The “Meet the Regulators” session drew hundreds of participants on the first day of the 2024 VAI Aerial Work Safety Conference. Spirited discussions highlight Day 1 of VAI’s Aerial Work Safety Conference “Meet the Regulators” session draws hundreds of participants. The 2024 VAI Aerial Work Safety Conference (AWSC) kicked off Nov. 20 with a record-setting crowd exceeding 400 vertical flight representatives at the Boise Centre in Boise, Idaho. The two-day event drew just over 100 participants when it launched four years ago. While it started primarily with a focus on firefighting safety and federal contracts, VAI expanded the emphasis of the AWSC to include safety across most utility operations. Taking advantage of the concentration of industry representatives in one place, VAI also dedicates a day of the schedule to conduct meetings of VAI Board of Directors–guided industry advisory councils (IACs), formerly known as working groups. Scheduled meetings were for the Utility, Patrol & Construction; Aerial Firefighting & Natural Resources; and Restricted & Experimental Category Aircraft IACs. Request for Feedback VAI Board of Directors Chair Mark Schlaefli opened the day with brief remarks and a request of the attendees. “Please send me your fully unfiltered feedback on the work VAI does for the industry,” he said. “I don’t care how many four-letter words you use, but we need to know where to improve our efforts to help you and the industry.” With two of the more spirited sessions occurring later in the morning, the first presentation of the day focused on stress management. “Our industry tolerates stress very well, but it doesn’t talk about it,” said presenter Kimberly Hutchings, CEO of Volo Mission. “Burnout is actually a medically defined condition.” Sarah MacLeod (pictured at left), aviation attorney and executive director of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association, led the second presentation, on FAA Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs), a subject of particular interest to companies operating restricted-category, surplus military helicopters that require type certificates or supplemental type certificates. According to the FAA, operators are required by applicable regulations to operate and maintain their aircraft in an airworthy condition. Because operators are responsible for the airworthiness, maintenance, and safe operation of their aircraft, they must have access to complete and up-to-date ICAs. “Know the rules, policy, and politics,” advised MacLeod. “And always question authority.” Meet the Regulators Attendees soon had the ability to follow MacLeod’s advice during the third presentation, “Meet the Regulators.” Featuring a panel of FAA officials, the session allowed AWSC attendees to address panelists with very specific questions. The panelists were: • Robert Soluren, Aviation Safety Inspector, Aircraft Maintenance Division, Flight Standards Service • Matt Porter, Manager, Authorized and Certificated Operations Section, Flight Standards Service • James Kline, Manager, Aircraft Evaluation Division, Rotorcraft Branch • Jorge Castillo, GA Airplane, Emerging Aircraft & Rotorcraft Product Policy Manager. Attendee questions for the panelists generally focused on FAA delays in processing paperwork and topics such as UH-60 ICA review time, flight testing, and designated engineering representatives. The FAA representatives indicated that the reasons for delays ranged from a lack of necessary documentation submitted by an applicant to staffing shortages. Following a networking lunch, the afternoon sessions started with the presentation “Navigating the FAA Medical,” presented by Dr. Keith Roxo, operations director at Wingman Med. While the presentation addressed multiple elements of the medical certificate necessary to operate aircraft, Roxo also addressed issues with an FAA investigation into some former military pilots who are receiving US Department of Veterans Affairs treatment or benefits for conditions not previously identified on the FAA medical application. The midafternoon session addressed how safety management systems (SMSs) are effective in reducing hazards and accidents. Led by Matthew West, president of Hawk AeroSafety, the course provided insight into how an SMS and a positive safety culture can help a company build safety awareness among frontline employees. The FAA issued a mandate earlier this year, requiring SMS programs for most Part 91 and Part 135 operations, and the session addressed meeting the Part 5 requirements. The final session of the day featured Cade Clark (pictured at right), VAI’s chief government affairs officer, who provided an update on recent legislative accomplishments. A vital element of his presentation included VAI’s efforts on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, in which 92% of VAI-recommended amendments were included. Clark also offered insights into how the recent US national and state elections might affect general aviation and vertical flight, noting that the US Department of Transportation and the FAA may sustain less change than other government agencies. The day concluded with a networking social event sponsored by Ozark Aeroworks.
