Safety

Safety is the single most important shared value across the UK rotorcraft community. The Association supports and promotes a positive safety culture across its membership.

Our role on safety

The British Helicopter Association is not a regulator. It is a trade association whose role on safety is to:

• Provide a forum for members to share safety information and best practice.
• Engage with regulators and authorities on safety topics affecting the industry.
• Signpost members and the public to authoritative safety guidance.
• Encourage open reporting and a constructive safety culture.

Authoritative safety bodies

Operators, training organisations and individuals should refer to the appropriate authority for binding regulations and guidance:

• UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) — the UK's specialist aviation regulator.
• Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) — independent investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents.
• European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) — relevant for operations involving EASA member states.
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) — international standards and recommended practices.

Reporting an occurrence

In the United Kingdom, safety occurrence reporting is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Operators and individuals subject to mandatory occurrence reporting requirements should follow the CAA's published reporting processes. Information about how to report is available on the CAA website.

Weather and operational information

UK aviation weather information is provided by the Met Office aviation service. NOTAMs and AIP information are published via the relevant national service.