Much of the work of HAI is done by members serving on one or more of the association’s 14 committees. During the last week of June, several of those committees gathered at HAI’s headquarters in Alexandria, Va., for very productive working sessions.

The HAI Technical and Safety committees held their annual spring meeting in HAI’s new facilities on Sunday and Monday, June 23-24.

The Safety Committee discussed Safety Management Systems (SMS), safety related training sessions for HAI HELI-EXPO 2014 and other methods to eliminate accidents in the helicopter industry.

The Technical Committee, which facilitates dealings with government agencies and serves as the technical task force for reviewing relevant regulations, discussed condition based maintenance (CBM), health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS),  and mechanic fatigue management.

The Flight Training Committee met via conference call. With the approval of the HAI board of directors, which was also meeting at HAI headquarters that week, the committee changed its name to the Training Committee, reflecting a broader mission that now encompasses maintenance and non-flying crew members as well as the flight crew. It’s also worth noting that with the election of its new officers, the Training Committee is quite possibly the first HAI committee to have all-female leadership. Terry Palmer of Metro Aviation is the new chair, Barbara Taylor of FlightSafety International is the vice chair, and Jessica Parker of Leading Edge Aviation is the secretary.

At the Utility, Power and Construction (UPAC) Committee meeting, several committee members offered presentations on safety, training, and operational improvements.

The committee saw a demonstration of a new computer program with an aircraft audio interface for the warning of entry into wire environments, developed by the Vermont Electric Power Company and JBI Helicopter Services. Members also previewed and edited a new lineman training presentation, the intent of which is, to the extent possible, standardizing future linemen training.

Representatives from the NTSB addressed the committee on single engine human external cargo (HEC) concerns as well as possible HEC quick-release mechanisms, looking to the industry for guidance on possible future recommendations.

HAI’s Matt Fackner will work with committee members to develop and maintain a simple flight hours and operations database in order for UPAC Committee operator members to report utilization of their aircraft in different modes of UPAC work.

HAI members interested in getting involved in one or more of HAI’s 14 committees can do so by visiting the committee page on HAI’s web site, rotor.org, and contacting the committee chairperson or by contacting Jose Orozco atjose.orozco@rotor.org, or by calling 703-302-8463.