Portside Insights Customer Stories United Aero Group

How United Aero Group Turned Reactive Safety into Proactive Prevention with Baldwin SMS

Military helicopter flying.

Published

July 2024


Products used

Baldwin


Operation type

MRO / Government Contractor (Rotor Wing)

United Aero Group is a dynamic aviation operation specializing in the breakdown, inspection, fabrication, and test flights of rotor wing aircraft, covering all makes and models. With a workforce of 180 employees, United Aero Group primarily supports U.S. military special operations contracts, tasked with disassembling aircraft down to the frame and rebuilding them to precise standards.

The challenge

Paper-based systems and growing compliance requirements.Paper-based systems and growing compliance requirements.

Before partnering with Baldwin Safety & Compliance, United Aero Group managed its safety program entirely on paper. As their operations expanded and government contracts demanded ISO-compliant safety management systems (SMS), the paper-based method became unsustainable.

They recognized the need for more than just compliance. They needed a system that promoted team collaboration, provided operational insights for audits, and captured critical historical knowledge.

Baldwin’s technology turned a reactive program into a proactive, measurable success, and the results speak for themselves.

— Doug Zink, Safety, Health and Environmental Senior Manager, United Aero Group

The solution

A centralized, audit-ready safety platform.

United Aero Group implemented Baldwin’s Safety Management System to modernize its safety processes. Key features that immediately added value included:

Centralized Documentation: All operational data, from safety events to billing issues, is documented, easily accessible, and maintained for historical knowledge retention.

Real-Time Reporting: Forms and reporting tools track everything, including tool damage, personal injuries, and equipment calibration, ensuring data-driven decision-making.

Audit-Ready Compliance: Hyperlinked documentation streamlined government audits from a 4-day process down to just 1 day, even enabling remote desktop audits.

Organizational Transparency: Every technician can access manuals and safety documents directly through Baldwin’s platform.

Through training and persistent leadership, resistance from seasoned employees was overcome.

The result

Measurable reductions in risk and audit time.

Aircraft Damage Costs Reduced: Before Baldwin, aircraft damages totaled nearly $750,000 annually. In the first year, damages were reduced by $500,000, and by the second year, United Aero Group achieved $0 in reportable aircraft damage.

Employee Safety Improved: Before Baldwin, the company saw 10 to 15 injuries per year. After Baldwin, that dropped to fewer than 2 non-reportable incidents annually.

Audit Process Efficiency: Audit duration was reduced from 4 days to 1 day, and audits can now be conducted remotely, saving both time and resources.

Customer Satisfaction: Customers now have visibility into real-time data and corrective actions. Three separate government auditors have recommended United Aero Group’s approach as a model for industry best practices.

Operational Excellence: Enhanced tracking of equipment calibrations and corrective actions has fostered a proactive, safety-first culture across the organization.

Our previous system was on paper. Government contracts required an SMS, and Baldwin gave our teams a way to work together, not just one person looking at the issue.

— Doug Zink, Safety, Health and Environmental Senior Manager, United Aero Group

Reduction in audit time

Aircraft damages after 2 years

Baldwin’s solution empowered United Aero Group to not only meet but exceed both internal and government safety standards. Its intuitive, ISO-compliant platform gave the team the tools to dramatically reduce risk, improve compliance, and foster an integrated safety culture, while retaining historical knowledge that ensures operational continuity even as personnel change.