Onboard Safety and Survival Equipment Demonstration Is Focus of GSLBAA Quarterly Lunch Program

By Carmelo Turdo

The Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA) held their quarterly luncheon October 27 at the Centene Corporation hangar, St. Louis-Lambert International Airport. The quarterly luncheon is a great opportunity to visit with association members and learn about new products and services from industry exhibitors and guest speakers. Of course there is food, so that is also a great reason to attend!

During the luncheon, recognition was given to the GSLBAA Education Foundation Scholarship winners and the two organizations, GSLBAA Education Foundation and Wings of Hope, who received funds from the GSLBAA Memorial Open Golf Tournament held in May. 

The guest speaker for the luncheon was Bob Benton, assisted by Bob Elliott from Aerospace Services and Products (ASAP), both of whom are experienced aerospace product and service managers who teamed up for the Onboard Safety and Survival Equipment demo featuring the Winslow 9-person life raft. Winslow has been a leading producer of aviation and marine life raft and safety equipment since the start of World War II. Since then, advances in technology have been significant, with modern life rafts providing quick inflation and sturdy construction while remaining light enough for placement in today's weight-conscious aircraft. Winslow life rafts are inspected and overhauled every 3-5 years, depending on the model, by authorized service centers such as ASAP.

Here we show one of the scholarship winners unwinding the cord and initiating the inflation sequence of this non-certified demonstration raft..

The raft includes the convertible canopy that acts as a shelter and high-visibility panel for aerial detection. A wide range of survival equipment is provided, including GPS signaling device, flashlight, extra cord/cutter, signal mirror and laser, and even the federally-mandated pyrotechnic flare that is for all intents and purposes obsolete. Here bob Benton explains another item in the survival kit - the clamp used for repairing tears in the raft. 

The Aero Experience thanks the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association, the guest speakers, exhibitors and everyone who contributed to the quarterly luncheon program.