FLY SAFE By Christopher Young
No More Excuses
Always do your safety homework: risk management doesn’t take a sabbatical.
I
T’S TIME WE ROTORHEADS STOP LAMENTING or seem surprised when things go bad. Instead, we need greater focus on making positive change
for our industry. And yes, each of us plays a role in the outcome. The fatal accident rate in the helicopter industry still
isn’t improving like it should be. In its cumulative FY 2022 rotorcraft accident summary, October 2021– May 2022, the FAA reported 71 accidents and 15 fatal accidents, with 26 fatalities, in the United States. The FY 2022 estimated fatality rate through May was 1.35 per 100,000 hours—way too high! In December 2021, the industry experienced four
fatal accidents with a loss of seven lives. According to the FAA data, the number of fatal accidents was the highest for any December since FY 2005, and the seven fatalities were the second highest recorded for a December in the past 10 fiscal years. These statistics are alarming and should motivate you to take stock of your own processes and the processes
in your organization. We need to stop making excuses and always do our safety homework. Risk management doesn’t take a sabbatical.
The 7 Ps When I was young, I distinctly recall my father—who spent a career in the US Navy—often using an old mili- tary adage at home. Perhaps you’ve heard it: “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.” The saying originated in the British Army and can be recog- nized nowadays in several variations. I was fortunate to be reminded of this expression in
my own military profession by instructors who con- stantly reinforced its importance (and not always with a sympathetic delivery). No matter what version of the adage you might be familiar with, it speaks to the need for preparation in producing positive outcomes. Consistent, successful performance of aviation activi- ties doesn’t happen because the work is easy or good luck is with you. Successful performance results from
72 ROTOR MARCH 2023
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