News

Understanding competence with SKATE

Our Senior Consultant John Wallace and Consultant Cameron Cain-Jones discuss the use of the SKATE model and the shift we are seeing in how organisations can ensure the competence of their staff.

Reflecting on military experience

In our latest video, our Managing Principal Consultant Steve Hough and Senior Consultant Stuart Grimsey reflect on their military experience.

Webinar - Just Culture in Action: Investigating, Understanding, and Learning with FAiR3

Having an effective Just Culture creates an atmosphere of trust by encouraging and empowering team members to report errors, but where do you draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable behaviours? 

Our model for an effective Management System

Our Safety Management and Risk Reduction Toolkit (SMARRT MAP) goes beyond the Four Pillars of an SMS, covering regulatory compliance as well as five enablers that make the system work. 

Celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day

Thursday 8th May 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

How do you know your Management System is working?

Discover methods for analysing your Management System and to gain a full understanding of how it is working.

What should a Management System do for an Accountable Manager?

Exploring how a Management System can be utilised by Accountable Managers to make informed, risk-based, and data-driven decisions.

Who Are Baines Simmons?

Managing Director Ian Holder FRAeS shares how our passion for safety fuels the Baines Simmons team to elevate safety for our clients.

Integrated Management System: How They Can Enable Growth

Discover the exciting ways Ontic are integrating Management Systems to enable growth, including sharing a picture of what that looks like across multiple approvals and standards.

Sleep Health and Fatigue Risk Management

Our Marketing Manager, Bethan Flynn and our Fatigue Risk Management expert, Sarah Booth, discuss the important elements of sleep health.

Overview of our Accountable Managers and Nominated Persons workshop

Accountable Managers and Nominated Persons from across the aviation industry discuss key topics and address areas of concern in a thought leadership workshop.

Safety Management Systems into Design Organisations

Our Consultant Jack Coleman explains the importance of the Safety Management element for design organisations.

Baines Simmons to exhibit at the Saudi Airport Exhibition

Baines Simmons will be exhibiting at the IATA World Safety and Operations Conference

We’re excited to be exhibiting at the IATA World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) on the 1st-3rd October in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Competence Development Pathways

Our Senior Account Manager, Mark Streatfield, delves into our Competence Development Pathways which are a comprehensive tool designed to help individuals, teams, and organisations assess and enhance core knowledge and skills.

Frequently Asked Questions on Fatigue Risk Management

Our experts shed light on the frequently asked questions surrounding Fatigue Risk Management, in relation to the aviation industry and services offered by aviation safety services Baines Simmons.

SMS Implementation: What Do You Need to Know

Director, Bob Simmons, and Senior Business Development Manager, Sarah Winter discuss the implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS).

The purpose of CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation)

Our Senior Consultant, Paul White, discusses the role of the CAMO and what the benefits are of having a good CAMO.

LOSA: Frequently Asked Questions

A Line Operations Safety Audit (or Assessment) (LOSA) is a proactive safety management tool used in the aviation industry to assess and improve safety performance.

Human Factors Essentials for Aircraft and Component Certifying Staff Mod 9 Equivalent - TS133

Senior Consultant, Liam Bell, discusses the Human Factors Essentials for Aircraft and Component Certifying Staff (Mod 9 Equivalent) - TS133 course.

Compliance Verification Engineer in the Military

Our Initial Airworthiness Consultant Jack Coleman, discusses the role of Compliance Verification Engineers (CVEs), with a particular focus on those within the military sector.

Baines Simmons and MOD Extend Partnership for Enhanced Aviation Safety Standards in UK Military

Understanding BowTie XP

Hear from our Consultant Liam Bell, where he discusses BowTie XP, one of the leading software for creating and managing BowTie diagrams.

Baines Simmons wins Feefo Platinum Trusted Award for the fifth year in a row

Baines Simmons, a World leading aviation safety training and consulting company, part of Air Partner Group, has secured the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award for the fifth consecutive year.

Getting the most out of your CAMO

Hear from Director Bob Simmons where he explains what impact an effective Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) can have and how to get the most out of your CAMO.

