Rotor Torque

First deliveries of the new helicopter have already commenced with interest being shown from a broad range of market segments including corporate customers and civil agencies.

agreement drafted in time for consideration by the Blue Mountains Council in February.

The HAA believes that once EPA gains the power to control airspace in the manner it proposes, the future for the helicopter industry will become bleak, such conditions, for example, would render the Sydney CBD Heliport nonviable.

The HAA reports that it has discussed the matter with the CAA but that the latter does not believe that it has the power to prohibit such environmental restrictions. The HAA does not believe this to be the case and is seeking a legal opinion with the view to launching an action against the EPA in the High Court of Australia.

Unfortunately the HAA does not have the financial or human resources to conduct another campaign against the EPA, which, if unchecked, could potentially destroy the community at large.

Proposed Environmental Airspace Restrict

Helicopter industry, and hence is seeking support from The Helicopter Association of Australia has recently taken urgent action to advise its members of an Environment Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to develop operating restrictions for helicopter flights over the Blue Mountains National Park, which, the HAA believes, has grave implications for the entire industry.

The problem developed following noise complaints by some residents in the Blue Mountains when the noise licence for the Katoomba airfield, issued by the EPA and developed in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, was amended, severely restricting operations for helicopters landing and taking off from that airfield.

EPA is now proposing to introduce “special conditions”, to be trialled over a three month period which would limit movements to five an hour with a maximum of 50 a day, restricted to between 8am and 7pm or sunset whichever is earlier.

Additional proposed restrictions would limit flights to a minimum of 2000ft vertical and 600m horizontal separation from certain places. A minimum of 4000ft vertical and 3km horizontal separation would apply in other places.

It is understood that EPA is planning to attach conditions to all licensed Helicopter Landing Sites (HLS) and it is reported that they will not be restricted to national parks or wilderness areas but extend to any area deemed “sensitive” by EPA (including R409).

The Agency has now called for a meeting between itself and the HAA, RAPAC, CAA, and the ADF, to develop a “Fly Neighbourly Agreement” for long term controls for joy and scenic flights in the Blue Mountains. The aim was to have the It is particularly relevant that it is these very same “noisy” helicopters that provided the unique life saving service in the recent NSW and Sydney area bushfires. Should EPA succeed in its endeavours to restrict helicopter operations as it proposes, it will kill off a large segment of the industry and hence limit the availability of helicopters to fight the inevitable future bushfires, as well as the support provided in other life saving situations perfect world, must be balanced against the overall national EPA proposals for noise control, however commendable in interest and it is now up to State and the Federal governments to step in and provide that balance.

Naadon Pan Am W EH 101 Programme to Continue Despite Cutbacks

Despite Canada’s cancellation of its order, UK defence budget cuts, and recent developmental setbacks following a fatal accident involving one of the prototypes, the United Kingdom Government has confirmed its intention to proceed with the purchase of the EH 101 transport helicopter.

Fortunately for the EH 101 programme, the aircraft is seen by the government as meeting its criteria for more teeth than tail in its overall defence programme, and is considered essential to improve the RAF’s medium and heavy lift capabilities.

Opposition to Sydney Heliport Still Continues Despite Government Approval

The NSW Branch of the HAA advised its members at the annual general meeting held last year that despite development consent having been given to the Sydney CBD Heliport, opposition continues.

Over 700 submissions were received by the government which, it is reasonable to assume, in the main supported the proposal, however, Ms Nori, ALP Member for Port Jackson, has introduced a Private Members Bill to try and block the development. Ms Nori, at a meeting in Balmain’s Loyalty Square shopping centre, said that she would support the building of a heliport on the roof of Parliament House if it would stop the Darling Harbour development.

Ms Nori defended the Balmain pressure group which is fighting a rear guard stand to overturn the decision, stating that the group’s objections were largely economic as the Heliport would only favour the rich.

Notwithstanding the continued opposition, the HAA reports that following legal advice and further discussions with the appropriate government departments, planning is proceeding apace, with architectural plans having already been drawn up.

