Expert

Amanda Ferraro

Chief Executive Officer
Aviation Safety Solutions 

Amanda Ferraro is an internationally renowned, well-respected, and results-driven leader with more than 20 years of experience in the aviation industry.

She has significant expertise in IS-BAO program development and compliance; business and flight operations management; training program development and management; new program coordination and implementation; and domestic and international aircraft operating experience within the corporate environment.

For the past nine years, Ferraro has been the owner and chief executive officer of Aviation Safety Solutions, LLC, located in Beloit, WI – an IS-BAO-preferred provider of a range of safety support, specialized IS-BAO auditing, SMS integration and flight operation consultant services for Fortune 500 companies and Part 91 and Part 135 operators. As CEO, Ferraro serves as a World Lead IS-BAO Auditor – providing standardization and training programs for all Auditors in IS-BAO. She also provides implementation and consulting, and leads IS-BAO auditing for airlines, corporate flight departments and almost 140 operators around the globe. Ferraro’s expertise includes ICAO compliant safety management systems; IS-BAO program development and compliance; hazard reporting; incident response and emergency response plan creation; security standards; international operations; aircraft maintenance programs; environmental issues; leadership development; and industry best practices for aircraft and transporting passengers. Among Aviation Safety Solutions’ program offerings are Lead IS-BAO audits; gap analysis; SMS integration services; existing manual SMS integration; FAA Part 5 compliance; investigation audits; IS-BAO consulting; and industry benchmarking.

Before founding Aviation Safety Solutions, Ferraro was employed by Cessna Aircraft Company, John Deere Global Aviation Services, American Family Insurance and FedEx – serving as avionics instructor pilot, delivery pilot, senior captain, flight operations captain, training officer and first officer. Her piloting experience includes first officer on the Airbus 300/310, captain on the Gulfstream 450, international SIC on the Gulfstream V and Gulfstream 550, and senior captain on the Citation X and Citation 680.

Ferraro is the developer and founder of the Aviation Safety Assistance Program, Business Aviation Benchmark Partnership, IS-BAO Standardization Protocol course, has extensive international aviation experience in wide-body aircraft, and is the developer of an industry-leading drone/UAV program. As a lead IS-BAO auditor, industry-leading expert in SMS, Certified Aviation Manager (CAM), international G550/G450 captain, teacher for auditors and implementors around the world and developer for the new FS1 program for IBAC, Ferraro brings a wealth of aviation experience and perspective. In 2020, Ferraro was asked to lead the NBAA SMS Safety Committee to further industry education and understanding in safety management systems. Her strengths include analyzing and developing sound business operating models and incorporating processes, procedures, safety systems and technology advances to improve aircraft utilization efficiency, increase safety and reduce costs.

Ferraro calls her work in safety auditing and promoting safety within business aviation a “calling.” Her love of aviation began at 12 years of age when a neighbor – a commercial airline pilot – took her flying and got her involved in the Civil Air Patrol, where she eventually became a Cadet Commander. As a teenager, Ferraro suffered a very serious fall which she later realized was preventable. This twist of fate led Ferraro to a career in the safety field.

Ferraro’s passion for and excitement about safety has led her to change how operators think of safety – and particularly safety management systems. To that end, she has volunteered extensively with IBAC and NBAA to improve overall safety across the industry, including the development of the new IS-BAO Flight Plan Stage 1 to make SMS accessible to small flight departments.

In 2016, Ferraro was awarded the inaugural Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation award and in 2021 the NBAA 40 Under 40 award.