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HelicopterVolume 42 Number 2 Autumn 2018

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

The Industry’s Leading Commercial & Defence News Journal

In this issue: ??? £4.50/US$6.55

ISSN 0143-1005

Helicopter INTERNATIONAL Page 43

Commercial 49Sikorsky S-76D sales struggle... PHI and Waypoint in financial trouble...Ansat and Mi-8-AMTs for EMS... Transcend tilt-wing... UTAir reports losses...Kopter SH09 flight trial delay details... Penzance Heliport given go-ahead etc...

Tail Rotors 72News Updates from around the world - Autumn 2018

Regional NewsAsia Pacific 52Offshore Worldwide 66North America 65Parapublic 62

MarketingAccident Spot 68Civil Sales 69Classified 73Commercial Systems & Support 70

GeneralBook Corner 67Droning On... 51Helicopter History 67The Collective Column 45

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© Avia Press Associates 2018

Front Cover Picture:The Wales Air Ambulance is thelargest HEMS service in the UK,operating four fully-equippedhe l i copte r s ac ros s thePrincipality. The Charity alsorecently took over the leasefor the Cardiff City Heliport.

VOLUME 42 - NUMBER 2 - AUTUMN 2018

Contents

Military Helicopter News 53

Defence 54Bell V-280 expands performance... Sea King asbestos warning...Leonardo begins Filipino Wildcat tests... Pakistan confirms ATAK order...India agrees Naval helicopter buy “in principle”... US Navy introduces ALMDS etc...

Censored 58Military News Updates from around the world - Autumn 2018

Member of the Periodical Publishers

AssociationASSOCIATIONPUBLISHERSPERIODICAL


The Collective ColumnElfan ap Rees

Publisher/EditorELFAN ap REES

Flinst SMM MBIM Associate RAeS

Managing EditorCLAIRE ap REES

North American EditorKENNETH SWARTZ

EDITORIAL OFFICE75 Elm Tree Road, Locking

Weston-super-Mare,Somerset, BS24 8EL

ENGLANDTel: +44(0)1934 822524

e-mail: [email protected]: www.aviapress.co.uk

Contributing EditorsRashid Ali

Oscar BernardiPhilippe Boulay

Frank ColucciBob Evans

Peter FosterEmanuele Ghiroldi

Pierre GillardToni Heumann

Robert KerrJuri Matvejev

Trevor ReesKiyoshi Sato

Anthony Tsagaratos

PhotographyAlan Norris

Jay Miller

Advertising/AdministrationLucia ap Rees

Tracey WatkinsAccounts

Lucy Wallis

FinalisationIan Tasker

Helicopter INTERNATIONAL75 Elm Tree Road, Locking,

Weston-super-Mare,Somerset, BS24 8EL

ENGLANDTel: +44 (0) 1934 822524

e-mail: [email protected]: www.aviapress.co.uk

THE BREAKING news as we finalised this issue that a Boeing/Leonardo partnership hadwon the US Air Force competition to provide a replacement helicopter for the long-serving Bell UH-1N, charged with securing the US homeland nuclear missile bases andproviding VVIP transport in the Washington DC area, must represent a rare US military winfor the European helicopter industry, and a reflection on how far the business andtechnology has advanced over the past 40 years.

Close to 1000 AW139s are already in service worldwide with some 270 commercial andmilitary operators and the undoubted endorsement by the US Air Force can now onlylead to even more sales. It also validates the original AgustaWestland decision to buy outpartner Bell Helicopter when the latter decided to pull out of the AB139 programme in2005 and signed over all its rights in return for a $95 million settlement. One wondershow the Bell management feel now!

★

With HeliTech 2018 about to open in Amsterdam, it will be interesting to see the visitorattendance figures at the RAI Congress venue, especially following the announcementthat the organisers have finally abandoned the Excel Centre venue for the alternate yearUK HeliTech in favour of returning to an airfield setting.

From the first announcement that HeliTech UK was moving from Duxford airfield to theExcel Centre in East London, we have campaigned against it. Like other visitors, we didmake the effort early on to travel to the venue, initially driving around the city on acongested motorway network and then by train directly through the city. Flying in wasn’tan option. After those experiences, coupled with safety concerns for staff when walkingto and from hotels in the area and a notable absence of our core customers, we gave up.

So yes, it will be interesting to see how HeliTech Europe in Amsterdam pans out andwe hope the organisers, with some fresh faces aboard, have learned a lesson and are nowreally listening to the Show’s customers. Will we be at the new UK venue in Farnboroughnext year? We hope so!

★

Regular readers of Helicopter INTERNATIONAL over the past 40 years will know that wehave always supported The Helicopter Museum, just 500m from our offices, and holdingthe world’s largest dedicated rotary-wing collection. Currently the museum is undergoingan expansion programme, building a new entrance and visitor services facility to highlightthe pioneering years and provide better education and STEM facilities for the incominggeneration of rotary-wing engineers.

However there is an obstacle – not enough money in the reserves to complete the fitout. So if you or your company can make a contribution the museum, which is aregistered charity, would surely be most grateful. It can be done through the BankingAutomated Credit System (BACS) (Sort Code 08/92/99. Bank Account Name: The BritishRotorcraft Museum. Account Number 65014170) or simply send a cheque to TheHelicopter Museum, Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England BS248PP.

You can be sure it will make a difference.

Elfan ap [email protected]

Helicopter INTERNATIONALPage 46

Sikorsky S-76D sales struggleSikorsky Aircraft has achieved its first saleof an S-76D helicopter in India, with an orderfrom the State government of Maharashtraannounced on 16 July. Delivery is scheduled in2019.

Sikorsky has delivered some 75 S-76Ds tooperators worldwide to date, including 30 tocompanies in the south east Asia region.Leading the sales in the region has been Japan,with 11 aircraft in service with private andparapublic operators, followed by Chinawith eight and Thailand with five. Inproduction since 2012 following four yearsof development delays and intended toreplace the S-76C++, Sikorsky originally setout to build 24 S-76D per year, but changes inthe market place, especially following thedownturn in the oil and gas sector, meantthat sales have not lived up to the forecasts.

In recent years annual deliveries have beenreduced to low single figures and recently AeroVodochody, which manufactured the S-76airframe, ceased production after completingaround 100 fuselages. Ignoring the prototypes,Sikorsky however has sold only some 75S-76Ds, with serial 7610878 the latestcustomer allocation for Japanese dealerMitsubishi. 12 more unsold aircraft up to serial761090, are in storage with Sikorsky in Florida,but up to 13 further airframes may beunregistered and incomplete.

Upgraded Kamov Ka-62 flies cross-countryRussian Helicopters flew the upgradedprototype of the Kamov Ka-62 from theProgress Aviation Company plant in Arsenyevto Vladivostok in early September for apresentation at the 2018 Eastern EconomicForum, held at the Far East Federal University11-13 September. The 160km (99mile) cross-country flight to the coastal port was the firstvisit of the Ka-62 to the city.

Although the aircraft originally flew in May2017, major changes were found necessary tothe tail section, the ducted tail rotor designand the transmission, which have onlyrecently made significant progress. Thecompany says this has resulted in a series ofregular and stable test flights, with the finalflight in the programme covering 260km (162miles) and demonstrating “high performanceand low fuel consumption, compared to itscompetitors”.

Factory tests are now scheduled to becompleted by the end of this year, at whichpoint the company expects to begincertification trials for a range of civil roles,including passenger transportation, offshoreoil and gas support, emergency medicalservices and aerial work.

Commercial- INTERNATIONAL

Above: Thai Aviation Services has achieved10,000 flight hours with its five Sikorsky S-76Dhelicopters in less than 10 years, but sales ofthe aircraft have been slow in recent years.

PHI and Waypoint in financialtroubleIndustry sources are suggesting that the USoffshore and air medical helicopter operator,PHI Inc is facing major financial issuesfollowing a failure earlier this year to refinanceits debts through a $500 million unsecuredbond. More recently the company has beenattempting to close an asset-backedagreement with lenders, but this is a moreexpensive option and is being opposed by agroup of the company’s shareholders.

Alesia Asset Management and privateinvestor, Timothy Stabosz, who togethercontrol 4.6 percent of PHIs non-voting stocksay that refinancing the debt at the proposedlending rate of 11 percent is unacceptable andinstead PHI should look to sell its Air Medicaldivision. They claim this would dramaticallyreduce the financial risk and unlock sizeablevalue for the company’s equity holders, withthe value of the division estimated at around$475 million. This would leave PHI with only$75 million of net debt to refinance which,bearing in mind the asset value and expecteduplift in earnings in the oil and gas sector in

2019, might be borrowed at a more reasonable7.5 percent interest rate and allow thecompany a positive free cash flow.

However the banks are proving resistant tofinancing new helicopter deals following theCHC Chapter 11 debacle, the grounding ofAirbus EC225s and the general downturn in theoil and gas industry. This is being highlighted bythe news that Waypoint Leasing, which hasover 150 helicopters in its portfolio financed bysome 26 banks is now in talks to restructureafter breaching loan covenants. Its three majorshareholders have already disagreed aboutwhether to invest more equity, and the banksrecently called in a specialist restructuring firmand a law company to advise them.

Ironically perhaps the Chief Executive ofWaypoint, appointed last February, is HoomanYazhari who moved from CHC where hewas heavily involved in that company’srestructuring.

Universal buys LakelseUniversal Helicopters based in Newfoundland, Canada has purchased Lakelse Air, an operatorwith a fleet of 12 aircraft and based on the Canadian west coast in Terrance, British Columbia.The acquisition makes Universal Canada’s only coast-to-coast indigenous helicopter servicescompany.

Traditionally Universal has operated mainly in Newfoundland, Labrador and further north inthe Arctic, but the company expects the takeover of Lakelse Air will provide new expansionopportunities in a part of Canada where it sees great potential. This would especially includenorth western British Columbia, where Lakelse has significant experience in utility operationsincluding mining support and powerline construction.

Lakelse Air will continue to operate as a separate company under its existing managementand staff following the takeover but with a senior leadership team headed up by Universalpresident Shane Cyr and with senior Lakelse and Universal managers providing strategicdirection. Like Universal, Lakelse has built strong relationships with local indigenous people,especially the Haisla, Nisga and Tahitan ethnic groups, and Universal is keen to foster and growthat approach.

The takeover of Lakelse Air comes only a week after Universal announced it was buying a 49percent stake in a Californian helicopter operator, South Coast Helicopters Inc, headquarteredat Fullerton. Established in 1990, this company operates a small fleet of Airbus AS350Bhelicopters on charter, aerial filming, sight seeing and fire fighting support missions.



Ansat and Mi-8-AMTs for EMSRussian Helicopters signed a contract in thepresence of the Minister of Industry and Tradeof the Russian Federation with the NationalService of Medical Aviation (NSMA) and AviaCapital Services at the Hydroaviasalon 2018 inGelendzhik on 9 September, to supply 104Kazan Ansat and 46 Mil Mi-8AMT helicoptersconfigured for 24/7 emergency medicalservices. Agreements on after-sales supportwere also signed.

The initiative to set up NSMA was launchedby the Rostec State Corporation last year, withsubsidiary Avia Capital Services providing thefinance, estimated to exceed 40 billion roubles($588,019,110.62) and leasing the helicoptersto NSMA on a 15 year contract. The large scaleproject being implemented will eventuallycreate a single air ambulance operation acrossall the regions in the Russian Federation.NSMA is already transporting patients in the StPetersburg, Moscow, Leningrad, Sverdlousk,

Novgorod and Karelia regions of theFederation.

The first Mi-8AMT ordered under the newcontract was handed over to NSMA at theHydroavia salon event, fitted out with medicalequipment including an artificial lungventilation system, an electro cardiogrammachine and seating for medical attendants tosupport patient care. At the exhibition RussianHelicopters and the Kazan Helicopter plantalso signed an agreement with Aviapatrul LLCas a precursor to a firm contract for thedelivery of two Ansat helicopters, configuredin a universal version. The two aircraft will bebased at Makhachkala in Dagestan, on thewest coast of the Caspian Sea.

Kazan took two Ansats to the event inGelendzhik on the Black Sea coast, with oneconfigured in the air medical role and thesecond fitted out for VIP and corporatetransport. This latter version incorporates anactive vibration damping system and energyabsorbing seats, using composite materials, togive passengers a smoother ride.

Transcend tilt-wingTranscend Air Corporation, headquartered inSan Diego, California has announced the

development of a new six-seat vertical take offand landing (VTOL) aircraft, using a tilt-wingdesign powered by a single 1700shp Pratt &Whitney Canada PT6A-67F turbine. Designatedthe Vy400 the aircraft is expected to fly at upto 652km/h (405mph), with a range of 724km(450 miles).

Since 2009 Transcend claims to have builtand flown 14 prototype VTOL aircraft, mostlyelectric-powered scale models of varyingdesign but including at least two seat mannedexamples powered by gasoline engines. Thenew all-composite carbon-fibre airframe isbeing developed at a site in the Boston areaand will feature dual channel fly-by-wirecontrol technology and include an “all-aircraft”parachute from BRS Aerospace and a cabinpressurised to 2438m (8000ft) altitude. Emptyweight is calculated at 2177kg (4800lb) with auseful load of 998kg (2200lb) and a maximumtake off weight of 3171kg (6990lb). Thecompany says the Vy400 will be certified forflight into known icing and will featureadvanced avionics and an autopilot.

In conjunction with development of theVy400 the company has begun promoting abusiness commuter service between citycentres, with possible routes including NewYork City to Boston in 36 minutes at anestimated ticket price of $283.00, Los Angeles-San Francisco in 55 minutes at $315.00 andMontreal-Toronto in 60 minutes at $325.00.The company expects to launch these servicesin 2024.

UTAir reports lossesMajor Russian helicopter UTAir has reportedlosses of $39 million from its rotary-wingoperations over the first half of 2018, despiteincreasing helicopter flight hours by 10percent, to 60,000 hours, compared to thesame period last year. The company says thelosses were exacerbated by the purchaseearlier in 2018 of a controlling interest inSurgut Airport in Western Siberia, where UTAirhas major base operations.

The company operates a mixed fleet ofsome 330 helicopters including more than 110Mil Mi-8/17 and 25 heavy-lift Mi-26, as well asother types such as the Airbus HelicoptersH125 family. Upgrading the Russian fleet iscurrently underway, with the Mi-171A2 replacing older Mi-8 helicopters andthe Ansat replacing the Mi-2, as UTAircontinues to expand into domestic airambulance and scheduled passenger services.However, providing services for the oil and gasindustry still accounts for 70 percent of thehelicopter business, whilst the company alsocontinues to be the largest helicopter servicesprovider to the United Nations peacekeepingmissions.

Above: Russian Helicopters has signed anorder for the production of 104 KazanAnsat helicopters, incorporating recentmodifications to improve performance.

Safran tests hybrid powerSafran Helicopter Engines recently carried out the first ground tests of its hybrid electricdistributed propulsion system at its engine test facility near Pau-Pyrenees Airport in France. Aspecially constructed rig, with four electric motors driving three-bladed rotors connected via adistribution core to a turbogenerator and supplementary batteries, forms the basis of theexperimental system.

The turbogenerator comprises a turbine engine driving an electrical generator, which iscoupled to a bank of batteries, with the power then distributed by a new-generation powermanagement system. The electric motors are controlled by a fully integrated smart powerelectronics assembly. Several operating modes were tested and validated during this first seriesof tests say Safran, with the electric motors powered only by batteries or by a combination ofbatteries and the turbogenerator. The system generated 100KW of electrical power during thetests and Safran expects to demonstrate a more powerful system in the near future.

The company is partnered with Bell to develop future hybrid electric propulsion systems forvertical take off and landing applications, with a goal of bringing the technology to the marketby 2025. Bell is especially interested in hybrid electric propulsion for its Air Taxi concept, whereit is partnering with Uber Elevate with a view to launching urban centre operations in a 2023timeframe. This would require Bell to have an air vehicle ready for testing by the end of 2020.

Kopter SH09 flight trial delay detailsSwiss helicopter manufacturer, Kopter, which is developing the single engine SH09 at its Mollisfacilities has revealed more details of the delay in beginning flight trials of the third prototype,which was originally due to make its first flight last March. It was known that the set back wasdue to a sub-contract supplier manufacturing fault, but the company has now explained the flaw.

The issue was apparently with sub-standard porosity and cracks found in the main gearboxupper housing casting, with reworking and structural testing then required to check that thecomponent’s strength and fatigue life would be sufficient for the initial flight testing. Part of thesolution involved carrying out some welding to strengthen the casting, but this led to anotherquality flaw when it was discovered that the sub-contractor had used improper procedures.

However Kopter carried out a series of static tests, up to the maximum load, on two differentcastings from the same batch and ran an additional 300 hour main gearbox endurance test.These tests confirmed that the part was strong enough to meet the SH09 flight enveloperequirements and is being used on the third prototype. This aircraft is now being prepared atMollis for its first flight but, in another change to the schedule, will carry out its initial flighttesting at Mollis, rather than being shipped immediately to the new flight test centre in Pozzallo,Sicily. The helicopter and team are now expected to relocate to Sicily approximately four weeksafter the first flight, and will then remain there for the next 11 months.

Meanwhile Kopter has replaced the original casting supplier with a new sub contractor, whois expected to deliver their first part in the coming weeks. This will eventually be retrofitted tothe third prototype, with future deliveries also being made for installation on the next SH09, thepre-series PS4. This aircraft will incorporate further improvements, including the GarminG-3000H avionics suite which is replacing the original Safran equipment, and a moremaintenance-friendly rotorhead, main gearbox and hydraulic system.

Kopter is also planning to introduce a new pre-impregnated carbon fibre in the airframeconstruction, that it expects will absorb less humidity and so better deal with ageing.

At Helitech 2018 in Amsterdam the company is displaying the grounded first prototype SH09,wrapped in the colours of the latest customer, Systemic Aviation Services of Malaysia.


FAA challenged over complainthotline closureA decision by the Federal AviationAdministration (FAA) to close down ahelicopter noise complaint hotline in LosAngeles has been criticised by local pressuregroups, who accuse the authority of doingnothing with the data gathered and using the$30,000 annual saving mooted as a smokescreen to avoid taking any action.

The automated complaint system wasoriginally set up in 2015 for a one year periodbut has twice been extended at the request ofthe Los Angeles Area Helicopter NoiseCoalition and regional helicopter operators.Now the effectiveness of the system is beingquestioned, with no fundamentalimprovements having been made in reducingnoise, other than a recommendation to pilotsto route 152m (500ft) offshore when transitingalong the coast. Voluntary efforts to reducenoise have not worked say complainants and amemorandum of understanding between theFAA, pilots and activists to finalise a voluntarycode has never materialised.

The noise coalition admitted last Marchthat it has run out of options after years oflobbying, and believes stronger legislation isthe only way forward, a view the FAA disagreeswith, despite Congress directing it in 2014 tocollaborate with the community to make routeand altitude adjustments. The offshore coastalroute was the only change introduced, whilstpetitions to require helicopters to maintain aminimum flight altitude of 610m (2000ft), limithovering time and to pool media helicopterscovering news events were all rejected for thesecond time at the beginning of this year.

Now the decision to close down the noisecomplaint hotline is being challenged by agroup of Californian politicians, including thetwo senators and a half dozen localcongressional representatives who havewritten to the FAA calling for a continuation ofthe complaint system, with improvementsincluded to provide a Spanish languageversion and better technology to moreaccurately track helicopter flight paths. Boththe Los Angeles Area Helicopter OperatorsAssociation and the Professional PilotsAssociation also support retaining theautomated complaint system, because itobjectively quantifies the extent of publicconcern about helicopter noise, as well asreminding pilots that a form of accountabilityexists.

Support by the pilots associations however isprimarily aimed at measuring the true spread ofnoise complaints. While the automatedcomplaints received average 5,500 per month,an analysis has shown that 1600 calls last Aprilwere logged from just two people in one zip

code area, accounting for nearly 94 percent ofthe complaints from that neighbourhood.Analysis also shows that more than half of thehelicopter flights in the Los Angeles area arecarried out in support of public service missions.

