Rotor Torque

An inquiry by the Australian Transportation and Safety Bureau (ATSB) blamed the all-aluminum fuel tanks for the deaths of four retired CSIRO scientists following a low-impact helicopter crash south of Sydney last month.

The ATSB report said the helicopter in which the men were travelling clipped a tree as it took off, causing it to hit the ground and tip over. “A fire started on the grass under the rotor mast and the cabin,” the report said. “The pilot and the three passengers were fatally injured. ” The incident follows two other fatal crashes the ATSB described as low intensity incidents in which the aluminum fuel tanks were breached, resulting in a fuel-fed fire.

The R44’s American manufacturer issued a warning about the fuel tanks in 2010, recommending they be replaced. That warning was reissued last year with a deadline for replacement by the end of this month.

CASA has estimated that roughly one quarter of the 400 R44s in use in Australia have had the tanks replaced, with another 200 in the process of being upgraded. That leaves about 100 helicopters that could be grounded.

Hawker Pacific delivers pre-owned Bell 407

Hawker Pacific has announced the delivery of a used Bell 407 Helicopter to an unnamed north Queensland operator.

Hawker said the deal was a milestone in its efforts to service the pre-owned helicopter market in the region.

“With a growing amount of ancillary services available through Hawker Pacific, we are now doing a significant amount of work in the pre-owned aircraft sector,” Hawker Pacific senior vice president Tony Jones said.

Meanwhile Bell has appointed CM Hwang as managing director of commercial sales, Asia Pacific.

Hwang will be responsible for all marketing and sales activities within Asia-Pacific as Bell Helicopter continues to expand its presence in the region.

Hwang has more than 20 years’ experience in the aviation industry with 18 years of service at Bell Helicopter. Prior to his role as director, Hwang held the position of commercial business development manager for Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.

Germany slashes NH90, Tiger orders

After a lengthy period of a re-appraisal of troop transport and attack helicopters, Germany has significantly reduced the number of NH90 and Tiger aircraft on order.

Though initially ordering 122 NH90s and 80 Tigers under separate contracts, the government announced in 2011 it was seeking to revise fleet requirements but decided in 2011 to substantially alter its commitments, setting in motion lengthy negotiations with suppliers.

As a result, the number of NH90s will reduce to 82, while the number of Tiger attack helicopters will fall to 57.

Bell unveils V-280 Valor tiltrotor

Bell Helicopters has announced it is offering the V-280 Valor tiltrotor for the US Arny’s Joint Multi Role/ Future Vertical Lift Technology Demonstrator program.

The V-280 has the capacity to perform a variety of missions with what Bell describes as “unparalleled speed and agility”. The clean sheet design reduces complexity compared to previous generation tiltrotors, with fewer parts as well as non-rotating, fixed engines.

“The Bell V-280’s unmatched capabilities in speed, range and payload and its operational agility combine to deliver the best value for the US Army,” said John Garrison, Bell Helicopter president and CEO. “This aircraft is the most advanced and operationally effective vertical lift solution, providing the warfighter a decisive advantage. ” The company describes the V-280 as a “combat multiplier with a cruise speed of 280kt and combat range of up to 800nm”.

Bristow wins £1. 6bn UK search and rescue deal

The UK government has ended years of protracted planning for the replacement of Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Air Force (RAF) search and rescue services after awarding Bristow a £1. 6 billion 10-year contract that comes into effect from 2015.

The ‘modernisation’ program aims to replace the RN and RAF AgustaWestland Sea King fleets, with new AgustaWestland AW189s and Sikorsky S-92s operated by Bristow. The service will be progressively increased towards full operation from 2017 as part of a plan to improve search and rescue coverage around the UK.

According to reports the AW189 was selected in part as a result of AgustaWestland’s pledge to create a search and rescue helicopter manufacturing capability at Yeovil if it was chosen as the successful operator. The DfT claims the new contract will see the creation of more than 350 jobs at Yeovil.

The UK government had come in for widespread criticism for its handling of the changes to search and rescue services. A tender was abandoned in February 2011 when the DfT cited “irregularities” in a bidding process that saw a contract awarded in 2010 to the Soteria consortium comprising CHC, Sikorsky and Thales.

CAE wins RAN MH-60R contract

Modelling, simulation and training firm CAE was awarded a contract to develop an MH-60R avionics maintenance trainer and weapons load trainer (AMT/WLT) for the Royal Australian Navy under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

CAE USA will be the prime contractor responsible for the design and manufacture of the MH-60R AMT/WLT that will be delivered in 2015 to HMAS Albatross, located near Nowra in New South Wales. CAE is also currently under contract to develop two MH-60R tactical operational flight trainers (TOFTs) for the RAN. The MH-60R AMT/WLT will provide transition and readiness training for MH-60R avionics technicians and be used to demonstrate, instruct and provide hands-on experience on maintaining the MH-60R Romeo helicopter.

In addition, the training device will incorporate the capability to train students how to load ammunition using imitation missiles and ordnance.

RAN Romeo facilities project under the spotlight

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has announced an inquiry into the proposed MH-60R Romeo combat helicopter facilities project. Facilities would be located at three sites: HMAS Albatross (Nowra, NSW); HMAS Stirling (Garden Island, WA); and Twofold Bay (Eden, NSW). The estimated cost of the project is $201 million. Construction work is expected to be completed by mid-2017.

“The Seahawk Romeo facilities project will provide the necessary facilities to support 24 maritime combat helicopters,” said Kirsten Livermore MP, the chair of the Committee. “This project will support operational, training and maintenance needs for the helicopters by providing facilities that meet current needs and can be adapted to meet future requirements. ” Committee approval is one of the final steps required before construction can commence on the facilities, which have already been delayed by approximately 12 months.

USN orders more Fire Scouts

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract worth more than US$71 million to produce a further six MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopters for the US Navy. The Bell 407-based MQ-8C variant is designed to offer increased range, endurance and payload capacity compared to the Schweizer 330-derived MQ-8B.

Northrop Grumman has been contracted to supply 14 Fire Scout helicopters that are scheduled for deployment in 2014.

S-76D sale to Indonesia

Sikorsky has sold two S-76D helicopters in Indonesia, marking the first sales of the type in South-East Asia for the manufacturer. Charter company PT Travira Air, which already has seven S-76s, will operate the new aircraft to support offshore oil activities. The S-76Ds will be delivered in 2015.