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Safety Symposium 2025

April 7-9, 2025

ACSF Safety Symposium

ABOUT THE SAFETY SYMPOSIUM

The 2025 Annual ACSF Safety Symposium will take place at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University April 7-9, 2025. The event will be cohosted by Embry-Riddle’s Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety and the College of Aviation at Daytona Beach.

Brought to you by the Air Charter Safety Foundation, the Symposium is an annual two-day gathering of business aviation safety-minded professionals where current and emerging safety challenges are reviewed and discussed. Please stay tuned for more information about the 2025 Symposium.

Dates

April 7-9, 2025

Location

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
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Thank you to our Sponsors

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General Info

Review useful information about the ACSF Safety Symposium, including who should attend, location, registration and more.

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SPEAKERS

Find out more about the informative speakers and presentations at the ACSF Safety Symposium.

VIEW SPEAKERS

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES

The ACSF offers a variety of sponsorships to support your branding efforts. We offer opportunities of all sizes to build your awareness

Sponsor Safety Symposium

Hotel Information

Please stay tuned for information about hotels for our 2025 Safety Symposium

Hotel Information

Registration

Please stay tuned for Registration information for our 2025 Safety Symposium     

REGISTER TODAY

NETWORKING

Attendees of our safety symposium meet and mingle with like-minded individuals and certified safety experts in the aviation safety industry.     

Any person who attends the ACSF Safety Symposium, conference, seminar or other program grants permission to the Air Charter Safety Foundation, its employees and agents (collectively ”ACSF”) to record his or her visual/audio images, including, but not limited to, photographs, digital images, voices, sound or video recordings, audio clips, or accompanying written descriptions, and, without notifying such person, to use his or her name and such images for any purpose of the ACSF, including advertisements for the ACSF and its programs.

AGENDA

Don't Delay! Register Now

Monday April 7, 2025

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Registration

Mori Hosseini Student Union/ERAU
610 Aerospace Blvd, DB, FL 32114

Outside Rooms D-F

Grab your name badge and take a seat for the first session of the ACSF Safety Symposium.

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Business Aviation Career Panel

Julia Dentinger, and Ander Turueno Garcia, ERAU Student Moderators

C-Suite leaders will help educate ERAU aviation students on what it takes to enter (and succeed in) the business aviation industry. Each executive will share a highlight reel of their career path, giving tips and advice based on their specific journey.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception

Mix and mingle with leaders in aviation safety as well as students in aviation.

Tuesday April 8, 2025

ALL DAY

Shuttle Service to/from ERAU

Attendees are encouraged to use the shuttle, as parking is limited

Departs from The Daytona and Fairfield hotels to ERAU.

Note: Parking passes will not be available. Limited parking is at a rate of $12 per day.

7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.

Registration

Mori Hosseini Student Union/ERAU
610 Aerospace Blvd, DB, FL 32114
Outside Rooms D-F

Mori Hosseini Student Union

7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

ERAU Student Union
Rooms A-C

Start the day right. Join fellow attendees by enjoying a light continental breakfast.

7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Welcome Remarks

Kent Stauffer, ACSF Chairman
ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

The ACSF’s Chair will welcome attendees and provide an idea of what’s to come.

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Tony Kern, CEO, Convergent Performance

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"All Available Resources"

For over 30 years, CRM has been defined as “the use of all available resources to safely accomplish the flight mission.” In this presentation, Dr. Tony Kern will argue that the mental and social strengths of the crew is the most significant resource of all, and is underappreciated and undertrained. Using examples of world class athletes, he will show that that habits of hypervigilance create true experts who can function under stress, both in the cockpit and in life.

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Refreshment Break

Network with attendees and exhibitors at this morning pick-me-up!

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Brian Small, Flight Safety International

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"Crew Pairing Considerations Panel – Ensuring Safe Flight Operations."

