HeliNOTS (Helicopter Non-technical Skills) is a series of behavioural marker systems, developed by Oliver Hamlet, Dr Amy Irwin, Professor Rhona Flin and Nejc Sedlar of the Applied Psychology and Human Factors Group of the University of Aberdeen. The systems are the result of Oliver’s combined masters and PhD studies investigating the non-technical skills utilised by offshore transport and search and rescue helicopter crews.

There are currently three HeliNOTS systems, the first two released in 2020 focusing exclusively on pilots: HeliNOTS (O) defining the core non-technical skills and behavioural markers for offshore transport pilots, and HeliNOTS (S) defining the core non-technical skills and behavioural markers of search and rescue pilots.

The most recent system, HeliNOTS (SAR), is the result of the HeliNOTS (S) system combined with more recent research with search and rescue winch-operators and winch-paramedics. HeliNOTS (SAR) is a crew-based system for both technical  and flight crew training and assessment.

All three systems were constructed based upon the results of various mixed-method studies and in-depth focus groups with pilots from both roles. They have been reviewed by subject matter experts.

Please click the links below to access the HeliNOTS (O), HeliNOTS (S), and HeliNOTS (SAR) V1.0 handbooks, which include instructions for users, tailored behavioural marker systems and associated non-technical skills rating forms.

For inquiries regarding system implementation, or to request physical copies of the handbooks, please contact Amy Irwin: a.irwin@abdn.ac.uk