Post published:19/05/2022
Post category:Latest Member News
Reading time:3 mins read

Houston (May 11, 2022) – Universal Aviation Costa Rica recently became the first service provider or ground handler in Central America to earn an approved Safety Management System (SMS) from a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
In December 2020, Costa Rica’s CAA announced an upcoming new aeronautical SMS requirement regulation for all service providers. The new requirement became official June 17, 2021 and requires service providers to implement a CAA-approved SMS. Service providers had
the option of beginning work on the SMS immediately and not waiting until the official June 2021 decree.
“We’re proud to become the first-ever service provider in Central America to implement a CAAapproved SMS,” said Simon Wade, Head of International Safety, Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. “Our Universal Aviation Costa Rica team is committed to safety and was very
proactive in starting the SMS process immediately, not waiting for the official decree.”
Costa Rica CAA approved Universal Aviation Costa Rica’s SMS following the completion of four phases of SMS implementation and a final audit.
Two Universal Aviation Costa Rica locations – San Juan (MROC) and Liberia (MRLB) have become the latest Universal Aviation ground handling offices to earn accreditation under the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) program.
“Moving forward, this SMS approval will also fortify our IS-Bah certification renewals,” said Wade.
Universal Aviation, the worldwide ground support division of Universal Weather and Aviation,
Inc., has more than 70 locations in more than 20+ countries. Universal Aviation Costa Rica has two locations in San Jose and Liberia.

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About Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.
You’re counted on to make every trip a success, but you don’t have to do it alone. Reduce your operating risk and stress by accessing a global community of resources dedicated to helping you prepare for unforeseen events, navigate the ever-changing regulatory environment, and manage your stakeholders’ expectations. Keep your organization moving and ensure mission success
with complete and customized trip management services – coordinated through your dedicated
trip support team, or online and on your Apple® iPad® via uvGO. For more information, contact worldwide sales at +1 (800) 231-5600 ext. 3300 (North America) or +1 (713) 944-1622 ext. 3300 (Worldwide).
Apple and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. Universal Weather and
Aviation, Inc. is not endorsed, sponsored, affiliated with or otherwise authorized by Apple Inc

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We are a small family owned and run business that the introduction of new measures by BF would have caused severe financial hardship. I was recommended to ask BBGA for advice which they instantly gave even though we were not members. They attended various meetings by my side, took the situation to a higher level within the Government department and helped me achieve a satisfactory outcome. I wasn’t pressured to become a member but what became apparent was their genuine desire to help resolve aviation issues for the better of the community. This association covers almost every aspect of the industry, has representation on the majority of decision making panels and achieves results by either diluting possible harmful legislation or stopping it altogether. Its members receive updates in real time often leaving other associations to ‘cut and paste’ BBGA releases some time later.

Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd.Penny Stephens, Director

BBGA is the main business and general aviation industry Association in the UK. It represents a wide range of services and operators. It’s contribution to fairly represent our interests with the regulators and government departments as well as other associations is absolutely essential. The various BBGA events throughout the year are a great opportunity for everyone to network and discuss the current industry affairs and issues BBGA’s ability to bring together all sectors of UK general and business aviation gives us enviable networking access. Nobody has the ear of the regulator like BBGA and that’s two-way thing; BBGA is not just able to elicit answers from EASA, the CAA and DfT, its advice and recommendations are sought both nationally and supra-nationally too. That makes membership a vital way to influence upcoming policy.

Luxaviation United Kingdom, London Executive Aviation LtdGeorge Galanopoulos, CEO & Managing Director

The BBGA is the key trade body for UK business aviation, helping us keep up-to-date with developments and in contact with the wider UK bizav community. Everyone with any interest in UK business aviation should be a member

Clyde & CoMark Bisset Partner,

From first contact, to membership, to attending the 2021 Virtual Conference, I received a warm welcome for which I am extremely grateful. The mix of technical and strategic content re-enforced the decision to attend and was the right one at the right time for our business."

Sky Harbour UK LtdSteve Ford, Director

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British Business and General Aviation Association

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Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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What Our Members Say

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British Business and General Aviation Association

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What Our Members Say

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver