Unfortunately, Saturday evening, a pilot was injured while flying the North Side, and the injuries and location of the accident were severe enough to require assistance by a Life Flight helicopter medevac team. After rescue teams and the ambulance arrived, vehicles were parked on the launch fingers to notify pilots in the air that a helicopter would likely be arriving soon, so they should either land or vacate the area. While most everyone complied (although many did so after the helicopter had arrived), there were a couple who did not land until sunset, at least one pilot who chose to fly a couple hundred feet directly over the helicopter while it was perched at the top of the ¾ launch with its engine running and rotor still turning, and at least a couple more who flew directly in front of the ¾ launch around the same time. It should go without saying that this kind of behavior is unacceptable, and the Directors and Officers will be meeting to discuss what actions need to be taken on those pilots. I spoke with the Life Flight pilot and crew before they left, and they expressed their concerns for the actions of those mentioned above. I assured them that we as an association would handle it, and that reprimands and educational information on emergency policy would be distributed accordingly. I truly hope that that is where it ends… While poor decisions were made, I think that understanding the reasons for those decisions are important so that they don’t happen again. The two pilots that chose not to land both expressed that they were uncertain of what to do. To their credit, they did fly to the eastern end of the ridge, and stayed there for the duration of their flights. Both expressed anxiety about flying back to the flight park to land with the helicopter still in the area. While there have been numerous discussions on protocol for this type of situation in club meetings, and through other club communications, it has come to our attention that there is no official written policy, and we will be updating the rules that accompany our membership application accordingly. We will also add this information to our website. Until next year, when most of you will be reading and signing again for the 2015 season, please review the following procedures: • It is every pilot’s responsibility to maintain situational awareness of their surroundings. If you hear sirens on the ground, watch for emergency vehicles to potentially be on-site at any location surrounding the flight parks. The emergency might be in the park, or at the bottom LZ, or potentially anywhere along routes that pilots fly. While the presence of emergency vehicles does not mandate a requirement for landing, they should indicate the possibility of an incident that requires helicopter assistance. Be vigilant for vehicles parked on launch. • Vehicles parked on launch (no matter which launch, on the North Side or the South Side) mean a helicopter arrival is imminent and all pilots need to immediately land or vacate the area (as quickly as is reasonably possible). • If, due to heavy landing traffic or a helicopter already on scene, you feel that it is unsafe to land in the primary LZ’s, choose another LZ at your discretion that you can safely land at. There are many to choose from for both the North Side and South Side. Please make yourself familiar with them. • North Side bail out LZ’s include the bottom LZ, Steep Mountain Park (in the neighborhood east of the flight park), South Mountain Park (next to the Draper Pool), Wheadon Farm Park (south east of Harmons and Bangerter Parkway), or the South Mountain Golf Course. • South Side bail out LZ’s include the bottom LZ, or any of a number of fields located between the frontage road and I15. Thank you for taking the time to read and share this information. Lets plan on having more discussion on this topic at our next club meeting. Please be safe and have a great fall flying season! - Your UHGPGA Directors & Officers
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 21:54:53 +0000
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