Hi SAS,
An extract from an article I wrote earlier this year:
"The Safety Regulation Group (SRG) of the UK CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) published a paper in December 2005 entitled “Summary Report on Helicopter Ditching and Crashworthiness Research”, (CAA Paper 2005/06). In this report, the SRG used a number of other reports from 1984 to 2003, which had been commissioned by the CAA. The main conclusions of the 2005 report were that:-
• the testing done so far was inadequate as the waves tanks produced ‘regular’ rather than ‘irregular’ waves;
• float scoops fitted to emergency floats would enhance stability ‘at minimal costs’;
• additional high-level flotation devices to prevent total inversion should be fitted;
• the upper practical capsize limit for helicopters lies in the region of SS5 or SS6, but there is a significant risk of ditching in seas greater than SS6 in some areas of the operation (e.g. the northern North Sea);
• sea conditions should be defined in terms of a significant wave height, zero crossing wave period and wave spectrum shape;
• sea state steepness should be more rigorously defined.
Of the six findings of the CAA 2005 report listed above, five of them have not been acted upon:
• testing hasn’t been done using ‘irregular’ waves;
• float scoops haven’t been added;
• high-level floats haven’t been fitted;
• sea conditions are still not being defined as the report advised;
• wave ‘steepness’ hasn’t been addressed at all."
I fully agree with your point. But, alas, we have a 'regulator' in the UK which does nothing to enhance 'real' safety, only, as HC and others have posted, 'paper' safety. Just tick the boxes and rake in the money - who cares if people die.
bondu
