careflight Archives - The Rotary Wing Show Podcast

helicopter pilot ken vote — After a career in the Royal Australian Navy including time in Vietnam, instructing and anti-submarine roles Ken Vote was one of Australia’s early experienced EMS pilots.

Landing in the urban jungle of inner Sydney is a far cry from dropping off SAS troops in the jungles of Vietnam – Ken Vote has done both in his career as a Navy and EMS helicopter pilot.

>> Listen to Part 1 of this interview here <<

Ken started his helicopter career with the Australian Navy, spent time in Vietnam, instructed in the military and had a career in the EMS world. He was one of the senior pilots during a counter terrorism readiness operation to oil rigs in Bass Strait, survived a live fire SAS killhouse training run where he played the role of a hostage and has also flown off Australia’s last aircraft carrier.

I was put in touch with Ken by Craig Bowman – Bowie is flying an EMS bird in Western Australia – which is possibly the largest EMS area of coverage in the world in terms of square kilometers – that might be a story for another time. In researching this interview I also got in touch with one of the volunteers at the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia who knew Ken – he indicated that Ken is not known for being reticent in sharing memories!!

So I hope you enjoy this interview. I have cut it into 2 episodes for length so this is Part 2 that you are about to hear.

CareFlight pilots when the Dauphin arrived.
“Bloke in dark suit is Ian Galt VICPOL who endorsed us.” Ken Vote on far right.

In one of Ken's Sydney based roles he would often need to land in the street with co-ordination of local police and ambulance services. — In one of Ken’s Sydney based roles he would often need to land in the street with co-ordination of local police and ambulance services. “Me blocking Pennant Hills Road for an hour or so HIRT A109 Power circa 2007”

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Links from this week’s episode:
Support the show on Patreon
The Cancel Sarwatch Podcast

Video – Wessex Helicopters Blade Unfolding on HMAS Melbourne
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Ken and a T28 trainer. NAS Whiting Field Pensacola Florida 1966.

A clipping from the Navy News on 24 November 1967 showing Ken in front of a TH 13M Bell Helicopter after his first helicopter solo.

A Detachment of Wessex 31Bs at RAAF East Sale, having just completed a morning practice session (Op Bursa) Source: Fleet Air Arm of Association of Australia

In Darwin during a training contract with the Australian Army. Ken Vote (2nd from left) Craig Bowman (center) - Craig put me in touch with Ken for the interview — In Darwin during a training contract with the Australian Army. Ken Vote (2nd from left) Craig Bowman (center) – Craig put me in touch with Ken for the interview

Do you have a question about Ken’s career or EMS flying that you want to ask? Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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HUET Instructor Mick Dowling talks on the Rotary Wing Show about underwater escapes — Mick Dowling on Helicopter Underwater Escape Training

30 seconds ago you were airborne but now you are in the drink and water is quickly filling your helicopter cockpit while the machine starts to roll upside down – what do you do next?

If you are not 100% certain then you will want to listen to this interview with Mick Dowling, Commercial HUET Manager at the Careflight Group.

HUET = Helicopter Underwater Escape Training

Knowing what to do in those critical seconds after entering the water may just save your life.

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01:05 Where in the world you are listening from – 31 countries
01:58 PPRuNe thread
04:18 Mick Dowling from Careflight Group
04:34 What is helicopter underwater escape training (HUET)
05:56 Origins of HUET
06:35 Mick’s background and career path
08:00 Careflight Training Services division
09:05 Who needs HUET
11:26 Legislative requirements and currency
12:52 Increase in survival chances after HUET
13:48 Early courses – progress to current best practices
17:11 HUET in a nutshell
18:33 Things to think about pre-flight + preparation
20:57 Reference point – most important thing
22:11 Brace position for impact
25:54 When the helicopter turns upside down
27:45 Losing orientation
29:39 Opening the exit
31:05 Reaching the surface
31:55 Lifejackets
33:05 Going back for others
34:35 Blackhawk in Fiji
35:40 Maximising survival on the surface
38:28 HEEDS / EBS
41:10 Extra tips
42:37 Getting HUET training and course breakdown
48:00 Next actions
49:40 Submit any questions here on the blog
50:48 Next episode… Don’t forget to sign up for email alerts
51:06 Visit today’s sponsor – trainmorepilots.com

“Careflight Group, is one of a few in Australia who are able to provide competency based HUET utilising modular Aircraft Underwater Escape Trainers “AUET”. To successfully egress, and be assessed competent when using the AUET platform, trainees are required to operate multiple Seatbelt and Exit types. As a result we’ve noted aircrew and trainees completing HUET in the AUET tend to experience a high skill retention rate” ~ Mick Dowling

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Links from this week’s episode:
Careflight Group HUET Training
PPRuNe.org thread about the show and video of Steve Kux’s crash

[Tweet “Up to 20% of helicopter ditchings occur inland (dams, creeks etc)”]

[Tweet “Your mobile phone in a chest pocket? In an impact the harness can crush it into you.”]

[Tweet “Identifying your reference point is the most important thing in a helicopter ditching.”]