Drone shield

Airservices has reported that in fewer than five years, the Asia Pacific region will have the largest RPAS market in the world, adding to pressure on regulators. Further, hobbyists will acquire more capable UAVs and perhaps seek to push the boundaries of their capabilities.

At present the United States has one million people registered as recreational pilots. Small commercial UAVs number 380,794. In addition, 140,311 pilots were certified for beyond visual line of sight operations.

Global regulators are now struggling to combat criminal or hostile state-sponsored interventions; the widespread use of drones to drop drugs into jails or the launch of armed drones from Turkey into Syria by Islamic terrorists are examples of headaches for police or military organisations.

In the US, disturbing trends are emerging as drones have been overflying major sporting events and large musical events. In Australia, it has been reported drones are regularly overflying large sporting events at night. During the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast a police drone unit brought down around a dozen drones entering the prohibited area. Some of these operators were fined heavily by CASA.

Now smart entrepreneurs developing anti-drone technology are moving from their shadowy world and commercialising their products. Sydney-based firm DroneShield has a drone gun using technology rather than bullets to disable drones by cutting the signal between the drone and its operator.

Using a different system, MESMER®, represented by EPE in Brisbane, detects transmissions from a drone operation and can then take control of the flight or make it land for identification.

Brisbane-based Skyborne Technologies is developing the lightest armed tactical UAV in its class. Their 6kg Cerberus GL will provide aerial fire support for ground troops. In the counter-UAS role it is envisaged it will use a shotgun to eliminate enemy drones which cannot be stopped by electronic means.

CASA’s new drone app released

The first drone safety app based on CASA’s new digital drone platform has been released into app stores. The OpenSky app helps drone operators to easily identify where they can safely and lawfully fly across Australia. OpenSky provides tailored information for both recreational and commercial drone operators. There are links to relevant safety rules for each category of operations. Users can report unsafe drone flights using a link to CASA’s web form. A checklist provides essential operating information for the location selected by the user.

‘In fewer than five years the Asia Pacific region will have the largest RPAS market in the world’

Swiss delivery drone crashes near children, forcing suspension of delivery program

A drone delivery program in Switzerland has been suspended after one of the drones crashed near a group of children. The 10kg drone, capable of carrying 2kg of cargo, encountered an issue during a flight in Zurich. Although the drone was equipped with an emergency parachute, the connecting cord was cut during the emergency descent, resulting in a crash. The incident comes as many regulators are easing flight restrictions allowing commercial drone deliveries. Google’s Wing has regulatory approval to make deliveries in USA and Australia. The FAA is drafting new rules allowing drones to fly over crowds and at night.

This is the second crash suffered by the Swiss drone delivery program this year. Another drone suffered a GPS problem, causing it to make an emergency landing. However, the drone’s parachute successfully deployed, and the landing was controlled.

Second Airbus H145D3 takes to the air

With an improved performance capability, Airbus H145D3 second prototype’s first flight was at the Airbus Helicopters Donauwörth, Germany facility. It will be used for autopilot testing, performance and airframe validation to obtain EASA certification in early 2020. The first prototype continues high-altitude evaluation in South America. To achieve better performance objectives, the four-bladed main rotor was replaced by a five-bladed system and more powerful Safran Arriel 2E engines. These improvements will give the H145D3 an increased useful load of 150kg and an increased take-off weight of 3,807kg. This variant, in the very popular medium-sized class category as there has been a move away from the use of heavy helicopters. Financier AeroAsset reported this market segment is accounting for 30 per cent of global sales and is driven by excellent resale values, when compared to the heavier types. A retrofit kit is being offered for the current H145D2 version.

Royal Aeronautical Society helps ADF

Each year the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Australian Division, in collaboration with the Defence Flight Safety Bureau, awards the RAeS Aviation Safety Award to recognise an individual or collective effort that enhances aviation safety in the ADF. The RAeS award is open to all members of the ADF including foreign exchange and loan personnel, defence civilians, defence contractors and Australian Air Force cadets. The award covers a broad range of aviation safety initiatives, ranging from a single act that may have prevented an accident or event, to broad or long-term aviation safety initiatives and programs.

Army Captain Anthony Irwin’s tenacity and commitment to improving aviation safety at 723 Squadron and HMAS Albatross saw him presented with the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Australian Division Award for 2018. Mr Jacob Rowe from RUAG Australia was also acknowledged for his outstanding work and was named as a finalist.

Leonardo posts excellent results

Leonardo’s defence and helicopter sectors posted solid order gains in the first half of 2019. Orders of US$6.8 billion (A$10 billion) represented an increase of 34 per cent for the year-ago period. Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo said the first half results are “in line with expectations and we have achieved a strong commercial performance in both domestic and international markets.”

Switzerland’s KOPTER SH09 – a unique design

The continuing development by the Swiss of the Kopter SH09 is an example that defies a trend towards twin-engine helicopters in the region regulated by EASA. The 2.5 metric ton, single-engine Kopter SH09 stands out from the competition. It offers exceptional hot and high performance, a flexible engine concept and a low noise signature due to the newly developed dynamic assembly and a shrouded tail-rotor. The flat floor and unique high ceiling cabin can seat five to eight in crashworthy seats. Loading of cargo or stretchers is done through rear clamshell doors. As one of the fastest single-engine light helicopters is has a cruising speed of 145 knots and a range of 800 km (430 nm). Being a Swiss product, it will no doubt be tasked on rescue missions in the mountains.

First Robinson Helicopter Safety Course for 2019

Good news was offered at a course held recently at Archerfield in Queensland with statistics showing a big drop in the mustering accident rate over the past decade. The high-risk mustering pilot accident rate in 1998 was 26/100,000 hrs, with a fatal rate of 3/100,000 hours. Assuming a mustering pilot logged 1,000 hours per year, then the life of a mustering pilot could be estimated at six years.

The class was relieved to hear the current mustering rate stated as 12/100,000 hrs. A non-mustering commercial flying accident rate is generally half that of the mustering pilot. Overall, the Robinson fleet has a fatal rate of less than 1/100,000 hrs. A much safer situation. However, the private pilot accident rate is still the same as that of mustering and agricultural pilots.

Jan Becker appointed Chair of Board at US based HAI

Sunshine Coast-based Jan Becker was recently elected as the Chair of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). The HAI is the largest helicopter association in the world. Last year their annual Heli-Expo attracted 18,000 attendees, 717 exhibitors and had on display 60 helicopters. It is believed Jan is the first Australian to be appointed to this important role.