An AS350 B2 operated by TEMSCO Helicopters tours the mountains outside of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. (Ron Gile/TEMSCO Helicopters Photo) VAI Event Highlights Air Tour Safety Inaugural conference provides operators with practical ways to improve safety. Honolulu, Hawaii, played host to a groundbreaking event in the aviation industry this past September as more than 100 air tour operators, safety experts, and pilots from across the United States gathered for the first Air Tour Safety Conference. Organized by VAI, the event marked a significant milestone in the industry’s pursuit of safety excellence and operational efficiency while demonstrating the association’s commitment to advancing standards and promoting collaborative safety efforts in the vertical aviation tour sector. Beyond the Basics The two-day conference, held Sep. 23–24, 2024, at the Hawaii Convention Center, offered a comprehensive platform for operators, regulators, and industry leaders to delve into the most pressing safety challenges facing the air tour sector. The event brought together experts from different facets of aviation to share best practices, emerging technologies, and safety strategies. Numerous sessions were designed to enhance participants’ understanding of critical safety topics. Chris Hill, VAI’s senior director of safety (pictured at right), opened the event with an emphasis on cultivating a safety-first culture. “Safety isn’t just about compliance,” Hill said. “It’s about fostering a culture that prioritizes the well-being of every passenger and crew member. This event has empowered operators with the tools and knowledge needed to make feasible changes in their organizations.” Throughout the conference, the message was clear: creating a safer industry requires not just adherence to regulations but a proactive approach that encourages operators to go beyond the basics. Attendees were shown the value of using safety management systems (SMSs), managing risks effectively, and harnessing new technologies to strengthen safety outcomes. Key Safety Tools A major theme of the conference was the role of SMSs in improving safety outcomes. During her remarks, Raquel Girvin (pictured below, left), the FAA’s administrator for the Western Pacific Region, updated attendees on upcoming policy changes, including the agency’s new requirement for companies conducting air tours, air ambulance operations, charters, and commuter flights to implement an SMS by May 2027. Girvin’s address underscored the FAA’s commitment to enhancing safety protocols and ensuring that operators are well prepared to meet the new standards. An SMS implementation session, which featured experts from both the FAA and the industry, was one of the conference’s most important presentations. The panelists shared best practices and strategies for achieving SMS compliance and discussed actionable steps operators can take to integrate these systems into their daily operations, emphasizing the importance of building safety into every level of an organization’s structure. The session concluded with a clear call to action for all operators to start preparing for SMS implementation now, well ahead of the 2027 deadline, as developing a mature SMS takes time. Another key session focused on the integration of advanced technologies to improve safety. Additional sessions on data integration provided a deep dive into the potential of emerging technologies to enhance aviation decision-making and risk management. Topics such as the use of advanced weather data from a network of airport-based cameras, health and usage monitoring systems (HUMSs), and flight-data monitoring (FDM) were explored in detail. Attendees learned how to leverage these tools to create safer flight environments and improve operational efficiencies. Experts highlighted the potential for real-time data to help operators make more informed decisions, thereby reducing risks during flight operations. In his presentation, FAA Air Safety Investigator Matt Rigsby shared his extensive experience investigating accidents and outlined steps operators can take to ensure passenger safety. From comprehensive preflight briefings to in-flight procedures to post-flight evaluations, Rigsby emphasized that safety begins long before takeoff and extends through every phase of the flight and provided practical, actionable tips for improving passenger safety. Fostering Collaboration, Building Connections In addition to the wealth of information provided during its sessions, the Air Tour Safety Conference offered ample networking opportunities for participants, allowing them to converse candidly with their industry peers, safety experts, and regulators. “We’re thrilled to have brought together such a diverse group of operators to focus on one common goal: enhancing the safety and success of air tour operations,” said Mark Schlaefli, VAI’s Board chair and owner of Dakota Rotors. “This conference set a new standard for collaboration and knowledge sharing in our industry, and we are excited to build on its momentum.” The importance of collaboration was a recurring theme throughout the conference. Operators were encouraged to connect with regulators, technology providers, and one another to share data, best practices, and lessons learned. By working together, the vertical aviation industry can collectively raise the bar on safety standards and ensure that air tour operations continue to thrive. (At right, Jake Tomlin, Papillon Helicopters; Terry Burchett, Chevron Aviation Safety Assurance; and Jason Quisling, Air Methods, discuss how flight following and follow-up can enhance situational awareness, particularly when flying over challenging terrain.) Attendees praised the event for its focus on practical solutions and actionable insights. Many commented that the opportunity to engage in open dialogue with both peers and regulators was invaluable, helping to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for improving safety. A Commitment to Continued Progress As the first event of its kind, the Air Tour Safety Conference laid a strong foundation for future discussions and developments in the air tour sector. VAI has already committed to making the Air Tour Safety Conference an annual event, recognizing the importance of continued dialogue on safety. By providing a forum for operators, regulators, and safety professionals to come together, VAI aims to ensure that the industry remains focused on safety improvements. “Safety is not a one-time achievement; it’s an ongoing journey,” Hill remarked at the conclusion of the event. “We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to strengthen the safety record of air tour operations.” Bailey Wood is VAI’s director of strategic communications.
