Blue Hawaiian Helicopters recently received Safety Management System (SMS) program status by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), becoming the first air tour operator in the United States to reach this milestone. Blue Hawaiian began participating in the voluntary SMS program in 2009, adopting the systematic approach to managing safety risk.

“Achieving SMS emphasizes our company’s ongoing pursuit of excellence, and commitment to our guests’ experience and well-being,” said Gregg Lundberg, president of Blue Hawaiian. “This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Blue Hawaiian team.”

A letter from the FAA’s Flight Standards National Field Office was presented to Blue Hawaiian during an official ceremony in June 2015. Presenters included Gino Rezzonico and Edward Valdez of the FAA’s Honolulu Flight Standards District Office.

“Based on our review of Blue Hawaiian Helicopters’ planning, documentation, and activities, we have determined that your SMS implementation meets the expectations of the Flight Standards SMS requirements and the SMS Voluntary Program guidance for acknowledgement of a fully functional Safety Management System,” stated in a letter by Larry S. Bird, division manager at the FAA’s Flight Standards National Field. “Your FAA certificate management team (CMT) and the Flight Standards SMS Program Office have validated this achievement.”

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters joined Sundance Helicopters in Las Vegas, Nev. as part of the Air Methods tourism division—both designated as subsidiaries to Air Methods—making it the largest provider of helicopter tours in the world. Air Methods is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services in the United States. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 450 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.