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Smith wins first Eugene Cernan Safety Award

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Aviation Department Supervisory Special Agent Troy Smith was presented the award at the close of the 16th edition of Safety Standdown USA in Wichita, Kansas, capping a successful year that has seen its knowledge-based training delivered to more than 700 aviation professionals at seminars held in Shanghai, China, Sao Paulo, Brazil and Wichita, Kansas.

"More than 5,000 aviation professionals have benefited from Safety Standdown's knowledge-based training, since its inception in 1996," explained Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "The legacy of Safety Standdown is improved aviation safety as attendees apply the principles they have learned in their daily work routines." he added.

The first Eugene Cernan Safety Award was presented this year to Special Agent Troy Smith. He is a model for every industry aviator. He never stops looking for the next improvement program and always makes sure he leads by example.

"I am very proud to have presented this award to Special Agent Troy Smith, an outstanding aviator by all accounts," said Captain Cernan. "I have no doubt that the knowledge he gained from his attendance at Safety Standdown has had a valuable impact on his career."

It is no longer necessary for aviation professionals to wait for a Safety Standdown seminar to benefit from the content of the program. For the first time, Safety Standdown is introducing digital toolkits atwww.safetystanddown.com containing dynamic safety materials that will allow attendees to learn, apply, and share essential safety practices. With its group on LinkedIn (Safety Standdown Worldwide), Facebook page (Bombardier Safety Standdown) and presence on Twitter (#Standdown12), the Safety Standdown team is expanding its program's reach and building a new aviation safety community.

Bombardier pioneering safety worldwide

Originally conceived in 1996 as a safety-training event for the Learjet flight demonstration team, the conference quickly garnered a reputation for excellence beyond Bombardier's customer base. In 1999, Bombardier opened the seminar to all pilots – corporate, commercial or military – in response to growing interest. Bombardier has elected to offer this training free of charge to all participants, in order to further promote the program.

Safety Standdown has been endorsed by top aeronautical training institutions for the quality and depth of its content. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) offer continuing education credits to all attendees. As of June 2012, more than 5,600 pilots, crew members, safety specialists and industry officials have graduated from Safety Standdown.