Since 1986 Harry Weisberger has been a contributor to Aviation International News and a regular member of its HAI and NBAA convention news editorial staff. He was previously a marketing communications specialist for Sperry Flight Systems in Phoenix, providing information involving the general aviation, airline, defense and space market segments. His aviation journalism activity has also included writing and editing for Flight Training, Business Aviation Safety Journal, Private Pilot and Arizona Flyways (for whom he interviewed Barry Goldwater and Paul Tibbets. He has also contributed to Smithsonian Air &amp; Space and Aero magazines. He served 5-1/2 years on active duty with the U.S. Navy as a radar intercept officer in F4 Phantom jet fighters, followed by Naval Air Reserve duty as a patrol plane navigator. Weisberger’s journalism career began at the Santa Ana Register (now Orange County Register) where he was a beat reporter and copy desk editor. He holds a commercial pilot license with instrument rating, has logged 1,980 pilot hours and has owned or been a partner in five general aviation aircraft.

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Harry Weisberger

Don Baldwin has led the Texaco and Coca-Cola flight departments and served as chairman of NBAA’s board of directors. This week, he’s in Atlanta to introduce a flight ops mentoring program that he and his staff at Baldwin Aviation Safety and Compliance (Booth No. 2840) are in the final stages of developing.
Baldwin formed the business in 2004 to help flight departments meet regulatory requirements and establish safety-oriented operating standards. Based in Hilton Head, S.C., it offers interactive programs for existing and start-up flight operations. Baldwin and his staff stress that they are not “consultants,” but rather mentors.
“Our approach,” he said, “is to teach flight department personnel to fish, rather than simply providing a single fish dinner. The time to develop this type of mentoring program is obviously now.” Baldwin cited the predicted large increase in airplanes to be delivered in the next decade. This, in turn, he noted, will create a large inventory of resale aircraft likely to be used to establish new flight operations.
“They’ll need to be managed properly to ensure high standards of safety, efficiency and passenger confidence,” he said. “Because we recognize the challenges and opportunities that new flight departments, especially, will face, we are focusing on offering assistance and ongoing support tailored especially to them.”
He added that flight departments are usually headed by competent, experienced pilots. While they’re likely to be exceptionally capable in the cockpit, they often welcome input on the non-flying aspects of managing their flight operations.

Baldwin introduces mentoring program

Don Baldwin has led the Texaco and Coca-Cola flight departments and served as chairman of NBAA’s board of directors.

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