Hi Moderator, there is a question about radar usage and SAR ops on another thread, maybe time to merge them?

Oden - no I think the 2 threads are quite seperate in content.

For a raft/small dinghy/person in the water we would go in at 50' (our standard winching height overwater but if we were worried about the downwash capsizing a vessel with people in it we would go in higher (the FCS height hold can cope with up to 199')

At night our SOP is to use auxiliary hover trim (AHT) as the pilot will have little or no references but the winchop will ie straight down at the survivor/dinghy, by day we would generally fly it ourselves just using auto height hold.

Hi Crab, thanks for the answer.

While on the subject, what limitations would you say your aoutohover sytem have from your experience?

Seastate for example?

AHT is that used in the back (cabin) and what ground speeds can you use it up to (fwd,aft, right , left)? Also is it analog or digital, meaning can you select 1,3 kts movement....or does it go in steps...

How many crew do you fly with? 4 or 5?

Nice thread, good to share SAR ops methods.

Reg

Hi, it seams to be alot of SAR people on this thread.

Civ and military.

It would be interesting to compare your recurrency demands that you have in different companies.

What is the minimum amount of training/flying/hoisting you need to stay current, what does it say in your FOM?

What exercises day/night? (not initial training, but what is needed to stay current and be able to be on stby).

Any 90 days rule or even shorter?

It would also be interesting to share your diferent scheduels/working hours.

Reg