ARTS trains ab initio Namibian SAR technical crew

On 23 September 2024, ARTS started technical crew training for four Namibians destined to become SAR winch crew. Ian Bonthrone, Managing Director of ARTS, stated that this was a first for the country of Namibia. The four students have previously completed initial crew resource management, fire and smoke, survival and dinghy drills, and helicopter underwater egress training (HUET) with compressed air emergency breathing system (CAEBS) prior to commencing ground school. The first week comprised aviation theory and six hours of pool time, learning winch crew practical skills in the water. At the end of the initial period, the students will have a further two weeks of theoretical and flight training prior to conducting a line check with their operator.

Earlier this year, Omni Helicopters announced the graduation of its first Guyanese SAR rear crew.