View Full Version : Helicopters and Coronavirus
chopper2004
6th Mar 2020, 00:39
CANG 129th Rescue Wing assists with the corona virus stricken cruise ship by flying our testing kits and CDC personnel alongside their PHS.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/03/05/california-air-national-guard-speeds-coronavirus-testing-kits-to-cruise-ship/
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x900/1ae437e0_4795_4079_b5b4_99fb31c85776_beb14ee58540cc7b22d9129 df03b76267e22b365.jpeg
Back door
8th Mar 2020, 00:00
CANG 129th Rescue Wing assists with the corona virus stricken cruise ship by flying our testing kits and CDC personnel alongside their PHS.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/03/05/california-air-national-guard-speeds-coronavirus-testing-kits-to-cruise-ship/
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x900/1ae437e0_4795_4079_b5b4_99fb31c85776_beb14ee58540cc7b22d9129 df03b76267e22b365.jpeg
A quick question about the video, I noticed that the helo dropped off a pax via "double lift" (the term we use). We only pick up via the double lift and only deliver personnel via horse collar or by a carabiner hooked up to our LPSV's (aircrew) . Is this common practice for the CANG?
Awesome job by the way!!
Perfectly reasonable to use a double lift to deploy the pax, the crew member going down with him keeps him protected (though not the trickiest deck to winch to) and the crew member already on the deck managing the hi-line stops them both swinging or spinning. A bit belt and braces perhaps but inherently safe.
SASless
8th Mar 2020, 12:36
Crab.....remember...it was the Air Force doing that mission....the Army and Marines would have had them Fast Roping down!
Back door
8th Mar 2020, 15:58
Perfectly reasonable to use a double lift to deploy the pax, the crew member going down with him keeps him protected (though not the trickiest deck to winch to) and the crew member already on the deck managing the hi-line stops them both swinging or spinning. A bit belt and braces perhaps but inherently safe.
Makes sense, definitely allows you more control, just looks clumsy getting out of the door, that’s all
chopper2004
12th Mar 2020, 22:53
It appears the Aeronautic Militare Italiana (AMI) Leonardo HH-101 Cesar is starting to transport corona virus patients with special Cbrn bio hazard interior. Also they have new tactical grey colour scheme ...
https://theaviationist.com/2020/03/10/while-italy-is-locked-down-italian-air-force-hh-101a-helicopters-carry-out-covid-19-biocontainment-missions/
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/678x381/fdd72cde_90bd_4927_bdc5_ae17b1bb1f65_3883408f6228eb7499a51a1 3010550065ebd9b0a.jpeg
chopper2004
17th Mar 2020, 01:56
Crab.....remember...it was the Air Force doing that mission....the Army and Marines would have had them Fast Roping down!
Came across Northern Vietnam Helicopter Service Corp FB page and their crews Or pax wearing hazmat in lieu of corona.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/540x960/ee2a0e49_05fc_41ce_865a_ce2ea0bba686_07fd3cd1888f8c4ada560c7 bd9a087f3f4848090.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/854x641/72d620a6_c71f_4230_9430_dec080728367_487e157597d40e323392fe2 cd0423a1e536cdbf8.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/854x641/c6d784ff_c32c_437b_983a_f12b045032bb_471e20f55fb43044cf3dac6 9aaf04905cc1305eb.jpeg
Wonder what protocol our offshore operators - Babcock, CHC, Bristows, NHV et al given any guidance.
Don’t think there have been any cases confirmed offshore as yet....
cheers
Evil Twin
17th Mar 2020, 07:39
I’d really like to get it soon so I can get over it and move on.... it is getting blown out of all proportion. People dying from influenza still massively outweigh those killed by corona, a significant number of those infected display few of any symptoms and recover very quickly.
I guess that why you’re an aviator and not an infectious disease specialist.
lowfat
17th Mar 2020, 10:49
https://www.energyvoice.com/coronavirus/228847/chrysaor-worker-quarantined-on-north-sea-platform-over-suspected-coronavirus-case/
Sir Korsky
17th Mar 2020, 12:13
lots of tour pilot lay offs in NYC now. Some tour operators planning on shutting down entirely during the crisis. Sadly, more and more to come.
ApolloHeli
17th Mar 2020, 12:30
FWIW I know some companies here in Switzerland have suspended all Part-CAT operations until 16th April. Part-SPA & Part-SPO still going ahead though.
yarpa
17th Mar 2020, 21:34
When will we see a disturbance in the supply chain for parts, do they come from the Airbus and Leonardo factories in Europe?