Penzance Heliport given go-aheadDespite determined efforts by the Isles of ScillySteamship Company to stop a new heliportbeing developed at Penzance in Cornwall,the county Planning Committee votedunanimously on 2 August for the second time,for the project to be given planning permission.The previous application, approved in February2017, was the subject of a legal challengethe following month, causing the PenzanceHeliport promoters to enter a new application.

Earlier this year the Steamship Companylaunched its own helicopter service, operatingfrom Lands End Airport alongside its Skybusfixed wing service, in a move many saw as anattempt to protect its monopoly on services tothe island, which also include the Scillonianferry and freight shipping. A breakdown of the

ferry two days before the new planningapplication was heard will not have helped theSteamship Company’s case, but planningofficers were already recommending approvalafter carefully reviewing all the arguments forand against the revised heliport proposal.

The planning permission covers theconstruction of facilities on land at EasternGreen, on the outskirts of Penzance, with asingle-storey terminal, a hangar and a garagefor a fire engine, along with a concrete apronand landing pad, a fuel store and 269 carparking spaces for staff and passengers. Thepermission also permits the new heliport tooffer scheduled flights between Penzance andthe airport at St Mary’s, and the heliport onthe neighbouring island of Tresco, seven daysa week between 07.30 and 19.00 hours.

The service is now expected to be launchedin Spring 2019, a year later than originallyplanned, using 15 seat Leonardo AW139helicopters, and is expected to lead to arevival of the Penzance economy and apositive impact on the Isles of Scilly.



Airbus RACER configuration comestogetherGE Aviation Hamble and NottinghamUniversity expect to deliver their new andinnovative wing structure being developedunder the joint ASTRAL project for theAirbus Helicopters RACER (Rapid and CostEffective Rotorcraft) compound helicopterdemonstrator by the end of 2019, followingtests of materials and structures ahead of thestart of component manufacture early nextyear. The development is being funded by theEuropean Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking.

Last April saw the wing successfully passinga preliminary design review, conducted at the

Airbus Helicopters Donauworth facility inGermany, enabling development to move onto the detailed design and manufacturingphase. As part of the ASTRAL programme, GEAviation is now maturing key technologiesincluding additive manufacture, to supportadvanced casting methods for structuralcomponents, automated fibre placement forsandwich structures and single curing ofcomplex composite structures for controlsurfaces. These technologies are integral tothe drive to reduce manufacturing costs, whilstimproving overall aircraft performance throughoptimised weight solutions.

In parallel with this programme AirbusHelicopters is testing the overall Racerconfiguration in a fixed-base simulator,including exploring the differences in thedesign layout from the experimental X³, whichutilised an EC155 as a donor airframe with a

modified H175 main gearbox and othercomponents, including the Safran RTM332powerplants. The RACER will retain the H175gearbox and some other critical components,but will replace the engines with newergeneration Safran Aneto powerplants, alongwith some other new dynamic systemcomponents. The RACER also differsfundamentally by relocating the propellersfrom in front to behind the biplane wing in apusher configuration. This improves safety,with the wing structure between boardingpassengers and the propellers, but it is not yetclear how this might affect handling andperformance. The effect of rotor downwash onthe biplane wing structure also needs furtherevaluation, although this is expected to beminimised.

New operator for Welsh heliportThe Wales Air Ambulance charity has takenover the lease for Cardiff Heliport, afterstriking a deal with the previous leaseholder,Cardiff City Heliport Ltd and the site owner,Cardiff City Council. The charity alreadyoperated its Children’s Wales Air Ambulancefrom the heliport, providing specialisttransfers for vulnerable babies and childrenacross Wales with a single Airbus HelicoptersEC135, but has now taken operational controlof all the heliport’s operations.

The heliport, situated on the foreshore inthe Tremorfa area of the city, was originallybuilt by the City Council as a commercialventure, but has enjoyed mixed fortunesafter the original lease holder closed downtheir operation. Busy during big sportsevents at the Cardiff City stadium, at othertimes it has been little used since theNational Police Air Service relocated theirlocal helicopter to the former RAF station atnearby St.Athan. The lease was last held by anew company, Cardiff City Heliport Ltd,which envisaged regular helicopter servicesfrom Cardiff to North Wales and othercentres. However this failed to gain traction,as did efforts to attract other operators touse the heliport as a base for operations andmaintenance work.

The Wales Air Ambulance officially took upthe lease on 1 August and hopes its ventureinto the commercial side of the business willhelp to generate new funds for the charity. Tofunction across Wales, the charity needs toraise £6.5 million annually to keep its fourhelicopters operational. It is the largest airambulance service in the UK, with threeemergency medical service helicoptersstrategically based in Llanelli, Caernarfon andWelshpool, plus its transfer helicopter at theCardiff heliport.


Above: Airbus and its partners developing theRACER compound high speed helicopter arecontinuing to mature the design.

Great Slave Helicopters to restructureCanadian operator Great Slave Helicopters, based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, filedfor creditor protection in early September after posting losses in excess of $13.7 millionover the last two years, with the revenues continuing to decline. The company now plans touse the court approval protection to restructure its business, which is likely to includedownsizing and selling off some of its assets. The future of the company’s Chileansubsidiary, DA Chile, which employs some 55 staff operating helicopters from the GreatSlave fleet, is also now in doubt.

Currently the company has a mixed fleet of 51 helicopters and over 200 staff in Canada,operating in a very seasonal market which is also suffering from the general downturn inseveral sectors and a consequent oversupply of helicopters. This downturn includes themining industry in Canada, which previously brought a useful financial contribution to thecompany. Meanwhile the seasonality issue is demonstrated by the fire fighting contractsheld by Great Slave, which this year began in April and run until the end of September, afterwhich the company will require “significant” ongoing funding to cover the wintermaintenance programme and other overheads until the next busy season gets underway.

Historically Great Slave was a subsidiary of the Discovery Air Group, which itself filed forcreditor protection last March with $127 million of debt set mature. This included $93million of secured debt that had been guaranteed by Great Slave Helicopters and othersubsidiaries in the Discovery Air Group. In mid-August Discovery sold all its shares in GreatSlave to affiliates of Toronto-based private equity investment company Clairvest Group,which is now a major creditor of Great Slave Helicopters, but is understood to be unwillingto provide additional financing.

Great Slave’s total debt is currently believed to be in excess of $100 million.

Helicopter INTERNATIONAL

T625 first flightTurkish Aerospace Industries carried out themaiden flight of the T625 utility helicopterat its Ankara base on 6 September. Theapproximately one minute initial sortie sawthe aircraft take off into a low hover andperform forward and sideways movementsbefore carrying out a partial right and then a360 degree left hand turn. The top deckcowlings and main cabin doors were not fittedduring the flight. The first flight followed initialground runs at the company’s facilities inAugust.

The six tonne class transport and utilityaircraft has been under development since2011 under an indigenous helicopterprogramme for both the domestic andinternational markets. Currently it is poweredby two LHTEC CTS800, engines, but localTUSAS Engine Industries, which alreadymanufactures parts for the CTS800 hasbegun development of an indigenousalternative, the TS1400. This is especiallyimportant to free the project from likely USsanctions, which are already threateningexport sales of the TAI T129 attack helicopterusing the same powerplant. Most othercomponents, including the dynamics, maingearbox and wheeled landing gear, (allmanufactured by Alp Aviation) and theavionics etc remain indigenous, although theSpanish company CESA is providing thehydraulic systems.

The T625 also bears an uncannyresemblance to the Leonardo AW169,indicating some overall collaboration, but isdesigned for two crew and 12 passengers, withthe large flat cabin space suitable for a rangeof missions. These include passengertransport, emergency medical service, searchand rescue and VIP operations. Civil

certification is already being pursued with theTurkish civil aviation authority and theEuropean Aviation Safety Agency. Serialproduction is expected to begin post 2021.

LEDC terminates Bell contractThe Louisiana Economic DepartmentCorporation (LEDC) terminated its contractwith Bell in August to support the LafayetteAssembly Centre, accusing the company offailing to meet its obligations to create newemployment and business opportunities in theState. Bell had originally intended to use thenew purpose-built facility for the Model 505JetRanger X assembly line, but later decided torelocate production at its Mirabel plant inCanada.

Louisiana had invested $26.3 million on thenew plant construction on the promise of Bellcreating at least 115 new jobs, with longerterm benefits to the local economy, but lessthan three years after celebrating the start ofconstruction in 2014, Bell renegotiated theagreement last year to manufacture cabin sub-

assemblies for the Model 525 instead, with acommitment to create only 95 jobs and anextension of the terms from 2029 to 2031. Inreality, at 21 August only 22 people wereemployed at the site and the LEDC accusedthe company of failing to produce either of theagreed-upon operations. The Corporation hasnow called upon Bell to settle its financialobligations towards the State, estimated at$16.5 million, although the company has fileda court action to seek a determination of therights and responsibilities of both partiesunder the terminated agreement.

In the meantime Bell has begun to move theModel 525 work to its Amarillo, Texas plant,claiming it cannot continue operations at theLafayette plant without economic incentives,and has offered its Louisiana employeesrelocation with the company or supportin finding work in the local communities.


Europe’s longestrunning rotorcraft

publication.UNBEATEN

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Above: The Turkish Aerospace Industries T625made its first flight on 6 September.

Rolls-Royce floats evtol hybrid vehicleRolls Royce unveiled its own electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) concept vehicle atthe Farnborough Air Show, based upon technologies that already exist or are currently underdevelopment. The company says the design could be adapted for personal or publictransport, logistics and military applications, and could be flying by the early 2020’s.

The initial concept builds on experience gained by Rolls-Royce in providing hybrid electricpropulsion for trains, naval vessels and other applications, and the company’s expertise ingas turbine and VTOL aircraft development. Thus gas turbine technology would generateelectricity to power six quiet electric propulsors, each with embedded power electronics,with a battery for energy storage. Four of the propulsors would be mounted on a tilt-wingstructure for the VTOL phase, with five-bladed propellers that would fold away in the cruisemode to reduce drag. The two remaining propulsors would be mounted at the rear of theaircraft, also capable of tilting through 90 degree but providing thrust in the cruise. Thedesign includes a four-five passenger cabin and would fly at speeds up to 402km/h (250mph)over a range of approximately 804km (500 miles).

The engine selected for this initial concept design is the well-established Rolls-RoyceM250, installed in the rear fuselage and modified as part of the hybrid electric propulsionsystem, to deliver around 500kw of electrical power. The high energy battery would providean additional power boost when required, for example to climb to altitude.

Having floated the concept, Rolls-Royce is now looking for an airframe partner to takeforward the commercial introduction as a collaborative project. The company believes theconcept can be easily developed to become a viable proposition and clearly wants to be partof the expected forthcoming eVTOL revolution in air transport.


Above: This full scale mockup of the Bell UAV V-247 Vigilant drone was unveiled at the USMarine Corps base at Quantico, Virginia in lateSeptember.

US Marines firms up MUXBell unveiled a full size mock up of the V-247tiltrotor drone on 25 September at anexhibition held at the US Marine Corps baseQuantico, Virginia. A silhouette of thecompany’s UH-1Y Venom helicopter wasmarked on the floor for comparison. Thisdepicted the size similarity between the twoaircraft, with Bell demonstrating how, with thetail and wings folded, the V-247 can be storedin a typical US Navy DDG class shipboardhangar, and operate from any vessel currentlyable to accept a helicopter. Bell is aimingthe V-247 primarily at the Marine Corpsrequirement for a Marine Air-Ground TaskForce (MAGTF) Unmanned Aerial System(UAS) Experimental, acronymed MUX. This isintended to provide a Group 5 UAS, capableof vertical take off/landing (VTOL) and able toprovide autonomous reconnaissance andcommunications relays to support deployedground forces over substantial distances forlong periods. Other roles could include aerialearly warning, electronic warfare and, as asecondary mission, ground attack supportwith a range of weaponry.

The MUX Proposal also calls for the fullyautonomous VTOL drone to be capable ofoperating from amphibious ships or a 46m150ft) x 46m (150ft) rough field landing area.It should be able to cruise at speeds between370km/h (200kt) and 556km/h (300kt) andstay on station for up to 12 hours at 648km(350nm) mission radius. Without refuelling, itis expected to have a range of between648km (350nm) and 1296km (700nm) from itsparent vessel.

The Bell design features a single 7,000shpRolls-Royce 1107C powerplant, withbifurcated intakes and an upward facingexhaust to minimise the heat signature.

Drive shafts connect the engine to the twoproprotor nacelles, which unlike Bell’sprevious tiltrotors, the V-22 and V-280, areplaced inboard of the wing tips. These outerwinglets swivel with the nacelles during thetransition between vertical and forward flight.Whilst the main fuselage provides thecapacity for the avionics and fuel load, twoconformal belly pods are available forelectronic warfare equipment or defensiveair-to-air missiles. Other missiles could becarried on four underwing pylons, depictedon the mockup with up to 16 Hellfireinstalled.

Bell says the V-247 would cruise at444km/h (240kt) with a 556km/h (300kt)maximum speed and achieve best enduranceof more than eight hours loiter time at333km/h (180kt), carrying a 272kg (600lb)payload over a 833km (450nm) missionradius. The internal mission payload capacityis quoted at 907kg (2,000lb), with anunderslung load capacity of 4082kg (9,000lb).Together with the modular, open-architecturedesign that could accommodate any weaponin the Marine Corps inventory, Bell sees the V-247 as a truly versatile platform and believesthat will also create interest from otherservices, especially the US Army.

The V-247 does however face competition,in particular from Lockheed Martin, which hasbeen working in partnership with PiaseckiAircraft and Sierra Nevada to develop its ownunmanned VTOL aircraft for the Marinesmission. Awkwardly titled the AerialReconfigurable Embedded System (ARES),the design features twin wing-mounted tiltingducted fans to provide the vertical lift andforward flight.

The ARES team claim the ducted fans, aspeciality of Piasecki, offer additional levelsof safety for ground troops and personnel inthe vicinity of the aircraft, and that theaircraft will have the ability to carry a 1361kg(3,000lb) payload, cruise at 370km/h (200kt)and operate from landing zones half the area

required by medium class helicopters, suchas the Sikorsky Black Hawk. An ARESconcept demonstrator, with a fly-by-wirecontrol system, is already flying underDefence Advanced Research Agencysponsorship, and is due to be demonstratedto the Marines in October at the YumaProving Ground in Arizona.

Other MUX proposals have come fromBoeing and Northrop Grumman, both ofwhom have put forward tail-sitting unmannedflying wing designs. Meanwhile senior MarineCorps officials are already keen to acceleratean MUX decision with a land-based initialoperational capability (10C) by FY2027following an acquisition decision planned forFY2020.

New Potential for MQ-8CNorthrop Grumman recently demonstratedthe potential for the MQ-8C Fire Scout dronehelicopter to air drop sonobuoys and deploythe micro synthetic aperture sonar in anexercise at Newport, Rhode Island. A civil-registered manned Bell 407 aircraft, N427VB,carried four rearward sloping canisters for thedemonstration, with the sonobuoys beingejected in a gravity free fall.

During the same exercise the mannedMQ-8C demonstrator completed an auto-mated sea mine hunting demonstration, co-ordinating with an unmanned submersibleand a small robotic surface vessel. Whilst theonboard pilot was required in order tomeet US Federal Aviation Administrationregulations, he flew the aircraft usingwaypoint instructions from the helicopter’sautomated system, whilst the missionsystems, sensors and other requirementswere operated completely autonomously.Northrop Grumman has suggested that seamine hunting could be another role for theMQ-8C when deployed, reducing the risk tocrews of manned helicopters currentlycarrying out this mission.

Northrop Grumman also recently carriedout the first flight of an unmanned MQ-8CatTrent Lott airport Mississippi, close to theMoss Point plant where the company plans toassemble the production aircraft from 2026.Being able to carry out the flight testing closeto the assembly line is expected to bring newefficiencies to the operation.

The MQ-8C is based on the Bell 407airframe, supplied from the Bell Canadafactory and modified by Northrop Grumman.So far the prototypes built to date havelogged over 1500 flight hours on testand evaluation trials.

Droning ON...

RegionalNews- ASIA PACIFIC REPORT

•The Nepalese Army Air Service has recently taken delivery of its firstLeonardo Helicopters AW139M for transport operations. The aircraft,serial 31808, was undergoing pre-delivery acceptance trials in Italy inJuly. At the same time an Airbus Helicopters H125, allocated theNepalese Army registration NA-059,was being prepared for delivery atthe company’s Singapore facility. This aircraft is one of two lighthelicopters being purchased for operations with No.11 Brigade.

The Nepalese government is currently upgrading its helicopter fleet tobetter meet future disaster relief and other transport demands, followingthe withdrawal from service of a number of obsolete aircraft, includingtwo Aerospatiale AS332L and several Hindustan Aeronautics Cheetahand Chetak helicopters. The two AS332L helicopters have since beensold in China.

•Airbus Helicopters has carried out the first flight at its Marignaneplant of the prototype for the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) newLight Civil Helicopter (LCH).

A contract for the development programme was signed in 2015, withAirbus Helicopters providing the technical support to KAI for the fivetonne class aircraft. This allowed for the prototype to fly by the end ofthis year, but in fact the first flight was two months ahead of schedule.The aircraft, based on the Airbus H155, is being developed under apartnership arrangement with KAI, which will produce the LCH and itsmilitary variant, the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), in South Korea.

The first LAH is scheduled to fly in 2019 and to enter service byNovember 2022, replacing the ageing Bell AH-1F and Hanjin-McDonnellDouglas MD500MD in service with the South Korean Army, Air Force andMarines.

The civil LCH will meanwhile be offered in the domestic and exportmarkets for a variety of roles, including law enforcement, air ambulance,and passenger transport services.

•Rotortrade Services, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia hasannounced continuing growth in its results for the first half of 2018,building on a record breaking year in 2017, when it reported the sale of26 aircraft in over 20 different countries. These included the first sale ofa pre-owned Airbus Helicopters H175 out of Mexico to the Netherlands.

Now, the mid year results for 2018 include 12 helicopter deliveriesalready and nine backlogs across different manufacturers, as well asexclusive mandates for 16 helicopters over the same period. Thecompany has also signed three new network agreements, including onein Guatemala with Mode Aviation and another with Gualter Helicopterosin Brazil. Rotortrade president, Philippe Lubrano, says overall sales atthe end of this year are expected to be in line with the 2017 sales, butfavouring more twin-engine helicopters including some heavies. Lastyear the company did sell three used Airbus EC225 helicopters in its mix.

Rotortrade is the sole global distributor of Leonardo’s pre-ownedhelicopters, but also continues to pursue its vision of building anintegrated pre-owned helicopter market place through regionalpartnerships and strong manufacturer support.

•The Japanese Self Defence Force is expected to begin taking deliveryof its first five Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotor aircraft later this autumn, amidstplans to base the type at Saga airport on Kyushu island in southwestJapan to strengthen the country’s ability to protect outlying islands.

The Japanese government has agreed to pay Saga Prefecture 10billion yen ($90 million) over 20 years in landing fees and to compensatelocal fishermen, concerned about the impact of noise from the aircrafton their industry and who partially own the deployment site. Howeverthe first V-22s will actually be temporarily based at Camp Kisarazu inChiba Prefecture near Tokyo, until the infrastructure at Saga airport iscompleted.

Operating the V-22 in Japan has been highly sensitive since the USMarine Corps based aircraft in Okinawa and suffered early accidents. Asa result many local residents continue to object to tiltrotor deploymentsbecause of potential incidents and perceived noise.

•International insurance companies recently set a deadline of 1September for the Nepalese government to act on fraudulent helicopterrescues of tourists, or face the companies refusing to provide cover. Analliance of insurance companies in Australia, New Zealand and the UKhave insisted that all helicopter rescues are pre-approved by theNepalese police and capped at $4000 per flight.

Operators and tour guides in on the scam have been “rescuing”multiple tourists in one helicopter flight, but billing each insurancecompany individually the full price for the same flight and pocketing theextra income.

