october2021 - 42

EDITOR'S NOTE
The Data to Support
Ground Handling Safety
The Ground Safety Alliance announced by the NATA seeks
collaboration, data-driven decisions and safer operations.
Editor - Josh Smith
jsmith@aviationpros.com
920-563-1644
A
ttending the Ground Handling Safety
Symposium, conducted by the National
Air Transportation Association (NATA),
offers our editorial team an in-depth
look at the challenges faced by FBOs and ground
handlers serving the general aviation industry.
Whether discussing ramp operations like
fueling safety or aircraft movements, providing
customer service or looking internally at safety
management systems (SMS), a lot goes into quality
ground handling at FBOs.
But the collaboration fostered by events like the
Ground Handling Safety Symposium allow the
industry to learn from one another and elevates
the best ideas and practices.
Throughout the five-year history of the
Ground Handling Safety Symposium, it has been
established that ground service providers can tangibly
improve operations by analyzing critical data
and using the information gleaned from data to
make changes for the better. At this year's event,
more action was taken on data-driven operations
as NATA leaders announced the creation of the
Ground Safety Alliance (GSA).
The GSA is designed to be an industry-led
organization intended to bring thought-leaders
together to leverage data and help advance ground
handling safety for both the business aviation and
general aviation communities.
Advertiser's Index
A&V Rebuilding, Inc/Taylor Dunn ..................... 34
ADB Safegate .................................................... 25
ADVEEZ .............................................................. 38
Alberth Aviation ................................................. 39
Charlatte ............................................................ 11
David Clark Company .......................................... 5
EnerSys .............................................................. 21
Engine Distributors, Inc. .................................... 44
FluidTran Inc. ...................................................... 38
Fortbrand Services LLC ...................................... 39
Global Ground Support ...................................... 19
Ground Support Specialist LLC ......................... 27
GSE International Inc. .................................. 35, 40
Hydraulics International, Inc. ............................ 29
Inter Airport ....................................................... 17
ITW GSE ............................................................... 2
JBT AeroTech ..................................................... 43
Memo Parts ....................................................... 33
Mercury GSE ...................................................... 41
Par-Kan Company .............................................. 33
Schweiss Doors ................................................. 41
Stinar Ground Support Equipment ...................... 9
U.S. Airmotive GSE ............................................ 28
Victory GSE ........................................................ 40
Webasto............................................................. 23
" Data is critical for aviation business success
and has been used to improve safety in aircraft
operations for years. The GSA will provide the
foundation for ground handling operators and
other industry stakeholders to collaborate on the
collection, analysis and distribution of safety data
and intelligence, " Michael France, NATA managing
director, safety and training, said in a press
release announcing the formation of the GSA.
The GSA will be led by a governing board of
nine industry leaders from key FBOs and general
aviation businesses.
The GSA's board members are currently working
to implement a comprehensive safety data
collection program that protects confidentiality
while providing operational insights. The GSA
also plans to announce opportunities for FBOs,
aircraft operators, safety consultants and others
to join the alliance in improving safety through
the use of data.
Many hands make light work. And with stakeholders
from all corners of the business aviation
ground handling sector contributing, it is exciting
to see what the GSA will accomplish.
42 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE OCTOBER 2021
october2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of october2021
