Hoist Camp Issue Paper 2.docx

Hoist Camp Issue Paper ATC Mobile proposal for 07-11DEC20 Hoist Camp

Introduction to the Problem:

Hoisting to a vessel is one of the most hazardous endeavors performed by Coast Guard helicopter aircrews. Safety data over the past ten years has identified 150 MH-60 hoist-related mishaps with the majority occurring during hoists to a vessel. In the last 5 years, there were 117 similar mishaps between both the MH-65 and MH-60. If these trends continue, Coast Guard helicopter crews will experience another 20+ hoist mishaps in the next year. While Coast Guard aircrews are some of the most skilled and proficient hoist operators in the world, there remains tremendous room for growth as hoist techniques are often learned through on-the-job training. The COVID-19 pandemic has furthered hampered training opportunities by decreasing annual Proficiency Courses and stifling unit standardization assessments for calendar year 2020. A general lack of hoist proficiency coupled with COVID-19’s impact to training has created an imbalance that needs to be addressed.

Background of the Problem:

ATC Mobile’s goal is to develop mission ready crews while developing a wide range of aviation capabilities. In order to achieve this goal, STAN pilots and aircrew are continually confronted with developing aggressive and safe training commensurate to the challenges experienced by the fleet. While helicopter crews perform exceptionally during all manner of training and operational vessel hoists, the level of risk is equally exceptional. Rightfully so, there are a limited number of prescribed hoist techniques and procedures contained in the MH-60T flight manual since very few hoists are alike. Because of this, there is a tremendous amount of hoist knowledge confined to those with the most on-the-job experience. Without unit pilot and aircrew training, mishap narratives, and information sharing during upgrade syllabi, important lessons learned are often lost as aircrews leave the service or transition to staff and administrative assignments.

Proposed Solution Develop and implement a “Hoist Camp” from 07-11DEC20 hosted by ATC Mobile’s Training Department, which will provide a blueprint for fleet unit’s desiring to hold their own small or large scale future event. Crews throughout the fleet will be invited to partake in a week filled with lesson’s learned, sea stories, and hoist training with a mix of vessels in varying sea states. The target audience will be Right Seat qualified pilots through Aircraft Commanders. Instructor Pilots and Flight Examiners are more than welcome of course, although the goal will be to broaden the perspective for aircrews with limited on-the-job training. Participants will fly their own aircraft to ATC Mobile and will be housed in the ATC baracks if possible, reducing the threat of COVID-19 transmission created by commercial air travel. Crews will fly in on Monday, conduct hoist training Tuesday through Thursday (or possibly earlier pending curriculum development), and will return home on Friday 11DEC20.

Conclusion Hoist training is vital. Most unit hoist training is restricted to one or several contract vessels and Coast Guard small boats. In many cases, the first time a pilot hoists to a vessel with a small target area, fouled deck, or high mast is on an operational case at night in high seas with limited visibility. Dedicating one week to sharing hoist lessons learned and operational techniques while applying this knowledge in a controlled yet aggressive manner will broaden aircrew perspectives and fill key knowledge gaps. This will also boost aircrew proficiency and provide an outstanding training alternative with the limited opportunities available in the COVID-19 environment.

Office | Document Title | Author | Audience | Date 2020 Hoist Camp | LCDR Dave Garden | 05AUG20 image1.png image10.png image2.png image20.png