Simon Grace has over 20 years experience with in the commercial aviation industry, and has been a keen promoter of safety and quality within Aviation throughout his career.
Following studying for his UK CAA Licence without type rating at Brunel College, Bristol, Simon’s first job was with Shannon Aerospace, as an aircraft mechanic working on B737 classic series C Check base maintenance inputs.
In 1998, Simon moved to join KLM uk Engineering at Stansted, as a line engineer. During six and a half years with KLM uk, he gained B1 type ratings on B737 classic, BAe 146/RJ, Fokker F100 and F50 aircraft. He also volunteered for two secondments during this time to assist other operators in introducing new aircraft types, with Air Astana in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Montenegro Airlines in Podgorica, Montenegro, as well as covering stints at KLM uk Line stations in Edinburgh and Amsterdam.
In 2004, Simon moved to Flybe Aviation Services in Exeter, as an Aircraft Supervisor. After gaining the Bombardier Q400 aircraft type rating and 18 months in this role, in 2006 he moved into the Quality department, becoming a Quality Engineer. In this role, as well as performing audits and safety investigations into maintenance errors, Simon also developed the Company Human Factors training package, which he then delivered to 350 employees.
In 2008, Simon was given the opportunity to further develop his training skills, by becoming a Technical Instructor for Flybe Training Academy. Here he delivered Embraer 170/190 Type courses, while also developing and delivering further in house safety and quality related courses in audit techniques, safety investigations, and human factors. While in this role, Simon also helped the Training Manager re-write the MTOE and the Training Procedures.
In 2011, Simon became the Safety and Quality Manager for Flybe Aviation Services. This role incorporated 3-way responsibility for Quality and Compliance, SMS and Health & Safety within the MRO. In this role, Simon was the Quality Manager Form 4 holder for the EASA Part 145, Part 147, Part 21G and Part M approvals on behalf of the Company. He also played a key role during this time in developing the SMS system within the MRO organisation and in implementing a new SMS software package.
Safety has been a key passion of Simon’s throughout his career, and as the industry awareness of human factors and safety management has developed over the years, Simon has been at the forefront of introducing that knowledge of SMS into the organisation and developing practical processes to meet the intent of the regulations. Whatever courses he delivers, Simon uses his previous experience in managing safety and compliance to approach each subject from a practical perspective, to not just teach the basic regulation, but to discuss the various ways of implementing practical solutions to the requirements, and the various pitfalls to avoid.
For details of SAS courses please see www.sassofia.com or email office@sassofia.com.
