The FAA Safety Team (FAAST) has eight regional teams that run regular local events to update pilots, mechanics and small operators on particular hazards to safe general aviation flying. Those teams, which have earned a reputation for conducting highly useful briefings for fixed-wing fliers, are focusing on developing the same strength for the helicopter community.

Toward that end, the FAASTeam has partnered with HAI and the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) in developing safety briefing material tailored to helicopter operations. It plans to hold a meeting March 22 and 23 in Portland, Ore. to solicit suggestions from the helicopter community on the safety challenges confronting them and how best to meet them.

The morning sessions will include presentations by HAI President Matt Zuccaro and Director of Safety Stan Rose; Christopher Eastlee, executive director of the Air Medical Operators Association; and representatives of the IHST. Afternoon sessions will offer an opportunity for members of the helicopter community to provide input for the FAASTeam on several topics, including MET Towers, HEMS operations, Flight Training and other areas of interest. FAASTeam leaders will in turn use that information to provide industry input to the FAA headquarters and to develop their briefing curriculum for the next two years.

HAI urges pilots, instructors, mechanics, operators, manufacturers and insurers to attend the meeting, which will be held at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower/Downtown Portland, 921 SW Sixth Avenue in Portland. The meeting starts at 8:00 a.m.

Following the March 22 session, Stan Rose, along with Fred Brisbois and Terry Palmer from the IHST, will host a FAASTeam discussion for General Aviation helicopter pilots and instructors about risk factors that often lead to accidents or injuries. The session, “Rotorwing ‘Gotcha’s’ for General Aviation Helicopter Pilots & Instructors,” will start at 7:00 p.m. in the Hilton, and will provide valuable insight into the causal factors that repeatedly plague the general aviation helicopter community.