The CJP-specific background soundtrack that greeted attendees on Opening Day of CJP 2025 was the first clue this year’s convention would be a bit different than in past years, with a renewed and concentrated focus on key elements of CJP membership and, of course, the association’s “Legacy of Safety.”
“That’s not just a catchy phrase,” said CEO Rob Balzano. “We have data now supporting over the last five-plus years that CJP’s Safety & Education Foundation and all of you members have contributed to the great safety record.”
Indeed, the data is clear. Out of the total fleet of nearly 8000 Citation aircraft, the last five years have seen 314 safety “occurrences.” Factoring the 903 aircraft flown by CJP members – 11.4 percent of the total fleet – that should work out to 36 occurrences.”
But CJP is tracking just a bit better than that. “Our actual number is five,” said CJP Safety Committee Chairman Charlie Precourt. “That is 1.7% the rate of the [rest of the fleet.] This is huge, and it’s not just a coincidence. It is statistically significant and verifiable, five years in a row. We are seven times safer than the rest of the Citation fleet that’s out there.”
That impressive record has also gained attention throughout the industry. As part of his analysis of the July 2023 fatal landing accident of a Citation 550 at California’s French Valley Airport, Textron Aviation Chief Safety Investigator Peter Basile emphasized one particular aspect of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) probable cause report.
“And here it is: ‘While on final approach, the pilot failed to fly a stabilized approach as descent rate and air speed were excessive,’” he read. “This is the first time that I can remember seeing these words specifically in an NTSB report, and I applaud [CJP’s emphasis on] flying stabilized approaches with your Safe to Land® initiative. It is being recognized.”
“All of you have contributed to the great safety record that we have now,” Balzano continued. “And as a group we’re flying much, much safer, and we want to continue that legacy of safety.”
Listen to the CJP-Exclusive Track, “A Legacy of Safety!”
CJP 2025 would not have been a success without support from several people who work largely behind the scenes, and Balzano highlighted the contributions of CJP Operations Manager Vera Millovich; CJP Project Manager Liz Nixon; and CJP Director of Safety, Training and Education Dave Morisey.
During the second day’s opening session, Balzano led off the morning by thanking two familiar names for their longtime service to the association: director, three-term CJP Board member and Chair Emeritus Tom Abood, and outgoing Treasurer John Springthorpe. Both left the Board following the convention.
“They have made invaluable contributions to CJP and we are a better organization because of them,” Balzano said while presenting each with a commemorative plaque along with, in a zany bit of inspiration, a 600-piece model kit of a working turbine engine.
Balzano also thanked outgoing CJP Board Chair Dr. Blake Curd for his time leading the association. “Everybody knows [CJP] isn’t run by one particular person or board or team. It takes a tribe, if you will, and you’ve led that charge very well,” Balzano said. “We appreciate all of your time and effort, Blake, and we look forward to still having you on the Board.”