System of support for nominated persons

Director Bob Simmons discusses how important nominated persons are, what support there is for them to fulfil their role and how an organisation can manage its compliance.

An Introduction to BowTie

Liam Bell, Baines Simmons Consultant, introduces BowTie Methodology, including what BowTie is, where it originates from and how it supports Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Baines Simmons supporting the New Zealand Defence Force implement a contemporary aviation system

Air Partner appoints Jonathan Astill as Executive Vice President of Services Division

Jonathan Astill is appointed Executive Vice President of the Services Division comprising Baines Simmons, Redline Assured Security, and Kenyon Emergency Services.

Baines Simmons wins Feefo Trusted Service Award for fourth consecutive year

Leading aviation safety specialist Baines Simmons, part of the Services Division of the aviation group, Air Partner, has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award 4 years in a row.

New year, familiar faces: three consultants re-join the team as safety specialists Baines Simmons

Paul White and Craig Simmonds re-joined the company in October and Andy Llewellyn will return for March.

STEP Training

In an issue of the RAF Total Safety Magazine, Air Clues, Senior Consultant Peter Hibbert discusses how we continue to manage, on behalf of the MAA, the MOD’s Safety Training for Error Prevention (STEP) programme.

Baines Simmons Awarded Contract with the UK Civil Aviation Authority

Baines Simmons has been awarded a contract with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) to develop and deliver a comprehensive eLearning programme for the entire UK flying display community.

Safety Management Systems (SMS) Into Part 21 Organisations

Safety Management Systems (SMS) is ICAO’s, and subsequent aviation authorities, response to mitigate the limits of human performance in relation to aircraft safety.

Baines Simmons Responds to Surge in Demand as Aviation Industry Takes-Off

Baines Simmons, part of the Services Division of global aviation services group, Air Partner, a Wheels Up company, has seen increased demand for safety training as airlines and airports prepare for take-off this summer

World Sleep Day Feature: what is a good night’s sleep?

Good quality sleep is a key building block in maintaining and improving our physical, mental, and emotional state. It is foundational to human health.

An introduction to Baines Simmons

Having set up Baines Simmons over 20 years ago, in our new video Bob Simmons, Director and co-founder, reflects on what the motivation was to create the company.

IIRSM and Baines Simmons announce partnership

Aviation safety experts Baines Simmons and the risk management professional membership organisation IIRSM (International Institute of Risk and Safety Management) today announced a new partnership.

EMAR News and Insights from Bob Simmons

Bob Simmons, Director, shares some of the successes and ideas around ensuring you get the best value for money in your implementation.

The Benefits of Virtual Consulting

You have a functioning management system which meets all the regulatory requirements, but the move to performance based regulation will require you to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Aviation safety specialist Baines Simmons wins Feefo customer service award for third consecutive year

Baines Simmons has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award for the third consecutive year following exceptional reviews of its training services by customers.

Baines Simmons launches flexible cabin crew safety training programme as airlines increase recruitment drive

Baines Simmons has launched a bespoke cabin crew safety programme service for airlines as the recruitment of cabin crew teams has increased.

Introducing new Associate Consultants to the Baines Simmons team

We are delighted have welcomed new Associate Consultants to the Baines Simmons team. With decades of experience between them covering every aspect of the aviation industry.

Baines Simmons launches Partner Plus – Training Rewards Programme

Partner Plus provides the opportunity for organisations to become loyalty members and, amongst other rewards, provides price discounts for organisations purchasing training in bulk quantities.

Managing Director, Ian Holder reflects on the highlights and demands of the past year

Managing Director, Ian Holder reflects on the highlights and demands of the past year and explains how we have been working with operators with Line Operation Safety Audits.

Safety expert Ian Holder, Managing Director at Baines Simmons to speak at Helitech Expo 2021

Baines Simmons is delighted to be exhibiting at the Helitech Expo (Stand 574) one of the UK’s largest events for the aviation and the vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL) industries.

Leading aviation safety experts, Baines Simmons, helping airlines to safely ramp up operations

The recently launched ‘BE READY and STAY SAFE’ campaign from EASA, is designed to assist the aviation industry to manage critical safety issues.

