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British Helicopter Advisory Board |
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Purpose, Aims and Concerns
The British Helicopter Advisory
Board was formed in January 1969 at the instigation of some leading members of
the helicopter industry in the UK, who realised that there was no single
authoritative voice speaking for the whole helicopter industry similar to other
organisations which represent other major aviation interests. At that time
helicopter activity in support of the North Sea off-shore oil operation was
beginning to expand rapidly.
The BHAB is a non-profit making
organisation, whose main objective is to promote the use of helicopters
throughout the country and to bring to the attention of potential users the
advantages of using or owning a helicopter. It is also concerned that helicopter
operations are conducted safely and responsibly and that proper attention is
paid to environmental issues. These objectives are pursued by liaison with
government departments, local authorities, the Civil Aviation Authority, public
services, private industry and exchange of information with other helicopter
organisations outside the UK. BHAB encourages moves towards European
harmonisation through its membership of the European Helicopter Association.
The Board has a small permanent
Secretariat which is based at Fairoaks Airport. It is financed by subscriptions
from its members at rates which are scaled to the size and operating capacity
of the member. Membership covers major helicopter operating
companies, manufacturers, emergency services, helicopter equipment
manufacturers, sales and service companies, corporate and private owners and
The Helicopter Club of Great Britain. In addition Associate membership includes
representation from a wide variety of companies which support helicopter
operations; for example, insurance and finance consultants as well as heliport
and helipad owners. Membership encompasses the great majority of the 1100
helicopters on the UK Civil Register.
The policy and finances of the
Board are controlled by a Council of Management elected annually and
representing the different classes of membership. There are additionally four
working committees covering the Board's main activities:-
- Off-shore Operators
- On-shore Operators
- Technical
- Emergency Services
Other Sub-Committees are formed
as specific and specialised problems arise. During the years of its existence,
the BHAB has achieved much, particularly in the fields of air legislation and
airworthiness. A working group
continues the search for a City of London Heliport.
Helicopter operators and other
supporters join BHAB because they plan to be in business over the long term. Membership indicates a willingness to contribute to
the wider well-being of the helicopter industry. It also implies high standards.
Operators help customers plan the most efficient and cost-effective way of
completing a task, and carry it out competently and safely.
When you need a helicopter - for any reason - call a BHAB member. Details of
all member operators with their fleets, specialisations and contact details are
listed in the BHAB
Information Handbook.
See also 'Recommended Practices
for Charter Helicopter Operations'
The public perception of the
helicopter has improved in recent years, mainly due to its demonstrated success
in emergency service roles. However, its versatility is still not recognised by
many of the general public and BHAB seeks to correct this impression whenever
possible.
In addition to regular
communications with its members, BHAB publishes a quarterly newsletter, The
Rotorhead. This reports the diverse contributions which helicopters regularly
make to the community and which are often unnoticed by the specialist trade
press, let alone the general media.
The BHAB Information Handbook, published annually, provides details of
its members and their activities; it also lists the growing number of helipads
in the UK which are available for public or private use.
Expanding into Europe
Constantly protective of the
freedoms enjoyed by helicopters in Great Britain, the BHAB supports the gradual
adoption of Joint Aviation Requirements throughout Europe. Representatives on
influential committees ensure that the home case is supported.
As a result of this activity the BHAB
is widely regarded as one of the more effective helicopter trade associations
in Europe. At the same time it strives to establish a level playing field for
its members working elsewhere within the European Union.
Protecting the environment
The BHAB encourages organisations
to provide helipads and supports members when others attempt to restrict
helicopter access - as long as there is no practical or environmental reason
why it should not be allowed.
It also urges pilots to observe
Codes of Conduct, to fly responsibly and to minimise the impact of operations
which might affect people's enjoyment of open spaces.
The BHAB is proud of the civil
helicopter's commendable safety record over land and sea and seeks to improve
it further by eliminating potential risk through technical improvement and
procedural methods.
Representatives liaise with the
Services ensure that members' interests are upheld. For example, the risk of collisions
between helicopters and military fast jets operating at low levelis kept under
constant review. Use of this airspace
(below 2,000 feet) is relatively uncontrolled and yet it has to accommodate low
flying military aircraft as well as civil helicopters engaged in power and
pipeline patrols, police operations and air ambulance casualty evacuations.
Helicopters are now widely used
by regional police services and ambulance services. Many are BHAB members
(see Handbook for details). There is now almost universal acceptance by
police authorities that helicopters are an essential 'force multiplier' and
their record in crime detection and prevention is undoubted.
Search and Rescue Services (SAR)
is provided jointly by civil and Service operators under the overall control of
the Ministry of Defence. The ability of helicopters to rescue accident
victims both on land and sea and to transport them to safety and/or medical aid
wins much praise for the determination and initiative of the helicopter crews.
The BHAB acts as a forum where
areas of common interest can be addressed; it is a single point of contact for
rotorcraft topics. The spirit of commercial competition thrives between member
companies but it is set aside whenever subjects of mutual concern such as
safety are discussed.
Aircraft operators, in common
with many businesses, are faced with a significant administrative workload from
their regulatory bodies. While acknowledging the need for regulation to
maintain common safety standards, the BHAB strives to minimise the impact on
members' ability to compete in the international marketplace.
BHAB - working for helicopters
The BHAB promotes the
helicopter's diverse roles to the general public and negotiates with government
departments departments and the industry's regulator, the Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA), on behalf of the industry. Full Membership of the BHAB covers
helicopter operating companies, corporate operators, emergency service air
support units and manufacturing/maintenance support companies throughout the
United Kingdom. Associate Membership includes many other companies which
have an interest in commercial helicopter operations: users, insurers,
consultants, brokers and helipad owners.
The BHAB has a small
administrative staff at its airport headquarters in Surrey, calling on members
to provide technical and operational expertise in dealings with the CAA and
other official bodies.
Membership of the BHAB indicates
a willingness to contribute to the wider well-being of the helicopter industry.
It also implies high standards. Operators help customers plan the most
efficient and cost-effective way of completing a task, and carry it out
competently and safely.
When you need a helicopter - for
any reason - call a BHAB member. Details of all operators with their fleets,
specialisations and contact details are listed in the BHAB Information Handbook.
For this, and any information on civil helicopters and their capabilities,
please contact:
BHAB
Graham Suite,
West Entrance,
Fairoaks Airport,
Chobham,
Surrey GU24 8HX
Tel: +44 (0)1276-856100 Fax: +44
(0)1276-856126 e.mail: info@bhab.org
The helicopter is the most
versatile aircraft in the skies. Helicopters provide point-to-point travel for
all: ambulance crews and offshore oil-rig workers, police officers and
traffic-jam spotters, power line and pipieline inspectors and business people.
Helicopters rescue those in peril - at sea or on land - and can spot missing
persons and stolen cars in a fraction of the time taken by ground vehicles and
search teams.
Thousands of people fly in
helicopters on scheduled holiday flights, to work in North Sea oil and gas fields
and on business trips to help them stay ahead of the competition. Private
pilots also fly for business - and for fun. Film crews and photographers value
the helicopter's stability as a camera platform and its ability to reach where
the story is breaking - fast.
Constructors use them to "top off" building projects and
environmentalists hire them to track salmon, survey pollution and maintain
paths in National Parks. All three emergency services rely on the flexibility
and speed of helicopters to fight crime and save lives.
Today's helicopters are fast, quiet and safe. Many are multi-engined, use the
same navigational aids as airliners and regularly fly in bad weather, both as
workhorses and airborne boardrooms. They can fly you to the middle of nowhere -
or to the heart of the action.
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