Helikopter - But the authorities never required two pilots......

They got a lot of bells, chimes and blinking lights, but not the crucial second pilot.

IHST: Bad Attitude Can Cause AccidentsHelicopter accidents happen when pilots allow themselves to take unnecessary risks, according to the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST). “If pilots learn to recognize their attitudes for what they are, they can deal accordingly and operate safely.” The team clumps bad pilot attitudes into five distinct categories that help explain their drawbacks. “No one can tell me what to do” is an attitude found in people who may either be resentful of someone telling them what to do or may just regard rules, regulations and procedures as silly or unnecessary. The IHST acknowledges, however, that it is important to question authority if you recognize an error. “Do something–anything–quickly” comes from people who frequently do not stop to think about their actions and often don’t select the best alternative. “It won’t happen to me” types acknowledge that accidents happen but also believe they’ll never be involved. “Of course I can do it” people need to prove they’re better than everyone else and often take unnecessary risks. While this pattern is thought to be a male characteristic, the IHST says women are equally susceptible. “Whatever happens, happens” people do not see themselves making much difference in what happens to them. This type of person is known to go along with unreasonable requests just to be “nice.”


FAA Updates AC on Helicopter EMS Operations
The FAA recently published a new advisory circular–AC 135-14B–to address operational procedures and equipment requirements for helicopter air ambulance (HAA) operators following an increase in fatal HAA accidents. The AC is addressed to existing and prospective Part 135 certificate holders planning to conduct HAA operations, their employees, employees of associated medical services, public service and governmental operators conducting air medical transport and to FAA Principal Inspectors with oversight responsibility for HAA certificate holders. Part 135 Subpart L addresses safety improvements for commercial helicopter operations through equipment requirements, pilot testing, alternate airports and increased weather minimums for all general aviation helicopter operations. This AC offers guidance through the application of best practices which, when tailored to local and operational requirements and the appropriate scope and complexity of each organization, provide one of many possible ways to ensure safety and compliance with regulatory requirements within an HAA operation. Many of these requirements also directly address recent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) safety recommendations.