NBAA Announces New Alliance With Bombardier to Support Safety Standdown

Contact: Dan Hubbard at (202) 783-9360 or dhubbard@nbaa.org

WASHINGTON, DC, July 19, 2006 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced a new alliance with Bombardier and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in support of the company’s annual Safety Standdown, a multi-day event focused on improving business aviation safety.

“Everyone knows safety is at the very foundation of business aviation, and NBAA is honored to join with Bombardier on its 10th Annual Safety Standdown,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This outstanding industry event offers some of the most relevant and timely safety information, which is focused on strategies to reduce human error.”

Bombardier Safety Standdown brings aircraft operators together with safety experts in industry and government for a series of seminars that integrate knowledge-based training with skill-based training. The information provided focuses on human error, which, according to the FAA, accounts for 78 percent of aviation accidents. The event is endorsed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the National Test Pilot School.

This year’s Safety Standdown, scheduled for October 2–5 in Wichita, KS, will kick off with an opening session featuring Nick Sabatini, the associate administrator for aviation safety at the FAA; Bob Agostino, director, flight operations, for Bombardier Business Aircraft; James Hoblyn, vice president, Bombardier Business Aircraft; and NBAA’s Bolen.

Sessions will focus on a variety of safety-related topics, including medical training, in-flight fire fighting, aircraft evacuations on land and in water, high-altitude physiology (hypoxia), fatigue countermeasures, runway incursions, icing and use of airborne weather radar. All participants receive a completion certificate, and are eligible to receive continuing education credits from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the National Test Pilot School.

Resources and meals offered at the event are compliments of Bombardier Safety Standdown. Event participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging accommodations and expenses.

“NBAA and its Member Companies are committed to making business aviation as safe as possible,” Bolen continued. “We are excited to join with Bombardier in support of this important event, which advances and expands business aviation’s safety message. I look forward to meeting everyone in Wichita for this year’s Safety Standdown.”

Individuals wanting to learn more or register for this year’s Safety Standdown are invited to visit the Bombardier Safety Standdown web site, www.safetystanddown.bombardier.com, or contact:

Dawn Pepperd
Tel: (316) 946-7240, Fax: (316) 946-2020
E-mail: dawn.pepperd@aero.bombardier.com

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Founded in 1947, NBAA serves more than 7,000 Member Companies by promoting the aviation interests of organizations utilizing business aircraft in the United States and worldwide. The association provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.