Heli Expo Convention News 2024

DAY 3

HELI-EXPO CONVENTION NEWS

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

SKYOS: THE EASY BUTTON

By Mark Huber

Skyryse is taking refundable, non-transferrable $2,500 deposits for its Skyryse One, a Robinson R66 retrofitted with its SkyOS operating system featuring simplified, single-stick control and two touchscreens. The proprietary system offers an IFR-capable, aircraft-agnostic, triple-redundant fly-bywire system.

The company is in the final stages of the FAA STC certification process and plans to offer the new-production helicopter for a base price of $1.8 million. The company said it anticipates receiving certification and beginning deliveries in 2025. Skyryse said SkyOS is designed to put “the pilot

fully in command while freeing them from mundane, errorprone chores.”

That price includes a full four-axis flight control, dynamic envelope protection, fully automated autorotation, autopickup and set-down, hover assist, and on-screen swipe right to start. Add-on options are mainly concerned with interior fit and finish such as choice of seat fabrics, according to Ray Wert, Skyryse v-p of marketing. On Wednesday, Skyryse announced that Peter Blades—Tesla’s former lead designer for its Models 3 and Y, roadster, and semi concept—had joined Skyryse as v-p of design.

Wert said Skyryse has yet to determine if the package will continues on page 12

AINONLINE

HELO ORDERS

Saudi Arabia’s THC

The CEO of The Helicopter and Jet Company talks orders and AAM plans | 08

HEAVY LIFT

Converting CH-47D

Columbia plans to convert military model to commercial specialpurpose design | 10

SAFETY

Engine backup Airbus works toward certifying its engine backup system for single-engine helos | 22

The Robinson R66 is the first to be retrofitted with the SkyOS fly-bywire system developed by Skyryse.

MARIANO ROSALES

Schweizer spooling up production and support

By Curt Epstein

Schweizer Helicopter has had a busy year, according to CEO David Horton. Last March, the light helicopter manufacturer received its unlimited production certificate from the FAA, which supplanted the limited production certificate it received in August 2020. This authorization allows the Fort Worth-based OEM full production of the S300C and S300CBi piston-powered helicopters without FAA over sight of each aircraft.

Additionally, the manufacturer has received approval for a crash-resis tant fuel system STC in response to Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) SW-17-31R1. The first installation on a new-produc tion Schweizer will take place by April, and it is retrofittable. This approval also allows the company to resume U.S. sales of its helicopters.

After Schweizer was acquired from Sikorsky in 2018, the company has worked to restart its production line for the helicopter. Horton noted that it has delivered a dozen helicopters since 2021 and has several in its backlog. One of Schweizer’s goals this year is to expand its global sales force to strengthen its order book.

Schweizer has also worked to address what it describes as its customers’ number-one concern: spare parts. Over the past four years, the company restarted its supply chain and invested $15 million in parts and tooling.

Horton noted that the OEM today has parts on its shelves to fill 90 percent of all orders when received. “We’re maybe not at the apex

60 percent life remaining on the engine, all required inspections and repairs, overhauled landing gear dampers, new cabin and door Plexiglas, and touch-up paint.

The second level is “refurbish,” which involves disassembling the entire helicopter and providing a more extensive slate of repairs such as new interior, Plexiglas, wiring, main and tail rotor blades, and hoses, as well as a factory-fresh or overhauled engine and cleaned and certified oil coolers. It is also stripped and repainted inside and out and comes with a one-year, 1,000-hour warranty.

“When you buy a used helicopter, you are always taking some level of risk,” Horton told reporters during a Heli-Expo press conference. “Our intention [with] doing this is to take a lot of that risk out of buying a used helicopter.”

Thus far, he said the Fort Worth-based company has delivered four renovated Schweizers. With between 1,200 and 1,500 active helicopters in the company’s worldwide fleet, which has tallied more than 17 million flight hours, Horton believes there is an ample supply of potential airframes for the upgrade program.

The company also partnered with an insurance company to establish a dedicated coverering prenegotiated rates and benefits unavailable to other piston helicopter manufacturers.

The airframer is also taking steps to improve the manufacturability of its parts. “When the helicopter was designed and built in the 1950s and 1960s, the manufacturing capability was limited, and therefore you used a lot of castings in the production of these helicopters,” explained Horton.

“We want to move away from castings and go to machined parts,” which have lower lead times and would ultimately lower costs for the customer.

It is also developing a digital flat-panel instrument display, which the company said will reduce weight by up to 15 pounds.

the time, but we feel really good about where we are at with regards to supporting the fleet and having spare parts.”

