CFBAA 2nd Annual Safety Standdown

From Good to Great: Advancing Safety in Small Flight Departments

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

CAE / SimCom Aviation Training
6480 Nemours Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32827

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You're Invited

The Central Florida Business Aviation Association (CFBAA) invites you to our 2nd Annual Safety Standdown, taking place at the CAE / SimCom Aviation Training Center in Lake Nona, Florida.

Following the success of our inaugural Safety Standdown, we're bringing the business aviation community together once again for a full day of education, collaboration, networking, and real-world safety discussions focused on one common goal — making aviation safer.

This year's theme, From Good to Great: Advancing Safety in Small Flight Departments, will explore how flight departments of every size can strengthen their safety programs, prepare for the unexpected, develop their people, and continually improve operational performance.

Whether you're a pilot, maintenance professional, scheduler, dispatcher, flight attendant, safety manager, department leader, student, or aviation professional, this event is designed for you.

Conference Schedule

Schedule and presenters are subject to change as additional sessions are confirmed.

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM

Continental Breakfast & Networking

Start the morning by connecting with fellow aviation professionals, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

8:00 AM – 8:20 AM

Conference Kickoff

8:20 AM – 8:50 AM

CFBAA Welcome, Conference Preview & Housekeeping

8:50 AM – 9:50 AM

Safety That Fits: Building a Scalable SMS for Your Flight Department

Presented by Jason Starke, Ph.D., President/CEO, Business Aviation Safety Consortium (BASC)

Whether you operate one aircraft or five, your Safety Management System should fit your operation. Learn how to build and customize a practical, scalable SMS that strengthens risk management and safety without unnecessary complexity — and can grow alongside your flight department.

9:50 AM – 10:30 AM

Networking Break & Vendor Expo

Visit with our exhibitors, connect with industry professionals, and explore products and services supporting business aviation safety and operations.

Networking Break Sponsor: Available

10:40 AM – 11:40 AM

When the plan becomes real: an erp activation

Fireside Chat with David Donovan, Chief Pilot, Hop-A-Jet

No flight department ever wants to activate its Emergency Response Plan—but when an aircraft accident occurs, preparation becomes reality in an instant.

In this candid fireside chat, David Donovan will share his firsthand experience navigating the activation of Hop-A-Jet’s ERP following the tragic accident involving one of its aircraft in Naples, Florida. The conversation will explore the first critical hours, how their ERP helped guide the organization through an extraordinarily difficult and emotional situation, lessons learned, and why having a plan in place before you need it can make an immeasurable difference.

This real-world discussion will offer flight departments a unique perspective on ERP preparedness, not from a manual or checklist, but from someone who has lived it.

11:50 AM – 1:20 PM

Lunch & Vendor Expo

Enjoy lunch while networking with fellow attendees and visiting our exhibitors and industry partners.

Lunch Sponsored By:
Cuisiniers Corporate Aviation Catering

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Ready When It Matters: Building an Emergency Response Plan for the Small Flight Department

Presented by Gina Shealy, Emergency Operations Director, Fireside Partners

Emergencies don't scale based on the size of your flight department — and preparedness shouldn't either.

Gina Shealy will share practical guidance for creating an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that works for a small flight operation with limited personnel and resources. Learn how to identify critical roles, establish clear first-response actions, coordinate with company resources and outside partners, and regularly practice your plan so your team is ready to respond when it matters most.

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

Refreshment Break & Vendor Expo

Another opportunity to visit exhibitors, meet industry partners, and continue conversations from throughout the day.

Refreshment Break Sponsor: Available

3:25 PM – 4:25 PM

Leadership Perspectives on Advancing Safety, People, and Performance

Panelists:

Wesley Treco
Director of Aviation, NASCAR

Scott Harris
Lead Captain & Safety Officer, L3Harris

Greg Kinsella
Director of Aviation, Fliteways

What takes a small flight department from good to great?

Join a panel of business aviation leaders as they share practical strategies for strengthening safety culture, developing and retaining top talent, and using quality training to drive operational excellence.

