Positivt HEMS tiltak - HTAWS

I USA som i Norge opererer HEMS, altså ambulansehelikoptrene, med kun en sertifisert flyger. I USA er dette en særdeles utsatt form for flyging. Det har det også vært i Norge. Her er heldigvis situasjonen bedret adskillig. I USA løser man problemet med "chimes and whistles". Nå kommer altså et nytt hjelpemiddel som en enslige flygeren skal diskuterer operative problemstillinger med; HTAWS.

FAA Provides Guidance On Helicopter Terrain Awareness System Mandate


FAA is laying the groundwork for a proposed new requirement for installation of the helicopter terrain awareness and warning system (HTAWS) on helicopters used in air ambulance operations. The agency released draft guidance-draft advisory circulars 27-1B and 29-2C-detailing the anticipated technical requirements for installation.

FAA has been working on a comprehensive rule covering equipment and operational requirements for both air ambulance and commercial helicopter operations. The notice of proposed rulemaking was released in October 2010, and FAA has been targeting a July 2012 release for the final rule. However, that date may get pushed back since it still must undergo both U.S. Department of Transportation and Office of Management and Budget review.

However, release of the draft guidance on April 2 signals that the final rule is well under way, and the HTAWS requirement, at least for air ambulance operations, is widely expected.

FAA in 2000 mandated the installation of TAWS on all turbine fixed-wing aircraft with six or more passenger seats. And in 2005, the agency recommended that helicopter operators consider using TAWS for night operations when conditions and missions dictate.

But the agency did not include helicopters in the TAWS requirement because the technology, which is designed for fixed-wing applications, presents operational difficulties for helicopters, such as nuisance warnings, FAA says.
HTAWS, however, is tailored for helicopter operations, taking into account the fact that helicopters typically fly slower than airplanes and operate closer to the ground in "hazard-rich" environments, the agency says.
HTAWS is also able to assess the aircraft position over a smaller area of terrain than TAWS, helping prevent warnings to pilots about obstacles that don't pose an immediate hazard. "FAA believes that the decrease in nuisance warnings with HTAWS increases the usefulness of the equipment," the agency said in the NPRM.
The proposal specifically calls for installation of HTAWS, saying TAWS units designed for fixed-wing aircraft could not be used as an alternative.