Rotor Torque

Airbus Helicopters president and CEO Guillaume Faury said the new naming convention now followed the lead of Airbus’s commercial airliners.

Some sub-models will retain their current designation including the AS350B2, EC145e, AS365N3+and the AS332 C1e/L1e. However, bucking the trend will be the AS350B3e that will change to become the H125.

The helicopters retain their nicknames including the H225 Super Puma, the H125 Squirrel/A‑Star, H120 Colibri and the H155 Dauphin.

Military versions will borrow Airbus’s fixed-wing ‘M’ suffix with the letter added at the end of their new civilian designation. The Tiger and NH90 families will keep their current names.

ATSB releases final report on fatal winching accident

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its final report into a fatal rescue winching accident where a patient slipped outof a rescue strop device while being winched on board.

The accident occurred on August 31 2013 while the rescue crew of Bell 412EP VH-VAS, callsigned ‘HEMS 5’, was retrieving an injured 65 year-old male bushwalker from a confined area in the hills near Mansfield, in northern Victoria.

A padded rescue strop was placed around the back of and under the arms of the 138kg, 175cm patient. An additional hypothermic strap, which would be placed under the knees to help keep the patient’s posture in a seated position, was not used.

During the double-lift extraction, an ambulance paramedic, wearing a separate full-body harness, accompanied the patient up to the helicopter about 80ft (24m)above. As the pair reached the helicopter’s skids, the patient began to slip from the rescue strop, and despite restraining attempts by the paramedic and winch operator, the patient slipped out of the strop and fell to the ground.

The ATSB report, published on April 7, said the patient probably lost consciousness during the winch operation. Combined with the compressive posture of the rescue strop, the patient’s weight and pre-existing medical conditions, the strop was not suitable for the patient and contributed to the fall. The ATSB also noted the operator, Australian Helicopters, and service provider, Air Ambulance Victoria, had limited documented guidance to assist rescue crews with selecting the most appropriate winching equipment.

Australian Helicopters and Air Ambulance Victoria have since introduced a seat-type harness forpatient winching operations from confined areas and issued guidance to their crews on the order of priority for using rescue equipment during overland winch operations.

The ATSB said helicopter operators carrying out winching operations should take note of the circumstances of this accident and consider the size, weight and medical condition of the person being winched, which may indicate other recovery options to reduce the risk of slipping out of a rescue strop.

Airbus Group Australia Pacific delivers first H145

Airbus Group Australia Pacific has delivered its first H145 helicopter to this part of the world.

The New Zealand-based customer who accepted delivery of the H145 was replacing its earlier model EC145, Airbus Group AustraliaPacific said on April 13.

The company said the H145, which was certified in 2014, will tour Australia and New Zealand during May and June 2015.

Romeo simulator commissioned, first of class trials completed

The Navy’s first of two MH‑60R Seahawk full-flight mission simulators (FFMS) was commissioned into service at HMAS Albatross, Nowra on March 27 and is being used on the first ‘Romeo’ Aircrew Operational Flight Training course to be delivered in Australia.

The CAE Level D simulator includes both a full-motion operational flight trainer (OFT), used to train pilots, and a weapons tactics trainer (WTT) for training aviation warfare officers togetherwith rear-crew sensor operators. The OFT and WTT can be operated as standalone training devices or networked to become a tactical operational flight trainer to provides total aircrew mission training.

“These full-motion simulators are incredibly sophisticated training devices,” said Head of the Defence Materiel Organisation – Helicopters, Tactical Unmanned Systems and Guided Weapons Division, Rear Admiral Tony Dalton. “We can turn the radar on, put sonar in the water, chase ships and submarines, we can fire missiles and torpedos and we can do all that inside the training device. The simulators provide training under real life conditions but are far safer and more cost-effective. ” The simulator includes CAE’s True electric motion system, motion seats, a 220-degree by 60-degree visual display and the latest Medallion-6000 image generator.

The second FFMS is expected to be delivered in 2016 when the two simulators will be able to link together for dual helicopter operations.

The Seahawk Romeo helicopters are on track to achieve an initial operational capability at sea by August, a milestone which took a key step forward with the completion of first of class flighttrials from a Navy Anzac class frigate.

The flight trials saw an MH‑60R conduct 245 deck landings on HMAS Perth over a five-week period in February-March.

“Every flight involved the collection and assessment of a huge number of data points, covering a range of flight evolutions, as well as an incalculable number of deck handling and maintenance assessments,” according to a report in Navy Daily. “The integration of squadron personnel and equipment was also assessed so that lessons could be identified when operating the combat helicopter from an Anzac class frigate. ” Data collected from the trials will allow the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit to recommend Ship Helicopter Operating Limits (SHOLs) for various aircraft weights by day and night, including using night vision equipment.

AHIA offshore symposium

The Australian Helicopter Industry Association’s (AHIA) will hold its Offshore Helicopters Symposium in conjunction with the Pacific 2015 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney on October 7.

“Helicopters have an enormous role in offshore maritime activities,” said AHIA events coordinator Rob Rich. “The organisers of Pacific 2015, Maritime Australia Limited, have very kindly sponsored our event once again. The AHIA and their members acknowledge this generous assistance as it allows us to further promote our growing industry. ” The AHIA is calling for discussion papers and encourages anyone interested in delivering an address to contact the AHIA before May 31.

Remembering Shark 02 a decade on

Remembrance ceremonies were held in Australia and Indonesia on April 2 to mark the 10th anniversary since the fatal crash of Navy’s Sea King ‘Shark 02’ that claimed the lives of nine ADF personnel in Indonesia in 2005.

