CAST of Characters

The Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) is the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy. The CAST was created by the Air Transport Association and Aerospace Industies Association to reduce the number of airline accidents. Stated ATA/AIA: “We recognized that the goal established in 1997 to reduce accident risk by 80 percent was ambitious, however, it was imperative to set a high bar as part of the responsibility of government and industry to ensure the safety of the flying public.  The individual members of CAST have worked together tirelessly since 1997 and are very appreciative of this recognition. CAST looks forward to continuing its work to make aviation even safer for people in the United States and around the globe.” AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said “AIA is a founding member of CAST and is proud of being part of an organization that is advancing aviation safety not just in the United States, but worldwide. The flying public owes a real debt of gratitude is to the many individual members of CAST from government and industry whose countless hours of service have resulted in dramatically reducing the risk of fatal airline accidents in the United States.”

The National Aeronautic Association’s annual Collier Dinner will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington on the evening of May 28.  The CAST Team will be awarded the 2008 Collier Trophy for “achieving an unprecedented safety level in U.S. commercial airline operations.”  The Collier Trophy is awarded annually for “achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles in actual use." The black-tie event opens with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony.