Air Rescue UK was delighted to welcome our partners at Alidaunia S.R.L. to Sentinel House for three days of intensive helicopter hoist training, supporting four Technical Crew Members (TCMs) in developing their skills through our Hoist Mission Training System (HMTS) and purpose-built hoist tower.
Throughout the programme, the crews completed an impressive volume of training, including:
- 39 simulator sorties
- 22 hours and 58 minutes in the HMTS
- 133 hoist cycles
- 44 hoist emergency procedures
- 8 hoist tower training sessions
The programme combined ground school, practical exercises and immersive simulation to provide a challenging and realistic training environment. Using the HMTS, the crews practised managing emergencies, refining crew coordination and strengthening decision-making in scenarios designed to test their technical knowledge and operational capabilities.
Alongside their simulator sessions, the TCMs used Sentinel House’s purpose-built hoist tower to practise essential practical skills, including cable management, cabin entries and high-line management. These exercises provided valuable hands-on experience, allowing the crews to refine their techniques and develop the skills required for effective and safe hoist transfers.
Simulation and practical tower training provide valuable opportunities to practise complex and time-critical procedures in a controlled environment. By allowing crews to experience challenging scenarios that would be difficult, costly or carry unnecessary risk to replicate in an aircraft, these facilities help develop the confidence, competence and teamwork essential to safe and effective helicopter hoist operations.
We would like to thank the team at Alidaunia S.R.L. for joining us at Sentinel House and for their commitment throughout the programme.
This training is an excellent example of how advanced simulation, combined with practical training, can support continued professional development, reinforce operational standards and help prepare technical crews for the demands of real-world helicopter hoist operations.
