Defense Aviation in Brazil

With more than 20 years of experience as a manager, regulator, operations/flight inspector, airplane and helicopter pilot, technical advisor, and academic supervisor in the aeronautical context, I have had the opportunity to lead major projects for the safe, efficient, and innovative development of public safety aviation, law enforcement, civil defense, environmental protection, firefighting and helicopter emergency medical service – HEMS in Brazil.

In the regulatory context, I was the leader of renowned projects that resulted in the most important regulatory frameworks in Brazil over the last 10 years.

The first regulatory milestone worth highlighting was the drafting and implementation of the world's first regulation – Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulation RBAC nº 90 - to incorporate all types of services carried out by Public Air Units (UAP). In other words, based on an extensive regulatory impact analysis – RIA and more than 50 public hearings in the four corners of the country and observing the real context of the operation, the RBAC 90 incorporated best practices within the regulatory context for public safety organizations, law enforcement departments, customs authorities, HEMS Units, Environmental Protection Department, Protection of Indigenous Heritage Institute, etc. In effect, the regulation introduced modern requirements for the minimum structure of an air unit and incorporated requirements for crew qualifications, training, and safety management systems - SMS created new functions and endorsed good practices adopted by Brazilian Units (ex. ‘puçá’) and finally established a series of operational flexibilities. All of this should be done with due legal certainty and with the aim of meeting social interests without compromising the acceptable level of operational safety performance.

As a result, in recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of aircraft operating in Brazil, a modernization of the fleet of helicopters in this service in Latin America (e.g., AW169, H145, EMB170, etc. ), an increase in the number of new air units, 

the start of night vision goggles operations (NVIS/NVG)  and surveillance and reconnaissance cameras in Brazil, a great exchange of experience between national and international air units, standardization of training and operational routines, a greater engagement of units and also a significant reduction in fatality indicators in Brazilian public aviation.

In fact, a series of regulatory innovations were introduced that had a positive impact on the development of airborne public safety operations in Brazil, with international repercussions, such as presentations to the International Association of Chief of Police - IACP and the Airborne Public Safety Association - APSA.

In recognition of this innovative work, I was honored nationally and internationally, standing out as the first Brazilian to receive the Safety Award from the APSA and merit medals issued by Brazilian Public Air Units (e.g., Dom Pedro II Medal, Casimiro Montenegro Medal, etc.), as well as commendations from the Federal Police, Brazilian Institute of the Environment - Ibama, Civil Police of the Federal District, etc.

"It is essential and obvious that companies, units, managers, and employees who provide services to public air units pursue financial results; however, they must not forget their social commitment of fulfilling the contract."

This work reflected an important change in the regulatory context in Latin America and the start of regulatory discussions in public operations around the world.

The second regulatory milestone was the Voo Simples Program, the most important ‘Deregulation Act of Brazilian Aviation.’ The aim of the Brazilian program was to reduce bureaucracy in civil aviation regulation while respecting the pillars of safety and the country's development. To give an idea of the importance of the project, in the end, the program was approved by the President of ANAC, the Minister of Infrastructure and the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil, culminating in the revision of the Brazilian Aeronautical Code (Law 7.565/1986 and Law 14.368/2022), Law 11.182 (ANAC Law) and incorporating more than 50 deregulation actions in Brazil. As a result, the benefits of this program in the evolution of regulatory actions, in the development of aviation and in the infrastructure of the Brazilian state and Latin America can be seen to date.

I am currently chief operating officer - COO at Helisul Aviação, the largest single-engine helicopter company in Brazil, with a strong presence in the Brazilian Aviation Public Sector. As a result, after two years as COO, in 2023, the company achieved its best operating result in its 50-year history and became the largest HEMS operator in Latin America, with more than 3,000 lives saved. This number already surpasses the lifesaving indicators of major international operators and delivers a wonderful result for Brazilian society. In other words, I'm still implementing participatory management models based on operational indicators, safety differently culture, human and organizational performance - HOP, and safety leadership, and continue to deliver disruptive projects for the company and its public partner air units/clients.

Finally, it is essential and obvious that companies, units, managers, and employees who provide services to public air units pursue financial results; however, they must not forget their social commitment to fulfilling the contract.