Safety

Bookmark and Share
Safety
  • Aircraft Icing

    Aircraft Icing

    Read news about aircraft icing and learn more about free icing training courses. Review.

  • Hangar and Ground Safety

    Hangar and Ground Safety

    Read NBAA's compiled resources about hangar and ground safety. Learn more.

  • Runway Safety

    Runway Safety

    Provides the FAA a single focus for all the aspects of runway safety, with the goal of decreasing surface incidents, runway incursions, and accidents.

  • Aircraft Climb Performance

    Aircraft Climb Performance

    Guidance on expected aircraft performance on TERPS-based Standard Instrument Departure Procedures (SIDs) and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs). Read more.

  • Handling of Hazardous Materials

    Handling of Hazardous Materials

    Learn more about regulations for hazardous waste and find guidance for safely handling hazardous materials. Read more.

  • Night Takeoff and Landing Currency

    Night Takeoff and Landing Currency

    The FAA published a final rule entitled “Alternative Means of Compliance for the Pilot-In-Command Night Takeoff and Landing Recent Flight Experience Requirements.” Learn more.

  • Very Light Jet Training Guidelines

    VLJ Training Guidelines

    This document provides the National Business Aviation Association-recommended training guidelines for the next generation of very light jets (VLJ). Read more.

Safety News

NBAA Opposes FAA's Opinion On 'Controlled Crew Rest' for Part 91 Operators
February 6, 2012
NBAA is alerting Members to a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opinion on Part 91 crew rest procedures that is in "stark disagreement" with international guidelines, and scientific findings. The Association notes that the FAA's ruling runs contrary to a large body of scientific research on effective fatigue mitigation, that has determined a "controlled cockpit rest" period can raise crew alertness when normal rest periods are compromised. "We would like the opportunity to discuss this issue with you and your staff as soon as reasonably possible to identify a path forward, balancing the regulation, as written and interpreted, with aviation safety," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said in a January 30 letter to the FAA. Learn more.
Tragic Crash Highlights Debate Over Airspace Redesign
December 5, 2011
The Thanksgiving Eve crash of a Twin Turbo Commander into mountains east of Phoenix has sparked renewed debate over the implementation of redesigned airspace surrounding Sky Harbor International Airport. In this edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast, Tom Turner, a noted CFI and author of an aviation blog called "Flying Lessons," discusses best practices for flight planning around terrain. Learn more.
Loss-of-Control Issues in Focus for Industry
December 2, 2011
Two fatal airline accidents in 2009 have brought worldwide attention to the dangers of loss of control (LOC) in flight, and led many to further explore resources to ensure pilots are adequately trained to react correctly to unfamiliar flight configurations and other unusual conditions. Although both 2009 incidents involved airliners, the overall safety concern is shared by the business aviation community as well, and NBAA is working on a new program to address the issue. "We must ask, is there training available to give pilots a reasonable expectation of what might occur, and how to recover from it?" notes Doug Carr, NBAA vice president, safety, security & regulation. Learn more.
New Online Tool Helps Identify Flight Risks
October 26, 2011
A new Flight Risk Awareness Tool (FRAT) has been developed to help flight crews quickly assess threats to safety for a particular flight. The FRAT, developed by Jim Cannon and Bill Tuccio, is available as a free online tool that presents operators with an easy-to-understand summary of the risks associated with each mission. No identifying data is collected in order to produce a risk analysis and operators can try the tool before putting it to use before a live flight. For additional information, contact NBAA's Doug Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org. Access the Flight Risk Analysis Tool.
Updated Web Site Offers Information for Avoiding Midairs
August 3, 2011
Recent midair collisions involving general aviation aircraft have highlighted the need for pilots to remain aware of their surroundings at all times. A partnership between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) has paved the way for the development of an informative website about the subject. Effective last month, the updated SeeAndAvoid.org website includes links to the military's Mid-Air Collision Avoidance (MACA) programs, as well as greater access to information about military aircraft movements. Learn more.
NBAA Supports Industry's Promotion of Important Safety Tool
March 30, 2011
Business aviation operators are beginning to implement a program that the airlines have long found useful in helping identify trends in their flight operations. Called corporate flight operations quality assurance, or C-FOQA, the data-management program collects, scrubs, and processes flight data and generates reports that flight departments can use to predict potentially high risk operations, or operational areas that need attention. "FOQA... gives a great opportunity to be proactive and predictive as to potential risk areas," said Steve Charbonneau, Altria Client Services Aviation's senior manager, aviation training and standards. Learn more.
New FAA Safety Outreach to Focus on GA
March 30, 2011
Last week, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a new initiative for reducing the general aviation (GA) fatal accident rate, in part through the use of voluntary safety standdowns. “Safety is a top priority for our industry, which is why business aviation enjoys an outstanding safety record,” said Doug Carr, NBAA Vice President for Safety, Security and Regulation. “The business aviation community knows first-hand the value of safety standdowns, and we are pleased the FAA is finding value in hosting its own standdown events.” Learn more.
Senate Approves Laser-Pointer Ban in FAA Reauthorization Bill
February 4, 2011
The U.S. Senate approved an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that would make aiming laser pointers at aircraft a federal crime. The measure passed by a vote of 96-1 on February 3, as the Senate continues to debating approval of long-awaited reauthorization legislation. The amendment comes on the heels of an FAA report that cited incidents of pointer-type lasers aimed at aircraft almost doubled in 2010 from the previous year to more than 2,800, with business-type aircraft accounting for an estimated 25 percent of the incidents involved. Read the full story.

Other Web Sites

FAA Office of Accident Investigation (AAI)
Provides preliminary accident and incident reports during the last 10 business days.
FAA Accident Lessons Learned Site
Features lessons learned from airline/air transport accidents that have occurred.
NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Search for aviation accidents and selected incidents within the United States from 1962 and later.
FAA National Aviation Safety Data Analysis Center (NASDAC)
Allows operators to search through numerous government databases and aviation safety studies.
NASA Icing Training Online Courses
This web site contains free icing training courses and resources for pilots who want to learn more about aircraft icing and what they can do about it.
Flight Safety Foundation
An independent, nonpolitical, nonprofit, international organization offering an objective view of aviation safety developments.
Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc.
Compiles and analyzes business aircraft accidents dating to the introduction of business jets. Offers summaries of aircraft accidents and analysis of aircraft from specific aircraft manufacturers.

  • Safety Management Systems (SMS)

    Through the use of safety management systems (SMS), business aircraft operators can proactively identify and manage risks. NBAA advocates that flight departments of all sizes implement a SMS for aircraft operations. Learn more.

  • NBAA Safety Committee

    The Safety Committee provides NBAA Members with advice and guidance on all matters relating to the safe operation of aircraft. Learn more.

  • NBAA Flying Safety Awards

    The NBAA Flying Safety Awards recognize Member Companies for exceptional achievement in maintaining safe flying operations. Only Members may apply. Learn more.

  • Flight Risk Awareness Tool (FRAT)

    This free online tool, developed by Jim Cannon and Bill Tuccio, presents operators with an easy-to-understand summary of the risks associated with each flight operation.

  • Safety Statistics

    The safety record for business aviation has historically been comparable to that for the major passenger airlines.

  • Response to an Aviation Accident

    NBAA provides information and guidance for company management and public affairs personnel to help them respond to press and public inquiries in the event of an accident involving company-operated aircraft.

  • Safety Frequently Asked Questions

    Safety-related questions frequently asked of NBAA staff.

  • Aviation Safety Reporting System

    A cooperative program established by the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of the Assistant Administrator for System Safety, and administered by NASA.