Aircraft have revolutionised remote access. In the past tasks that may have taken days to accomplish can now be completed in a matter of hours with a suitable aircraft, skilled and experienced pilot and personnel that have trained to work together.  Due to this easy access personnel can go from pavement to remote wilderness quickly without the time to mentally or psychically adjust to the conditions and/or environment.  Training is an important step to address these issues.

This course is designed to give those involved with aircraft and helicopter operations an understanding and appreciation of the hazards and requirements to work safely around aircraft. There are both theory and practical components to the course to insure that a wide variety of learning styles are met.

This course will focus on the basics of working safely in and around aircraft.  Participants will be required to:

• Demonstrate how to safely and efficiently load and unload personnel and equipment.
• Demonstrate simulated survival procedures and know the location and use of emergency equipment.
• Locate and manage a safe landing site for an emergency incident.
• Effectively communicate with the pilot of an aircraft.
• Identify and manage risks appropriately.

Duration: The course material is normally delivered over one day with other standards based training occuring on the second day. There is introductory course work and assessment occurs alongside the training.

Course recommended: for all search and rescue personnel (or similar) with a current or planned involvement in aircraft operations.

Prerequisites: Completion of the Introductory Workbook and involvement in some aspect of the search and rescue sector (or similar) is an advantage.

Venue recommendations: classroom type setting for inside work with a large whiteboards, Powerpoint projector OHP/PowerPoint screen, multi box and extension cord and reasonable proximity to an airfield. Discuss options with the Lead Instructor.

Participant requirements: Participants will be expected to wear normal personal protective clothing and footwear for helicopter use in SAR environments and to bring a small pack.

Helicopter hire, venue hire and location, participant accommodation and catering and other course logistics will be dealt with by the local course organisers while SARINZ will provide the course content and registered assessors.

Cost: TBA on enquiry.

Course Numbers: minimum of 17 and maximum 24 participants (Larger groups negotiable - contact search@sarinz.com to discuss options)

This course includes two NZQA modules: