BAOA organised BizAVIndia Safety Seminar with special focus on safety issues concerning helicopter operations in India

The potential of smaller aircraft and helicopters operations in connecting remote and inaccessible regions in India cannot be stressed enough. Keeping in view their increasing role in UDAN, BAOA organized the 4th edition of BizAVIndia Safety Seminar in New Delhi on 23rd March, 2018 with a special focus on the safety concerning helicopter operations and Safety Management System (SMS) implementation amongst GA/BA operators.

With presence from Operators, DGCA officials and aviation experts, the half-day workshop discussed key safety issues in the small aircraft and helicopter operations, global trends and best practices for Business Aviation and General Aviation in India.

Capt. K Pathak, Training Manager, Global Vectra Helicorp delivered the presentation on the safety concerns in helicopter operations in Indian and shared practical examples of reactive, proactive and predictive organizational approach to safety risks.

Mr. RS Passi, Deputy Director, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau took SMS managers through accident/incident investigation guidelines and gave insights on the observed trends in aviation safety.

Air Commodore T. A. Dayasagar, Executive Director, Pawan Hans Limited, who also spoke on the safety management implementation systems in helicopter operations said that Air Safety culture in organizations begins with introspection. He stressed on the importance of assertiveness, teamwork, and integrity in the aviation maintenance environment. He also remarked that UDAN is an opportunity to build heliports, which will push the helicopter safety infrastructure environment in India.

Gp. Capt. Rajesh Bali, MD, Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA) Business opened the forum with his welcome address and said, “With our BizAVIndia Safety seminar series, we are keen to take a fresh look at strategies that bring safety efforts into the business framework of BA/GA aviation operations in line with the international standards prescribed by ICAO and IBAC.”

Capt. Pankaj Chopra, leading BAOA’s SMS & Safety Workshop Committee, gave an operators’ viewpoint to the audience and member representatives from the DGCA.