According to a 2023 report by global loss-adjusting company McLarens, 64% of worldwide aviation incidents occurred on the ground, including collisions with vehicles during taxiing and towing, so-called “hangar rash” and runway incursions/excursions, just to name a few.
While all of these incidents are not the direct result of procedural errors, too many are. And those are the ones that can be significantly reduced through the learning opportunities offered by business aviation-focused safety standdowns.
““When I attend a safety standdown, I take the key points I’ve picked up and share them with our other flight crews. Some of those topics have been the implementation of FAR-required SMS programs, strategies for preventing runway incursions and excursions, and loss of control inflight.””
Keith Wolzinger Captain, Paragon Airways / Bombardier Safety Standdown Keynote Speaker
“Safety standdowns started in the U.S. military as a reaction to major accidents or other issues that needed immediate attention,” explained Keith Wolzinger, captain for Part 135 operator Paragon Airways, and Bombardier Safety Standdown keynote speaker. “In the military, there are no flight operations during standdowns, but in the civilian world, we can’t stop so that everyone can attend meetings.
“When I attend a safety standdown, I take the key points I’ve picked up and share them with our other flight crews,” Wolzinger said. “Some of those topics have been the implementation of FAR-required SMS programs, strategies for preventing runway incursions and excursions, and loss of control inflight.”
“Safety standdowns are becoming increasingly beneficial in today’s business aviation environment because we are in a total system of safety – one that demands integration across complex systems, technologies and operational environments.”
Robert Bergen Global Head of Training at CAE
Increasingly Beneficial
These kinds of safety events remain extremely relevant, especially in a huge, international industry that literally relies on safe operation. “Safety standdowns are becoming increasingly beneficial in today’s business aviation environment because we are in a total system of safety – one that demands integration across complex systems, technologies and operational environments,” said Robert Bergen, global head of training for CAE.
“They serve as a dedicated occasion to step back from routine operations and concentrate on safety protocols,” Bergen said. “This type of proactive initiative enables flight departments to analyze current trends, identify areas for enhancement and develop strategies to foster a stronger safety culture within the organization.”
“Another benefit is the opportunity to talk to other pilots flying similar aircraft in similar situations,” said Wolzinger. “We talk about what they have encountered and what experience they’ve gained. We tend to overlook what we can learn by just talking to other pilots.”
A Chance to Step Back
While business aviation as a whole is highly safety conscious, there is always more to be done.
“With all that’s going on, ‘non-immediate priorities’ tend to get pushed into the background, and that’s where you see a lot of risks start to pile up,” said Cameron McCune, account executive, aviation at Alliant Insurance Services Inc. “A dedicated safety standdown or safety day is the chance to step back and identify where your operational vulnerabilities really are.
“They’re especially called for when you look at the three main root causes of accidents and incidents: overwork, fatigue and lack of resources,” McCune said. “When you identify all three in your operation, the need for a scheduled standdown is much higher.”
Consider Potential Safety Topics
Every aircraft operation is the sum of countless individual parts. So, which topics or operational areas should a well-developed safety standdown cover?
As a long-time insurance broker for a wide variety of flight operations, McCune has participated in a number of in-house safety standdowns and safety days.
“Every operator has different goals. Overall, though, I think the most beneficial ones are needs-based. For example, this year there have been a lot of presentations on the top issues facing business aviation as a whole – procedural non-compliance, runway incursions and the like,” McCune said. “When we get busy, we can get caught in the paradigm of just pushing things through the operation. We need conscious reminders of the value of following set procedures.”
It’s an excellent idea to spend part of a safety standdown going over your emergency response plan (commonly known as an ERP). Many times, a useful resource for this kind of training is an insurance underwriter.
“I’m the one who helps the flight operators identify their deficiencies and help them put something together for remediation,” explained McCune. “We have a lot of real-world experience with the issues a flight operation might face, like injuries, accidents and fires, and know what the best practices are before, during and after for each situation.
“An operator can go to their insurance carrier for help with putting a safety standdown together, and they can even help incentivize the program,” McCune added. “The best thing you can do is work with your carrier to put an exercise together to meet your specific goals.”
Partner With a Training Provider
Of course, another excellent source for reinforcing safety awareness is your training provider.
“The training provider serves as an important resource for supporting event delivery,” Bergen said. “Flight operations frequently engage multiple training providers, and when the operator hosts the event, each provider has the opportunity to participate or present.
“And as training data becomes more sophisticated, these providers can offer alternate perspectives on safety insights,” Bergen added. “This approach enables diverse perspectives that can further enhance safety.”
“Just like any recurrent training, safety standdowns should be part of a 12-month training program. If you don’t take time out of your normal schedule and really think about issues, then they get ignored until something bad happens.”
Keith Wolzinger Captain, Paragon Airways / Bombardier Safety Standdown Keynote Speaker
Timing Is Important
Being able to take part in these events often comes down to timing.
“Our environment is very dynamic. Situations change. Regulations change. People change. We need to make sure that we are not only compliant, but safe,” Wolzinger said. “So, I’d say that, just like any recurrent training, safety standdowns should be part of a 12-month training program. If you don’t take time out of your normal schedule and really think about issues, then they get ignored until something bad happens.
“The goal of a safety standdown or safety day is to highlight the need for acute aeronautical decision-making that starts with preflight planning and doesn’t end until the passengers are deplaned,” said Wolzinger. “If you include safety in your thought process, then things are far more likely to turn out in your favor.”
“There are always things you can improve on. The most ‘resourced’ flight departments I’ve worked with are the ones that come away with the most takeaways from these exercises.”
Cameron McCune Account Executive, Aviation, at Alliant Insurance Services Inc.
And while safety is always worth pursuing, it also helps to know that the time and money invested in attending or hosting a safety standdown is making a real difference.
“If you think you are doing everything perfectly, then you’re not paying attention,” McCune said. “There are always things you can improve on. The most ‘resourced’ flight operations I’ve worked with are the ones that come away with the most takeaways from these exercises.
“For any operator, I think the most overlooked benefit of these programs is gaining a realistic view of how much their exposure to an accident has built up over the year,” McCune added. “No matter how good you are, if you go through your operation in detail, you can spot potential problem areas and take steps to correct them.”
Review a list of upcoming industry events, including safety standdowns, at nbaa.org/industry-events.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.