FLIGHTSAFETY
Reality-Based Simulator Training
Pilots coming to FlightSafety receive tailored training from the best instructors in the business, who are dedicated to their success and strive to take their piloting skills beyond regulatory minimums. FlightSafety training challenges pilots, as they know there is always something valuable in tackling the next scenario. The fundamentals are never skipped, but training goes deeper by examining events that may happen based on pilot experience or real operational flying data. When systems fail or conditions deteriorate, FlightSafety makes sure the pilot has something to rely on: effective training to increase their likelihood of success.
Of course, this base of knowledge is developed through cutting- edge full-flight simulators and advanced-technology reality replication. There are many scenarios where simulation is the only way to expose pilots to things too risky to encounter in-flight.
Simulator training can be paused during scenarios for detailed instruction and corrections. It can be reset so the pilot can fly the maneuver or approach again, putting the focus on efficient training without burning fuel or putting people or the aircraft in jeopardy.
That might be the first time that you’ve ever had that type of stress thrown at you. This training gave us confidence to handle it.”
That level of preparedness is the standard, said Andrew Bright, FlightSafety’s Denver Learning Center director. Instructors develop training scenarios based on real-life situations.
In this case, the scenario focused specifically on inadvertent IMC.
“That’s always a stress point, because so many of these helicopter crews are VFR only,” Bright said. “In an emergency medical services (EMS) or law enforcement operations (LEO) situation, you might be flying from one point to another and come over a ridgeline. You had plenty of cloud clearance, but suddenly you don’t; what’s going to be your response at that time?”
Constructive feedback happens in the moment, not just an hour afterward in the debrief. Those little bits of valuable information and training aren’t lost or forgotten between the classroom and the flight.
Coming Home From Danger
In that 2020 flight, Sizemore and TFO Vogelmeier had just completed a successful search for a suspect. They coordinated with troopers on the ground in Ohio’s southeast section – the hilliest and darkest portion of the state.
After the search concluded, Sizemore turned north for refueling at the airport in Athens, Ohio. Just a few miles away, the reportedly clear conditions deteriorated, leaving Sizemore and the helicopter visually blind in a cloud.
“Your instinct is to dive below, but the training says that’s not the best course of action,” Sizemore said.
Better Communications Through Preparation
Prior to 2019, Sizemore had done most of his training either in an aircraft or on a lower-tech training device. That year, he was able to attend FlightSafety’s Denver Learning Center for his recurrent training on the Airbus H125 (AS350) helicopter. And as part of a new program for the Highway Patrol, his tactical flight officer (TFO) Taylor Vogelmeier was able to attend as part of full crew training to better prepare communications and handle emergency situations.
Even as a veteran pilot, Sizemore immediately saw the benefits of training on a Level D AS350 simulator.
“The quality was so much better than what I’ve seen before,” he said. “The visuals, the motion – all replicated what it was like better than anything I had used before. It went well beyond introductory training.
“We didn’t want the first time our tactical flight officers were going to experience anything out of the norm to be an actual emergency.
Vogelmeier immediately recognized the danger they were in and used his FlightSafety training to jump into action. He provided Sizemore with altitude, airspeed, pitch, and bank information to help coordinate their safe descent. They turned off law enforcement radios, cutting out distractions.
Together, Sizemore and Vogelmeier slowly and methodically maneuvered to visual meteorological conditions (VMC), a little bit at a time, leveling out and stabilizing the aircraft repeatedly before descending. With the tools they had, the unshakable team returned to VMC conditions. They landed safely and were able to be with their families at Christmas.
“I was thinking just a few months before, a medical helicopter went down in that same area when they experienced a snowstorm that wasn’t supposed to be there,” he said. “Our clouds weren’t supposed to be there either.”
Sizemore said it’s not every day that one gets to see the value of preparation show itself so clearly in an event outcome. He saw it clearly that December day.
“The training literally just saved our lives.”
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