Drawing on the knowledge and best practices from an experienced panel of business jet operators, this session will explore the impact that informed crew pairing decisions and early focus on harmony in standard operating procedures has on safe and successful flight operations.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Mike Graham, NTSB Board Member

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"Navigating the Skies Safely: Building Resilience in Aviation Operations"

Recent National Transportation Safety Board investigations reveal critical lessons, emphasizing the importance of recognizing personal and professional limitations to reduce errors, enhance aeronautical decision-making, and strengthen operational resiliency. These findings serve as a call to action for the industry to proactively review their operations, ensuring that deviations from policy or unsafe practices are identified and corrected before they lead to accidents or incidents.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch

ERAU Student Union, Rooms A-C

Share a meal with your fellow attendees, check your emails and make important phone calls.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Barry Ellis, Hop-A-Jet

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"Working Through And Planning For The Unthinkable"

Discussion detailing the circumstances leading up to an aircraft accident, the real life use of a well developed Emergency Response Program, the expected and unexpected events in the following weeks and months, working hand in hand with the FAA and NTSB in search of the cause and the path forward in the efforts to save the a 50 year old aircraft charter company.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Ron Brower, RBAvLaw

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"Safety, Risk, Compliance, Reputation: 1 Gem, 4 Facets"

Safety, risk management, regulatory compliance, and business reputation are not isolated considerations for success in aviation. They are four facets of the same gem. This session will explore their interrelation and offer perspectives for managing them together in harmony.

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Refreshment Break

Fuel up with afternoon coffee, tea, water and a light snack.

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Luke Bowman, GE & Panel, FDM

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"How FDM Helps Operators Fly Safely"

FDM has been around for a long time but is it really effective. In this session we will discuss quantitative and qualitative outcomes that we see from running a FDM program. There will be a presentation followed by a panel discussion of new and experienced FDM practitioners.

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Special Presentation

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

TBD

5:00 p.m.

Shuttle Service to Hotels

Departs for The Daytona and Fairfield host hotels.

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Evening Reception, Dinner & Entertainment

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1864 Victory Cir, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Network and enjoy a night out with your fellow attendees. (Brewery is within walking distance from the host hotels.)

Wednesday April 9, 2025

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Shuttle Service to/from ERAU

Depart from The Daytona and Fairfield hotels

7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Full Breakfast

ERAU Student Union
Rooms A-C

Start the day right. Join fellow attendees by enjoying the most important meal of the day!

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Keynote Speaker

Al Gorthy, Board Chair and President, Valor Partners Foundation

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"On The Clock"

Under critical situations or emergencies, “time constraints” can undoubtedly put stress and pressure on decision making. As a result, we may make choices more quickly, overlook important information, rely on our gut instincts, and are more likely to make mistakes. Through “story time”, Al will share how time restrictions, handicap decision making and often result in unfavorable outcomes.

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Refreshment Break

Stay energized with a light snack and hot beverage. Plus, be sure to network with exhibitors before the conference ends.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Kevin Van Splunder, Captain

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"Smoke in cockpit without Horizontal Stabalizer Control"

How fast can a flight go from normal to complete loss of aircraft – Answer – 7 Minutes. This presentation will cover key takeaways such as initial training, recurrent training, practical training and execution.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Tim Lilley, Captain, Flexjet LLC

ERAU Student Union
Rooms D-F

"Learning from Tragedy – Enhancing Safety Through Accountability and Modernization"

Tim will address critical issues in aviation safety, drawing from his personal loss and extensive experience as a pilot. He will highlight the urgent need for ATC system modernization, including updated routes, staffing improvements, and better risk identification processes.

12:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Shuttle service to Hotels / Lunch on Your Own

Departs for The Daytona and Fairfield host hotels.

