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Night Helicopter EMS (HEMS) Operations Safety

Night Helicopter EMS (HEMS) Operations Safety. Paul M. Schaaf, Chief Pilot Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division. ( Click the mouse to start presentation ). Excerpt from FAA NOTICE N 8000.301

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Night Helicopter EMS (HEMS) Operations Safety

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  1. Night Helicopter EMS (HEMS) Operations Safety Paul M. Schaaf, Chief Pilot Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division (Click the mouse to start presentation)

  2. Excerpt from FAA NOTICE N 8000.301 • A preliminary review of the commercial HEMS accidents from January 1998 through December 2004 revealed that • CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN (CFIT), • INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND • LACK OF OPERATIONAL CONTROL • are predominant factors, particularly at night and during low visibility conditions.

  3. Excerpt from FAA NOTICE N 8000.301 Continued Of the 27 fatal HEMS accidents,21 occurred during night operations.Of the 21 night accidents, 16 of the operations originated under visual flight rules (VFR); the pilots inadvertently flew into IMC conditions, resulting in a CFIT accident.

  4. IFR SKILLS HELICOPTER pilot Instrument Rating YEARS IN CAREER Three Steps to Safety • Break the VFR/IFR wall Train, Equip and Change the Culture • Change standard vertical flight profiles • Acceptance and deployment of Night Vision Goggles

  5. #1- Breaking the VFR/IFR Wall • Accepting Reality • Unpredictable and unknown flight conditions will remain a factor in HEMS missions. • HEMS pilots will continue to accept VFR missions that cannot be completed safely in VMC. • Dealing with Reality • VFR HEMS pilots must be capable and confident in IMC. • VFR HEMS operators must equip helicopters for inadvertent IMC and train pilots accordingly. • Pilots must unhesitatingly fly their company’s IMC recovery plan when necessary without fear of reprimand.

  6. IFR SKILLS HELICOPTER pilot Instrument Rating YEARS IN CAREER #1- Breaking the VFR/IFR WallTrain, Equip and Change the Culture Train for IMC • Conduct Instrument Proficiency Checks every six months utilizing 2/2/20 aircraft control standards • Require pilots to perform routine instrument approaches for procedural proficiency

  7. Commercial Pilot Standards 2,2 and 20 Standards “2, 2 and 20” Maneuver • Maintain straight-and-level flight: heading within 2 degrees, airspeed within 2 knots and altitude within 20 feet (for at least 2 minutes). • In visual conditions – no view limiting device required

  8. #1- Breaking the VFR/IFR WallTrain, Equip and Change the Culture Equip Aircraft for IMC • Ensure aircraft and have basic instruments, communication and navigation radios and MELs written accordingly • Consider installation of hand-held GPS system with terrain, obstacles and GPS driven flight instruments

  9. #1- Breaking the VFR/IFR WallTrain, Equip and Change the Culture Change the Culture of IMC Fear • Place emphasis on instrument flying as a core pilot skill – especially VFR-only operators. • Issue an appropriate policy statement supporting pilots that reject low altitude “scud-running” and elect safer emergency IFR alternatives.

  10. 1000 Ft AGL minimum 500 Ft AGL – Common enroute altitude 50th Percentile 90th Percentile US Obstruction 100 Ft AGL #2- Change Vertical Profiles • Establish night time vertical take-off to at least 100 feet AGL when OGE performance is available • Establish night time 1,000 foot AGL minimum enroute H

  11. #3- Night Vision Goggles • NVGs are a safety enhancement that will reduce CFIT incidents and night time inadvertent IMC. • Make possible the performance of certain night time operations resulting in increased productivity and revenue

  12. #3- Night Vision Goggles • Significant improvements in last decade • Acuity increased • Halo effect reduced • Adaptability to bright and changing light conditions • Aircraft exterior lighting changes are not necessary (search light, landing lights, etc) • STC standards for cockpit lighting are based on older generation goggles and should be reviewed – a totally NVG compatible cockpit is no longer necessary!

  13. Summary • HEMS pilots should be encouraged to develop and maintain their instrument flying as a core pilot skill. • Helicopters flying HEMS missions at night must be equipped for emergency IMC. • Our culture and standards should discourage low-level “scud-running” over safer, well thought out alternatives. • Helicopter pilots should fly higher – especially at night. • NVGs should be used by all HEMS operators working at night. • Aviation authorities should work to facilitate this goal by re-evaluating standards for certification and addition to Part 135 operations specifications.

  14. Thank you! Please contact me with questions via email at:Paul.schaaf@fairfaxcounty.gov

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