Brian Small, director of regulatory affairs at FlightSafety International, was awarded the NBAA Silk Scarf Award today, in recognition of his efforts to create a unified safety standard for the business aviation industry.
The award was presented on the opening day of the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.
Small’s advocacy and subject matter expertise led to the creation of the NBAA Airplane Standard Operating Procedures Manual, which came out of an earlier government effort that had fizzled.
In 2020, the FAA teamed up with industry stakeholders to launch the agency’s Standardized Curriculum initiative for Part 135 operations, but the effort was sunset.
Small started a private-sector initiative that reshaped that work for the broader business aviation community. That effort paved the way for competitors to use identical standards that didn’t favor one over another.
The resulting Airplane Standard Operating Procedures Manual - one of NBAA’s most popular resources developed in coordination with FlightSafety, CAE and EJM - represented a milestone for business aviation safety.
"Brian Small’s behind-the-scenes work championing the NBAA Airplane SOPs was a selfless display of excellence,” said Brian Koester, CAM, NBAA senior director, government affairs. “He consistently prioritized industry safety over his own interests and those of his company, bringing competitors together to establish a baseline that elevates safety for every business aviation flight."
About the Silk Scarf Award
In an effort to honor outstanding business aviation community members and inspire future aviators, the NBAA Silk Scarf Award is given to individuals for special contributions to the business aviation community during their careers.