Rotor Torque

Boeing Wins Helicopter Fly-By-Wire Development Contract

Boeing Helicopters is about to begin work on development of a fully integrated fly-by-wire flight control system for installation in a JUH-60A Black Hawk research helo.

The $US5m contract with NASA is for an initial period of three years and includes advanced software and an option to modify the main rotor servos.

The first phase will include development and testing of flight control technology beyond the manoeuvre capability of the RAH-66 Comanche.

Enstrom Helicopter Establishes Production in China

In a recession breaking move, Enstrom Helicopter is to establish a light helicopter production facility in the Chinese city of Wuhan (pop 7m).

In announcing the move, Enstrom said that agreement had been reached with local government officials for a four year programme to assemble and ultimately manufacture all four Enstrom models. These are the piston powered F28F and 289FX and the turbine powered model 480 and the RH-28.

Because of the need to retain manufacture of certain rotor system components in the USA, production would be limited to 90% of the complete helicopter, however it was envisaged that Chinese manufactured components would be imported for incorporation in US built aircraft.

Farlight RACO The manufacturing facility, to be known as Wuhan Helicopters (WHC), would have a production capability of 100 helicopters a year, with the aircraft to be sold only in China. A market of over 10,000 units was envisaged.

Certification of the four Enstrom models by the Chinese CAAC is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Bell to Introduce New 206 Based Model

Bell Helicopter Textron has announced plans to market a new light helicopter within two years.

The turbine powered helicopter will be available with either a single engine or in a twin configuration and will, in a first step, marry the existing fuselage of the 206L LongRanger to a new dynamic system. This will be followed by a new fuselage design at a later stage. the development and production of the new machine.

Royal Navy Trialing a Civilian Helicopter

Bell is seeking overseas risk sharing partners to join in SUPPORT In a ground breaking move, the Royal Navy is trialling the use of civilian helicopters in support of ships working up off the south coast of England.

planned closure of the helicopter support base at Portland following the move of sea training to Plymouth next year. Transfer of sea training staff shore to ship and return is presently carried out by Sea King HC4 helicopters This unprecedented proposal was prompted by the from Portland.

The lack of a naval airstation at Plymouth required some lateral thinking on just how sea training staff would be transferred in the new location and the solution now being trialled is the use of civilian helicopters, in the future, from the Plymouth City Airport.

A short trial using an Air Hanson S-76 and a Bond Helicopters Dauphin operating out of Portland proved successful and a three month trial has now commenced under a contract awarded to Bond. Additional trials will also be carried out at Rosyth in Scotland during the three month period.

Clearly some heavy discussions must have taken place with the UK CAA to obtain approval for civilian helicopters to operate from warships, however it is understood that the CAA has balked at giving approval outside present civilian regulations for winching of personnel.

Whilst no doubt a sound economic rational move, the use of civilian helicopters in this support role must inevitably erode some of the RN’s naval helicopter operating capability – fine in peace but what happens in war?

Us Immigration Border Trials Commence Using Re-Engined Uh-18

Trials have commenced of five US Immigration and Naturalisation Service UH-1 Iroquois helicopters which have been re-engined with LHTEC T800 turboshafts.

The most significant gain with the new engines is a doubling of loiter time from two to four hours; this is in addition to an all round improvement in capability, and in particular hot day performance.

It is understood that a re-engined demonstrator has also undergone an evaluation with the Royal Thai armed forces and police and has impressed with its significant improvement in operating capability. The Australian Army Aviation Corps intends studying Iroquois upgrades in the near future.

Support for Canberra-Based Rescue Helicopter Grows

The push for the establishment of a rescue helicopter service based in Canberra is intensifying.

Each time there is a serious accident, or a spate of bushfires, the question of the ACT having its own Canberra based rescue helicopter is raised. The ACT Chief Coroner, Ron Cahill after a mountain fatality last year called for an inquiry into the need for a locally based rescue helicopter. Similar views where expressed by ACT Coroner, Kevin Dobson following the death of a man in a rock climbing accident in the Namadgi National Park.

Gary Humphries, the ACT Opposition Spokesman on Police and Emergency Services has been actively campaigning for some time for a locally based rescue helicopter, but the ACT Government Minister responsible for Urban Services, Terry Connolly continues to dampen down public enthusiasm with the old political ploy of “we can’t afford it therefore we don’t need it” Mr Connolly has gone as far as to state that it would be necessary to divert money from other services, such as ambulances to support a helicopter, with the prediction that such a service would only rarely be required.

However, yet another major Hume Highway truck accident, this time near Yass in late February saw the NRMA CareFlight helicopter once again called in from Sydney to provide emergency medical care and medivac of the driver. Commenting on the accident, Gary Humphries in a press release again called for the local community to get behind the push for a local service, stating that he would be seeking input to the committee he has established to look into the matter.

Whilst there is general agreement in the community that a locally based helicopter would be an asset, the great stumbling block is cost. Figures ranging from $1m for a second hand single engine Squirrel, to $10m for a fully equipped helicopter have been bandied around, with those for the idea opting for the former, and the ACT government which is against the proposal, citing the latter.

A recent review of the ACT emergency services supported the establishment of a helicopter service but once again raised the question of cost. Clearly what is required is a professional, aviation oriented examination of all aspects for and against the proposal, with particular regard to offsetting costs. One suggestion already put forward is power line surveillance in the Snowy mountains with the SMA also using the helo for its general operations.

Finally perhaps the ACT government could really be bold and consider a locally based lottery to fund the initial purchase and subsequent annual support of the local community’s own helicopter rescue service. A suggested prize is a years relief from all ACT rates and taxes!

Sikorsky Ditches Westland

United Technologies Sikorsky Aircraft has sold off its stake in British helicopter manufacturer Westland to GKN for $75m.

Sikorsky became involved with the then ailing Westland back in the mid eighties. At the time it appeared that a Westland built RR powered Black Hawk would be highly favoured to win then imminent large orders from both the RAF and Saudi Arabia. This never transpired and now Westland must await full scale EH 101 production in 1996 before potentially increasing its profitability.

Under financial pressure itself, United Technologies has consequently moved to cash in its share of Westland in order to concentrate on further developments within the existing Sikorsky product line.

Eurocopter EC 135 Makes Maiden Flight

The Eurocopter EC135 light twin helicopter has made a successful first flight.

The EC 135 is the first civilian new development of the Franco German Eurocopter Group and is based on the BO 108 which was originally developed by Eurocopter Deutschland as an experimental technology demonstrator. Following extensive market research it was decided to manufacture the new helicopter as a commercial proposition.

The main marketing points are increased technical and economic performance resulting in reduced maintenance and direct operating costs. Environmental considerations were reduced noise and fuel consumption. A shrouded Fenestron tail rotor was an added safety feature.

The aircraft features a highly advanced bearingless main rotor (BMR) system which is considerably lighter than conventional systems, consisting of fewer parts and with a higher degree of damage tolerance due to the composite construction.

The EC 135 has a maximum takeoff weight of 2500kg, or 2700kg with an external load and a range of 800km on standard fuel tankage.

The aircraft will be offered with either two Turbomeca Arrius-2B or two Pratt & Whitney PW206B engines, and will be certified to JAR Part 27 as well as FAA FAR Part 27 including the requirement for system segregation and CAT A operations.