Rotor Torque

Australian Army Aviation Task Groups have completed 11 tours in Afghanistan starting in 2006 as the Aviation Support Element. It was renamed Rotary Wing Group in 2008 and went on to completeeight rotations between 2008 and 2013. Over the 11 rotations of Army Combat Aviation, Chinooks flew in excess of 6,000 combat flying hours, carried almost 40,000 personnel and transported in excess of 3,600 tonnes of military cargo. One Chinook also crashed while on deployment during 2011.

Numerous decorations have been awarded to Australian aircrew over the various deployments including the Medal for Gallantry, Distinguished Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation for the 5th Aviation Regiment, several US Bronze Stars and multiple US Air Medals.

RWG personnel were drawn from across the Army Aviation community, though the majority deployed from the 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville. Theaircraft were due to return home to Australia by RAAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft.

AHIA and CASA form closer ties to expedite regulatory reviews

CASA and the Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) have formed closer working relationships following the appointment by CASA of a liaison officer to work with the association on its review of proposed new regulations and standards.

The proposals, which came under the spotlight at the recent Pacific 2013 International Exposition, are the subject of suggested amendments by an AHIA working group, notably on CASR Part 61 (flight crew licensing) and theapplicable Manuals of Standards.

Dale South, project manager in the regulator’s Rotary Wing Regulations section, has been appointed as the liaison officer between CASA and the AHIA.

Both CASA and the AHIA have agreed the volume and new format of the untried legislation had caused misunderstanding among key industry players and some regional CASA staff. Some regions have a different opinion on the intent of some regulations or standards. The AHIA sought a better way to process their findings as the deadline for implementation of CASR Part 61 is December 4 2013 – and time now is of the essence.

In August this year the AHIA wrote to CASA’s director of aviation safety John McCormick and sought a closer working relationship between the AHIA and CASA during the review processes.

New helipad approach system improves low-vis safety

Eurocopter has commissioned a high-precision GPS-supported instrument approach procedure for the helipad at its corporate headquarters at Donauwörth in Germany, becoming the first helipad in Europe to make use of Localiser Performance with Vertical (LPV) guidance.

The new procedure supplements conventional lateral guidance systems by adding the verticalcomponent, which enables approach guidance to be displayed in 3D for the first time. The improved guidance enables obstacles to be overflown with increased safety when visibility is poor.

The license permitting LPV approaches to the helipad also means Eurocopter in Donauwörth can use the new procedure when testing and approving the latest navigation systems for use in its helicopters. Eurocopter is currently conducting these tests using its twin-engine EC135 and EC145 T2 helicopters. Eurocopter will offer training to its customers for the new system.

Eurocopter’s special on-site helicopter landing pad, which welcomes some 6,000 takeoffs andlandings a year, is one of the few helipads in the world to have been certified as suitable for all-weather operations in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.

Maiden flight for AW189

AgustaWestland has flown the first production AW189 8-tonne class twin-engine helicopter. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to Bristow Helicopters by the end of the year and to carry out offshore transport missions in the North Sea, with operational readiness planned in early 2014.

An additional two AW189 helicopters are currently under assembly, while two pre-production helicopters have been devoted to the development of offshore and search and rescue configurations and mission kits. This will allow making basic mission kits immediately certified and available to customers once aircraft are delivered, reducing the time for customers to get crews and aircraft operationally ready.

The new design has been optimised for long-range offshore transport and SAR missions and has already received orders for more than 80 units since its launch at the Paris Airshow in June 2011. The cabin is configured with 16 seats as standard.

Brazilian-made countermeasure system integrated on Eurocopter aircraft

Eurocopter’s Brazilian subsidiary Helibras has successfully completed flight testing of a chaff and flare countermeasures dispensing system for EC725 helicopters, completing a first-of-its-kind system integration project in Brazil and marking a key phase in Eurocopter’s contract to supply 50 Super Puma/Cougar family rotorcraft to the Brazilian armed forces.

Six flights were performed with the self-protection system, validating its operation and integration with the helicopter’s other functions.

Performed by a Brazilian Helibras crew, the airborne evaluations checked the dispensing of flares and chaff throughout the EC725’s entire flight envelope using one of the helicopters produced for the Brazilian armed forces.

The self-protection system’s in-country development is part of Eurocopter’s technology transfer program, enabling Brazilian defense organisations and companies to enhance their technical capabilities while opening significant growth opportunities for the nation’s industry.

To date, seven EC725s for the Brazilian armed forces have been delivered in the first phase of Brazil’s acquisition and an eighth will be delivered before the end of the year.

Rotortech dates announced

The Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) has announced May 24 and 25 2014 as the dates for Rotortech, which will be held at the Sunshine Coast. This is the first significant standalone trade show arranged by the new AHIA.