Helicopters safety in operations

With support for industry-wide initiatives like the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST), Airbus works with its customers to introduce safety management systems (SMS) as part of its commitment to improving global flight safety and decreasing accidents. An SMS is an important tool for supporting safe helicopter operations through a reactive, proactive and predictive organisational approach to safety risks. One of its aims is to actively promote a safety culture – employing safety-driven decision making and risk management.

Airbus has deployed an aviation SMS because of the company’s strong belief that SMSs contribute greatly to improving helicopter safety. Likewise, it has contributed to several international working groups aimed at raising the standards of aviation safety management systems.

Airbus works with its customers to introduce safety management systems within their organisations as part of its commitment to improving global flight safety and decreasing accidents.

The company provides information on the importance of hazard identification and risk management to reduce risk levels on-the-ground and in-flight, and also establishes a method to define specific daily operational hazards, identify the potential consequences of these hazards, and propose corrective and protective measures to prevent or mitigate such hazards.

For more on Airbus assistance in introducing an aviation safety management system, see the Information Notice IN2255-I-00 (.pdf format) and visit Airbus International Services.

As part of its commitment to improving aviation safety, Airbus provides realistic, mission-focused training for its complete product line, which prepares flight personnel and maintenance crews for real-world situations. Quality training is directly linked to pilots and flight crews’ proficiency, as well as their ability to safely operate in a full range of conditions.

To ensure customers have access to world-class training, Airbus continues to make significant investments in full-motion simulators, procedural training devices, computer-aided training and e-learning systems.

With an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data package, Airbus can ensure that the latest rotorcraft developments and improvements are reflected in its simulator network. In addition, the implementation of an extended field of view (in the full-flight simulator (FFS), along with the integration of real rotorcraft data tested by Airbus test pilots guarantee a real-to-life full flight simulation.

In parallel, Airbus Helicopters focuses on expanding the catalogue of services it offers – particularly for recurrent and mission training – with on-site flight operations support deployed worldwide to increase safety. This provides a comprehensive suite of services, including customer help desks and flight operations support and analysis – all tailored for individual operator needs. 

In order to remain close to its customers and provide cost-effective solutions for fleets to remain operationally available, Airbus – with its customer centres and affiliates – operates a network of 23 training centres and 26 full-flight simulators in all regions of the world, including Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, and South America.

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Airbus is a responsible member of the international helicopter community, sharing its values with the industry and actively contributing to key rotorcraft safety goals. Supporting the safety initiatives of leading organisations, institutes, steering groups and governmental agencies around the world is a key company priority.

Airbus works closely with the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST) – and its European component: the European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) – which brings together government and industry leaders to reduce civil rotorcraft accidents. VAST was formed in 2021 and was the successor of the International Helicopters Safety Team (IHST) which was formed in 2006. It aims to dramatically reduce the international civil helicopter accident rate. 

Further reinforcing the company’s cooperation in industry-wide safety initiatives, Airbus has issued a Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) for H225 aircraft that are utilised for oil and gas missions, marking the first such source document created in the rotorcraft sector.

Airbus takes a proactive approach in listening to customers’ requirements in order to meet and surpass their expectations. The company also works with its customers to support the safe operation of their Airbus rotorcraft. This includes regularly hosting and participating in symposiums and forums, distributing safety materials to help customers manage operational risks and supporting operators’ application of helicopter flight data management (HFDM) systems.

In addition, the company leverages the expertise and know-how of its supplier base to support safety and quality, engaging its supply chain through a collaborative approach and shared view of customer expectations.

An industry-wide effort to improve rotorcraft safety is headed by the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST), which was formed in 2021. 

As the world’s no. 1 helicopter manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters takes a leadership role in this important safety initiative. As part of this commitment, the company is a major sponsor of the organization’s annual safety symposium which is open to all aviation safety professionals within the helicopter community

 Aiming to realize an international civil helicopter community with zero accidents, VAST works with global partners – such as Airbus Helicopters – and regional safety teams to develop strategies and harmonize safety efforts in key areas, including:

• Educating target audiences on helicopter safety and accident causes
• Updating the progress toward VAST goals
• Conveying information about global partnership efforts within VAST
• And, raising awareness on VAST tools that can improve helicopter safety

Nearly 40 countries support VAST's efforts, with safety teams established in Europe, the United States, Canada, Brazil, India, Japan and the Middle East-North Africa region.

Visit the Vertical Aviation Safety Team's official website for more information.

HeliOffshore is a global, safety-focused association for the offshore helicopter industry. In collaboration with Airbus and others in the global offshore helicopter industry, HeliOffshore’s aim is to deliver industry-wide safety programmes to enhance safety worldwide.

With our common goal towards achieving zero lives lost in offshore flight, Airbus, with the collaboration of HeliOffshore, has spearheaded the following projects: