Safety in aerial firefighting missions requires constant vigilance, said the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mediterranean Flight Safety Foundation, Chrysanthos Hatzichrysanthou.
Elsewhere in his remarks, when asked whether he considers the existing regulatory framework in Cyprus to be adequate or if there is room for improvement, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou said that Cyprus has a satisfactory regulatory framework.
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“Nevertheless, safety is a process of continuous improvement,” he added, noting that safety must remain everyone’s top priority.
Too early to draw definitive conclusions
Responding to a question regarding the recent accident in Greece involving the tragic collision of two helicopters, whether there are factors that should also be a cause for concern in Cyprus or if it is too early to draw conclusions, what are the key safety criteria that helicopters undertaking wildfire suppression missions must meet, what the possible causes of the collision were, and how this could have been prevented, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou said it is too early to draw definitive conclusions before the official investigation into the accident is completed.
“However, every such incident serves as a reminder that safety in aerial firefighting missions requires constant vigilance. Helicopters operating on such missions must have a valid airworthiness certificate, be maintained in accordance with the specifications of the manufacturer and the competent aviation authority, and be crewed by appropriately trained and experienced crews,” he added.
He noted that the possible causes of an accident may include human error, technical failure, adverse weather conditions, or a combination of these factors.
“Prevention is based on strict adherence to procedures, high-quality training, proper maintenance, and effective risk management,” he added.
Technical inspections are conducted at predetermined intervals
When asked what technical inspections aircraft operating in Cyprus must undergo and how often they are conducted, who is responsible for certifying the airworthiness of helicopters, whether there are additional inspections before each firefighting mission, and what they entail, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou stated that all aircraft operating in Cyprus must meet the requirements of the competent Civil Aviation Authority and, where applicable, the European regulations of EASA.
As he noted, technical inspections are conducted at predetermined intervals in accordance with an approved maintenance schedule, while a pre-flight check is performed by the crew before each flight.
“This includes, among other things, a check of the helicopter’s overall condition, its systems, fuel, equipment, and operational readiness,” he added.
There are operational limits
When asked how much extreme temperatures, strong winds, and smoke affect flight safety, whether there are specific limits beyond which pilots should not operate, who makes the final decision, and how it is ensured that crews have the necessary training and experience for aerial firefighting flights, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou said that there are operational limits set by the manufacturer, the airline, and mission procedures.
“The final decision on whether or not to safely conduct the flight is always made by the aircraft’s captain, with safety as the top priority. Crew training must be ongoing, with specialization in aerial firefighting missions, regular drills, and evaluation of their operational proficiency,” he noted.
Cyprus has an adequate regulatory framework
Responding to a question about whether he considers the existing oversight framework in Cyprus to be adequate or if there is room for improvement, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou said that Cyprus has a satisfactory control framework.
“Nevertheless, safety is a process of continuous improvement. There is always room to strengthen training, improve coordination among all stakeholders, leverage new technologies, and exchange experiences with other countries. “There is certainly always room for improvement, including in the context of inspections conducted by the Authority, which carries out such inspections to identify any shortcomings or failures to comply with regulations,” he added.
He also noted that the training of flight crews, engineers, and air traffic controllers, as well as all those involved in the preparation and conduct of a flight, must be adapted accordingly toprevent similar incidents in the future.
Safety Culture – The Most Important Lesson
When asked what lessons Cyprus can learn from the recent accident, regardless of the final findings of the investigation, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou said that the most important lesson is that we must not wait for the final findings to strengthen the safety culture.
“Every incident is an opportunity to review procedures, training, communication, and operational planning so that we can continuously reduce risks. This is precisely what our Organization strives to promote. Our Agency organizes conferences and workshops to which all stakeholders in the field of flight safety are invited to discuss the problems faced by each specialty, which, if left unaddressed, could potentially create a problem in the safe execution of a flight,” he added.
The conclusions of such meetings, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou continued, are communicated to the relevant authorities and organizations so that they can be implemented where necessary to prevent unpleasant incidents in the future.
Message
When asked what message he would like to convey to both pilots and citizens regarding the safety of aerial firefighting aircraft, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou said that he would like to express his respect and appreciation to the pilots for the difficult work they perform every day.
“Their mission is invaluable, but no mission is worth more than human life. This highlights the great responsibility that pilots bear. If the pilot in command of a flight determines that, for any reason—whether due to the aircraft’s technical condition, adverse weather conditions, or airspace closures, they have the right and the legal obligation to refuse to operate that particular flight. “Pilots must receive full protection from their employers when making such decisions,” he added.
Addressing the public, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou said, “The message is to trust the professionals on the ground, follow the instructions of the competent authorities, and remember that behind every aerial firefighting vehicle there are people working under extremely demanding and dangerous conditions.”
“Safety must remain everyone’s top priority. Or, as the FSF’s slogan says, ‘safety is a shared value,’” he concluded.
Source: KYPE
