The FAA awarded Bombardier (Booth No. 3097) its 2005 Diamond Certificate of Excellence at a ceremony here at the convention on Sunday, signifying the commitment of the company and its technicians to ongoing training and education.

“Our product is our people, and this demonstrates our commitment to our employees, and their commitment to safety,” Bombardier vice president and general manager of service centers Troy Jones told NBAA Convention News before receiving the award.

The Diamond Certificate recognizes large repair stations, service centers and aircraft manufacturers. To earn the distinction, at least 25 percent of technicians need to participate in FAA-approved training and education and training programs during the award year.

“It’s all part of our customer service,” David Lusker, acting manager of the Orlando Flight Standards District Office, said about the award shortly before bestowing it on Bombardier. “It demonstrates our collaboration with industry–that we’re all in the safety business together.”

Jones noted that 770 out of almost 1,500 Bombardier technicians earned FAA Aviation Maintenance Training Awards last year.

Bombardier has service facilities in Wichita; Dallas and Addison, Texas; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Clarksburg, W. Va.; Hartford, Conn.; and Teterboro, N.J. According to Bombardier, as of the end of September,  nearly 6,000 aircraft have visited its service facilities this year.