AVIATION SAFETY ADVOCATE KIRSTEN STEVENS STEPS DOWN

[xsbank]

I'm sure that there will be no objection to my re-posting this letter here. 'Widow' has resigned from her advocacy position, (yes, even from here) and I think we all owe her a huge debt of gratitude for her work on all our behalf. Kirsten, we are going to miss you and your voice of reason. Get well and let us know how you are doing. Maybe I'll see you at the Quinny one day? All the best, and thank you!

"-------- AVIATION SAFETY ADVOCATE KIRSTEN STEVENS STEPS DOWN -----------------

David Hutton – November 17, 2010

It was with great regret that we learned recently that one of Canada’s
leading citizen advocates for aviation safety, Kirsten Stevens, is stepping
down from this work indefinitely for health reasons.

Following the tragic death of her husband in a floatplane crash in 2005,
Kirsten began meticulously researching the air taxi/floatplane industry in an
effort to understand what happened and to achieve closure. What she learned
– and the abject failure of the authorities to provide answers or even to
fulfill their responsibilities – transformed her into a committed advocate
for improved aviation safety.

She quickly established herself as a knowledgeable, articulate and passionate
campaigner. She provided support and information for other families in
similar circumstances, as well as those interested in improving air safety
across the country. She became a well-known and trusted presence in online
forums where industry employees share and discuss their concerns. She spoke
out publicly about the wide-ranging problems of a regulator (Transport
Canada) which has not been doing its job and an industry that has been losing
its safety culture.

She was instrumental in organizing a landmark event in Ottawa – the
Aviation Safety Round Table http://safeskies.ca/roundtable.html – which
brought the problems into focus, triggering in-depth media coverage and
galvanizing politicians into action. She attended industry conferences and
shamed the authorities with her command of the facts and clear explanations
of their dereliction of duty.

There is no doubt that these actions have helped bring about a sea change in
attitudes towards aviation safety: by citizens and the media, among
bureaucrats and politicians, and in the industry. Transport Canada's actions
are – and will remain – under intense scrutiny. Where the government is
lagging – as in the floatplane sector – progressive operators are banding
together to set higher safety standards while the regulator plays catch-up.

All of this has come at a price. Over the past five years Kirsten has had to
cope with so much: the loss of her husband; the horrifying realization that
his death was both predictable and tragically unnecessary; the betrayal of
the authorities who turned their backs on this incident, leaving the
victims’ families to locate the wreckage, to raise it from the ocean floor
and even to conduct forensic investigations; the long hours spent researching
the industry, reading the legislation, studying the reports from accident
investigations and public inquiries. There was also the stress of providing
support to devastated accident victims and their families, as well as to
potential whistleblowers: industry insiders desperate to ‘blow the
whistle’ on safety problems but terrified of the consequences.

These demands have taken a huge toll on Kirsten’s already-fragile health
and her doctors have now ordered her to stop completely – or risk
life-threatening consequences. This is a great loss to the cause of aviation
safety in Canada, but a great deal has been accomplished in terms of raising
awareness of the issues and making Transport Canada more accountable for its
actions.

I want to thank Kirsten personally for the magnificent contribution that she
has made, and to wish her the best in recovering her health and a more normal
family life. I also want to thank her on behalf of everyone who ever entrusts
their life – or the lives of their loved ones – to the care of the
aviation industry. I’m sure that many others will want to thank Kirsten in
their own way.

Kirsten’s advocacy email address mailto:Kirsten.Stevens@SafeSkies.ca will
be discontinued by the end of this month. In the meantime if you have any
goodwill messages for her, please send them to this address.

*Transition arrangements*

There may be no-one else in Canada with the knowledge, willingness – and
the time – to take over Kirsten's unique role completely. However I
believe that it will be possible to continue the most important tasks with
the load shared between a few people.

I will be working with Kirsten to ease the transition and I would like to
hear from anyone who is willing to help. For more information on what is
involved, see the SafeSkies Transition Arrangements
http://safeskies.ca/transition page.

David Hutton
Executive Director
FAIR (Federal Accountability Initiative for Reform)
http://fairwhistleblower.ca"

[slowstream]

Kirsten,

I am only one member in this industry and saying a simple "thank you" for all your hard work and efforts hardly seems adequate, but thank you!

You've left an permanent and indelible impression on me that will never leave, you created a legacy that will last many decades I'm certain.

I wish you all the best, that you have recovered and good health for you and your family.

You should be proud of your efforts and I am forever grateful for your efforts!

Thank you and get well

[jet a1]

agreed...thank you so much!
get well.
jet.

[sky's the limit]

Kirsten has made enormous contributions to our industry, our website, to the families of the victims involved in accidents all over the country, and the cause of aviation safety. I for one am full of appreciation and admiration for what she has taken on - not by choice - and wish her all the best with her health and life.

