PROJECTS & ARTICLES
Current or Recent Activities

• Assisted part 135 air carriers in drafting and implementing a Safety Management System
• Prepared part 135 operators for Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Industry Audit Standard (IAS) and International Standard for Business Aircraft Operators (IS-BAO) audits
• Developed security programs for part 135 operators and FBOs
• Assisted aircraft operator in obtaining part 135 certification
• Drafted Emergency Response Plan for part 135 operators and FBOs
• Developed and implemented Internal Evaluation Program with part 135 operator
• Developed and conducted training modules for Part 135 operators, including flight coordinator training, internal auditor training, introduction to Part 135 training, and more
• Assisted part 135 air carrier in obtaining access to DCA through the DCA Access Standard Security Program
• Assisted FBO in obtaining DCA Access Standard Security Program gateway status
• Drafted, edited, and produced newsletters for trade association
• Coordinated and executed seminars for aviation trade association

Sample of Recent Articles and Publications:

• NATA Aviation Business Journal
  • “First NATA Safety 1st FBO Audit Completed”
    1st Quarter 2013, page 47
    The first audit in accordance with the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Standard was conducted in November of 2012. This article explains how the audit works, what topics are covered, and a series of lessons learned from that first audit.
    
    
  • The Broker Issue – Brokers Tell Their Side”
    2nd Quarter 2012, page 13
    Love air charter brokers or hate them. Most air charter operators do business with brokers. In fact, almost every air charter operator acts as a broker at some point in time. Have you ever sold off a trip after a mechanical problem prevented your company from completing it? If so, then your company acted as a broker. In this article, we are going to look at the brokers’ side of the story.
    
    
  • “Finally – A Safety Rating for FBOs”
    1st Quarter 2012, page 45
    NATA Safety 1st recently established the Ground Audit Standard to promote industry best practices and Safety Management Systems (SMS) development among ground handling providers in response to member requests for a safety standard and rating for FBOs. This audit standard is the first published audit for FBOs and other ground handling service providers.
    
    
  • “Falsification – A Deadly Sin”
    4th Quarter 2011, page 14
    Falsifying records is one of the FAA’s deadly sins. It seems a discussion about falsification of records should start with, “It’s bad” and end with “so don’t do it.” The issue is not quite that easy. Where is the line between correcting or “modifying” a record and actually “falsifying” information?
    
    
  • “Avoid a Training Credit Crisis”
    3rd Quarter 2011, page 21
    A hot topic is the legality of transferring or giving credit for pilot training from one air carrier to another. Here’s an example: The Part 135 air carrier for which you work hires Fred, a Falcon 50 pilot. In fact, you’re going to put him through your company indoctrination class and schedule him for a trip next week. But wait a minute! How much of Fred’s training and checking is really relevant to your operation?
    
    
  • “Swift Justice: DOT Enforcement”
    2nd Quarter 2011, page 19
    Running afoul of Department of Transportation rules can be painful, especially for “non-operators” in the aviation industry, such as brokers, ticket agents, and others. Find out what lessons can be learned from prior enforcement proceedings and how businesses can avoid attracting the attention of the “swift justice” Enforcement Office.
    
    
  • “Cowboy Charter Operations: Putting a Stop to Part 134 ½ Charter Activity”
    1st Quarter 2011, page 17
    The legitimate on-demand charter community – those with a valid Part 135 air carrier certificate – refer to those operators conducting illegal charter activity as “Part 134 ½ operators.” Our industry has been tarnished enough by the improper actions of Part 134 ½ operators. It’s time to tame the cowboys.
    
    
  • “The Broker Issue”
    3rd Quarter 2010, page 33
    Certificated air carriers have struggled with several concerns related to brokering over the years, and good brokers continue to fight against the negative connotation that has somehow come along with the term “broker.” Two issues received significant attention at NATA’s recent Air Charter Summit: Should brokers be required to gain DOT approval before conducting business? Who is liable for federal excise taxes that result from brokered flights?
    
    
• Airport Business
  • “Short-Term Lease, Long-Term Investment”
    May 2012
    FBOs and other on-airport aeronautical service providers (ASPs) have long struggled with using private funds to invest in their facilities on leased land on airports. Short-term lease terms often limit an FBO’s ability to take advantage of favorable lending practices and commercial tax rules related to depreciation and amortization. The General Aviation Infrastructure and Investment Coalition (GAIIC) was created to begin a dialogue about leasing provisions with FBOs and airports, as well as to increase visibility within Congress of the concerns surrounding private investments by ASPs. This article discusses the recommendations of the GAIIC.
    
    
  • “Common Sense for General Aviation”
    April 2011
    This article outlines four steps to improve general aviation airport security and emphasizes GA security doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be effective.
    
    
  • “Analyzing GA Security: One on One with Lindsey C. McFarren”
    March 2010
    Aviation Business conducted this one on one interview with Lindsey McFarren to discuss GA security insights gained from working at the TSA, the long-awaited Large Aircraft Security Program, and acceptable risks in GA security.