There is little doubt that the heliport will be an important part of the Sydney Olympics 2000 infrastructure, and hopefully this is in mind in any consideration of the Bill.

Sikorsky’s Proposed S-92 Civil Helo Looks Set to Proceed

The S-92 development programme, which is based on the dynamics of the Black Hawk is gathering momentum with all basic design work essentially complete.

Major effort to date has been on ensuring that the Black Hawk systems meet civil certification requirements with particular regard to the gearboxes, main and tail rotors, and flight control systems.

Follow on work now includes detail design work and risk reduction in the component design and manufacture. However despite the expenditure of $US30m to date, a formal launch has yet to be announced by Sikorsky’s parent company, United Technologies (UTC). It is speculated that this reluctance to announce a go ahead stems from the fact that Sikorsky does not have the backing of a large military programme as has always been the case in the past. Evidence of the company’s uncertainty as to the viability of the programme, is its hedging of its bets by requiring that all development design work on components for the S-92 is applicable to possible future Black Hawk upgrades.

The solution to Sikorsky’s problem might lie in persuading the US military to accept the S-92 without it meeting full military specifications; this could save up to 25% in labour costs.

New Ifr Course From Chopperline

Following a recent increase in the number of enquiries regarding full time Instrument Theory courses, Caloundra based Chopperline has developed an updated course specifically designed to not only help get candidates through the IREX exam but to also provide students with a thorough working knowledge and appreciation of the often daunting subject of Instrument Theory.

The next course is slated for March 14 so don’t delay. Chopperline can be contacted on (008) 072 118.

Bell Eagle Eye Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Successfully Completed

The Bell Eagle Eye Tilt Rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TRUS) has successfully completed all helicopter mode testing and will shortly commence winged flight tests.

The test programme was carried out in a series of 14 flights over 3. 9 flight hours and included 36 landings. Manoeuvres included manual and auto hover, 360 degree turns at 35 degrees per second in winds up to 15 knots (28kmh), climbs to 120ft (37m), plus stability and control assessments in and out of ground effect.

The Eagle Eye is powered by a 420shp Allison 250-C20 gas turbine and is controlled through an Israel Aircraft Industries prototype GCS 3000P ground station, as used in the development of the IAI Hunter short range UAV system.

The TRUS system is planned to meet the needs of reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and similar missions for both land based and shipboard operations. These requirements currently include a 110nm (205km) radius, three hour time on station and 135kt (250kmh) cruise.

If all aspects of the test programme are successful, a follow on engineering and development programme is expected.

Growth in Demand for Helo Support of off Shore Oil Exploration Likely

In a recent report, the Australian Petroleum Exploration Association has forecast an increase of over 100% in offshore oil exploration expenditure.

It follows that this will inevitably lead to increased demand for helo support of oil rig operations, however a reported shortage of rigs could limit developments to meet the demand.

The search will concentrate in the north west of Australia, in the Canarvon and Bonaparte basins, and the Australian/ Indonesian zone of cooperation. Some 20 new wells are expected to be sunk in the latter area in the near future.

Perhaps as an indicator of expected developments in helo offshore work, it is reported that Esso has recently acquired six new construction Sikorsky S-76Cs, a not insignificant increase in support capacity.

Adf Provides Extensive Helo Support During Recent Nsw Bushfires

A total of thirty helicopters comprising four Sea Kings, four Seahawks, two Black Hawks, six Iroquois, 10 Squirrels and four Kiowa were deployed throughout the recent bushfire emergency.

Tasks undertaken included evacuation, personnel transfer, stores movement and water bombing. A further ten Black Hawks were placed on standby but it is understood that they were not needed.

Comanche Development Programme Refined

In a bid to reduce development costs, Boeing and Sikorsky have proposed to the US Army that the RAH-66 Comanche Scout/Attack helicopter development programme be trimmed and compressed by merging the demonstration/validation phase with the engineering and manufacturing phase.

A saving of $US270m is expected to result from the proposal which would see the number of prototypes reduced from six to four, with increased use of simulation as the means of achieving the reduction.

The first prototype is expected to fly late next year, with entry into service planned for 2003.