EARLY EXPERIENCE OF AN UNDERWATER ESCAPE TRAINER FOR APACHE HELICOPTER AIRCREW
Colonel MG Braithwaite OBE
The Apache attack helicopter has been procured by the British Army Air Corps. As the United Kingdom is an island, one of the major hazards facing all aircrew and particularly those who self- deploy from the home base, is flight over water. The advantage in being able to escape from a submersed helicopter is well established as an aid to survival. The "standard" means of training is the dunker - a helicopter underwater escape trainer (HUET). The Apache presents a unique and complex cockpit from which to escape and so training in a generic HUET is unlikely to be effective. In conjunction with the UK MOD, NUTEC Ltd carried out full emergency egress trials, both on land and in the water using a purpose built Apache Cockpit Module that is a replica of the two cockpits and includes a seat stroking simulation. Following training, subjects were dressed in the various combinations of aircrew clothing and safety equipment. They were then placed in the module to escape through either the port or starboard exit. Several problems related to underwater egress from the Apache were identified. These were mainly confined to small subjects having difficulty reaching the canopy releases. Otherwise, the trials were a complete success, and as a direct result, it was agreed that specific training for Apache crews is absolutely essential. The trials have revealed that frequent training in a specific Apache helicopter HUET is essential to enhance flight safety.
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