FORT WORTH, TX – On the heels of the news announced last month that the total number of U.S. civil helicopter accidents had been reduced to the lowest level since the early 1980s, new accident rate data is highlighting an even stronger improvement.  During 2014, the U.S. civil helicopter industry experienced 3.64 accidents per 100,000 flight hours.  This is a 26 percent reduction compared to 2013 and a 54 percent reduction compared to the 2001-05 baseline accident rate.

WASHINGTON DC – The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), along with safety experts from throughout the civil helicopter industry, has developed new safety leaflets focused on entry into fog or cloud conditions, instructional safety, and recurrent training.  The IHST now offers a total of ten new safety leaflets aimed at enhancing helicopter operations and reducing accidents. 

EHEST brings together helicopter manufacturers, operators, regulators, helicopter and pilots associations, research organisations, accident investigators and military operators from across Europe. Participants come from organisations including the following: EASA, EHA, UK CAA, EHAC, UK MoD DASC, QinetiQ, RAeS, Agusta Westland, Eurocopter, UK AAIB, Irish AAIB, BFU Germany, Bristow Group, CAA Norway, Shell Aircraft Ltd/IHST, NLR, EHOC, FOCA, FAA/US JHSAT, ENAC Italy, AIB Hungary, and Air Glacier (CH). EHEST addresses the broad spectrum of helicopter operations across Europe; from commercial air transport to general aviation and flight training activities. EHEST brings together around 130 participants, from which 70 are actively involved in EHSAT.