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March
1, 2010
Flight Training Devices to Enhance Air Methods Pilot Training Curriculum
In
January 2006, the NTSB recommended installation of terrain awareness and
warning systems (TAWS) on all aircraft. Air Methods Corporation (parent
corporation of Air Methods Kentucky) agreed and is working toward that
goal. In September 2009, the NTSB recommended public helicopter emergency
medical services (HEMS) operators conduct scenario-based training,
including the use of simulators and flight training devices (FTDs), to
include inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC).
Once again, Air Methods complied.
Air Methods has a history of endorsing the NTSB’s recommendations before
they are made regulation, and recently the company continued that
tradition and entered into an agreement with AeroSimulators to purchase
three flight training devices.
“Air
Methods has always aspired to exceed the minimum training requirements of
the FAA, but we never want to rest on our laurels,” explained Chris
Bassett, Air Methods chief pilot. “We continuously strive to make the
training program better, and our new devices are definitely an
enhancement. We know the devices will make our pilots even more proficient
and confident.”
The three FTDs will be strategically located throughout the country. The
main FTD is a replica of an EC135 helicopter (with an Air Methods-specific
cockpit) and will be permanently located at corporate headquarters in
Colorado
. Training on this unit will be incorporated into basic pilot new hire
training and also used for pilot interview assessment and for recurrent
training for
Colorado
pilots. The other two FTDs are AS350 helicopter replicas that will be
mobile, allowing Air Methods to move them around throughout field
operations.
Training with the FTDs is not intended to replace training in the
aircraft, but rather to enhance it. One of the biggest benefits is being
able to train for flight into IIMC, especially for VFR-rated pilots. IIMC
training is currently standard protocol, but FTDs are anticipated to
enhance that aspect of training.
When training for IIMC in the actual aircraft, VFR conditions prevail, and
although measures are taken to simulate IFR conditions, there are few
stressors involved. Pilots oftentimes have visual ground references, can
anticipate upcoming situations, and have the comfort of a training captain
onboard.
While
training for IIMC in the FTD, the instructor can slowly decrease the
weather conditions, lower the ceilings, and maybe add some distractions
such as a chip light or more chatter on the radio, all while evaluating
the pilot’s reaction. The FTDs also can incorporate criteria for
scenario-based HEMS pilot training that includes hazards unique to HEMS
operations (one of the NTSB’s 2009 recommendations). These situations
can range from an unsafe landing zone, oncoming traffic, unexpected wires,
navigational system failures and countless other problems the pilot needs
to be familiar with and act upon.
“One
of our biggest challenges is IIMC training because those skills are
perishable and simulating IMC conditions in an aircraft for training
purposes is not very realistic,” said Bassett. “The FTDs are far more
realistic for simulating IMC training, which greatly improves the
pilot’s ability to control the aircraft solely by reference to
instruments. This exceedingly boosts pilots’ confidence.”
Additionally,
the way in which the devices are configured permits pilots to observe
their colleagues performing normal and emergency operating procedures.
Although not participating in the action, there is believed learning
opportunities even from the act of observing.
Another
major benefit is the ability to become more efficient with scheduling of
training events. Training in the actual aircraft will not be eliminated;
however, now one of the two required annual training events will be
conducted in the FTD. The devices also will bring a much greater sense of
predictability. The training department will no longer have to compete
against poor weather, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance events, or
patient flights in order to complete the scheduled training. Additionally,
the FTDs can be used for night vision goggle training at any hour of the
day, versus waiting for the cover of night.
Official
FAA rulemaking on the use FTDs is still to be seen. Air Methods, however,
believes there are tremendous operational benefits and that these devices
are well worth the investment, even without formal federal regulation.
___________________________
About
Air Methods Kentucky
Air
Methods Kentucky is a full-service air medical transport system covering
Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Founded in 1982 as the first civilian air medical program in Kentucky,
in 1995 it became the first air medical program in the state to earn
CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems)
accreditation. It operates 10 helicopter ambulances and one
fixed wing ambulance throughout its region, with state offices
headquartered in Lexington. With a mission of safety, quality, and
integrity, Air Methods Kentucky is committed to providing its patients
and medical and emergency service partners with a high level of care and
professionalism. For more information about Air Methods Kentucky,
visit http://www.airmethodsky.com.
About
Air Methods Corporation
Air
Methods Kentucky is owned by Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ:
AIRM),
the nation’s largest
provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems. The company is dedicated exclusively to air medical transport,
focusing on the quality of care to patients, and safety in
aviation operations. With 27 years of experience, the company transports more than
84,000 patients annually who require intensive medical care from
either the scene of an accident or general care hospitals to
highly skilled trauma centers or tertiary care centers. For
more information about Air Methods Corporation, visit http://www.airmethods.com.
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