To bolster its worldwide service network, the company authorized three new locations: HeliEast in Poland, Heli Holland in the Netherlands, and the UK’s Unionlet, which also has a track record of helicopter supply and support in Africa.

In November, the company completed the first example in its OEM Certified Helicopter Program, which was established to bring new life to existing Schweizer airframes. The program comes in two levels, the first being “refresh,” which includes ensuring that all life-limited components have at least 50 percent of their remaining time, at least

Looking ahead, Horton sees a path to bringing back the turbine-powered Schweizer 333. “We still believe there is a future for the triple three. I believe in the next 18 months we will secure an order big enough to where we can start production. That will be our next big undertaking.”

Further on the horizon is the 444, a rendering of which Horton showed on Tuesday at the show. While he acknowledged that the aircraft— in the absence of development funding—is just a paper design, it serves a vital role.

“I think for any company, having something that you can push for to the future is really a great thing,” concluded Horton. “If you’re not really driving towards something, what are you doing?” z

Schweizer unveiled the concept Model 444 but doesn’t have concrete plans for the helicopter.

We are

Helicopter Association International is now Vertical Aviation International (VAI).

We are expanding and strengthening our commitment to our members as they explore new heights in vertical aviation. VAI provides connection, education, advocacy, safety, and support to everyone associated with our industry. And together, we will strengthen communities around the world through the power of vertical flight.

Hill lands at Heli-Expo

By Mark Huber

Days after firing up its proprietary GT50 turbine engine for the first time, Hill Helicopters brought a mockup of its HX50 helicopter to Heli-Expo 2024. Hill founder and CEO Jason Hill told AIN that he was overwhelmed with the positive response the helicopter has received at the show.

“We seem to be quite popular,” he said in something of an understatement, standing in front of the mockup that was ringed by onlookers hopping in and out of the luxury-automotive-style cockpit.

Hill said the combined order book for the owner-built, $747,000 HX50 and certifiable, $910,210 HC50 variant had reached 1,268 coming into Heli-Expo and that he expected to leave with more. However, he emphasized that the main purpose of attending Heli-Expo was to increase the company’s marketing visibility.

Hill also plans to display at upcoming shows, including Sun ‘n Fun and EAA AirVenture.

According to Hill, efforts of late centered on the engine and closing a lease on a new development center, the latter allowing the consolidation of various operations.

Hill characterized the first engine fire-up as a success and said the company planned to use its combustion test rig to refine fuel nozzle spray patterns for maximum efficiency and stability. Testing of the engine will continue through the summer.

The carbon-fiber, five-seat HX50 has performance targets of a 140-knot cruise speed, 700-nm maximum range, and 1,760 pounds of useful load. Features include leather seats, climate control, digital cockpit, two-axis autopilot, retractable or skid landing gear, and a choice of colors. Fuel bladders hold 175 U.S. gallons and sit behind the rear cabin bulkhead and ahead of another bulkhead for the capacious cargo compartment, capable of carrying three full-sized rollaway bags or multiple sets of golf clubs. z

Bell, Leonardo team on tiltrotor tech

By Chad Trautvetter

Bell and Leonardo inked a memorandum of understanding to evaluate areas where they can work together on tiltrotor technology, building on their “multi-decade history of industrial cooperation,” the companies announced on Wednesday at Heli-Expo 2024. “The cooperative effort will begin in earnest with the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Concept Study #5, where Leonardo will take the lead on a tiltrotor architecture proposal with Bell in support,” they said.

NATO’s NGRC project aims to develop replacement solutions to fill capabilities of medium multi-role helicopters currently operated by Allies that will reach the end of their life in 2035 to 2040. Under that program,

rotorcraft OEMs are being challenged to leverage recent advances in technology, production methods, and operational concepts in developing these new aircraft.

“This cooperative effort between Bell and Leonardo reflects our shared vision that next-generation rotorcraft will be influenced by the speed, range, and maneuverability only tiltrotor technology can deliver,” noted Bell president and CEO Lisa Atherton. “We are proud to deepen our relationship with Leonardo as we continue to explore emerging vertical lift programs in Europe and the United States.”

Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters, added, “We’re thrilled to evaluate new joint e ff orts for the next generation of rotorcraft technologies, based on our solid and shared view of the unique advantages of tiltrotors. Leonardo has always firmly endorsed tiltrotor technologies to meet evolving rotorcraft requirements, even more so as new needs emerge in the market.” z

MARIANO ROSALES

The HX50 mockup at Hill Helicopters’ Heli-Expo booth saw a steady stream of people wanting a look.

