Over 40 members of the UK onshore helicopter industry got together at the buildings of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), Farnborough on 10th March. Senior members of many of the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) operators and maintenance organisations, along with Airbus Helicopters UK, Finmeccanica UK, and Turbomeca UK all contributed to a busy schedule of talks aimed at promoting better and higher standards of helicopter operations. The event was organised by Dr Simon Mitchell, Director of Starspeed on behalf of the Corporate Aviation Safety Executive group, and it was generously supported by the AAIB who provided their conference room, presentations and a tour of the facility. Dr Marie Langer from Cranfield University Safety and Accident Investigation Centre provided an insight into the cultural challenges posed for Safety Management within a maintenance organisation, and Mark Panton from the CAA gave an update on the new Performance Based Regulation.

This is now the third year CASE have organised these events, and each one has been booked to capacity, reinforcing the helicopter industry’s commitment to changing the image and perception of the helicopter industry; an industry that has the capability to provide safety and security to wider society through invaluable public services, such as emergency medical services, police aviation, power and utility, and disaster relief.