This year will see new safety standards issued by the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA), designed to exceed existing minimum standards set down by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While RACCA has set no date for the release of these voluntary standards, the new standards could address formalized internal dispatch and flight progress precedures, intallation of color, moving map GPS navigators and autopilots and the development of the personnel policies that encourage safety operations.

The move, while unrelated, came on the heels of an announcement by Alpine Air Express (APNX), saying that its regional cargo subsidiary Alpine Air, exprerienced a non-injury aircraft accident near Rapid City, S.D. during adverse weather conditions on December 29. The NTSB and FAA are investigating with Alpine Air presonnel.

The organization has set the new standards as a priority with its first meeting scheduled for late January to discuss not only the concept, but implementation.

The standards are designed to "raise the bar," encouraging operators to develop a company-wide "safety philosophy" embracing the latest-available technology and practices. The organization is also working on incentives to get operators to adopt the new standards which could include formal recognition, pubicity and discounts on products and services.

"While our industry has continued to improve its safety record, we always can and must do more," said RACCA President Stan Bernstein. "Our members are among the safest is the industry, and we want to keep it that way."

The recommendations, which will not be aircraft specific, will be designed to minimize costs while bringing measurable improvements in safety. it is also designed to recognize the "unique characteristics [and the economic and operational challenges faced] by regional air cargo operators."