April 14, 2025
Amid a series of high-profile aviation accidents and incidents this year, the Business Aviation Safety Summit (BASS), taking place May 6-7 in Charlotte, NC, comes at a critical time and will offer a deep dive into these occurrences and provide valuable insights on enhancing operational safety.
The Flight Safety Foundation event, organized in partnership with NBAA and NATA, is expected to draw more than 300 participants for a comprehensive agenda featuring expert panels, interactive workshops and exceptional networking opportunities.
To highlight what attendees can expect, industry held a webinar previewing the event, titled, “Inside Bass 2025: What’s New, What’s Next and Why it Matters.” Participants included:
- Dan Boedigheimer, chief safety officer, Advanced Aircrew Academy, NBAA Safety Committee Chair
- Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president, safety, security, sustainability and international affairs
- Joseph Dickinson, captain, Hess Aviation
- Jenny Ann Urban, vice president of Regulatory Affairs, NATA
- Paige Kroner, director, member relations, Flight Safety Foundation
NBC News Senior Correspondent Tom Costello, the network’s lead aviation and space correspondent, will open the event. He’ll be joined by Capt. John Cox, a former airline pilot and long-time industry consultant who serves as NBC’s aviation analyst.
Event highlights include two “round robin” sessions that will allow for more interactive discussions, said Boedigheimer. These sessions are: “Data Driven Decision Making” and “Weather Risk and Turbulence.”
Looking at safety overall, Carr said BASS will provide the industry with an important opportunity to review aviation safety issues considering recent accidents.
“[This year] has not started off well for safety in aviation,” he said. “We’re seeing, even today, there have been some accidents around the globe that would benefit from some additional focus.” BASS, he added, will feature some of the industry’s leading experts on aviation safety.
Another topic of importance will be a discussion of the Part V rule that was published in 2024 requiring Part 135 charter operators to implement a safety management system (SMS). “One of the key things is insuring not only the industry, but the FAA workforce, is ready for the May 2027 deadline to have the SMS implemented,” said Urban.
Other topics to be explored include:
- Building workforce culture to elevate safety and retention
- Crew resource management
- Cybersecurity risk mitigation
- Global challenges
- Emerging technologies
- Mental health and wellbeing
Programming is complemented by an exhibit marketplace showcasing aviation safety-related products and services.
The group also offered advice on how to get the most out of the event; especially for those who have not attended before – don’t be shy. “You’re among a lot of like-minded professionals who are going to be there,” said Dickinson. “Everybody who is going to be there is very passionate about safety.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.