19 – Why Simulation? The Benefits of Synthetic Hoist Training
Mario Schuler, AUT
Sales Manager, AMST Group
Headquarters: Ranshofen, Austria
Expertise: Crew Training Solutions
Email: mario.schuler@amst.at
Summary:
Most rescue missions and military operations must be executed in limited time. Harsh weather and stressful conditions are high risks for aircrew. A well-trained team is essential for success and the safety of both the aircrew and the rescued people. The operation of helicopters’ man-rated hoisting systems requires a high degree of confidence and expertise.
Comprehensive training of these skills can be carried out in a safe environment. The training begins with the basics and ends with the trainee completing a mission simulation, very similar to reality. Helicopters with integrated hoisting systems are used world-wide as essential mission support equipment.
The RHT (Rescue Hoist Trainer) is highly valuable for rescue teams during training. Besides cost savings and a reduction in environmental emissions, the RHT has the following benefits:
- The training intensity is ten times more efficient than in a real helicopter
- The training is very safe, as the RHT cannot crash, and various control safety systems prevent an overload of its capacityTraining can be stopped at any time by activating an emergency stop button
- Training specialists and instructors supervise the training
- The aircrew learn and see everything close up and personally
- Rotor downwash sound can be switched off, so it is always possible to concentrate on the essential aspects and crew communication
- There are no restrictions on the training scenarios process due to bad weather
- Training can be configured with winch positions to the left and right side or with a rigid and slewable winch
- Opportunity for 24-hour training
- Training is not cancelled due to bad weather conditions
Bergwacht Bayern
The Bergwacht Bayern is the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service, based in Bad Toelz, Germany. They have developed a dynamic rescue hoist simulator with an advanced training concept. AMST and Bergwacht Bayern entered a close cooperation for further development and to market this unique training system worldwide. The long-term experience of AMST-Systemtechnik GmbH in designing and manufacturing extremely reliable training devices and simulation equipment, combined with the vast experience in helicopter rescue operations of the Bergwacht Bayern, has led to an enhanced, unique training solution. This ensures a complete, safe mission training environment for the entire helicopter rescue team, while working under extreme conditions.
Emergency operations
Extreme situations do not allow any compromises or mistakes; the safety of the helicopter crew and teams in special operations need to be ensured. Terrorist attacks, piracy and hostage-taking are only a few situations that need immediate access by perfectly trained teams of special forces. Fast-roping, rappelling/abseiling, night vision operations and Crew Resource Management (CRM) are a selection of scenarios practised in combination with the dynamic hoist trainer.
The range of customer-tailored equipment, such as fast-roping devices and infrared equipment, used in the RHT makes the training situation the most realistic available. Ground based mock-ups, such as buildings with different roof styles or obstacles, enhance the urban training environment. AMST-Systemtechnik GmbH provides well-tested, customer-tailored solutions for different kinds of scenarios on demand.
Training of combat MEDEVAC:
- Mission preparation
- Get into the helicopter
- Take off and landing
- Get out of the helicopter
- Secure the landing area
- Evacuation of injured person
- First aid training
Additionally, it is possible to use different environmental mock-ups or video walls combined with projection systems. The option to integrate door gunner simulators is also available.