Specialised crane for air rescue simulations
A four-ton overhead crane has been used to simulate realistic training for emergency rescue teams, part of the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ’s) newly opened Rescue Centre.
By lifting, rotating and tilting a suspended Eurocopter A365N3 helicopter fuselage above a five‑meter‑deep survival pool, the Condra crane helps to replicate helicopter motion in a hover position. The exercise aims to deliver an authentic, low risk training experience, allowing trainees to prepare for real-world rescue conditions.
The crane and helicopter are integrated through a complex system of electronics and control systems.
Officially opened in October 2025, the Rescue Centre is a four‑storey high, 3 000 m2 building equipped with a range of specialised machinery used to immerse trainees in controllable air rescue conditions of high wind, rough seas and heavy rain.
The centre aims to address a critical gap in regional training capabilities by providing an accessible environment to train and re-train coast guard teams, oil-rig rescue, and other crews who execute land-sea emergency rescue missions.
Teams that were previously compelled to train abroad for mandatory certification can now train locally at a lower cost and without the need to employ active helicopters in potentially dangerous weather conditions.
The UJ Rescue Centre is the only facility of its kind in Africa, with a vision to establish Johannesburg as the continent’s hub for advanced rescue training.
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