Each year the National Business Aviation Association recognizes member companies with superb safety records. Crow Executive Air’s Part 135 operation is the top honoree in that category for 2012.

Crow Executive Air, Eric Barnum, president, Millbury, Ohio; 64 Years; 139,198 Hours

Eric Barnum has been president of Crow Executive Air, an FBO and Part 135 air carrier, since 1982. “Our company is a family business and I grew up doing nothing but airplanes,” he told AIN. Crow’s father, now retired, headed the company before he took over.

Crow has operated Piper Cubs; Grumman Widgeons and Mallards; Beechcraft Staggerwings, 18s and King Airs; Lockheed 10s; Aero Commanders; Piper twins; Fairchild Metroliners; the Cessna Conquest II; Learjets from the 24 through the 35A; Hawkers “and a few dozen others!” said Barnum.

Today, Crow operates two Learjet 35As and a King Air B100, with 14 crewmembers and a dozen or so support personnel. In addition to FBO and charter operations, the company offers maintenance and aircraft management services. Based at Toledo Executive Airport, Crow also has bases in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Omaha, Neb.

“Although we offer charter services to a wide range of clientele and services such as corporate, leisure travel, air freight, airline crew and maintenance support,” Barnum said, “we are currently heavily involved in the air ambulance and organ procurement business.”

Barnum attributes the company’s long record of safety to an attitude of safe operations, regardless of regulatory requirement–going beyond what is required. He said Crow itself must have an attitude of safety regardless of the demands of customers or of the bottom line.

“About a year ago,” Barnum said, “we registered for IS-BAO certification and started our SMS program to further enhance our safety goals.”

For a full list of winners, see the NBAA Safe Flying Awards - Top 25 Commercial Operators PDF.