A rating system that assesses the benefits of safety equipment could incentivize helicopter operators to add the equipment even in the absence of regulatory mandates, according to a report published by the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST). The VAST Rotorcraft Safety Rating Concept Special Working Group created the “Investigation of a Rotorcraft Safety Rating Concept” report.
The safety rating concept is gaining new interest, partly because the International Helicopter Safety Team established in 2005 hasn’t seen the same accident reduction success as the Commercial Aircraft Safety Team, which achieved a more than 80% reduction in fatalities in 10 years among U.S. airlines. According to the report, “The IHST effort did not have the same results, and the 80% target was not reached. The IHST efforts continued past the original 10-year mandate and a slow, continuous decrease in the accident rate has been noted over the years.”
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