Survival Training

Missionary Aviation Aircrew Survival School

Course Information

.

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Survival Training Extraordinaire

This is as good as it gets, folks.  Every once in awhile, a special offer comes along that simply can’t be ignored, and that’s what we have here.  Thanks to a cooperative effort between MSI, Moody Aviation, and especially a dedicated team of instructors from Emergency Response International (ERI), some top-notch survival training is being made available to the mission aviation community at an incredibly low price.  Trust me, these ERI guys are good.  They train many of the world’s best—be it military, special ops, industry executives, or the like—and now they are using their talents to serve the mission aviation world.

The initial training session will be held June 14-18, 2010 at the Moody Aviation facilities at Felts Field in Spokane, WA.  By design, this training will be broad spectrum, covering a wide variety of topics and environments.  Class size is limited and priority will be given to Safety and Training staff who can multiply the effectiveness of this course by incorporating what they learn into their own organizational training.

The training is being provided at cost with those costs being divided equally among participants.  Estimated costs per person for the week are between $250-300.

Course Detail

This is a pilot program specifically designed for mission aviation aircrews that operate in some of the most remote regions of the world.  It is presented by Emergency Response International (ERI) in cooperation with Mission Safety International and Moody Aviation.

The course will be held 14 – 18 June 2010 at Moody Aviation, 6719 East Rudder Ave, Spokane, Washington 99212.  Classes begin at Moody at 0800 on Monday, 14 June and will conclude by 1700 on Friday, 18 June.  Contact information is included at the end of this list.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to Spokane, all meals and lodging, and transportation to and from the field training.  Car pooling is recommended.

Training will consist of classroom discussions, field activities including an overnight bivouac, and water training in a swimming pool using the Shallow Water Egress Trainer (SWET).  During field students will construct their own shelters and will spend the night in them.  Certain materials will be provided to assist with shelter construction.  A  Survival Handbook will be provided and will be used as the course text, along with numerous handouts.

The following list of clothing and equipment will be needed for the various labs and the field portion of the survival course, adjusted as needed for weather and environment.  However, we do not recommend that you buy a lot of new gear for this training.  This is an opportunity to try out what you have and to find out what really works and what does not.

Pool Lab

Swim suit and tee shirt are acceptable. Old tennis, beach shoes or dive booties recommended. No leather shoes, boots or belts. Bring a towel and dry clothes to change into after the exercise.

Field Training

The field training will be conducted in a wooded area within an hour’s drive of Spokane.  Weather is typically warm and dry with a chance of thunderstorms.  The nights may be cool.

Student Clothing and Equipment List

Pack: Large enough for the items on the equipment list.  A water proof cover, such as a large trash bag, is recommended.

Clothing:  For 1 day and 1 night of field training, suitable for the terrain and anticipated weather conditions

Boots: Suitable for the terrain and anticipated weather conditions

Gloves: Leather recommended for shelter construction and other tasks

Water proof shell layer: Includes jacket with hood and pants, either Gore-tex or coated material.

Head protection: A hat with a brim for sun/rain protection.  A large bandana to augment sun and wind protection is recommended and a stocking cap may be appropriate for cool nights…

Personal survival kit: Bring any items that you might normally carry for outdoor activities.  This is a good opportunity to try out clothing and equipment

Sunscreen and Chap Stick: Essential!

Sun glasses: Wrap-around for maximum sun protection are recommended.

Base-plate type compass: Basic orienteering style compass such as a Brunton or a Silva.   Lensatic compass acceptable but not recommended.

Multi-tool: Gerber, Leatherman, etc

Headlamp and Flashlight: A headlamp for working at night is recommended along with a backup flashlight and extra batteries.

Canteen, water bottle, Camelback, or other water container:

Cup: Metal cup that can be heated over a fire recommended.

550 Line: Also known as parachute cord or para cord, 7-strand, minimum of 50’

Signal Mirror: Glass with aim hole recommended

Whistle: Plastic, not metal

Fixed-blade knife: Durable full-shank utility knife for general use and wood splitting.