Panelists will offer real-world perspectives on leadership, continuous improvement, and achieving exceptional safety performance with limited resources.

4:25 PM

Closing Remarks

Keep the Conversation Going

Safety Standdown Wind-Down Happy Hour

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Canvas Restaurant & Market
13615 Sachs Ave
Orlando, FL 32827

After a full day of learning and networking, join us for an informal Safety Standdown Wind-Down Happy Hour and continue the conversations with attendees, speakers, sponsors, and industry friends.

Exhibitors & Industry Partners

Throughout the Safety Standdown, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with companies and organizations supporting business aviation safety, training, operations, technology, and professional development.

Companies Scheduled to Attend - Will be Updated as confirmed.

AIRCARE INTERNATIONAL
Aircare International has become a cornerstone of business aviation, leading the industry in safety, preparedness, and operational excellence. Our comprehensive services—including training, emergency telemedicine, and customized staffing solutions—are designed to ensure seamless, worry-free operations that prioritize readiness and reliability.

Business Aviation Safety Consotium
The Business Aviation Safety Consortium (BASC) is an organization dedicated to enhancing safety in business aviation through collaboration, benchmarking, and data sharing among operators. It aims to foster a culture of safety and provide resources that empower aviation operators to achieve high safety standards. 

Gulfstream
Gulfstream is a business jet manufacturer and a visionary leader for the aviation industry. We design, build and service next-generation aircraft that accelerate the pace of global commerce. 

[Company / Exhibitor Name]
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[Company / Exhibitor Name]
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[Company / Exhibitor Name]
Brief description, website, or area of expertise.

Additional exhibitors will be added as they are confirmed.

More Than a Conference

The CFBAA Safety Standdown is designed to create opportunities for learning inside and outside the classroom.

Throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to:

  • Visit vendor displays and meet aviation industry partners

  • Network with aviation professionals from across Central Florida and beyond

  • Connect directly with speakers and industry safety experts

  • Tour the CAE / SimCom aviation training facility

  • Exchange ideas and best practices with other flight departments

  • Enjoy complimentary continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments

  • Continue networking at our post-event Wind-Down Happy Hour

Who Should Attend?

The CFBAA Safety Standdown is open to aviation professionals from across the industry, including:

  • Pilots

  • Maintenance professionals

  • Schedulers and dispatchers

  • Flight attendants

  • Safety managers

  • Directors of Aviation and Chief Pilots

  • Flight department managers

  • Aviation students

  • Industry vendors and service providers

  • Anyone passionate about advancing aviation safety

Whether you're part of a single-aircraft operation or a larger flight department, you'll leave with ideas, resources, and relationships that can help strengthen your organization.

Registration

Current Undergraduate Students

FREE

CFBAA Members

$20

Non-Members

$40

Registration includes access to all conference sessions, the Vendor Expo, continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and networking opportunities throughout the day.

Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

REGISTER NOW

Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities

Show your organization's commitment to business aviation safety while gaining valuable exposure to aviation professionals throughout Central Florida and beyond.

$250 Supporting Sponsor

  • Company logo featured on conference materials, signage, and event displays

$500 Exhibitor Sponsor

  • All Supporting Sponsor benefits

  • Exhibit table in the Vendor Expo area

  • Opportunity to interact directly with conference attendees throughout the day

$750 Break Sponsor

  • All Exhibitor Sponsor benefits

  • Recognition as the sponsor of one conference networking break with refreshments

$1,000 Premier Sponsor

  • All Break Sponsor benefits

  • Opportunity to welcome attendees with a brief introduction during the conference opening

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting?
Contact CFBAA for availability and additional information.

Join Us

Safety is a shared responsibility, and the strongest safety cultures are built through preparation, continuous learning, leadership, and collaboration.

We invite you to join aviation professionals from throughout the region for the 2nd Annual CFBAA Safety Standdown as we share real-world experiences, practical tools, and innovative ideas designed to help take our flight departments from good to great.

We look forward to seeing you this September at CAE / SimCom in Lake Nona!

REGISTER NOW

Thnk you to our 2026 Safety Standdown Sponsors