•The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has drafted newregulations for rotary-wing air transport operations under Part 119 and133 rules and the Part 133 standards manual. The changes will create thefirst specific set of operating rules for Australian rotorcraft air transportoperations. Public consultation ended on 1 August.

CASA says the new rules will minimise the safety differential betweencharter and public transport, introduce safety enhancements to crewtraining and safety management systems, establish mandatory simulatorflight crew training for certain helicopters and provide a more activeregulatory focus on managing passenger transport safety risks. The ruleswill also introduce new medical air transport requirements, in line withinternational best practice and industry feedback.

Unless otherwise stated in Part 133, operators will also beexpected to comply with Part 91, the general operating and flightrules, which have been undergoing a simplification and rewrite, andare due to be the subject of a new guidance document being releasedlater this year.

•Bell is continuing a Southeast Asia sales tour with a Model 505 JetRanger X demonstrator, N505LQ, which has already flown in Indonesia,Singapore and Malaysia en route to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and thePhilippines.

The first aircraft to enter service in the region are operating with theWhite Sky air taxi service in Indonesia but with considerate interest andorders from other operators, in particular corporate and parapubliccustomers. Bell also plans to take the demonstrator to the Himalayanmountain region of Nepal as part of its future sales tour.

•Indocopters Private Ltd, which is part of the Vectra Group in Indiaand headquartered at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, has signed asales agreement with Rotortrade Services to become their latestnetwork partner. The agreement is the latest signed by Rotortrade thisyear.

Indocopters is a commercial partner and authorised maintenancecentre for Airbus Helicopters in India, selling and supporting theirrange of helicopters across the country. The company also offersmaintenance facilities for other types, including Bell, andLeonardo designs.

Above: The Nepalese Army has taken delivery of a Leonardo AW139Mhelicopter for transport, search and rescue and disaster relief operations.


Autumn 2018

MilitaryHelicopter

News

With the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone finallyin operational service, serial 818 wasdeployed aboard HMCS Ville de Quebec atthe beginning of August for operations inthe East Mediterranean.

Defence- INTERNATIONAL

Bell V-280 expands performanceBell moved to the next stage of their V-280tiltrotor test programme in early August, bymaking the first flights with the landing gearretracted. Previously, since the first flight inDecember last year, the aircraft had only beenflown with the gear locked down as a safetyprecaution.

Bell is now focused on expanding thehandling and performance envelope of the V-280, up to the expected level flight maximumspeed of 280kt (520km/h), as part of their JointMulti-Role (JMR) technology demonstrationprogramme for the US Army, Partners in thiseffort include Lockheed Martin, which isproviding integrated avionics, sensors andweapons for the developed aircraft, GEAviation for the T64 engines, and Moog Inc forthe flight control systems. Although the basicV-280 has been developed as a utility aircraft,capable of carrying up to 14 troops plus fourcrew, Bell is also looking at an attackconfiguration able to launch missiles, rocketsand even small drones.

Meanwhile the competing Sikorsky BoeingSB-1 coaxial, compound JMR technologydemonstrator, had still not flown as we closedfor press, although the prototype is nowregistered with the US Federal AviationAdministration as the Sikorsky S-100, with thecivil marks N100FV allocated and theexperimental certificate issued on 2 August.

Sea King asbestos warningThe UK Ministry of Defence issued anInformation Notice in August to warn Serviceand Civilian personnel, who have maintainedWestland-built Sea King helicopters, of apossible exposure to asbestos. The Noticegoes on to advise personnel and theirmanagers of the appropriate medical reportingprocedure if individuals feel they may havebeen at risk.

The Notice, seen by HELICOPTERInternational, says that a number ofcomponents fitted to all marks of Sea Kingwere historically manufactured from asbestosand that maintainers, including flight crewspecifically authorised to carry out flightservicing, may have been exposed. Industrysources suggest that asbestos was especiallyused to lag engine hot air bleed pipes feedingthe cabin area as well as for engine seals,gaskets and pipe clamps. The alert follows thediscovery that a programme launched in 2003to remove the material from insulation in theSea King was never completed.

The scope of the risk may be difficult tomeasure, as both UK MoD and foreignpersonnel who worked on maintaining the

Sea King, dating back to the early 1970swhen the type first entered service, couldhave endured prolonged exposure tocarcinogenic fibres being inhaled from theasbestos. The last Sea Kings in UK militaryservice, the ASAC Mk.7, were retired inSeptember but other variants remainoperational with a number of foreignoperators, including Germany, Belgium,Norway, India and Pakistan, as well as withsome more recent civil purchasers.

Other variants of the original Sikorskydesign, including the Italian built ASH-3 arealso believed to have been subject to the risk.

Leonardo begins Filipino WildcattestsLeonardo Helicopters has begun systemstesting on the first of two AW159 Wildcat HMAMk.2 helicopters for the Philippine Navy at itsYeovil factory, for delivery expected in Marchnext year. The aircraft are intended foroperation from two missile-armed frigates,under construction in South Korea to provideanti-submarine warfare protection. Thecontract value, including support, is estimatedat 5.4 billion Philippine Pesos.

The two AW159s are part of a small batch offive Wildcat helicopters laid down at the end ofthe production run of similar aircraft for theBritish Army and Royal Navy. Both aircraft werecompleted in anticipation of further ordersafter Leonardo took back the airframeassembly work from sub-contractor GKNwhilst three remain as sub-assemblies. Inaddition to the Philippines the company is inactive discussions with several other potentialcustomers, including Malaysia where theaircraft was recently demonstrated during aFranco-British naval exercise in the area.Negotiations are also underway with SouthKorea and at least one country in the MiddleEast, among others.

To meet the expected demand, Leonardomay now invest in a further batch of 10Wildcats as a private venture to add to thethree unsold airframes still in its inventory. Thiswould reduce the time delay for newcustomers ordering aircraft.

Above: Bell is now expanding the flightenvelope of the V-280 tiltrotoe, flying with thelanding gear retracted to take speeds up to theexpected maximum.


Romania bites on Viper and Venom ...The Romanian government is continuing plans to purchase up to 21 Bell UH-1Y Venomtransport and 24 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, following the completion of a first stageindustrial transition strategy by Bell. The manufacturer is proposing to transfer sometechnology to Romania and has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IARGhimbav Brasov for assembly, maintenance and overhaul opportunities.

The Romanian Air Force is looking to replace its fleet of 14 IAR330 Puma and 24 IAR SOCATarmed Pumas, which were built under licence from Aerospatiale. The SOCAT variant wasupgraded from the original transport helicopters, with a 20mm cannon and Spike anti-tankmissiles to provide an attack role. In selecting the Bell offer the Romanian governmentappears to be dropping its French partner of many years standing, leading to AirbusHelicopters now considering the future of its own assembly plant in the country, opened inAugust 2016. The company had been relocating all production of the H215 Super Puma,based on the expectation of a local order to justify setting up production.

Bell sources say the 85 percent commonality between the UH-1Y and AH-1Z will mean thatspares support and maintenance will minimise manpower and costs, whilst providing the AirForce with new generation state-of-the art platforms.


Above: Turkish Aerospace Industries is pressingahead with production of the T129 ATAK.Seen here on the assembly line recently is the53rd T129.

Pakistan confirms ATAK orderThe Turkish defence ministry (SSM) hasconfirmed that Turkish Aerospace Industries(TAI) has signed a deal with the PakistanMinistry of Defence for 30 T129 ATAKHelicopters. The sale was previously rumouredearlier this year

The sale also includes a comprehensivesupport package for logistics, ammunition,spares and ground support, and training, butwill be subject to export licence agreementswith Italy and the United States. The airframeis based on the Leonardo AW129 Mangusta,whilst the engines are provided by Honeywell-Rolls-Royce combine, LHTEC. TAI expects tobegin deliveries to Pakistan within threemonths of these export barriers being cleared,but faces opposition from the US governmentfollowing recent political disagreements.

The T129 can be armed with eight anti-tankmissiles and air-to-air missiles, and alsomounts a 20mm three-barrel cannon with 500rounds of ammunition in a chin turret. TAIsays the enhanced and more powerfuldevelopment from the A129 has been testedby Pakistan for the last four years, includinghigh altitude trials in the Himalayas and hotweather trials in temperatures up to 52degrees C in the Pakistani desert region. Thecompany says the T129 successfully met allthe requirements, noting also that 35 T129 arealready in front line service with the TurkishArmy in the mountainous and hot/highsouthern and south east Turkey and Syrianborder regions. Based on this evidence TAI isin discussions with at least three othercountries interested in purchasing the T129.These include Morocco, which has arequirement for 24 attack helicopters toreplace its armed Aerospatiale SA342MGazelles. Thailand which could buy 12-15aircraft to replace the Bell AH-1F Cobra andBangladesh, which has no dedicated attackhelicopter force at the present time.

Previously Pakistan has evaluated threeAVIC WZ-10 and four Mil Mi-35M heavyhelicopters as well as ordering nine Bell AH-1Zfor the attack role before deliveries of thelatter were stalled. Two of these aircraft, 786-07 and 786-08, are now at the 309thAerospatiale Maintenance and RegenerationGroup, Davis Monthan Air Force Base forstorage.

India agrees Naval helicopter buy “inprinciple”The Indian Defence Acquisition Council hasapproved in principle the expenditure ofRs217.38 billion to purchase 111 NavalUtility Helicopters (NUH), to be built underthe Make in India programme by acompetitively selected Indian private sectorcompany.

An initial Request for Information (RfI)to identity a foreign partner to provide asuitable design was issued in December 2017,resulting in proposals from Airbus Helicopters,Bell, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky,and Russian Helicopters. Several domesticcompanies have since expressed an interest inproducing the NUH under a possible jointventure and technology transfer arrangementwith a foreign partner. These include the AdaniGroup, Bharat Forge, Mahindra Aerospace,Reliance Defence, and Tata AdvancedSystems.

Also approved by the Council is thepurchase of 24 naval multi-role helicopters(MRH) to replace the last Westland Sea KingMk.42 helicopters, operating from the capitalwarships for early warning and anti-submarineoperations. Rs12,500 crore ($1.8 billion) isapproved for this purchase, with the SikorskyMH-60R helicopter seen as favourite under aForeign Military Sale agreement. It is assumedthat this acquisition would not fall under theMake in India criteria, although that wouldapply to an anticipated follow-on requirementfor a further 99 MRH to bring the Navy up tofull strength.

Industry sources have urged caution onthe Defence Acquisition Council announce-ment noting that it only marks part of aRs460 billion desire list for the military. Therequirement still has to go through abudgetary process and no timeline has beenset for the start of procurement processes.Assuming a budgetary allocation for theMRH is forthcoming in the next three-sixmonths, the Ministry of Defence then has toissue a request to he US State Department tobegin negotiations, outlining its specificrequirements. Actual deliveries are thus likelythree-five years away, whilst the introductionof the utility helicopter is unlikely before2026.


...and Marines order moreThe US Marine Corps has confirmed a contract for the supply of 29 Lot 15 Bell AH-1Z Viper newbuild helicopters from the Amarillo, Texas production line. The order, valued at $509,750, 754,also provides for long lead material and components for an additional seven Lot 16 aircraft.

The work will be shared with the Bell Fort Worth plant, which will be responsible for a 60percent split. The contract is expected to be completed in February 2021, by which time 125 ofthe 189 AH-1Z planned to enter service with the Marine Corps will have been delivered,including 12 previously intended for the Pakistan Army.

The AH-1Z is due to remain in service with the Marines alongside the UH-1Y utility variantuntil at least the late 2040s, when it is planned to be replaced by an attack/utility variant of theFuture Vertical Lift (FVL), although the Marine Corps requirements differ in some respects fromthe US Army FVL capability. Specifically the Marines need an aircraft that can fit on an LPD-classamphibious assault ship, and operate alongside the V-22 tilt rotor to provide long range escortduties. This would require a combat radius of at least 833km (450nm) with a 30 minute loitertime on station, and a reconfigurable cabin that can meet both attack and utility objectives.

Initial work on the FVL replacement is already underway but in the meantime the MarineCorps is developing interim upgrades for the UH-1Y/AH-1Z fleet. These include integrating theJoint Air-to-Ground Missile, currently undergoing operational testing, introducing improvedlaser-guided rockets and air-to-air missiles, and integrating the AN/AAQ-45 DistributedAperture Infrared Countermeasures System. Other safety and performance improvements tothe fleet are also planned.



Pave Hawk replacement gets closerThe US Air Force is getting closer to replacingits ageing Sikorsky Pave Hawk combat rescuehelicopter fleet, already operating beyond theplanned service life and with the original 112strong fleet now reduced to just 96 aircraftdue to attrition. The most recent loss was inIraq last March, close to the Syrian border.

The current fleet is composed of a mix ofabout 86 HH-60G and ten MH-60G variantsbut according to a new 24 page report fromthe US Government Accountability Office only65 helicopters were mission-capable duringFY2017, well below the Air Force requirementand with averaging at about 7,100 total flyinghours, some 18 percent over the initialexpected service life of 6,000 hours. Notsurprisingly, one reason for the shortage ofmission capability is the increase in depotlevel maintenance time due to the age of theaircraft, now spending an average of 332 daysunder such maintenance compared with 233days ten years ago – more than a 40 percentincrease in downtime.

112 new HH-60W combat recoveryhelicopters are already on order to replace thecurrent aircraft, with deliveries due to begin in2020 but not fully replacing the HH/MH-60Gfleet until 2029. The first units to receive thenew HH-60W will be the active service combatrescue squadrons, whose aircraft have thehighest number of flight hours. From about2026 the Air Force Reserve squadronsoperating the HH-60G will receive theirreplacements.

Meanwhile, to boost the existing numbers,the Air Force has procured 21 ex-US ArmyUH-60L variants, which are being convertedto the HH-60G configuration under anOperational Loss Replacement programme.These aircraft, all of which have 3,000 or fewerfight hours total time will be issued to the AirNational Guard combat recovery units from2019 as a stop-gap replacement until 2028when these units will become the last to beginreceiving new HH-60Ws.

Last Tigers for German ArmydeliveredAirbus Helicopters delivered the last of 68Tiger UHT attack helicopters for the GermanArmy in July, although 11 of the earlydeliveries have been bought back by themanufacturer for likely spares recovery.33 aircraft are also due to be upgraded tojoin 12 Tigers already modified to anASGARD (Afghanistan Stabilisation GermanArmy Rapid Deployment) configuration.These are fitted with sand filters, additionaldefence weaponry, a mission data recorderand enhanced comms equipment formultinational missions.

This will give the Army a fleet of 40operational Tiger ASGARD helicopters, plusfive in reserve, and a further 12 in the basicUHT configuration for non-deployabletraining at home bases. Meanwhile Airbus isstressing that the final delivery in Germanydoes not mean the end of production, as theassembly line in France at the Marignanefactory remains open for conversions of theFrench ALAT Tiger HAP helicopters to theHAD configuration and will be able toproduce additional aircraft if new orders arereceived.

To meet customer needs, Airbus is alreadyworking on possible new configurations for thehelicopter, with a study delivered last year tothe European Organisation for Joint ArmamentCooperation.

US Navy introduces ALMDSThe US Navy has carried out the firstoperational use of its Airborne Laser MineDetection System (ALMDS), which is beingdeveloped to provide high speed shallowwater mine detection for the Littoral CombatShip. Carried in a pod by the Sikorsky MH-60Shelicopter, ALMDS can operate in both dayand night conditions without the need for the

helicopter to stop or to tow mine detectingequipment in the water, allowing it to attainhigh area search rates and removing the needfor complex scanning mechanisms.

The system is attached to the helicopterwith a standard bomb rack Unit 14 mount,with electrical links via a primary and auxiliaryumbilical cable to the operator console. Flyingat a set speed and altitude, the laser emitsbeams at a certain rate whilst camerasunderneath the helicopter receive reflectionsback from the water. These are thenprocessed to create images displayed on theconsole in the aircraft. The gathered dataincludes accurate target geo-location tosupport follow on destruction of the detectedmines.

The operational introduction took placeduring the recent multi-national Rim of thePacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise and the USNavy is now analysing the feedback and keydata obtained during the deployment forfuture training and tactics development.

Above: Boeing flew the first CH-47 (I) Chinookfor the Indian Air Force in late July, with a totalof 15 due to be delivered over the comingmonths.

Boeing flies Indian Chinook...The first of 15 Boeing CH-47 (I) Chinook helicopters for the Indian Air Force made its first flightat the company’s Ridley Park factory in Philadelphia on 23 July. The aircraft are being suppliedas a direct commercial sale, rather than under a foreign military sale contract, and so are beingallocated temporary civil registrations N279RN-N293RN under an experimental certificatepending delivery.

Boeing have also allocated a new constructor’s serial batch for the Indian aircraft, M2401-M2415, which are being assembled on a dedicated production line at the factory alongsideother special order aircraft, including four new MH-47G attrition replacements under a $139.8million contract for the US Army. A second production area is dedicated to building ChinookBlock 1 aircraft for the US Army and other customers on a nine position assembly line, which isdesigned to produce up to 30 aircraft annually for the next five years. Currently only six CH-47Fare contracted by the Army, but it also holds options for a further 150 aircraft, pending theeventual introduction of the Chinook Block II in 2023-2025. The first three Block II engineeringand manufacturing development aircraft are already in production.

Block 1 production meanwhile will include up to 48 foreign military sale CH-47Fs for SaudiArabia, of which eight are so far the subject of a firm contract. On delivery these will make SaudiArabia the 20th country to operate Chinooks. In total Boeing says it has contracts valued at$585 million in place for new Chinook helicopters and related support services.


Above: With the operational entry into serviceof the CH-148 Cyclone, this Sikorsky CH-124was retro-painted in its original Navy coloursfor the last six months of service.

CH-148 operational with RCAFThe Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) hasfinally begun deploying the Sikorsky CH-148Cyclone helicopter operationally, with one of13 aircraft at the Shearwater base in NovaScotia embarking aboard the frigate HMCSVille de Quebec on 18 July for a six monthmission. The ship is heading for theMediterranean to relive HMCS St John’s and itsCH-124 Sea King to support the ongoingNATO mission Operation Reassurance in theregion.

Supported by 19 members of an airdetachment crew from No.423 MaritimeHelicopter Squadron, the CH-148 will providesurveillance, both above and below water, andsearch and rescue cover for the NATO taskgroup until the end of the year, as well asproviding “tactical transport for national andinternational security efforts”. It will bereplaced on station, by another Cyclone inearly 2019 to continue the task.

Despite the long drawn out developmentprogramme for the CH-148, which dates back

to a contract signing in 2003, the RCAF nowbelieves the advances in technology, inherentin the new helicopter, will mark a new era inCanada’s maritime operations. Thepredecessor CH-124 Sea King helicoptershave already been withdrawn entirely from theEast Coast after 54 years of service and thelast of the aircraft are due to be withdrawnfrom West Coast operations in earlyDecember.

To celebrate the retirement of the CH-124,one aircraft, CH12417, was repainted in theoriginal Canadian Navy colour scheme atShearwater in June, before being detached tojoin No. 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron onthe West Coast for the final six months ofservice.

Qatar signs for NH90 orderLeonardo has confirmed the contract withQatar, signed on 14 March, for the supply of 28NH90 helicopters, and has received theadvance payment to launch the order. Theaircraft, 16 NH90TTH tactical transports and12 NH90NFH naval variants, will bemanufactured jointly by the NH Industriesconsortium, including Leonardo and AirbusHelicopters, with the order value estimated atmore than Euro 3 billion.

Leonardo is acting as the overall primecontractor for the programme and will also beresponsible for the final assembly and deliveryof the 12 NH90NFH from its Venice-Tessarafacility. The company will also integrate theMBDA Marte ER third generation anti-shipmissile on the helicopters, making the QatariEmiri Navy the first NH90 operator to deploythis potent anti-surface warfare capability.

As part of the total package, Leonardo hassigned a sub contract with CAE to provide theQatar Air Force with a comprehensive NH90training solution, as well as providing an eightyear support package for all the aircraft. Theprogramme could be further extended in thefuture with options for six plus six additionalaircraft, in a mix of both NH90 variants.

