Promoted in the EASA Rotorcraft Community to benefit safety (and because it's Halloween!)
VAI Spotlight on Safety video That’s Just Scary!
VAI Spotlight on Safety: That's Just Scary!
This VAI video was originally released in October 2024.
Accompanying article: VAI Spotlight on Safety: Skip the fright fest - Vertical Aviation International.
A subject for the series Spotlight on Safety - Vertical Aviation International.
Frightful flights? No thanks!
Just in time for Halloween, this VAI’s Spotlight on Safety reminds pilots that thrills belong in haunted houses — not helicopter cabins.
This Halloween-themed edition of VAI’s Spotlight on Safety series features Chris Hill, VAI’s Senior Director of Safety, delivering a timely message about the importance of passenger comfort and trust. With a nod to spooky season, the author urges pilots to avoid turning flights into “white-knuckle rides” and instead aim to deliver bucket-list experiences that passengers will cherish.
Every flight is an opportunity to build trust — not fear. So, this Halloween, skip the fright fest and fly like someone’s life depends on it. Because it does.
The video and article highlight how pilot behavior, aircraft handling, and communication directly shape the passenger experience. Whether it’s a sightseeing tour, a corporate charter, or a training flight, the goal should always be to inspire confidence, not fear. What may feel routine to a seasoned pilot can be unnerving to someone unfamiliar with rotorcraft operations.
This Spotlight on Safety issue encourages aviation professionals to prioritise empathy and situational awareness, especially when flying with non-aviators. It’s a call to action: make every flight not just safe, but memorable for the right reasons. After all, the scariest thing in aviation should never be the flight itself, It should be what happens when safety is overlooked.
References and additional material
VAI Spotlight on Safety: That's Just Scary!
VAI Spotlight on Safety: Skip the fright fest - Vertical Aviation International
Spotlight on Safety - Vertical Aviation International
EHEST Video Passenger Management – Version for Pilots | EASA (europa.eu)
EHEST Video Passenger Management – Version for Passengers | EASA (europa.eu)
Robinson Helicopter Safety Notice 44: Carrying Passengers - YouTube
Passenger Pressure Management | EASA Community
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