Page 83 - AA 2018_11

A Complete Aircrew Training
System (CATS) utilises
virtual reality (VR) to deliver
experiential training . mark jessop

indication of impending mechanical track record in delivering successful
An AW139 simulator. failure) and the adrenaline is now outcomes, even when confronted with
mark jessop pumping back into the bodies of the high pressure, high stress and time-
aircrew, while the paramedic and critical situations.
doctor are still focused on the patient’s
needs as the pilot and aircrewman A real-life cost
consider their options. The aircrew While our example shows the
know that any further delays may intense pressure faced and the
cost the life of this patient, but the professionalism required to get people
chip light has other implications for to safety, there are situations where
the ongoing safety of the crew and rescues do go wrong. Accidents have
the helicopter. It’s dark, and several occurred internationally and locally
time-critical decisions will now here in Australia with investigations
need to be made under increased identifying safety issues relating to
workload associated with the aircraft training that could adversely influence
emergency. crew performance.
Although this scenario could easily These lessons have served as
be a real event, it is taken from one of a catalyst that led to a significant
the recent virtual reality (VR) training investment by NSW Health to learn
scenarios that crews must deal with, from various tragedies and to build
to assist them to develop their non- a training facility and operations
technical skills (NTS) during their support centre that is second to none
regular NTS training program at the – easily among the very best in the
Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter world.
Service’s Aeromedical Crewing
Excellence (ACE) Training Centre at The ACE Training Centre – setting the
Bankstown. new benchmark
Welcome to the world of emergency Australian Aviation regularly ‘road
medical services. These men and tests’ aircraft and this is our first
women face significant challenges in ‘road test’ of a human factors training
complex situations every day to help centre, in this case the ACE Training
save your loved ones. There is no Centre, supported by Convergent
doubting the professionalism and the Safety, which delivers an impressive
NOVEMBER 2018 83