Helipad Happening Ed 1

First Edition…Hello everyone
So much happening, not enough communication, that was my initial thoughts when deciding to put together a quick down and dirty update on the world of hospital helipads from my perspective and to pass on what is going on in the industry and how it may affect you in the future.
 
“Apologies for the cheesy title”
 
I hope the idea works and it provides you with information that may not filter to you through other means. Please, if you would like to comment / provide me with some feedback, please do, it is the only way to make things better. 
 
Oh, and I am no journalist either so apologies if it is a little rough around the edges.

Note that the online version is not the full document, please feel free to email me for the entire script.

Air Accident Investigation Branch - Derriford Report

I think everyone is anticipating the issue of the report into the Derriford incident which occurred in March 2022. The rumours were that the report would originally be issued in August 2023, however this was delayed due to additional consultation regarding the report and its recommendations. 
 
As soon as the report is on the streets, it is my intention to break it down and send everyone a summary of the findings and more importantly how it may affect your site and how to fix it!
 
For ground and raised sites, the report will without doubt have some impact. 
 
Separate from the Derriford incident, it is definitely worth monitoring the AAIB website or subscribing to its updates, as there are occasions when reports are issued in relation to hospital or HEMS operations. The most recent being a HEMS aircraft that landed at a HHLS without traffic control or helipad manning in place. A synopsis of the report is below:

The helicopter landed at a hospital elevated helipad that was not prepared with fire cover and traffic management because the hospital was not aware of its imminent arrival. 
 
The message reporting the departure was sent too late and using an unreliable communication method. 
 
The method for pilots to visually confirm the helipad was ready during the approach was not emphasised in the site-specific procedures provided by the hospital and the operator. 
 
The operator has taken action to improve communications and review the procedures for all elevated hospital helipads it uses.
 
The full report can be viewed here:
 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6447d781814c6600128d0605/AW109SP_G-TAAS_05-23.pdf

Downwash news

Hot topic as always and related to the much-anticipated AAIB report. The Aussies have had a few incidents and subsequently issued some Safety Advisory Notices. Obviously not UK but well worth reading some of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau issued documents. First one is a summary of an incident which injured one member of the public which offers basic advice on managing rotor down and outwash.  Link here:
 
https://www.atsb.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/AD-2022-001-SAN-001_0.pdf

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Also, I have sent a link to the video below before attached some inspection reports but again, the link is below to the awesome BP sponsored downwash information animation. It is offshore centric but easily can be read across to hospital helipads.  

Worth filing and using for any safety briefing / training sessions the helipad team may have.

Random Stuff and Company News
I had a call from a site recently asking me about the markings on the landing area as they knew the obvious (the name of the site) but the other markings…hmmmm! So, I thought I would put together a basic guide to helipad markings: