Rotor Torque

The recently refurbished Black Hawk, N434TH, from Timberline Helicopters, northern Idaho, will be equipped with a 900 US gallon (3,410lt) multi-shot BBX7590 Bambi bucket with a fast fill pump to help fill in a little over 30 seconds.

“We are very happy to have teamed up with Timberline Helicopters to be able to bring the Black Hawk out to Australia this season,” said Pay’s Helicopters’ chief pilot Mat Baker. “We hope it becomes an ongoing relationship with Timberline as there has been quite a bit of interest from the fire agencies wanting to see it in operation and assess its capability. We are looking forward to showing them the value of this type of machine.”

N434TH is due to arrive at the Port of Brisbane in late December and once reassembled will fly to Scone in northern NSW to be put online and certified.

“To reassemble it, all you need to do is fold the tail out, put the blades back on, fuel it up and go,” said Baker. “Since being brought online, Timberline have put 550 hours of operations on this helicopter in the last eight months in the US doing fire fighting, long line logging and precision lifts. It has not skipped a beat – it’s a very capable helicopter.”

N434TH, the first civilian registered Black Hawk to operate in Australia for aerial fire fighting operations and will operate under a discreet AOC with Pay’s while in country.

“We hope to have a belly tank fitted to it next year,” said Baker. “The big advantage of having twin engines and a tank allows helicopters to operate more in the urban interface as underslung loads are a little restrictive in those areas.”

To be flown by Timberline’s pilots, one of its engineers plus a container load of spares will be accompany the Black Hawk to Australia, which will be available as a call when needed resource for fire agencies until through the fire season until April next year.

Erickson files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The manufacturer and operator of the world renowned S-64 Air Crane fire attack helicopter, Erickson Incorporated, voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, on November 8.

Following its acquisition of Evergreen Helicopters in March 2013 for US$298 million, which was financed partly with debt, and on top of the global downturn in the offshore helicopter industry, Erickson said a number of factors have contributed to the need for it to conduct a comprehensive restructuring of its seven subsidiary companies.

“We have substantial debt obligations, and the Chapter 11 process will allow us to address those issues,” Erickson said in a general and investor Q&A statement posted on its website. “Additionally, the company needs to streamline its aircraft fleet (and) this restructuring will allow us to focus on our plan to lower costs, stabilise our businesses, grow revenue and diversify our product lines.”

While it will be business as usual during the Chapter 11 process, Erickson has filed a consensual plan of reorganisation with the support of its major creditor constituencies which the company anticipates will dramatically reduce its total indebtedness and allow it to exit bankruptcy with a stronger balance sheet in early 2017.

“Unfortunately, Erickson is not immune to the numerous business challenges currently facing the helicopter industry which have placed downward pressure on operating results and asset values,” said Erickson’s president and chief executive Jeff Roberts in a statement. “Operational integrity and safety continue to be our top priority, and this restructuring will in no way interfere with our performance and commitment to customer satisfaction. We have examined a number of alternatives and are convinced that a formal restructuring is the most effective path forward. We anticipate a controlled process that better positions us to serve our customers.”

With 69 helicopters currently in its fleet, six Erickson S-64E Air Cranes are operating across Australia this fire season under contract to Mangalore Airport-based Kestrel Aviation.

H135 receives EASA approval for Helionix avionics
Airbus Helicopters has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for its Helionix avionics system installed in new build twin-engine H135s.

Designed in-house, Airbus says the Helionix cockpit system, which is already available in its H145 medium-twin and H175 super-medium types, will offer H135 operators with increased mission flexibility and improved safety.

Integrated with a four-axis autopilot, the NVG compatible Helionix cockpit layout features three large displays screens, a First Limit Indicator highlighting appropriate engine instrument data on one indicator, two touchscreen GPS/Nav/Comm GTN-750 all-in-one GPS navigation and communication systems and a Traffic Advisory System TAS620A which assists pilots in detecting and avoiding aircraft intersecting their flight path.

Initial deliveries of the H135 with the Helionix cockpit are expected early in 2017. Norway-based HEMS operator Norsk Luftambulanse and Ascent Flight Training – the UK Ministry of Defence’s appointed training service partner delivering for the UK’s Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) – are among the first operators.

Surf Life Saving Queensland celebrates 40 years of helicopter rescue
South-east Queensland’s Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Rescue Service (WLRHS) has celebrated its 40th anniversary since the service conducted its first beach patrol on December 5 1976 using a Bell 206A JetRanger.

The Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) owned and operated service is accredited with saving more than 850 lives and joins the Sydney and the Newcastle based Westpac-sponsored services as being one of the oldest civil rescue helicopters services in the world.

“There are almost 1,000 people still walking around today because the service has saved their life,” said WLRHS chief pilot Paul Gibson. “The helicopter is major asset to the surf life saving organisation and our surf lifesavers. It is our last line of defence to protect the public.”

Although 2016 formally marks the 40th anniversary of the WLRHS, its origins can be traced back to the summer season of 1965-66 when the helicopter rescue service was first trialled in Queensland in response to state’s booming tourism industry.

The service originally operated from a helipad at Miami Hill at the southern end of the Gold Coast and was known then as the Wales Helicopter Surf Rescue Service.

Having now flown in excess of 10,000 missions, the WLRHS currently operates an Airbus Helicopters H135, callsign ‘Lifesaver 45’, and BO105 CBS-5 ‘Super 5’, ‘Lifesaver 46’, from its two bases at Carrara on the Gold Coast and Caloundra Airport on the Sunshine Coast.

Both helicopters patrol the coastline from Rainbow Beach to Rainbow Bay on weekends during the service’s regular patrol season, which runs from September through to May each year, and during other peak periods.

In addition to its life saving work, SLSQ also provides the Queensland Police Service with a dedicated helicopter surveillance capability under contract.

Navies support New Zealand after earthquake
Helicopters embarked on Australia, Canada and the US warships joined the Royal New Zealand Defence Force to fly in supplies and evacuate communities after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck about 90km north-east of Christchurch on the south island of New Zealand on November 14.

A Royal Australian Navy S-70B Seahawk from HMAS Darwin joined a US Navy MH-60R Seahawk from the USS Sampson and a Canadian Armed Forces CH-124 Sea King from HMCS Vancouver to provide assistance as part of the Royal New Zealand Defence Force’s (RNZDF) Operation Awhina – Hanmer Springs following the earthquake which claimed two lives and caused major damage to infrastructure to roads and rail links in the north of the island.

The foreign warships were in the vicinity of New Zealand waters an diverted from their planned participation in the Royal New Zealand Navy’s 75th Anniversary International Naval Review in Auckland following the earthquake.

The RNZDF mobilised at least 11 aircraft including its NH90s and SH-2G(I) Seasprites to join local civilian helicopter operators to ferry more than 700 residents and tourists out of the town of Kaikoura as others boarded naval ships days after the region was completely cut off by landslides following a major earthquake.

In the space of 36 hours, Darwin’s embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk delivered 13,500kg of food, water and emergency supplies across more than 30 vertical replenishments each day. The Seahawk also delivered a one tonne load from Culverden in the south to Kaikoura, a distance of more than 40nm.

“We really were in the right place at the right time,” said Leading Seaman Aircrewman Dan Colbert. “And knowing that we could put the helicopter and all our knowledge and expertise to use and help people in desperate need was very satisfying.”

Final HATS H135s accepted

The final six of 15 H135s (EC135 T2+) for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) achieved factory acceptance on November 22 at Airbus Helicopters’ Donauwörth facility, north of Munich, Germany, ahead of their delivery to HMAS Albatross, Nowra.

HATS prime contractor Boeing Defence Australia and partner Thales Australia will soon use the helicopters, along with flight simulators and a new flightdeck-equipped seagoing training vessel, to begin training Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army pilots, aviation warfare officers, aircrewmen and sensor operators at Nowra.

“Boeing Defence Australia chose the EC135 as our preferred helicopter solution for HATS – it’s a proven and reliable platform,” said Boeing’s HATS director Terry Nichols. “We have been delighted with the cooperation from Airbus Helicopters to deliver these platforms that will form an important part of a world-class training system.”

Airbus Helicopters’ head of governmental sales for Australia/Pacific, Peter Harris, said the manufacturer is proud to have delivered all 15 helicopters on time and on budget, and trained the initial cadre of Boeing and ADF aircrew and technicians in the space of only two years since contract signature.

To mark the acceptance milestone, Airbus Helicopters performed a flypast and handling display with three of the final six helicopters over Donauwörth.

Initial operating capability for HATS is scheduled for late 2018, although students will begin arriving earlier. When fully operational, HATS will accommodate up to 130 students a year.

Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Japan and more recently the United Kingdom have selected the H135 for military aircrew training systems.

FAA issues S-92A emergency airworthy directive
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) for all Sikorsky S-92A tail rotor pitch change shaft assemblies to help prevent loss of tail rotor control and possible loss of control of the helicopter.

The directive, 2016-24-51, was prompted after an S-92 operator recently reported losing tail rotor control while the helicopter was in a hover.

