Originally Posted by
Bogner
Watching UK 'Traitors' final last night, I was surprised to see a helicopter flying around with two people suspended beneath. Not on a winch, as far as I could tell, just a fixed length of rope.It got me wondering about emergencies (and also what on earth they put in their risk assessment 😄!).
Twenty odd years ago I worked in a non-aviation environment with a former pilot who had worked for the National Safety Council of Australia Victorian division (which puts it at no later than 1988 when they spectacularly imploded). He and a colleague became trapped on the ground in a bushfire situation when the wind changed. The only immediately available solution was a helicopter equipped with a cargo winch; as they were being lifted the line broke and the two of them were dropped back to the ground leaving him with ongoing injuries. This was obviously almost 40 years ago now, and in an organisation now long gone which had "interesting" issues. I can't imagine it is representative of what might be allowed to happen today.
By the way, have a google of the NSCA Victorian division if you've never heard of them; it was an extraordinary affair.