On many modern light twin helicopters, there is a built in training tool allows the in flight simulation of an engine failure to allow realistic but safe training. This “Training Mode” provides realistic visual and physical cues that allow pilots to experience an engine failure without the danger. Whilst they are a superb training tool,…
The Norwegian Air Ambulance lead the way in Europe for expanding the scope of what helicopters can do in emergency aviation. Through the application of technology, a deep understanding of their aircraft and a full grasp of the regulations, they have developed a system the outshines UK HEMS1. In this article, we look at six…
On 28 August 2023 at 0844, N109BC, an EC135 T1 helicopter, crashed in Pampano Beach, Florida killing Captain Terryson Jackson, a paramedic in the aircraft, and one person on the ground. The other paramedic and the pilot were injured and 2 other people on the ground were also injured. The accident report was released by…
The choice of helicopter for HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) operations is a difficult one. Whilst cost is a huge factor, there are many subtle elements which go into the selection of a helicopter. This article aims to explore those options and present what an ideal HEMS aircraft would be. In the near future, another…
Contents The need for separation Typically, a helicopter used in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) has a crew that can manage one critically ill patient at a time. Where an incident has multiple casualties needing a critical care response, multiple helicopters can be tasked to the same incident. In addition, other types of emergency…
In an earlier article, I discussed how big a landing site needed to be for UK and European Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations. However, this is only part of the story and there is a lot more to choosing a landing site than just the size. Whilst this article is primarily focussed on UK…
Introduction Following a few recent accidents with aeromedical helicopters, I thought it is time to take a look at what makes a good landing site for a helicopter. I am going to focus on helicopters being used for aeromedical evacuation (in Europe called “Helicopter Emergency Medical Service – HEMS”) as that is the most likely…
Designing hospital helipads so they are safe and efficient is a fine art. A growing body of guidance is provided by the aviation authorities to help with delivering effective capability from day. However, some of the guidance is currently flawed; there is an assumption that bigger helicopters are the most restrictive when actually it’s what…