Osprey NOTM trialsThe US Marine Corps is in the process ofcarrying out final trials with the Bell BoeingMV-22B Osprey of a rear hatch-mountedsatellite communications antenna system forNetworking On-the-Move (NOTM). The newcapability will provide real time command,control and collaborative mission planningwhile airborne, updating crews with changes tothe situation on the ground whilst they are stillenroute to a location.

Modifications to the Osprey for the specificNOTM-Airborne Increment II system installedin the aircraft include replacing the rearoverhead hatch, installing a Satcom radome,and wiring in system interface cables. Oncemission ready, the system is capable ofproviding communications across up to fiveusers, including networks, voice, email, videoand text. Testing initially took place inNovember-December 2017 at Naval AirStation, Patuxent River, Maryland. This includedextensive ground testing to ensure the NOTMsystem did not interfere with other aircraftequipment. All the components were alsosubjected to numerous environmental,electromagnetic interference and safety testingto ensure there was no smoke of fire risk.

As part of the trials Marines practisedinstalling and removing NOTM from theMV-22B and also using the system in the airduring test flights. These demonstrated theease with which crews could accesscommunications networks once airborne, witha simple switch-on procedure and a short waitof about 10 minutes before they are on thenetwork programme. In June the first of thesystems was fielded with the 22nd MarineExpeditionary Unit for operational evaluation.

Additional testing is to take place at PatuxentRiver later this year when users will link it upwith other C2 systems aboard the aircraftbefore the system is fielded more widely withthe Marine Expeditionary forces in 2019.


...and first Indian ApacheIn the same month that the parent company carried out the first flight of a Chinook CH-47F(I)for the Indian Air Force in Philadelphia, the Boeing plant in Mesa, Arizona performed themaiden flight of the first AH-64E for the same customer. The aircraft, temporarily civil registeredas N4801A, initially carried out a low hover on 16 July before continuing with handling trials.

22 AH-64E Apache Guardian are being produced for the Indian Air Force, with first deliveriesexpected in March next year for training. 11 of the aircraft are expected to feature the AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar system. All the helicopters will be completed in an overallTipnes grey paint scheme rather than the more usual black or desent brown scheme favouredby the US Army, with the fleet eventually being split between two bases, at Pathankot near thePakistan border and at Jorhat in Assam, covering the Tibet border area.

The $1.4 billion order included options for a further 11 aircraft, some of which have alreadybeen exercised to provide six AH-64Es for the Indian Army. Boeing meanwhile believes the totalrequirement for the two air arms could amount to 33 for the Air Force and 28 for the Army,providing up to four attack helicopter squadrons shared between the two services.

� Turkish Aerospace Industries is currentlymanufacturing T129 ATAK helicopters serials 045-053 for the Turkish Army on its Ankaraproduction line. Out of the 60 aircraft onorder, approximately 40 are now in service.

The Army contract is due to be followed by abatch of 18 T129 helicopters for theGendarmerie Aviation Command and six for theTurkish General Directorate of Security, whichshould extend production until at least 2020.However these totals do not include thepotential order from Pakistan for 30 aircraft,which currently depends on the US governmentgranting an export licence for the LHTEC T800-4A powerplants used in the helicopter.� The Indian Army has successfully launchedthe indigenous Helina anti-tank guided missilefrom a Hindustan Aeronautics RudraAdvanced Light Helicopter at the Pikhranrange in Rajasthan. The Army says the missilewas tested over its full range, successfullytracking the target before striking it with highprecision.� Three Leonardo Merlin HC.Mk.4commando helicopters joined the aircraftcarrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in the EnglishChannel on 20 August for exercises, as theship left UK waters for a four monthdeployment to the US east coast. The aircraft,from No.845 Squadron at Royal Naval AirStation Yeovilton, are the first HC.Mk.4s to bedeployed operationally following theirconversion from the Mk.3 variant for maritimeoperations.

The three aircraft will form part of ExerciseWestlant 18 as the carrier crosses the Atlanticand will then take part in assault and jointpersonnel recovery trials at Naval Air Station,Patuxent River, Maryland whilst HMS QueenElizabeth carries out take off, landing and othertrials off the coast with the Lockheed MartinF-35B joint strike fighter.

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a final C$2.1 million authorised to the end ofthis year, when the last CH-124B is due toretire from active service.� The Austrian government has agreed toallocate funding, to replace the long-servingAerospatiale SA316B Alouette 3, which hasbeen in service with the Air Force since 1968.21 SA316B currently remain in service withseveral others in storage or cannibalised forspares.

The helicopters are primarily used forsearch and rescue, medevac and transportoperations and, although the majority stillhave unused service life, spares shortages andincreasing maintenance costs are beingblamed for the decision to retire the type,beginning in 2019.

Also being budgeted is the acquisition ofthree additional Sikorsky UH-60M helicoptersto take the fleet to 12 aircraft in total. Therequirement for these three aircraft waspreviously announced in 2016, but thefunding was not then available.� The Royal Norwegian Navy has carried outdeck landing trials of the NH IndustriesNH90NFH helicopter on two naval vessels inthe North Sea, to assess ship-helicopteroperational limitations. During the trials atotal of 308 landings were carried out, at anaverage of one every four minutes.

The trials were carried out in collaborationwith the Royal Netherlands Navy andoverseen by the Netherlands AerospaceCentre (NLR), which previously developed themethodology for the Netherlands Navy tosignificantly reduce the number of test hoursat sea and thus lower the costs of testing. Themethod includes testing ship models in a windtunnel to understand the airflow and anyturbulence around the vessels, and shore-based trials to expose helicopters to differentwind speeds on land.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force is in theprocess of introducing 14 NH90NFH intoservice, operating from offshore patrol vesselsand frigates on coastal security and anti-submarine warfare missions.

� Following the first flight on 10 July at theAirbus Helicopters Donauworth factory of thesecond prototype NH90NFH Sea Lion in theproduction configuration for the GermanNavy, the programme has now entered thequalification phase. This is being carried outin partnership with the official authorities,leading to the expected release of the militarytype certificate later in 2019.

18 Sea Lion helicopters are on order for theGerman Navy, to replace the Westland SeaKing Mk.41 in the search and rescue, maritimesurveillance and special forces roles. The firstprototype began test flying in December 2016and production deliveries are scheduled tobegin at the end of 2019. � Three Royal Air Force Boeing ChinookHC.Mk.5 helicopters from No.18 Squadron atRAF Odiham, supported by around 90 troops,were deployed to Mali in mid July to providelogistical and personnel transport for theFrench counter-terrorism operations in theSahel region of the country. The aircraft arethe first upgraded Mk.5s, which feature 7800l(3182 gall) long range fuel tanks inheritedfrom their Mk.3 ancestry, to be deployedoperationally overseas.

The UK has been a long standing supporterof UN military operations in Mali, working toprevent extremists using the ungovernedspace in the Sahel to plan and launch attackson Europe as well as countering the illegaltrade in people, drugs, weapons and wildlife.� The former Royal Navy helicopter carrierHMS Ocean, now the PHM Atlântico with theBrazilian Navy, arrived offshore Rio de Janeiroon 23 August, following her 25 day transitvoyage from the UK. On arrival the shop tookon board a mix of two Sikorsky, S-70BSeahawks, two Airbus Helicopters H225M andtwo Bell 206B JetRangers for the final leg.

The carrier arrived in her home port ofArsenal de Marinha two days later on 25August. In service the Atlântico is capable ofoperating up to seven helicopters from itsflight deck and stowing up to 12 aircraft in itshangar. � The Royal Canadian Air Force has placed 15Sikorsky CH-124B Sea King helicopters up forsale, as the type reaches the end of its servicelife, with three other aircraft being sold fordisposal and recycling of materials. 24 CH-124Bs remain on strength, with some beingdonated to museums and as gate guardians.

The Public Services disposals authorityclaims that there have been a number ofexpressions of interest in the 54 year oldaircraft but has declined to provide anydetails. Meanwhile the authority has revealedthat up to C$459 million has been spent onmaintenance over the last five years, including

Above: The first modernised Mil Mi-26T2V forthe Russian Air Force began flight trials inAugust in this new digital camouflage colourscheme.


� A German Army study has identified a needfor up to 80 additional light helicopters tocover shortfalls in flight hours for pilottraining and to carry out other missions. Sincethe withdrawal of the MBB Bo105 helicopter,the service have had to rely on just 19 AirbusHelicopters EC635 for training, supported by15 H145M for the Special Forces.

Industry sources suggest that thegovernment has recognised the problem andis considering placing new orders, but notimescale or quantities have yet been agreed.However an initial tender for seven lighttransport helicopters to replace part of theageing Dornier-Bell UH-1D fleet is beingreleased early, with a decision and contractsigning expected by the end of this year.

Airbus Helicopters is offering the H145Mto meet this need and is competing againstBell, offering the Model 429. The expectedcontract is likely to be worth around Euro 70million, including spares and supportservices.� Airbus is to carry out new trials ofhelicopter air refuelling with the A400Mtactical transport early next year, in an effortto overcome the turbulence and controlissues experienced during trials with theH225M Caracal helicopter in previous tests.These have already forced the French andGerman air forces to purchase a small numberof Lockheed KC-130J air tankers to meet theirhelicopter in-flight refuelling commitments.

The new tests will replace the 27m (90ft)refuelling hose with a longer 36m (120ft) hose,housed in the same under-wing refuelling podbut also thinner to slow the rate of fuel flow.In addition to overcoming the previousturbulence issues, the longer hose alsoprovides better clearance between the A400Mand the helicopter’s rotor disc.

Above: The final two Sikorsky MH-60Rhelicopters for the Royal Danish Air Forcearrived at Karup courtesy of a USAF C-17 at theend of July.

� Rostvertol has begun pre-delivery flighttests of the first upgraded Mil Mi-26T2Vheavy lift helicopter for the Russian Air Force.The aircraft, serial Yellow 3112, introducesdigital flight controls, multi-function colourdisplays, integrated avionics and newnavigation equipment, together with aDirectional Infrared Counter Measures(DIRCM) system.

This first helicopter, finished in a newdigital camouflage paint scheme, wasrecently shown at the Army 2018 forum, heldat the Sverdlovsky training ground in theMoscow region, before being delivered to theMil Moscow Helicopter Plant for preliminaryflight tests. State trials will follow, carried outby the Russian military, before deliveriesbegin under the 2018-2027 state armamentprogramme.

The upgrade does not include any increasein the 20 tonne lifting capacity but will makethe helicopter more capable on the battlefieldand under more extreme weather conditions,with an ability to operate at night as well asover difficult terrain. � The US State Department has approved apossible Foreign Military Sale to Latvia of fourSikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters andrelated equipment for an estimated cost of$200 million. The Latvian government entereda request to purchase the helicopters, toreplace its current Russian furnished Mil Mi-8MTV-1s used for border security, search andrescue and similar missions.

Introducing the UH-60M is expected toimprove interoperability with NATO forcesand help to modernise the Latvian Air Forcewith new generation equipment. If the order isconfirmed, the UH-60Ms will be delivered withembedded GPS/INS navigation systems, TalonFLIR, 20 AN/AVS-6 helmet-mounted NVS, andother avionics systems, with a range of sparesand initial contractor support.� Northrop Grumman and the US ArmyAviation Flight Test Directorate have begunlimited user testing of the UH-60V BlackHawk, an upgrade of the Sikorsky UH-60L with

a proposed Integrated Avionics Suite digitisedcockpit. The modification makes the UH-60Vpilot-vehicle interface almost identical to thecurrent production UH-60M Black Hawk, witha fully integrated and open architecture glasscockpit replacing the UH-60L analogueinstruments with electronic instrumentdisplays.

Three flight test beds are currently in useand the limited user testing will now evaluatethe system’s operational readiness,capabilities and compatibility with the UH-60M pilot-vehicle interface. If this phase issuccessful, the Army is expected to authoriselow-rate production to start next year. Subjectto budgets, some 600 UH-60L Black Hawkswill eventually be converted to the UH-60Vconfiguration.� The Royal Danish Air Force has receivedthe last two Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters forNo.723 Sqdn, from the order for nine aircraftplaced under a Foreign Military Sales contractwith the US Navy in late 2012. thehelicopters, serials N-978 (ex BuAer 168978)and N-979 (ex BuAer 168979) arrived at KarupAir Base aboard a US Air Force C-17 on 31July.

Previous deliveries included three aircrafton 11 May 2016 and one each in August 2016and January, May and August 2017. Alsohanded over to the Danish Air Force as partof the sale were two former SH-60B Seahawkairframes for ground instructional work, bothof which had been delivered by October2016. In service the MH-60Rs will operate atsea from the Iver Huitfeldt class frigates onjoint NATO duties and fishery protectionpatrols.� The Ecuadorian Ministry of NationalDefence is to issue a requirement for newlight helicopters to expand the army’s multirole capabilities and is also to purchase sixtwin-engine helicopters for the Air Force, tobe used in search and rescue (SAR)operations.

Given the long standing relationship withHelibras and parent Airbus Helicopters,further H125 Esquilo orders seem likely tofulfil the Army need, whilst the H215 SuperPuma is likely to be in the frame for the AirForce SAR role. � RIMPAC saw the US Marine Corps trial anExpeditionary Mobile Fuel AdditizationCapability (EMFAC) for the first time, takingcommercially available Avtur and convertingit into military grade JP-8. This was thenused in Bell UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicoptersparticipating in the exercise. Having thiscapability provides greater fuel options whenrefuelling in the field where militaryspecification fuel isn’t readily available.

Censored- DATELINE: AUTUMN 2018



Leonardo promotes AW249 deal withPolandLeonardo and Polska Gruppa Zbrovjeniow(PGZ) in Poland have signed a letter of intentfor the two companies to collaborate on thedevelopment of the AW249 combat helicopter.The 7-8 tonne helicopter is already the subjectof a multi year contract with the Italian Ministryof Defence, to produce a replacement for thecurrent AW129 Mangusta attack helicopter.

Poland has a requirement under its Krukprogramme to replace the Mil Mi-24 in asimilar 2025 time scale and Leonardo issuggesting that PGZ, together with Leonardo’sPolish subsidiary PZL Swidnik, could usefullycollaborate in a number of areas, includingdesign, manufacturing, final assembly,marketing, servicing and after-sales support forthe AW249.

Although relatively few details have beenrevealed on the AW249 programme, it isgenerally considered that the design willemploy a dynamic system based on thecurrent AW139/AW189 layout, but with anairframe taking operational lessons learnedfrom the smaller AW129 Mangusta. Thus thenew aircraft will feature a similar narrow profiletandem-seat nose section, with a turretedchin-mounted gun and six stub wing stationscapable of carrying a range of new generationweaponry. Leonardo says the aircraft would becapable of carrying a useful load in excess of1800kg (3968lb) and enjoy speeds andendurance to sustain the most difficult airsupport and armed escort operations. Inaddition the AW249 will feature the latestcommunications and battlefield managementsystems, with a mission system able tooperate and manage multiple unmanned airvehicles, and with situational awareness aidsto reduce pilot work load and improve safety.

PGZ is one of the largest armamentholdings in Europe, bringing together over 60small and medium enterprises in Poland, aswell as being involved in vehicle and shipmanufacturing and aviation support. TheGroup has an established dialogue withLeonardo on defence and security industrialcollaboration, including multiple agreementssigned over the last three years.

However Boeing has also signed anagreement with PGZ to provide support for theAH-64E Apache, should that be chosen for theKruk programme, and demonstrated the typein Poland in early September to military andgovernment officials.

Trekker offer to Australian SpecialForcesLeonardo Helicopters displayed the AW109Trekker at the recent Land Forces 2018Conference in Adelaide, Australia offering

the twin-engined, skid-equipped aircraft tomeet a future Australian Special Forcesrequirement.

The Australian Defence Force is seekingnew helicopters under its Land 2097, Phase4-Special Operations Rotary Wing Capabilityand Leonardo claims the Trekker can provide afully commercial off the shelf solution. With acabin equal in size to the AW109S GrandNew,it can accommodate up to six troops and isreadily deployable by C-17 transport aircraftoperated by the Royal Australian Air Force. Italso offers a fully integrated glass cockpit andthe highest power to weight ratio in its class.

For the Land Forces event, the aircraft wasfitted with an external rescue hoist, cargo hookand rappelling equipment as well as FLIRcameras, video downlinks and searchlightprovision. The helicopter was also equippedwith ballistic armour and defensive weaponryto overcome landing zone threats, togetherwith a modular interior to allow rapid rolechanges.


Above: Leonardo Helicopters has releasedimages of its AW249 combat helicopter, nowbeing offered to Poland to meet the Krukattack helicopter requirement

US Navy shipboard trials with OspreyThe US Navy has been carrying out rolling landing and take off trials with an MV-22B Ospreytiltrotor in preparation for the delivery of the future CMV-22 variant, scheduled to replace thefixed-wing Grumman C-2A, for carrier on board (COD) operations. Test pilots from Air Testand Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 have been carrying out the trials, using the aircraft carrierUSS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) sailing offshore the US east coast.

The MV-22B has been operating at weights in excess of 25,855kg (57,000lb) for the landingsand take offs on the ship, using short take off and rolling landing techniques to maximisepayload performance. The C-2A is limited to 22,226kg (49,000lb). The onboard testing alsoincluded integrating the Osprey into flight deck operations and trialling the aircraft’s verticaltake off/landing capability for future vertical replenishment operations. The CMV-22 variantwill differ from the US Marine Corps MV-22B by having an extended operational range, beyondline-of-sight HF communications, an improved fuel dump capability, a public address systemfor passengers and an improved lighting system for cargo loading.

On 1 October the US Navy will establish the first COD squadron to operate the CMV-22Bat Naval Air Station North Island in southern California. Fleet Logistics Multi-MissionSquadron (VRM) 30 will initially be complemented on the US east coast from 1 October by theNaval Aviation Training Support Group at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina,which is currently operating loan US Marine Corps (USMC) MV-22B Ospreys from MarineMedium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (VMMT) 204 in the Navy training role. Three CMV-22BCOD Squadrons will eventually be established, with VRM-40 Sqdn next deploying aircraft fromNAS Norfolk, Virginia to support each carrier air wing operating from the east coast. The thirdsquadron, VRM-50, will eventually follow to take on the role of the current USMC fleetreplacement squadron VMMT 204 Navy detachment, when that relocates to North Island fromNew River in due course.

To house the new CMV-22B units at North Island, a comprehensive building programme isbeing initiated, with new and refurbished hangars, repaved aprons and other facilities, all ata cost estimated to be in the region of $130 million. If all goes according to plan however, theCMV-22B should reach initial operating capability by 2020 and be fully operational four yearsafter that, with the current COD C-2 Greyhound completely out of service by 2026.

However, the first operational cruise with the CMV-22B could take place in 2021 aboard theUSS Carl Vinson, supporting spares deliveries for the Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint StrikeFighter, which is due to begin its first operational deployment aboard the carrier at the sametime.


First rebuilt MH-53 deliveredErickson Inc in Portland, Oregon has delivered back to the US Navy the first of two SikorskyMH-53 heavy lift helicopters, which the company has been rebuilding since they wereremoved from long term storage in 2015. The second aircraft is expected to complete itsoverhaul and be re-delivered by the end of the year.

Erickson was selected for the repair and overhaul work on the MH-53s because of theirexperience with the S-64 Aircrane, which shares similarities with the H-53 family, and theirsub-contract work for Sikorsky on CH-53E tail pylons. A number of the company’s employeesare also ex-Marine and Navy personnel with maintenance experience on the H-53. As theaircraft had been sitting in the desert at the Davis-Monthan storage facility for a length oftime, Erickson has had to carry out thousands of discrepancy rectifications, manufacture 450replacement parts and design and implement 25 engineering repairs over the past threeyears, to bring the aircraft back to an operational standard.

The aircraft will now enter service to help meet a shortfall in the US Navy heavy-liftcapability and airborne mine countermeasures missions.

•The German government has confirmed the postponement of a decision on theprocurement of a new heavy-lift helicopter to replace the Air Force Sikorsky CH-53G fleet,which is due to be retired by 2025. Budgetary pressures are blamed for the delay.

The Sikorsky CH-53K and the upgraded Block II version of the Boeing CH-47F Chinook hadbeen short-listed in the competition.

USAF select Boeing/LeonardoFollowing a prolonged competition the USAir Force has announced the selection of thejoint Boeing/Leonardo entry for its futurenuclear missile base security and VIPtransport programme, valued at $2.38billion. The programme will provide up to 84helicopters based on the LeonardoHelicopters AW139, and associated trainingdevices and support equipment.

Subject to any challenges from rivalbidders, the aircraft will be assembled at theLeonardo Helicopters plant in northeastPhiladelphia, with the mission specificequipment being installed by primecontractor Boeing at their local RidleyTownship facility. The airframes will likelycome from the PZL Swidnik facility inPoland, where all AW139 fuselages are built,with the dynamic system being built up by

Leonardo in Italy before shipment toPhiladelphia.

Bell and Airbus Helicopters did not enterbids but the US Air Force says that the strongcompetition between Boeing, and LockheedMartin and Sierra Nevada, who both offeredvariants of the Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk,drove down costs for the programme,resulting in $1.7 billion savings from theoriginal $4.1 billion estimate. Boeing wereable to make savings in part because theAW139 is already flying with other militaryforces and parapublic operators worldwide.The notional 30 year life cycle andoperational costs are also claimed to bebetter than the H-60 rivals. However bothLockheed Martin and Sierra Nevada areclosely analysing the Air Force decision andcould yet challenge the result. LockheedMartin in fact challenged the procurementlast February, even before a selection wasmade, arguing that certain aspects of therequirement breached the company’stechnical data protection rights. This protestwas dismissed in May after Air Force officials

clarified that they would not compelcompanies to hand over software codes orproprietary data.

Leonardo has invested more than $125million in their Philadelphia facility forassembly of the aircraft, designated theMH139 by Boeing, and similar to the HH-139combat SAR variant in service with the ItalianAir Force. This features a chin-mountedsensor turret, provision for stub wingmountings to carry limited weaponry,searchlight, hoist, 4 axis digital AFCS, securecomms and fully integrated avionics in theall-glass cockpit. The award to the combineincludes an initial contract valued at approx$375 million, for the first four MH139s andthe integration of the Air Force-specificequipment.

Efforts to replace the ageing Bell UH-1Nsused in the missile base security andWashington DC VIP role in fact go back to2010, when the Air Force attempted to solesource UH-60Ms for the role, before movingto a new Common Vertical Lift Support(CVLS) Platform in 2011 which wassubsequently cancelled. The presentreplacement programme was then launchedin 2015, still sole-sourcing at least half thereplacement fleet with 41 UH-60Ms and onlymoving to a fully competitive procurementin late 2016. Even at that stage, an H-60Uvariant was seen as a shoe-in by manyobservers, although the Request forProposals had to be rewritten after none ofthe interested bidders could provide an off-the-shelf solution to meet the Air Forcethreshold requirements.

The win for Boeing and Leonardo istherefore all the more remarkable for thiscomplex history and, for the lattercompany in particular, marks a significantbreak through into the US military market,after previously losing out on the US CoastGuard Deep Water competition and thewithdrawn CVLS requirement. The win alsomarks only the third US military successfor the European helicopter industry, afterthe Aerospatiale HH-65A contract for theUS Coast Guard and the Airbus UH-72Awin for the US Army, although a fourthsuccess by AgustaWestland with the VH-71Presidential contract, did get lift off beforecosts escalated and the order wascancelled, due to the additional securityand special equipment demands. Thefirst MH-139s are expected to enteroperational service in 2021, equipped tocarry nine armed troops, and likely with anew Air Force designation (H-73A) andname.


Above: The Boeing-led bid to supply theLeonardo AW139M helicopter to meet the USAFnuclear missile base security requirement hasproved successful.

Parapublic

•The UK National Police Air Service (NPAS)completed its last operational tasking fromthe Boreham base in Essex on 31 August,before its EC135 helicopter was flown to theAirbus Helicopters facility at Oxford Airportfor engineering work. Meanwhile the NPASBoreham service will be temporarily relocated26km (16 miles) away to the NPAS Londonbase at Lippits Hill.

The Boreham base has been in use forpolice helicopter operations since December1989, initially by Essex Police before formingpart of NPAS in 2012. The move has beenplanned for, as the site is shared with a gravelextraction company which is extending itsoperations. NPAS says this work will preventthe continued safe operation of policehelicopters at this time.

•Elitaliana in Italy has taken delivery of athird new Leonardo AW169 helicopter fromLease Corporation International (LCI), fullyequipped for emergency medical service(EMS) operations. The aircraft was handedover on 9 July and joins two other AW169s,delivered by LCI in 2016 and 2017 and,operating from Elitaliana EMS bases in Romeand the Lazio region.

Elitaliana is Italy’s oldest survivinghelicopter company, having been founded in1964. The company covers a wide range ofmissions, including EMS, offshore helicoptertransport, environmental monitoring, forestfire fighting and search and rescue. Thecompany fleet comprises some 90 helicoptersdelivered, on order or under management andincluding further AW169s deployed on othermissions as well as the larger AW139 andAW189 helicopters.

•The Victoria State Police Wing in Australiahas awarded a new air support contract toStarFlight, operating three Leonardo AW139helicopters. A second contract has also beenawarded to Skytraders to provide a fixed-wingcomponent.

In service, the AW139s will replace thecurrent Airbus Helicopters AS365N3 Dauphinhelicopters contracted from CHC Helicopter,with entry into service scheduled by 2020. TheState government budgeted A$63 million forthe acquisition of the new aircraft in 2016.

•The UK-wide HELP Appeal, which matchfunds the construction of new helipads andhospitals across the country, has provided£480,000 towards the cost of upgrading thelanding facility at Raigmore Hospital inInverness. With £120,000 also provided fromthe Highland Health Board Endowment fund,the new helipad will be able to meet theincreasing demands of larger and morefrequent helicopter use, as well as newstandards such as landing lights.

Over 500 flights each year arrive and takeoff at Raigmore Hospital, bringing patients infrom across the remote rural mountain andisland areas of the Highlands. In addition tosmaller helicopters, these include SikorskyS-92A aircraft of the Maritime and CoastGuard Agency. Construction of the rebuilthelipad began in August and is expected to becompleted by November. In the meantime atemporary helipad has been set up nearby inthe hospital grounds.

The upgrade is the seventh HELP Appealproject in Scotland, following helipads fundedin Glasgow, Edinburgh and four otherHighlands and Island hospital sites.

•Japanese air medical operator Hiratagakuenhas taken delivery of a second Airbus H145helicopter, registered JA903H, for emergencymedical service missions under the nationalDoctor Heli banner. The first H145 wasdelivered in December 2017 and enteredservice in June, based at the Nagasaki MedicalCentre in Nagasaki Prefecture.

Known in Japan as the BK117D-2 under thejoint manufacturing and marketing agreementwith Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the H145 isexpected to continue to find further sales inJapan’s air medical sector, as earlier BK117sare withdrawn from service.

•The Jamaican Defence Force Air Wing is nowoperating two Bell 429 helicopters for searchand rescue, medical evacuation, disaster reliefand national security missions, with a thirdaircraft due to be delivered next year. The AirWing already operates an all-Bell fleet,including four Model 407s and two Model412EPs. The new arrivals will replace four agedBell UH-1H helicopters that are no longeroperational.

•The Royal Cayman Islands Police isconsidering replacing its Airbus HelicoptersEC135 helicopter, which it acquired secondhand with support from the UK National PoliceAir Service in 2010. The ex-Thames ValleyPolice aircraft was originally built in 1999 andhad a projected remaining service life of five

years when it was transferred to the CaymanIslands.

Fortunately good maintenance has seenthe helicopter extend its life and officials nowbelieve they can continue operating it foranother four-five years despite increasingcosts. Over the past five years the annualmaintenance costs have averaged some$425,000, coming out of an overall budget forthe entire operation of $1.6 million this year.The aircraft has however proved its worth, notjust in law enforcement and utility work butalso for search and rescue and disaster relief,notably in the Turks and Caicos Islands afterHurricane Irma.

Expanding this capability, includingsupporting the Cayman Islands Coast Guard,is now seen as part of the requirement for areplacement aircraft, with the AirbusHelicopters H145 very much in the frame.

•United Rotorcraft has secured a newcontract to convert Sikorsky S-70 helicoptersinto the specialist Firehawk configuration, thistime for Ventura County in California whichhas purchased two ex-US Army HH-60Lvariants for its Fire Department. The twohelicopters, previously equipped for medevacoperations, will undergo the conversion workover the coming months.

The aircraft, ex US Army serials 03-26996and 05-27037 and originally built in 2003 and2005, were registered with the FederalAviation Administration on 17 August asN60VC and N70VC respectively, and will nowbe modified with the Firehawk extendedlanding gear, 3785l (1000 gall) belly water tankand retractable snorkel refill system. Bothhelicopters will also receive a multi-missioncabin interior, which will retain some of theprevious medevac equipment but will allowspace to transport fire crews and to carry out

Above: This Leonardo AW119K Koala hasrecently entered service for air ambulanceoperations, based at Banja Lukka in Bosnia.


Parapublic

search and rescue and other missions.Ventura County currently operates two Bell

Super Huey helicopters, equipped with 1420l(375 gall) belly tanks, which have been flyingat the edge of their limits trying to containwild fires in the rugged terrain of southernCalifornia in recent months. On completionthe new Firehawks will likely replace the twoolder aircraft and will be painted in the sameyellow/blue scheme.

•An Airbus Helicopters A365N3+ Dauphinof 35F Squadron French Navy and based inTahiti carried out a long range medicalevacuation flight in French Polynesia on 19August, covering a distance of 3,426km (2129miles) over a flight time of 14 hours, to reachTenarunga atoll to airlift the patient toMoruroa for a fixed-wing air ambulanceevacuation.

The helicopter routed from Tahiti via theislands of Fakarava, Hao and Moruroa to reachthe atoll and returned from Moruroa on thefollowing day via two refuelling stops at Haoand Fakarva to reach Tahito in the lateafternoon. 35F provides helicopter support,including medevac fire fighting and disasterrelief across the 118 islands and atolls thatmake up French Polynesia archipelago. Thiscovers some 3500sq.km (1351sq.miles) of landarea although only 67 islands are inhabited.

•The two year spat between the OrangeCounty Sheriff and the local Fire Authorityregarding who should cover helicopter rescueand other emergencies in the County(HeliData News passim) appears to be over.The two organisations agreed a new jointoperations plan in early August to make moreeffective use of their helicopter assets toserve the community.

Under the new plan the Sheriff ’sdepartment will take the lead on criminalactivity and search and rescue operations,whilst the Fire Authority will lead on highwaysmedical emergencies and fire fightingresponses. The plan is intended to ensure the

joint capabilities complement each other andfill in any operational gaps. Discussions havealso now begun on amalgamating theseparate bases in one location, although notime line has yet been established to achievethis.

Whilst it is early days in the newrelationship, the two organisations did worktogether during a recent wild fire episode inthe Cleveland National forest, that destroyedover 23,000 acres in both Orange andRiverside Counties, which is a far cry from lastJanuary, when the Sheriff ’s Departmenthelicopter was asked by the Fire Authority tocancel a rescue mission.

•The Devon Air Ambulance Trust hasordered a new Airbus H145 helicopter foremergency medical service missions, toreplace one of its two Airbus EC135s, G-DVAA, which has been flying since 2008. Thesecond EC135, currently based in Exeter, willrelocate to the North Devon base nearUmberleigh when the H145 is delivered inmid-2020, with the two aircraft then providingday and night time coverage in an expansionof the Trust’s operation.

The new H145, to be registered G-DAAS,will cost in the region of £8.5 million kittedout, but this will be partially offset by the saleof the older EC135, a T2+ model with over3500 hours.

•The Sonoma County Sheriff in Californiahas put into service a new Bell 407GX,N108SC for law enforcement, search andrescue and similar public service missions.The $5.5 million helicopter is being fundedthrough a mix of state and federal assetforfeiture funds, money and propertyconfiscated during investigations, a $1000Federal grant and loans.

The aircraft replaces an older Model 407,which is 22 years old and was acquiredsecond hand from the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment in 2008. The helicopter wasrequiring costly maintenance, totalling morethan $251,000 last year alone and expected toincrease to more than the aircraft’s resalevalue in the near future. The replacementcarries an upgraded mapping system,searchlight and forward looking infrared

camera, which are expected to improve theefficiency of the helicopter operation.

Since being established in the 1960s theSheriff ’s helicopter unit has grown, and is nowcarrying out an average of 900 missionsannually despite a chequered history. The firstofficial helicopter, a Bell 47, crashed in 1977with the death of the unit’s first pilot, followedby the loss of the second helicopter, a Hughes500C, which crashed in October 1980 killingboth the crew, whilst returning from a latenight call-out. In 1981 the county bought anew McDonnell Douglas MD500D, whichsuffered from a series of mechanicalproblems, including five engine failures. Thelast of these in 1982 left the helicopterseverely damaged on tidal rocks on theCalifornian coastline.

Following this history, the County switchedto leasing helicopters and pilots in 1983,initially with Bell 206B and 206L helicoptersand eventually a Model 407. However thisarrangement also suffered from frequentgroundings, leading to the decision in 2008 torevert to the County purchasing its ownhelicopter, and signing a contract with a BellHelicopter Customer Service Facility toperform the maintenance. This arrangement iscontinuing with the new Bell 407GX.

•Luton Airport in Bedfordshire has agreed tosupply free fuel to any Essex and Herts AirAmbulance Trust AW169 helicopter that landsat the airport. In addition Harrods Aviationhas agreed to waive all landing charges andhandling costs for the charity.

Like many other airports in the UK Lutonhas never charged landing fees foremergencies, but the new agreement meansthat the air ambulance can now use theairport as a pit stop, allowing quickerresponse times to medical emergencies in thesurrounding area.

•Texas-based AeroBrigham showcased arecently completed Bell 407 helicopter in alaw enforcement configuration at the AirbornePublic Service Association conference(APSCON) in Louisville, Kentucky from 11-13July. The comprehensively equipped aircraftunderwent extensive avionics integration, aswell as a paint and interior refurbishment atthe company’s facilities in Decatur.

This work included installation of anextended carbon fibre instrument panel with30cm (12in) and 38 (15in) monitors, a GarminG500 electronic flight instrument system, andin the rear cabin a tactical flight officer suitewith a 38cm (15in) monitor utilising theChurchill Mapping Augmented RealityMapping System. In addition the aircraftfeatures a chin-mounted FLIR Star Safire380 HD system with a thermal imager.

Above: The Sonoma County Sheriff in Californiahas put a new Bell 407GX helicopter intoservice for public service missions.



Airbus H145M capability demoAirbus Helicopters has been demonstratingthe attributes of its H145M HForce armedhelicopter to prospective new customers atthe Bakony Combat Training Centre inHungary, using the shark’s teeth adornedH145M trials aircraft, D-HMBE. Currentbuyers were also invited to attend thedemonstrations.

The company so far has orders for 51H145Ms, including 15 already in service withthe German Special Forces, 20 on order for theHungarian Air Force, nine for Serbia, two forLuxembourg and five for Thailand. Serbia willbe the launch operator for the HForce systemon the H145M, with deliveries starting nextyear and with Hungarian deliveries following in2020, although only about 12 of the 20 aircrafton order will be fitted for the HForce kits.These systems will be more advanced thanthose being delivered to Serbia, featuring bothballistic weapons and guided rockets toprovide a more sophisticated light attackhelicopter. Whilst only Hungary and Serbiahave ordered the HForce weapons packagecombination to date, Airbus is offering theoption to other H145M operators and inviteddelegations from other countries to Hungaryto view the firing demonstrations. Theseinclude Australia, Austria, Brazil, the CzechRepublic, Iraq, Kazakhstan and the UnitedStates.

The latter could be especially interesting,given that the US Army is now looking again ata light scout/attack helicopter to replace theBell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, which some nowregret retiring early. Airbus Helicopters alreadybuilds the UH-72A Lakota variant of the EC145for the Army at its Columbus facility inMississipi and the company is suggesting that,if selected, the H145M could be assembledalongside and offered for Foreign Military Salestoo, with or without the HForce kit. Australia isalso known to be looking at a light attackhelicopter in the H145 class for its SpecialForces, with a requirement for four aircraft tobe flown to an area aboard a C-17 transportand being ready for operations within 30minutes of unloading.

The demonstration covered both day andnight firing of laser-guided rockets andfollowed firing trials of ballistic rockets at thesame location in early July and previous gun-firing tests. Meanwhile the qualification testsof laser-guided 70mm Thales rockets are dueto be completed by mid 2019, with guidedmissiles to follow in 2020. These are likely toinitially cover the Lockheed Martin AGM-114Hellfire and the Rafael Spike anti-armourmissiles, depending on customer selection,but subsequently could involve integrating

other missiles, including the MBDA Brimstone2 as well as air-to-air and anti-ship options.

Skeldar introduces new drone variantUMS Skeldar has introduced a new maritimevariant of its V-200 helicopter drone, designatedthe V-200B and featuring improvements overthe baseline heavy-fuelled original. Theseinclude an extended five hour endurance andadded payload capabilities, with a 10kg (22lb)increase from its predecessor.

Despite its similar external appearance tothe V-200, the internal design has introducedmajor changes, which have contributed toweight saving and translated into theadditional payload. With a maximum 45kg(100lb) payload, this enables the V-200B tocarry up to three sensors, allowing the droneto carry out varied missions without the needto reconfigure. These can include EO/IRsystems, small radars and the Sentient VisionSystem visual detection and ranging wide-areamaritime search sensor. UMS Skeldar is a jointventure between UMS Aero in Switzerland and

Saab, and acquired the German Hirth enginemanufacturer earlier this year, which providesthe V-200 powerplant. It has now added anengine management system for the V-200B.

One of the original V-200 drones has beensold to Indonesia for search and developmentuses and another flew on a six-monthoperational deployment with the SpanishNavy on anti-piracy duties. Experience fromthese deployments, together with an extensivetest campaign, greatly influenced the V-200Bredesign. The first production aircraft are nowbeing manufactured at a plant in Linköping,Sweden for an undisclosed customer andthe company is now bidding with partnersfor contracts with the Royal Canadian Navyand to meet Australia’s Sea 129 Phase 5 Stage1 requirement for a maritime tacticalunmanned aerial system.

Above: Airbus Helicopters has beendemonstrating its armed H145M HForcecombinsation to prospective new customers.First delivereies begin in 2019.


Last US Navy Bell AH-1W overhaulThe US Navy Fleet Readiness Centre Southwest at Camp Pendleton, California has inducted thelast Bell AH-1W SuperCobra allocated to undergo the Integrated Maintenance Programme (IMP).The overhaul is expected to be completed by the end of September, when the aircraft will eitherbe returned to service with Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 775 under the 4th MarineWing, or placed in reserve storage.

Under the IMP the AH-1Ws have been kept mission-ready by examining the integrity of theairframe through two planned maintenance intervals. The first occurs every 50 days, when therotor blades and transmission, gearboxes and engines are removed for inspection, along withthe fuel cells and crew seats, to allow checks of normally hidden airframe areas. All the fuel oiland hydraulic lines are also changed at this stage. The second maintenance interval takes placeevery 78 days, repeating most of the previous inspections but also stripping the aircraft paintusing a particle media blast and then refinishing.

The intensive work to maintain the AH-1W has been necessary because of the maritimeenvironment, where the helicopter is continually exposed to salt water corrosion, and becauseof the airframe is primarily of sheet metal. The new generation AH-1Z Viper uses more castaluminium parts and has a more rigid and stronger airframe. Following the ending of the IMP forthe AH-1W, the tem at Camp Pendleton will focus in future on the AH-1Z and the UH-1Y Venom,putting between 40 and 50 aircraft each year through the process.

•The Bell Training Academy opened a new commercial pilot trainingfacility close to its headquarters in Hurst, Texas on 9 July. Named after thecompany’s pioneering test pilot, Floyd Carlson, the airfield providesrunways for training critical normal and emergency procedures, includingfull touch-down autorotations which Bell sees as a differentiator in itscustomer training experience.

