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Role of the BHA | Flying with BHA | Raising Public Awareness | Contributing to Safety | Emergency Services | Uniting the Industry | Reducing Red Tape | BHA - Working for Helicopters | The Helicopter |
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 BHA 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. The BHA encourages moves towards European harmonisation through its membership of the European Helicopter Association.
The Association 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 Association are controlled by a Council of Management elected annually and representing the different classes of membership. There are additionally four working committees covering the Assocaition's main activities:-
Other Sub-Committees are formed as specific and specialised problems arise. During the years of its existence, the BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA member. Details of
all member operators with their fleets, specialisations and contact details are
listed in the BHA
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 BHA seeks to correct this impression whenever possible.
In addition to regular communications with its members, BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA 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 level is 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 BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA strives to minimise the impact on members' ability to compete in the international marketplace.
The BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA 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 BHA member. Details of all operators with their fleets, specialisations and contact details are listed in the BHA Information Handbook. For this, and any information on civil helicopters and their capabilities, please contact us.
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.