Press Release

Issued by Asian Business Aviation Association.

November 11, 2015

AsBAA, the Asian region's non-for-profit representative body for business aviation, held its first ERP and Safety event at HKCAD, Hong Kong, Monday 9 November. The free event was designed to promote safety in the business aviation community in Hong Kong, and included several panels from experts and stakeholders across the industry.

The full day event opened with AsBAA chairman, Mr. Charlie Mularski welcoming the 150 (approximate) guests and participants. This was followed by some remarks from Mr. Kurt Edwards, director general, IBAC, who updated the delegation on the latest perspective from ICAO for Asia, and the need to promote consistent standards from IS-BAO & IS-BAH. He shared “there are many developments, and it is vital that we all stay informed of the latest ways to improve standards, such as maximising carbon offsets, and working with associations like AsBAA to tackle the local issues.” Mr. Edwards highlighted Indonesia as an important case study in relation to improving safety and environmental standards. Edwards also recognised AsBAA's increasing role in coordinating local affairs as “one voice” for the Asian aviation industry.

Panel One: New strategies and new risks for the “new normal” at HKIA and other congested international airports

• Peter Coles touched on the importance of authorities as levels of power and to be mindful of the legal right to counsel when an investigation starts and is ongoing. He also spoke about disclosure of information in the event of an incident occurring in a foreign country away from home-base, underlining the importance of practicing your own ERP's and not just in the comfort of office hours and based on a home base scenario. Delegates were advised to try a “middle of the night” scenario of an incident occurring in a remote or unfamiliar location.

• Sheree Cheung mentioned the importance of a strong SMS – Safety Management System and regularly discussing it as part of every board meeting and not just when it suits.

• There is a new hospital in Lantau Island which may be utilised if there were a major incident at the HK airport with the opportunity to send casualties there.

• Peter went onto highlight the importance of good communication with appointed insurers (group policy underwriters) for any minor incident or observation of a rule change at the local base that they may not be aware of. They have the bandwidth to help with your own ERP as well if needed – they like to be part of the solution and planning ahead for any eventuality.

• Steven Lau discussed the HKAA position with the 5 W's and the one H. Who does What, Where, When, Why and How in an emergency. He focused on the importance of trained personnel and being able to cope with the aftermath of a major incident, including a crisis PR plan.

Panel Two: An integrated approach to implementing technology to enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental impact to the region

• Air Inc. & Satcom Direct discussed the advancement in paperless cockpits/technology through the use of IPAD's. The IPhone's in particular (I-Phone 6) is now a major threat to the industry as they are so popular, the technology on the ground and in the air can't keep up with client expectation and also there is a lack of understanding as to why it is so expensive to provide such services in Asia. (WIFI)

• The pros and cons of fly-by wire cockpits and automation was also discussed, and the flying process v. experienced hand flying pilots. The panel noted that this is a topic for the future – training pilots to manage automation, and that there is more thought and training required in this area.

• HKGFS highlighted the frustration of a governmental organisation requirement for physical paper documents still as they are accountable to the tax payer and would welcome more technology to be accepted by govt to enhance efficiencies and safer practices.

• The biggest highlight of this panel was the need identified for a co-ordinated ERP drill through AsBAA and HKAA/HKCAD. HKCAD welcomed this initiative and will work with AsBAA and HKAIA to assist with whatever is needed.

Panel Three: Safety Culture, what does it mean? Areas for deeper cooperation and partnering on safety matters

• Roger Lee, Asian representative of FSF (Flight Safety Foundation) and Hong Kong Jet focused on “Safety Culture” with the wider panel. The cultural difference in Asia – where many employees simply may not be willing / prepared to go beyond what they are contracted to do in their job description, which is understood but different to the US and Europe in that respect.

• There can be too much familiarity amongst pilots that have flown regularly together for many years which can cause complacency in the cockpit to carry out proper and systematic checks on the checklists. This can even lead to fatal accidents as witnessed recently in the US. Also the subordinate culture where the young SIC/FO fails to question the PIC when they spot something wrong.

• Good CRM and bad CRM: the lack of go-arounds on an unstable approach is very high in Asia with 90% or higher completing the landing despite an unstable approach and the best solution would have been to abort the landing and go around for a second attempt in a calmer environment. What are the pressures that exist for pilots to think like this?

Panel Four: Ground safety concerns. What happens on the ground is as important as in the air

• This panel explored some of the challenges ongoing with operating into and from Mainland China; the English proficiency is still not adequate for some company's pilots and ATC divisions for radio calls.

• More flight simulators are required in this region urgently to bring down the cost of travel and perhaps

introduce twice a year rather than only once a year for Part 91 fliers with a cap on hours, so if pilots

have flown less than 100 hours in 6 months they must mandatorily to take a 2nd sim check.

• The simulator training needs to change and focus more on live scenarios that really test the pilot's

ability to deal with difficult circumstances. Advanced training and cold weather seasonality safety risks – ice, snow, winds etc.

After the panel, some open discussions were held, which explored other points of interest from the audience. These included the need for AsBAA to “lead the charge” and engage more with CAAC in China and ATC/Security bureau as well to improve certain procedures for private jet operations for safety purposes.

Delegates also aired that they require more data from local authorities as well as opportunities to attend informative events. This would increase industry standards by encouraging more dialogue and exploration of possible solutions to common problems as DCA and CAA's are willing to listen and understand.

AsBAA proposed its own strategy about an IOCA – Int'l Operators Conference Asia in June in Beijing together with NBAA also to highlight these topics specifically in the agenda at ABACE16 as well. AsBAA is looking at the feasibility of arranging an ERP drill with the HK community ASAP in conjunction with the HKCAD.

HKCAD representative, Mr. Lawrence Wong also spoke about ERP, in great depth, and the steps to think about as an organization in HK.

AsBAA Board of Governor, Mr. Mike Walsh wrapped up the conference by thanking each speaker and delegate for their contribution and attendance. He said, “Thank you to our sponsors HKBAC and Jet Solution for providing the sponsored lunch and to HKCAD for hosting us at the wonderful Auditorium at the HKCAD Headquarters HK.”