U.S. Helicopter Safety Team

United States Helicopter Safety Team - USHST
TypeGovernment–industry aviation safety partnership
IndustryAviation Safety
Founded2005 (International Helicopter Safety Team - IHST)
FounderAmerican Helicopter Society International and Helicopter Association International
HeadquartersWashington DC, U.S.
Area served
United States
Key people
Industry Co-Chairman, Chris Baur, FRAeS (CEO, Hughes Aerospace Corp) Government Co-Chairman Robert Reckert (FAA) Steering Committee, Chris Hill (VAI)
ServicesSafety education, accident prevention, data analysis, peer pilot support, and industry outreach
Websitewww.ushst.org
(Pictured from L-R) Chris Baur, USHST Industry Co-Chair; Rob Reckert, USHST Government Co-Chair, Dr. Aedrian Beckker, Centre for Aviation Psychology; Dr. Jessica Auslander, USHST Program Coordinator; Matt Johnson, USHST Peer Pilot.
Launch of the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) Peer Pilot Program during VERTICON 2025 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The Peer Pilot Program is a volunteer-based peer support initiative for helicopter pilots & crew members facing personal or professional challenges.


The United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) is a partnership between U.S. government agencies and helicopter industry organizations formed in 2013 to reduce civil helicopter fatal accidents in the United States.[1] The organization is co-chaired by an industry representative and a government representative appointed by the Federal Aviation Administration, which serves as the USHST's federal government partner.[2] It is the U.S. regional partner of the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST), an international vertical aviation safety initiative.[3]

History

The USHST traces its origins to the International Helicopter Safety Symposium held in Montreal in September 2005, where industry and government representatives agreed that helicopter accident rates had remained unacceptably high for two decades.[4] This meeting resulted in the formation of the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST).[4]

In 2013, the USHST was established as the U.S. regional partner of the IHST to carry the effort forward domestically.[1] The IHST was subsequently renamed the International Helicopter Safety Foundation (IHSF) in 2019, and in 2021 the IHSF was reorganized and expanded into the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST), with the USHST continuing as a regional partner under the new structure.[3]

In 2024, the U.S. civil helicopter industry recorded its lowest fatal accident rate per 100,000 flight hours in 25 years, according to data presented at the USHST's annual all-hands meeting.[5]

Programs

The USHST has developed a series of Helicopter Safety Enhancements (H-SEs), safety initiatives that address the leading causes of fatal helicopter accidents, including loss of control, unintentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and low-altitude operations.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "U.S. Helicopter Safety Team Regroups for Accident-Reduction Effort". Flight Safety Foundation. April 18, 2017. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  2. ↑ "Industry voice: Working together to bring down rotorcraft accident rates". AirMed & Rescue. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  3. 1 2 "About VAST". Vertical Aviation Safety Team. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  4. 1 2 "International Helicopter Safety Team". SKYbrary, EUROCONTROL. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  5. ↑ "US helicopter industry enjoys record safe year in 2024". Vertical Aviation International. March 10, 2025. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  6. ↑ "Taking Aim". Flight Safety Foundation. January 2018. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
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