| This new two-hour-and-fifteen-minute safety session will begin with a 45-minute presentation by Major General (retired) Des Barker. A retired test pilot and air show performer with the South African Air Force, and author of a book, "Zero Error Margin," that provides analyses of air show accidents during the last 50 years, Barker will discuss steps that all air show professionals can take to reduce the number of accidents and mitigate risk in the air show environment. After Barker’s presentation, the group will divide into three groups – performers, event organizers, and air bosses – for presentations and discussions more specific to those disciplines. Performers will discuss a wide range of accidents, near accidents and incidents during the last year. Air bosses will look at accidents and incidents from the air boss perspective. And event organizers will take a big picture look at air show safety both in front of and behind the crowd line, with a particular emphasis on tactics and techniques for identifying and mitigating hazards…from gopher holes, tent pegs and golf carts to dehydration, concession-area hazards and adverse weather. |
