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The CBAA recently completed an economic impact study to measure the value of Canadian business aviation. The study is the first of its kind in the country. Bombardier Photo
The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) started 2015 with a bang, releasing three announcements that are expected to have lasting impacts on business aviation in this country.
First, the association introduced the CBAA Member SMS, a simple checklist-based safety management system (SMS) template, designed to help private operators comply with new Part 604 regulations concerning quality management and SMS. Vetted by Transport Canada, the CBAA Member SMS program was developed by Merlin Preuss, the association’s vice president of government and regulatory affairs.
“The SMS environment in Canadian biz av is quite a mature culture,” explained Rudy Toering, CBAA president and CEO. “We have had a 604 requirement for regulated SMS since 2002. Through the CBAA’s Partners in Safety initiative, we have now developed template documentation that is being provided to our operator members at a minimal cost. If our program is appropriately customized and implemented, it will provide an adequate means of regulatory compliance.”
CBAA members can save by signing up for the association’s SMS program before Feb. 28. Until then, the cost will be $400; but after that it doubles to $800.
Toering said he hopes operators will sign up early. “Not only has our program been reviewed by Transport Canada and tested by members, but it also provides access to our national aggregate database, which will provide the trending data required by the regulations.”
Members of the CBAA Member SMS program will be able to upload their confidential, de-identified information, which will in turn allow them access to industry insight on risk mitigation and hazard avoidance.
“Many of our members already have an SMS,” commented Toering. “But, we’re hoping that even they will enrol with us to complement their existing program. There are huge incentives to sign on.”
In addition to launching its member SMS program in early January, the CBAA also released the results of a targeted economic impact study that evaluates the importance of business aviation in Canada. The study, 2014 Economic Impact of Business Aviation in Canada,” is the first of its kind and has been underway for about a year. Findings reveal that the sector directly contributes $3.1 billion in economic outputs and an impressive $5.4 billion in economic impacts (this number includes all direct, indirect and induced impacts). About 1,900 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft spread across the country are responsible for some 18 per cent of all domestic air movements, according to the study.
“These are powerful numbers and we’re pleased with this initial cut,” Toering told Skies. “I say ‘initial cut’ because we intend to update this study annually, to include more case studies and relevant industry information.”
He explained that there has never been a tool that specifically values Canadian business aviation. In the past, data was extrapolated from U.S. sources. The CBAA’s first task, said Toering, was to break business aviation out of the mass of intermingled Canadian aviation statistics.
“Having the hard data is a game changer for business aviation,” he added. “For the first time, we can demonstrate the impact of business aviation, and educate policy-makers and the public on its importance and value.”
Government advocacy is an important mandate for the CBAA, so it’s no surprise that the association has already widely distributed the study results to key government contacts, as well as to all members, associates, and corporate flight departments.
Finally, the CBAA has been busy preparing a submission for the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel, a statutory arm’s length process launched in June 2014 and headed by David Emerson, who is known for leading an acclaimed 2012 review on Canada’s aerospace and space industries.
“The CBAA has an extreme interest in providing a submission to the review panel,” said Toering. “Our first submission has identified two important recommendations, and a secondary submission to come will include member feedback. Specifically, we have asked that governments dedicate additional resources to understanding business aviation. A shallow approach based on 705 (airline) operators and their requirements will not work. Canadian aviation has been segmented into sectors for a reason, and we have asked that the government commit to understanding the special needs of each.”
Along with a request for more resources for the sector, the CBAA has also asked the government to take the unique needs of Canadian business aviation into consideration prior to signing any international agreements.
As 2015 unfolds, Toering said he is looking forward to the finalization of several important programs, including the CBAA’s Partners in Safety program.
“Strategically, we’re in a good position to demonstrate our value and to work for our members,” he concluded. “We’re concentrating on very focused activity to achieve stronger results.”
