On May 10, the NTSB held a hearing to announce the probable cause and draft findings and recommendations related to a fatal air-tour helicopter accident that occurred on Dec. 26, 2019, near Kekaha, Hawaii, on the island of Kauai.

In response to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report identifying inadequate training for pilots to recognize weather hazards while in flight for tour pilots within the islands of Hawaii, Helicopter Institute will be opening enhanced weather training centers in Honolulu and Kona, Hawaii.

The Hawaii locations will provide flight simulation for the majority of make/model helicopters located within the Hawaii helicopter industry.

“Training will focus on the unique weather patterns within the Hawaiian Islands and those most important decision making skills to prevent future IIMC encounters there” commented Randy Rowles, president of Helicopter Institute. “Additionally, our training program will emphasize use of the Weather Enhanced Safety Areas (WESA), along with Site Specific and Enroute Operations which will be available to all Hawaiian helicopter operators”.

Along with on-site simulation, Helicopter Institute has partnered with ICARUS, patent holders of the Smart Electronic View Limiting Device which will be available to Hawaii helicopter operators for enhanced “weather cue training” during in-aircraft IIMC training events.

Helicopter Institute is an advanced helicopter training center providing manufacturer-alternative training for pilots of Airbus, Bell, MD, and Robinson helicopters. Additional training includes Part 135 A031 Contract Training, and Part 135 Management Training. Enrichment courses available include Mountain (High Altitude), External Load, Fire Fighting, and much more. Office locations are in Fort Worth, Texas and at the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Campus in Prescott, Arizona.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Helicopter Institute.