Search And Rescue - Question?
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Search And Rescue - Question?
Hello, I am sorry to barge in to your forum being an English chap and all, but I am looking for information regarding Search And Rescue flying in Oz/NZ.
I am only really looking for general info not specifics as yet and I was hoping some of you guys could clue me into any websites that may offer some info.
All I am interested in is how your SAR systems are run. Are they Mil or Civ or a mix? Locations, No and types of rescues?
I am an SAR Pilot in the UK at the moment and I am just looking around for opportunities and just trying to expand my knowledge of my chosen profession. By the way does anyone fly Bell 412s in the SAR role? If so how? We are just starting with them and they are don't appear to be the best cab in the world for it, just the cheapest.
Thanks for your help in advance guys.
OOPS 78
I am only really looking for general info not specifics as yet and I was hoping some of you guys could clue me into any websites that may offer some info.
All I am interested in is how your SAR systems are run. Are they Mil or Civ or a mix? Locations, No and types of rescues?
I am an SAR Pilot in the UK at the moment and I am just looking around for opportunities and just trying to expand my knowledge of my chosen profession. By the way does anyone fly Bell 412s in the SAR role? If so how? We are just starting with them and they are don't appear to be the best cab in the world for it, just the cheapest.
Thanks for your help in advance guys.
OOPS 78
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Yeah the Bell 412 is used in a SAR role. It's main claim to fame is in the specialist medivac world.
Most of the helo's have a multi task role, SAR with medivac.
The Surf Life Saving (SLSA) organisation runs a few helo's.
Child Flight
Care Flight
Lloyd's aka CHC helo's run quite a few SAR helo's and medivac helo's.
Lloyd's/CHC
SLSA hours req'd
Info on SAR
I used Google, you may find other stuff. I hope this helps and I am sure the helo pilots will help out too.
Most of the helo's have a multi task role, SAR with medivac.
The Surf Life Saving (SLSA) organisation runs a few helo's.
Child Flight
Care Flight
Lloyd's aka CHC helo's run quite a few SAR helo's and medivac helo's.
Lloyd's/CHC
SLSA hours req'd
Info on SAR
I used Google, you may find other stuff. I hope this helps and I am sure the helo pilots will help out too.
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Here's the site for Qld Rescue, using B412s
http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/aviation/
There are also (off the top of my head) a BK117, 2 Squirrels, and 2 Longrangers.
Qld Govt Air Wing has a complementary role in SAR, with a B350 and a Hawker jet; Qld Police air wing also chucks in with a Slowtation and a Campervan.
The private sector may be seconded to the role (using the 'Johnny on the spot' principle) and many commercial operators are registered as providers for air search roles on delegation from AUSAR in Canberra.
Cheers.
http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/aviation/
There are also (off the top of my head) a BK117, 2 Squirrels, and 2 Longrangers.
Qld Govt Air Wing has a complementary role in SAR, with a B350 and a Hawker jet; Qld Police air wing also chucks in with a Slowtation and a Campervan.
The private sector may be seconded to the role (using the 'Johnny on the spot' principle) and many commercial operators are registered as providers for air search roles on delegation from AUSAR in Canberra.
Cheers.
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OOPS 78 Here is a link to Search and Rescue in Australia
SAR
Search and Rescue in Australia is primarily conducted by Civil operators. The Military "look after their own" and also provide the long range off-shore capability that the civil sector can't provide, e.g. the southern ocean and ops more than 400nm off shore.
Contrary to JAMAIR's statement of "johnny on the spot" civil operators, AUSSAR has a well defined response capability, utilising 6 levels ( Tiers 1-6) of support. "johnny on the spot" does occur at the Tier 5 and 6 level.
At the top end of the scale, there are three TIER 1 contractors, based in Cairns, Wollongong and Melbourne.
A Tier 1 unit has a dedicated and fully equipped SAR aircraft, crew members on rostered standby and a contracted obligation to be airborne within 30 minutes of receiving a callout daylight hours/weekdays and 90 minutes after hours/holidays.
The Tier 1 aircraft carries a variety of stores, including PADS units (precision aerial drop system) to deliver liferafts, emergency baling pumps, radios and supplies to within one or two metres of a target. Also carried are "Heli-Boxes", also used to deliver supplies,radios etc to within 100 metres of a target.
The aircraft have an avionics suite to enable tasking with precision and this includes homing capability to both 121.5/243 beacons and to aircraft VHF frequencies to enable midair intercept and guidance. ( these capabilities take Tier 1 out of the "Johnny on the spot" capability of an ad hoc chartered aircraft.
Tiers 2-3 have similar capabilities to TIER 1 on an opportunity basis and the response time will include time to configure the aircraft, load stores and find suitable crew. obviously these Tiers cannot respond within 30 minutes, nor are they required to.
Tiers 2-3 are located in Perth,Geraldton, Karratha, Darwin, Alice Springs, Mount Isa, Brisbane, Hobart and Adelaide.
