of Helicopter Industry, Japan (AHIJ). HAI is talking to addi- tional helicopter associations that have expressed interest in participation, Martino says. “Te IPP paid dividends for our industry during
HAI’s Virtual Aerial Firefighting Conference last November,” Martino says. “Because the conference was all virtual, there were considerable oppor- tunities for more interna- tional participation among both presenters and attendees, and we were able to include international content as a direct result of our collab- oration through the IPP.” In addition to other conference sessions with an inter- national focus, IPP member Loreto Moraga, president of ACHHEL, presented on aerial firefight- ing operations and issues in Chile and across South America, and Ray Cronin, president of AHIA, spoke on best practices that support interna- tional collaboration during firefighting activities. In addition to discussing local, regional, and global issues,
the IPP, he’s been able to share this work and inspire others.
International Partners
HAI Associación Chilena de Helicópteros (ACHHEL)
Association for Promotion of Helicopter Industry, Japan (AHIJ)
Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) British Helicopter Association (BHA)
European Helicopter Association (EHA) Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC)
Helicopter Association of Southern Africa (HASA)
Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI)
When the COVID pandemic began in the first quarter of 2020, Fauchon began investigating how to mobilize the UK helicopter industry to support that country’s National Health Service. Great Britain already had a military aid to civil authority program, whereby military assets could be mobilized to support civilian efforts in times of need (much like US National Guard troops and assets are mobilized in times of US emer- gencies). Fauchon dug into his military background and contacts and pulled together a team of ex-military and civilian operators to create a helicopter assistance to civil authorities (HACA)
program. Fauchon worked with representatives from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),
IPP members also build personal connections. Since the group’s formation, several members have either received support from fellow members on specific issues or provided support of their own. “Here in the UK, I’ve been in close contact with the
European Helicopter Association for many years,” explains BHA CEO Tim Fauchon. “Trough that connection, I’m able to stay well versed on issues between Europe and Britain. However, the IPP has connected me with even more contacts around the world in Japan, Australia, and India. Tis group has really helped the BHA to expand our international partnerships.”
BHA Mobilizes UK Industry for COVID Support
Formed during the COVID pandemic, the IPP has already begun delivering on its mission to increase collaboration, due in part to the extreme circumstances facing the industry around the world. In Britain, Fauchon created a database and system enhancing the civil helicopter industry’s ability to support the UK government during the pandemic. Trough
the Trans portation Ministry, and a UK government cabinet office to develop a program that made civil helicopters available for government agency use during the pandemic. A credit card payment system was set up through the British government’s procurement agency, Crown Commercial Services (CCS), with an initial budget of £1.5 million. Any government agency in Great Britain could apply for the credit card to pay for civilian helicopter services used as part of that country’s COVID response. Fauchon then went about building a database of com-
mercial air operator certificate (AOC) operators (much like FAA Part 135) and other “flyers” and support services willing to participate. “While we started the database with our members, we
knew we had a big industry and opened it to everyone,” Fauchon says. “It didn’t take long before we had an enormous database with everything from helicopter operators to fuel services, offices, and hangars available if needed.” Fauchon then hit a wall of red tape. Te agencies calling
Fauchon needed aircraft quickly, and applying for the CCS credit card took time. Without the credit card to ensure immediate payment, bills for helicopter services went into the government payment system, where it could take as long
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