Gordy
17th Mar 2020, 22:36
Luckily in my world, fires and power lines do not stop for people getting sick..... I have had a flood of resumes of people about to get laid off from other sectors of the industry.
buzz66
26th Mar 2020, 02:01
AW Parts are going to be worth a small fortune very soon
Jetscream 32
26th Mar 2020, 11:04
Here in the UK - JRCALC have issued the following - conveyancing Covid-19 is section 5.1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-ambulance-trusts/covid-19-guidance-for-ambulance-trusts#identification-of-possible-cases
I have been made aware of 2 young and previously healthy pilots now down with Covid 19 and suffering badly - one who was on rig duty wearing PPE and another on air ambulance. This really isn't something you want to catch if you can avoid it.
Meanwhile some employers are trying to insist on continuing flying training claiming the social distancing at work guidance is somehow discretionary!!!! How can 2 hours in a small cockpit comply with any Govt guidance?
Jetscream 32
26th Mar 2020, 16:04
I have been made aware of 2 young and previously healthy pilots now down with Covid 19 and suffering badly - one who was on rig duty wearing PPE and another on air ambulance. This really isn't something you want to catch if you can avoid it.
Meanwhile some employers are trying to insist on continuing flying training claiming the social distancing at work guidance is somehow discretionary!!!! How can 2 hours in a small cockpit comply with any Govt guidance?
They would be better off in the classroom or sim if they are that desperate - I don't think its currently appropriate to continue flying training because if you have an incident or accident and end up in a field with or without damage - as soon as someone reports an a/c has 'crash-landed' near my house - the whole world and his wife in resources respond... Not helpful at all at times like this where we need every available asset for C-19 work.
hillberg
26th Mar 2020, 19:03
covid is a political tool. more people died from Hillary Clinton and her Arab Spring
Apate
26th Mar 2020, 21:41
covid is a political tool. more people died from Hillary Clinton and her Arab Spring
What? Like what!
I despair at the selfishness my fellow countrymen can sometimes display here in the UK. However when I look at what is happening across the pond and particularly at the mad political nonsense in the States, I very quickly realise that we in the UK are still actually a very civilised society compared to some others. A president that is happy to gloat about people dying in New York because the mayor is of a different political persuation is beyond anything rational or humane!
hillberg.....what? Like what?
nomorehelosforme
26th Mar 2020, 21:50
What? Like what!
I despair at the selfishness my fellow countrymen can sometimes display here in the UK. However when I look at what is happening across the pond and particularly at the mad political nonsense in the States, I very quickly realise that we in the UK are still actually a very civilised society compared to some others. A president that is happy to gloat about people dying in New York because the mayor is of a different political persuation is beyond anything rational or humane!
hillberg.....what? Like what?
Apate,
hillberg posted a similar crap post on the HEMS and COVID-19 thread last night, he is clearly deluded regarding the seriousness of this situation.
Ignore his ****e and move on!
Apate
27th Mar 2020, 05:35
Apate,
hillberg posted a similar crap post on the HEMS and COVID-19 thread last night, he is clearly deluded regarding the seriousness of this situation.
Ignore his ****e and move on!
Thanks.
"hillberg" = troll
Now filed away for future reference :ok:
nomorehelosforme
30th May 2020, 20:13
Saw this news report and wondered how tour companies can comply with current restrictions? As well as the company in this report I also saw last weekend the R44’s on Panama Beach were busy with their 10 minute tours.
A helicopter sightseeing company that lost five passengers in a 2018 East River crash (https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/2-dead-helicopter-crashes-east-river-article-1.3868758) is setting aside social distancing rules as it offers big discounts to lure customers in the coronavirus pandemic.
FlyNYON, a New Jersey-based outfit that offers doors-off chopper tours of New York City, is running online advertisements that show masked passengers sitting inches away from one another on the helicopters.
https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-flynyon-crash-chopper-company-social-distancing-20200528-tkec6x753zh2tociojma5u5iwy-story.html
Bell_ringer
31st May 2020, 05:40
Ignoring the nonsense above, save that for a fox news chat board.
Airlines don't need to comply, they do this on the basis of good air filtration and regular cycling of air. Personal protection and good hygiene practices are the best you can do.
Distancing can't be done in some environments, all you can do is take precations and accept the risk. After all, if you can go to the shops regularly then a helicopter flight isn't changing the risk profile that much.
Bell_ringer
31st May 2020, 18:05
There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.
Isaac Asimov
Washeduprotorgypsy
31st May 2020, 19:51
Always good to know that all is right with the world by those who enjoy reading and living science fiction.
aa777888 is dead wrong about Sweden - they are now suffering massively and have the highest death rate of the Nordic states.