Many training schools in the United States rarely teach students thisskill, preferring to demonstrate only partial autorotations beforerecovering and flying away. This is because of the perceived risk to thehelicopter and its occupants if a full touch-down autorotation goes wrong.The Bell Training Academy challenges this assumption. The new airfieldalso features other training situations, including a raised platform tofamiliarise pilots with landing offshore and on elevated hospital helipads.

Carlson was notable as having performed the first flight of every Bellhelicopter from the early Model 47 in 1945 until his retirement from flyingin 1971.

•Kaman Aerosystems has partnered with K-Max helicopter operatorRainier Heli International to offer leasing solutions to customers for thespecialist external lift helicopter. Rainier currently owns and operates amixed fleet of helicopters in the United States, including the K-Max whichhas been deployed by the company on fire fighting and utility missions formore than 20 years.

Kaman is currently producing the last airframes of a new batch of 10 K-Max for potential customers and is about to commit to a furtherproduction run to meet expected demand. The tie-up with Rainier, whichspecialises in providing lease and lease-to-purchase programmes to meetthe specific needs of helicopter operators worldwide, is expected to offera new financing option for K-Max customers engaged in external loadoperations.

Earlier in August 15 K-Max were involved in fire fighting operations onthe US west coast. The unique single-seat, single-engine helicopter with itsintermeshing contra-rotating rotor system can lift up to 2722kg (6,000lb).

•The US Defence Department awarded contracts to two US companies on24 August. Columbia Helicopters will receive $243 million under an optionyear modification to provide airlift support to the US Central Command inAfghanistan, taking the cumulative value of the contract to $468.7 million.

CHI Helicopters was awarded $54.6 million, also to provide airliftservices in Afghanistan and taking the previous contract cumulative valueto $115 million.

•MD Helicopters has received US Federal Aviation Administrationcertification for the upgraded glass cockpit installation in the MD530Flight helicopter. The approval follows the earlier certification last year ofsimilar cockpits for both the MD530F and MD600N variants of the samehelicopter.

The new cockpit includes a Howell Instruments Electronic EngineInstruments and Crew Alert System, Garmin G500 (H) TXi Electronic FlightInstrument System with touch screen GDU 700P PFD/MFD, Garmin GTN650 touch screen NAV/COM/GPS and an optional L-3 ESI 500 electronicstandby instrument. Deliveries of production aircraft with the new cockpitare already underway, with the first aircraft going to the US Army andAfghan Air Force, and to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

MD Helicopters is now focusing on obtaining certification for the samecockpit configuration for the remaining single-engined variants in the family.

•Senior executives at Hansen Helicopters, who are awaiting trial on fraudand conspiracy charges relating to the company operations in Guam have

been allowed by a judge to communicate with each other, after claimingthat a previous court ordered restriction was negatively impacting thebusiness. At a hearing on 27 August the judge agreed that company ownerJohn Walker, Executive vice president Marvin Reed, Operations DirectorKenneth Crowe, and Maintenance Director Phillip Kapp can talk to eachother so long as they limit their discussions to the helicopter business anddon’t discuss the court case.

Prosecutors told the judge there would be no way to know for sure thatthe four accused wouldn’t talk about the case and objected to therelaxation, noting that the charges were serious with property and lives putat grave risk. They also alleged that Kapp had already made contact witha potential government witness in a phone call, and asked for him to beplaced in custody until the trial. Again the judge disagreed, merelyreminding Kapp to tell potential witnesses he couldn’t communicate withthem and to follow the court’s order.

Meanwhile Kapp’s lawyers has accused the Federal government oftrying to put Hansen Helicopters out of business, claiming that hisclient had been refused entry to the Philippines recently after the USEmbassy in Manila passed Kapp’s passport number and details of theindictment to the Philippines government. Kapp was subsequentlydenied entry into the country.

•Bell completed hot/high testing of the Model 525 helicopter in earlyAugust, flying the second prototype from Yuma, Arizona intemperatures of up to 48.9 degrees C and to density altitudes of 4267m(14,000ft). Earlier in the year the aircraft carried out cold weather trialsin northern Manitoba, Canada in temperatures down to minus 38degrees C.

Bell says the Model 525 test fleet has now accumulated more than1,000 hours and flown at speeds in excess of 370km/h (200kt) atmaximum gross weight limits. The company is now preparing for FederalAviation Administration flight test participation in the fourth quarter as itcontinues to gather test data for certification, expected in 2019. Threetest aircraft are currently flying with a fourth, built to productionstandards, due to join the fleet by the end of this year.

•Two former supervisors at the US Corpus Christi Army Depot in Texasare facing indictments for alleged conspiracy and fraud, for falsifyingrecords to suggest Sikorsky UH-60 rotor blades were meeting US Armyspecifications when they did not. Both men were arrested in late August.The indictment alleges that the two supervisors instructed otheremployees to make false entries and certifications on UH-60 mainrotor blade dynamic balance data sheets, in order to pass off non-conforming blades as meeting the required specifications.

Regional News- NORTH AMERICA

Above: MJB Investments, based in Seattle, Washington State, took deliveryof a new H130 helicopter from the Airbus facility in Grand Prairie, Texason 15 August. The aircraft, registered N1985M, will be operated oncorporate missions in the Washington State region.


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Similarly the search and rescue group is working on establishing newguidelines by the end of this year, establishing flight data monitoringthresholds, a line-operations safety audit process and a review of terraindatabases for enhanced ground-proximity warning systems. CHC, BruneiShell, Babcock Offshore, Bristow, Cougar Helicopters and HNZ arecontributing to this group, along with the International Association ofOil and Gas Producers (IOGP).

Finally the helidecks group also includes the IOGP, along with theEuropean Aviation Safety Agency and the Gulf of Mexico centricHelicopter Safety Advisory Conference. This group is chaired by PHIGlobal Standards manager Patrick Bosman.

•Total E & P has recognised Omni Taxi Aereo in Brazil for theircontribution on maintaining policies and best safety practises in dailyoperations with the Total Commitment Award.

The operator supports Total Oil and gas operations from its base atJacarepaguá in Rio de Janeiro, transporting an average of 560 employeesper month in Airbus H225 helicopters on daily flights to the offshoreLapa field. The service also extends to a medevac operations.

The award was presented during Total’s WorldSafety Day to the Omniteam at Jacarepaguá airport on 4 August.

•Nigerian logistics company Tropical Arctic Logistics (TAL) announced atthe end of July that it has acquired six Leonardo AW139 helicopters, aspart of an aviation package aimed at investing in commercial aviation inthe country. The six AW139s, possibly also with one Sikorsky S-92helicopter, are intended for service in support of the oil and gas industry.

•Héli-Union has recently been recognised by Total E & P Myanmar for itsoperational safety record in the country, where the company supports oiland gas services from a base in Yangon. The award followed 12 monthsbetween May 2017 and April 2018 when no personnel injury or incidentsoccurred during Heli-Union’s offshore operations in the country.

Heli-Union first entered the Myanmar market in 1990, using AerospatialeAlouette helicopters for a seismic operation. It continued to operate in thecountry until 1998 before withdrawing, but decided to return in 2008 andsince then has expanded its presence continuously over the last decade.

•Sikorsky Aircraft says it is planning a series of upgrades for the S-92helicopter in 2019, although the company appears to be coy inannouncing what they may include, beyond suggesting they would offerbetter performance, range and payload. One option could includeinstalling the more powerful General Electric CT7-8AZ engine selectedfor the Canadian military CH-148 variant of the S-92, but otherimprovements are likely to focus on avionics technology and modularchanges for customer selection.

S-92 sales are in the doldrums at present, with around 10 offshoreconfigured aircraft currently in storage and new deliveries virtually stalledsince the last delivery to Era Helicopters in late 2017. One other S-92, serial 920297, was however cancelled from the USregister on 13 July as sold in the UK.

•The Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons in the African republic ofEquatorial Guinea has ordered all oil companies operating in the countryto cancel any contracts with CHC Helicopter, after accusing thehelicopter operator of failing to comply with national laws requiringpreference to be given to local companies when awarding servicecontracts. The National Content Regulation 2014 mandates that localshareholders must be part of every contract and producers have anobligation to ensure the compliance of their subcontractors.

CHC has operated in Equatorial Guinea since at least 2001 and deniesthe accusations, saying it has one of the most comprehensive trainingprogrammes of any oil and gas contractor in the country. This includestraining for pilots, engineers and administrative staff, a cadet trainingprogramme, and support for local charities and causes. The companyalso claims that its operations have been regularly audited and any minordiscrepancies addressed in an ongoing dialogue with the Minister ofMines and Hydrocarbons, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima. CHC says it isconfident it is in compliance with the regulations and hopes to continuediscussions with the Minister to resolve any issues forthwith.

The Ministry meanwhile gave oil producers in the country includingExxon Mobil, Kosmos Technology, Marathon Oil, Noble Energy andTrident 60 days to terminate contracts with CHC and find newoperators. It has also issued a warning that similar measures could betaken with other companies, as it continues a broader compliancereview of the entire sector.

• Lundin Petroleum has announced that its Rolvsnes oil and gasdiscovery in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea is almost five timesas large as first thought and has increased its estimates of the resourceto between 14 million and 78 million barrels. Previously the Swedishcompany had estimated the resource at 3-6 million barrels.

The new estimate follows the drilling of an initial appraisal well, butwill not lead to immediate production. The company plans to first carryout a longer production test, probably in 2020-2021 before making adecision on development. The new discovery is close to the EdvardGrieg oil and gas field and Lundin hopes to take advantage of sparecapacity at the Edvard Grieg production platform, when production atthat field begins to run down post 2020.

Further exploration in the area around Rolvsnes is also planned, withup to 250 million barrels estimated to yet be identified. A newexploration well is to be drilled at the nearby Goddo prospect in 2019.

•CHC began flights in August for Neptune Energy in the southernNorth Sea, using the Airbus Helicopters H175 to transport passengersbetween Norwich Airport and the offshore Cygnus A and Cygnus Bplatforms. The new 22 month contract, with multiple extension options,continues a 17 year aviation partnership with Neptune, which hasbecome one of CHC’s largest North Sea customers.

The new contract is in addition to the service already being providedto Neptune by CHC from the Netherlands, which is currently part-waythrough a 30 month contract extension operating three LeonardoAW139 helicopters. These fly to 32 different locations in the southernNorth Sea from the Den Helder base.

Bristow Norway also commenced its new offshore contract in theBarents Sea on 1 September, supporting Eni Norway and Equinor withpassenger transport and search and rescue (SAR) services. Thepreviously announced contract runs for five years, using an oil and gasconfigured Sikorsky S-92A based at Hammerfest and a second SAR-configured S-92A for day/night rescue work.

•A major new oil discovery, estimated at 171 million barrels of oil hadbeen revealed by Carnarvon Petroleum offshore Australia. The DoradoField, on the North West Shelf, is one of the largest oil resources everfound in the area and the first significant find in the last 30 years. Thediscovery is also expected to lead to additional resources beingdiscovered in the surrounding area.

Carnarvon Petroleum, which is based in Perth, has a 20 percent stakein the Dorado Field.

•The international safety organisation HeliOffshore has formed threenew Standards working groups to focus on safety strategies forhelidecks, wind farms, and search and rescue operations respectively.The groups plan to collaborate in defining standards for helicopterssupporting operations in these three sectors.

The wind farm group, chaired by Lee Harris from Siemens, aims toreplace current differing standards and specifications that have emergedwithin the sector, replacing them with new common guidelines by theend of 2019 that should improve safety and efficiency. Several majorhelicopter and wind turbine manufacturers are involved in this group,along with operators including CHC, Bristow, Heli Service International,Wiking, HTM, KN Helicopters, NHV and Era.

Regional News- OFFSHORE WORLDWIDE


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Helicopter HistoryThe Helicopter Museum in Somerset, England has placed a skeletalsculpture of a Bell 206 JetRanger on display as a new gate guardian,following a period of refurbishment by a small group of volunteers. Thesculpture was originally commissioned by a national house builder,Barratt Homes, which used it to promote development sites across theWest of England.

The Barratt connection with the JetRanger began in the 1970s, whenthe company became the first housing developer to advertise on Britishtelevision. The helicopter was used as a promotional tool, flying intohousing sites with a popular actor of the time, Patrick Allen, voicing thescript. The advertisements made Barratt a household name and,although the JetRanger was later replaced by an Agusta A109, theassociation continued to benefit the company long after the televisionadvertising ended in the mid-1980s.

Today’s house-buying generation however are unlikely to ever haveseen the advertisements, except on You Tube, and by 2011 the companydecided to stop using the sculpture and donated it to the museum.Following five years in storage, the feature went on display in August.

★The Royal Navy No. 849 Naval Air Squadron completed its last fightercontrol sortie with the Westland Sea King ASAC Mk.7 on 14 September,when aircraft ZA126 flew from RNAS Culdrose on a threat simulationexercise with BAE Hawks from No.736 Sqdn over the WesternApproaches.

Four days later, on 19 September, the last two ASAC Mk.7s in servicetook part in a farewell flypast for the Sea King, flying from Culdrose on athree hour trip around Cornwall and south west Devon, before the

aircraft was finally retired from service. The flypast took in passes overFalmouth, Saltash, Torpoint, Dartmouth and Teignmouth eastbound,before returing to Culdrose via Bodmin Airport, Padstow, NewquayAirport, Chiverton Cross, Godrev Lighthouse, Land’s End Airport,Sennen Cove, Penzance, St Michael’s Mount and Tregonning Hill back toCuldrose.

The ASAC Mk.7, with its unique offset search and radar in aninflatable bag originated from the AEW Mk.2 variant, developed tomeet an urgent fleet defence requirement during the Falklands conflict,but is now being replaced by the Leonardo MerlinHM Mk.2 with arole-fit mission kit.

Above: The Helicopter Museum in Somerset, England has placed askeletal sculpture of a Bell 206 JetRanger on display as a new gateguardian.

Sky Crane – Igor Sikorsky’s Last Vision. By J.A. McKenna.Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics &Astronautics. Price: $39.95 (USA). This A5-size softback, written bya retired Executive Vice President of Sikorsky Aircraft in 2010, bringstogether the evolution and operational use of the CH-54/S-64 heavy lifthelicopter in just over 100 pages. It begins with the early ideas and theunique S-60 experimental prototype and continues with the US Armyadoption of the design for recovery work in the Vietnam conflict, beforeending with the introduction of the type to the role that is best knownfor today-fire fighting around the world.

The S-64 was the last helicopter design initiated by Igor Sikorsky andthis is indeed a fitting tribute to his vision.

Helicopter Boys. By Richard Pike. Published by Grub Street.Price: £20.00 (UK), $35.00 (US/Canada). Well, this is a strangebook. Billed as exploring the role of helicopters in military and civiliansituations with over 14 contributors, this 175 page hardback more likelydemonstrates the reticence of most helicopter pilots to reveal or boastabout their exploits. As a result, the author seems to have backfilledsparse details with colourful dialogue to make the book more appealingto a wider audience.

No matter, the unadulterated contribution from Pushp Vaid, who wasthe pilot of the fated Boeing 234 North Sea crash in November1986,alone make worthwhile reading whilst vignettes from the Indonesianconfrontation, the Falklands War, Kosovo and similar conflicts give ataste of what the “helicopter boys” were really all about.

Ka-50 & Ka-52. By Jakub Fojtik. Published by Kagero. Price:£17.99 (UK). A 95 page softback, covering the development history,technical details and production runs of both the single-seat and thetwo seat versions of this unique attack helicopter, the many detailed

colour photographs are the likely highlight for many readers. Othersmay turn to the fascinating production list, never before published andrevealing much about the early development history.

A nice addition to any library on Russian helicopters.

The Bell AH-1 Cobra. By Alexander Lüdeke. Published bySchiffer Publishing. Price: £30.99 (UK), $34.99 (USA). Wheneverwe see a book from Schiffer, we know it will be of quality. Originallyauthored and published in German, the translation into English isexcellent and, although there are a few minor typos, (“AH First WorldWar”), - presumably meaning AH-1W?), this 191 page hardback doesnot disappoint. Subtitled “From Vietnam to the Present”, the authorneatly goes through the early development before detailing everyvariant through to the current AH-1Z, together with detail on the exportsales and the action in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. The finalchapter covers the non-military uses of the AH-1 notably for firefighting and display work, before ending with an appendix listing of allthe variants and technical specifications. Copiously illustratedthroughout, this may not be the only history published on the Cobra,but it is a fine addition to the library.

Air War Northern Ireland. By Stephen Taylor. Published by Pen-and-Sword. Price £19.99 (UK), 1439.95 (USA). The efforts todefeat the terrorism threat represented by the Provisional IRA inNorthern Ireland in the 1980s, in particular in South Armagh whereambushes and roadside bombs were a constant threat, saw the RoyalAir Force Air Corps playing an increasing role in moving security forcesaround the province. Much of this involved covert helicopteroperations, threatened by ever more sophisticated weapons used bythe terrorist and yet largely without them being able to claim muchsuccess.

This 157 page hardback reveals much about these operations andthe intelligence, skills and sometimes sheet luck that enabledthe pilots to carry out their missions. A good read.

Books reviewed in HELICOPTER International are available by mail order from The Helicopter Museum.Please fax +44-1934-645230 for cost and postage details or e-mail: [email protected]

Book Corner


Accident Spot14 MD Helicopters MD600N ZK-ILD of Helicopter

Hawkes Bay 2006 substantially damaged when itcrashed in remote area near Waiouru, NorthIsland whilst on commercial survey flight. 1 fatal.

16 McDonnell Douglas MD369FF N900FF ofNorth West Helicopters in accident at Yabucoa,Puerto Rico.

16 Airbus Helicopters AS350B3e B-7640 ofYunnan Feng Xiang General Aviaiton destroyedwhen it flew into high ground near DaqingMountain in Kummig, whilst en route to pick up apatient. The aircraft broke into two sections onimpact and caught fire. 3 fatal.

16 Leonardo Helicopter AW109S PR-JMB ofBauminas Logistica e Transportes destroyedwhen it crashed into mountainside and caughtfire at Espirito Santo do Dourado, Minas Gerais,Brazil after pilot reported a mechanical problem.2 fatal.

17 Bell 206 N2762P of San Juan Aviationsubstantially damaged near Orondo, WashingtonState during crop-spraying flight when it clippedpower lines and impacted trees and terrain in anorchard.

19 Robinson R66 N704OP of Ridgeline Aviationsubstantially damaged in accident at Cordova,Alaska after tail rotor caught in brush.

19 Bell OH-58A N303HP of North Carolina StateHighway Patrol substantially damaged duringattempted take off at Garner Heliport, Raleighwhen pilot was distracted and failed to unhookright side skid clamp from transporter unit usedto move helicopter from hangar. Helicopter rolledright until main rotor blades struck groundfollowed by separation of main rotor system andtransmission from the fuselage, along with the tailboom.

19 Heli-Sport CH-77 86-QF of Silvair Servicesdestroyed in crash whilst on approach toChâtellerault-Targé airfield, Vienne in France,when rotor blades detached in flight aftersuspected engine and vibration problems.Helicopter caught fire following impact withterrain. 2 fatal.

20 Agusta-Bell AB205A ES-650 of No.1 TEAS,Hellenic Army written off during postmaintenance test flight near Stefanovikion, whenmain rotor head and blades detached at lowlevel. Helicopter fell to ground and caught fire.

21 Unknown Type substantially damaged in crashon steep hillside near Wisp Hill, Otago, SouthIsland, New Zealand during spraying operation onfarm in the Owaka Valley.

21 Agusta-Bell 47G-2 F-GDRF substantiallydamaged in forced landing into field nearHoussen airfield, north east France, following atechnical malfunction. Helicopter landed in tallgrass and main rotor severed tail boom.

22 Mil Mi-8 MTV-1 HK-3864 of Vertical deAviacion destroyed in arson attack whilst parkedat El Valle, Toledo, Colombia.

22 Mil Mi-2 RA-23728 of AK Helix written off incrash in marshy area near Langepas,Nizhnevartovsk district in Tyumen region, Russia.1 fatal.