Thank you Kirsten,

stl

[peeelot]

Kristen

Thank you for all your hard work. Lets Hope Transport takes a look at 703 and 704 ops and make changes. You are a leader and we thank you!

[canwhitewolf]

take good care Kirsten, we all appreciate what you"ve done in great measure

thanks

[square]

Oh that's the shits.. IABD couldn't you just leave her alone??

Miss you already Kirsten!

[. ._]

How unfortunate, but that's life, eh? You never know what's coming around the corner.

Thanks for everything, Kirsten. Sounds like it's time for you to concentrate on de-stressing and thinking about yourself for a change.

You've done more for aviation safety awareness in a few years than many have done in lifetimes.

Take care of yourself. We're all grateful for what you have done.

-istp

[Changes in Latitudes]

Kirsten is one person who opened a door for hundreds to walk through. I hope we can continue her work with that in mind.

[hazatude]

<- Grateful

[OceansEdge]

I'm so sorry to hear you're facing these health challenges

Take care of yourself with the same fervour that you took care for others. There are those among us who have heard the message, and will continue to carry the banner.

[Prairie Chicken]

Kirsten, I am so very sorry to hear that your courageous battle has taken a toll on your health. I do hope getting away from these stresses will allow you to heal.

I doubt if there is any one person who can replace your drive & determination, but you have shown others the way and hopefully together they can follow your lead and achieve some of the successes you have.

Thank you so much for all of your work. You HAVE made a difference. We will miss you.

Namaste

[Mostly Harmless]

Thank you for your excellent work and please take care of yourself.

[W5]

Thanks a lot Kirsten, I know what you took on.

[shitdisturber]

Stop and smell the roses, put your feet up and relax, do whatever it takes; you've earned it!

[pika]

http://investigateudom.com/ It's an endless and unrewarding task.

The title is "Kirsten Steps Down" but she stepped WAY up to start. You made a difference, don't sacrifice your health.

Christmas is coming so is it $121.5 time again?

[sigmet77]

Thank you and I pray your health improves and that we have not heard the last from you. Cheers.

[Widgeon Guy]

Take on this battle with the passion of the last, make the one you miss as proud as we are of you. Win this for him.

[KAG]

Thanks for all your Hard work Kirsten, take some time for yourself, your family, and just enoy life.

Take care.

[2R]

De Profundis
Out of the deep.
Pslam 130

She has marked what was wrong from out of the deep.When some dismissed her fight: as her fight ,not realising her cause is our cause as well.
Many will benefit from her fight to right the wrong done against her loved ones.
Always get a second medical opinion when it is serious.

[Brown Bear]

Without our "Widow" to champion our cause for safer skies, I would guess it's time for us to stand up on our hind legs and fight the good fight ourselves. How about letting common sense enter into the equation folks?
Thanks Kirsten.
L

[Invertago]

Thanks, widow, the world needs more like you, rest well and move on to the next chapter we appreciate all you've done!

[Widow]

If it wasn't for this website, and the many people whom I have met either in person or "virtually" as a result of my membership, I never would have taken the course of safety advocate.

I want to thank Joe, the mod team, and all the users (friend and foe!) of AvCanada; for not booting me when I first arrived, for giving me a place to grieve, learn, rant, pontificate and debate.

To those of you who have contributed to this thread, or sent emails, a further thanks. You have helped me believe that it has not all been for naught, to believe that I am not quitting but retiring.

Thank you all, who make daily effort to do your jobs as safely as possible. Thank you for doing your part in keeping our skies safe, and preventing another loss like the one I have suffered.

I thank you. Dave, Arnie, Doug, Trevor and Fabian thank you.

Stay safe,

Kirsten Stevens
AKA "Widow"

P.S. If you find yourself with a bit of free time and a desire to help keep the public informed and the government accountable, please contact David Hutton at Federal Accountability Initiative for Reform (FAIR), to see how you can help in maintaining the website, Safeskies.ca.

[flyinthebug]

Our industry has suffered another loss with the word of your resignation. Thank you Kirsten for all your extraordinary efforts to help make aviation a safer place. Take good care of your health and i`ll look forward to staying in touch with you!
All the best, with Thanks!
FTB

[Dash-Ate]

Saw this magazine lying around.

http://thewalrus.ca/flight-risk/

Flight Risk

Why small commercial aviation is still unsafe

By Carol Shaben

From the April 2013 magazine


In 2005, Kirsten Stevens’ forty-year-old husband, Dave, died when the float plane flying him to work at a logging camp crashed in the waters off northern Vancouver Island, killing everyone on board. She became an advocate for higher Canadian aviation safety standards, eventually joining forces with Hugh Danford, a former pilot and Transport Canada civil aviation inspector turned whistle-blower. The two featured prominently in my November 2009 article, “Fly at Your Own Risk.”