African Swine Fever

“When an uninfected feral pig is euthanised; say by an aerial shooting program, we can leave the carcass to rot. However, a dead infected pig must be taken away to a quarantine area and destroyed otherwise other pigs eating the infected carcass would become infected. Removal of infected carcasses would be a logistic nightmare; especially in rugged terrain!”, said Margo.

China recently announced an annual shortfall of 10 to 20,000 tons of pork due to the mass slaughtering of diseased animals. It looks to Australian beef as the protein to replace pork losses. But we are suffering from a severe drought and floods which have caused an enormous loss of cattle over recent years and cannot meet China’s demands.

Australia achieved many accolades for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis from 1970 to 1997. This involved a large number of aerial shooters and the extensive use of light helicopters. Today, piston-engined helicopters in Australia number almost 1,400, of which one third are probably involved within the mustering industry and able to carry out aerial culling of feral animals. The eradication of feral pigs prior to African Swine Fever getting to Australia would require enormous resources; however, there is no other option.

This creates an opportunity for light helicopter and drone operators to suggest a plan for an eradication program. As feral pigs are very active after dark, new drone technologies could be used at night, allowing another cost-effective solution. The pending availability of small armed drones may be another weapon against feral pigs!

CASA Annual Report shows MCC(H) shortages

The recently released CASA Annual Report 2018-2019 showed a slight decrease in aeroplane registrations and an increase in helicopter numbers. The latter are growing at 4.5%, or twice Australia’s annual GDP.

The transition of industry to CASR Part 61 legislation has been difficult. As a result, only one school is approved to issue Multi-Crew Cooperation MCC(H) Certificates for helicopter pilots. The above 5,700 kg multi-engine helicopter fleet of 85 is expected to grow at 3.5% pa as emergency services organisations upgrade to heavier machines. Many are being used on 24/7 operations. Most new above 5,700 kg types need two pilots with MCC(H) Certificates.

Of concern, ATPL(H) numbers have decreased from 845 at 30 June 2014 to 763 by 30 June 2019 – a loss of 82 over four years (or 2.4% pa). At this rate, the next annual report may show a further loss of 18 resulting in only 745 ATPL(H) by 30 June 2020.

The growth of above 5,700 kg helicopter numbers, some starting 24/7 operations and declining numbers of ATPL(H) and MCC(H) qualified pilots has the potential to exacerbate the shortage of pilots within the emergency services and offshore industries.

Are mustering companies conducting tourist flights under a cloud?

Australia is enjoying a tourist boom in areas away from the coast as record numbers of grey nomads are discovering its wonderful inland tourist attractions. Travel agents suggest this is due to the Australian dollar losing value in recent years making overseas travel more expensive. It is anticipated regional airlines and smaller airports will need to increase their capacity to cater for an emerging influx of Asian tourists.

Queensland LNP Senator Susan McDonald recently investigated the operation, regulation and funding of bush aviation, and said there must be a clear link between safety outcomes and the cost imposed by legislation. She was concerned about regulatory and cost burdens on Australia’s unique helicopter mustering industry, as well as the way unaffordable airfares on some routes were stifling tourism.

Traditionally, small mustering companies provided scenic flights for the passing tourist trade. It boosted their income when little work is available. Today, with the severe drought, mustering operators are suffering. The extra revenue from scenic flights for an increasing tourism market is a lifeline for stressed operators.

Although in draft, CASA’s CASR Part 133 – Air Transport and Aerial Work Operations – Rotorcraft may be effective in 2021. All passenger-carrying operations will come under the new legislation. It appears an increased staff, a safety management system and upgrading of aircraft equipment may be required. Also, new rules on landing sites could be more restrictive. Most small mustering operators may not be able to cover these additional costs. They will need to raise their prices in a cost-sensitive tourist industry. The outcome is obvious.

Steve Hitchen, Editor, Australian Flying, was quoted as saying, “In 2012 CASA put out a discussion paper stating their preference to remove joy flights from the requirements of Part 119 so they wouldn’t get tangled up in the new regulations that puts charter into the RPT category. But due to several high-profile accidents nothing has happened.”

Bristow Group Restructures

The Bristow Group has emerged from bankruptcy protection after implementing the Chapter 11 reorganisation plan accepted by a US Bankruptcy Court. Headquartered in Perth, Bristow Helicopters Australia is an affiliate of the Group. The Civil Aircraft Register lists Bristow’s four EC225s, one S-92 and one AW139. Bristow began operations in Australia in 1967 and now supports the oil and gas industry in Australia.

US aeromedical operator buys eight Bell helicopters

Bell has announced Life Flight Network has ordered four Bell 429 and four Bell 407GXi to add to its existing Helicopter Emergency Medical Services aircraft fleet. Life Flight Network will use the helicopters on critical care patient transportation. The company is USA’s largest air medical transport service with 31 bases throughout the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. For more than 41 years, Life Flight Network has provided ICU-level care to patients in need of medical transport. It also supports local police, EMS, fire departments, and emergency responders when needed.

The twin-engine Bell 429 is built for rapid response missions. It has ample cabin space, large clamshell doors and adjustable components to accommodate equipment needs. The Bell 407GXi incorporates new avionics and an upgraded engine to deliver exceptional hot and high performance and a fast cruise of 133 kt or 246 km/h.

UK drone pilots must pass theory test

Drone pilots will be faced with fines up to $1,870 if they fly a drone without passing an online theory test, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has warned. Drone sightings at Gatwick in December last year caused around 1,000 flights to be cancelled or diverted over a 36-hour period, affecting more than 140,000 passengers in the run-up to Christmas. Several other airports have been forced to suspend flights for several hours due to drone activity this year. Air safety figures show there were 125 near misses between drones and aircraft reported in 2018.

Drone to fly on Mars

NASA is designing a small helicopter (drone) to explore Mars. It is a solar-powered rotorcraft to be deployed during the Mars 2020 Rover Mission. NASA said the highest a helicopter has flown on Earth is 40,000 ft. The Mars Helicopter will be at the equivalent of 100,000 ft on Earth, thus creating a range of challenges for the designers.

Rob Rich is Editor of VTOL e-news Asia-Pacific. [email protected]