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2020-10-13

GFS’s H175s:Flying High,With a Noble Mission

Talk about search and rescue operations and the name of Government Flying Service (GFS) of Hong Kong instantly flashes in one’s mind.

It was in 2015 that the renowned paramilitary flying organisation that provides world-class emergency air services to the local community decided to engage a fleet of seven H175 helicopters to service a range of public service demands.

Now, with a tally of 5,300 flight hours in nearly two years, the H175 fleet has unambiguously proven to be the multi-mission answer for GFS. Emergency services are always challenging as they involve round-the-clock services. Equipped with a team of 41 helicopter pilots and 46 aircrew officers, having a fleet of seven H175 helicopters has enabled GFS to provide multiple services on a 24-hour basis.

Captain Graham Dann has been with GFS for nearly 10 years. In his words: “As a helicopter operator, we are quite unique. We cover the full spectrum, it can be challenging, but keeps everything fresh. We have a variety of teams available on standby for anything and everything, with search and rescue missions being our bread and butter, whether it’s day or night, in a range of conditions, including typhoon season, maritime environments, mountainous terrain, and hot and humid weather.”

Search and rescue is, of course, GFS’s primary focus, but routine business also involves aerial surveys, fire fighting, maritime tasks, law enforcement support, and offshore medical evacuations.

Training Programme

Consistent training is a crucial factor that keeps the team on its toes. As the first operator of the public services variant of the H175, the team maintains a comprehensive training programme as it transitions to the new fleet.

Integrating the new fleet while maintaining the usual scope of commitments posed a challenge, but GFS was able to implement a training programme with the services provided by Airbus Helicopters Training Services (AHTS) on site.

As GFS Air Crewman Officer, Benny Chan, who alongside Captain Dann is currently involved with the H175 training programme, explained: “We are grateful to AHTS’ pilot and crewman instructors for delivering extensive training in Hong Kong. We were not familiar with the H175 at the time, so it was really helpful to have the AHTS team here to answer questions.”

Tracing Survivors

The COVID-19 pandemic may have applied a temporary brake, but hiking has remained a favourite pastime in Hong Kong’s mountainous terrain, which means GFS is often called to help hikers who have wandered off the beaten track, fallen from heights or down a slope during heavy rain.

“Teamwork is fundamental,” as Captain Graham Dann points out. “The crew, which is liaising with ground parties to find survivors, often increases to include a hoist operator, a winchman, a medic and possibly members of a mountain rescue team.”

It’s not just exclusively about land operations. GFS also receives a number of maritime requests that include the search for suspected drownings, surveying the number of dolphins in the area, and the rescue of canoeists and swimmers. They are able to go further offshore and provide medevac assistance for commercial or cargo vessels.

“With the ability to travel up to 200 nautical miles with around 45 minutes on scene in operation (and further if we refuel on an oil rig), we are able to extend our rescue efforts beyond the square boundaries of Hong Kong and travel further out during maritime missions,” explains Captain Dann.

Tech Advantage

The effective use of technology strengthens the mission. GFS’s fleet of H175s are integrated with a number of innovative capabilities, including the Digital MAP (DMAP), a dedicated search radar, and a range of sensors to provide enhanced flight precision and situational awareness during SAR missions.

If engaged in an operation that requires the assessment of a specific location or operation, GFS is also able to employ the video download link - a feature that relays footage to the ops team for analysis.

“When we perform a hover, we are able to use the electro optic system (EOS) camera in visual mode to look at the winching area to spot hazards and look for survivors. We also use the Loud Hailer system to amplify messages to survivors,” says Chan.

The challenge is much more when lost hikers are hidden underneath high trees or bushes. “In such a situation, we call them to get specific information. And if we’re on the phone with them, as we get closer, we can hear the aircraft,” continues Officer Chan.

Once the survivor has been located, the stability of the platform is crucial for the hoisting operation. “Helionix and its range of upper modes to safely let down in all conditions is beneficial. Once we are in hover, it’s all about choosing the best upper mode best suited for the environment,” reveals Captain Dann. ”It’s important for the pilot to be able to fly manually and to find the right balance between manual and upper modes depending on the conditions.”

Night Missions

As is common knowledge, night missions are tough.

During night operations, the minimal equipment or switches that require access in the upper compartment mean the crew can move around the cockpit with greater ease, even while wearing their night vision goggles (NVG). “The spectrum of lighting on the H175 makes night missions more comfortable; the crew can adjust the cockpit lighting according to their needs and/or when wearing NVG, and can utilise the hover floodlight, belly steerable light and tracker beam when necessary,” says Captain Dann.

Pandemic Situation

COVID-19 has created turbulence across the globe and hit normal life. With the pandemic remaining active, GFS has been able to continue HEMS operations with the implementation of strict measures and modifications to accommodate COVID-19 patient transport.

“We now have a curtain separating the captain from the cockpit, and maintain ventilation in the aircraft to avoid static airflow. We are quite confident with our procedures, because we had a similar experience with SARS in 2003,” stated Officer Chan.

GFS’s fleet of H175s continues to offer comfort and relief and that’s certainly heartening news especially for the victims.

Reference Text/Photo: www.airbus.com

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