Rotor Torque

Internal noise is expected to be in the 75-80db range and will be minimised through an acoustic isolator system to reduce vibration from the transmission.

The Explorer is expected to be certificated late this year with deliveries following soon after.

Schweizer Achieves Marketing Successes

In a successful marketing exercise, Schweizer Aircraft has sold three Model TH-330 turbine helicopters to the Venezuelan Army and is optimistic that further military training sales will eventuate as the virtues of the 330 in the training role become known.

In another landmark event for the company, the 500th Schweizer manufactured Model 300C has been delivered. Schweizer began manufacturing the Model 300C in 1983 under licence from Hughes Helicopters and purchased the Model 300C programme in its entirety from the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter company in 1986.

Schweizer also provides worldwide spares support for the Model 269 series helicopter.

Sydney CBD Heliport Survives Attack in Nsw Upper House

In its latest newsletter, the NSW branch of the HAA has advised its members that the parliamentary heliport battle is over.

of a CBD heliport was defeated by independent member, the Rev Fred Nile voting with the government.

Labor member Sandra Nori’s bill to prohibit development A telling point made by the HAA was that if the heliport R409 to 1000ft. This would have subjected residents to in- was not built, the CAA would not need to raise the level of they were directed along Kopter 7 to help in traffic flow at creased and more concentrated noise from helicopters as Mascot once the third runway becomes operational later this year.

The HAA states that if the bill had been successful it could have been disastrous for everybody in the industry. After the last CBD heliport was closed some businesses lost 25 to 35% of their work. The gross value of all the helicopter assets and facilities in the Wollongong – Sydney – Newcastle basin has been estimated at around $130-150 million, not including the people who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.

The HAA continues to examine ways to reduce helicopter noise on urban communities and makes the point that raising the R409 transit lane to 1000ft should reduce noise levels by a minimum of 40%. The HAA proposal on R409 will see a height change of 500ft to 1000ft from a line running from Artarmon to Central Station (which passes through Long Nose Point and the heliport) to Dover Heights, which will see a ceiling of 1000ft all over the harbour, city and inner Eastern suburbs.

The HAA expects the heliport to be operational in September and has expressed its gratitude to the Niles for helping to overturn what would have been a bitter blow to the industry.

Blue Mountains Fly Neighbourly Agreement on Trial

Further to RT for March 94, a voluntary code of practice for flights over the Blue Mountains area was trialled for a three month period ending on May 2. The outcome of the trial is to be reviewed by the CAA, in conjunction with Defence, Industry, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the NSW Environment Protection Authority, and the Blue Mountains City Council.

Certain sensitive areas were defined and preferred scenic routes established with the addition that a minimum height of 1000ft should be maintained above the surface of the Park. This was defined as the highest point of terrain, and any object on it, within a radius of 600 metres of a point YH-SLA vertically below the aircraft. The trial recognised that the special terrain/weather conditions must override the 1000ft rule if the safe conduct of the flight would be jeopardised. It is to be hoped that the trials prove successful in reducing noise complaints and that there is a sensible outcome. We will keep you posted.

Possible Participation by UK Industry in Tiger Project

The UK could become a partner in the Eurocopter Tiger project should the aircraft be selected as the preferred attack helicopter for the British Army. The entry would be at government level with considerable industrial advantages accruing to British Aerospace, which is keen to participate in the programme.

The British Army has a requirement for 90 attack helicopters with, in addition to the Tiger, the McDonnell Douglas AH-64C/D Apache, Bell Boeing RAH-66 Comanche, Agusta A129 Mangusta, Denel Rooivalk and GEC-Marconi Avion- ics/Bell AH-IW Cobra Venom are all in the running at present. This list will be refined to two bids by mid year with consideration then being given to the UK joining in the Eurocopter Tiger programme should that aircraft be selected.

Finally, in an interesting move the German Defence Ministry is understood to be returning to the original 212 aircraft required originally planned, a figure subsequently reduced to 75.

Robinson Maintains Its Leadership in New Helicopter Sales

The Robinson Helicopter Company again lead new helicopter sales in 1993 with 135 R22 two seat and 31 of its new four seat R44 models sold worldwide.

In addition to new aircraft production, Robinson also overhauled 77 customer owned R22s on its production line. Robinson’s biggest overseas customer was Hangar Uno in Argentina which took delivery of 37 new R22s which included 30 for the Buenos Aires Police Department. All R44 deliveries in 1993 were of demonstrator aircraft to dealers and the success of the new model has resulted in a backlog of nearly 140 orders.

Australian distributer, Heliflite has a demonstrator in country with a further two due to be delivered to customers. Fifteen slots on the production line have been reserved. (refer R44 airtest report elsewhere this issue).

