Airforces Monthly - February 2017

“The snow on the surface behaves in different ways depending
on how heavy it is. Powder snow requires a special technique
because it can cause rapid whiteout from the downdraft from
the rotor” Maj Thomas Palmklint
equipped with HKP 14 (NH90
TTT) tactical troop transport
helicopters. Among other roles,
the squadron is tasked with
mountain rescue, so Fjällflygning
training is particularly relevant
for the unit’s crews.
Arctic survival
An intense flying training
programme takes place at
Abisko, usually with four twohour
missions each day, and
‘hot’ refuelling between them
if required. Each pilot must
fly a minimum of three sorties
per year to qualify for the
Fjällflygning course, and this
applies to those who have just
converted on to the HKP 14 as
well as for seasoned personnel
undergoing refresher training.
Crews are combined so that
pilots with more experience of
mountain flying can instruct
those who are less familiar.
Arctic survival equipment
and emergency supplies are
ineers
carried in the aircraft in case a
precautionary or forced landing
is necessary in an isolated area.
When flying in mountainous
terrain, special attention must
be paid to the meteorological
conditions. Usually the mission
will be performed in remote
areas where limited weather
data is available, and pilots are
often required to use their skills
to interpret the atmospheric
conditions. Mountainous
terrain can create its own
For many years the
helicopter crews of the
Flygvapnet (Swedish Air
Force) have practised
flying in mountainous
terrain during
deployments to Abisko
in the extreme north of
Sweden. Jan Jørgensen
joins the new HKP 14
(NH90 TTT) on exercise.
www.airforcesmonthly.com
#347 FEBRUARY 2017
65