Airbus Helicopters Canada has recognized Malcolm Murray, Chief Pilot of the Winnipeg Police Service, as the recipient of the 2019 Innovation in Safety Award.

A pilot for 20 years, Murray has worked to enhance aviation safety in Winnipeg and across airborne law enforcement operations. Murray joined Winnipeg Police Service in 2011 and assumed the role of Chief Pilot in 2012. Throughout his tenure, he has led numerous cutting-edge initiatives to target threats to aviation safety, enhance inter-agency communications and develop comprehensive training programs.

Photo Caption (l-r): Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters Canada with Rob Duttchen, Winnipeg Police Administrative Sergeant, who has accepted the Airbus Innovation in Safety Award on behalf of Malcolm Murray.
Photo credit: Heath Moffatt

“Malcolm is truly a visionary leader whose dedication and commitment to safety have made the entire rotorcraft industry safer and stronger,” said Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters Canada. “He exemplifies the qualities that are the basis of the Innovation in Safety Award, and we’re proud to honour him with this award.”

As a founding member of the Laser Strike Working Group, Murray worked with stakeholders — including NavCanada, Transport Canada Enforcement, YWG, RCMP and airlines — to streamline a reporting process and dispatch of a police helicopter in instances of aircraft being targeted by lasers. For the past six years, the program has resulted in a 40 percent reduction in laser strikes within the Winnipeg Control Zone, as well as the apprehension of multiple offenders targeting aircraft in Winnipeg.

Using the same approach, Murray helped develop and implement an information sharing and response protocol to target UAVs operated within Winnipeg that represent a threat to air traffic safety. The work has led to a reduction in the number of UAV-related safety incidents in Winnipeg.

Additionally, Murray developed a training program for Tactical Flight Officers in emergency aircraft operations. The training provides TFO’s with the required knowledge to safely return their aircraft to an airport environment should their pilot be incapacitated.

The Innovation in Safety Award is presented each year to an individual or organization whose business initiatives have demonstrated a great impact on the overall goal of safe flying operations. The winner, determined by an independent panel of judges, receives a $10,000 CAD prize.

Members of the Innovation in Safety Award selection committee include previous award recipient Geoff Goodyear, past President and CEO of Universal Helicopters Newfoundland and Labrador LP; Fred Jones, President and CEO of Helicopter Association of Canada; Mike Reyno, Photojournalist and Group Publisher of MHM Publishing; and past award recipient Paul Spring, President of Phoenix Heli-Flight Inc., founder of Local HERO Foundation.