24 Boeing AH-64 of Israeli Air Force substantiallydamaged in emergency landing in the RoshHa’ayin region, following technical malfunctionduring flight.

24 Airbus Helicopters AS350BA CN-HBAsubstantially damaged in forced landing south ofCasablanca, Morocco.

25 Sibila MH-1 N32KS of K.Sibila substantiallydamaged near Beach City airport, Ohio whenengine failed at about 30m (100ft) altitude duringtransitioning to land. Pilot entered autorotationbut helicopter impacted terrain hard.

26 Robinson N122CH of Espejo Helicopter Leasingin accident at Encine, Texas.

27 Bell 205A-1 C-FYHD of Northern ShieldHelicopters substantially damaged during waterbucket operation at Buckmayer Lake,Saskatchewan when pilot reported drive shaftproblem. He attempted to reach the shorelinebut tail rotor contacted trees and helicopterlanded on lake surface, before eventually rollingon side and sinking in about 2m (6ft) of water.

27 Bell Huey II KAF 1503 of Kenya Air Forcesubstantially damaged in heavy landing in fieldarea when skids collapsed and cockpit sectionpartially detached.

27 Bell 412EP EC-KVC of Babcock Internationalsubstantially damaged at Soto de Real, Spainwhen main rotor blades struck tree branches

whilst landing on EMS mission. Crew continuedoperation but on next flight significant vibrationswere detected and aircraft returned to base,where major damage was discovered.

29 Robinson R22 N787SH of Concho Aviationdestroyed when it went out of control whilstapproaching to land on home base transporttrailer at the McEntire Ranch, Sterling City, Texas.From about 1.5m (5ft) off the trailer it backed offand began to spin left as it climbed about 8m(25ft), before rapid reduction in engine powerfollowed by descent and impact with terrain. 1fatal.

29 Aerospatiale SA316B 3E-KT of Austrian AirForce destroyed after attempting landing ataltitude of over 2000m (6562ft) near the WolayerHut at Plökenpass-Woylayesee. Helicopter wascaught by tail wind and landed hard before rollingover on mountainside and catching fire.

29 Robinson R44 C-FWFZ substantially damagedwhilst landing on logging ground 72km (39nm)north west of Prince George Columbia, when gustof wind caused left skid to contact ground andhelicopter rolled over.

30 Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 9N-ALR ofSimrik Air substantially damaged at GrandeInternational Hospital, Nepal when it fell off theedge of rooftop helipad whilst attempting to land.Helicopter came to rest on roof of main building.

30 Bell 206 N10CV of Rotory Power Group writtenoff in emergency landing into trees at Rio Grande,Puerto Rico with fuselage and rotor damage. 1fatal.

July1 Rotorway Exec 162F G-XXXX substantially

damaged at Fenland airfield, Lincolnshire when itcrashed during solo downwind quick stoppractice and overturned.

1 Sud Aviation SA313B F-AZYQ of LesAnciennes Pales substantially damageD followinghijacking at Lognes Airport to participate inescape of convict from Reau prison. Havingcollected convict from prison yard, the helicopterthen landed near Gonesse in Val d’Oise and thecockpit was set on fire by the hijackers beforethey escaped.

2 CHR Safari 400 N326RW of Panda Venturessubstantially damaged near Los Aguilares, Texasin an emergency landing following in flightproblem.

2 Robinson R22N N830J of Veracotu Aviationinvolved in incident at Georgetown, Texas.

3 Sud Aviation SA313B 9A-HAT of Eudora Jetsubstantially damaged in forced landing on Zlarinisland, Croatia following suspected bird strikeduring tourist flight. Helicopter landed hard inlong grass and main rotor sheared tail boom.

4 Hughes 369D N8648F of Vertol Systems Cowritten off when it crashed offshore the MarshallIslands shortly after take off from a tuna fishingboat. 1 fatal.

6 Bell 47G-2 N96195 of Central Indiana AGServices written off when it impacted terrain andcame to rest inverted whilst crop spraying nearGwynneville, Indiana. A post impact fire damagedthe port fuselage and engine whilst the main rotorsystem swash plate and upper transmission werefound about 23m (75ft) from the main wreckage.1 fatal.

6 Bell 206B N224KM of Woodley Aerial Leasingsubstantially damaged near Bentley, Illinois whenfuel pressure gauge illuminated during a turn for acrop spraying run. Pilot entered autorotation buthelicopter nosed over during touch down,damaging main and tail rotors.

6 MD Helicopters 369FF N530GM of Winco Incinvolved in accident in Hot Springs, SouthDakota, when it contacted lightning arrestorduring power line work and force landed.

6 Sikorsky S-76B N76EX of Island ExpressHelicopters in accident at Long Beach.

6 Sikorsky S-76 N71X of Island ExpressHelicopters in accident at California.

7 Robinson R44 OM-TTM of Tròglia Busdestroyed when it flew into 110kv power line,following low level departure from take off pointin Kansas, Slovakia. Helicopter severed wires andcrashed into field. 1 fatal.

7 Airbus Helicopters EC135P1 N312SA ofPentastar Aviation Charter written off followingemergency autorotation onto grass area atI94/I57 interchange in Roseland area, SouthChicago, Illiniois after in-flight engine fire, and

June1 Robinson R44II ZS-MZS destroyed in crash in

scrubland near Zebula lodge, Limpopo whilst enroute from Rustenburg to the lodge. 2 fatal.

1 Mil Mi-8T RA-25350 of Polar Airlinessubstantially damaged following bird strike in oneengine and emergency landing in open field nearPetrovka, Omsk district. Landing gear collapsedand tail rotor separated.

2 Eurocopter EC120 B-7122 of ChongqingShenlong written off in Suzhou, Anhui Provincewhen it struck power line during agriculturalapplication flight and impacted terrain. 1 fatal.

5 Bell 206B N518Z of Due North Aviationsubstantially damaged near Sanders, Kentuckyfollowing a loss of power whilst patrollingtransmission power lines at approx 36m (120ft)above the ground. Pilot entered autorotation buthelicopter landed hard, causing considerabledamage to the airframe.

6 Robinson R44 RP-C1811 of Lion Airsubstantially damaged at Tupi, South Cotabato inPhilippines in hard landing wrinkling tail boom, onavocado farm following loss of power after takeoff.

7 Robinson R44II N755KT of TimberviewHelicopters substantially damaged inautorotational ditching offshore beach near FortMorgan, Alabama following loss of power incruise at 122m (400ft) altitude. Helicopter was enroute to Robinson Service Centre in Baton Rougefor checks after operator noted power stumblingat idle, but not at higher power settings. However,the pilot experienced “shaking” en route and thenthe engine stopped. Due to people on the beachhe elected to ditch in the sea just off theshoreline, when the tail rotor and gearboxseparated from the aircraft, which also sufferedfrom salt water corrosion.

7 Bell 412EP 786-224 of 4 Sqdn Pakistan Armydestroyed in post-impact fire followingemergency landing on edge of Quetta,Balochistan province whilst en route on medevacmission.

7 Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 JA350D of ExcelAir Service written off when it crashed in EastChina Sea en route to Aguni Airport on ferryflight. Helicopter broke up on impact and sank.

8 Guimbal Cabri G2 G-PERH of M Munsonsubstantially damaged at Goodwood airfield inhard landing when starboard skid collapsed andmain rotor and fenestron struck the ground.

9 Robinson R44 N529DW of MF Helicopterswritten off near Oshkosh, Wisconsin when pilotflew into cables over the Fox River whilst climbingfrom take off point in field to refuel at WittmanField. Aircraft crashed into river and sank. 1 fatal.

11 Mil Mi-17 417 of 24 VAB Bulgarian Air Forcewritten off when it fell from height of 50m (164ft)at Krumovo airfield and impacted terrain. 2 fatal.

11 Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 HB-ZOJ of LyonsAir Shy Media destroyed in post-impact fire aftercrashing on high ground in Surenen Pass,Switzerland during external load tasking. 1 fatal.

12 Leonardo AWHero I-UASF substantiallydamaged in crash at Nettuno during experimentalunmanned test flight.

12 Enstrom 280C D-HAAR written off at BerneWesermarch, Lower Saxong when engine failed at600m (1968ft) altitude. Helicopter landed hard,detaching tail boom and smashing rotor blades.

13 Schweizer 269C N557DC of L.J. Joslynsubstantially damaged by ground resonanceshaking, whilst powering up for take off at NorthLas Vegas airport, Nevada. Pilot loweredcollective and closed the throttle but helicopterrotated about 45 degrees, left whilst vibrationsincreased until engine shut down. Helicoptercame to a stop but with considerable damage tothe fuselage.

13 Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 G-PLMH of PDGHelicopter Services written off when it impactedsurface of Loch Scadavay in North Ust, WesternIsles, whilst carrying out fish farm support work. 1fatal.


Accident Spot

Reports in Accident Spot are drawn from a number of sources,and the detail given may be provisional only, pendingconfirmation and official investigation. These factors should betaken into consideration when analysing the data provided.

[email protected]

dual engine failure with break up of both enginepower turbine wheel blades and consequentshrapnel damage.

8 Robinson R44 N944DC of Skyline Helicoptersdamaged in accident at Okawville, Illinois.

8 Robinson R22B JA7980substantially damagedduring training flight at Kashiwa city temporaryoperations site, Chiba prefecture when pilot lostcontrol on landing and helicopter rolled over,damaging main rotor blades.

8 Robinson R44 N616HS of H Schwarz destroyedwhen it crashed into a two storey town housecomplex in Williamsburg, Virginia shortly aftertake off from local airport en route to Staffordairport near Fredericksburg. Helicopter departedfrom level flight in right decreasing radius turnbefore pitching nose down and falling rapidly. 1fatal (+ 1 resident). The main wreckage came torest inside the north end of the building with a21m (70ft) wreckage path, containing somecomponents, including a section of the tail rotordrive shaft.

9 Mil Mi-8MTV 103 Red of Kyrgyzstan Air Forcewritten off in high altitude crash whilst landing at4000m (13123ft) South Enilchek helipad in strongside winds. Helicopter rolled onto port side,smashing rotor blades and separating tail boom.

10 Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 C-GKDR ofAccess Helicopters written off near Reward,Saskatchewan during crop spraying fight when itstruck power line and crashed into field, breakingup before coming to rest.

10 Robinson R44 N144DJ of Dustin JohnsonAviation substantially damaged during cropspraying flight near Rulo, Richardson County,Nebraska when it impacted terrain following takeoff and overturned onto starboard side.

10 Aerospatiale SA342M 3866 of 3rd RHC FrenchArmy (ALAT) written off during reconnaissanceflight 15km (9 miles) east of Port Bouet, Coted’Ivoire when it crashed following collision withpower line. 1 fatal.

1 Airbus Helicopters H175 G-EMEA of CHCScotia suffered minor damage to nosewheel legat Aberdeen Airport during landing.

11 Robinson R44II SP-MAP destroyed in crashinto corn field on outskirts of Domecko village,Opole district, Poland whilst en route. 2 fatal.

12 Aerospatiale AS332L1 GBP-10020 of GeorgiaBorder Police written off in emergency landingnear the Andarazari boder post, Kakheti region.

12 Robinson R44 VH-XXX written off in hard landingaccident at Lethbridge airport, Victoria duringcircuit practice. Helicopter skids collapsed andaircraft rolled onto port side, wrecking rotor blades,separating tail boom and damaging main fuselage.

12 MD Helicopters MD500 of Jaeger Regiment,Finnish Army substantially damaged at Uttiairfield in hard landing, with main and tail rotorstrike damage.

12 Robinson R44 F-GTRG of HeliClub duBeaujolais substantially damaged at VillefrancheTarare Airport whilst cooling down engine afterlanding, when pilot surprised by insect and triedto chase it away with a sudden arm movement,losing control of aircraft which rolled onto side.

13 Mil Mi-2 UR-23262 substantially damagedduring agricultural flight following wire strike whenit impacted terrain near Lidyn, Chernivtsi regionin Ukraine, wrecking rotor system and collapsinglanding gear.

13 YoYo Helicopters 232 I-C881 of E Antoniazziwritten off at Musile di Piave, Venezia when it lostheight immediately after take off and impactedterrain. 1 fatal.

13 Heli-Sport CH-77 83-ARG destroyed nearSaint-Raphael, Var in France when it struck pinetrees during a local flight from Fayence-Tourrettesairfield. Helicopter broke up on impact andcaught fire. 2 fatal.

14 Schweizer 269D N411HU of ChesapeakeHelicopters substantially damaged at ShoestringAviation airfield, Stewartstown, Pennsylvaniawhen it lost yaw control at 6m (20ft) altitude,spinning multiple times before impacting terrainand rolling over. Helicopter came to rest on itsport side.

15 Bell 47J-2A N8568F of Brown County Tourswritten off during low level check flight north ofFranklin Flying Field Airport, Indiana when itimpacted terrain, broke up and caught fire.

15 Mosquito XE285 of Composite FX written off incrash whilst flying along the bank of theHighwood River near the Davisburg Bridge, southeast of Calgary, Alberta. 1 fatal.

16 Bell 206L-1 N39LR of Hornet LLC substantiallydamaged during crop spraying mission in HenryCounty, Indiana when pilot took off from a truck-top landing pad after refilling the chemicalhopper, with the refilling hose still in the hopper.The hose separated from the truck and fouled thetail rotor, causing the helicopter to spin out ofcontrol. The pilot set the aircraft on the groundupright but it then rolled onto its port side.

17 Korean Aerospace Industries MUH-1 17002of RoK Marine Corps written off at Pohang airfieldwhen main rotor blade separated from hub duringtake off on post-maintenance check flight,followed by separation of main rotor head.Helicopter crashed from height of approx 10m(33ft). 5 fatal.

18 Airbus Helicopters AS355NP HS-PNG ofHeliluck Aviation destroyed in post impact fireafter crashing into trees and terrain at WangSaeng, Chonnabot District, Thailand in adverseweather whilst en route to Khon Kaen airport. 4fatal.

19 Bell 407 C-FNAK of Sahtu Helicopters damagedin forced landing in Mackenzie Mountains, southof Norman Wells, North West Territories.

19 Robinson R44 N514CH of Tri-State Helicoptersinvolved incident at Tripoli, Indiana.

20 Airbus Helicopters AS350B N36033 of SkyWest Aviation substantially damaged after landingat Wolfsberg airfield, St. Marein, Austria when itbecame airborne again and then landed hard.Main rotor blades severed tail boom but aircraftremained upright with tail rotor blades detachedand broken main blades.

20 Bell 206B N352CT of F.Corey substantiallydamaged immediately on take off on private flightfrom Todd Mission, Texas following loss of tailrotor control and four 360 degree spins to theright. Left skid impacted ground and helicopterrolled onto port side, crumpling main rotorblades and further damaging fuselage and tailsection.

21 Unknown Type damaged in accident at BachaKhan Airport, Peshawar in Pakistan.

21 Robinson R44II ZK-HTB of Alpine Helicopterscrashed into Lake Wanaka, close to StevensonIsland, Otago whilst en route to Mount Aspiring

National Park. The main fuselage sank, with someparts washing up on island shoreline. 1 fatal.

24 Bell UH-1H N107CH of Airlift HelicopterServices substantially damaged in emergencylanding near Highway 108, Oakdale, Californiafollowing a mechanical failure whilst en route tosupport fire fighting efforts in Siskiyou County.Helicopter landed hard after aircraft entereduncontrolled climb and yaw following initial touchdown with main rotor and gearbox separatingfrom airframe and becoming wrapped aroundforward fuselage.

24 Robinson R44 F-GLYF of Conseil LogistiqueProduction written off when it crashed into a pondfollowing suspected engine failure shortly aftertake off from Hondainville airport, Oise and sank.

24 Robinson R22B N410MM of Concho Aviationsubstantially damaged in accident at Sterling City,Texas.

25 Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 N354LA of TransAero substantially damaged during sling loadoperations 37km (23 miles) north east of Kobuk,Alaska when it rolled over on landing.

25 Robinson R22B N122 CH of Espejo HelicopterLeasing substantially damaged at San Manuel,Texas.

27 Sikorsky CH-53E of US Marine Corps sufferedminor damage when a window detached duringtake off from Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Japan enroute to MCAS Iwakuni.

27 Robinson R44 N479AT of Airmen Testing &Training Inc substantially damaged at LantanaAirport, Florida when it rolled onto starboard sideon edge of runway whilst landing.

27 Continental Copters Tomcat Mk.5A N900STof Scotts Helicopter Service substantiallydamaged in autorotation into cornfield in Le Seur,Minnesota, when main rotor struck tail boom.

27 Robinson R44II N466EL of Midwest Airspayinvolved in accident at Elma, Howard County,Iowa when it struck power lines and crashed ontoroad.

29 Robinson R44II N744AK of Quicksilver Airinvolved in accident at Bettles, Alaska when itautorotated into boggy ground followingmechanical problems.

30 Bell 429 B-70QC of Reignwood Star Aviationwritten off in crash into parking lot near Jixiangsibridge, Beijing following a loss of control andsuspected tail rotor failure during charter flight.

31 Bell 47G-2 F-GVIG of Giragri 17 written offwhen it crashed into the water between the islandof Aute and Planasse near Port Mahon in southeast France, whilst carrying out mosquito-eradication spraying.

Report into H225 Crash releasedThe Norwegian Accident Investigation Board(AIBN) has released its final report into thefatal crash of a CHC Helicopter H225 SuperPuma in April 2016 with 12 safetyrecommendations. These include calls for theEuropean Aviation Safety Agency to revisecertification standards for large rotorcraft,key to which would be a requirement for afail-safe main gearbox to avoid a catastrophicfailure, and to ensure manufacturerscontinuing airworthiness programmes coverthe examination of critical components foundto be beyond serviceable limits.

The AIBN report confirms that the cause ofthe accident was an undetected fatiguefailure in one of eight second stage planetgears in the epicyclic module of the maingearbox. This led to the gearbox seizing andthe sudden detachment with no warning ofthe main rotor, whilst the aircraft was cruisingat 259km/h (140kt) at 610m (2000ft) altitudeen route to Bergen Airport. The failure beganas a micro-pit at the surface of the upperouter race of the planet gear bearing, beforepropagating below the surface and, saysthe report, was the result of a combinationof material properties, surface treatment,

design, operational loading environment anddebris. This provided a failure mode notpreviously anticipated and unlikely to bedetected by maintenance and monitoringsystems.

