Within the space of two decades, search & rescue (SAR) helicopters have had their horizons considerably broadened. The most sophisticated aircraft are now capable of operating day and night, in all weather conditions, hundreds of nautical miles from the coast. Highly advanced mission equipment is the reason for this enhanced capability. While a light helicopter with a hoist is all that is needed for a daytime operation on dry land, performing a rescue at night, a long distance from the coast, calls for a complete set of equipment that can sometimes weigh almost a metric ton. Crews must also undergo complex training. Three levels of equipment correspond to the three main types of SAR operation.

Round-the-Clock SAR Missions

To perform day and night missions, the SAR helicopter must have a sophisticated autopilot (AP) in addition to its standard equipment. The AS365 N3 Dauphin can be fitted with a four-axis AP, which receives information from additional sensors such as a Doppler radar, GPS and a second radio altimeter. This AP ensures automatic transition to hover flight. Just like on the heavier aircraft, the hoist operator can accurately adjust the position of the helicopter using a control stick in the cabin For nighttime SAR missions, the helicopter can be equipped with a forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera, powerful external lighting, a searchlight, and a cockpit that is compatible with the use of night vision goggles.