TC
Mentoring
HEMS London has a policy of mentoring its medics which is why it needs the extra seat in cabin. If you configure for mentoring then you can do it but you must include it in your master plan and tool-up for a 2-pilot operation.
It would be possible - if folk were rally interested - to do this in a number of ways.
1. You configure the aircraft for 2 pilot ops and put an extra seat in the cabin for Medic 2. You may lose a stretcher but no gain without pain.
2. NPAS can have one aircraft configured for training/mentoring.
3. Those AA counties with more than one aircraft can make some cash using one in the training configuration and help everyone move forward.
4. Mentoring SPIFR needs the same deal with the mentor acting as ballast and safety pilot at the same time.
No perfect solution is available but IT CAN BE DONE if the will is there and the understanding that you cannot send a newbie solo HEMS, Police, SAR, SPIFR or Fire Fighting without realising that the current system is not going to work without this vital ingredient.
A lot of work will be possible in the new (and cheaper) role- related sims - ask ADAC.
We need a process not a slap-happy approach to this serious business of asking young men and women to take on demanding roles without proper preparation.
G.
PS - Of course we will wait forever for the regulators to act on the question of 'mentoring' but it may just be possible for FOIs to interpret the current regulations in such a way that mentoring is recognised as best practice (like aircrew wearing goonsuits offshore which started as an operator choice and was then adopted as regulation) then the lack of a mentoring programme can be found to be 'inadequate' training and role preparation.
Last edited by Geoffersincornwall; 30th Jun 2012 at 21:33.
Reason: post script