Since the accident, Airbus Helicopter hasimplemented a series of safety measures forH225 and AS332L2 aircraft, including theremoval of the failed type of planet gearsfrom service and reducing the service life limitof the second stage planet gears generally.The full accident report can be foundon https://www.aibn.no


Region Type c/n Owner/Remarks

AustraliaVH-BAA Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 4042 Skyplan AustraliaVH-BEG Robinson R44 Raven II 11879 G.A.NankervisVH-ECC Robinson R22 Beta II 4776 HelifliteVH-EYW Robinson R44 Cadet 30032 HelifliteVH-FXF Bell 206L-3 51296 Heliwork QLDVH-HLR Robinson R22 Beta II 4583 HelifliteVH-HNF Robinson R44 Raven 2524 HelifliteVH-HRL Airbus Helicopters EC130T2 8133 Whitsunday Air ServicesVH-JWO Kawasaki BK117C-2 9468 Sydney HelicoptersVH-JZM Robinson R22 Beta II 4771 HelifliteVH-KMI Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 7377 KR AirVH-NFL Airbus Helicopters AS350B3+ 4880 Skyplan AustraliaVH-OCS Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 2911 RotorwestVH-OPD Robinson R44 Clipper I 2083 Flying WombatsVH-WGX Robinson R22 Beta II 4772 HelifliteVH-XIW Leonardo AW139 31784 Lifeflight AustraliaVH-XUU Airbus Helicopters EC135T3 1261 Heliaust WhitsundayVH-XUX Bell 206B 4456 Rotor Force AustraliaVH-XVY Robinson R44 Raven II 14190 HelifliteVH-ZZY Bell 206B 761 Helicopter Transport & Training

AustriaOE-XIE Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8522 Heli-AustriaOE-XKA Robinson R44 Astro 0014 K.HennefarthOE-XME Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8549 Heli-AustriaOE-XVI Airbus Helicopters EC135T3 2043 Helikopter Air TransportOE-XWM Airbus Helicopters EC135T3 1276 Heli-AustriaOE-XXY Robinson R44 Raven II 10859 Startrade HeliOE-XYW Robinson R44 Raven II 14170 HermannsdorferOE-XYX Robinson R44 Raven II 14175 Heli-Line

BelgiumOO-DEG Robinson R22 Mariner 2316M Best in SkyOO-JRX Bell 505 65079 Helimo

CanadaC-FALB Bell 212 30905 Alpine AeroC-FBAV Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 7078 Aven HelicoptersC-FCAV Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 4355 Aven HelicoptersC-FFSF Airbus Helicopters AS365N1 6346 Qwest HelicoptersC-FFVS Bell 412 33044 Wisk-AirC-FULM Sikorsky S-76C+ 760583 Chartright AirC-FZLL Bell 412EP 36130 Jake Helicopter CorpC-GBHJ Sikorsky S-76C++ 760643 Helijet InternationalC-GBQG Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 3221 Mustang HelicoptersC-GBUA Airbus Helicopters AS350BA 1421 Heli TechnikC-GHJK SikorskyS-76C++ 760634 Helijet InternationalC-GHTN Bell 214ST 28196 Helicopter Transport ServicesC-GQDR Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 3626 Remote Helicopters

ChileCC-ARB Bell 407GX 54714 Airpacific Heli-RentCC-AVV Bell 505 65078 Eagle Copters SA

ChinaB-70ZN Robinson R44 Raven II 14165 Tongliao Shenying Gen AviaB-711E Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8391 Yunnan Global

Czech RepublicOK-ABR Robinson R44 Raven II 13195 AeromecOK-AGL Leonardo AW109S 22061 AGEL a.s.OK-PRC Robinson R22 Beta II 4459 David Cerny sroOK-UKR Robinson R66 0858 Heli Czech

DenmarkOY-HBO MBB Bo105P 6036 J.W.Elgaard LaubOY-HJY Bell 505 65062 JJH Mink

Dominican RepublicHI1035 Robinson R66 0478 Helidosa Aviation Group

FranceF-GGUN Airbus Helicopters EC130T2 8322 Heli SecuriteF-HCFE Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 2535 HeliboatF-HLCI Airbus Helicopters EC135T3 2054 SAF HelicopteresF-HMKG Robinson R44 Raven II 14205 SportinvestF-HMTL Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 1709 SLEMF-HNAF Robinson R44 Raven II 11394 Saillon Fly

Great BritainG-GLLY Bell 505 65106 Twylight ManagementG-IPGL Leonardo AW109SP Grand New 22258 Castle AirG-JGXP Bell 407GX 54727 HelicompanyG-KKRN Robinson R22 Beta 1201 HQ AviationG-LVIE Robinson R44 Clipper II 11159 LuviairG-MDMX Hughes 369E 0369E Eastern AtlanticG-PDGP Airbus Helicopters AS355F2 5135 PLM Dollar GroupG-PXMI Leonardo AW109C 7654 Brentwood Aviation Services

Region Type c/n Owner/Remarks

G-RBHF Leonardo AW139 31750 StarspeedG-SAFA Leonardo AW109S Grand 22050 Inuit HoldingsG-SDWV Robinson R66 0864 DreamwalkerG-UNZZ Bell 206L 45030 Volare Aviation

IcelandTF-HDH Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 4801 Nordurflug

IrelandEI-GGI Leonardo AW169 69060 LCI Helicopters EighteenEI-GGS Leonardo AW139 31461 LCI Helicopters Eighteen

ItalyI-NGIU Airbus Helicopters AS350B3e 8369 Elitellina

JapanJA09TC Robinson R44 Raven II 14186 Osaka KokuJA25NF Robinson R22 Beta II 4773 Nihon Flight SafetyJA35MP Leonardo AW109S Trekker 22702 KanematsuJA44CT Robinson R44 Raven II 14189 Seco InternationalJA103M Robinson R66 0860 SGC Saga Koku

KyrgyzstanEX-08024 Mil Mi-171 32107U Heli SkyEX-08025 Mil Mi-171 32108U Heli SkyEX-08026 Mil Mi-8MTV-1 96109 AerostanEX-08027 Mil Mi-8MTV-1 96122 Aerostan

New ZealandZK-HBE Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 3451 B.J. ComerfordZK-HCX Kawasaki BK117B-2 7005 Airwork (NZ)ZK-HHQ Dynali H3 EasyFlyer 1740 Karaka HelicoptersZK-HIQ Kawasaki BK117B-2 7009 Airwork (NZ)ZK-HVF Bell 206L-1 45404 Shaws Wire RopesZK-HWT Robinson R44 Raven II 10267 J.ButterfieldZK-HYB Bell 505 65086 HeletranzZK-IAW A109E 11505 Helico NZ

NorwayLN-OFL Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8539 Skjolden CruisekaiLN-OMK Airbus Helicopters AS350B3e 8534 Knut Axel UglandLN-OOU MBB BK117D-2 20202 Norsk LuftambulanseLN-OOX MBB BK117D-2 20205 Norsk LuftambulanseLN-OPS Robinson R44 Clipper II 14181 R.I.HoffLN-OUG Airbus Helicopters EC135T5H 2051 Norsk LuftambulanseLN-OUH Airbus Helicopters EC135T5H 2055 Norsk Luftambulanse

Papua New GuineaP2-HNF Kawasaki BK117B-2 7240 Heli NiuginiP2-HOT Bell 222UT 47557 Manolos AviationP2-PAP Bell 212 30895 Pacific Helicopters

SlovakiaOM-AMG Airbus Helicopters AS350B3e 7935 Presovska 2nd

South AfricaZT-RDF Robinson R44 Raven II 14180 Cherangani Trade & InvestZT-RDG Bell 505 65044 Vetrivier BoerediensteZT-RDG Bell 505 65045 Wow HelicoptersZT-RFC Airbus Helicopters EC130T2 8521 Whelpton InvestmentsZT-RGS Robinson R44 Raven II 14130 A.W.A.MaritzZT-RMD Robinson R44 Raven II 14131 Atlantis Mining

SwedenSE-JSJ Leonardo AW169 69069 Babcock Scandinavian Air AmbSE-JST Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8507 Scandair HelicopteUSE-JSU Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8518 Scandair HelicopterSE-JSV Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8525 Scandair HelicopterSE-JUK Bell 505 65060 Roslagens HelikopterflygSE-JVH Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 3781 Savback HelicoptersSE-JYJ Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8529 Scandinavian Helicopter GroupSE-JYP Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8527 NiPi InvestSE-JYX Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8541 Kallaz Flyg

SwitzerlandHB-ZMK Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 8550 Europavia (Suisse)HB-ZOU Airbus Helicopters AS350B3e 8490 Snowland EuropeHB-ZOZ Bell 429 57330 Air ZermattHB-ZQG MBB BK117D-2 20195 Schweiz Luft-AmbulanzHB-ZYN Bell 505 65061 Heli-AlpesHB-ZYT Robinson R66 0871 Scilla Consulting

ThailandHS-HVH Leonardo AW139 31501 Thai Aviation Services

United States (Extracts)N635DH Airbus Helicopters EC135P2+ 8130 Metro AviationN326LS Leonardo AW189 49028 ERA HelicoptersN853QA Bell 212 30815 Advanced Aerospace N505AX Bell 505 65120 Omni AmericanN704D Enstrom 280FX 2025 Singh DayaN722RK Robinson R22B 0962 R.E.KippN4043X Robinson R66 0878 Delta LeasingN980AA Sikorsky EH-60A 701064 Aircraft Investment Holdings

Marketing Data- CIVIL SALES


Commercial- SYSTEMS & SUPPORT

•Swiss Rotor Solutions recently completed its first sale in North America of its Maximum PilotView (MPV) kit, with the installation by its US partner of the MPV in an Airbus Helicopters H125(AS350B), owned by Rainier Helicopters, Washington State and leased to St.Louis Helicopter.

Swiss Rotor Solutions previously partnered with Eurotec Vertical Flight Solutions of Eudora,Kansas to offer the MPV to North American customers. Eurotec already has a reputation forsupporting the Airbus range of light and medium helicopters, with subsidiaries in Canada andJapan, and both airframe and engine maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities. The companyis now providing sales and support for the MPV, with complete installation services forcustomers.

Key features of the MPV include the bulged fully transparent starboard cockpit door, and asimilar bulge immediately under the door replacing the original solid cockpit floor. This providesimproved lateral head room for the pilot, a seamless right hand panorama, and elimination ofairframe structures that typically block the target view. More than 25 MPV kits are now inoperation worldwide.

•Pall Aerospace and partner Dart Aerospace have reduced the flight manual restrictions onAirbus Helicopters H125/AS350/H130/EC130 helicopters equipped with the Pall PA100 PUREengine protection system. The relaxation follows a new programme to gather additional dataand applies to all new deliveries of the system as well as to customers already operating PA100-equipped aircraft.

The previous flight manual applied an 85kg (187lb) penalty on the Airbus H125/H130 familywhen calculating hover performance, regardless of whether the aircraft could pass themanufacturer’s engine health check with the PA100 installed. This penalty is now removedcompletely in cases where the aircraft meets the health check criteria with the PA100 fitted. Forthe AS350B3e with Safran Arriel 2D engines the Vehicle Engine Management Display can nowbe configured so that there is no PA100 installation, penalty and for AS350B3 and earliervariants, and EC130B4/T2 aircraft which fail the engine health check with the PA100 installedpenalties have been reduced to 52kg (114lb) HIGE and 58kg (128lb) HOGE.

•The Lord Corporation has received PartManufacture Approval (PMA) for its enhancedmain driveshaft transmission boot for the Bell412HP and 412EP helicopters. The companysays the part can reduce aircraft down timeand save 35 percent on maintenance costsover a new purchase from the originalmanufacturer.

Lord uses an elastomeric material in thenew boot, which it says provides exceptionalcoupling lubricant resistance, resulting inextended part-life. The elastomer is

integrated into the boot and protects thedrive shaft couplings from dirt, water, oil andother contaminants. The specially formulatedelastomer also maintains mechanicalproperties with little or no degradation athigh temperatures, as well as superior metalsurface coatings for increase corrosionprotection.

The new PMA approval meets or exceedsthe Bell suggested removal period of 1200hours and also includes a recycling option forcustomers wanting an environmentallypreferred disposal solution.

•Onboard Systems announced on 18September that its E-54 Onboard WeighingSystem for the Airbus Helicopters AS332C,AS332C1, AS332L and AS332L1 Super Pumavariants has received a Supplementary TypeCertificate from the US Federal AviationAdministration and the European AviationSafety Agency. Onboard has also submittedthe weighing system to Transport Canada forcertification.

The E-54 complements the helicopter’sexternal lift system, displaying the weight ofthe load being carried on the primary bellyhook, to instantly provide the pilot with the

exact weight of the cargo being lifted. This isachieved using a load cell, with the datatransmitted via an internal harness to a C-40cockpit-mounted indicator.

Heli Austria is the launch customer for theE-54 system, purchasing six units for its fleetafter being involved in the projectdevelopment. The company, headquarteredin St. Johann im Pongau, operates a variedfleet for utility, sightseeing and rescuemissions in the Austrian Alps, including theBell 212 and 412, and the Airbus AS332L andAS332L1 for medium and heavy lift work.

•The US Federal Aviation Administrationrecently approved the Onboard Systems cargohook installation on the Robinson R66helicopter, which increases the maximum grossweight of the aircraft to 1315kg (2900lb) andallows the carriage of external loads up to544kg (1200lb). Robinson introduced the cargohook at HeliExpo earlier this year. In additionto the cargo hook, the installation includesright and left seat controls to allow solo flightfrom either seat, a left seat hydraulic switchand start button, a load-weight gauge and asecond set of engine torque and gastemperature gauges embedded in the left doorsill, to allow the pilot to check engineperformance whilst monitoring the externalload.

•United Rotorcraft in Denver, Colorado hasreceived a European Aviation Safety AgencySupplemental Type Certificate for its modularair medical interior developed for theLeonardo AW169 and AW139 helicopters. Theinteriors include configurations for a medicallayout or to carry up to eight passengers inflip-up or comfort seating.The air medicalconfiguration includes a translating patientloading system with a litter incorporating anadjustable head rest, medical cabinet,equipment rack and transportable oxygensystem, and a head attendant seat tomaximise patient care and access.

•Kaman Composites Wichita Inc (KCW) hasannounced a new agreement signed withBell for the manufacturing of flight criticalskin and skin to core composite assembliesfor the Bell 407, 429 and 412 helicopters.KCW, a subsidiary of Kaman Aerospace, is aleading supplier of complex compositestructures, components and assemblies forthe commercial and defence aerospaceindustry. Deliveries of the skin assemblieswill begin later this year and continuethrough 2022.

•Avalex Technologies in Gulf Breeze, Floridais to provide powerline monitoring upgradesfor the UK National Grid Bell 429 and WesternPower Distribution Airbus EC135 helicopterfleets, to speed up tower and line inspectionson aerial patrols. Avalex is delivering newspecialist digital video systems to the twooperators, individually tailored to meet theirspecific needs and allowing inspections tobe recorded for later analysis. Both systemshave been designed to stand up to therugged helicopter environment and to beeasily integrated with additional systemcomponents, such as infrared cameras andlaser surveying devices.

Since being established in 1992, the companyhas grown to supply a range of avionics andvideo products for military and parapublic uses,including power line inspection operatorsacross the United States.

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• The 2018 World Helicopter Championships,organised by the Federal AeronautiqueInternational (FAI) Rotorcraft Commission, tookplace in Belarus this year, beginning at the Lipkiairfield home of the Minsk Aeroclub on 24 July.

The main events took place at the Borovayaairfield, alongside a wider air festival, organisedby the Volunteer Society for Cooperation withthe Army, Airframe and Navy (DOSAAF) and theBelarusian Aviation Sports Federation. Some36 crews from different countries took par, withthe Russian delegation the biggest at 13 crewsand seven crews from the host country. Othercountries competing included the UK, Poland,Austria, Germany, China and Ukraine.

Russia, Belarus and Poland took the first,second and third places in the overall scores.

•Leonardo and the Milan Polytechnic havesigned an agreement to collaborate on thedevelopment of new and innovativesustainable technologies for mechanicalcomponents. Under the agreement, whichfollows on from a multi-year Innovation Hubframework signed in 2016, the partners aim tointroduce new lighter materials which couldreduce production costs and ease installation.

The aim is to achieve a significantsimplification of the existing mechanicalsystem, using a single flexible componentrather than a complex system to transfer theloads from the rotor to the main gearbox. Thetwo teams are also working collaboratively onother projects under the framework, includingresearch to reduce vibration and internal cabinnoise, for especial application to the AW139for search and rescue and air ambulancemissions.

Another project covers research intopredictive maintenance, based on thehelicopter’s health status. This is expected tobe launched by the end of this year.

•Helitech International is to relocate from thecontroversial Excel Centre in east London, toFarnborough airfield in Hampshire for the 2019Show, where it will occupy the purpose built12500sq.m (134549sq.ft) multi-functionalexhibition and conference venue. In the interimperiod, the company is offering site visits to

view the venue, which of course will be wellknown to exhibitors and visitors to the recentFarnborough International Air Show.

Whilst some details have yet to beconfirmed, the new venue will provide ampleaccess for fly-in visitors as well as exhibitors,with landing fees subsidised to maximisepotential. The site will also increase thepotential for customer demonstration flightsand make it much easier for access frommainland Europe via Heathrow or Gatwickairports, and by road from most areas of theUK. The move has been welcomed by theBritish Helicopter Association and severalmajor industry figures who have lobbied theHelitech organisers, Reed Exhibitions, for thepast several years to move back to an airfieldlocation and away from the Excel Centre.

Meanwhile the 2018 Helitech exhibition andconference takes place from 16-18 October atthe RAI Amsterdam Exhibition and ConventionCentre.

•The first Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to be sold inEast Africa has been handed over to KIDLOperations in Kenya for executive and charteroperations. The aircraft was previously shippedfrom the Bell Canada facility in Mirabel,Quebec to Africair Helicopter Support Ltd(AHSL).

AHSL is a newly established maintenanceorganisation, located in Ruiru and recentlycertificated by the Kenya Civil AviationAuthority. The Bell 505 was the first helicopterto enter the facility, where it was reassembledfollowing shipment and cleared for delivery tothe customer. KIDL then flew the aircraftthe approx 22km (14miles) to its base atWilson Airport in Nairobi.


Tail Rotors- DATELINE: AUTUMN 2018

•Helibras is celebrating its 40th anniversarythis year and marked the occasion at theLatin American Business Aviation Conferenceand Exhibition (LABACE) in Sao Paulo in midAugust by displaying the first AirbusHelicopters H145 in operation in the Brazilianmarket. Registration PP-LAY serial 20159 isoperated by CAF Taxi Aéreo and owned byWaypoint Leasing.

Originally under joint ownership betweenEurocopter, Bueninvest and the Minas Geraisstate government, Helibras became totallyowned by Eurocopter, now Airbus Helicopters,in 2006 but retained its Helibras title. It wasinitially established at Sâo Jose dos Campos on1 January 1978, moving to its current locationat Itajubà in 1980. Local manufacturing hasconcentrated on the AS350B/AS355F for bothcivil and military Latin American customers, aswell as production of the larger H225M for theBrazilian military.

•International logistics and freight forwardingcompany, Panalpina which specialises inshipping helicopters worldwide through itsHeliship subsidiary is celebrating 25 years ofproviding this service. Since October 1993,when the company transported three Bell205As from Abbotsford, Canada to Rancaguain Chile, literally thousands of helicopters havebeen moved for customers, many of whomexclusively use the company for theirshipments.

Headquartered in Vancouver, the Helishipteam has a number of customers who haveremained loyal for over 20 years, trusting thecompany to transport helicopters to supportUnited Nations contracts in Africa, militarysupport operations in Afghanistan, oil and gasservices around the world, and fire fightingcontracts in Europe, Australia and SouthAmerica. In addition the company movesprivate helicopters, but with every shipmentbeing provided with a customer-specificmovements plan.

Above: AVIC in China recently carried out aseries of high altitude plateau flight trials withthe AC311A, flying from airfields situated atheights of up to 4000m (13,000ft) in Quinghaiand Gansu provinces. The 2.25 tonne classhelicopter is powered by the Safran Arriel 2B1Aturboshaft, with an airframe strongly based onAirbus AS350B/H120 components, and isaimed at the GA and Parapublic markets.

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Rolls Royce 250 Series andPT6T Series engines, modules

and accessoriesfor sale/exchange.

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2018. TTAF: 15 hoursDescription: Dual controls, Cargo swing, Fixed parts.Enlarged cockpit floor window, Sliding WindowLocated: Sweden

2017. TTAF: 897 hoursDescription: Enlarged glass cockpit, Cargo swing,Emergency floatation gear - Fixed parts.Located: Sweden

2017. TTAF: 40 hoursDescription: Dual controls, Sun protected upper windows, Cargo swing - Fixed parts.Located: Sweden

Airbus Helicopters H125e Airbus Helicopters H130 Airbus Helicopters H125e

Asking Price: 2.270.000 EUR Asking Price: 2.930.000 EUR Asking Price: 2.090.000 EUR

2011 - AW109SP 1057.7 hrs Maintained by AW Australia, No accident or incident history. On Request2000 - Bell 427 4585 hrs Dual Controls, Completely new paint job. Located Hungary. 1.550.000 EUR1995 - AS350B2 7370 hrs Mirror - electrical, Cargo Swing, Sand Filter. Located Sweden. 937.000 EUR 1987 - AB412 6506 hrs Rotor Brake, Dual Controls, Cargo Hook. Located Norway. On Request1981 - AB206B 5090 hrs Always Hangared, Dual Controls, Particle Separator. Located Sweden. 320.000 EUR


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