Story ID: 528AircareNBAA15
Inflight Emergencies On Tap at Aircare Sim
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The global emergency training provider has brought its latest full motion simulator to NBAA.
Word Count: 570
Global medical, safety and emergency training provider Aircare International is bringing a little simulated danger to NBAA’s annual convention in the form of one of its latest full-size aircraft fuselage simulators. The 53-foot-long, full-motion FACTS VIII simulator parked just outside the convention center doors, near the boarding area for busses to the static display, will be staffed by company experts during the show, offering demonstrations of how to prepare for real-life emergencies, such as hydraulic failure, land and water evacuations, rapid decompression and cabin smoke and fire. The cabin and flight deck are equipped with working emergency equipment, which crews can use during simulations of in-flight emergencies.

“We attempt to eliminate ‘pretending’ during drills,” said Brian Hayvaz, vice president of Aircare FACTS Training. “If the scenario is a smoke-filled cabin, we want the crew to really find that fire extinguisher in the dark, remove it from its holder, really pull the pin and squeeze the handle when they find the fire’s source. Doing teaches much better than pretending.”

That sense of realism is enhanced by the movement of the simulator, which is rocked and bumped by hydraulic lifts, and lifted by an airbag system that emulates smooth aircraft movements. The device features a flight deck and an agnostic business aircraft cabin with overwing exits customizable to represent nine different airframes, including the Gulfstream G650. That combination allows for coordinated training between the pilots and the flight attendants. “We want to teach and train the crewmembers to overcome the stressful situation around them and focus on getting the job done,” noted Hayvaz. “Clear thinking, quick action and the ability to recall procedures and tasks during an emergency are paramount for a successful outcome.”

The Tacoma, Wash.-based company (Booth N3513) also announced that its Aircare Access Assistance product is available as an option on all in-service Gulfstreams as well as on the in-development G500 and G600. In the case of an in-flight medical emergency, subscribers will have access to 24/7 live tele-medical assistance from board-certified emergency room physicians anywhere in the world, complimentary medical and first aid training for crews and medical kit provision, tracking and maintenance. An industry-first offering allows live video patient-to-doctor consultations through the upgraded Aircare RVS Plus. “Aircare and Gulfstream share the same uncompromising standards of customer service and excellence,” said Aircare International CEO Jeff Roberts. “Because of this standard, we share many of the same customers, and we’re now proud to be a part of the Gulfstream product offering.”

On Wednesday here at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Aircare will host an information session to explain the effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on business aviation pilots, flight attendants and mechanics who work in a capacity where they are responsible for their own health care coverage. With the implementation of ACA, all working adults in America are required to carry healthcare coverage or face federal tax penalties. “Those who enjoy the benefit of full-time employment can, and do, look to their employer for access to ACA-compliant plans,” said Roberts. “But those crewmembers and mechanics who distribute their work across multiple employers, or who work too infrequently to qualify for employer-based plans are unfortunately left to figure things out on their own. We want to share our resources to provide some guidance.” The one-hour session begins at 2 p.m. on November 18 in room N203.