Baron Aviation Services has joined The Air Charter Safety Foundation, a non-profit aviation safety organisation. The company will also participate in the ACSF's Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP).

Baron is an American cargo airline based at Rolla National airport in Vichy, Missouri. Founded in 1973, it operates small package express cargo services for its exclusive client FedEx, using a fleet of Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft throughout the south central US.

ASAP is a voluntary, self-reporting programme that allows ACSF member companies the ability to identify and reduced possible flight safety concerns and mitigate risk. In cooperation with the FAA, the ACSF serves as a third-party manager of the ASAP for its members, including on-demand charter operators, fractional operators and Part 91 flight departments.

“We're always striving to improve safety,” says Baron CEO Frank J. Zimmerman. “Having a safety management system that includes the Aviation Safety Action Program gives our employees the tools to be part of the safety process. Using ACSF and its SMS reporting system will allow us to capture more data to continuously monitor and improve safety.”

ACSF president Bryan Burns is eager to welcome another cargo transportation company to the foundation's growing membership. “It doesn't matter what type of operation you manage, a SMS helps operators run their entire business better, not just safely,” he notes. “And implementing the Aviation Safety Action Program will be a significant contributor to Baron Aviation's SMS.”