Professionalism in the Aviation Industry

My ideal job currently in the aviation industry would be managing a smaller airport, more specifically a reliever airport.  While I do enjoy the challenges that larger airports such as DTW have, I feel that managing these larger airports come after years of experience managing many different aspects of the airport environment.  My ideal location would be at an airport where there is a larger airport nearby, but pilots would choose to fly into the airport I manage because of ease of use…for example 15-20 miles away from Boston’s Logan Airport, or Philadelphia International Airport.  I could also see myself managing a FBO at a reliever airport such as AvFlight, helping create a nice and relaxing environment where transit aircrafts can get the services they need.

The responsibilities of managing an airport can vary based on the size of the airport, however no matter the size there are federal regulations that must be met in order to be in compliance with the FAA.  These regulations are more in-depth when there is air carrier service at the airport.  I would be ultimately responsible for the safe environment for both aircrafts at the airport as well as passengers and workers utilizing the services of the airport.  The responsibilities of managing an FBO would be ensuring that aircraft are secure while parked at the FBO, fuel is not contaminated and the workers are properly trained to service the aircraft, as well as making sure any additional services are in compliance with FAA standards.  All staff employed at the company must have the proper credentials and that they are on file.

Professionalism can have a different meaning for many different people.  In aviation, professionalism is extremely important because of the number of hazards that are apparent in the industry.  Countless lives as well as millions of dollars’ worth of company assets depend on proper professionalism.  While a professional is someone who is getting paid to perform the job at hand, professionalism goes further than that.  This video explains more about how professionalism and aviation go hand in hand.  http://flightsafety.org/media-center/fsf-news/video-professionalism-a-vital-element-to-ensure-aviation-safety  To me professionalism is not only performing the task you have been given, but performing that task to the best of your ability, using all your available resources, while being courteous to your customers, coworkers and employees.  For example if you were to call in sick, you could not only inform your manager if you have one, but also try to find someone to cover for you.

Colgan Air had issues with professionalism from both a management aspect as well as the pilot aspect.  Management knew that many of their pilots were in violation of crew duty hours, however many times they tried to pressure the flight crew into altering their duty hour logs in an attempt to have these pilots able to fly more flights.  Colgan Air should have acted with some professionalism and either found flight crews that had adequate rest to complete the flights or cancelled the flight all together.  They had a duty to ensure that all flights operated within Colgan Air were completed with safety in mind.  In the documentary “Flying Cheap” there was one instance where the first officer stated that the aircraft was overweight for a given flight, and upon informing the captain, was told that it was fine.  It was not until after the flight was completed, that the First Officer noted that the Captain had altered the data to make the aircraft in compliance for the flight.  This showed a sever lack of professionalism with the flight crew.  The First Officer should have been more adamant in insisting that the flight not have been conducted until the weight was within the correct standards.  The Captain demonstrated a lack of professionalism more so than the First Officer when he altered the data, creating an unsafe working environment for the flight crew and passengers. 

I plan to keep up with my professionalism in the aviation industry by attending seminars about aviation topics, mainly safety, throughout the year as well as attend management seminars.  Attending both will help insure that I can stay as professional as possible and be an effective, efficient and safe manager.