Rotor Torque

Qld Govt Commitment for Torres Strait Rescue Helo

The Queensland State Government has pledged $425,000 annually to go towards the operations of the new Torres Strait Helicopter Rescue Service, allowing the service to begin operations. Reef Helicopters will provide and operate the service’s Bell LongRanger helicopter which will be properly equipped for EMS missions and staffed by medically trained crewmembers and be based on Thursday Island. Additional funding for the service would come from Queensland state agencies using the service. The new helicopter rescue service will replace the informal arrangement for medical evacuations that has existed between Thursday Island Hospital and Reef Helicopters. In other Queensland rescue helicopter news, $400,000 in donations will allow the Mackay based Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service to get off the ground. The Queensland Government donated $100,000 to the service, while the Motor Accident Commission has donated $300,000. The Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service will cover an area from north of Bowen, west to Tieri, Middlemount and Capella, south to St Lawrence and out to 200km offshore.

Kaman Tests Composite Blades

Kaman has successfully flight tested its new CMRB2 composite main rotor blades for the SH-2G Super Seasprite. The new composite blades have a projected 15,000 hour service life, while other expected benefits include better durability than the standard Dash 101 metal blades and ease of repair in the field. In addition, the reduced control forces demonstrated in flight testing could lead to extending the service lives of control system bearings and further reduced life cycle costs. Kaman previously developed and received US Navy qualification for Seasprite composite main blades in the late 1980s. The newer CMRB2 blades feature a modified airfoil, while the servo flaps are 100% composite. Kaman has built over 4000 composite main rotor blades for the US Army’s AH-1 Cobras, while its K-Max aerial crane also features composite blades. Kaman is offering the composite Seasprite blades as an option as part of its bid for the RAN’s Anzac helicopter requirement.

AACT to Review Army Pilot Training

Australian Aeronautical Consulting and Training (AACT) — comprising Major Training Services, Aerospace Technical Services and Bristow Helicopters Australia — has been awarded the contract for the Review of Army Aviation Pilot Training. Under the review AACT will examine all Army pilot training options and perform a cost benefit analysis, followed by developing a complete training management plan. ATS and Bristow will review possible training options, MTS and ATS will conduct a cost benefit analysis, and MTS will develop training package materials. The Review of Army Aviation Pilot Training is due to last 12 months and should be completed in August or September next year when AACT will present its findings and options to the Army.

Helitech Forms Technical Training School

Australia, New Zealand and PNG Bell distributors, Helitech, has established a Technical Training School at Brisbane. The school will offer a number of courses on Bell, Sikorsky and Eurocopter helicopters and Allison, Pratt & Whitney, Turboméca and Textron Lycoming engines. In the future Helitech intends that the school expand its course range offered to include electrical and instrument courses. The school is headed by Ted Potts who previously provided CASA accredited courses through his personal training company, Ted Tec Training in Australia, SE Asia and the Middle East. It is located in leased premises at Eagle Farm close to Helitech’s existing facility.

Navy News – Extra Sea King, Seahawks Activated

The RAN has acquired an ex Royal Navy Sea King HU.5 to replace the Sea King which was written off following a crash at Bamaga in far north Queensland in July last year. The ‘new’ Sea King (ex RN XZ918) was purchased using unspent funds allocated in the 1995/96 defence budget. The Navy in fact had requested funding to acquire three additional Sea Kings but Defence approved only one airframe. The Sea King left the UK via merchant ship in July and was due to arrive in Australia in September. Once at Nowra it will undergo the Sea King Life of Type Extension upgrade, bringing it up to a similar standard as the rest of RAN’s Sea Kings. Meanwhile this year’s federal budget included funding to bring into service the four attrition S-70B Seahawks currently in storage at Nowra (until now at any one time four of the RAN’s 16 Seahawks have been in storage). Reactivating the four Seahawks will allow the Navy to give the new Anzac frigates a helicopter capability until their own helicopters (either Lynxes or Seasprites) are delivered from 1999/2000.

Helitech Launches Bell Customer Loyalty Program

Bell distributor Helitech has launched its Bell Helicopter Loyalty Plan, where purchasers of Bell spare parts earn credits towards a new helicopter. Under the scheme, members of the loyalty program would receive a credit towards the price of a new Bell helicopter each time they purchased new genuine Bell parts or services from Helitech. The credits would be to 10% of the value of the parts or service and can be accrued over five years (for example $50,000 spent on parts and service would earn a $5000 credit against a new Bell helicopter). Up to half the value of a new helicopter can be paid for with credits earned under the scheme.

Third MD 600N Flies

McDonnell Douglas’s MD 600N program is back on track following the first flight of the third prototype on August 19. The MD 600N’s flight test certification program was set back by the crash landing of the second prototype and its subsequent destruction in a fire on May 28. That aircraft was performing, according to MDHS, an “extreme control reversal in the longitudinal axis while in autorotation at maximum speed and minimum rotor RPM. During this extreme manoeuvre, designed to determine the maximum flight envelope… the main rotor blade contacted the NOTAR tailboom… . The subsequent damage to the control system forced the pilot to make an emergency landing.” The second prototype had been acting as the primary flight test helicopter, the third prototype (incorporating modifications following the accident) will now take up its duties. The first MD 600N will also rejoin the flight test program.

Book Review — The Principles of Helicopter Flight

The Principles of Helicopter Flight by W J Wagtendonk is for the serious student seeking a reference manual covering all areas of the theoretical and practical aspects of helicopters, writes Norman Lee. The author’s credentials stem from 40 years involvement in flight training, culminating in 1978 in the formation of the Nelson Aviation College, one of New Zealand’s best known theory and flight training establishments. The manual covers in a detailed and knowledgeable way all aspects of helicopter aerodynamics and operations, providing an understandable explanation of the topic under discussion, aided by good, clear diagrams. As stated in the preface, the manual would be a valuable reference for the recently qualified helicopter pilot who may have passed his/her theory exams but has yet to gain the experience to tie the practical to the theory. As the experience is gained, reference to the appropriate section of the manual should meld the two together. The manual is well indexed, providing quick access to specific subject matters. First published in New Zealand, The Principles of Helicopter Flight is now published by the Aviation Theory Centre and has sold very successfully in the United States. Available for $45 direct from the Aviation Theory Centre, 131 Nelson Place, Williamstown 3016, ph (03) 9397 2011, fax (03) 9397 1675, or from good pilot shops.

Briefs

Key appointments at Helitech sees Alan Crawford joining as Vice President Service, and James Ditton becoming Chief Engineer.

Japan’s first indigenously developed helicopter, the Kawasaki OH-X, made its first flight from Gifu on August 6. During the 16 minute flight the prototype OH-X reached a speed of 30kt (55km/h) and a 33ft (10m) height. The Japanese Defence Agency will take delivery of the OH-X in mid 1997. The OH-X is designed as a scout helicopter but Kawasaki is also hoping that the Japanese Ground Self Defence force adopt a light anti tank version to meet its forthcoming AH-X attack helicopter requirement. The AH-X would enter service in 2002/03.

The US Army has signed a five year $US1.9bn contract with McDonnell Douglas for the remanufacture of 232 AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters. Savings in the multi year contract rather than five individual single year contracts will allow the US Army to order more remanufactured helicopters. The service plans to have all its 750 plus fleet of AH-64As upgraded to D standard over the next decade. First deliveries are scheduled for March next year.