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

ERAU Campus Tour

Bus transportation to The Daytona and Fairfield Hotels, including DAB

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ACSF Workshop

Captain John Cox and Jim Hosey
Aviation Safety Compliance, LLC

ERAU Student Union, Room A
Box lunch included

Requires separate registration
(see acsf.aero/symposium)

"ACSF Lite, Part 5 and the Declaration of Compliance Letter"

An overview of the upcoming SMS requirements for Part 135 and Air Tour Operators. Two highly experienced SMS experts will share their insights on the background, status, and future of the pending FAA rule. ACSF has developed its Lite Certification for smaller operators who must comply with the new rule. By concentrating on the specifics of Part 5, operators can attain certification with minimal intrusion or disruption to their operations. Finally, how to draft the declaration of compliance letter and what responsibilities accompany its submission to the FAA.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

ACSF Board Meeting

ERAU Student Union, Room C

Closed Session

Thursday April 10, 2025

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

ACSF Workshop

Amanda Ferraro
CEO of Aviation Safety Solutions, LLC

ERAU Student Union, Room A

Requires separate registration
(see acsf.aero/symposium)

"Turning SMS Data into Safety Insights"

Unlock the power of your Safety Management System (SMS) data in this interactive workshop designed for operators. Learn how to effectively analyze, interpret, and leverage SMS data to identify trends, assess risks, and drive proactive safety improvements. Led by industry expert Amanda Ferraro, this session will explore practical tools, real-world examples, and strategies to transform raw data into actionable insights that enhance safety culture and operational decision-making.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ACSF Workshop

Leonard Beauchemin
Managing Director, AeroTechna Solutions LLC

ERAU Student Union, Room A
Box lunch included

Requires separate registration
(see acsf.aero/symposium)

"Safety Management, Airworthiness, Quality Escapes; Victim or Enabler"

Understanding the foundation of “airworthiness” and its intent, when exercising risk management and compliance management, is not safety at any cost. Our ability to perform our duties is underpinned by our perspectives, expectations and choices regardless of the activity. These attributes are based on our knowledge, experiences and organizational norms. Our goal during this session will be to add to your operational knowledge and share experiences. Mistakes, defects, flaws, failures, infant mortality, quality escapes, noncompliance in an airworthiness environment will be a shared, explored and explained.

What Past Attendees are Saying

"I had a great time both at the ACSF Safety Symposium and ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Auditor’s Workshop. I really respect the Foundation and their commitment to safety. We’re very much on the same page and I look forward to future collaboration."
John DeLisiDirector, Office of Aviation Safety, National Transportation Safety Board
"I enjoy attending the ACSF Safety Symposium each year. It’s nice to be with colleagues who are all working on similar issues."
Edward M. KilkearyJr., President, LJ Aviation
"We work in a profoundly safe industry, but the daily challenge is to continue learning and innovating so we can prevent the next incident or accident. I always have “take-aways” from each presenter that are helpful in moving towards that goal."
Dave HewittExecutive Vice-President of Safety, Wheels Up
"The ACSF Safety Symposium is a top Safety Forum that’s consistent year in an year out. I’ll be back!"
Former attendee
"More often than not these types of events are motivational and inspirational, but lack relevance and actual information. The ACSF Safety Symposium was a perfect balance of all of these elements."
Madeline SullivanSafety Specialist, JetLinx
"The ACSF Safety Symposium is an outstanding, “pure” safety event that's put together by safety-minded personnel for safety-minded personnel. There are always outstanding speakers who bring forth new ways to tackle age-old safety issues. It’s also comforting to be amongst like-minded, passionate aviators who are so willing to share so much safety information in the spirit of universal safety.
Kurt HummVice President of Quality and Safety, Priester Aviation
"I attend a few aviation safety conferences each year and without exception I feel the ACSF Safety Symposium provides the best “bang for the buck.” Great presentations, thoughtful questions and respectful discussions. See you next year!"
Former Attendee
The information exchange amongst the presenters and attendees at the ACSF Safety Symposium wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the positive environment fostered by ACSF."
Kurt HummVice President of Quality and Safety, Priester Aviation

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Air Charter Safety Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

1800 M Street NW, Suite 400S
Washington, DC 20036

888-723-3135

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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.
Download the Go Rentals Guide

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.