ESPN-R PCDS Guidelines now published extensively

Dear ICAR Air Rescue Commission colleagues and friends in the air rescue community:

The European Safety Promotion Network – Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) recently published its Personal Carrying Device System (PCDS) Guildeines, a valuable document which addresses composition of PCDS equipment, usage, combination and potential incompatibilities. It provides an overview of experience best practices and requirements for PCDS usage in helicopter hoist operations and helps in clarifying certification aspects.. 

This publication was the result of a collaboration among many helicopter rescue veterans, and will serve rescue specialists, medical crewmembers, and pilots in many valuable ways for years to come.

The PCDS final report is attached.  Recently, Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters joined with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to publish this guideline.  You can find the Airbus notification here and the links from EASA here and Leonardo here.   

Congratulations to Alexander Weissenboek, Airbus Helicopters, Julien Eymard, Leonardo Helicopters, and the ESPN-R Hoist Operations Safety Promotion Task Force members, each of whom worked tirelessly to make this important work happen.

Best Regards / Meilleures salutations  / Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Distinti Saluti / Saludos cordiales

Charley Shimanski

ICAR Air Rescue Commission President

Charley Shimanski + Air Rescue Commission President + 67 Pauls Road + 80439 Evergreen CO + USA
mobile +1-303-9099348 + www.alpine-rescue.org