USHST April 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to the April 2024 US Helicopter Safety Team e-newsletter!

Welcome to the April 2024 US Helicopter Safety Team e-newsletter! We sincerely appreciate your participation and interest in Helicopter Safety. The USHST is comprised of dedicated volunteers from industry and government who are committed to eliminating fatal accidents. While our volunteers come from the FAA, NTSB, and Vertical Aviation International (formally the Helicopter Association International),…
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Simulation – A Safety Credit

Have you ever flown a flight simulator . . . either for fun or as a dedicated training device to improve your aviation skills and decision making? You may have merely sat in front of a computer and flown a version of Microsoft Sim or taken control of a vastly more expensive Level D full…
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10%

Recently, I was part of a conversation in which my mother commented that her college civics professor once said that only about 10% of the population participates in organizations outside of their paid responsibilities. The statistic stuck with her and has stuck with me as well. Granted, that class was quite a number of years…
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Mountain Flying Awareness

Mountain flying can open a fun and exciting world for a pilot! Gorgeous views, exposure to industry operations like heli skiing, confidence crossing ranges, or access to coveted airports are all attractive prospects. However, there are some important considerations in mountain flying, and it can be extremely hazardous if the pilot is unaware of the…
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Clear the Punch List

A call for USHST action to collaborate with industry to address and close open NTSB recommendations. When a fatal aviation accident occurs, the tragedy takes a terrible toll on more lives than one can imagine. Not only are the lives of the victims lost, but the collateral damage heaped on hundreds of family members, friends,…
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April 2024 USHST Safety Report

Review the latest USHST Safety Report Compiled by: Clarke Pleasants Program Chair, Rotor & Assistant Professor, Aeronautical Science Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
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Oil, Ingenuity, and Altitude: The Unconventional Save of a CH-47 Chinook & It’s Crew

Emergency procedures—boldfaced, underlined, and ingrained in memory—are crucial for addressing a myriad of atypical situations pilots may face. Yet, the unpredictable nature of aviation emergencies sometimes calls for solutions that extend beyond standard protocols. In 1986, a five-ship formation of CH-47D Chinook helicopters redeploying to Fort Campbell, KY, departed from the former Roosevelt Roads Naval…
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From Desktop to Level D

In the intricate world of aviation, the jargon and certification requirements of training devices can be daunting. The financial burden of accessing high-fidelity full flight simulators may be prohibitive, but it’s crucial not to overlook the substantial training benefits offered by other flight training devices. Simulators offer an unparalleled opportunity for pilots to immerse themselves…
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Taking Flight Without Leaving the Ground: Simulators Revolutionize Air Medical Training

An article by the National EMS Pilots Association Brett Reeder Intermountain Life Flight- Pilot National EMS Pilot Association- President
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Optical Conclusions

The year was 1978, and I was a newly minted Helicopter Aircraft Commander (HAC) in the CH-46 Sea Knight with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265) out of Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. We were preparing for our first deployment to the Western Pacific (West Pac) since the squadron’s reactivation in the summer…
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Vintage Training Video – The Link Trainer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKkVg9NqGM
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What the Heliport?

Welcome to “What the Heliport?” our first installment of fun facts and good-to-know information surrounding all things heliport and vertical lift infrastructure. Today, we’ll start from the ground up, no pun intended (okay, maybe a little), exploring a few basic questions whose answers may surprise you: What is a Heliport? How do I know if…
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Taking Flight with Advanced Qualification Program (AQP)

If you are an instructor, student or experienced pilot, I encourage you to visit HS-E 123, and click on Recommended Practice: Simulation Training for Aviation Decision Making This is a wonderful tool for developing a Scenario or Event-based training plan. If you are not familiar with Scenario or Event-based training, the airlines migrated to this…
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Push to Talk Podcast – Spatial Disorientation

SAFETY SERIES: How To Recover from Spatial Disorientation Push to Talk with Bruce Webb: A Helicopter Podcast In this final installment, Bruce Webb and Chris Baur discuss ways pilots can prevent and recover from spatial disorientation during flight. For more information, and for a full list of Helicopter Safety Enhancements, please visit https://ushst.org/h-se-details/
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FAA Rotorcraft Accident Dashboard

Review the latest report from the FAA
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Smart Watches

Gone are the days when timepieces merely told the time. Today’s smart watches are more akin to wearable computers, brimming with features that not only keep us punctual but also enhance our lives significantly. For pilots, who navigate a lifestyle demanding utmost precision and health, a smart watch can be an indispensable ally. Health at…
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Hidden in Plain Sight

It’s not Picasso, but it’s a painting. Let me paint an all too familiar picture for you. It is a sweltering summer day, the temperature is hovering in the mid-nineties, and the humidity is paralyzing. A cursory review of the TAF for the nearby Class B airport indicates that it should be a nice day…
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FAA Flight Standards Corner

Recent events within the rotorcraft community indicate that we should all be aware of the following best practices: Importance of following maintenance guidelines – The inconsistent use and interpretation of aircraft maintenance documentation is a known safety issue in the aviation industry. Failure to follow maintenance procedures is considered one of the most pervasive…
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