Beijing, China, November 2, 2009 — The Flight Safety Foundation recognized aviation achievements around the world today at its 62nd Annual International Air Safety Seminar in Beijing, China. Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer William R. Voss presented the awards at a ceremony in front of more than 300 hundred attendees.
The World Food Program’s Aviation Safety Unit (ASU) was awarded an FSF President’s Citation, which was accepted by Cesar Arroyo, chief of the ASU. “It’s tough to sum up in just a few words the importance of what Cesar Arroyo and the rest of the Aviation Safety Unit are doing for the World Food Program,” Voss commented. “These are critically important flights flying into some of the most challenging situations imaginable. The ASU has greatly improved the safety of these operations. It developed continuous data monitoring, enhanced training standards and information sharing as key parts of its effort to improve safety. I’m honored to be able to recognize these efforts today.”
The Richard Teller Crane Founder’s Award to recognize sustained corporate leadership in support of aviation safety was presented to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for raising international safety standards through its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program, the Partnership for Safety Program and safety workshops. “These programs were developed in coordination with national regulators and work to improve safety for all IATA airlines,” Voss said. “IOSA has implemented more than 900 standards at 350 airlines around the world. The traveling public is well-served by these programs and I’m delighted that we can acknowledge it here today.” Gunther Matschnigg, IATA senior vice president for safety, operations and infrastructure accepted the award on behalf of IATA.
Hindsight, a product of EUROCONTROL, received the Cecil A. Brownlow Publication Award. This award is presented to journalists, publications or organizations for significant contributions in raising awareness of aviation safety issues. This year’s recipient is recognized for its excellent coverage of pilot-controller interaction and other key elements in a safe air traffic control system. “Hindsight is a relatively new publication and it targets both pilots and controllers, offering insight into each others’ operating environment and issues,” noted Mr. Voss. “The Foundation is a huge proponent of increasing this sort of awareness and communication. It can only help improve the safety of the entire system.” Accepting the award, sponsored by IHS Aviation Information, was Tzvetomir Blajev, the publication’s editor.
The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award was presented to Nicholas Sabatini, formerly an associate administrator for aviation safety at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, for his strategic vision, leadership and advocacy of sharing aviation safety data and resources. “Nick’s legacy at the FAA is one of passion for promoting risk management in the pursuit of safety,” Voss said. “His advocacy for collecting, protecting and sharing safety data has helped make these concepts a cornerstone for aviation safety. This award is a fitting tribute to his efforts to promote safety.”
Further information about each award can be found at the Flight Safety Foundation website.
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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.flightsafetstg.wpenginepowered.com
Contact: Emily McGee, Director of Communications, 1-703-739-6700, ext. 126; mcgee@webdeva.flightsafety.org
