MEBA is providing a platform for the Middle East/North Africa Helicopter Safety Team (MENA HST) to converge for its quarterly safety conference - complementing the new Helicopters@MEBA feature.

MENA HST was set up in 2008 as the result of an international effort launched in 2006 by the International Helicopter Safety Team with the aim of reducing accidents worldwide by 80% over the 10 years to 2016. MENA HST is for the first time holding a conference on the opening day of MEBA (11 December).

Included on the agenda is an AgustaWestland presentation on its AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters, while Mike Litson, founding member of the Gulf Flight Safety Committee, will brief attendees on a safety management system that he recently introduced into aviation operations in southern Africa.

Capt Michel Theriault from Abu Dhabi Aviation will propose a region-wide survey on where safety sits in organisations from an organisational chart perspective; meanwhile the General Civil Aviation Authority will be presenting on fatigue risk management. Finally, MENA HST will hold an incident review session stimulating further discussions about the identified top five risks, and issues surrounding those risks.

Capt Tony Griggs, secretary of MENA HST, says: "We are the only group in the Middle East with a specific focus on safety regarding helicopter operations. MEBA has kindly provided us with a forum to discuss our achievements and deliberate the obstacles we encounter in enhancing safety within the region. MENA HST are strong believers that no one person has ownership on safety and everybody has something to contribute. That's our philosophy and we look forward to spreading this message at MEBA."

Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of MEBAA, says: "MEBA as a show has witnessed considerable growth and as a result of our Helicopters@MEBA feature has enabled companies such as MENA HST to reach out to a targeted audience. We are delighted that MEBA has provided MENA HST with such an opportunity to debate key issues and learn about developments in the safety culture, and we hope the industry takes note of their efforts to improve safety in the Middle East and support this valuable cause."
 

منبع: Aviation News