Speech to the launch of the Aircare Accreditation Programme

Good evening and thank you for inviting me to launch the AIRCARE Accreditation programme. I’m delighted to be launching such a positive and significant programme.

The AIRCARE risk management programme and compliance regime are an excellent example of the aviation industry collaborating with its stakeholders, including the Department of Conservation, to integrate quality safety and environmental practices.

Important outcomes will be to protect the future of New Zealand’s  environment, increase positive safety outcomes and provide sustainability for our valuable aviation sector.

A new initiative of the AIRCARE programme is the noise abatement programme.  A significant beneficiary of this code of practice is our important tourist industry.

One year ago the Aviation Industry Association’s Helicopter Association identified noise as the biggest threat to aviation sustainability.

Because of their initiative and hard work, in close cooperation with the Department of Conservation, we now have a noise abatement code that will help us live up to New Zealand’s successful 100% Pure brand. 

When walkers are experiencing the views, forest and birdlife of Fiordland’s magnificent walks, or the serenity of Milford Sound, silence really is golden.

Yet sightseeing flights over spectacular and beautiful national parks are also highly important to the tourist experience.

The AIRCARE Noise Abatement Code of Practice, based on the international Fly Neighbourly Program, brings together the need for a quiet airspace over noise sensitive areas with  operators’ business needs for security of access.

Of equal importance to noise abatement is agricultural aviation which is a key contributor to New Zealand’s vital farming and forestry sectors.

The three agricultural aviation industry’s codes of practice have been in operation since 1997 but have struggled to gain traction. The AIRCARE brand has been a perfect vehicle to rebrand and refresh these important codes.

Another significant event taking place tonight is the signing of a contract for Sustainable Farming Fund finance to write guidance notes for regional council planners based on the codes of practice that make up the AIRCARE Environmental Management System.

The guidance notes will sit on the Ministry for the Environment’s Quality Planning website and provide an excellent reference for local government planners writing rules for aviators under the Resource Management Act.

For the industry this should mean that more consistent rules are written that can be readily complied with.

The new AIRCARE SMS Manual for the first time brings together Flight Safety Management and Environmental Safety Management under a single Safety Management System.

I know that this initiative has meant huge investment in time and hard work from AIA members.

There’s been a lot of consultation with government agencies such as DoC and other stakeholders.

I congratulate the AIA and the aviation industry for their farsighted approach and for seeking win-win outcomes in partnership with national and local government.

 The AIRCARE programme demonstrates aviation’s commitment to:

• respecting the environment, in a business friendly way
• taking a long term sustainable view of its industry
• and increasing safety outcomes for both flight safety and the environment through a robust risk management process.

Along the way we should get productive outcomes for both central and local government and the aviation industry.

And on that very positive note, I’d like to launch the new AIRCARE accreditation programme.