Avincis Group, Bristow Group and CHC Helicopter are launching a review of safety procedures that they say deepens their commitment to share best practices and consistently operate at the highest possible level of safety. They intend to reach out to other helicopter operators to encourage them to join the review.

The joint review of processes, procedures, training and equipment will identify best practices on the ground and in the air, combining the operators' collective experience. Experts in safety, training and flight operations from the three companies will participate in the review initially, with subsequent involvement to include their maintenance personnel and other key industry professionals.

Avincis Group ceo James Drummond says: “There is no doubt in my mind that the combined efforts of the operators will further enhance safety for everyone in the industry.”

The group will first focus on European operational procedures, but will explore and adopt best practice from the global industry and scale its review accordingly. Plans for collaboration by the operators will complement a just-announced review of North Sea helicopter operations by the UK CAA, in partnership with the Norway CAA and EASA. It will be done in cooperation with the International Oil and Gas Producers Association, and findings from investigations by the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch and others into past incidents will be incorporated into the group's work.

Bristow Group president and ceo Bill Chiles says: “This initiative will combine the expertise and talents within our industry and will fully support the work being done by HSSG and broader industry forums.”

CHC president and ceo Bill Amelio adds: “There are and will continue to be plenty of basis for healthy competition between our companies, but safety must never be one of them. Everyone benefits when the people who rely on us for their livelihoods are able to return home safely, and it remains our obligation to do everything humanly possible to fulfil that expectation.”