A preliminary investigation of the incident found binding had occurred in the tail rotor pitch change shaft assembly double row angular contact bearing which resulted in reduced tail rotor control. Investigators also found signs of excessive heat in the assembly – an indicator of a binding bearing.

Effected assembly part numbers include 92358-06303-041 or 92358-06303-042 with less than 80 hours time in service for all S-92As certificated in any category.

After reviewing Sikorsky’s Alert Service Bulletin, the FAA said its emergency AD required all tail rotor pitch change shaft assemblies with less than five hours in service since new or since overhaul must be removed from service before further flight. All assemblies with more than five hours in service are to receive a once off borescope and visual inspection to determine the condition of the bearings and the Teflon seal and snap ring.

In August 2007, the FAA had also issued an AD for inspecting S-92A tail rotor pitch change shaft and bearing assembles.

According to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s aircraft register, there are currently 11 S-92As registered in Australia.

Thales’ AW139 simulator receives EASA Level D qualification
Thales’ new Reality H AW139 helicopter simulator installed at the LifeFlight Training Academy at Brisbane Airport has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) qualification as a Level D full flight simulator (FFS).

The European qualification adds to its Australian certification received from Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in October and means the simulator can now be used to train both local and international pilots on the AW139, in wide use by a number of search and rescue and commercial operators locally and overseas.

The FFS features the Hexaline all-electric motion system, which provides realistic motion cues to trainees while requiring less power.

The simulator also features an extended 235 by 80 degree field of view visual display , the ThalesView image generator, computer generated entities for the intelligent management of the virtual animations and is approved for training with night vision goggles.

Separately, the LifeFlight Training Academy has received its CASR Part 142 approval from CASA and, according to Thales, has become the first helicopter operator in Australia to achieve this approval.

Army begins Tiger Hellfire II Romeo trial
Army has test fired its first Lockheed Martin AGM-114R Hellfire II Romeo laser guided air-to-ground missile from one of its Tiger Armed Reconnoissance Helicopters (ARH) at the Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Territory.

The Hellfire II Romeo variant has some guidance and navigation improvements over its AGM-114M model, which is certified to be fired from Army’s fleet of Tiger ARHs.

The AGM-114R also features a variable warhead, which Lockheed Martin says is intended to work well against all three target types of armoured vehicles, fortified positions or soft and open targets, which can be selected by the aircrew while airborne without having to be pre-set prior to departure.

The Hellfire II Romeo trial was carried out by the Army Aviation Test and Evaluation Section with support and collaboration from Airbus Group Australia Pacific instrumentation, engineering and maintenance personnel, as well as the 1 Avn Regt, the Army Aviation Training Centre, and RAAF Base Tindal.

A feature profile on Tiger ARH and 1 Avn Regt features elsewhere this issue.

Briefs

The National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) are continuing to investigate why the main rotor blades of Bell Helicopters’ 525 Relentless prototype, N525TA, struck both the tailboom and the nose during a in-flight break-up sequence that destroyed the helicopter and killed both test pilots on July 6, 2016. According to the NTSB, the 525 was conducting tests at or near the type’s Vne speed when its main rotors significantly departed their normal plane of rotation following a drop in main rotor RPM.

* Bell Helicopter have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Romania’s IAR — Ghimbav Brasov Group, a defence maintenance, repair and overhaul company, to provide support for the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter should it be purchased by the Romanian government.

* CHC Group have filed its proposed plan of reorganisation with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. The terms of the plan sees a comprehensive recapitalisation of CHC to provide it with US$300 million in new capital from the company’s existing creditors. CHC intends to confirm of its reorganisation plan in early 2017 and says it is on track to emerge from the court-supervised Chapter 11 bankruptcy process shortly thereafter.The Lismore based Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter has been given approval to commence flying operations to and from the Lismore Base Hospital’s new roof-top helipad. The 25m diameter helipad was constructed as part of a $80 million redevelopment of the hospital which opened on November 18.

Norway’s Kongsberg Defence Systems was judged the winner of the New Zealand Ministry of Defence’s Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry in the provision of a product or service to Defence in excess of NZ$15 million category. Kongsberg delivered the Penguin Mk 2 Mod 7 anti-ship missiles and associated equipment for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s new Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters.

* HNZ Group has entered into a joint venture with PHI to provide up to four Sikorsky S-92s for offshore helicopter transportation services for the INPEX-led Ichthys liquid natural gas project. Based out of Broome Airport, Western Australia, the initial five-year contract will commence on or before April 1, 2017.