In 1996, Canadian aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier, began a safety training programme to share best practice, initially, on operating the company’s Learjet aircraft. The objective was to improve aviation safety standards and sustain positive changes within. This event, ‘Safety Standdown’, was subsequently opened further to other corporate pilots and flight crew operating any aircraft type, Bombardier-produced or not.
The mission of Safety Standdown is to promote knowledge-based pilot safety training along with personal discipline and responsibility as essential elements of aviation safety and professionalism. Safety Standdown programmes consist of seminars, the Leading Edge aviation safety training programme, internal ambassador programme, safety awards, online resources, and other aviation safety programs that provide tools to fight human error in aviation through individual actions and personal accountability. As human factors are responsible for 80% of aviation errors, it is vital that pilots and flight crew are able to access continuous knowledge-based training and learn from subject matter experts.
Crucially, the event is not-for-profit, with delegates being offered a place free of charge. Safety Standdown has been officially recognised by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). To date, more than 9,000 corporate, commercial and military aviation professionals have attended Safety Standdown seminars in–person, and thousands more via webcast around the world.