Rotor Torque

Sydney CBD Heliport Tenders Issued

The NSW Government, keen helicopter users themselves, has at last issued tenders (not just an expression of interest like last time) for a CBD heliport at Wharf 8, Darling Harbour. There were immediate complaints from the Balmain area, although the proposed facility is a considerable distance from the previous temporary site at Pier 23, and there will be substantial industrial buildings around the site to help absorb noise. The Government has undertaken to remove the asbestos-ridden building presently on the wharf, and the successful tenderer will be required to perform an EIS to ensure that all environmental restrictions are met. At least it will mean that commercial operators will have access to the CBD, an area previously reserved for helicopters carrying government ministers.

Marine Pilot Transfers at H Ay Point

Helijet of Queensland, who are probably best known for their operations on Hamilton Island, also carry out marine pilot transfers using a Hughes (MOH) 500 out of Hay Point south of Mackay. This is a day/night operation seven days a week, with operations up to 10nm east of the coast (single pilot) and up to 22nm out using two pilots. Certain requirements must be met by Helijet to permit such operations. These include that the 500 is float equipped, has two AHs, radar altimeter, back up lighting source, EPIRBs and Mae Wests are worn by all flight crew, and a S AR vessel is ready to sail within 30 minutes of being activated. All their operations involve landing on the deck of bulk carriers containing either coal, sugar, meat or grain. Many of the movements only require short hops between land and vessel due to the maritime surroundings. However, helicopter operations are carried out on bulk carriers containing fuel products, or vessels less than 17 metres in length.

Ksa Gets a Helicopter School

It’s a long time since a flying school operated out of Mascot, so some new ground is being broken by David Gemmell’s Sydney Helicopter Service which is now branching out into the training world. Sydney Helicopter School will operate from SHS’s new facility at the Heliport, and will service the CBD businessmen who find it difficult to get time to travel to Bankstown or beyond for helicopter training, as well as students living nearby who want a sturdy grounding in commercial operations from an international setting. The CFI, Rob Haylock, has a background of 22 years flying, spread over R A AF, Police, and civil areas, and is enthusiastic about the setting. “Students generally only get one or two runs through Sydney in their commercial training”, he said, “So quite often they are a bit behind it when doing their first few charters to Mascot. Our students will see it every day, including the new helicopter routes, so it will hold no surprises for them. ” The school operates an R22, a Jetranger and a Longranger, and enquiries can be made to (02) 669 6544.

The Pipeline Authority Trials Sa365n

The Authority, which has responsibility for the gas pipeline between Moomba and Sydney, put the Aerospatiale Dauphin through its paces during a recent one week evaluation. The Authority is considering replacing their AS350B with the Dauphin if it proves to be more suitable for the role. Its range and carrying capacity outperforms the AS350B without question, so it’s now just a matter of whether the Dauphin makes good economic sense or not.

Westcoast Helicopters Now in Laos

Westcoast Helicopters has been awarded a ten year contract to provide helicopter charter operations in Laos, with the first five years without competition. The contract was let by the Ministry of External Relations after two years of negotiations. Operations in Laos in Southeast Asia commenced in October with two helicopters, a Bell Jetranger and a Longranger. The resident manager in Laos for Westcoast, Keith Baker, expects a Bell 212 will be required in the near future.

“Laos is very much an under developed state”, said the Managing Director, Chris Blakeman,” and could have a high demand for helicopters. Very few roads exist and transport is very difficult. ”

Most of their operation initially will involve the transport of consultants, who are advising on how to develop the land beyond that of a third world country.

It is said that more consultants are now in Laos per head of population than any where else in the world. Much of the country’s development is being sponsored by the United Nations and similar organisations, which will have a bearing on how fast the helicopter operations expand.

Chris Blakeman said he expects his company to provide support for oil and mineral explorations, powerline, hydro electric and telecommunication installations, as well as the general charter and communications work.

Aerospatiale Helicopters Offering Improved Product Support

As reported in Oct AA, Terry Wesley-Smith has recently taken over from Monty Maughan as sales manager for Aerospatiale Helicopters Australia.

Monty Maughan has returned to the UK and is now working for McAlpine Helicopters. Terry Wesley-Smith reports that one of AHA’s priorities this year is to continue to improve on their product support. A new building at Bankstown is now under construction which will house over $12m worth of spares, providing much improved customer support.

Training Role for Rescue Helicopter Service

Beginning next year, medical trainees from Sydney teaching hospitals will join the Westpac life saving rescue helicopter on six months secondment for full time training in rescue and retrieval medicine.

The trainees will work alongside rescue helicopter retrieval specialists on missions covering accidents and inter hospital medical transfers. Accreditation of the State’s most experienced aero medical service has been accorded by the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australiasian College of Surgeons and the Australiasian College for Emergency Medicine.

Dick Smith Moves up Market

The Chairman of the CAA, Dick Smith, has recently purchased a new helicopter in a step up from the faithful DIK. The new machine is a Sikorsky S-76, to be fitted out and used in his next round-the-world adventure. He joins an elite club of privately owned 76-es, so we wonder whether he will soon be taking up polo like the rest of them!

