Conair Aerial Firefighting awarded Back in Bevington Air Safety Trophy
It acknowledges the organization’s contribution to aircraft engineering, flight training and accident prevention
The British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC) presented Conair Aerial Firefighting with the Back in Bevington Air Safety Trophy at the annual Silver Wings celebration. This award is given to the organization who has made the most significant impact on air safety in the province.
Conair operates the largest, privately owned fixed wing fleet of firefighting aircraft in the world and was selected for their commitment to safe operations, continually striving to improve outcomes and service, while offering greater value to government agencies around the world.
Matt Bradley, CEO of Conair, said: “Our team of engineers has spent the last decade designing and certifying a specialized flight envelope advisory system, which provides a wide range of mission flight information into our pilots’ field of view, including angle of attack detail, slow-speed awareness and instantaneous G-Loading.
“This critical information enables the crew to stay in the safe zone, minimizing exposure of the aircraft to high-risk excursions outside of the flight envelope.”
The company has promoted a culture of safety over the past 50 years, including this year investing in a study to identify mission risks to improve compliance and risk management programs. Therefore, Conair has an environment of accountability, with mission debriefs on successes and shortcomings, with the team holding themselves and each other accountable for their performance and commitment to improve.
“Our pilots, managers and aircraft mechanics are to be commended for having the courage and discipline, day in and day out, to say no to a mission that is too dangerous to fly, and to have the humility to be able to admit a mistake or challenge their peers,” said Bradley. “They are the heroes behind Conair’s safety success.”
Conair spoke to AirMed&Rescue earlier this year about aerial responses to emergencies.