Feb. 12--National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman praised the helicopter industry's efforts to improve safety in a speech Sunday, specifically singling out American Eurocopter of Grand Prairie.
American Eurocopter has voluntarily committed to installing flight data recorders in its new aircraft, a key step Hersman said in helping understand why accidents occur and taking steps to prevent them.
"I applaud American Eurocopter" for its commitment to move forward and install recorders and improve safety, Hersman said in remarks to the Helicopter Association International.
In an interview after the speech, Hersman said the safety agency was "very disappointed" that Bell Helicopter of Fort Worth was not willing to make the same commitment.
"We'd love to see Bell commit to what American Eurocopter has committed to with installing these lightweight (flight data) recorders" in new aircraft.
Bell spokesman Robert Hastings said the company is "in discussions with the FAA and our customers to determine the best path forward" and has superior technology in development.
Read more here: http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk/2012/02/ntsb-head-applauds-eurocopter-prods-bell.html#storylink=cpy
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