Story ID: 083
Safety Standdown Strives To Normalize Excellence
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: FAA, NTSB, NBAA, and top safety experts kick off this year's Safety Standdown, which is now entering its third decade.
Word Count: 784
The Bombardier Safety Standdown opened in late October with chief safety leaders from the FAA, NTSB, and the business aviation community highlighting this year’s theme of "Normalization of Excellence" to upwards of 700 registrants.

Entering its third decade, attendance has grown to the point where Bombardier did not have enough space for the 100 more who hoped to attend. Over the years, the event has attracted more than 10,000 people (combined) and scores more listening in to the event that is now webcast online. In fact, this year’s event in Wichita, Kansas, drew more than 2,000 unique online viewers from more than 30 countries.

Andy Nureddin, vice president of customer support and training for Bombardier, pointed to the shared passion for safety that has stemmed from the Bombardier Safety Standdown and reiterated that “our community can’t afford to take safety for granted.”

A perennial favorite at Safety Standdown, Convergent Performance’s Tony Kern also helped open Safety Standdown, outlining the importance of being a “grinder.” He pointed out top golfers who were grinders—they do not dwell in their mistakes but push through and look to the opportunity to take new shots. Kern encouraged the audience not to fall into the handcuffs of mediocrity that can come with experience over time. Instead, he challenged them to be a grinder, strive for a high level of professionalism that he said is “normalized excellence.”

Noting the importance of maintaining not only safety but the perception of safety for the industry, NBAA v-p of regulatory and international affairs Doug Carr pointed to his association’s recent reaffirmation of its commitment to safety with the signing of its safety policy letter earlier this month. Carr lauded the many participants willing to collect and share data to help build on the safety record, and encouraged audience members who have not yet begun such practices to reach out to those who do to learn how to overcome obstacles to data sharing.

Michael Zenkovich, deputy executive director for the FAA’s Flight Standards Service, emphasized that “we’re all on the same team,” adding that while rules and regulations are important, they must come in concert with a strong safety culture.

National Transportation Safety Board officials have been a staple at Safety Standdown and this year was no different with John DeLisi, director of the agency’s Office of Aviation Safety, providing thoughts on learned lessons from Part 121 operations that could boost Part 91/135 business jet operations. JD McHenry, from Global Jet Services, provided an overview on providing both management and leadership and on reaching across generational lines in his discussion on “Keep It Simple Leadership for Higher Safety Standards.”

Safety Standdown attendees further received an overview from Daniel Mollicone of Pulsar Informatics on fatigue risk management. They learned of studies that correlated sleep deprivation closely to the amount of alcohol drunk (i.e. a person who has gone 18 hours without sleep has a similar cognitive ability as someone with a blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent), and prolonged loss of sleep over time can have effects similar to those of a full day’s loss of sleep.

The FBI’s behavioral expert Amy Grubb returned to also provide insights on mentorships and leadership, stressing a person can lead without being in a leadership position, the importance of developing a positive culture, and relating through story-telling. Other discussions drilled into professionalism, standardization, and the safety mindset.

In addition to the general session speakers, Safety Standdown hosted numerous workshops covering everything from training, land and water evacuation drills, and maintenance events, to 2020 requirements, birds, altitude physiology, and hypoxia, among many others.

Martin Grier, senior manager of aircraft maintenance for The Home Depot Aviation Department became the first maintenance professional to receive the Bombardier Safety Standdown Award.

“Marty truly embodies aviation professionalism,” said Jeff Wofford, chief pilot and director of aviation from CommScope, noting his 40 years of aviation experience. That includes three decades in business aviation and mentoring veterans who are easing into the civilian workforce. “His depth of experience in aircraft maintenance, modifications, specification and completions is directly tied to how he leads, nurtures and grows a strong safety culture. He sets an exceptional example for others to follow.”

As the 22nd annual Safety Standdown wound down, Bombardier had already begun to plan ahead for next year’s event, which for the first time will be held in Dallas. The new location is part of “our commitment to spread our safety messages in other key business aviation centers,” a spokeswoman said. That event will be held November 12-14, 2019.
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