Isaac Asimov was a thinker, unlike the masses ignoring social distancing to riot in US cities - guess where the next Covid hotspots will be!
He was a brilliant man who you can't just dismiss just because he was a science fiction writer. How often has science fiction become science fact because intelligent people thought outside the box?
Senior Pilot
1st Jun 2020, 11:23
More than comfortable to have a discussion around the thread title: not so comfortable with attempts to turn this into a political one. A number of posts which belong in JetBlast Politics have found Bin 13 already.
the draconian measures taken in the US, and realize that unless they are over 60 years of age and/or have some sort of significant comorbidity, they are as safe as they are with the flu. Trouble is, 70% of Americans are overweight or obese and over 100 million have either type 2 diabetes or prediabetes which usually turns into diabetes proper in less than 5 years. And 13 % of the US population is black (about 38 milliion). So a significant number are already at higher risk before you even consider age or other medical conditions or don't you care about them because you'll just get a cough and a sneeze and be over it?
Peter PanPan
1st Jun 2020, 19:17
I’d really like to get it soon so I can get over it and move on.... it is getting blown out of all proportion. People dying from influenza still massively outweigh those killed by corona, a significant number of those infected display few of any symptoms and recover very quickly.
This comment hasn't aged too well I suppose.
Peter PanPan
1st Jun 2020, 19:23
Youre spot on. Sweden have adopted a very open/free/lazy approach.
The main reasons given;
”Harder restrictions dont work”
”This is the professional epidemic experts setting the limits, in other countries the politicians do political panic actions”
Now when borders are opening, swedes is not welcome.
The swedish politicians now claims ”We have to be solidarity, you have to let us in also”.
Most other countries have had a much lower spread, and most important: they have hade the number go very low.
Sweden have not, in fact we have quickly increasing numbers in some regions.
Please dont let us in your contries!
Almost forgot: Swedish airforce is flying covid patients with Blackhawk and NH90.
Interesting, could you please share more information about how the Swedish Airforce is handling COVID-19 patients ? Are you familiar with their protocols?
nomorehelosforme
1st Jun 2020, 21:26
Trouble is, 70% of Americans are overweight or obese and over 100 million have either type 2 diabetes or prediabetes which usually turns into diabetes proper in less than 5 years. And 13 % of the US population is black (about 38 milliion). So a significant number are already at higher risk before you even consider age or other medical conditions or don't you care about them because you'll just get a cough and a sneeze and be over it?
Crab, possibly true, glad your address isn’t as well known as the US Embassy on Nine Elms!!!!!
Interesting, could you please share more information about how the Swedish Airforce is handling COVID-19 patients ? Are you familiar with their protocols?
Tried to PM your basket was full.
Nomorehelos - it's not my opinion, it's from the US CDC stats on US health - sadly we are not that far behind I fear.
John R81
2nd Jun 2020, 15:42
WHO thinks that Sweden is the role-model
https://fee.org/articles/who-official-sweden-s-policy-of-individual-responsibility-a-model-for-the-rest-of-world/
When looking at infection / death, I believe Seden has a far higher rate of testing than most. Certainly the view for UK is that the true infection / death rate is 2x the recorded stats, as only those actually admitted to hospital were tested in the early days. Anyone dying in a care home or in general population was not tested at that time.
You can check-out what stats each country is putting out here https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ click on the country link in the table below. But remember, if that country counts "in an odd way" then the stats for that country are dubious.
aa777888
2nd Jun 2020, 17:57
Sweden is doing it right. Thanks for that article, John.
I'd like to understand how Germany, Denmark, Norway and Finland are doing so much better than everyone else. It could be the perfect storm of genetics, behavior, restrictions, population density and age distribution. Assuming the data coming from those countries is correct, of course.
This is a much better web site than Worldometer: https://covid19.healthdata.org/sweden Be sure to use the various comparison tools. It can keep one entertained for quite a while.
Sweden is doing better than Belgium, Italy, UK, France, and Spain, and not much worse than the Netherlands, Ireland, and the US. And, again, they are doing it without draconian impacts on their economy.
For those who, through luck, effort or both, are living relatively comfortable lives, it is all too easy to support a very restrictive environment. I'm still gainfully employed, thank goodness. Many helicopter pilots remain employed in the US because most helicopter related aviation is considered "essential": military, public safety, utility, inspection, agriculture, ENG, HEMS, etc. Most training op's seem to be running. Probably logging. Not sure about construction. Tours no. However, for every helicopter pilot still getting a paycheck, or for those collecting pensions, there are uncountable others who are either financially ruined or on the brink of ruin. That is going to take its own toll in lives. So while people are are happily flying around getting a paycheck, or resting on their laurels, there is a serious reality occurring. And it's getting worse. And there are unintended consequences. One wonders if the recent civil unrest in the US would be so prevalent if the unemployment rate was still 3.6% instead of above 20%. Dramatic, highly restrictive measures associated with this pandemic seem like common sense, but are probably far from it.
