CHC Ireland launches trial of fatigue risk management system

CHC Ireland, a subsidiary of CHC Helicopter, will commence a trial of a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) specifically for its flight crews on rotary wing search and rescue and helicopter rescue (HEMS) missions.

FRMS is a data-driven means of continuously monitoring and managing fatigue-related safety risks. Since 2019, CHC has been collecting data through surveys, workshops and scientific observations of crews to assess the impact of fatigue on safe operations and develop a FRMS.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), the statutory body responsible for overseeing all aviation activities in Ireland, has now granted CHC approval to trial an FRMS for the 24-hour scheduling of CHC's flight crew.

This approval makes CHC the only air carrier in Ireland and one of only a small group in Europe to be permitted to implement FRMS. The operator will integrate FRMS into its safety management system as part of the trial.

Rob Tatten, CHC, Operations Manager and Accountable Manager Ireland, said: “The CHC Fatigue Risk Management System provides our teams with best-in-class monitoring and enables us to deliver the highest quality services to the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) and the people of Ireland, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We have been collecting extensive data to develop this system since 2019 and are now, with the approval of the IAA, ready to put it into practice with our front-line teams.

“We are grateful to the IAA for recognising us as Ireland’s first FRMS AOC holder and we look forward to presenting the results in the coming months.”

An IAA spokesperson said: “The granting of FRMS approval is a joint process between the Irish Aviation Authority and CHC Ireland to assess the suitability and effectiveness of FRMS. This process ensures that the associated level of safety of Coastguard Aviation Services is at least equal to, if not better than, the level achieved by compliance with the prescribed limits.”

The test is scheduled to begin in September 2024. The first results are expected to be presented to the IAA within three months.

This press release was prepared and distributed by CHC Helicopter.