command patchHT-8 Eightballers // Training Air Wing Five

Safety

Commanding Officer's Safety Policy

Our mission is to train our reliefs for the fleet, and proudly carry on HT-8's heritage of training "the best helicopter pilots in the world." We will provide a foundation of superior airmanship and sound judgment to best prepare our Student Naval Aviators for the Fleet.

Hazard identification and risk management shall be at the forefront of any decision you make when it comes to starting or continuing a flight. Meeting production goals will never be considered when determining the best course of action in a questionable situation. We utilize Operational Risk Management (ORM) and Crew Resource Management (CRM), whether in the aircraft, or on any other endeavor, to achieve our goals in the most effective and efficient way possible. The natural byproduct of these two things is Safety.

We operate in the training command with a lower threshold of acceptable risk, than in the fleet. Remember, although the business of Naval Aviation is inherently dangerous, we will make risk decisions at the appropriate level, and will accept no unnecessary risk. We must strive to set the example to those we train and we expect the same from those who train us.

Know and adhere to your own personal limitations. You will fly here, likely at a pace you have yet to experience in your career. Self-assess your well-being and don't push it. If you are unable to assess the risk, or feel the acceptance of risk resides at a higher level, seek guidance. If guidance from higher authority is not immediately available, defer to the conservative, safe course of action. I will never fault you for making the safe decision. By putting the quality of the training first, strictly adhering to the principles of ORM, and utilizing the critical skills of CRM, Safety will ensue and we will meet our mission of sending, not just the best helicopter pilots, but the best aviators in the world, to the Fleet.

The Monthly Safety Talk
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