Blue Mountains trial for night rescue vision
Trials of new technology to assist search and rescue efforts at night will be held in the Blue Mountains, starting next week.
In a four-year project funded by almost $200,000 of community donations, NRMA CareFlight has received approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to use Night Vision Goggles (NVG) on its rescue helicopters.
NVG dramatically improves night vision to enhance the safety of night flying.
The chief pilot of NRMA CareFlight, Captain Jeff Konemann, said NVG technology has been widely used in Australia for many years by the military and CASA has now approved them for civilian use.
“NVG technology has evolved considerably over the past 20 years and NRMA CareFlight will be using the latest equipment approved for civilian use and we have a number of staff with NVG experience from their military days,” Capt Konemann said.
“NRMA CareFlight has worked diligently on this project for the past four years to meet the strict criteria set down by CASA.
“This is an immensely significant achievement for NRMA CareFlight as it provides the potential for us to offer a much safer night capability to the whole of NSW.
“We are looking to offer this safer option to all emergency services and public support agencies.”
The Blue Mountains will be used for the trial because NRMA CareFlight has conducted hundreds of day and night rescues in its environs over the past 22 years.
“Night operations have always been our most hazardous and now we have the ability to reduce some of these hazards, Capt Konemann said.
“Over the next month or so we will be testing and displaying the capability of our new NVG technology to a range of government organisations.
“With approval from Blue Mountains City Council and Sydney Catchment Authority we will be using the Kedumba Valley and Sublime Point Lookout areas for these demonstrations.”
NRMA CareFlight hopes residents in Wentworth Falls and Leura won’t be alarmed by its early evening displays.
“We can only show the significance of these safety improvements after dark, in an area where we know NVG can help us save lives and reduce risk to rescue personnel,” Capt Konemann said.
NRMA CareFlight plans to conduct the first of four stakeholder trials on Monday 14 April, then into early May, with each ending before 9.30 pm.
ENDS: For further information please call NRMA CareFlight spokesman Ian Badham on 0418 245 748.
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