Us Navy Interested in British Aerospace SEa

Arising from the Gulf War, the US Navy is investigating the acquisition of a Sea Skua anti surface vessel (ASV) m1ss1le installation for its Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk and Kaman SH-2 Seasprite helicopters.

A number of possible configurations is being investigated to meet the newly identified need to be able to engage small boat targets. The SH-60 is the most likely recipient of the missile fit although BAe believes there could also be an export market for ex US Navy SH-2G’s equipped with the Sea Skua missile.

Helicopter Rescue Inbushfire Dr AMA

Once again a helicopter operating in extreme conditions has come to the rescue of a member of the public.

Pamela Barrass was caught in a bushfire at night in her home, alone, on a property 20kms west of Esk in Queensland with the only road cut. A Bureau of Emergency Services helicopter equipped with a satellite navigation system and a 30 million candle powersearchlight was despatched in total darkness to attempt a rescue.

Following an aborted approach due to extreme turbulence, the pilot Ron Mitchell and his crewman Daren Parsons returned to Esk dropping off the Forestry officer who had accompanied them to lighten the load. On return they were guided in by lights from an emergency generator which Pamella had by then been advised to place, and a much relieved Pamella was finally returned to safety.

Its a pity that those who complain about helicopter rotor noise will most likely not get to hear of yet another rescue by the machines they complain about.

Sto in Partnership With Aerospatiale for Helicopter Gearbox Analysis

DSTO’s Aeronautical Research Laboratory has developed technology to monitor gearbox vibration signals on the outside of the gearbox, analysing each gear mesh, tooth by tooth, detecting faults, cracks and excessive wear.

The new technology has already identified serious faults in Navy gearboxes, undetectable by other means. DSTO will exploit the technology commercially in partnership with Aerospatiale.

DSTO has been working on developing the technology since the fatal crash of a Wessex helicopter in 1983. A business agreement between the two parties was signed on 9 October. The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Mr Gordon Bilney, in announcing the agreement said that DSTO will receive a fee for demonstrating the technology to Aerospatiale, in addition to royalties for each Aerospatiale installation.

The Australian Defence Force will also have unrestricted use of the monitor. DSTO is currently developing an automated, carry on monitor for the Army Black Hawk and Navy Seahawk helicopters.

First Twin Squirrel F2 Upgrade

Caloundra based Helicare recently completed Australia’s first upgrade of an AS355F1 twin Squirrel to the F2 modification state.

The structural changes allow for an increased lifting capability of 140kg which greatly enhances the AS355’s performance, especially in the SAR and EMS configuration. The upgrade involved the Queensland Bureau of Emergency Services (BES) AS355F1 (VH-HSG). VH-HSG can now achieve an increased radius of 35nm in the EMS role. Meaning an extra 45 minutes in the SAR role and more importantly, an extra person can be rescued and hoisted aboard, which can make all the difference when trying to recover survivors from a disabled or sinking boat in rough seas. Mr Steve Mccann, Helicare’s chief engineer said this was the first upgrade of an AS355F1 in Australia and was completed in conjunction with an major G inspection at 4,800 flying hours. In addition, only one other F2 is flying in this country, however, it was purchased new. The NSW Police Air Wing is also upgrading their AS355F1 to the F2 status in the near future.

Japan Enters the Aerospacerace

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; Mitsubishi Corporation, and Sikorsky Aircraft have signed an agreement to study future requirements for commercial helicopters worldwide.

The three companies will utilise their joint experience in helicopter design, development, manufacture, sales and support to explore opportunities in the commercial helicopter market. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has produced helicopters under licence to Sikorsky Aircraft for more than three decades.

Hevi Lift Soviet Helicopter Operations in PNG

Following our October comment on heavy helicopter operations in PNG, the managing director of Hevi Lift (PNG) Pty Ltd, Mick McDonald has written with additional information.

According to Hevi Lift, over 5000 operational hours have now been accumulated on the KA-32 and Mi-26 aircraft fleet. The two KA-32’s have been averaging 4. 7 tonnes at 4,000ft and upwards locations. In addition the Mi-26 has been carrying 20 tonnes internally and 18 tonnes externally at similar altitudes. The KA-32’s have experienced nil downtime and the supply of spare parts from the Soviet Union has been more than adequate. As previously reported, the Mi-26 experienced a tail rotor strike on the Chevron based Moro airstrip resulting in the replacement of half the tail boom, pylon, tail rotor and all ancillary gear boxes.

This was achieved two and a half months after the tail strike, not a bad effort considering that the main gearbox weighs 5 tonnes and the overall length of the replacement boom and pylon is 16 metres, and all the parts had to be transported from the Soviet Union and installed in the middle of the New Guinea Highlands. Mick McDonald reports that the aircraft has subsequently flown 110 hours without experiencing any problems.

Following on from the success at Chevron, Hevi Lift was awarded a contract by mining giant, Placer Pacific. This entailed placing 360 transmission towers weighing 2. 2 tonnes each at an altitude of 10,000ft, carrying the towers over a distance of 120kms. Finally, two full Soviet crews are now operating on their own without back up radio support by Hevi Lift crews.