Rotor Torque

EFIS For Mi-17

Kelowna Flightcraft of Canada is converting a prototype Mil Mi-17KF with a Honeywell EDZ-756 EFIS system which is due for completion in July. The Kelowna designed upgraded Mi-17KF features two colour displays, a Honeywell P-700 colour weather radar, dual flight director system, AA-30 radio altimeter, altitude and heading reference system, Primus 2 radios and improved electrical systems. Options will include Canadian Marconi Doppler and GPS nav systems. The modernised Mi-17 will be certificated to US FAA FAR Part 29 standard and have a flyaway cost of approx $US5m. The conversion itself including hardware costs $US1m. Kelowna is offering the EFIS Mi-17 (fitted with a flotation system, external winch and 4,995kg/11,000lb external sling load capacity) to meet a Canadian Forces requirement for a search and rescue helicopter, in competition with developments of the EH 101 and Seahawk. Rotorway is offering this Helipac removable cargo holder for its Exec 162F helicopter. The reinforced fibreglass construction Helipac can hold the Exec 162F’s removable doors, and only reduces the 162F’s 240kg (525lb) payload by 12kg (26lb). (Rotorway) 80 Australian Aviation Jan/Feb 1996

Kaman Announces Seasprite Team

Kaman has named its Australian partners for its bid to offer the SH-2G Seasprite to meet the RAN’s Anzac/Offshore Patrol Combatant helicopter requirement. Transfield Defence Systems would be responsible for programme management support, while CSC Australia would provide simulators and software support.

EIP Appointed Local BK 117 Rep

Eurocopter Deutschland and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have appointed Bankstown based Eurocopter International Pacific their distributor and authorised Service Centre for the BK 117 in Australia, New Zealand, PNG and Fiji. EIP will build up a stock of BK 117 spare parts for the growing BK 117 fleet in the region, and its staff will undergo factory training on the type.

Mohs Gears For AH-64D Remanufacture

McDonnell Douglas Helicopters is gearing up for the production remanufacturing of US Army AH-64A Apaches to AH-64D models, with the recent delivery of the first two AH-64As for the rebuild programme. The US Department of Defense recently authorised the US Army to award a single year contract to McDonnell Douglas for 18 production remanufactured Apaches, the first of a five year, multi year contract for at least 232 AH-64Ds. The DoD has also given the go-ahead for Lockheed Martin to begin low rate initial production of Hellfire II RF (radar frequency) anti armour missiles. The US Army plans to convert all its AH-64As to AH-64D standard, although only about 220 will be fitted with the Longbow mast mounted millimetre wave radar. The first two aircraft to undergo conversions are Desert Storm veterans and will be redelivered to the US Army in early 1997.

Thailand Orders Super Pumas

The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered three Eurocopter AS 332L2 Super Puma Mk 2 helicopters for VIP use. Two of the helicopters will be configured in VVIP layout for use by the Thai Royal Family while the third will be delivered in a VIP configuration for use by the royal suite and other dignitaries. The VVIP Super Pumas will feature a lounge and two armchairs and tables in the forward cabin, with 10 VIP seats, two aircrew seats, a galley, toilet and cloakroom in the rear of the cabin. The VIP machine will have two armchairs and 14 VIP seats. All three will be fitted with an APU. The two VVIP Super Pumas will be delivered in October, the VIP machine will follow in the first half of 1997.

Bidtdtcoptblt

Canberra helicopter enthusiast forming syndicate to purchase helicopter Ph: 019 443 255 Fax: (06) 280 4608 Finance Available. A Canadian registered R44 demonstrates the type’s firebombing abilities.

Funding Agreement For Canberra Medivac Helicopter

The ACT Government has reached agreement with 14 regional shire and city councils regarding the funding of the new Canberra based rescue helicopter service. The councils agreed to contribute funding to the helicopter service on a per capita basis. This funding is in addition to the $1.1m pledged by the NSW State Government and the $150,000 from the ACT Government. Meanwhile the ACT Government has seconded Canberra secondary school teacher Judith Ellem to the infant service, tasked with fundraising and generating community support. Mrs Ellem has been a prominent supporter of a rescue helicopter for the Canberra region since her daughter had to be airlifted from Nowra with spinal injuries in December 1994.

Germany Funds Research Helicopter

The German Government has promised to fund a new helicopter technology demonstrator based on Eurocopter EC 135 platform. The Helicopter Simulator for Technology, Operations and Research, or HeSTOR, will fly in 1998 and replaces the Advanced Technology Testing Helicopter System (ATTHeS) BO 105 based research helicopter which crashed in May 1995. The approx DM40m to DM50m research programme is being jointly funded by the German Government, the German Aerospace Research Establishment (DLR) and Eurocopter. HeSTOR will be used to simulate various helicopter types in flight and as a technology demonstrator. It will be fitted with a quadruplex flight control system, either fly-by-wire or possibly fly-by-light. The helicopter will be flown by the DLR.

Charity Ball Raises $30,000 For Childflight

The recent Quirindi Charity Ball raised over $30,000 for the Childflight EMS helicopter service. Childflight will use the $30,000 to upgrade its BK 117 to improve its max takeoff weight, increasing range and allowing the service to reach more remote areas, or increasing payload.

Briefs

ABC TV has called for expressions of interest from helicopter companies to manage its Melbourne based Squirrel and Sydney based Twin Squirrel news helicopters from September 1.

The prototype RAH-66 Comanche was due to make its first flight in mid December. First flight was originally planned for November but had to be delayed due to software problems.

Israel plans to re-engine its fleet of 40 AH-1G and AH-1S HueyCobras with a General Electric T700, improving performance and giving engine commonality with Israel’s AH-64s and UH-60s. IAI’s helicopter division, Mata, will perform the conversion work.

The Kawasaki OH-X two seat light observation helicopter is due to roll out in March.

The fuselage, wing and nacelles of V-22 Osprey number seven were due to be mated in December. Thus far construction of V-22 has taken 3,100 hours less than the scheduled plan.

The second MD 600N development helicopter flew for the first time on November 16. The second MD 600N is fitted with a production ready six bladed main rotor and an Allison 250-C47 (the engine selected for production aircraft). The first production MD 600N was due to fly in December. Certification and first customer deliveries are scheduled for the third quarter of 1996.

The fourth prototype Eurocopter Tiger has successfully completed live trial firings of its 30mm cannon and Mistral air-to-air missiles.

Our congratulations go to Eurocopter International Pacific. In the past EIP (like many other companies) sent out Christmas cards to its suppliers and customers as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation. Instead last year EIP donated its Christmas card budget to underprivileged children. Well done.