Bell_ringer
2nd Jun 2020, 18:29
Sweden has one of the highest death rates in the world and they have paid a price.
This isn't a one size fits all scenario.
Every country has a different social, economic and healthcare demographic.
Sweden has 10M people, the city of London alone has almost that many. 1/33 of the US population.
They have a great public healthcare system that looks after everyone, not just wealthy, fat, golfers with bad combovers.
It is easy to take a test-centric approach there.
They also didn't do "nothing", they just did a lot less and let the people be sensible, they could afford to do so.
For this they paid a heavy price, something those affected by don't celebrate quite as much as those who want to use them as an example of how to do it.
It is a foreign concept, but beyond city, county and state lines is the rest of the world. Everyone has suffered and have had worse measures than the US.
A nation that is used to seeing trouble happening elsewhere in sanitised minute-long "news" segments is now coming apart at the seams because it is very real.
Because you don't see it, doesn't mean it isn't real.
Go speak to healthcare workers. People who have lost loved ones.
No one suggests that economic loss isn't severe and that this shouldn't be minimised. It is an impossible balancing act and, yet again, hindsight will be a perfect science.
In civilised cultures, life has a value. Business does not always come first.
Without healthy people, there is no business and vice versa.
It is not an either/or situation.
The US has always been insular, but perhaps spend a little less time watching local news and reading the internet, it provides a very narrow and distorted view of the world.
It is unfortunate that the only real export from the US these days is cancerous division and misinformation.
Sweden is doing it right. Thanks for that article, John. No they are not - look at the date of that article - the end of April. Now look at up to date reports to see how wrong that assertion was.
And, again, they are doing it without draconian impacts on their economy. That's not so either, Sweden are experiencing the same freefall in their economy as everyone else.https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/30/coronavirus-sweden-economy-to-contract-as-severely-as-the-rest-of-europe.html
If Covid was actually as fatal as some had predicted and the US Govt did nothing while millions died would you still be celebrating that your personal freedoms weren't infringed by the State?
Governments have a responsibility for their people but sadly I can't hold up the UK Govt as a shining example - leadership is a whole lot more than winning votes and spinning news.
Sweden has one of the highest death rates in the world and they have paid a price.
This isn't a one size fits all scenario.
Every country has a different social, economic and healthcare demographic.
Sweden has 10M people, the city of London alone has almost that many. 1/33 of the US population.
During the last month people seems to have got tired on the voluntary social distancing. Shopping malls are crowded, bussiness as usual and at pubs and resturants there is to many people(max 50 allowed) so the authorities try to hunt and is threatening to shut down the places not following the laws/guide lines. The authorities do not find all violations so....
This means more people is getting covid and now there is increasing numbers of people taken into hospital for Covid care in some regions.
There was a lot of talk about heard immunity even from the authorities earlier but after some critism they say ”we never tried to go there”, but the strategy has not been clear at all so no one really knows. Yes, it has been less hard on the economy but at a cost of around 10 times the dead per capita compared to the neighbour countries. If letting several thousand people die is a acceptable cost for a less hit on the economy, then yes Sweden is doing right.
I believe that during the first months it was possible to have some kind of voluntary distancing but when ppl get tired of it, and the summer comes....
We can see that the total cases number have a steady rise in Sweden but most other countries in Europe have flattening curves of total numbers. Still, Sweden only reports confirmed tests and despite being in ten in top on most aspects, we are only at place 56 when it comes to total testa performed. The authorities have tried to thwart testing by all means, most common comment has been ”tests, for what purpose”.
New daily cases are on a rather steady level, not really decreasing. Death tolls per week isnt decreasing that fast either.
(reference to worldometer)
Senior Pilot
2nd Jun 2020, 20:56
Thread title guys: take this to the JetBlast CV19 thread, thanks.
muermel
21st Aug 2020, 23:24
Sundance Helicopter Tours LV closed for good :eek:
Tour operator Sundance Helicopters has closed down for good thanks to Covid 19 and the related drop in tourism in Vegas, only a presence for charter work will remain in LV, although I suspect with much reduced fleet size and staff.
This really sucks
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/628x408/sundance_cce6df4c52226815487cd497196f5c606086f5af.jpg
From the companys FB page.