• 24 Oct 2021 07:06 PM
• 0

UK Aviation Authority Launches Safety Group

In an announcement at HeliTech Expo in London on Oct. 5, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) unveiled the creation of a new international consortium of eVTOL industry leaders and aviation experts. Including the CAA, the eVTOL Safety Leadership Group (eVSLG) included 10 organizations at launch, ranging from commercial aviation companies, such as Virgin Atlantic, to eVTOL manufacturers like Joby and Vertical Aerospace. The CAA expects the eVSLG to offer the eVTOL community a forum for sharing safety data and best practices. “With commercial operations potentially starting in the next five years, it is vital that a strong safety culture is built into the heart of eVTOL operations,” said Rick Newsom, head of the CAA’s Rapid Capabilities Office, in a statement. According to FlightGlobal, the eVSLG is modeled on the Offshore Helicopter Safety Action Group (OHSAG), which the CAA established in 2013 to examine the risks and hazards of offshore helicopter operations in the UK. Safety reviews conducted by the OHSAG have since put forward over two dozen actions and recommendations to helicopter operations and the energy industry on issues related to passenger safety, airworthiness and operations, among other topics.