Free Event To Address Accidents, Offers WINGS Credits

The FAA will host its first International Rotorcraft Safety Conference from April 21 to 23 at the Hurst Conference Center near Ft. Worth, Texas. This free event is part of FAA’s Rotorcraft Safety Initiative and will provide conference attendees with tips about how to reduce helicopter accidents.

In fiscal year 2013, 37 people lost their lives in rotorcraft accidents, prompting the FAA to charter the Rotorcraft Safety Initiative. This initiative focuses on educating members of the aviation industry by providing intervention recommendations to reduce the number of fatal accidents.

The conference’s target audience is rotorcraft pilots, mechanics, small company owners, industry executives, operators, and government regulators from the United States and abroad. Attendees can expect presentations by the National Transportation Safety Board and survivors of helicopter accidents or near-accidents as well as an FAA-led discussion of patterns in fatal helicopter accidents.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with prospective employers at a career fair. Pilots and mechanics can also attend break-out sessions on those days. Session topics include autorotation, single pilot resource management, installation of NextGen technology,–night vision system maintenance, and human factors in maintenance. The third day of the conference is International Day, featuring presentations from the European Aviation Safety Agency, Transport Canada Civil Aviation, FAA, and industry groups.

Conference attendees will receive credit for their participation, including up to eight hours of Inspection Authorization credits and FAA WINGS pilot proficiency program credits.

FMI: www.faa.gov