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Revolutionizing rear crew training

By Jen Nevans

Published on: February 3, 2025
Estimated reading time 13 minutes, 12 seconds.

How mission-critical operators are integrating state-of-the-art virtual reality technology into their training programs.

Helicopter operations such as search-and-rescue, medical evacuation, and military maneuvers are inherently high-risk. Training rear crew members to perform complex tasks in challenging environments requires a blend of realism, repetition, and safety.

This is where cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) simulation training has become a game-changer for providing realistic aviation training for helicopter rear crew members, who often face high-risk situations in the field.

Unlike traditional training methods, which rely heavily on live aircraft exercises, VR simulation allows crew members to practice emergency procedures and complex maneuvers without the risks associated with actual flight. This is particularly valuable for tasks that are dangerous to replicate in real life, such as emergency landings or high seas rescues.

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“It’s incredible to be able to train in virtual reality,” said Lt. Steve Farris, chief pilot at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Section, describing his experiences using VR to train for critical high-risk helicopter missions. “There are things we can do in the simulator that we could never do in the actual aircraft, like emergency procedures.”

The aviation unit is tasked with carrying out airborne law enforcement, aerial firefighting, SWAT support, and search-and-rescue missions. As the only rescue hoist program in the region, the unit often responds to rescue calls from the surrounding counties and beyond.

Seminole is at the top of its class when it comes to providing first-rate training to its pilots and crew members. The unit recently received high marks during an informal “check ride” conducted by SR3 Rescue Concepts earlier this year. But despite its impressive program, Seminole doesn’t rest on its laurels.

The operator recently turned to state-of-the-art VR technology to enhance its training program, particularly for its rear crew members, by enlisting Bluedrop USA and its schoolhouse in Orlando, Florida.

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“We’ve used simulators for pilots for decades, but to be able to do this with crew members is the next level,” Farris said. “I was able to fly as a pilot and work with one of my crew chiefs in this virtual simulation scenario.”

For pilots, VR training provides a rare opportunity to observe and interact with rear crew members in extreme situations.

“Now I have a better understanding, as a pilot, of what a crew chief rescuer could be dealing with in the back,” Farris said. “For me to see that they’re proficient in handling those emergencies in the virtual reality simulator … I’ve never been able to see that before.”

Enhanced realism for rear crew

Bluedrop offers a range of VR and mixed reality (MR) simulation products that cater to the unique demands of rear crew members. Its flagship Hoist Mission Training System (HMTS) replicates the cabin of any helicopter, providing users with an immersive experience that closely mirrors real-world conditions.

“The fidelity of our hoist cable and gunnery solutions mimic the real world so well that it enables you to achieve a high level of training in the simulator, similar to what pilots experience in their flight simulators,” Brett Ulander, president and CEO of Bluedrop USA, told Vertical Valor.

Ulander added that the cable dynamics in the simulator “match the real-world effects of weight, wind, rotor wash, and airspeed, so the cable maneuvers are similar to what you would have in the actual aircraft.”

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Whether it’s a Sikorsky S-70 used by Cal Fire or an S-92 used by Cougar Helicopters, VR simulation provides highly realistic scenarios that rear crew members are likely to encounter in the field. Through VR technology, rear crew members can practice SAR missions in various simulated environments, including heavy rain, dense fog, and high winds, while using helicopter technology like searchlights or night vision goggles (NVGs).

“We can do multiple scenarios, from rescuing hikers lost in the mountains to responding to a capsized ship,” Ulander said. “And we can perform these in both regular search-and-rescue environments or combat search-and-rescue environments, with the gunnery system integrated as well.”

This level of realism is essential for rear crew members, who must be prepared for complex, high-stress situations during critical missions. By simulating various emergency scenarios in a VR environment, rear crew members can build muscle memory and develop quick decision-making skills.

Whether it’s deploying rescue swimmers to life rafts in turbulent seas or performing a hoist operation under extreme conditions, the VR environment offers a safe yet challenging space for operators to practice and refine their skills, Ulander said.

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A comprehensive training solution

While VR systems are not designed to replace live training, they can be used to complement maneuvers that are practiced in the helicopter.

SAR hoist operator and instructor Rob Munday, who has used VR simulators both as a student at Cougar Helicopters and as an instructor with SR3, said simulators are “part of a much bigger training package, supplementing real-world flying and providing a better training experience overall.”

By offering a holistic approach to training, VR technology can help rear crew members better prepare for situations they may encounter in the real world.

“There are many ways to deliver and provide high-quality training,” Munday said. “For certain procedures, it’s honestly better to go out and do the real thing in the helicopter. But there are many training scenarios that can be accomplished safer, more effectively, or more efficiently through the simulator.”

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With the increasing costs of flight hours and fuel making it challenging for organizations to secure training time in helicopters, shifting more training scenarios to VR simulation can still provide a high-quality training experience, while saving those flight hours for real-world missions.

Munday sees value in using simulators to practice basic standard operating procedures, as well as emergency maneuvers, which can be dangerous to train in a real aircraft but should still be practiced nonetheless.

One of the standout features of VR training is its ability to facilitate full crew coordination. In Bluedrop’s HMTS, rear crew members can work alongside pilots in the simulator, allowing them to practice communication and teamwork in a realistic setting.

“The system’s ability to allow the rear crew to work with the pilot is one of the best things it does — giving full crew coordination and mission rehearsal, so the rear crew and pilots can ensure all procedures are correct,” Ulander said.

This emphasis on crew coordination is particularly valuable in high-stakes missions where clear communication and teamwork are essential for success. By practicing together in a simulator, crew members can build the confidence and familiarity needed to perform under pressure during real missions.

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Pushing the boundaries of VR training

Looking ahead, Bluedrop is focused on incorporating MR into its hoist training system. The company plans to upgrade to the latest Varjo XR-4 headsets, which will allow for both MR and VR training.

“You’ll be able to see your own hands and the actual hoist cable, but everything else will be virtual around it. That’s an especially huge R&D challenge,” Jeremy Joseph, vice president of capture training and simulation at Bluedrop, told Vertical Valor.

Bluedrop has already incorporated MR into its weapons training products and is just months away from adding the feature to its hoist training system, Joseph said.

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Building on the evolution of VR simulation training, the company is exploring the possibility of integrating multiple aircraft that will fly together in a single training scenario, allowing rear crew members to train as part of a larger mission rehearsal.

Ulander said this next step represents a significant advancement in simulation training, offering even more realistic and comprehensive training experiences for rear crew members.

Meanwhile, operators like Cougar Helicopters, Seminole County, Cal Fire and the Department of Defense, continue to reap the benefits of what today’s VR technology offers for rear crew members.

“To be able to annually go out and have the crew chiefs run through the emergency scenarios in a simulator, that’s next level for us,” Farris said.

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