Germany to Withdraw Former East German Military Helicopters From Service

A recommendation has been made by the German Defence Ministry for the withdrawal of all former Soviet built East German military helicopters.

The two main reasons for the proposal are the expense of keeping them in service plus their limited operational capability. Some 191 Mil helicopters were inherited of which 49 were Mil Mi-24 Hind battlefield helicopters. All have been mothballed including 11 of the newer Mi-24P variant which had their AT-6 Spiral antitank systems removed and returned to Russia.

In addition to a limited night attack capability and poor air-to-air weapons systems, the aircraft do not meet safety standards and would be too expensive to modify. The remaining helicopters consist of 101 Mil Mi-8T, Mi-8S and Mi-9 transport helicopters of which only 34 remain in service.

Whilst there had been plans to keep these aircraft in service until near the end of the decade, experience has shown that their low usage and high maintenance costs, warrant earlier phasing out. A further recommendation is that in view of the high storage costs all of the former East German helicopters should be scrapped.

350 New Helicopters Planned for German Armed Forces

At the same time as recommendations to withdraw all ex East German Soviet built helicopters are being considered, the German Defence Ministry is examining proposals for the acquisition of 350 new helicopters for its armed forces. In a far reaching major programme it is proposed to introduce two new types, a combat support helicopter (UHU) based on the Franco/German PAH 2 Tiger, and the NH 90 tactical transport helicopter.

The NH 90 will ultimately replace the UH-IDs operated by both the air force and the navy, as well as the latter’s Sea Kings and Lynx. A total of 269 NH 90s is planned to meet all needs. However, because of delays to the NH 90 programme, the bulk of the UH-IDs will have to continue in service until early in the next century but 124 UH-IDs will have their lives extended beyond then by upgrading, including a night flying capability.

The NH 90 will fill a number of army combat support roles including reconnaissance, mine laying and command and control. The navy will deploy the NH 90 aboard its frigates utilising the aircraft in the present Lynx role but this is not now planned to take place until 2010. It had been intended to purchase the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH 90) but this proved too expensive. Replacement of the Sea Kings in the transport and SAR roles will occur about five years earlier in about 2025.

Westpac Life Saver 1 BK 117 Conversion Completed

After the loss of its SA 365C Dauphin helicopter (VH-LSR) in February last year, the Sydney branch of the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Rescue Service now has its new BK 117 helicopter on line after the completion of a five month avionics and systems upgrade, Paul Sadler.

Major modifications to the helicopter’s avionics were carried out by AWA at Bankstown. This included the installation of an ARNAV MFD5000 multi function display screen, coupled to an ARNAV STAR 5000 GPS, enabling a high definition moving map display to be produced, allowing the flightcrew to have a virtually map free cockpit. The MFD5000 is also coupled to a WX1000E Stormscope, where future software developments by ARNAV will allow an integrated weather and mapping picture to be displayed simultaneously on the MFD5000 screen.

The avionics installation also includes a Northern Airborne Technologies TDF105 Homer System, which uses the Nav 2 ILS indicator to track and locate signals being emitted from an activated ELT, and a KRA405 (low range) radar altimeter, effective for terrain avoidance. The helicopter is equipped with two Bendix King KX156 Nav/Comm radios, a Codan 2000 HF radio; and carries four FM service radios, controlled by a Northern Airborne Technologies TACCOM TH450 with pilot/copilot/crew Northern Airborne Technologies Audio/ICS selectors, allowing constant communications between ATC as well as emergency services on the ground. Auto Avia Design, also at Bankstown, designed the structural modifications to the helicopter which included a world first. The Air Equipment 272kg (600lb) hoist was the first fixed installation on the right hand side to a BK 117 in the world, allowing the pilot better control during winching procedures. Other modifications included a Spectrolab SX-16 Nitesun; an NECP3 cellular telephone; and medical glass water resistant medical floor. Total cost of the EMS fitout comprising of a Propaq Patient monitor and a kevlar/ modifications was in the vicinity of $500,000. Registered as VH-SLA (Lifesaver 1), the helicopter is one of only three BK 117s currently flying in Australia.

Swidnik Delivers First Sokol Helicopter to a West German Operator

The Polish helicopter manufacturer, Swidnik has achieved a remarkable first in the recent delivery of a W-3A Sokol general purpose helicopter to the West German Saxonian police.

The W-3A is a general purpose helicopter capable of car- rying up to 12 passengers or up to 2100kg of cargo. Swidnik is offering the aircraft in several specialised versions including SAR, VIP, combat support, ambulance, slung load, and fire fighting.

This is the first Polish aircraft to receive both western and eastern type certificates, having received FAR 29 certification from the US FAA, and certification under JAR by the German Aviation Authority.