The United Kingdom Flight Safety Committee

The UK Flight Safety Committee is an unincorporated association of professionals dedicated to the improvement of Commercial Aviation Safety. Members meet regularly to exchange safety information and to examine ways to improve safety and to avoid incidents and accidents.

Number of Hits on this site since 13/08/2004

LATEST ADDITIONS

NoticeBoard

Useful Web-Based Material on Risk Management and SMS
can now be found on the Library Page

Please refer to the External Meetings Page to read the
Chief Executive's Summaries on the following meetings

UKFSC Appoints New Chief Executive

Rich Jones joined the RAF in 1976 and flew the Phantom in the Air Defence role in the UK and Germany, attaining over 1500 hours as a fast jet navigator, combat instructor and flying supervisor. Converting to the Tornado Fighter variant in 1987, he flew over 850 hours in the UK and Falklands and on operations and in over 40 countries in Europe, North America and in the Middle and Far East.

Ground tours included personnel management, the Joint Services Defence College and in Ministry of Defence covering Air Defence policy and operational management of the Tornado F3 fleet. Returning to the cockpit in 1996, he commanded the Air Wing and Mount Pleasant Airfield in the Falklands, operating 12 aircraft of 6 different types. In 1998, he was Commander British Forces in the Gulf on Operation Desert Fox for which he was appointed CBE.

On his return to the UK, Rich commanded RAF Neatishead, which was the primary Radar Control and Reporting Centre for all UK airspace. This was followed by a year studying International Relations at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. In 2002 and 2003, Rich led the operations teams at PJHQ Northwood dealing with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

After 6 months in Baghdad as the Deputy Senior British Military Representative working with the US and UK military and diplomatic missions, he became Commander of Maritime Air and Senior Air Adviser at the NATO Maritime HQ at Northwood.

Completing his final RAF tour in December 2007 as the Air Commodore Operations, Rich’s role encompassed planning and execution of all RAF flying operations in the UK and overseas. With responsibility for the RAF Flight Safety Organization, he was charged with developing the RAF-wide Flight Safety Management System. He was also a member of the MOD Aviation Regulatory and Safety Board and Chairman of the RAF Display Participation Committee which required him to authorize foreign single and multi-aircraft military air displays in the UK. He was also tasked to deliver the safe operation of UK airspace policing and fighter and advised commercial airlines on security and risks of flying operations in Iraqi and Afghanistan airspace and airfields.

Rich Jones joins the United Kingdom Flight Safety Committee as the Chief Executive in February 2008.

CONFIDENTIALITY
The effectiveness of the UKFSC depends upon trust, with matters relating to aviation safety being openly and freely discussed. The confidentiality and disidentification of information exchanged must be observed by all Members and Advisors. For this reason the "Confidential Warning" is read out at each meeting. In addition the Confidential Warning is included on the meeting register and Members signing the register are also in effect signing as accepting the rules of confidentiality. The full text of the Confidential Warning is as follows:
"Details of accidents, serious incidents and incidents which may be discussed at this meeting are to be regarded as confidential. You are entitled to make use of the information within your own organisation but please use it with discretion and do not quote anyone by name or organisation without their prior authority."
The minutes record matters discussed under the Rule of Confidentiality. Circulation of minutes to non-UKFSC Members, with the exception of Advisors, either in whole or part, is forbidden.

The use of e-mail
The use of e-mail, whilst being very convenient, is a very insecure form of communication. Do not send anything by e-mail that you would not send on a post card. The level of security and confidentiality of both a postcard and an e-mail are identical.

The Risks
The risk of the interception of confidential and attributable information by a unauthorised third party and its misuse could be very damaging. The effects could be deeply compromising personally, professionally and commercially.

Contact Details:
UK Flight Safety Committee
Graham Suite, Fairoaks Airport
Chobham, Woking, Surrey, GU24 8HX

Tel: +44 (0) 1276 855193 Fax: +44 (0) 1276 855195 e-mail: admin@ukfsc.co.uk

Office Hours:
0900 to 1630 Monday - Friday

Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this web site, the UKFSC accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information, or its consequences. Specialist advice should always be sought in relation to any particular circumstances.