Tier 4 are located at all Tier 1-3 locations and other additional locations. They have limited capabilities, usually limited to searching but are AUSSAR trained.
Tier 5-6 are the "Johnny on the spot" operators registered with Aussar.
Additionally there is a Rotary Wing SAR component covering the majority of the Eastern seaboard with limited coverage of the Western seaboard.
Reef Helicopters are a major contractor to Aussar with Bell 412 and other helicopters.
trust you can find out what you need from this.
SAR
Search and Rescue in Australia is primarily conducted by Civil operators. The Military "look after their own" and also provide the long range off-shore capability that the civil sector can't provide, e.g. the southern ocean and ops more than 400nm off shore.
Contrary to JAMAIR's statement of "johnny on the spot" civil operators, AUSSAR has a well defined response capability, utilising 6 levels ( Tiers 1-6) of support. "johnny on the spot" does occur at the Tier 5 and 6 level.
At the top end of the scale, there are three TIER 1 contractors, based in Cairns, Wollongong and Melbourne.
A Tier 1 unit has a dedicated and fully equipped SAR aircraft, crew members on rostered standby and a contracted obligation to be airborne within 30 minutes of receiving a callout daylight hours/weekdays and 90 minutes after hours/holidays.
The Tier 1 aircraft carries a variety of stores, including PADS units (precision aerial drop system) to deliver liferafts, emergency baling pumps, radios and supplies to within one or two metres of a target. Also carried are "Heli-Boxes", also used to deliver supplies,radios etc to within 100 metres of a target.
The aircraft have an avionics suite to enable tasking with precision and this includes homing capability to both 121.5/243 beacons and to aircraft VHF frequencies to enable midair intercept and guidance. ( these capabilities take Tier 1 out of the "Johnny on the spot" capability of an ad hoc chartered aircraft.
Tiers 2-3 have similar capabilities to TIER 1 on an opportunity basis and the response time will include time to configure the aircraft, load stores and find suitable crew. obviously these Tiers cannot respond within 30 minutes, nor are they required to.
Tiers 2-3 are located in Perth,Geraldton, Karratha, Darwin, Alice Springs, Mount Isa, Brisbane, Hobart and Adelaide.
Tier 4 are located at all Tier 1-3 locations and other additional locations. They have limited capabilities, usually limited to searching but are AUSSAR trained.
Tier 5-6 are the "Johnny on the spot" operators registered with Aussar.
Additionally there is a Rotary Wing SAR component covering the majority of the Eastern seaboard with limited coverage of the Western seaboard.
Reef Helicopters are a major contractor to Aussar with Bell 412 and other helicopters.
trust you can find out what you need from this.
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Mainframe:
I'll take your word for the 'Tier....whatevers', on the basis of your apparently greater knowledge of the topic.
My 'Johnny on the Spot' reference is from personal experience, either in-flight (XYZ, we have been advised of an ELT signal in your vicinity, are you able to investigate etc) or from being registered with AUSAR as a provider (midnight phone call "Giday mayte, can ya go an 'av a look at all the hairyplanes on the apron an' see if anys got their beacons transmitting; if not then can ya crank up yer 'plane and see if ya can locate one that the satelite reckons is in the area.....)
Give me a PM if you know of any planned formal training for SAR ops in Qld; I might drag the beast out for some work.
CYA
I'll take your word for the 'Tier....whatevers', on the basis of your apparently greater knowledge of the topic.
My 'Johnny on the Spot' reference is from personal experience, either in-flight (XYZ, we have been advised of an ELT signal in your vicinity, are you able to investigate etc) or from being registered with AUSAR as a provider (midnight phone call "Giday mayte, can ya go an 'av a look at all the hairyplanes on the apron an' see if anys got their beacons transmitting; if not then can ya crank up yer 'plane and see if ya can locate one that the satelite reckons is in the area.....)
Give me a PM if you know of any planned formal training for SAR ops in Qld; I might drag the beast out for some work.
CYA
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Guys, thanks for your links and information. Just one final question, do you have one Rescue Coordination Centre or do you have many?
In the UK we have 1 Aeronautical RCC, but about 5 Maritime RCCs.
I am thinking about trying to organise a visit by some members of my Sqn to Aus to find out how you guys operate the 412 in hot conditions and how you utilise the limited space in the cabin.
Thanks again for your help.
In the UK we have 1 Aeronautical RCC, but about 5 Maritime RCCs.
I am thinking about trying to organise a visit by some members of my Sqn to Aus to find out how you guys operate the 412 in hot conditions and how you utilise the limited space in the cabin.
Thanks again for your help.
O78,
Since you are specifically interested in the 412, there are a number around the country, mostly primary tasked for Ambulance or Medevac, but SAR when tasked.
CHC have Helimed 1 at LaTrobe Valley, Victoria, and HEMS 3 out of Bendigo, Victoria, both extremely professional and highly regarded units. IIRC, using 412EP's.
CareFlight operate a 412 out of Sydney, and featured (along with Helimed 1) in the Sydney - Hobart yacht race rescue a couple of years ago.
