Winter weather has already arrived in some parts of the U.S., and with it comes additional challenges for business aircraft operators and the airports that serve them, especially when runways and ramps become contaminated. “It’s important that if you see something, you say something so that we, as the airport operator, can actually fix the conditions,” says John Ostrom, manager of airside operations for Minneapolis, St. Paul International Airport (MSP). “We want to make sure that the operators, the flight crews – everyone who operates in and out of our airports – have safe surfaces and can have a safe experience.”
In this episode of NBAA’s “Flight Plan,” host Rob Finfrock speaks with:
John Ostrom, manager, airside operations, Minneapolis, St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Jonathan Seibert, manager, airport operations, Teterboro Airport (TEB)
Elliott Taub, CAM, assistant manager for a Part 91 operator
The FAA’s new rule expanding safety management systems (SMS) to Part 135 on-demand operators, certain Part 21 certificate holders and 91.147 air tour operations will be positive for the business aviation community and meets most of the criteria advocated by NBAA and other industry stakeholders, concluded an expert panel during an NBAA News Hour webinar.
Runway excursions are the leading cause of accidents in turbine business aircraft operations. NBAA's Domestic Operations Committee recently updated the association's safety resource, Reducing Runway Excursions in Business Aviation, with additional tips for operators to avoid these events.
Although aviation remains the safest form of travel, accidents continue to be an unfortunate and infrequent reality. Information stemming from crash investigations often spurs important discussions about ways to make operations safer. In fact, preliminary findings from probes conducted by the NTSB can yield valuable lessons.
As risks to business aviation are identified, NBAA’s Safety Committee is positioned as a center of expertise, analyzing industry data and findings to shape the scope of the NBAA’s Top Safety Focus Areas.