At a meeting I attended recently, one of the speakers said, in essence, that while we cannot predict the future, how we conduct ourselves today will play a big part in how things turn out. With that in mind, I thought I would share some insight into our planning and work scope for 2013.
The Foundation has six principal operating areas: membership, seminars, technical programs, communications, BARS (Basic Aviation Risk Standard) and government/political affairs. In each area, we set priorities for projects and the funding that goes into them. The leadership team, working in conjunction with the Foundation’s officers and Board of Governors, produces a work plan that fits the Foundation’s mission.
In the membership program, we are opening more lines of communication with a monthly e-newsletter to keep you up to date on what is happening at the Foundation. In addition, we will further develop our student membership and student chapter programs, and will continue to hone our dues structure.
Our seminar team is planning two major safety events: our Business Aviation Safety Seminar, scheduled for April 10–11 in Montreal, and the International Air Safety Summit, Oct. 29–31 in Washington. Also in the planning stages are two, or possibly three, smaller regional seminars. Keep checking our website for updated information.
In technical programs, information sharing and safety management system evaluations will be a focus. The Foundation also will continue to facilitate and participate in committee work, and we are looking at forming more partnerships to keep on top of all that is going on in the industry.
We have been working to enhance communication with our membership, and the broader aviation/aerospace industry, through improvements to our website, and that effort will continue in the new year. Also, in addition to the launch of the members-only e-newsletter, we are rolling out members-only access to select information on our website. Beginning in February, new issues of AeroSafety World will be available digitally only to members for the first three months following publication. After three months, digital access will be opened up to everyone. Data and information that currently reside on the website will continue to be available to all.
The BARS program, which primarily conducts audits for operators associated with the mineral and mining industry, has matured and will focus on current customers’ needs while working strategically to add more BARS member organizations.
In November, we signed a memorandum of cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization that will enable us to expand our work with countries around the world on issues such as the protection and sharing of safety data. There will be more interaction with governments that may need our facilitation with safety issues concerning airports, air traffic control and gathering of data.
These are the primary areas that we will be focusing on. However, if there is an issue that pops up where we think we can make a difference for aviation and aerospace safety, we will jump in.
After all, that is what our members expect.