Overview
Starspeed is a charter helicopter operator and training organisation based in the United Kingdom. Managing 21 helicopters in 65 countries around the world, they have flown many notable clients including Presidents, Princes and a Pope. From November 2022, Starspeed will be operating scheduled daily flights from Penzance Heliport (Cornwall) to the Isles of Scilly using two S-76’s.
Industries
- Air Charter
- Training
Years
Using Air Maestro
Modules
Safety & Operations
Location
UK
Key Client Challenges
Before Air Maestro became Starspeed’s core company management system, the organisation relied on various databases and spreadsheets that were being controlled individually and held in various locations.
Darren Underwood, Safety and Compliance Manager at Starspeed, says, “A key challenge for our organisation was the mandraulic processes that took huge amounts of time. Management oversight and control was difficult, plus there were multiple complex spreadsheets and low visibility of data”.
I think productivity and accessibility has noticeably increased. Having a centralised management system where everyone can access the information they need, anywhere at any time, has reduced the workload on department managers.
Integrated Management Solution
Initially, the product was selected for its operations and training functionality, intuitive interface, ease-of-use and competitive price. After reviewing the system though, it quickly became apparent that the software had more capabilities to offer including the consolidation of safety and audit information.
As with all integrations in management systems, it took some time for people within the organisation to accept and become familiar with the software and the changes required for day-to-day work. Darren states, “As people used the system more, they could see the benefits, including the ability to manage communication through alerts, personal training records and forms”.
Currently, Starspeed use Air Maestro for flight planning, flight operations, FTL and safety management - a core part of the system which is significant to the organisation. They also utilise forms, exams, audits, training records/recency and document storage for forms procedures.
Air Maestro provides operators with the flexibility to capture additional information that may be specific to their operation - it is the only system that is tailored to helicopter operations with scheduling functionality.
Centralising Processes and Increasing Productivity
Darren explains that management oversight and control is a major benefit. “Previously, department managers would make changes to procedures or forms without realising the impact on other departments. Air Maestro has enabled us to integrate and centralise our processes and in doing so has made us work more effectively as a team. We are now easily able to review the status of items such as training records, audit plans and the safety management system”.
Darren continues, “I think productivity and accessibility has noticeably increased. Having a centralised management system where everyone can access the information they need, anywhere at any time, has reduced the workload on department managers”.
The high degree of customisability and integration between training and qualification status (recency) and scheduling/rosters is another key benefit according to Darren. “Air Maestro provides operators with the flexibility to capture additional information that may be specific to their operation - it is the only system that is tailored to helicopter operations with scheduling functionality”.