Queensland Rescue have 2 412's, one based at Archerfield, Brisbane, and the other (IIRC) at Townsville. Once again, highly competent and well respected operation.
Most 412's have a heap of gear in the back, at least one Ferno 50 stretcher base athwartships, two paramedic seats, some also have a FLIR control position, also external winch, and the ability to load a collapsible stretcher fore and aft on the stbd side when needed.
Tasking for Ambulance work in Victoria comes from the state run Air Ambulance, onshore (overland ) SAR is initially a State Police responsibility (unless an aircraft is involved), and they will nearly always task their own assets, either an AS350 or a 365N2 Dauphin. They also operate a 365 N2 for the Air Ambulance, covering Melbourne. Overwater SAR tasking is the reponsibility of AUSSAR.
Life wasn't meant to be easy........
Since you are specifically interested in the 412, there are a number around the country, mostly primary tasked for Ambulance or Medevac, but SAR when tasked.
CHC have Helimed 1 at LaTrobe Valley, Victoria, and HEMS 3 out of Bendigo, Victoria, both extremely professional and highly regarded units. IIRC, using 412EP's.
CareFlight operate a 412 out of Sydney, and featured (along with Helimed 1) in the Sydney - Hobart yacht race rescue a couple of years ago.
Queensland Rescue have 2 412's, one based at Archerfield, Brisbane, and the other (IIRC) at Townsville. Once again, highly competent and well respected operation.
Most 412's have a heap of gear in the back, at least one Ferno 50 stretcher base athwartships, two paramedic seats, some also have a FLIR control position, also external winch, and the ability to load a collapsible stretcher fore and aft on the stbd side when needed.
Tasking for Ambulance work in Victoria comes from the state run Air Ambulance, onshore (overland ) SAR is initially a State Police responsibility (unless an aircraft is involved), and they will nearly always task their own assets, either an AS350 or a 365N2 Dauphin. They also operate a 365 N2 for the Air Ambulance, covering Melbourne. Overwater SAR tasking is the reponsibility of AUSSAR.
Life wasn't meant to be easy........
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Qld Emergency Services has 412's in Bris, Townsville and Cairns, plus sCareFlight at Gold Coast - unless something else has changed recently & no-one told me (again.....)
Their configurations are widely varied - the AF one is flat out loading a single stretcher while the Cooly bird can routinely load 4. The northern ones have different aux fuel cell placements and different main cabin windows as well.
Their configurations are widely varied - the AF one is flat out loading a single stretcher while the Cooly bird can routinely load 4. The northern ones have different aux fuel cell placements and different main cabin windows as well.
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Guys, thanks very much for your information.
I have been spoilt in th epast with cabin space being an ex-Sea King Pilot, but I took part in a trial for the stretcher fir for our 412 and whilst they fitted in okay, there was f@@@ all room for the winchman and winchop to work on the casualties during what could be a 45 min transit to hospital.
We have a FLIR turret which interferes with the homers and an instrument panel which has been put together by ACME cockpits ltd.
And why do 412s have the Nr needle as the smallest most difficult to read needle in the cockpit?
The other thing that grips is that the civvie company who are providing the helicopter and engineers for us are using us to do their development work for them, when we were supposed to get a fully functioning helicopter off the shelf.
Anyway, rant over. Thank you for all of your information.
I have been spoilt in th epast with cabin space being an ex-Sea King Pilot, but I took part in a trial for the stretcher fir for our 412 and whilst they fitted in okay, there was f@@@ all room for the winchman and winchop to work on the casualties during what could be a 45 min transit to hospital.
We have a FLIR turret which interferes with the homers and an instrument panel which has been put together by ACME cockpits ltd.
And why do 412s have the Nr needle as the smallest most difficult to read needle in the cockpit?
The other thing that grips is that the civvie company who are providing the helicopter and engineers for us are using us to do their development work for them, when we were supposed to get a fully functioning helicopter off the shelf.
Anyway, rant over. Thank you for all of your information.
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OOPS,
it may interest you to know that in addition to the 412's in Victoria, CHC also operate them in Canberra, Adelaide and hopefully soon in Perth. The Adelaide machine is fitted with FLIR as are all of the 5 S76A++ Autohover machines that CHC operate for RAAF SAR. CHC also supplies N model Dauphines to the Victorian police also fitted with FLIR. Then there is the 407 doing EMS in Mackey Queensland and the 212 doing EMS/SAR for the UN in East Timor which also has FLIR.
Hope that helps
it may interest you to know that in addition to the 412's in Victoria, CHC also operate them in Canberra, Adelaide and hopefully soon in Perth. The Adelaide machine is fitted with FLIR as are all of the 5 S76A++ Autohover machines that CHC operate for RAAF SAR. CHC also supplies N model Dauphines to the Victorian police also fitted with FLIR. Then there is the 407 doing EMS in Mackey Queensland and the 212 doing EMS/SAR for the UN in East Timor which also has FLIR.
Hope that helps