The Sea King crashed at Amandraya on the Indonesian island of Nias while operating in support of the ADF’s assistance to the region following a devastating earthquake. While on approach to the small town of Tuindrao, on its third flight of the day, a mechanical failure caused the helicopter to crash. Two of its crew miraculously survived the accident.

Delivering a commemorative address at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, the home of the former Sea King squadron, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett said the 10th anniversary of the crash offered the opportunity for families, colleagues and Fleet Air Arm personnel to gather in remembrance and tribute.

“I require you all to continue to remember the responsibilities that you carry as members of the Fleet Air Arm as you go about your duties and I ask you to carry in your hearts and minds those nine colleagues and friends who died ten years ago in Shark 02. ”

New CEO for SouthCare

Former ABC journalist and television presenter Chris Kimball has been announced as the new chief executive officer of the Canberra-based Snowy Hydro SouthCare rescue helicopter.

Kimball fills the position recently vacated by former Brumbies captain and Wallabies representative Owen Finegan, who has taken up a similar position with the Kids Cancer Project charity based in Sydneyafter heading up Snowy Hydro SouthCare for almost four years.

The helicopter rescue service’s chairman David Marshall, who welcomed Kimball’s appointment, paid tribute to the outgoing CEO. “Owen lifted the profile of the rescue helicopter service across the southern NSW region, substantially increased the level of community support and helicopter sponsorships. ”

Bell’s 407GXP takes on an Eagle

Bell Helicopter announced a new version of its 407 at Heli-Expo on March 3, promised to offer an increase in payload, improved hot and high performance and reduced fuel burn over its current 407GX model.

Called the 407GXP, the helicopter will come factory-fitted with the Rolls-Royce M250-C47B/8 turbine engine, which has been available as a Value Improvement Package (VIP) upgrade kit for all existing 407s since 2012.

The standard inclusion of theC47B/8 engine into the current 407GX configuration, that is fitted with Garmin’s G1000H avionics, will afford operators an additional 23kg of payload to the maximum takeoff weight, up to an eight per cent increase in available power and a two per cent reduction in fuel burn.

Bell’s announcement of the 407GXP comes just two months after Eagle Copters attained FAA and Transport Canada certification for its Eagle 407HP engine conversion option. The Eagle 407HP sees its Rolls‑Royce 250‑C47 factory engine replaced with a 1,021shp (761kW) Honeywell HST900D-2, with dual channel FADEC. Eagle Copters says its engine upgrade results in a 22 per cent increase in takeoff power that dramatically improves payload capability and performance at higher altitudes.

Additional features of the Bell 407GXP includes a hover performance calculator improvement and a transmission time before overhaul extension of 500 hours. The 407GXP now replaces the 407GX in production with first deliveries of the new model expected to begin by later this year. Bell says pricing of the new model will be in line with the current 407GX costing.

Coinciding with Bell’s announcement, US-based AME operator Air Methods confirmed an order for no fewer than 200 407GXPs at Heli-Expo.

ADF helicopters support Cyclone Pam clean up

In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Pam that wreaked havoc across Vanuatu on March 13, the Australian Defence Force deployed helicopter assets to provide reconnaissance and humanitarian aid as part of Operation Pacific Assist 2015.

Two Army S-70A-9 Black Hawks from 6 Aviation Regiment at Holsworthy arrived in Vanuatu from RAAF Base Richmond on board a 36 Squadron C-17A Globemaster in the late hours on March 20.

Reassembled by ground crews, the Black Hawks commenced their firstflights the following day conducting reconnaissance supply and casualty evacuation missions.

HMAS Tobruk arrived in Port Vila a few days later on March 23 with an embarked MRH 90 Taipan from Navy’s Nowra-based 808 Squadron.

The MRH 90’s utility for the Cyclone Pam relief efforts was boosted by the type recently attaining operational capability maritime 1 (OMC 1), a recognition that allows Navy to independently allocate the MRH 90 to amphibious ships and undertake a range of previously non-permissible flying operations.

Flight Commander of Flight 1 HMAS Tobruk, LCDR David Tindall, said the capability unlocks the potential of the MRH 90.

“We can now perform a greater range of flying operations, like going beyond the visual range of the ship, which is essential to playing a meaningful role in humanitarian operations. Thewhole of 808 Squadron had worked hard to achieve OCM 1, so when the chance came to put these skills to immediate effect, especially in providing humanitarian relief, we jumped at the opportunity. ” More than 500 ADF personnel were deployed in Vanuatu as part of Operation Pacific Assist 2015.

CareFlight top end doctors go down the wire

Two doctors from the Darwin-based CareFlight TIO Rescue Helicopter have been trained and qualified for down-the-wire deployment by hoist, adding further to the capability of the helicopter rescue service.

All of CareFlight’s nine doctors, along with its six already trained flight nurses, will be qualified to be winched down to treat injured patients in inaccessible locations where the helicopter cannot land.

“The early intervention by a doctor-nurse team allows a high level of immediate care, will help the patient recover faster from injury and reduce the time they will subsequently need to spend in hospital,” said CareFlight director Ian Badham. “Although not required under our contract with the Northern Territory government, the improved capability to also winch down flight doctors is a further demonstration of our determination to continue to improve the service we provide to residents and visitors to the Territory. ” Critical care registrars recruited by CareFlight from the UK, Dr Colin Urquhart and Dr Toby Shipway, undertook a fitness assessment, a comprehensive ground school then a flying assessment. “It was awesome training,” said Dr Urquhart.

“We are thrilled to be able reach patients and to work with the flight nurses in this way. The attraction of this training will also help CareFlight recruit future registrars to work in the Northern Territory.