Press Release

Issued by Vertical Flight Expo and Conference.

September 2, 2015

The vital importance of safety in rotary wing operations is highlighted by the Safety Workshop on the final day of Helitech International. Hosted by the European Helicopter Safety Team (EHEST) and the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), the Safety Workshop will be staged at ExCeL London on Thursday 8th October. The focus will be on technologies and processes aimed at 'Enhancing Situational Awareness and Making Better Decisions', and will feature leading experts from industry and academia.

The major highlight for this year's programme will be keynote speaker Captain Eric Melrose "Winkle" Brown, CBE, DSC, AFC, Hon FRAeS, RN. Capt. Brown is a former Royal Navy officer and test pilot who has flown 487 different types of aircraft, more than anyone else in history. He also holds the world record for most aircraft carrier landings performed (2,407) and is the Fleet Air Arm's most decorated living pilot. He achieved several "firsts" in naval aviation, including the first landing on an aircraft carrier of a twin engined aircraft, an aircraft with a tricycle undercarriage and a jet propelled aircraft. Capt. Brown will share his thoughts and fascinating experiences on how best to prepare for flight.

Capt. Brown said, "Safety is always a huge responsibility and we must remember that helicopters aren't different from other forms of flying; it must always be treated with the same attitude whether it is fixed wing aircraft, rotary wing aircraft or even balloons. The Safety Workshop tagline 'Enhancing situational awareness and making better decisions' sums up well the key considerations facing helicopter pilots. The Workshop will be a vital discussion for delegates to hear, and I look forward to what will be a very interesting talk indeed at Helitech International".

The Safety Workshop will include a session on safety culture and risk taking which will examine what a positive safety culture looks like and how to recognise the difference between good and bad risk taking. A review of technologies to improve situational awareness will explore interesting new technologies in research and development phases, and promising ideas that could lead to valuable pilot aids in the near future.

Another technology review will illustrate how ADS-B is delivering real safety and operational benefits to individual pilots and organisations in the USA, and how quickly and easily those will become available in Europe. Other highlights include a review of the issues and concerns associated with the introduction of automated systems and cockpits; a look at the latest thinking on how to train for automated cockpits; and an introduction of the new EHEST instructor training manual and risk assessment tool, MARIA.

John Hyde, event director, said "The education programme unites experts from industry, finance, civil and government operators and safety agencies to create a truly international platform addressing key issues concerning the rotorcraft industry and I am truly thrilled to be working with so many key players in delivering it".

Run in association with the European Helicopter Association, Helitech International is Europe's largest exhibition dedicated to civil rotorcraft and will take place at ExCeL London from 6- 8 October 2015.