Training Program

CareFlight crews are often called upon to undertake medical and Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR)missions in hazardous weather conditions and challenging locations. To ensure that these operations are carried out safely and efficiently, CareFlight follows a comprehensive training program.

AusSAR - Helicopter Search & Rescue

CareFlight is a civil SAR unit providing helicopter search and rescue coverage for AusSAR. When a rescue beacon is activated by a downed aircraft or by a boat that is in trouble, AusSAR in Canberra tracks the beacon and dispatches CareFlight to conduct a Search and Rescue operation on its behalf. Special airborne training is conducted to equip CareFlight crews with the skills needed to rescue people from remote and mountainous bushland or treacherous sea conditions. Pilot and aircrewman need to work closely to manoeuvre and then hold the helicopter hovering in position, sometimes within ravines battling fierce winds, while the doctor, paramedic and patient are winched from and back to the helicopter. Crews undertake six-monthly live helicopter rescue procedures and three-monthly static winch training to keep currency. The CareFlight rescue winch simulator allows the doctors and aircrewmen to practise winching and patient care scenarios as a team, while maintaining the on-line availability of the helicopters.

HUET - Helicopter Underwater Escape Training

In the event of a helicopter being submerged, it is essential that the occupants be trained and mentally prepared to resist disorientation and panic, and to get themselves to the water's surface: HUET teaches the necessary skills, including sea survival. The course involves both classroom and practical sessions. Participants practise using the survival equipment in the relative safety of a swimming pool.

Personnel who frequently fly over water are required to undertake HUET every two years.

Instrument Flight Training

CareFlight pilots regularly practise their instrument flying skills using CareFlight's AT-21 Synthetic Flight Trainer. This 'Elite Airtrainer' is a new IFR training device which exceeds the requirements for CASA approval as a Category B Synthetic Trainer. It enables pilots to simulate instrument approaches (including Global Navigation Satelite System Non-precision Approaches) at any location in Australia. The trainer is used to conduct instrument flight instruction and to satisfy instrument flight recency requirements.