• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Helicopter Flight Training Sponsors
 Search

Archives

All Entries

 Search

Articles for tag Safety First




Sep
23
2024

Unlocking the Hidden Potential of Helicopter Simulators

Posted by Admin

In the helicopter pilot training world, simulators can arguably be described as priceless assets, but for many, they remain a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. These systems offer a safe, controlled environment for pilots to hone their skills, practice emergency procedures, and enhance aeronautical decision-making without exposure to the risks of in-aircraft flight training.  [Read More...]



Tags: Safety First VAST



Jul
22
2024

Small UAS Operations on the U.S. Border

Posted by Admin

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) have become indispensable assets for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), thanks to their unique capabilities that significantly enhance operational effectiveness. These systems occupy a critical operational niche, bridging the gap between fixed surveillance infrastructure and manned aircraft. The inherently low acoustic profile and smaller size of SUAS allows them to operate nearly undetected, providing real-time intelligence, which is critical for situational awareness and operational planning. The information collected through SUAS aids in the detection, tracking, identification, and resolution of illegal activities, such as smuggling or unauthorized border crossings. Moreover, SUAS enhance the safety of CBP personnel by allowing them to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions from a distance without exposing agents to direct threats or hazardous environments.   [Read More...]



Tags: Safety First Safety SITREP
Categories: categorySafety First



May
27
2024

Clear the Punchlist | A call to action to collaborate, address, and close open NTSB recommendations

Posted by Admin

When a fatal aviation accident occurs, the tragedy takes a terrible toll on more lives than one can imagine. Not only are the lives of the victims lost, but the collateral damage heaped on hundreds of family members, friends, coworkers, and industry stakeholders is similarly devastating. Meanwhile, the in-depth and arduous efforts of the NTSB, FAA, involved parties, and other global aviation accident investigators have just begun. Their work comprises thousands of hours of investigating, interviewing, researching, and documenting the fruits of their efforts in a preliminary and final report. A report focused on telling us what happened, why, and how we can prevent it from happening again. The prevention component may include targeted recommendations emphasizing more urgent or critical actions that should take place to avoid a repeat event or address other deficiencies discovered during the investigation.  [Read More...]



Tags: Safety First VAST
Categories: categorySafety First



Jan
25
2024

Wire Strike Accidents Are Top Concern for Aerial Applicators

Posted by Admin

Wire-strike accidents consistently rank as one of the top causes of both total and fatal agricultural aviation accidents. A review by the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) of agricultural aviation wire-strike accidents from 2017 to 2021 revealed that 54% of the accidents involved helicopters. For reference, according to the latest FAA GA survey data, helicopters represent 23% of the total ag. aviation fleet and 20% of the hours flown making aerial applications. Regarding the location of the wires struck, 62% of the time the wire was in the field receiving the application; 38% of the time the wire was located along the edge of the field.  [Read More...]



Tags: Safety First VAST
Categories: categorySafety First



Nov
16
2023

European Rotors

Posted by Admin

Come Collaborate to Improve Safety and Operational Excellence Since time began, humans have come together to share stories and discuss ideas that can make the world a better place. In such a diverse community like that of rotorcraft and VTOL, we have lots of amazing people using a wide variety of machines to perform different tasks and activities.  [Read More...]



Tags: Safety First VAST
Categories: categorySafety First



Sep
22
2023

“Safety is not Proprietary”

Posted by Admin

I knew at age 16 I wanted to fly when I saw my first medical helicopter pick up a trauma patient in front of me. I began my career in air medicine at the ripe old age of 24 as a flight nurse at Lifeline in Rockford, Illinois.  It was several years later that safety took on a new meaning when I later flew for AirLife-Denver in Colorado, and our program experienced a fatal crash that rocked me to my core. I was afforded the resources to heal and saw meaningful industry-wide changes develop over time. I still applaud AirLife’s leadership who first supported their people and then mined for lessons learned, sharing them broadly to enhance safety for all.  When I became their le [Read More...]



Tags: Safety First VAST
Categories: categorySafety First



Jul
27
2023

What’s the Warranted Risk You Will Accept?

Posted by Admin

One dark night on the San Diego coast, my crew was launched for LE to intercept a drug-laden “panga” en route from Mexico to the U.S. We got the intel from our command center and launched into the blackness to find our panga. As we headed west over the Pacific Ocean with our radar scanning the surface of the water and our night vision goggles tuned up, we encountered declining ceilings at 1,000 feet AWL. We continued our search pattern at 700 feet and as the evening got cooler, the ceilings got lower. When we went down to 500 feet AWL, we discussed our hard deck of 200 feet AWL and termination of the search. We went down to 300 feet and finally at 200 feet we reached our limit and returned to base. The risk to my crew in declining ceilings was not worth the gain of finding the drug runner.  [Read More...]



Tags: Dave McCarthy Safety First VAST
Categories: categorySafety First



May
23
2023

Getting to Know VAST / USHST

Posted by Admin

I recently assumed the USHST Industry Co-Chair position from Nick Mayhew, who has provided many significant contributions during his tenure.  I want to take this opportunity to share my thoughts and objectives in my new role. But first, a look back at the journey.  I first became involved with the IHST International Helicopter Safety Team in 2010.  As a helicopter pilot with an airline background, I saw an opportunity to provide different aspects of safety, training, navigation and human factors to the vertical flight community.  Not everything will translate, but many aspects do, such as evidence & scenario-based training, flight training devices, electronic flight bags and performance based navigation (PBN). At the onset, some of this seemed foreign, but is clearly recognizable today. Also, over time, the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) became the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST) and the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) is now a regional organization in the global VAST organization.  I have worked with the USHST’s Infrastructure Working Group, particularly on COPTER IFR/PBN, and we’ve seen important, transformative changes.  [Read More...]



Tags: Chris Baur Safety First VAST
Categories: categorySafety First