As a retired Royal Air Force veteran, I remain a bit of a safety prude. I have seen complacency in our work cause loss of employment, injury, and terrible disasters. Whether for defense, rescue, commercial, or private aviation, aircrew members operate in some of the most dangerous environments and under extreme conditions. We do not have time to second-guess equipment.
To find the same level of discipline toward safety and attention to detail, I look for veteran-owned companies. A pilot, rescue pilot, and combat rescue pilot operate within different envelopes of danger and proximity. Military members are subject to intense training and operational dangers but civilian non-combat aircrew conduct a greater quantity of missions daily.
Either way, our work uniform is flight gear. The aviation equipment Australia produces is of the highest quality. Buy it made here, and get it serviced here. We are always looking for good deals on Nomex gloves and flight suits. Those two kit items are just the beginning of our uniform costs.
What type of helmet are you using? Red Baron ALSE or Flight Helmets Australia, I’ll wager.
- They’re not much use on final approach to an airport but during low-light ocean rescue, night vision goggles (NGV) are a priceless kit item. Get them serviced by the best.
- Where do you go to get your personal locator beacon (PLB) battery replaced? We need licensed repair facilities with qualified technicians and replacement parts on hand. This is go/no-go equipment.
- We also cannot muck about when it comes to communications. Radios and helmet-mounted tackle need to be loud and clear. Pilots and flight nurses have to be linked.
- If one or more of those items fail, your life raft had better have a current inspection date. That is our splashed resort. No one wants to think about it, but we all need to be ready for it on every flight.
We dedicate many hours to training and currency annually. Our proficiency has to meet guidelines to retain certification in any aircrew position.
Our equipment is rightfully under scrutiny as well. When things go wrong, the blame rolls downhill. When they go horribly wrong, it won’t matter who was at fault; will it?
Look for a comprehensive flight gear inspection, maintenance, and training company to avoid the intersection of carelessness and luck.
Ground crew have additional personal protective equipment requirements and are surrounded by dangers from every direction. A far greater number of ground operators than pilots are injured and killed annually. Our jobs are long periods of status quo, with bursts of intense demand.
Do not become complacent. Check your buddy. Check his equipment fit, form, and function together. We are a team and gain confidence through kit surety. Don’t think flight gear will work; know that it does or is ready to. Happy landings are planned.
