Rotor Torque

Chopperline is the only helicopter training organisation approved by Malaysia outside the UK, although there are four approved fixed wing schools in Australia. The company, which already has one Malaysian pilot nearing graduation, is based at Caloundra, 50km north of Brisbane International Airport for direct airline links with Kuala Lumpur.

Australia is emerging as a major provider of aviation training, with foreign operators being attracted by our excellent reputation for high standards, good weather, relatively low costs and secure environment.

Powerline Inspections

The economic downturn has resulted in something good for someone – the NSW electricity councils are getting tenders for this year’s helicopter powerline inspections that are lower than last year’s prices.

Operators feeling the pinch are putting in very low prices just to get the blades rotating and turn over some cashflow. A Jetranger normally charters for the mid $600s per hour, but offers of mid $300s have recently been made, nearly a 50% cut.

Tumut River Council paid $11. 10 per km in 1990, and this year accepted a tender for $10. 00 per km, which is a reduction of 10%, contrary to the CPI, lower value of the $Aust, and the increased cost of drummed fuel.

But not all councils are laughing – Northern Riverina, apparently reeling from the cost of turbine helicopters so far tendered, has reissued the tender, saying that a piston helo of the Hughes 300 standard will now be acceptable, while Southwest Electricity opted for a less intensive (and far less expensive) inspection by fixed wing aircraft.

Sydney Trial for Helo Lanes and Corridors

Access to the busy Sydney Control Zone is being freed up with the proposal of overseas style “Victor” lanes of entry for GA aircraft.

In July, a meeting of interested and concerned parties took place at the Air Traffic Services centre, where the introduction of helo lanes from KSA to places like Darling Harbour, Rushcutters Bay, and Rosehill via Canterbury were discussed.

In addition, the creation of an OCTA (outside controlled airspace) block from South Head to Stanwell Park not above 500′ allows helos and fixed wing to transit Sydney east of the coast without clearance or delay.

Another lane from Liverpool via Sydney NDB to join the OCTA block at Stanwell Park will complete a network of lanes and corridors to reduce delays through and around controlled airspace. Watch for the Notam on these lanes around 16 October.

Haa to Be Responsible for Licence Standards

As part of the proposal to rationalise the CAA, the HAA (Helicopter Association of Australia) may be in the challenging position of setting and administering the licencing standards for the helicopter industry, a move welcomed by most. This cost cutting effort by the CAA will mean a cheaper and more responsive service to the helicopter industry than the current CAA setup.

Farewell Pma, Welcome Rotary Aviation

PMA Services of Bankstown was until recently owned by Vowell Air Services (Helicopters) Pty Ltd. However, due to the restructuring of the organisation they decided to close down their Bankstown operation of both PMA Services and Helicopter Resources (Offshore), all staff were given notice and all assets put up for sale.

In stepped retired business man Richard Green. Richard has been a private operator for several years and at the time was having his Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopter (the only one in Australia) maintained by PMA. Like the man in the shaver ad, he liked their work, so he bought the shop, and set up a new company to further develop the helicopter maintenance business.

They will continue to operate from the same facility with the same team up of employees, headed up by Richard Green as Chairman, Phil! Gant Managing Director and Peter McKenzie Director of Engineering. Three months on, Richard is very optimistic about their future and continued growth.

Money, Not Eye Drops, Gets the Red Out

As of early August, the massive Russian helicopters of Aerflot have been pulled out of PNG, partly to satisfy customs requirements, and partly for a lack of work. The Kamovs are gracing the tarmac at Cairns, the pilots are back home in Russia, and the monster Mil once thought to be a write-off, is being rebuilt and will soon (if not already) join its mates in Far North Queensland.

Helicopter operations in PNG are running at around 40% utilisation, and there is some doubt about the oh-so-capable-but oh-so-bloody expensive Russian machines returning to the jungles.

Haa Incentives

Long a reason for moans of “discrimination” from helicopter pilots, the lurks of cheaper airfares for members of the fixed wing community are now available for rotary types who are members of the HAA.

The official lurks officer of the HAA, Neville Dawson, has done some impressive footwork in organising discounts with Air New Zealand, United Airlines, Hyatt Hotels (including Sanctuary Cove), Hilton Hotels, Air BP, and Interlink Computers.

Membership of the HAA is growing steadily, though you don’t have to be a member to join in the holiday raffle to be drawn this month at the Richmond air show. Tickets are still available, but be quick – the world trip and $2,000. 00 pocket money are a big incentive to spend $5. 00. (Refer p. 84 July 91 AA or phone (02) 906 2464 for further details).

McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Office Closes

The McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Marketing office in Canberra has closed.

Sales and product support will continue to be provided in the interim by Motor Holdings Aviation, Brisbane, which presently services the New Zealand area. While McDonnell Douglas Helicopters will no longer be represented in Australia, McDonnell Douglas Ltd Canberra, will remain unaffected.

Channel 9 Melbourne Helipad Bid Denied

GTV-9 has had its application to use part of the Kevin Bartlett Reserve rejected by a panel set up to investigate the proposal. The panel found that there were no public benefits despite the offer by Channel 9 to pay $350,000 and $50,000 a year rent.

Channel 9 lost its helipad in River Street Richmond following development of the site for housing. The panel heard evidence from local residents opposing the bid who expressed concern at the expected noise, and the detrimental effect on the reserve for recreational purposes.

Boeing/Sikorsky Rah-66 Comanche Update

Earlier this year the US Army finally gave the go ahead for the development of the twin turbine, two seat RAH-66 Comanche reconnaissance/attack helicopter. An industry team led by Boeing Defense & Space Group Helicopters Division and United Technologies Sikorsky Aircraft Division has been selected to develop the Comanche, a project potentially worth $US30bn. The program calls for the fabrication and flight testing of six Comanche prototypes. First flight is scheduled for September 1994 with the final decision for proceed set down for August 1995.

The Comanche is currently the US Army Aviation’s highest priority and the cornerstone of the Conventional Force Defense Initiative. The aircraft is a highly agile, all composite helicopter (refer photos elsewhere in Rotor Torque) whose airframe, dynamic systems, core avionics and weapons system are being designed to provide continuous battlefield superiority.

The Comanche will replace nearly 3,000 AH-1 Cobra, OH-6 Osage and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters that are becoming tactically and technologically obsolete; it will also complement the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. In addition, the Comanche’s operation and support (O&S) costs are projected to be 40% below those of the helicopters it will replace. This will be the US Army’s first all aircraft and in addition to possessing being a highly advanced, fully integrated weapons system, it will feature digital avionics, a triply redundant fly by wire flight control system, five bladed bearingless main rotor and the Fantail anti torque system.

The Comanche will be armed with the new Turreted Gun System (TGS) which consists of a lightweight, two barrel version of the reliable Vulcan 20mm Cannon with a maximum firing rate of 1,500 rounds per minute. A total of 500 rounds will be carried and it is claimed that the see first/shoot first system will give the Comanche a significant advantage over enemy aircraft and ground vehicles. It is understood that a number of foreign countries are interested in the Comanche including the British and Royal Netherland armies, even thought the aircraft will not be available until 1997.

Finally , the aircraft would have to ultimately be on any short list of contenders to replace the Australian Army’s Kiowas, however timing and cost may be against it.