Eurocopter has formed a flight safety directorate in response it says to an increased industry awareness to improve helicopter flight safety. "The helicopter community has now decided to take concerted action to drastically reduce the incidence of fatal accidents over the next decade," says Jean-Pierre Dedieu, executive director of customer support, who is heading the venture. The directorate will focus on three areas:
Technical and maintenance: develop and implement action plans following accidents that are attributed to technical causes and to reduce time between the accident analysis phase and fleet-wide implementation.
Operations: improve Eurocopter's understanding of operational accidents propose special training for pilots with the aim of minimising accidents caused by crew error provide operators with equipment such as flight recorders and obstacle detectors discourage pilots from performing dangerous manoeuvres, and improve flight control aids.
Corporate affairs: identify, co-ordinate, develop and implement a more structured crisis management process and improve communication with international authorities.
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Source: Flight International
