Story ID: 
NATA Launches Air Charter Safety Program
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Following a hard look at the recent series of air charter accidents, the National Air Transportation Association has taken steps to assist operators in imp
Word Count: 168
Following a hard look at the recent series of air charter accidents, the National Air Transportation Association has taken steps to assist operators in improving safety. NATA president James Coyne unveiled the association's new “Safety 1st” air charter Safety Management System (SMS) in a town hall meeting yesterday with some 50 aviation businesses at Teterboro Airport. The program builds on the ground service SMS launched by NATA in 2004 and involves five crucial steps: senior management commitment; creation of an operator-specific safety manual; Web-based continuing education; independent third-party audits; and data collection and analysis. The air charter SMS initiative has been underwritten by Air BP, Chevron Texaco, ExxonMobil, Global Aerospace, Phillips 66 Aviation, Phoenix Aviation Managers, USAIG, XL Insurance and W. Brown Associates. “By lowering the number of accidents, air charter operators will also see a significant saving in insurance deductibles and a decline in insurance rates over time,” Coyne said. “In addition to cost savings, safe operations help the entire industry grow.” For additional information, go to www.nata.aero.