Citing the persistence of helicopter accidents linked to pilot spatial disorientation, the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) is proposing more training that simulates flying in a lack of visibility and emphasizes recovery techniques in case of inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Proposals from the USHST – a joint effort by industry and the U.S. federal government – also emphasize the need for training in avoiding inadvertent entry into IMC, as well as in conducting preflight planning sessions that include a discussion of how decisions will be made en route.
USHST data show that 130 fatal accidents in the United States were associated with inadvertent entry into IMC from 2000 through 2019. The accidents involved pilots of all experience levels and occurred in all sectors of the helicopter industry, including not only personal/private flights but also corporate, law enforcement, emergency medical services, utility and sightseeing fl…
