Posthumous Award Given at Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar
Orlando, Florida, April 22, 2009 — The Flight Safety Foundation posthumously awarded the Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award to Sydney Baker, a long-time supporter of the Foundation who dedicated his career to maintaining the highest safety standards in corporate aviation. The award was presented by FSF President and CEO William R. Voss during the opening session of the 54th annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar (CASS) in Orlando, Florida. Bruce Huffman of Ziff Brothers Investments accepted the award on behalf of Mr. Baker’s family.
“I’m always proud to be able to recognize excellence in aviation safety through the awards we present at the Flight Safety Foundation, but I present this award this year with sadness as well, as it emphasizes what we have all lost,” noted Mr. Voss. “Syd was a great man, and his contributions to corporate aviation safety cannot be easily summarized. His sudden death earlier this year leaves a gaping hole in aviation safety that cannot be easily filled.”
Mr. Baker spent more than 30 years in management positions at various major corporations, including Bell Helicopter Internatonal, IBM Flight Operations, Sonat Services, Gateway and, most recently, Eastman Kodak. He independently consulted with several other corporate flight departments on safety topics and worked with the Foundation in conducting flight department audits.
In addition to these responsibilities, Mr. Baker generously volunteered his time for various FSF projects, working with the Corporate Adivisory Committee, CASS agenda development team and chairing award committees.
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Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, non-profit, international organization engaged in research, auditing, education, advocacy and publishing to improve aviation safety. The Foundation’s mission is to pursue the continuous improvement of global aviation safety and the prevention of accidents. www.flightsafety.org
Contact: Emily McGee, Director of Communications, 1-703-739-6700, ext. 126; mcgee@flightsafety.org