GHOST is a free voluntary industry working group, established by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, to identify risks that affect ground and flight safety, during ground operational activities.
Who are we?
GHOST members (approximately 350) represent the global aviation community and include Aircraft Operators, Airport Operators, Aviation Regulators and Ground Handling Service Providers.
What do we do?
GHOST provides a forum to discuss safety related concerns, increasing industry awareness with the aim of reducing the likelihood of related incidents.
Topics of focus will be identified using data, intelligence or feedback from members and industry subject matter experts. The Team may suggest the production of new or revised safety resources, to raise awareness and share learnings.
When do we meet?
GHOST meetings are held four times a year. Two virtually (held online over ½ day) and two in person (held over 1 ½ days), at various locations across the UK.
Meetings will include:
- Safety “Swap-Shop".
- Industry Safety Initiatives.
- Industry Watch.
- CAA Safety Data Analysis.
- Ground Handling Regulation Updates.
- Regulator’s “Round-Up”.
- Subgroup Updates.
Following every meeting, a Post Meeting Pack containing a summary of the presentations, data and discussions, will be produced and distributed to all GHOST members.
Our ‘Rules of the Road’
The effectiveness of GHOST is dependent upon an ability to discuss safety matters openly and freely. Therefore, the confidentiality and de-identification of information exchanged must be observed by all members, contributors, and observers.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s ‘Rules of the Road’ have therefore been adopted:
- This is not a public meeting.
- All information is considered proprietary property of the presenting organisation and will not be shared with external parties without the written consent of the owner.
- No audio or video recordings or photographs of presentations are permitted without prior approval from presenting organisation. Additionally, participants will not discuss or share information about the workshop using social media outside our organisations.
- Information presented will not be used for commercial, competitive, punitive or litigation purposes.
- All participants will be treated equally, respecting all viewpoints as worthy of consideration.
- The level and method of information sharing rests with the participant; it is expected that each participant will speak with honesty and candour.
- Participants will work to implement rational solutions to safety issues identified through information sharing.
- Participants will endeavour to inform other parties, as appropriate, as quickly as possible of any significant safety issue arising from our discussions.
- Participants will only share safety issues/mitigations within our organisations for the purpose of improving aviation safety. The presenters’ identity or organisation will NOT be shared.
- Participants will ensure that organisations we share information with understand and agree to the ‘Rules of the Road’.
GHOST Subgroups
Subgroups enable greater topical research and analysis, by optimising the strengths and expertise of technical experts to achieve the objectives.
A spokesperson will be selected within each subgroup. This person will be a member of the GHOST main group and be expected to keep the co-chairs and main group informed of progress and developments.
Our Structure
To ensure GHOST remains relevant to industry and delivers clear outcomes in line with strategic objectives, a defined structure has been established:
- GHOST is jointly co-chaired by the CAA and industry.
- The GHOST Review Board (GRB), which comprises the co-chairs and key stakeholders from each of the main communities represented, is tasked with reviewing the Team’s priorities, output, and performance.
- The CAA’s Group Director of Safety and Airspace Regulation Group (SARG) sponsors GHOST, ensuring that the Team is supported at a senior leadership level.
GHOST and the CAA
Output from GHOST will help determine the CAA’s Ground Handling risk picture, and GHOST will in turn support the CAA in managing the associated mitigations.
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