Air Partner to launch National Safety & Security Academy (NSSA)

The National Safety and Security Academy (NSSA) will provide Baines Simmons safety training and Redline Assured Security training for the aviation industry under one roof.

2020 IATA Fact Sheet gives an interesting insight into current levels of safety performance across Global Commercial Air Transport

The 2020 IATA Fact Sheet gives an interesting insight into current levels of global safety performance.

Baines Simmons pledges support to the Armed Forces Covenant

We are proud to announce that we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, further pledging our support towards the Armed Forces community.

World Sleep Day: How to Avoid ‘Revenge Bedtime Procrastination’

With recent research finding that the typical UK home worker is working two hours a day more than before the coronavirus crisis began, Baines Simmons is concerned that employees are more likely to fall into the habit of ‘Revenge Bedtime Procrastination’.

How not to lose sleep over fatigue – The importance of implementing effective fatigue risk management systems

19 March marks World Sleep Day, an annual event designed to raise awareness of the “importance of sleep for achieving an optimal quality of life and improved global health”.

Updated Course: TS01 Management Systems – Safety Responsibilities

We are delighted to announce a complete update to our popular, 1 day, TS01 Management System Course, formerly “SMS -Essentials for Aviation Professionals” now re-named “Management Systems – Safety Responsibilities”. 

Introducing new Associate Consultants to the Baines Simmons team - March 2021

We are delighted to have welcomed new Associate Consultants to the Baines Simmons team. With decades of experience between them covering every aspect of the aviation industry.

Say Goodnight to Fatigue Risk With New Virtual Training Course From Baines Simmons

Baines Simmons, aviation safety specialists, have developed a new training course designed to help Air Operators to gain increased understanding of Fatigue Risk Management (FRM).

The Experience and Benefits of Virtual Consulting

When running a diagnostic, we pride ourselves on really getting under the skin of an organisation, to fully understand how an organisation works and to gain insight into its quirks and culture.

Platinum Standard – Aviation Safety Specialist Baines Simmons Wins Highest Feefo Award for Second Year Running

The Platinum Trusted Service award is the highest level of distinction that Feefo bestows.

Baines Simmons Partners With New Zealand Defence Force to Provide Bespoke Virtual Training Programme

Baines Simmons has partnered with the New Zealand Defence Force to provide a bespoke virtual training programme.

Press Release – Air Partner and RealHelp Doncaster Partner to Support those living through Homelessness

“We encourage staff to take two ‘volunteer days’ per year to work with charities and organisations to support their local community," explains CEO Mark Briffa.

Certifying Skills Staff Training Blog – Continuing Airworthiness Consultant John Elkin

In these difficult times living with COVID has been a daily challenge for us all which we’ve had to address both at work and at home.

Press Release – Air Partner Safety & Security Division Reveals Top Virtual and e-Learning Courses in 2020

Over 70% of surveyed Baines Simmons clients expressed an interest in virtual training solutions as part of a long-term blended solution, post-pandemic as well.

The continuing adoption/adaption of EMARs within the Military Aviation Environment

Despite the devastating impact of Covid 19 on humanity and the impact it continues to cause, some organisations have prospered whilst others have struggled to function.

Wildlife Hazard Management fleet upgraded

William Bell, General Manager of our Wildlife Hazard Management division, talks about the process of improving the 37-strong fleet and why, for our wildlife hazard operators, it’s more than just a vehicle.

Principal Consultant, Steve Hough, shares behind the scenes insight into how we’ve adapted our training to the virtual environment.

Adapting the course involved a lot of work but it was definitely time well spent.

Implementing Safety Training in Part 21 organisations

These changes are aimed at improving the safety of aircraft operations and impact not just the operators but those organisations who contribute to the safety of the operator and currently the public.

Consultant John Elkin explains the success of Virtual Training in 2020

Virtual training has been an incredibly important component of the training calendar this year due to the COVID pandemic and has enabled us to continue delivering training throughout both lockdown and tier restrictions.

Post-Covid 19: Enhancing Business Performance Through Effective Safety Management

All service providers are grappling with what it means to manage aviation safety whilst balancing the commercial needs of their respective businesses.