Congratulations: American Aero FTW Becomes First FBO to Earn IS-BAH Stage III Registration

American Aero FTW, an FBO based at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas became the first FBO in the world to earn a new Stage III safety and ground handling certificate of registration from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). IBAC’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) registration is a global, voluntary code of best practices for business aviation ground handlers. IS-BAH is a joint program between IBAC and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). It incorporates the NATA Safety 1st ground audit program and a safety management system (SMS) in all aspects of FBO operations and is aligned with the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). In 2015, American Aero FTW was the first FBO in the Western Hemisphere to the earn IS-BAH Stage I registration. In 2017, the FBO was one of the first in the world to earn Stage II.

“When I created American Aero FTW, I set forth to redefine the FBO experience for passengers and crews and deliver an exceptional customer experience at every touchpoint,” said American Aero FTW founder Robert M. Bass. “This milestone reflects that vision and demonstrates our commitment to deliver unparalleled safety and service.” Read more.

NATA Wraps Up Successful Second Annual Ground Handling Safety Symposium

Continuing its leadership role in driving general aviation ground handling safety initiatives, NATA concluded the second annual Ground Handling Safety Symposium (GHSS) on September 12, 2018. The NATA GHSS is the first industry event dedicated solely to general aviation ground handling safety and includes expert speakers, open forum discussions and industry incident case-studies to provide attendees an interactive experience.

Attendees explored the dynamics between just culture and individual accountability, the challenges of managing safety in a multi-generational workforce and the role of risk management in dealing with fatigue on the ramp. During the open forum sessions, moderated by members of the NATA Safety Committee, attendees discussed the common challenges affecting safety management system implementation, fuel contamination prevention, on-ramp usage of personal electronics and more.

In addition to the great sessions, discussions and case studies, NATA GHSS attendees were able to network with other safety professionals from across our industry at the networking event held at Top Golf in Ashburn, VA.

The 2018 NATA GHSS was made possible with the support of ServiceElements International, Facet Filters, Baldwin Aviation Safety, FBOPartners, Chubb Insurance and CrewID.

NATA Concludes First Certified QC Inspector Workshop

Last week, NATA held its first Certified QC Inspector Workshop at Wilson Air Center in Charlotte, NC. The two-day event focused exclusively on aviation fuel quality control and how to deliver clean, dry and on specification fuel to aircraft, through proper receipt, storage, and handling procedures.

The workshop was led by Steve Berry, NATA’s Trainer and Content Manager and Keith Clark, Phillips 66’s QC Technical Representative. Through classroom and hands-on sessions, attendees learned how to setup and organize fuel quality control records and documentation for the receipt of fuel and QC inspections. Attendees were also provided an industry update by Scott Drafall of Facet Filters on the status of the monitor filter issue.

NATA would like to thank Phillips 66, Facet Filters and Wilson Air Center staff for making this event possible. For more information on other upcoming NATA events, please visit www.nata.aero/events.

QC Technical Rep Keith Clark demonstrates the free water test using a Velcon Hydro-Kit.

 

Attendee Josh Matekovic of Clovis Airport in Texico, NM participates in the quarterly external water defense check of a filter/separator vessel.

Scott Drafall of Facet Filters provides attendees an industry update on the status of monitor filters.

NATA Launches In-Person Training with Safety 1st OnSITE

Last week, NATA Safety 1^st launched its new Safety 1^st OnSITE program. Safety 1^st OnSITE is a supplementary training resource that allows users to customize a one, two or three-day in-person safety and operational training experience at their location.

Built upon the NATA Safety 1^st online training foundation, Safety 1^st OnSITE goes beyond the industry standard and provides aviation businesses customized training that will improve safety, operations and team morale.

Safety 1^st OnSITE provides users the ability to create their custom in-person training experience from any of the following course topics:

• Aviation Fuel Quality Control & Misfueling Prevention
• Safety 1st Training Program Review
• Safety 1st Towing Safety Program
• Ground Handling Human Factors
• General Ramp Safety
• Customer Service Excellence
• Hazard Communication
• Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasure
• Fire Safety – Classroom & Hands-On

Safety 1^st OnSITE is open to any company that currently participates in the NATA Safety 1^st program.

For pricing or more information, contact NATA at Safety1st@nata.aero. To view the press release for the Safety 1^st OnSITE launch, click here.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Contamination Risk | NATA Fuel QC Training and Resources Available

Our industry has seen several incidents in recent months where DEF was accidently injected into jet fuel instead of FSII, causing significant aircraft damage. Although none of these incidents led to an aircraft crash, there is a substantial risk of engine failure in aircraft fueled with DEF contaminated fuel. NATA urges its members that utilize Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII or Prist) to review their storage, handling and personnel training procedures to prevent dangerous fuel contamination.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) that addresses the dangers of DEF contaminated aviation fuel.

In December of 2017, NATA released a DEF Contamination Prevention training course through its Safety 1^st Supplemental Safety Training program. This course is provided free of charge to anyone in the industry and could help prevent future incidents related to DEF Contamination. Current Safety 1^st users have the ability to assign the DEF Contamination Prevention course to their employees utilizing their Safety 1^st training account. Companies that are not current Safety 1^st users should contact us for complimentary access to the DEF Contamination Prevention course.

Current Safety 1^st Users – click here for directions on assigning courses

Non Safety 1^st Users – click here to contact us at safety1st@nata.aero

Additionally, NATA provides the following resources to assist and educate our members on aviation fuel management:

• 2018 Certified QC Inspector Program – September 18-19 – Charlotte, NC
• 2018 Ground Handling Safety Symposium – September 11-12 – Ashburn, VA
• Fuel QC Management System – A cloud-based digital tool for the management of aviation fuel quality control
• General Aviation Misfueling Prevention Program  – Free awareness training for Pilots, Line Service Professionals, General Managers and Customer Service Representatives.

For questions regarding DEF contamination prevention or any of the resources described in this alert, please contact safety1st@nata.aero.

What’s New for the Upcoming Annual Ground Handling Safety Symposium | September 11-12 Ashburn, VA

On September 11-12 in Ashburn, VA (IAD), attendees of NATA’s Ground Handling Safety Symposium (GHSS) will participate in open forum discussions focused on the operational safety needs of FBOs and other GA ground handlers. In NATA’s latest podcast, hear more about how we’re expanding opportunities to collaborate and share what’s happening in the world of ground handling safety. For more information or to register, please visit www.nata.aero/ghss.

FAA Clarifies 139 Fire Safety Training Requirements

Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued National Part 139 Cert Alert 18-06 to clarify the requirements for  hands-on portable fire extinguisher training provided in conjunction with approved 139.321 (e)(1) supervisory fire safety courses. In April, the FAA issued Cert Alert 18-03, appearing to indicate that hands-on fire extinguisher training required the extinguishing of an actual fire – a position that conflicted with long-time industry practice allowing simulated fires when actual fires were prohibited or impractical. Based upon feedback from NATA member companies, NATA staff met with FAA officials to discuss the impracticality of requiring actual live fire during all training.

Now, Cert Alert 18-06 specifically allows for the use of realistic training devices when live fire is prohibited or impractical. Additionally, Cert Alert 18-06 provides details on other requirements of hands-on fire extinguisher training.

Any questions regarding Cert Alert 18-06 or FAR 139.321 training should be directed to safety1st@nata.aero.