Babcock Australasia (Babcock) has introduced three upgraded static winch trainers into its Victorian aviation operations, as part of its ongoing commitment to safety and advanced air crew training.
The winch trainers provide Babcock Air Crew Officers (ACO) and Air Ambulance Victoria MICA Flight Paramedics opportunities to practice and refine their winch rescue skills in simulated conditions. This land-based training serves as a valuable complement to their live training requirements.
The upgrades form part of Babcock’s five-year $370 million contract extension with Ambulance Victoria, supporting the delivery of safe, timely and expert patient care during complex emergencies across the state.
Training commenced on the first refurbished trainer at Ambulance Victoria’s Essendon Airport Base in February. Additional trainers have now completed implementation at Bendigo and Warrnambool bases, further supporting regional capability.
Babcock is one of the country’s leading providers of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Nationally it operates 18 helicopters from seven bases, including in South Australia, Queensland and Victoria, utilising the expertise of 325-plus aviation staff.
In the past 12 months, Babcock has commissioned multiple new and additional helicopters into its HEMS fleet. It has also signed contract extensions across commercial aviation for ground support equipment maintenance and with the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service to service its appliances and equipment.
Quotes attributable to Babcock Australasia Managing Director Aviation and Critical Services Duncan Milne
“Victoria is home to the largest portion of Babcock’s Aviation & Critical Services business, operating from bases in Essendon, Warrnambool, Latrobe Valley and Bendigo.”
“Winch rescues are one of the most high-risk and complex tasks that MICA Flight Paramedics undertake during the course of their jobs. Their safety, and that of the patient they are rescuing, is paramount.”
“These upgraded resources will create ongoing training opportunities for our crews to practice scenarios and perfect their technique so that when they do it in real life, they can perform to the highest safety standards, utilising best practice procedures.”
Quotes attributable to Acting Manager Air Operations, Air Ambulance Victoria Rupert Freeman
“These static trainers form an invaluable part of the development and ongoing training of our MICA Flight Paramedics and air crew. They enable our crews to refine procedures and augment our real-world experience in a realistic but simulated training environment. This enhances safety and ensures we are ready to respond when we are needed most.”
