09/01/2026
Advancing Hoist Safety Through Collaboration & Innovation
Over the past two days, Priority 1 Air Rescue has had the privilege of hosting the European Safety Promotion Network – Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) Working Group at our Search and Rescue Tactical Training Academy in Bordeaux, France.
We brought together Subject Matter Experts from across the rotorcraft and Search & Rescue community to discuss opportunities to further enhance hoist operator training and safety across Europe.
🔹 Key discussions included:
Building foundational hoist skills through simulation — using Hoist Procedural Training Towers and Virtual Reality simulated training devices to provide new hoist operators with a strong foundation in procedures, communications, equipment operation, crew coordination, and decision-making before progressing to live-flight helicopter training.
Bridging simulation to live operations — developing training pathways where skills learned and demonstrated in simulated environments can prepare operators to enter the live helicopter environment with greater confidence and competence, allowing valuable flight-training time to focus on higher-level operational skills.
Developing recommendations for European hoist operators — sharing Subject Matter Expert knowledge and identifying opportunities for standardized, practical approaches to simulation-based hoist training across the European Union.
These conversations are an important part of building a shared approach to training, operational excellence, and safety promotion within the European rotorcraft community.
A big thank you to all the experts who contributed their knowledge, experience, and ideas. Together, we can continue to raise the standard for Search & Rescue hoist safety.
“Train the fundamentals in simulation. Validate and advance those skills in the aircraft.”
