Unfit for Flight or Unfit for Publication? This week US newspaper USA Today has featured a 3 part ‘exposé’ on general aviation and its safety record by Tom Frank that claimed ‘Lies and coverups mask roots of small-aircraft crashes’: Unfit for Flight: Hidden defects linked to small-aircraft crashes over five decades Unchecked carnage: NTSB probes don’t […]
Unfit for Flight or Unfit for Publication? Read Post »
‘Heir Force One’ – Second Helicopter for the Royal Family The British tabloids have finally caught up with regular users of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) G-INFO Database and spotted that the Royal Family is leasing a second helicopter (AgustaWestland A109S G-XXEC). The aircraft, to be based at RAF Odiham, joins Sikorsky S-76C++ G-XXEB, itself chartered in 2009 to
‘Heir Force One’ – Second Helicopter for the Royal Family Read Post »
In addition to being an already active member of Oil & Gas UK, the trade association that speaks for the whole UK offshore sector, Aerossurance has been accepted as a member of ADS, the trade body advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Industries, globally. Follow us on LinkedIn for our latest updates.
Aerossurance joins ADS Read Post »
Trade body Oil & Gas UK have released two new reports. The first is the annual Oil & Gas UK Health and Safety Report 2014 which covers: A detailed summary of the UK offshore oil and gas industry’s safety performance An overview of the safety-related projects being carried out across the industry An explanation of how the
Oil & Gas UK News: Health & Safety and Supply Chain CoP Read Post »
Safety Management International Collaboration Group Industry Day The Safety Management International Collaboration Group (SM ICG) held its fourth Industry Day with representatives from 27 European aviation industry organizations on 16 May 2014 in Bern, Switzerland. The SMICG is a group of 14 aviation regulatory bodies, formed in 2009 to promote a common understanding of safety
Safety Management International Collaboration Group Industry Day Read Post »
Helitech International 2014 will present an extensive Education Programme across three days of Europe’s largest helicopter show which will take place in Amsterdam from 14 – 16 October 2014. This will be Helitech’s first outing in the Dutch capital. Supported by the European Helicopter Association (EHA), Helitech International will stage a comprehensive programme covering topics
Helitech International 2014 Education Programme Announced Read Post »
Size Isn’t Everything The day after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) CAP1145 report on North Sea helicopter safety was published, the Aberdeen Press & Journal focused on one controversial action with the front page headline ‘If you are too fat you won’t fly’! But when it comes to escaping from a submerged helicopter through the push
Size Isn’t Everything Read Post »
In a session entitled “Resilience, helicopters and the challenge of transferring the workforce offshore” at Oil & Gas UK‘s first Annual Conference, attendees heard that the industry is now better prepared for major disruption. Past disruptions have included: The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull (aka ‘E15’) volcanic eruption in Iceland and the resulting volcanic ash fall out Two ditchings in 2012 due
Offshore Industry Improving Aviation Resilience Read Post »
EHOC to Become HeliOffshore It has been announced that the trade body, the European Helicopter Operators’ Committee (EHOC), is to become HeliOffshore, with an international membership: http://www.energyvoice.com/2014/06/helicopter-operators-fund-new-international-trade-body-safety/ One advantage of this change is an improvement in safety communication between operators globally. This was a point that emerged from the Joint Operators Review currently underway. Some
EHOC to Become HeliOffshore Read Post »
Gulf of Mexico Fatal Helicopter Accident (11 Jun 14) A search has been called off for two people missing after a helicopter accident in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) on 11 June 2014. It is reported that divers have located two bodies. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) preliminary report: N207MY BELL 206 ROTORCRAFT CRASHED
Gulf of Mexico Fatal Helicopter Accident (11 Jun 14) Read Post »
Rapid Progress with a Category A EBS One of the most urgent initiatives currently underway in UK offshore helicopter safety is the introduction of Category A Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS). Progress was discussed at Oil & Gas UK’s annual aviation seminar in Aberdeen on 4 June 2014. Oil & Gas UK is the organisation that represents the entire UK offshore industry.
Rapid Progress with a Category A EBS Read Post »
AAIB Report on the Ditchings of EC225 G-REDW 10 May 2012 & G-CHCN 22 Oct 2012 The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have published their combined report into the two Eurocopter EC225 helicopter ditchings in the North Sea in 2012: ….the crews of G-REDW and G-CHCN experienced a loss of main rotor gearbox oil
AAIB Report on the Ditchings of EC225 G-REDW 10 May 2012 & G-CHCN 22 Oct 2012 Read Post »
Offshore Helicopter Confidence Building – Oil & Gas UK’s 2014 Aviation Seminar The critical importance of rebuilding confidence in helicopter transport was the theme for Oil & Gas UK’s annual aviation seminar in Aberdeen on 4 June 2014. Oil & Gas UK is the organisation that represents the entire UK offshore industry and Aerossurance is a member of Oil
Offshore Helicopter Confidence Building – Oil & Gas UK’s 2014 Aviation Seminar Read Post »
The NTSB discusses the response of the New Mexico State Police to their fatal mountain SAR air accident in 2009.
NTSB: “Going Above and Beyond in Helicopter Safety” Read Post »
EASA Annual Safety Review 2013 Published The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Annual Safety Review for 2013 is now available at: http://easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/199751_EASA_ASR_2013.pdf In 2013, there were 18 accidents involving EASA Member State operated Commercial Air Transport aeroplanes. EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky commented: In 2013 there was no fatal accident in commercial air transport aeroplanes in the
EASA Annual Safety Review 2013 Published Read Post »
The Flight Safety Foundation’s Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) initiative to improve aviation safety in the mining and resources sector has been recognised by Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). The BARS Program was designed to evaluate aircraft operators competing for contracts to carry mining company personnel or undertake specialist aerial work. The aircraft supporting these
Flight Safety Foundation Wins Award for its Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) Program Read Post »
The Rise of the ‘Super Mediums’: EC175 & AW189 2014 sees the emergence of a new category of 7-8t ‘super-medium’ helicopters, capable of carrying 16 passenger in offshore configuration, lead by the AgustaWestland AW189 and Airbus Helicopters EC175. These fill the gap between the 19 passenger, 11-12t ‘heavies’ (the Sikorsky S-92A and Airbus EC225) and the ‘mediums’
The Rise of the ‘Super Mediums’: EC175 & AW189 Read Post »
There are two key helicopter safety events in the next month or so, both of which Aerossurance will be attending. On 4 June 2014, Oil & Gas UK will be holding its annual Aviation Seminar on 4 June 2014 at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre. Topics to be discussed are: Are we rebuilding UK
Forthcoming Helicopter Safety Events Read Post »
On 8 May 2014 an Airbus Helicopters AS365N Dauphin helicopter was lost en route from Takoradi in Ghana to the GSF Jack Ryan drill ship. Sadly only 3 of the 8 occupants were rescued.
Offshore Helicopter Accident Ghana 8 May 2014 & The Importance of Emergency Response Read Post »
