April 9, 2020
For those accustomed to the fast-paced environment of a business aviation operation, one of the most frustrating aspects of the COVID-19 crisis is that, forced to be away from work, there may be limited options to keep their minds sharp.
“While many of us are still doing what we can from home, spending time with our families or otherwise using this time to catch up on projects, it’s understandable that we all might become impatient and even irritated at times with the current situation,” said NBAA Operations Specialist Hunter Watson. “It’s difficult to ignore that little voice telling us we should be at work.”
However, there are many ways those working in business aviation can still use this time to expand their knowledge and enhance their careers. In addition to the many colleges and other institutions that have made educational opportunities and content available online, Watson pointed to the variety of digital NBAA resources available to those working in business aviation, including but not limited to:
- NBAA’s Safety Management Systems Resources, which offer vital information on how business aircraft operations may proactively identify and manage risks.
- NBAA’s Insurance and Risk Management Resources, which provide guidance on purchasing aviation insurance to protect against financial, property and injury losses.
- NBAA’s Maintenance Resources, which offer guidance for maintenance personnel, including information on minimum equipment lists, A&P inspection authorization renewals and more.
- NBAA’s On-Demand Education, which enables members to fully engage in targeted, virtual education from their remote location – including NBAA’s News Hour webinar series providing answers on the most pressing operational issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- NBAA Management Guide, a comprehensive resource on how to manage a flight operation.
Other tips include using the time to examine your flight operation’s organizational structure, reviewing aircraft logbooks and maintenance records to verify regulatory compliance, and even studying for NBAA’s Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) accreditation, said Watson.
During this COVID-19 period, members are also encouraged to take advantage of NBAA’s various digital communications platforms, which provide information to members when they need it, where they need it, including:
- NBAA Insider Daily, the association’s brand-new AI-driven news service, bringing subscribers the latest original content and thought leadership from the association, as well as NBAA Job Board listings and aviation news from trusted sources around the web.
- NBAA News and Publications, providing links to all the association’s latest articles, including Business Aviation Insider magazine stories.
- NBAA Flight Plan Podcast, offering weekly episodes with industry experts discussing the latest topics of importance to the business aviation community.
- NBAA’s social media news feeds:
- Instagram, including a standalone feed especially for young professionals
“The current situation offers all of us the chance to dramatically increase our knowledge and awareness of matters affecting our careers and our industry,” Watson concluded. “There is a wealth of information out there for members published by NBAA, and this is an ideal opportunity to catch up and stay updated.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.