Specific risks of helicopter aerial works and their elimination

Abstract

Safety is the highest priority in all aspects of air transportation. This paper is focused on different hazards and risks that might be encountered by helicopters during different types of aerial works and offers ways to mitigate those risks. The introductory part lists companies who are currently licensed for helicopter aerial work in Slovakia and outlines different types of aerial works. The methodology process describes four steps, which are then executed in the central part of the paper. The main part was written as a result of combining two different approaches to hazard identification – reactive and proactive – which encompassed studying and analyzing reports from helicopter accidents and incidents, as well as brainstorming techniques with assistance from aviation professionals. The results provide different mitigating techniques to lower assessed risks to tolerable values, along with alternative proposals of risk mitigation to air operators.