Rotor Torque

The performance and handling characteristics of the aircraft following the mainly engine related modifications were reported as being excellent with no surprises. The hover flight was the first step towards full conversion to the aircraft mode and further expansion of the flight envelope.

Nrma Careflight Taking Proactive Approach to Safety

Sydney’s NRMA CareFlight has reported that it recently engaged the services of Aerosafe Industries Pty Ltd, a specialist firm of aviation safety and accident consultants, to conduct an independent safety audit of its helicopter operations.

NRMA CareFlight Chief Pilot, John Hoad said that he believed it was essential, as a responsible EMS service, to engage consultants to conduct a safety audit. He went on to remark that a safety audit is a bit like a marriage, you have to be committed to make it work but it is a very useful tool in helping to maintain an essential commitment to safety.

purchase of new helicopters to the supply of spare parts and maintenance or technical services.

“Helitech Pty Ltd remains wholly Australian owned and controlled” said General Manager Bob Millar. “Our relationship with Bell Helicopter remains unchanged and our customers are assured of the continuing high level of support for ‘Bell products”.

The international affiliates of the new company have also had a name change. BH Pacific Ltd, based in Auckland becomes Helitech Ltd and BH Pacific (PNG) Pty Ltd becomes Helitech (PNG) Pty Ltd.

Return of Aviation Group From Cambodia

Requiring just two sorties, an Antonov An-124, the world’s second largest transport aircraft flew the six Black Hawk helicopters, plus some of the vehicles and stores of the UNTAC Aviation group back to Australia in mid July.

As a measure of the size and capacity of the An-124, the giant aircraft carried five of the returning Black Hawks on the first sortie. The remaining stores and vehicles were flown back in an An-12 Cub which is equivalent in size to the C-130 Hercules.

Following their return, the six “White Hawks”, as they came to be known, flew their last sorties in their distinctive white colour scheme in a flypast over Townsville and Thuringa.

The UNTAC Aviation group has been commended for the efficient way in which it carried out the very difficult task of supporting the United Nations Authority Cambodia in its task of supervising the recent elections.

Pilot Training Specialists

Following the success of the safety audit it was decided to run a one day seminar on cockpit resource management, and in a responsible gesture, CareFlight extended an offer to other helicopter services to attend. The offer was taken up by Child Flight, the NSW Police Air Wing and the Newcastle and Sydney Life Saver helicopter rescue services.

The seminar was tailored to the needs of helicopter operators and provided a very useful proactive safety tool. Full marks to CareFlight.

Victoria Police Association Warns Government Over Helicopter Contracts

The Victoria Police Association has expressed concern over the Government’s refusal to rule out the possibility of contracting out police helicopter services.

This follows a similar fate to the police fixed wing operations which have been taken over by Victoria Airlines for a reported saving of $400,000. The Police Association warned that Geelong’s coastal regions could be affected if the force’s helicopter operations were privatised.

New Name for Bell Helicopter Regional Representatives BH

Pacific Pty Ltd, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc’s sole representative for Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea has merged with BH Pacific Services Pty Ltd, the Bell Customer Service Facility, to form Helitech Pty Ltd.

Queensland Rescue Pilot Wins Overseas Scholarship

Queensland Bureau of Emergency Services helicopter pilot, Miles Currington was amongst 11 Queenslanders recently awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

Mr Currington will study emergency medical services helicopter retrievals in the USA for four weeks, and will be the first Australian to study at the prestigious Florida Flight Safety Base. The tour, which will take place next year, will be sponsored by 1967 Churchill Fellow Bob Pricket of Cairns.

McDonnell Douglas Helicopters Wins Contract for Electronic Cockpit

In a competition won against a Sikorsky led bid, MDH in conjunction with IBM is to develop the US Army’s Rotorcraft Pilot’s Associate (RPA) electronic cockpit.

The US Army is seeking a futuristic cockpit that will enable pilots to concentrate on fighting the battle rather than flying the helicopter. The requirement is for a system that provides for target acquisition, armament control, navigation, and communications, while at the same time significantly easing the pilot’s workload. Survivability on the battlefield is an essential requirement of the overall system.

The RPA development is to be undertaken through a programme of intense laboratory assessment, followed by computer simulation of the system in a battlefield environment, and finally flight trials in an AH-64C Apache.

IBM has responsibility for development of the system concept and Honeywell Systems for the man/machine interface. Martin Marietta Advanced Technology Laboratories will be responsible for integration of the developed data.

The contract is worth $US70m, and should provide a much needed boost to MDH (see accompanying article).

Polish Helicopter Gains Us Certification

Assisted by the American Piasecki Aircraft company, Poland’s Swidnik W-3 Sokol has gained preliminary US certification after earlier problems were resolved, and is now set to enter the Western market.

Piasecki who will market and support the aircraft, reports that interest has already been shown by commercial utility operators in forestry, firefighting, emergency services and off shore oil work.

Problems which delayed certification related to the WSK- PZL Rzeszow engines and the need to fit double cylinder hydraulic actuators.

McDonnell Douglas has elected to retain its helicopter division (which it acquired from Hughes) largely due to the profitability and long term viability of the AH-64 Apache programme.

McDonnell Douglas to Retain Helicopter Division

After a year long search to find a buyer for its helicopter division, MDC has decided that a sale or partnership is not now appropriate and has announced that it will merge the division into the company’s military group.

The decision to hive off the helicopter division (MDH) was taken last year as part of the company’s reorganisation into two groups, one to manufacture airliners and the other to concentrate on aerospace.

MDC in announcing the decision to retain the helicopter division said that the manufacture of military helicopters is set for long term profitability, particularly with the AH-64A Apache, which now has international orders that will see production extending into 1996. That year will also see the commencement of a rework programme of US Army aircraft to the AH-64C/D Longbow configuration.

MDH has also experienced the general downturn in demand for civil helicopters but is continuing with the MD500 light helicopter and the MD Explorer twin turbine which should commence deliveries towards the end of next year. Despite the company’s announcement, conjecture remains that MDC might still attempt to dispose of the commercial side of its helicopter operations, or seek a merger with a joint venture partner. This stems from the original statement of the company’s chairman that the effort required for it to become the world’s No 1 or 2 was too great for it to go it alone. This situation is not seen to have changed to any degree.

Robinson R44 Orders Continue to Grow

Australian orders for the four seat Robinson R44 helicopter now stand at 11.

With every promise that it will be as successful as the two seat R22, the R44 should prove to be popular on the Australian market, particular with the added capability provided by the additional two seats.