First-time Heli-Expo exhibitor SRT Helicopters (Booth No. 454) has brought nearly a dozen rescue professionals to the show to discuss real-world training topics–including total resource management, hoist operations, night-vision goggles (NVG), “blue water” operations and fast roping–for helicopter operators of all types.
Founded by former U.S. Army Special Forces member and helicopter pilot Chris Gadbois in 1989, California-based SRT Helicopters provides customized on-site pilot and crewmember training at the customer’s facility. Going beyond simple recurrency training, SRT requires the operator to fill out a 50-question pre-bid questionnaire to determine the crew’s training needs. Three to four days before the scheduled training begins, SRT sends an advance team to inspect the customer’s helicopters and other equipment, interview crewmembers about their operational environment and review maintenance logs. This advance preparation allows SRT to tweak the training plan to address individual safety concerns and operational deficiencies.
