The STXBAA Safety Day brought together members of the South Texas business aviation community and an impressive lineup of speakers representing business aviation, aerospace, emerging technology and aerial filmmaking. Throughout the afternoon, attendees explored aviation safety from distinctly different perspectives—with a common focus on preparation, communication, leadership and managing risk.
Aviation Safety from Four Unique Perspectives:
Mario Jimenez, WYVERN – “Briefing and Debriefing Tools – A New and Effective Approach”
Mario Jimenez, a Flight Leader Coach with WYVERN, shared his perspective on operational safety, risk management and the human factors that influence flight operations. His work focuses on helping aviation organizations develop practical tools and stronger safety cultures that extend beyond regulatory compliance. Mario has also contributed to WYVERN safety guidance on topics including circling and stabilized approaches, helping operators identify, manage and mitigate operational risk.
Kevin “K2” LaRosa, XBRAND – “Soaring to Success: Building Trust, Safety, and Collaboration in High-Stakes Filmmaking”
Acclaimed motion picture aerial coordinator, pilot and aerial cinematography specialist Kevin “K2” LaRosa brought a unique perspective on aviation safety from an environment where meticulous planning, teamwork and trust are essential. A second-generation film and television pilot, K2 has worked on productions including Top Gun: Maverick, Devotion, Iron Man, The Avengers and Transformers. His presentation explored how teams safely execute highly complex aerial operations while balancing creativity, precision, risk management and the demands of high-stakes filmmaking.
Wesley Bonura, NASA – “Inside NASA: Conducting Safe Human Vacuum Tests Where Failure Isn’t an Option”
Wesley Bonura took attendees inside one of aerospace’s most demanding safety environments: human-rated testing at NASA. A Texas A&M aerospace engineering graduate, Wesley has worked in NASA’s Crew and Thermal Systems Division as a Test Director and Lead Test Director. His team operates thermal and human-rated vacuum chambers used for astronaut training, human research and other testing. His presentation provided a fascinating look at the planning, procedures and safety discipline required when conducting hazardous human-in-the-loop testing where the margin for error can be exceptionally small.
Carmen Simboli, Amazon Prime Air – “Prime Air’s Drone Ecosystem: Airspace Analysis, Cutting-Edge Technology, and a Vision for What’s Next
Carmen Simboli, Airspace Integration Specialist at Amazon Prime Air, brought the conversation into the future of aviation with a look at safely integrating unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System. Carmen oversees airspace integration and UAS Traffic Management strategy for Prime Air. His more than 15 years of aviation experience includes a decade in the United States Air Force and civilian roles with the Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration, with experience as an air traffic controller, combat airspace manager and flight procedure specialist. From proven business aviation safety practices to lessons learned in some of the world’s most demanding aerospace environments, the STXBAA Safety Seminar offers attendees an opportunity to hear directly from professionals working at the forefront of their fields.
After-Event Mixer & Networking
Following the Safety Seminar, attendees continued the conversation during an STXBAA networking mixer at Black Walnut Kitchen & Bar, located on the third floor of Galaxy FBO at CXO. Galaxy FBO was proud to sponsor the mixer and provide an opportunity for pilots, flight departments, aviation professionals and industry partners to connect after an afternoon centered around making our industry safer. Thanks to the generous support of the event sponsors, the seminar and mixer were offered at no charge to attendees, with remaining donations and proceeds benefiting the STXBAA Scholarship Fund and its efforts to support the next generation of aviation professionals.
Galaxy FBO is proud to support STXBAA alongside:
For more information on STXBAA, its mission and upcoming events, visit stxbaa.wildapricot.org
