The National EMS Pilots Association is a professional
organization dedicated to serving pilots involved in the
air-medical transport industry, and to improving the quality and
safety of those services. Formed in 1984, NEMSPA helps EMS
helicopter and fixed-wing pilots to keep abreast of current
industry issues, thereby contributing to each flight program that
has NEMSPA members.
This air tactic was purely defensive in nature, and could only
be mounted by flights of multiple planes working together. The
tactic involved all members of the defending formation forming a
horizontal circle in the air when attacked. This way, each plane
would theoretically protect the plane in front of him. It was
thought that an attacking fighter would be unable to attack any
member of the formation without coming under fire himself. The
tactic was intended for slower, less capable aircraft when attacked
by aggressive enemy fighters.
"I think the prudent thing to do ... is ground the
aircraft."
Source: Jim Hall, who served as the chief of
the National Transportation Safety Board from 1994 until 2001. Hall
has called all twin-engine turboprop airliners to be grounded
immediately, claiming planes such as the ATR 72 and the Bombardier
Q400 may suffer from inherent safety issues in icing conditions due
to their relatively slow speeds, and the nature of their deicing
systems.
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