CHIRP’s dedication to safety spans over four decades, beginning with the establishment of the Aviation Programme in 1982.
This vital programme laid the foundation for our enduring commitment to enhancing safety within the aviation sector. In recognition of the growing need for a broader safety focus, the Maritime Programme was introduced in 2003. With every report submitted, we work diligently to make a positive impact, keeping everyone safer across the skies, and the seas.
Milestones in our history
1982
CHIRP was formed as a joint initiative between the Chief Scientific Officer Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Chief Medical Officer CAA and the Commandant Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM). The programme’s initial focus was on confidential human factor incident reporting in the aviation section only.
- The programme was based on the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) formed in the United States of America in 1976 under the management of the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA).
- CHIRP was initially formed as a research project within the IAM, Farnborough, which managed the programme until 1994.
- The first FEEDBACK in the aviation sector was published on air transport in December 1982.
1986
CHIRP expanded to include processing reports from air traffic control officers.
1992
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee recommended that a maritime confidential reporting facility be established to mirror that provided to the aviation community
1994
- A review by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) highlighted the increasing role of human factors in aviation accidents.
- Management of CHIRP was transferred to the Defence Research Agency (DRA)/Centre for Human Sciences
1996
The CHIRP Charitable Trust was established and incorporated as a private limited company ensuring independence as a not-for-profit organisation.
- CHIRP Maritime Programme was launched with funding from the UK Department for Transport
- The first FEEDBACK was published in the maritime sector in October 2003.
2012
Government funding for the Maritime Programme was replaced by charitable grant funding.
2019
Drone/UAS sector was included in the Aviation Programme.
2020
Revisions were made to the objects of the charity and Articles of Association to clarify CHIRP’s purpose and procedures.
2021
Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination and Victimisation (BHDV) reporting was included within the Aviation Programme.
2022
The first superyacht newsletter was published.
2023
- Skydiving sector was also included in the Aviation Programme.
- CHIRP published its first newsletters focusing on commercial fishing, and ports and harbours