HELICOPTER SAFETY ADVISORY CONFERENCE

January 18, 2007

Hilton New Orleans - Airport

New Orleans, Louisiana

MINUTES

 

INTRODUCTON

Chairman Casey Lowery called the first meeting of 2007 to order at 08:30.  The Chairman introduced former HSAC Chairman, Richard Landrum and thanked him for his years of service to the Committee.  Richard is soon retiring and the Members all wished him well with a round of applause.

SAFETY TOPIC (Attachment 1: Risk Reduction Safety Statistics) 

Weather delays and icing conditions in Dallas, TX prevented Bob Williams from attending the meeting.  However, he provided the HSAC Safety Data for 2006 and Casey Lowery presented the information.

 Bob Williams was elected Chairman of OGP and he has relinquished his chair on the Risk Reduction Work Group.  The Membership agreed that the Risk Reduction Work Group should not be disbanded and will continue under the chairmanship of Mark Fontenot.  

   

HSAC COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Vice Chairman’s Report – Mark Fontenot 

What is the Aeronautical Frequency Committee?  “The AFC is an ASRI-sponsored industry committee comprised of major and regional commercial aircraft operators and organizations representing business and general aviation aircraft operators. The AFC formulates policies and recommendations relating to the allocation, assignment and efficient use of the frequency spectrum. These policies and recommendations take effect only upon adoption by the ASRI Board of Directors.” 

•         Membership agreed HSAC should have representation at the upcoming meeting in San Antonio, TX on January 23, 2007.  Pete Talbot, Air Logistics, and Dave Robinson, ERA, will represent HSAC and report to the Committee at May 2007 meeting in Lafayette, LA.
•         Attachment 2: Orlando AFC Meeting Report October 2006 
•         PHI will have Communications Manager, Terry Gambill, attending future meetings of AFC.

 Treasurer’s Report – Joe Gross

•         Listed Members who have contributed to the Committee.
•         It is critical to properly address the envelope.  Please note the address on the invoice.
•         Invoice for 2007 will be posted on the website.  The recommended annual contribution is $500.00.  Please note that the amount on the invoice may be edited.
•         Attachment 3:  HSAC Invoice - 2007 

 Secretary’s Report – Ron Domingue

Listed and welcomed newest Members:
•         L-3 Communications – Associated Member.  Dan Stearns, Aftermarket Business Development
•         Dart Helicopter Services – Associate Member.  Sam Summers, New Business Development
•         Colonial Pipeline Company – Regular Member.  Tom Turner, Chief Pilot
•         Diamond Offshore – Regular Member.  Jeff Gosney, HSE Supervisor
•         Barr Air Patrol – Regular Member.   Cort Andrews, Director of Operations
•         The Dow Chemical Company – Regular Member.  Thomas Mounger, Chief Pilot
•         Aerial Survey – Regular Member.  Robert Yoder, President

 HSAC/FAA Interface – Travis Allen

Introduced Allen Overby, GEMS, Inc., who provided update and presentation on ADS-B and Communications, Weather and Surveillance in the Gulf of Mexico.   Spirited introduction prompted a few “Amens” from the attendees.

Attachment 4:  Surveillance and Broadcast Services 

Mr. Allen introduced Dan Shoemaker, Assistant Airspace Manager, replacing Jim Hicks.

Contact information:  Dan Shoemaker – Airspace Manager

                             Office:  (253) 982-4603   Fax:  (253) 982-4694

                             daniel.shoemaker@wads.mcchord.af.mil

Attachment 5:  Western Air Defense Sector Transformation

Attachment 6:  Western Air Defense Sector Boundary Coordinates

Attachment 7:  Western Air Defense Sector GOMEX Boundaries 

 

Mr. Steve Asmore, Manager Deridder FSS, provided an update to the transformation of the Flight Service Station.

•         Lockheed – Martin was awarded the contract on October 2, 2005.
•         Down from 315, there are now only 61 Flight Service Station.  There were 5 to 6 FSSs in each state.
•         This is the biggest change in 20-years.
•         Deridder FSS is the second busiest FSS in the US.
•         Comments, good or bad, on performance of Lockheed – Martin on www.afss.com
•         All of the changeover will occur in the next six months.

 

Mark Fontenot – Vice Chairman

The Vice Chairman offered special recognition of DAVE LASKOWSKI, Air Logistics, for his enthusiasm and efforts with publication of the most accurate HSAC Frequency Card to date.

Any changes to the HSAC Frequency Card should be forwarded to his email address david.laskowski@bristowgroup.com or call (337) 365-6771.

  

Standardization and Safety – Terry Kaufmaan

Terry Kaufman was attending a safety course and not able to be present for the HSAC Meeting.  In his stead, Ron Domingue presented the following information.

•         What is a SAFO?  “A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action.  SAFO content should be especially valuable to air carriers in meeting their statutory duty to provide service with the highest possible degree of safety in the public interest.”
•         Where to get them? http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_opeators/airline_safety/safo
•         Recent SAFOs:  “Helicopter Pre-takeoff Checks” and “In-Flight Fires Caused by Lithium Battery Failures”

 

Government Liaison – Terry Umfleet

Introduced Officer Mike Hebert with US Customs and Border Protection

Attachments 8:   Customs and Border Protection   

                            Passport Rule

                           Passport Requirements

 

 Heliports and Airways – Ken Kersher

•         Tony Cramp and Ken Kersher will coordinate with Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) concerning helideck issues as it relates to API RP-2L.
•         Tony Cramp provided RP presentation on Attachment 9:  Helideck Markings. 
•         Travis Allen introduced Ben Dugas, Core Solutions, LLC, and Steve Summers, SEPCo Logistics, who introduced the “Shell NOTAM System.”

    

Ben Dugas                                                  Steve Summers

Core Solutions, LLC                                  SEPCo Logistics

New Orleans, LA                                     (504) 728-7394

(504) 237-6367                                         steve.summers@shell.com

(504) 728-7508

ben.dugas@shell.com 

 

•         Gabe Fontenot, Chevron, provide a presentation on fuel system contamination.

Ø      Inspection of fuel systems both onshore and offshore is critical to safety.

Ø      Minimum diameter for bulk storage tank sump drain is 3/4-inch.

Ø      They'll try to make it easy and reduce the sump drain line to ¼-inch.

Ø      Fuel systems must be maintained, sumped and tested for water daily.

Attachment 10:   Fuel System Maintenance 

  

Welcomed was Melissa Mathiasen, Captain and Safety Officer form Arctic Air Service, Inc. in Santa Maria, CA.

 

Frank Colby and Billy Suskow with the Fish Spotters reminded the Operators that fishing season will begin in early April.  The Fish Spotter Pilots’ safety meeting will be in early April.

Please be mindful to contact the Fish Spotter on VHF both outbound offshore and inbound with an altitude report.  The lead spotter plane will monitor the transmissions and advise of any traffic conflict.

 

 

Pipeline Aerial Observation – Mark Small

Recommended Practices (RP) posted on website www.hsac.org:

•         PLA RP 2006-01  HSAC Preferred Maintenance Guidelines for Aerial Observations Airplanes  

•         PLA RP 2006-02  HSAC Preferred Airplane Equipment Fit for Aerial Observations 

•         PLA RP 2006-03  HSAC Patrol Captain Minimum Requirements Aerial Observations

 

Attachment 11:     Aerial Observation Committee Minutes 

Attachment 12:    Aerial Observation Action Plan 

  

The meeting was concluded at 12:00.  The next HSAC Meeting is scheduled in Lafayette, LA on May 16th and 17th, 2007.  The location will be announced.