial in mitigating travel risks and ensuring the highest safety standards. Whether the need is for pre-trip risk assessments, in-flight medical guidance, or emergency support, MedAire360 delivers unmatched expertise and personalised care at every step.