Interview with a helicopter pilot
Michael, Chief Pilot of the helicopter division, has been part of our team for several years. He has impressive expertise and has performed landings in all types of conditions, day and night. He recently celebrated his 200th mission at Airmedic. All these missions allowed him to master helicopter piloting in emergency situations. In this interview with a helicopter pilot, Michael lets you discover the behind-the-scenes of a landing and shares the safety measures to follow during helicopter transports.
How do helicopter pilots plan flights and landing locations?
One of the most important steps in carrying out an emergency medical evacuation is undoubtedly flight planning. In a context where we operate in all kinds of weather conditions, day and night, our response speed is directly related to the advantage of having clear and pre-verified information before leaving our base in your direction.
It is therefore important and practical to have pre-established locations where the helicopter can land. Having this database, including photos, GPS coordinates, contact names, phone numbers, is essential. This information directly impacts deployment time. We can be on-site faster to provide proper care.
Is it necessary to have a pre-established helisite?
For our individual members, not necessarily, since we never know where they will be during an accident. However, for lodges, ZECs, forestry operations, and other corporate members, having established helisites can make all the difference in our ability to intervene efficiently and quickly.
Indeed, one of the most complex elements in helicopter operations, especially at night, is landing safely in an unprepared location. Multiple ground obstacles, the size of the area, the type of surface, and the slope are among the elements we must manage during forest landings, for example.
Is it possible to prepare a helisite while waiting for the helicopter? If so, how?
Absolutely! To facilitate our work, we need a minimum size of 100ft by 100ft. We must have a sufficiently large and clear area to perform a safe landing. At night, our ability to see obstacles is also limited. Bushes or objects 12 feet and taller must not be in this zone.
If the landing area is on a forest road, take the necessary measures to control traffic. Make sure no loose objects such as tarps, plastic bags, or clothes can fly away. The area must be as clean as possible. Keep in mind that a helicopter moves a lot of air to hover!
How do you locate the helisite or patient?
To help us locate your position more easily, it would be ideal if you could provide our Emergency Center with a GPS coordinate from a device like a cell phone, portable GPS, watch, etc.
It is also possible to provide us with geographic information such as lake names, sector names, route numbers, kilometer markers, and even known landmarks like snowmobile relay points or major infrastructures. We then use our advanced geolocation tools to identify your location.
Can our members register their geographic position in the Airmedic system?
This kind of pre-recorded information facilitates our work. One of the most important steps in carrying out a medical evacuation is undoubtedly flight planning. Especially in a context where we operate in all kinds of weather conditions, day and night, our response speed is directly related to the advantage of having clear and pre-verified information before leaving our base in your direction.
Thus, having this database including photos, GPS coordinates, contact names, ways to reach you, directly impacts deployment time. We can be on-site faster to provide proper care.
What makes the helicopter pilot’s job easier?
It is certain that arriving on-site and having a duly prepared landing zone greatly facilitates our work. We always have the option to choose an alternative site, depending on various limiting factors concerning the capacity of our helicopters.
We also appreciate when people on-site are proactive in respecting safety measures and manage the people around during the helicopter’s arrival. For your safety, always wait for a crew member to meet you.
What makes the helicopter pilot’s job harder?
Difficult weather conditions (extreme temperatures, low visibility, heavy precipitation, low cloud ceilings, icing, and strong winds), fuel availability in remote areas, and patient accessibility are among the factors beyond our control that pilots face during a medical evacuation.
At night, how can the helicopter pilot land safely?
For several years now, Airmedic has been operating at night. One limiting factor for any aircraft in this type of operation is the ability to land in an unlit area. These sites are usually the locations where we need to access to provide our service. To overcome this limitation, we acquired night vision goggles. They amplify ambient light, allowing us to see despite the darkness. Both pilots are equipped with these goggles to make flight and maneuvers safer.
What do most people often forget during a landing?
From experience, I often notice that people tend to approach the helicopter quickly once we are on the ground. This is understandable considering the urgency of the situations. Keep in mind that a helicopter has many moving parts you may not see; for your safety, stay away and wait for a crew member to meet you. Also, stay outside the 100ft x 100ft zone. Remember to crouch and avoid looking in the direction of the aircraft while it maneuvers. Particles and debris can injure you.
What to do when the helicopter approaches the accident site?
First, make sure we can identify you. During the day, you can signal with your arms, and we will see you from the air. At night, you can use a light that you turn on and off alternately. Note that once the helicopter is approaching, turn off any light sources, and absolutely avoid pointing a light directly at the aircraft as it could blind the pilots. Next, ensure vehicle traffic around the area is controlled.
Stay away from the zone and cover the patient to protect them from debris created by the helicopter. If you have a vehicle, stay inside until the aircraft is fully stopped.
