helicopters Archives - Page 2 of 2 - The Rotary Wing Show Podcast

March 18, 2015April 11, 2015

RWS 25 – Aviation Vision Science with Warren de Haan

warren-de-haan-vision-science-250x300 — Dr Warren De Haan – Vision is a critical input to operating a helicopter but there is a lot to it.

Dr Warren De Haan has been an Aviation vision specialist for 48 years and is considered the world’s leading expert in the field.

In this episode we will be talking about vision science, tips on looking after your eyesight, better habits to help you detect obstacles, the effects of aging on sight and considerations for extending your flying career.

Big thanks to Bob Feerst and Lynette Sims from Utilities Aviation Specialists for introducing me to Warren.

[Tweet “Memory and past perception play an important part in how we see things”]

On the flying side Warren holds ratings on ATPL-Multi-engine, CPL helicopter, glider, lighter-than-air, and seaplanes.

He is an instructor on multiengine aeroplanes and gliders. One of his hobbies is collecting ratings and he has managed to fly a range of aircraft from 737s to Piper Cubs and R-22s.

Warren is the author of two books:
Moving through the ratings: Passing from Private to Professional Pilot
The Optometrist’s and Ophthalmologist’s Guide to Pilot’s Vision

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

In this week’s episode:
01:30 Dr Warren De Haan Bio
02:15 Episode Sponsors trainmorepilots.com
03:10 What is vision science
04:25 Start of flying experience and collecting ratings
07:20 Medical training and eye care career
08:30 Vision research studies – contact lenses and pilots
11:30 Expert witness and consulting on legal cases – midair collisions, wire strike
13:50 Misconception that pilots will see the wire all the time
15:10 Importance of a recon to support vision processing
18:20 Vision processing/coding on the retina
21:40 Binocular vision
24:07 Visual angle and blossoming and visual discrimination
27:20 VFR look out and visual scanning techniques
31:30 Most important thing for helicopters pilots – won’t see things in time
32:45 Most common eye diseases
37:30 Lasik surgery
41:30 UV damage and sunglasses
46:23 Polarised glasses and canopies
47:10 Glass cockpits
49:36 Colour vision
51:00 Maintaining vision as we get older
53:00 Recommendations on prescription lenses – progressive lenses and bi-focals
56:50 Medical waivers
59:35 Contact details for Warren
1:02:50 Live call with Dennis Kenyon and his book ‘Dangerous Appointment’
1:04:26 Listener email – Josh
1:05:50 World Helicopter Day

Links from this week’s episode:
Warren on LinkedIn
Books authored by Warren
World Helicopter Day

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[Tweet “To be a safe pilot you always need to assume the worst”]

[Tweet “Must always get an ultraviolet treatment on your glasses”]

Be part of the conversation and get involved in the comments section below. What questions do you have about aircrew vision?

September 14, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 8 – Helicopter EMS in Alaska with Lorena Knapp

Lorena Knapp flys EMS helicopters in Alaska

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Lorena Knapp talks about EMS operations and flying in Alaska on the Rotary Wing Show — Lorena Knapp on EMS flying in Alaska

Alaska is still largely wilderness and remote communities rely heavily on helicopter operations. Air Ambulance services like the one that today’s guest Lorena Knapp flies for can drastically reduce the time needed to get a patient to primary care given the terrain and ground conditions.

Find out about flying conditions in Alaska and get an insight into helicopter Emergency Medical Service (EMS) operations. Along the way we follow Lorena’s career progression to find out how she got her start and worked her way up to her current challenging position.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

01:12 Meet Lorena Knapp
02:30 Current role with Air Methods and location
04:30 Early flying experience with her dad
06:10 Helicopter training and getting licence
08:22 Hillsboro Aviation training and instructing
09:00 Oil and Gas in Gulf of Mexico
11:10 Tours – Juneau and Denali, Alaska
13:40 Moving into EMS
14:50 Air Methods organisation and history
18:00 EMS operations – Air Ambulance, VFR, NVGs, shifts
20:20 Medical crews and carrying patients, memorable calls
25:10 Really making a difference
26:20 Flying in Alaska
28:10 Terrain and heights
28:50 Day length changes, NVGs
30:45 Impact of weather
34:05 Cold weather ops
38:25 Sectional charts, GPS and navigation
39:55 Anchorage airspace classes
42:20 Helicopter industry operators
44:00 Getting a job in Alaska
44:50 Alaska highlights off hours
47:20 Helping people achieve dreams
49:45 Ninety-nines and other women aviation groups
52:53 Trainmorepilots.com
53:20 Best helicopter novels – send in your nominations

Lorena Knapp in the cockpit of her helicopter with Alaska scenery outside — View from the cockpit flying in Alaska in an Astar – no steam driven gauges here

Map showing the size of alaska against the rest of the united states — In the episode we talk about the size of Alaska. This graphic shows the size comparison with the rest of the United States.

Lorena’s TEDx Talk Video
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Links from this week’s episode:
Lorenaknapp.com – Lorena’s website
AirMethods
The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots
Whirly Girls

[Tweet “If we were not there, that guy would not now be alive #helicopters”]

[Tweet “Can sometimes log more night flying on the day shift than the night crews”]

[Tweet “The hydraulic fluid starts to get jelly-like at these temps #alaska”]

Got a comment or question about today’s show? Use the area below to leave your thoughts.

September 6, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 7 – Helicopter Underwater Escape Training with Mick Dowling

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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.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

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.”]

helicopter-underwater-escape-training-out-of-pool — Mick Dowling briefing trainees prior to crane lift

Helie Ditching1 — The real thing (if you are lucky enough to have floats)

helicopter-underwater-escape-training-in-pool — That ‘water up the nose’ sensation… while waiting for movement to stop

Post escape - surface huddle to maintain warmth and morale — Post escape – surface huddle to maintain warmth and morale

Got a comment or question about today’s show? Use the area below to leave your thoughts.

August 30, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 6 – Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing with Etienne Gerber

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rhino anti poaching helicopters — ZAP Wing aircrew in front of one of their two R44 helicopters

In this episode of the Rotary Wing Show we head to Zululand, South Africa to hear about how helicopters are being employed in the fight against Rhino poachers. Etienne Gerber is the chief pilot at Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing and shares first hand the challenges his crews face in performing their role.

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02:00 Leave a 5 star review on iTunes/Stitcher
03:40 Meet Etienne Gerber
05:45 Zululand Anti-poaching Wing
08:03 Air Operators Certificate – Airwork
09:20 What drives Rhino poaching
12:20 Organised crime connections and resourced
13:50 Operational base and game park area of operations
16:25 Aircraft fleet – 2 x R44 + 2 x light fixed wing
17:40 Night Ops
19:20 Impact on poachers
20:30 Pilot experience and support crew
21:50 Training and area familiarisation
24:00 Job appreciation
25:00 Engineers, maintenance, aircraft contracts
26:25 Self protection and not getting eaten
27:40 Flying conditions and weather
29:00 Terrain in operating area
31:10 Airspace, heights and other aircraft
32:58 Navigation, available maps, local landmarks
34:45 An average day
37:55 Flight following
39:37 Flying rates and hours budget
41:00 What happens on a call out
44:10 What are rhinos like
46:10 Poachers
46:50 Rhinos and helicopters
47:40 Drones
49:10 ZAP Wing funding