Welcome back to another little blog post from us here at Red Baron ALSE.

We’re pretty excited right NOW, for the first time in a while, thanks COVID, we’re back doing what we love at some trade shows in beautiful Queensland. Land Forces, was early June and it was great to back doing what we do! Next up is Rotor Tech, so if you’re heading into the Royal International Convention Centre, make sure you drop in and say hi. If you allow, I wanted to use this time that you’re giving me, as an opportunity to talk to you about an extraordinary company that we are proud to partner with and are a certified installer for.

Lightspeed Aviation are the leader in wearable ANR (Active Noise Reduction) technology for pilots and like Red Baron ALSE they operate with a simple strategy: know your customer well and remain committed to relentless product evolution. At Lightspeed, everything they do is in service to their customer and their products push performance to the edge of technological possibilities. To be honest, we couldn’t find a company more aligned to our values and core beliefs here at Red Baron ALSE. The unveiling of their first product at the 1996 EAA AirVenture – the K series ANR headset, setting the standard in the industry became Lightspeed tradition. Throughout the next 10 years Lightspeed made leaps and bounds in innovation and technology and today produce the most durable, most comfortable aviation headsets available today.

Red Baron ALSE are proud to be a certified installer in Australia and New Zealand, of the Zulu H-Mod. A modification kit which is the only premium ANR and audio solution specifically engineered for helmets. The Zulu H-Mod technology can be installed into your existing helmet or can be mounted into a new one. Most importantly, Red Baron ALSE is the ONLY installer in Australia and New Zealand certified to install this product into a range of aviation helmets. The Zulu H-Mod allows pilots to experience remarkable comfort, quiet and clarity. The Zulu H-Mod reduces background noise, allowing pilots to have increased focus (always important, I’d say), in turn reducing pilot and crew fatigue. Zulu H-Mod also increases situational awareness and aids in the preservation of flight crews hearing. Including Bluetooth connectivity for back up comms, music, app alerts and fast safe egress with the exclusive Quick Disconnect cable, it really is simple to see why Lightspeed was the choice we made!

If you’d like to know more about Lightspeed Aviation or the Zulu H-Mod technology or find out if your helmet comms can pass the test, head on over the their website at https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/zulu-h-mod-aviation-helmet/ or jump online at https://www.redbaronalse.com.au/product/flight-helmet-anr-installation/ to enquire or email us here or even give us a call, +61 2 5112 0968.

Yours in safety,

Greg Bayne
Managing Director

We are proud to have a long standing association with Switlik, not only as the Switlik Technical Advisor for the Australian Government and Defence Forces, but also because we truly believe in their safety and survival products and the standards that they exceed in the manufacturing of these products.

More than just a manufacturer, Switlik have a long heritage of supporting military and government services dating back to 1920.  A little history lesson, if I may…..

Founded by Polish immigrant Stanley Switlik, Switlik Parachute Company (first incorporated in 1920 as the Canvas-Leather Specialty Company) was an early leader in the design and manufacture of parachutes for the aviation industry and the United States military services. The company received five Army-Navy “E” awards for its impressive productivity of parachutes during World War II (WWII) for our country’s “Arsenal of Democracy.”

As we know them today they are the leading worldwide manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military markets. With integrity, research and world leading technologies their products stand the test of time.  However, there is another side to this business, one that gives back to communities and customers alike.

Giving back to the community has been a fundamental part of their past and a legacy they continue to build. Since the early years, Switlik has donated products, land, financial resources and time to various organisations and school districts.

In 1952, chairman and owner Stanley Switlik discussed the formation of a company foundation for charitable contributions to the Board of Directors. He believed that through the medium of a foundation, more efficient benefits could result to charity. This proposal was unanimously adopted and Switlik Parachute Company, Inc. officially started a charitable trust, to be known as the Switlik Foundation.

The creation of the Switlik Foundation was far ahead of its time and its forward-looking vision has had a lasting impact on the community. Still to this day, the philanthropic arm of Switlik Survival Products, supports schools and organisations by giving back and investing in the local community where their employees and customers live and work and is fundamental to Switlik Survival Products.