Saw: Utility saw such as the Pocket Chain Saw or Gerber or Buck folding saw

Food: Enough for 3 meals (1 day and 1 night) in the field.  MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) recommended, or other high carbohydrate foods

Sleeping Bag: A light-weight bag or a bivouac sack should be sufficient.

Sleeping Pad: A closed-cell foam pad or a self-inflating pad such as a Therm-a-Rest recommended.

Applications and course coordination

Stephen Quigg, Mission Safety International
Phone:  717.284.4788

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Email:  CaptainQuigg@netzero.net

Questions about schedules, activities and equipment

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Ralph Wilfong, Director of Operations, Emergency Response International
Office:  509.443.1377
Cell:  509.993.0092
Email:  emtspec@comcast.net
Web Site:  www.eri-online.com

Questions about Moody and the Spokane area

Allison Pfening, Moody Aviation
Office:  509.535.4051 Ext 256
Email:  Allison.Pfening@moody.edu

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Iama Spotlight: LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University’s School of Aeronautical Science offers a broad degree in aviation from a Christian perspective in five majors and 14 total degree concentrations, including mission aviation.

We offer a study of aviation that includes all the elements from design, electronics, air traffic control, computer science, mechanics, technology and flight.

Our solid, hands-on degree concentrations teach the skills and knowledge students need to be successful in the aviation industry. Our state-of-the-art airplanes and labs use the very latest technology: electronics, composite materials, computer software and jet engines. LETU’s aviation program is primarily designed for those who wish to become experts and leaders in the aviation industry.

IAMA Spotlight: Mission Safety International

Mission Safety International (MSI) was founded in 1983. Their purpose is to promote safety, security, and operational excellence within the mission aviation community and related agencies.

We accomplish this through conducting safety seminars, safety audits, publishing safety material (including accident, incident, and “Share Your Experience” reports), assisting with accident and incident investigations,  assisting with developing operations manuals, and coordinating safety resources around the world.

We work in any country where missionary aviation is active.

Our website is www.msisafety.org

Here are a few recent testimonials about our work from field missionary pilots:

Dear MSI,

You have made an impact on this place!

Friday I was going out to a grass airstrip near Biri.  It was my 5th solo flight in our new airplane, the Pilatus Porter, and half way there I got a report from another mission operator that the airstrip was wet, slippery, and soft due to heavy rain that had just ended.

It took me about 5 minutes to make the decision, but the bottom line was that I turned around after I used the AESOP risk management tool you gave us.

The P for “Personnel” reminded me that my experience level in this aircraft was not up to taking on a wet, soft, slippery airstrip.  Thanks, thanks, thanks.

On a sad note, one of our pilots is on his way to Jayapura to pick up some body bags.  Friday morning, a commercial operator here, hit a mountain with their Twin Otter aircraft.  I know the family of the copilot.  They were flying from one mountain airstrip to another and trying to cross a ridge at 10,000 feet when they hit.  I know of 4 Twin Otter crashes at the place they left and this is the 3rd Twin Otter crash at the place they were going.

  If these neighbors of ours would have been at the “To Live Another Day” safety seminar you gave, they would be around to live another day.

Your AESOP Papua pilot, Paul

Dear MSI,
The last time you were here to give a Safety Seminar, one of the speakers talked about how we should use all of our senses in our work.  He said that we shouldn’t just use one sense when doing a job, but to use as many as possible to confirm what we’re doing.  That advice saved us from having a bad accident.

I was getting ready to fuel an airplane the other day, and opened a new drum that was marked “av-gas” but something didn’t smell right.  I poured some fuel into a bucket, and instead of the blue colored liquid that I expected, it was orange!  It looked just like car gas.  I showed it to the pilot and he was shocked!  We checked the markings on the drum and it was clearly marked av-gas, but someone at the refinery had put auto gas in it instead.  The pilot thanked me for doing a good job and for saving what could have been a bad accident.

That day, my nose and my eyes worked together with my hands to prevent a serious mistake.

Godfrey