Helicopter Association International (HAI) is pleased to add another safety program to its VTOL safety tool chest, working with the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) to provide their safety management system (SMS) for aircraft maintenance at no additional cost to HAI members. 

Since introducing HAI’s SMS Program to members last year, HAI has expanded this tool chest of safety products to include a scalable SMS program for helicopter operators, an aviation safety action program (ASAP), a flight risk assessment tool (FRAT), and now the SMS program for aviation maintenance.

“We couldn’t be happier working with AEA in providing their proven, standardized SMS maintenance program to the teams that turn the wrenches,” says James Viola, president and CEO of HAI. “AEA is an established, reputable organization, and we recognize that they also have the same goal we do – to reduce aviation accidents. We are proud to collaborate with them in offering their program to our members.”   

“Just as in financial, production, quality and staffing management, AEA has tools that support industry best practices,” says Ric Peri, vice president, government and industry affairs for AEA. “SMS is not, in and of itself, a safety program; however, safety management system is a management tool to better support your safety program. It is an industry best practice to help you identify, communicate, and achieve your safety objectives.” 

Last Fall, HAI announced a partnership with Air Charter Safety Foundation to make their ASAP program available to HAI members. HAI then introduced a software-based SMS program to its members through WYVERN, Air Charter Safety Foundation, and Baldwin Safety and Compliance. During HAI HELI-EXPO, HAI announced the partnership with Swiss-based NGFT Solutions to offer the all-new Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) module to HAI members.

“Our members requested assistance in developing more robust safety programs,” says Viola. “In less than a year, our team has developed relationships with some of the finest, most respected names in aviation safety. Combined, this tool chest offers some of the most needed tools available for improving safety programs at any size business.” 

To register for the new Maintenance SMS Program, please visit its webpage. More information about all of the safety programs HAI offers to its members is available on that section of our website. Non-members interested in signing up may find the savings of the safety programs offset the cost of membership. For more information about joining HAI, and a list of other member benefits, please visit our membership page.