In response to recommendations of the joint industry/ government International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), MD Helicopters will include as standard equipment on all its aircraft wire-strike protection systems, cockpit voice and video recorders, health and usage monitoring systems and terrain awareness warning systems starting next year. In addition, the Mesa, Ariz.-based helicopter manufacturer said it will “make available a ‘safety kit’ and support to retrofit all existing aircraft.” The IHST was formed recently by the FAA, the American Helicopter Society and Helicopter Association International with the goal of reducing helicopter accidents by 80 percent in the next five years.