Targets Helicopter Air Ambulance Operations
August 31, 2009, Alexandria, VA — The Flight Safety Foundation announced today the commencement of its study on the feasibility of flight data monitoring on helicopter air ambulance operations (HAAO). Involved on this team are companies from all segments of the HAAO industry, including Aerobytes, Air Methods Corporation, Appareo Systems, L3 Communications, and the Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO. The objective is to determine if enough data can be collected from helicopters in order to determine trends and ultimately, make operations safer.
“We are optimistic that organized data collection from flights will lead to safer operations,” commented FSF President and CEO William R. Voss. “We’ve seen that in commercial and corporate aviation with data collection being an integral part of safety management. We are all well aware of the safety challenges facing helicopter air ambulance operations and are determined to be a part in finding a solution.”
The HAAO team first formed in the spring at the request of the Foundation. “The Foundation received a grant to do some work in this area and we are pleased that these leaders in the field decided to team up with us to do this research,” Voss further stated.
The research that is conducted by this team will be used to assist the International Helicopter Safety Team and will be offered to the entire air ambulance community in an effort to improve the overall safety of the segment. The concepts developed will assist the separate operators in implementing safety management systems.
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Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, non-profit, international organization engaged in research, auditing, education, advocacy and publishing to improve aviation safety. The Foundation’s mission is to pursue the continuous improvement of global aviation safety and the prevention of accidents. www.flightsafetstg.wpenginepowered.com
Contact: Emily McGee, Director of Communications, 1-703-739-6700, ext. 126; mcgee@webdeva.flightsafety.org
