rescue personnel for a long-term contract in the Falkland Islands. Using two SAR-equipped AgustaWestland AW189s, the team will provide SAR and medical evacuations for military operations, as well as for the islands civilian population and local fishing fleet. Further global expansion this summer will see ARS develop its training presence across the Atlantic through a new entity, ARS Europe. Developed by ARS with a European partner, ARS Europe has set up operations in Prague, Czech Republic, at a former Soviet military base. In addition to rescue courses, it will provide initial pilot training sanctioned by the European Aviation Safety Agency.In addition to its training service and the provision of highly skilled personnel, ARS also creates its own specialized equipment for rescue, utility and tactical applications; this is the final element of ARSs core philosophy to provide a complete service solution to its customers.To create these products, the company has its own in-house team, which handles everything from the design and engineering to the manufacturing of the products. Among the equipment developed and manufactured by ARS are innovative victim extraction devices, fast rope and short-haul kits, personal retention lanyards, cabin/door anchors, and comfortable, lightweight tactical or rescue/safety full-body harnesses.The knowledge of SAR equipment that ARS brings to the table, I believe, is unprecedented, said Bitton, who credits one of ARSs safety devices as being responsible for saving two of his personnel. [That] ARS [is] manufacturing and testing SAR equipment affords Air-One access to the latest in SAR equipment and mission safety, he said.The Kauai agencies also have high praise for the ARS equipment they employ. ARS brings a quality short-haul system that can withstand the vigorous demands of our mission, said Oliveira. Its a system that we absolutely love because of the easy attachment to the helicopter. Because we deploy and retract ropes constantly during our mission, its a quick and safe process.Much of the expertise behind ARSs hardware manufacturing is the result of a long-term partnership with John Yates and his company Yates Gear. The company is a highly-regarded manufacturer of mountaineering and rock climbing equipment, and has an extensive product line of professional utility, rescue, and tactical hardware.ARSs ISO 9001:2008 accreditation for its quality management system assures customers the company has met the industrys highest manufacturing standards, and, earlier this year, it also earned approval from the FAA for its quality control system. The latter will prove particularly important as ARS works toward FAA TSO-C167 certification for personnel carrying device systems (rescue harnesses).Throughout the world, the role of the police helicopter is evolving. Crews are being asked to tackle unfamiliar and demanding missions that require new perspectives, skill sets and hardware. Through the three-pronged provision of training, personnel, and equipment, ARS aims to offer customers a complete service solution, helping them safely adapt to this extremely challenging, and ever-evolving, environment.Fonte: www.verticalmag.com