ABSTRACT
Within Australia, there are approximately 15 helicopter rescue services, often referred to as emergency medical service (EMS) helicopter operations. These form part of the nation's aeromedical evacuation and search and rescue (SAR) resources. Since the early 1980's most of these helicopter services have progressed from using single-engine helicopters, limited to visual flight rules (VFR) operations only, to twin-engine helicopters capable of operating in most weather conditions and under the instrument flight rules (IFR). Besides one pilot, the helicopters carry one or more crewmen, whose primary role is to operate the helicopter's specialised rescue equipment and assist the medical team. This chapter summarises a study which evaluated a potential role for rescue helicopter crewmen to reduce pilot workload by assisting pilots in-flight. The study evaluated the issues involved in the provision of in-flight assistance to the pilot by the crewman during single-pilot operations, to reduce pilot workload with skills obtained through formal training and qualification.
