EMPLOYEE-DRIVEN INNOVATION

WHO BETTER TO CHAMPION INNOVATION THAN OUR OWN TEAM OF PASSIONATE PEOPLE?

There have been many firsts since PHI’s start in 1949— from making aviation history to celebrating company-wide achievements. When you look at all our success, it’s clear our company’s progress stems from our innovation and determination, but what sparks that spirit of innovation is even more impressive. Over the last 72 years, we’ve cultivated a team of passionate people who hold the key to our past, present and future.

Here at PHI, embracing new technologies and exploring toolboxes were sent to each base for feedback innovative techniques isn’t just encouraged—it’s celebrated. In from our field mechanics. this industry, it’s easy to get stuck in the ‘we’ve-always-done-it-that-way’ mindset but doing what we’ve always done will only get the same results we’ve always gotten. So, to keep the pipeline of innovation going, we’re tapping in our teams, turning their ideas and challenges into positive and productive energy. After all, who better than our own employees to help solve our biggest problems and champion change?

It all starts with a culture of collaboration. We strive to create an environment where employees across all levels of the company feel empowered to advocate for what they need and then work together to develop solutions. Our team is introducing new ideas, suggesting better ways of doing business and bringing fresh energy to long-standing challenges. Together, we’re breaking down department silos and nurturing a pipeline of innovation that has allowed us to continue delivering safe, efficient, quality, service in a highly competitive and ever-changing environment.

AUTOMATED TOOL CONTROL

Our Americas team is in the process of implementing the first-of-its-kind advanced tool control program. The program, slated to be fully implemented in 2022, has been a long time in the making—probably even longer than most people realize said Greg Edenfield, Senior Mechanic at our Lafayette base. The tool control program will automate the currently-manual tool inventories and audits, helping to assure the most accurate asset management and foreign object damage (FOD)/foreign material exclusion (FME) compliance.

The system allows us to live and perform our core values at an even higher level," said Greg. "By enhancing our tool control program, we’re improving the safety of our people and passengers, our quality level and our efficiency so we can better serve our customers.

The new system keeps a rolling inventory, automatically detecting which tools have been removed or returned and making it easy to ensure every tool is accounted for. The toolboxes offer a real-time look at tool inventory with a one-touch listing of all tools out, who they’re issued to and where they’re being used. The latest toolboxes are in use at the Houma North Ramp Heliport location, and the remaining boxes are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2021.

The latest toolboxes are in use at the Houma North Ramp Heliport location, and the remaining boxes are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2021.

Right now, someone has to audit every personal toolbox in use at the beginning and end of each day—and that all takes time,” said Greg. “Our whole tool build is based on what our team says they need because, ultimately, this program is for their benefit.

The program relies heavily on input from our mechanics. Greg, along with Lead Mechanic in Lafayette Harry Machno, worked with our front-line teams to identify exactly what goes into the base tool crib.

We had one at Houma North, Houma East and Galveston,” said Harry. “We had a running list from our field mechanics of tools that needed to be added, and from there, Greg and I worked to filter out duplicates. We were able to add everything they requested. We were actually pretty surprised—we didn’t realize just how much space the boxes have.

With the implementation of the automated tool control program, PHI will be one of the first in our industry to shift from personal toolboxes to company-owned tools.

The fact that you don’t have to worry about lugging your tools around is a huge plus,” said Harry. “You can go from working at Boothville to Galveston and all your tools are right there.

HOUMA BASE UPGRADES & EXPANSION

There’s a lot happening at our Houma, Louisiana, North Ramp Heliport—a lot. Real Estate and Facility Operations Manager Chad Broussard, Base Infrastructure Manager Craig Matheny and Maintenance Manager Earl Johnson, had the scoop on the latest updates for some of our upcoming projects:

PARKING RAMP

We’re considering expanding our S-92 parking ramp to increase the number of heavy-ship spots and accommodate future growth for our customers and aircraft.

NEW HANGAR & PARTS WAREHOUSE

The conceptual phase is well underway for our new hangar and parts warehouse. The project includes a new, S-92-capable three-bay hangar and a larger parts warehouse. The detached parts warehouse will feature on-site storage for high-usage parts and a parts counter for increased efficiency and security.

A committee that included Director of Maintenance John Ellyson, Director of Operations Pat Attaway, Chief Pilot James Maner, Base Infrastructure Manager Craig Matheny, Real Estate and Facility Operations Manager Chad Broussard, Program Directors and Mechanics met weekly to collaborate on the design and vision for the new hangar and warehouse.

Our jobs were to go out and get input and ideas from employees on each schedule,” said Earl. “At the end of the day, the more minds—the better the end product.

Together, they looked at ways to increase efficiencies and make improvements to our current base design— not just for PHI employees but for our customers and passengers, too. Leveraging their combined experience and input from our front-line employees, the team considered everything from handwashing stations and hydraulics to passenger arrival gates and parking lots.

My role is bringing feedback from our team and our customers,” said Craig. “Help me understand how I can make your time at work better, safer and more productive.

The first iteration of hangar and warehouse designs was scaled to produce a concept that was presented to the leadership team for feedback. We’re in the process of getting bids for the project and are hoping to begin construction at the end of this year.

Collaboration needs to happen, no matter what the project is,” said Chad. “Just because you may not immediately see your contributions, it’s important to know that you’re being heard, and your ideas are being shared with the right people. Change doesn’t happen overnight but trust that we’re listening, and your ideas are being considered.

The design concept for the new hangar and parts warehouse went through several rounds of revisions before being presented to the leadership team for feedback.

REJECTED TAKEOFF LANE LIGHTING PROJECT

We’re ahead of schedule on our rejected takeoff lane (RTOL) lighting project. Once completed, the project will allow PHI to maintain and maximize flight hours for our customers from the summer through winter seasons. The lighting package will enhance our pilots’ ability to identify the RTOL on approach during restricted visibility and pre-dawn takeoff, increasing safety for our crews and our customers. Craig, Base Infrastructure Manager, is working closely with construction crews and our team to ensure that the project is completed on schedule and to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards—all without interruption to our daily flight operations or safety. On target for completion in August, our Houma North Ramp Heliport will be the only heliport in the Gulf with this lighting standard.

It’s a delicate dance between our pilots, mechanics and construction crews,” said Craig Matheny, Base Infrastructure Manager—PHI Americas. “I’m using my experience to make sure everything is done right and just as our teams need it.

The RTOL lighting project at the end of May 2021, prior to cement being poured.

Every step requires careful coordination between construction crews and our team to prevent interruption to operations.

The RTOL lighting project is ahead of schedule and is slated to be complete in August.

MOBILE HOME TRAILERS

We’re in the process of upgrading onsite housing for our teams in Houma. A total of 22 new mobile home trailers are expected to be installed by the end of this year and additional trailers installed in 2022 with the goal of having enough updated onsite housing for all employees. But the project is more than simply replacing our current employee housing—the newly-installed trailers were designed to improve the quality of life for our teams while they’re at work. After all, they spend half their lives living here, and we want their living areas to be comfortable.

After considering leasing and even building apartments, we decided to redesign our mobile home trailers to better meet the wants and needs of our team. Chad and Craig spent time with pilots and mechanics in the old trailers to identify areas for improvement.

I asked the team, ‘If you were king for a day, what would you add to the trailers?’” said Chad. “If leadership made decisions solely based on what we need or what we already have, then we’d never improve or move forward—we’d keep getting the same results. When we get feedback and work across departments, we can get as close as possible to what our teams want and need to do their jobs.

Taking their feedback and requests into account, we partnered with a local vendor to help with the floorplan design. Although challenged by the sizing limitations of the trailers, we purchased two updated homes and put the initial design to the test. Once installed, Craig, Chad, senior leaders, line-level employees and cleaning crews spent several hours doing a walkthrough of the new mobile homes. Together, they assessed the layout and got additional feedback and recommendations to further improve the floorplan design.

The new mobile home trailers feature a four-bedroom, four-bath floorplan with each bedroom getting its own private bathroom—one of the most frequently requested upgrades. Other features include a washer and dryer, expanded kitchen and common areas, concrete patio and outdoor seating, covered porches, overhead AC vents for improved distribution and more. Some trailers also include complete blackout window treatments for improved light control and better rest for our night-shift employees. Not only does better housing mean better health, rest and wellbeing for our employees, it also means better quality of living for the people who work hard to make PHI successful.

Old trailers are gradually being removed to make room for our new, updated trailers.

The expanded concrete patio is perfect for grilling and relaxing.

Every bedroom has its own private bathroom—one of the most requested additions.

The new trailers feature four furnished bedrooms, some with complete blackout windows.

Each trailer is equipped with a washer and dryer unit for added convenience.

Trailer entrances offer wider steps and a covered porch with a roof made by our very own engineering department.

LINKING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT & INNOVATION

It’s an exciting time for PHI, and we’re proud to be on this journey together. The ability to innovate is central to our success as an organization, and the foundation for any innovation is collaboration across our teams. Leveraging the knowledge, creativity and experience of our team, PHI has an even greater opportunity to succeed in every way. No matter who you are or what your role is in the company, we want all our employees to feel empowered to share and think creatively. Your ideas drive the innovation and growth that keeps PHI at the forefront of our industry.