Paul ‘BJ’ Ransbury
Chief Executive Officer
Captain Paul Weston ‘BJ’ Ransbury (RCAF – Ret’d), Chief Executive Officer of Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) since 2005, exemplifies mission-driven leadership where his stewardship has been pivotal in steering the organization unfailingly towards its noble purpose of We Help Pilots Bring Everyone Home Safely. He attributes longstanding growth and success to the team …
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in an organization of such dedicated professionals. Together with the collective efforts and unwavering commitment of the entire APS team—individuals who are truly exemplary in their field—we have made industry-transforming strides to comprehensively mitigate the risk of Loss of Control In-flight. For over 25 years, our team has been devoted to pioneering and perfecting solutions that fundamentally enhance every graduate’s core competencies and operational safety.”
– Paul ‘BJ’ Ransbury
With Ransbury at the helm, APS has risen to the forefront of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) globally, spearheading the development, optimization, sharing, and delivery of modernized international standards of UPRT excellence that comprehensively address the in-flight risk of Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I), aviation’s top fatal threat to air safety. His expertise is not confined to the executive suite; as a former military fighter pilot, airline pilot, gold seal flight instructor, and professional aerobatic airshow performer, Ransbury brings a wealth of flying experience to bear on APS’s mission. This unique blend of skills and first-hand in-the-field experience allows him to effectively bridge the gap between advanced training curricula and corporate training objectives, ensuring that every graduate is awarded the APS brand promise of “Every Pilot Trained – In Control – All The Time.” Ransbury’s decades of experience as an advanced UPRT flight instructor at APS is distinguished by his recognition as a 7-time Master Certified Flight Instructor (MCFI). This rare achievement underscores his exceptional expertise, aviation safety focus, and dedication to flight training, awarded to a select few in the aviation community.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Ransbury is deeply invested in the broader aviation community and leadership development. His 10-year National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Safety Committee service, culminating as Chairman of the NBAA Safety Committee (2022 – 2024), and contributions to international LOC-I mitigation efforts underscore his commitment to advancing aviation safety worldwide. Additionally, his recognition by the Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award highlights his devotion to unifying integrity and quality within the industry. Ransbury’s academic achievements, including his BSc in Honor Mathematics & Physics from the Royal Military College of Canada, MBA studies at Southern New Hampshire University, and Delta Mu Delta International Business Honor Society membership, reflect his ongoing pursuit of knowledge and excellence. More at LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/ransbury
His dedication to his family is at the heart of Ransbury’s many achievements. Residing in Queen Creek, Arizona, with his wife and four children, he achieves a balance between professional dedication and personal commitment. His interests in flying, boating, astrophysics, chess, writing, and swimming mirror the passion and curiosity that drive his professional endeavors. Paul “BJ” Ransbury’s career combines professional expertise with a steadfast commitment to safety, leadership, and family.
Sampling of Speaking Engagements
- NBAA National Safety Forum 2023: Leadership Perspectives on Aviation Safety
- WATS and APATS 2023: Next Generation Flight School Upset Training
- BASS 2023: Safety Management Systems – How They Can and Are Working For Business Aviation
- Bombardier Safety Standdown 2021: Manual Flight Operations Proficiency Fallout Due to COVID-19
- BACE 2019: A Collective Approach to Stopping Loss of Control Inflight
- NBAA 2019: Work Continues to Prevent Loss of Control Inflight Incidents
- BASS 2018: Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I) Solved: Global Standard
- BASS 2017: Business Aviation Overcomes LOC-I Co-presented by Capt. John Cox and Paul BJ Ransbury
- International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) Webinar 2017: Surviving Loss of Control In-flight (Watch)
- NBAA Flight Plan Podcast 2017 (Listen): Taking a Closer Look at Preventing Loss of Control In-flight Accidents
- Bombardier Safety Standdown 2016 – Extreme Fear
- Business Aviation Safety Summit BASS 2016 – CAST Airplane State Awareness
Live Stream Events
UPRT Experts Corner
- 2024 Personalized Protocols: Upset Training Customized to You
- 2024 Upset Training Unexpected Outcomes: Enhance Aviation Safety and Proficiency
- 2023 UPRT Safety Summit (Airline Track) for Professional Pilots Worldwide
- 2023 UPRT Safety Summit (SMS/Auditors/UPRT Q&A) for Pro Pilots Worldwide
- Elevating Safety by Managing the Risk of Loss of Control In-flight
- Upset Training Shaped by the Every Pilot In Control Solution Standard
- Role of Simulation in Jet Upset Training (1h 20m)
- High Altitude Jet Upset Training (54m)
- Why On-Aircraft Upset Training is King (34m)
- Control Column (Yoke) vs Control Stick in Upset Training (15m)
Instructor Qualifications
- 7-time Master Certified Flight Instructor – Aerobatic
- Gold Seal Flight Instructor
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI), Instrument Instructor Airplane (CFII), and Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)
- Former Part 141 Chief Flight Instructor at APS (5 Years)
- Class 1 Aerobatic Instructor (Transport Canada)
- Military
- Fighter Weapons Instructor Course (FWIC) Graduate
- Bombardier Flying Instruction Techniques Course Graduate
Mr. Ransbury’s Recent Articles
- 2024 LinkedIn Newsletter: Upset Training for Pro Pilots
- 2023 LinkedIn Newsletter: Upset Training for Pro Pilots
- Forging Pilot Resilience Against Loss of Control In-flight
- Top 5 Instructor Drift Challenges for Airlines (and All)
- Our Journey to Solve LOC-I: Enter the Every Pilot in Control Solution Standard (EPIC-S2)
- Six Layers of Defenses in Effective Upset Training
- How SMS Upset Training Enhances Operational Safety of Flight
- Vital Benefits of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) for Pilots
- LOC-I Addressed Through Operational Risk Management
- Thoughts on FAA Part 5 Safety Management System Based on NPRM
- Two Dimensions of Training Intensity Critical for Effective Upset Training
- Simulator Upset Training with Extended Envelopes
- Airman Certification Standards and Upset Recovery Training
- What is the Big Deal about Angle of Attack?
- Helicopter Upset Training in Fixed Wing Airplanes
- Using Business Jets for Upset Recovery Training
- Technology in Airline Jet Upset Training
- What Really Matters in an Upset Training Provider?
- The Global Standard for Professional Jet Pilot UPRT
- Guidelines for Effective Upset Recovery Training
Military Fighter Pilot Experience
- 12 Years Canadian Armed Forces: F-18 Hornet Fighter Pilot Fighter
- Electronic Warfare and Advanced Radar Graduate
- 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 410 and 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadrons
Education
- B.Sc. Honors Mathematics and Physics – Royal Military College of Canada
- Final Year of Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Air Show Qualifications
- International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Certified Air Show Performer – Solo/Formation Aerobatics (Former Level 1/Surface Certified)
MEMBERSHIPS
- Delta Mu Delta – International Academic Honor Society in Business
- The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
- National Business Aviation Association, NBAA Safety Committee – Chairman
- Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (S.A.F.E.)
- Upset Prevention and Recovery Training Association (UPRTA)
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
- Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
- International Aerobatic Club (IAC)
- National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI)
- International Council of Air Shows (ICAS)
- Council on Unusual Attitude Training Education (CUATE)
- International Committee for Aviation Training in Extended Envelopes (ICATEE)