Rescue operation highlights needs for preparedness

In the early hours of Tuesday, 6 February 2024, the Faroese longliner Kambur, capsized 17 nautical miles southwest of Akrabyrgi, sent out a desperate distress call. Within moments, a helicopter crew was airborne, racing to the scene. What followed was an intense rescue operation, where 14 crew members were saved and airlifted to safety. This remarkable mission, later celebrated on the local Fisherman's festival, highlighted one key lesson: when disaster strikes, a strong emergency response system and a highly trained helicopter team make all the difference.

THE POWER OF SIMULATOR TRAINING

For years, Atlantic Airways’ helicopter crews have honed their skills in simulators long before such training was required by law.

“We’ve been training in simulators in Texas for years, and that’s where we truly saw how vital they are to our skills as helicopter pilots,” said Hans Erik Jakobsen, Head of Training at Atlantic Airways Aviation Academy. “The simulator allows us to practice complex failure scenarios – ones you wouldn’t want to risk with a real helicopter – making us far better equipped to face situations that would otherwise be unmanageable.”

Jakobsen, the driving force behind the soon-to-open AW139 simulator in the Faroe Islands, has long envisioned this cutting-edge training tool.

“The idea of having our own simulator has been a dream for years. Since 2001, we’ve handled search and rescue (SAR) in the Faroe Islands, performed countless offshore operations, and flown to the region’s remote islands. After nearly three decades of operations, we’re one of the few helicopter operators with this kind of expertise,” he explained.

Since 2005, Atlantic Airways has run its own type rating training organization (TRTO) school, which means Atlantic Airways has been training its own crews for nearly 20 years. “With our extensive experience, knowledge, and training infrastructure, setting up a simulator center is the natural next step for our development,” added Jakobsen.

Jakobsen is adamant that simulator training is a game changer for flight safety, significantly reducing the number of helicopter accidents: “In the simulator, we can safely train high-risk situations that would be impossible to practice in real life, making this kind of training absolutely essential for ensuring aviation safety.”

A LEAP FORWARD IN TRAINING TECHNOLOGY

The new AW139 simulator being acquired by Atlantic Airways Aviation Academy is groundbreaking.

“Our simulator is designed for all three current versions of the AW139 helicopter. On top of that, it’s tailor-made for SAR and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) training with a custom-made hoist trainer featuring force feedback and winch tension, just like a real hoist,” Jakobsen shared.

The simulator is a Level D full-flight simulator, complete with a dedicated hoist trainer that allows rescue teams to practice using mixed reality goggles. This allows rescuers to experience the same real-time visual and operational scenarios as the pilots, making the training as immersive and realistic as possible.

Jakobsen concluded: “This is a major leap forward compared to the simulators available today. With this new technology, helicopter operators involved in SAR operations can train with us, benefiting from our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities. This will enhance pilot and rescuer skill levels and boost overall flight safety, preparing crews for real-life situations like the Kambur rescue.”

The new simulator center is expected to open in early 2025, marking a significant advancement in aviation training and safety.