HAI Accreditation Program of Safety
A Premier Member Benefit
Leading the Way in Safety
It’s all about improving safety. Since 1948, Helicopter Association International (HAI) has brought together industry leaders within the helicopter community to help develop, support, and promote industry best practices through concentrated safety program participation. Over the past 50 years, this effort, along with enhanced operator training programs, better equipment, and internal quality assurance and auditing programs has led to an overall safer helicopter industry; as depicted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Accident/Incident statistics.
Earn Business & Trust
Become AccreditedHAI-APS Overview
A Member-Only Benefit
HAI-APS is based on two sets of performance standards: the International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), and the HAI-APS Helicopter Mission Specific Standards (HMSS). HAI developed these standards to address safety in specific missions flown by helicopter operators. To learn more about the International Business Aviation Council, the sponsoring organization of IS-BAO, click here.
Both standards easily scale to operations large and small and are performance based, allowing you maximum flexibility in determining how you reach the performance goals. HAI will mentor you through the process, suggesting next steps and helping to clarify the process.
HAI recognizes that protocols and practices designed for fixed-wing aviation are not always applicable to helicopter operations. In addition, the safety requirements and best practices of helicopter operators can vary from sector to sector. So we created the HMSS to provide helicopter operators with safety standards that specifically address their operational environments.
APS Standards Board
Accreditation Program of Safety
James A. Viola joined Helicopter Association International (HAI) as President and CEO in January 2020. Prior to joining HAI, he most recently served as a Senior Executive for the Federal Aviation Administration, in the office of Aviation Safety, as director of General Aviation Safety Assurance. He was responsible for maintaining consistency and standardization in the application of safety oversight activities for the GA community. He was a government representative on both the International Helicopter Safety Team and the United States Helicopter Safety Team.
Viola’s aviation career began with the US Army, with the majority of his flying done as a special operations MH-6 and MH-47 helicopter pilot. He was promoted through positions of increasing responsibility, achieving the rank of colonel. His final military assignment was as Division Chief for Army Aviation Current Operations in the Pentagon.
A strong advocate for GA, Viola flies as often as he can. He splits his time flying between a Robinson Helicopter and an AG-5B Tiger airplane, depending on whether or not a runway is involved. He holds airline transport pilot ratings for helicopters and airplanes and is a dual-rated certificated flight instructor. He has accumulated more than 6,500 flight hours, which includes 1,100 with night-vision goggles.
Viola holds a Master's degree in Strategic Studies from the United States (U.S.) Army War College in Carlisle, PA; a Master's degree in International Relations from Auburn University in Montgomery, AL; a Master's degree in Military Operational Art and Science from Air University in Maxwell AFB, AL; and a Bachelor of Science from East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, PA.
Viola holds professional membership of the Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honor Society; Lifetime member of the Army Aviation Association of America; the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Military Officer Association of America; Society of Aviation and Flight Educators; National Association of Flight Instructors; and the Theta Chi Fraternity.
HAI-APS Staff
Accreditation Program of Safety
After an aviation career in the US Army and Coast Guard, Chris Hill oversaw aviation safety management systems throughout the USCG as aviation safety manager. He holds an ATP rating and has logged more than 5,000 flight hours, primarily in military and commercial helicopters. Chris joined HAI in 2018 as director of safety.
