RT

The role of the two helicopters would be to fly emergency service personnel to bushfires, floods and other disasters across the state, Federal Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Troy Grant said in a joint statement on June 22.

The NSW 2018/19 state budget included $6.5 million to retrofit the two Black Hawks to RFS specifications.

“Once they are fully kitted out for their new use, firefighters and other emergency service personnel will be able to respond to fires, floods and other disasters as quickly as possible,” Perrottet said.

The Australian Army’s fleet of S-70A Black Hawk Black Hawk helicopters is being replaced by the MRH 90 Taipan.

The Army’s fleet of 39 Black Hawk helicopters is expected to be gradually withdrawn from service from 2019, but the transfer of ownership of the two machines from the ADF to the NSW RFS was “subject to country of origin export endorsement, and other necessary approvals”.

“This commitment and additional investment from the NSW Government continues to ensure our state’s firefighters have access to the resources they need to protect the community,” NSW RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said.

Minister Grant said the two Black Hawks, which have a cruising speed of 140kt, would be based in Sydney and boost the state’s ability to respond to life-and-death emergencies.

“These Black Hawks will give personnel around-the-clock access to remote locations and give them further flexibility and mobile support to provide the best protection we can give residents across NSW,” Grant said.

World Helicopter Day Returns For A Fourth Year In 2018

Three Australian cities are among 15 sites around the globe gearing up to celebrate World Helicopter Day on Sunday, August 19.

The event, being held for the fourth year running, aims to raise awareness of helicopters’ contributions to society and celebrate the diversity of people who design, fly and support them.

The World Helicopter Day organisers note there were an estimated 56,200 helicopters worldwide and that the industry employed more than 500,000 people.

“Helicopter organisations and companies can support this international day through hosting their own open days. This a chance for members of the public to get up close and look over the helicopters while meeting the people that operate them.

“For rotary wing aviators and support staff, World Helicopter Day is an opportunity for the helicopter fraternity to share in their common passion while preserving and promoting relationships, traditions and shared memories.”

In Australia, World Helicopter Day events are planned for Brisbane’s Redcliffe Aerodrome, Newcastle’s Lake Macquarie Airport and Perth’s Jandakot Airport.

Extended Tbo For Arriel 2d

Safran has extended the time between overhaul for its Arriel 2D engine, which powers the Airbus H125 and H130 light single-turbine helicopters, by 25 per cent to 5,000 hours.

“Extensive endurance tests conducted on the Arriel 2D and analysis of engine fleet data have enabled us to further validate the engine’s strength and simplicity,” said Nicolas Billecocq, vice president of light helicopter engine programs at Safran Helicopter Engines.

The extended TBO covers both new and in-service engines.

Further the Arriel 2D on new H125s and H130s delivered in 2018 now comes with a three year/2,000 hours warranty, up from two years/1,000 hours.

More than 1,000 Arriel 2D-powered H125 and H130 helicopters are in service worldwide, which have collectively logged over one million flight hours.

Rt Briefs

»» A fatigue fracture in a second stage “planet gear in the epicyclic module of the main rotor gearbox” caused the April 2016 fatal crash of a CHC Airbus Helicopters EC225 LP, the Accident Investigation Board of Norway has founded. The EC225’s main rotors separated from the helicopter, causing it to crash into the ocean near an island off the Norwegian coast, resulting in the deaths of all 13 people on board

»» Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider technology demonstrator resumed flighttesting in June. Testing was halted last August after the first of two technology demonstrators Sikorsky has built to validate technologies for the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift program was damaged in a hard landing incident.

»» Production of the CMV-22B carrier onboard delivery (COD) variant of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor has been funded under a new multi-year buy for the program. The US Navy is acquiring 39 CMV-22Bs to replace its ageing C-2 Greyhound COD aircraft.

»» Bell delivered the 100th 505 Jet Ranger X in late June.