Corporate responsibility is important and we are proud to be aligned with and endorse Switlik.  Their support of Red Baron ALSE has meant that we have been able to support and provide the customers we serve with the very best safety and survival products in the world, without undermining our own Corporate conscience or integrity.

To view our comprehensive range of Switlik Constant Wear Life Vests, to make an enquiry or to view the full specifications of the range.  Please click here.

Yours in safety,

Greg Bayne

View full specifications here

As we start to come out of isolation and return to a new “normal” our workplaces are going to look a little different.  A new focus and shift towards creating space around what we do and an added emphasis on clean and safe work environments will add a whole new level of expertise and care for all businesses.

For some this might mean hand sanitising upon entry of shops / workplaces, continued social distancing in the office and the need to wear gloves where before you didn’t.

Navigating through this new world we are in, we at Red Baron ALSE can help.  Our products whilst made and supplied more generally to the aviation industry, are transferable across multiple industries and businesses like, warehousing, freight and logistics etc.

In an effort to assist in fulfilling these new Covid-19 safe measures that many businesses are seeking, we’ve created a new section on our website to help you and your workplace navigate how our products can be used across your business.

Workplace Protective Products.
These products are designed to provide an extra layer of protection to help mitigate the spread of CV19 or any other transmittable hazards.

It is important to note that whilst these products listed are forms of PPE in their own right these products are not CV19 PPE rather another barrier/layer of protection.

These products are machine washable and can be re-sterilised as required.

The year 2000 was 20 years ago.  Say what?

Bon Jovi released “It’s My Life”, “Erin Brokovich” and “Gladiator” played in movie theaters, George Bush defeated Al Gore to become the 43rd US President and John Howard was at the helm here in Australia.

Something else pretty great happened 20 years ago too…………Red Baron ALSE was born.  Yes we are 20 years old this year and, as we head into our ‘early adulthood’ we wanted to thank you, our customers, suppliers and supporters who helped us make Red Baron ALSE what it is today.

Red Baron was founded by me, Greg Bayne in the year 2000. I am a retired RAAF veteran and I’m proud to have served 19 years with the Royal Australian Air Force working with the majority of Defence Aviation Life Support Equipment in service.

From humble beginnings (they’re often the best kind), upholstering and refurbishing aircraft cabin interiors and flight helmets, Red Baron ALSE came to be.

My vision was always to service and lead this industry. I identified a growing need in the field of Aviation Life Support Services, an industry where my specific skills and experiences could be utilised.

There have been some major wins for Red Baron ALSE over the past 20 years, not in the least, the Government contracting us to maintain and repair ALSE for flight operations, including fire bombing, emergency medical, law enforcement and defence.  Our appointment by Switlik Survival Products as the Switlik Technical Advisor for the Australian Government and Defence Force was another major achievement and one we’re really proud of!

And, like any business there have been some losses or as we like to say lessons.  In these times, where things haven’t gone our way, we’ve learnt, adapted and honed our skills and craft. A lot like what we’re doing now, amid COVID-19.

These last 20 years have seen our team become trusted advisors to our peers across our industry on a global scale and it’s a mantel we don’t take lightly.  We invest in our team and in turn our clients trust us in the work we do.

2020 is a celebration year for us and although we seem to be in unchartered waters

in the wake of our current reality,  we plan on making 2020 a year to remember here at Red Baron ALSE for all the RIGHT reasons.

To celebrate this milestone, we are putting together some commemorative pieces that  we’ll have available the next time we head to our Industry Conferences / Symposiums, whenever and however they will look!

One thing for sure is that 2020 is definitely going to be a year we all remember.

A 20 year anniversary in any form is something to be revered and celebrated and we welcome you to join us!  Bring on the next 20, once we get through this new reality, and we will get through. And as I said earlier, we are all in this together and if we can help, we will.

Yours in safety,

Greg Bayne
Managing Director