Elevate Your Influence

Think about the day you accomplished your first solo flight, received your Airframe and Powerplant certification or Flight Dispatcher Certificate, or got hired for any role in your first flight department. Do you remember that exhilaration, joy, and pride?

After the crush of life presses in for a few years, it can be a challenge to remember the euphoria of those early beginnings. Occasionally, we need to remember to take off that cloak and let the spirit and camaraderie of aviation shine again to help lead the next generation onto a positive career path. Mentorship is a cyclical process, but giving back is easy by simply being an aviation influencer.


Elevate Your Influence

The beauty of age is having experience, which translates into confidence earned from knowledge. You’ve already learned that business aviation requires a blend of persistence, expertise, communication, and thoughtful leadership. You also know it’s not just about following the rules; it’s about cultivating a culture where everyone takes responsibility and actively contributes to the collective safety culture of the operation. That can only happen if you thoughtfully elevate your influence to inspire others to change their behavior, which is why Bombardier chose “Elevate Your Influence” as this year’s Safety Standdown theme.

Since the aviation industry likes checklists, here’s one you can follow to start Elevating Your Influence.


Lead by Example

Elevating your influence begins with an old-fashioned proposition… lead by example. Yes, it’s that simple. 

If you look beyond the superficial words and meticulously adhere to the intent of the safety rules and procedures in all your actions, whether you’re a pilot, maintenance engineer, scheduler, line service technician, or cabin crew member, your commitment to safety will inspire others to mirror your behavior.


Invest in Continuous Education

No, TikTok doesn’t count. Stay ahead of the curve by continually updating your knowledge. Attend industry conferences like Bombardier’s Safety Standdown, participate in workshops, and pursue advanced certifications. 

Staying informed about the latest safety trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes ensures you are always prepared to implement the best practices.


Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Don’t just have an SMS to comply with the new rule (Part 135). Advocate for one. Believe in it. Live by it. Adjust it as you get feedback. It should become a member of your team who grows as the company grows. Aviation comes with risk, so the point of having an SMS is to spotlight how to handle those jump scares that no one can predict. To provide a thought process through situations that might prevent risk, and to have a system that adjusts as technology and rules constantly change.

If you’ve been in aviation long enough to have made it into a leadership role, you know that it’s been a slog through steep learning curves, finetuning interpersonal, technical, and conceptual skills, all the while enduring unusual hours and circumstances. But because you’ve been through it, you know how to elevate the process, procedures, and standards to the next level.

You’ve earned the right to elevate your influence, and the next generation is ready to stand on your shoulders, just like the previous leaders helped you onto theirs. We’re looking forward to seeing them up there…and all of you at Bombardier’s Safety Standdown in Wichita, KS November 12 – 14.

Bombardier Safety Standdown  is an annual event that promotes knowledge-based aviation safety training, personal discipline, and responsibility as essential elements of aviation safety and professionalism.

The aviation safety program is free of charge, and the information is targeted at pilots, crewmembers, maintenance technicians, and managers regardless of what aircraft they operate.