Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown Advises on Rotorcraft Safety at Helitech International

The final day of Helitech International was reserved for one of the most important aspects of the rotorcraft industry: safety. Proceedings in the event's popular Safety Workshop included a keynote from the celebrated Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown. The Navy's most decorated pilot, Capt. Brown has flown a record 487 different aircraft, and often as the test pilot. The Workshop concentrated on why rotary accidents still occur and what more can be done to prevent them. 

The rotorcraft industry designs machines that can carry out tasks which other vehicles cannot. It creates aircraft that can take off from rooftops and land on mountainsides; transport people at speed, much closer to the ground than other aircraft; that can be used to hunt down criminals or rescue lives. The preparedness of the pilot is therefore of utmost importance. 

As Professor Graham Braithwaite of Cranfield University explained during the Workshop, our expectations of helicopters are so high we forget the risks that pilots take daily, and are surprised when the success rate is not 100%. He added that this can also be true for the pilots, where if accidents don't occur, dangers are perceived as less likely and more risks are taken, compromising safety.

The European Helicopter Safety Team (EHEST) discussed the findings from its studies of 489 accidents between 2000 and 2010. The vast majority were due to pilot judgement and actions (nearly 70%), highlighting that pilots are making impromptu manoeuvres, which can carry great risk.

This point was echoed by Capt. Brown, who witnessed the recent tragedy which unfolded at the Shoreham Air Show. Capt. Brown reminded the audience that "you can never be over-prepared or fully prepared" but that "you should always expect the unexpected". The importance of maintaining vigilant standards of safety was an ongoing theme throughout the Workshop. Indeed, as Capt. Brown explained "things have changed tremendously largely because of meetings like this". 

Helitech International 2015, held last week at ExCeL London, has proved to be the latest success in the event's successful history. An impressive number of major new orders were announced at the show, including Waypoint Leasing ordering 20 Airbus H135 helicopters along with 18 AgustaWestland helicopters, while informative Education Programme sessions highlighted the unique and essential role that helicopters increasingly play in society. 

The Exhibition Director, John Hyde, commented: "Helitech International is proud to provide a platform for the discussion of issues that are of central importance to the rotary sector, which continues to grow at great pace. The safety and resilience of helicopters remains of premier importance and will be reflected by expert, illuminating seminar sessions and workshops at future editions this event". 

Helitech International will return to Amsterdam RAI from 11-13 October 2016.