Using On-Board GPS to Identify Training Needs of Helicopter Pilots

Abstract

In forest harvesting, helicopter extraction systems are incredibly versatile due to their ability to avoid many of the obstacles that encumber ground based and skyline systems. Helicopter yarding is used for a variety of reasons including site sensitivity, urgency to remove or deliver the product, lack of access, and slope of the terrain. Because of the high cost of helicopter yarding, maximizing productivity is critical. There are many site and stand factors that affect productivity, but pilot experience and skill is also known to be important. Job training of new pilots can be very expensive, including the loss of productivity during the training phase. Basic time studies can be used to show differences in productivity between pilots. This project shows that by using an on-board GPS system to capture elemental time study data, that is geo-referenced, it becomes possible to isolate in detail during what phase of the turn cycle a trainee is not efficient. Using data collected at three different sites in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA, basic productivity curves were developed for each yarding element and indicated that inexperienced pilots produced between 33 and 43 tons less per productive machine hour. For these case studies, the trainee pilot was losing most of his time positioning the helicopter when hooking trees, although reduced acceleration and maximum top velocity was also noted. With detailed feedback, the trainee pilot and/or trainer can focus efforts to improve training effectiveness and reduce productivity loss during the training period.