The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) recently established an enhanced safety partnership in Brazil—between the current IHST Brazil group and Brazilian civil aviation authority ANAC—with the creation of the Brazilian Helicopter Safety Team (BHEST). BHEST will follow IHST guidelines, mission and goals, as well as ANAC regulations and orientation.

The new organization’s co-chairs are Antonio Modesto of Helibras and Bruno Villela of the Brazilian Navy, with a representative of ANAC serving as the BHEST secretary. Current IHST Brazil members will be appointed to safety subcommittees to be established under the new BHEST organization. The helicopter accident rate in Brazil has been on a steady decline since 2011, when the data showed approximately 17.5 per 1,000 registered helicopters. That figure is currently eight per 1,000.