Rotor Torque

Maximum takeoff weight has been increased from 2400kg to 2600kg while power output from the two Allison 250s is increased some 7% to provide the required torque.

Despite the extra power, most TBOs have been extended through improved engineering and better-detailed component history. On the ZF main transmission, the TBO has been doubled from 1200hrs to 2400hrs while for some of the aircraft’s components an ‘on condition’ maintenance system has been introduced. The improved reinforced fuselage and dynamic system also improves overall performance. Meanwhile, with the NSCA and a Melbourne medivac operator already flying the standard 80105, Pacific Aviation have taken on the official MBB helicopter distributorship which should now see more of these West German machines entering local operation.

Not the First Public Heliport!

In Newsdesk (p12) of our last issue we mentioned that the new Barracks House Fremantle Heliport was to be Australia’s first such facility. While the WA facility is certainly the newest it is not the first public heliport as we wrongly suggested.

Back in the days of CAC that company built just such a heliport at its Fishermans Bend facility. Now better known as Hawker de Havilland Victoria, the present heliport includes inground discount refuelling, lounge and waiting area, regularly patrolled security and overnight or long-term parking at a very low cost.

Located a mere five kilometres from Melbourne CBD, the heliport is also OCTA being on the southern boundary of the Melbourne control zone. Intending operators can phone (03) 647 6376 or call VHF 132. 1 on approach.

Threat of Military Involvement in Civil Operations

Following strong rumours that the Navy would be supplying helicopters for the Australian Antarctic Science programme in the not-too-distant future, Mr Barry Thompson wrote to the Minister for Science, Mr Barry Jones on behalf of the General Aviation Association expressing the industry’s concern and asking for a positive statement on the matter. The following paragraphs are the main text of the Minister’s reply: “The Antarctic Division of my Department is currently developing requirement specifications for a replacement vessel for Nella Dan, which is one of the ships currently supporting Australia’s Antarctic Science programme. It is envisaged that this vessel, which is scheduled to enter service in 1988, will have integrated facilities to operate two medium-lift twin-engined helicopters.

Given the high capital and operating cost of these aircraft, the Division has approached the Navy and the Air Force to seek their advice on the possibility of mitigating costs to the Government by combining the different Departments’ requirements. A full study will be undertaken, including the option of obtaining the helicopters from commercial operators before any decision ·is taken. ” Commercial operators in general should be disturbed that a Government Department should be contemplating the use of militaryhelicopters in the Antarctic on an operation that has been successfully carried out by a number of commercial operators since the programme began over 20 years ago. This could be seen as the ‘thin end of the wedge’ so to speak, with the Military seeking to enter other current commercial operations such as sea pilot and oil rig transfers. All commercial operators should register their concern with either the Helicopter Association of Australia or the General Aviation Association who will jointly be seeking a guarantee from the Government that military aircraft will not be used in any role that is currently, or could possibly be, carried out by commercial operators.

Helicopter Association of Australia Nsw Branch Agm

The NSW branch of the HAA held its Annual General Meeting on Friday 22nd August, at the Bridgeview Hotel, Willoughby.

The meeting mainly concerned itself with the problem of finding sites in the city and suburbs that would meet the approval of the numerous regulatory bodies concerned. The incoming committee have made this their priority for the coming year. However, comments made by the Premier, Mr Barrie Unsworth at the launching of the Careflight Medical rescue Helicopter indicate that the present State Government will be continuing a negative approach to this problem.

Office bearers elected to the NSW committee for the next 12 months are – Chairman: Frank Van Rees; Deputy Chairman: John Hoad; Secretary/Treasurer: Gary Ticehurst; Committee members: John Hurrell and Terry Lee.

Careflight Medical Rescue Helicopter Service Launched

The Premier of NSW, Barrie Unsworth officially launched the HCF Careflight Community Medical Rescue Helicopter Service at a ceremony on 8th September 1986, at the helicopter base adjacent to Westmead Hospital, in Sydney’s western suburbs.

The ceremony included the blessing of the aircraft by Father John Boyle and Assistant Archdeacon Newmarch, with speeches by the sponsors HCF, Channel 9 and 2WS. The service has been operating since 12th July and has responded to almost 50 missions since then. A single engine Aerospatiale AS350B Squirrel helicopter has been configured to provide the latest in trauma medical care and is to be available on a 24-hour call-out basis.

Sydney and its environs are now served by 3 medical/rescue helicopter services – The Surf Life Saving Westpac Service at the Royal North Shore Hospital and at Newcastle, The National Safety Council Emergency Aviation Service at Wollongong and now Careflight.

Mr Unsworth took the opportunity at the launching to announce that tenders will soon be called for helicopters to supplement the existing NSW Air Ambulance. NSW helicopter operators will welcome this news.

Much More Than Your Average Squirrel

At first glance it looks almost like just another helicopter. But, at second glance, this Aerospatiale AS350B helicopter is obviously more than your average Squirrel.

Sponsorship by HCF, Channel Nine and 2WS has allowed the HCF Careflight helicopter to be stationed at Westmead Hospital on 24 hour call to the emergency authorities. It marks the provision of a dedicated medical-rescue service, which has been quickly welcomed by emergency authorities as providing a much needed rapid response to accident scenes in Sydney’s outer regions.

Medical ‘firsts’ include a sideways facing medical attendant seat and a doctor’s crew seat behind the patient’s head in ambulance configuration. It also features a stretcher which wheels into place within seconds.

Medical provisions include a roof mounted caridac monitor/ defibrillator, electronic monitoring of vital signs and piped in cabin oxygen in a clean cabin fitted out by Rex Aviation at Bankstown to Careflight’s own design.

The radios, installed by Dasyl Avionics, allow direct communication in emergencies to every emergency authority in New South Wales – from HF to low and high banks in VHF and UHF. There are also all the latest navigation aids you would expect to find in a modern aircraft answering urgent calls, including a radar altimeter.

Rescue equipment includes a 40 metre hoist and a blaze of lights for night missions, including a 30 million candlepower NightSun searchlight, a 1 million candlepower hand held light and two fixed lights to illuminate the hoist target.

Happy 21st Birthday

On Saturday 19th July, 161 Squadron, Army Aviation Corps celebrated its 21st Anniversary by staging a flypast over Sydney, the highlight of which was the sight of 10 Kiowa Helicopters flying under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The unit was formed as the 161st Reconnaissance Flight in 1965 and equipped with Bell Sioux helicopters served with distinction in Vietnam (refer, The Possums of Nui Oat’, p93 Nov 85 AA) as a communications and observation unit.