At the ACSF we believe safety is a system-wide responsibility, not limited to the flight deck, but extending across maintenance, scheduling, dispatch, line service, customer service, and ramp operations.
In collaboration with industry leaders like NATA and NBAA, we support a collective approach to safety, where best practices, effective communication, and leadership engagement are essential for reducing risk and reinforcing safety culture.
This Safety Spotlight is part of our ongoing educational efforts to provide tools and insights that empower every role in aviation to contribute to safer outcomes, on the ramp, in the air, and everywhere in between.
Ground Safety Starts with Communication and Caution
Across the U.S., thousands of FBOs handle over a million flight interactions each year. Every pushback, taxi, fueling stop, and arrival relies on smooth, clear ground operations. Yet ground incidents are climbing: in 2023, approximately 64% of worldwide aviation incidents occurred before takeoff.
Maintaining FBO ground handling safety isn’t just best practice, it is essential for business aviation. A strong safety record boosts reputation, builds trust with clients and insurers, and supports the broader Safety Management System (SMS) that keeps the aviation community flying safely. When FBOs take an active role in SMS, they help ensure every link, air and ground, works together to prevent avoidable accidents.
“Safely moving an aircraft on a ramp once is easy, but what is difficult is doing that 10,000 times, day in and day out without incident. You need to create a safety culture where people feel empowered to report hazards, you have to have a solid training program, and leadership must be fully engaged.” —Michael France, NATA Managing Director of Safety (retired), as quoted in the NBAA article “Handle With Care”
Communication Is Critical
At the heart of every safe FBO operation is clear, proactive communication between flight crews and ground crews. Misunderstandings and assumptions can result in preventable incidents, including injuries, equipment damage, or aircraft damage.
This is never more important than when an aircraft is about to move. Before any aircraft movement, whether towing or taxiing, there must be a direct confirmation that the aircraft is safe to move, all equipment is disconnected, and personnel are clear.
For example, beginning to taxi with a Ground Power Unit (GPU) still connected, or while a technician is beneath the fuselage, poses serious risk. These incidents are preventable with proper communication and procedural consistency.
Towing Incidents on the Rise
As of 2024, collected data indicates that 11% of ground incidents occur during towing. These include everything from “hangar rash” to collisions with other aircraft. Many of these are avoidable with strong safety culture and communication.
Help Keep the Ramp Safe with Controlled Taxi Speeds
The ramp is a shared workspace, often congested with people, equipment, and vehicles. A good practice is to maintain a taxi speed no greater than a brisk walking pace. This allows ground crews time to react and gives pilots better control in tight areas.
Recognizing Shared Pressure Requires Shared Awareness
Both ground and flight crews are often under pressure from tight schedules, customer demands, or weather. Acknowledging that everyone is operating under stress helps build mutual respect and promotes safer interactions.
An often-repeated axiom in aviation is: Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Rather than rushing, teams should prioritize coordination and caution. Controlled actions lead to safer outcomes.
Stop the Operation When Clearance is Uncertain
Clearance should never be assumed. Whether parking, towing, or preparing for departure, any crew member who sees a risk, such as a wingtip approaching a hazard, must feel empowered to stop the operation immediately.
Safety Comes Before Preference
While certain aircraft may have preferred parking locations for convenience, ramp layout and safety must guide decisions. If a location presents clearance risks or tight angles, selecting a safer spot is not just appropriate, it is necessary. Communicating these decisions with flight crews reinforces a strong safety culture.
Ground Handling Safety Best Practices
To help reinforce these principles, FBOs and operators should:
- Conduct pre-departure communication confirming aircraft is clear of personnel and equipment
- Enforce taxi speed limits and communicate them to flight crews
- Use standardized hand signals and protocols
- Empower any team member to stop operations if safety is in question
- Promote ramp flexibility, especially as aircraft get larger but ramp space does not
Maintaining Safety Through Teamwork and Communication Leads To Better Outcomes For All
Ramp safety relies on mutual respect, deliberate communication, and the willingness to pause when needed. By supporting cross-functional safety awareness and building tools for all departments, organizations can reinforce a culture where safety is a shared responsibility.
Modern Safety Management Systems (SMS) emphasize a proactive, organization-wide approach to managing risk. Rather than relying solely on top-down directives, modern SMS frameworks encourage feedback, data sharing, and safety ownership across all functions. By fostering cross-functional awareness and equipping every department with practical tools, ACSF helps strengthen safety performance and align stakeholders, including operators, ground service providers, and support staff, with these evolving standards.
Together with our partners in industry, we are committed to advancing a more connected, informed, and proactive safety culture, one where every role contributes to safe operations from ramp to sky.
