In an
effort to enhance ground operations safety, United States Aircraft
Insurance Group (USAIG) has teamed with The New Piper Aircraft,
Inc. to sponsor its dealers' participation in the NATA Safety 1st
Program.
"It is the responsibility of everyone involved in the general
aviation industry – from aircraft manufacturers and dealers
to owners and insurance companies – to give safety top
priority," says New Piper President and CEO Chuck Suma. "In order
to increase our efforts for safe aircraft operation we have joined
forces with USAIG to make the NATA Safety 1st Program available to
each of our New Piper dealers."
"This is an industry Win-Win", says USAIG Senior Vice President
David McKay. "Most importantly this training will reduce the
exposure of someone getting hurt on the ramp, but will also build
on customer satisfaction by helping prevent airplanes from being
damaged. Hangar and ramp accidents translate directly to
unscheduled downtime, increased costs and unhappy customers. Ground
handling accidents have grown faster than any other category of
claims. In our experience, training will make the difference."
The
NATA Safety 1st Program has been designed to include the most
up-to-date training techniques as well as new aircraft and ground
servicing procedures. It consists of a series of nine videotapes,
training manuals, and practical and written tests which are
reviewed and graded by the NATA.
USAIG has agreed to sponsor every Piper dealer line service
employee's participation in both initial and recurrent Safety 1st
training, whether the dealer is a USAIG insured or not.
"Many Piper dealers have taken the initiative to participate in
this important safety training on their own," says Harold Clark,
USAIG's Chairman and CEO. "We are delighted to help support their
commitment to safety and recognize them for doing the right
thing."
Piper has been working hard to get better
insurance information to owners. At the NBAA convention last week,
New Piper's President, Chuck Suma, told us about a hot line
installed at Piper, which is answered by a licensed broker. A call
there can help you get your paperwork in order, to get the best
deals on insurance. There are a lot of things that many agents
don't ask; but, if you tell them, your information may help get you
a lower rate. Knowing what those questions are, and the effect your
personal answers to them are, may mean the difference between the
best rate, and the one you're currently getting...