(l-r) Leonardo Helicopters managing director Gian Piero Cutillo and Bell president/CEO Lisa Atherton.

THE MISSION WILL NOT WAIT

Confdence in the helicopter is undamental to per orm a li e-savin mission. Desi ned with fexibility o operation, the AW139 delivers abundant workin room and maximum mission capability. Specifcally suited or lon -ran e, all-weather SAR and MEDEVAC missions in the tou hest conditions, it ensures unparalleled sa ety and e ectiveness. Its advanced avionics and rapid start-up ensure exceptional mission-readiness.

Visit us at HAI HELI-EXPO, Booth 6031

Bell announced the signing of a service facility agreement with Abu Dhabi Aviation that covers maintenance on 212, 412, and Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopters.

Bell logs sales for 429, inks Abu Dhabi mx deal

By Matt Thurber

A Middle East customer ordered four Bell 429s for parapublic operations, adding to the fleet of 500 Bell 429s that includes 90 serving in law enforcement, firefighting, and parapublic missions. At Heli-Expo on Tuesday, Bell announced deliveries of three Subaru Bell 412EPXs and also the signing of a service facility agreement with Abu Dhabi Aviation.

The service agreement covers maintenance on Bell 212, 412, and Subaru Bell 412EPX models. Abu Dhabi Aviation will also work with Bell to support a regional demonstration tour with the 412EPX. The latest version of the helicopter boasts a maximum internal weight of 12,200 pounds, external weight of 13,000 pounds, and 5,000 pounds on a cargo hook. In its law enforcement configuration, the Bell 429 can be fitted with a hoist, searchlight, rope kit, mission console, HD camera, and video downlink, according to Bell. The cabin

can carry up to six passengers and two crewmembers, and the cage hook has a capacity of 3,000 pounds.

The 412EPX for the San Diego Sheriff’s Department joins an all-Bell fleet that includes four 407GXis and three 205s. The department plans to operate the 412EPX with Cal Fire to fight fires in the region.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department serves a 20,000-sq-mi area with a 17-aircraft fleet, and its 412EPXs will support law enforcement and emergency response assistance operations. z

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Ace, Mint sign BEST

Black Hawk helo support agreement

Ace Aeronautics and Mint Turbines will support the legacy Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter fleet under an agreement signed by the two companies. Helicopters that will be supported include those acquired under the U.S. Army Black Hawk Exchange and Sales Transaction (BEST) program, focusing on airframe repair and refurbishment, mission upgrades, and engine MRO for T700-GE-700 through -701D engines.

The agreement calls for Ace to partner with Mint on field services at Ace’s Guntersville, Alabama facility and other locations. These engines power Black Hawk EH-60, HH-60, UH-60, or S-70 models in restricted category and public-use operations.

At Guntersville, Mint and Ace will perform inspections, borescope work, and minor repairs. Mint’s MRO facility in Stroud, Oklahoma, is nearly finished with a $5 million upgrade that includes an engine test cell. The company will be able to complete major engine repairs and upgrades at that facility. M.T.

NEWS • NOTE

Canadian companies Talon Helicopters and Qwest Helicopters agreed to purchase 10 of these Replacement Cargo Hook kits from Onboard Systems International. FAA and Transport Canada STC certification is expected in the third quarter for the Airbus AS365/EC155 Replacement Cargo Hook kit. z

MARIANO ROSALES

MARIANO ROSALES

Henley Air first for GE’s next-gen rotor analysis

By Curt Epstein

GE Aerospace tapped South Africa-based helicopter operator and maintenance provider Henley Air as the launch customer for its Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System Next Generation (RADS-NG).

The RADS-NG—which builds on GE’s more than 30 years of reliability as the leading rotor track and balance solution—replaces the RADS-AT (Advanced Technology) and the AVA (Aviation Vibration Analyzer) as the manufacturer’s portable vibration diagnostics solution for vehicles where permanent installation is not practical, or to supplement existing systems.

“The RADS-NG will allow operators the ability to complete their rotor track and balance operations and diagnostics in fewer flights while significantly reducing flight and pilot time and saving fuel,” explained Matt Burns, general manager of avionics for GE Aerospace.

GE Aerospace will provide training and support for the RADS-NG, which will be used on Henley Air’s fleet including the Bell 222 UT, 206, and 206L, and 407; Airbus AS365; and Leonardo AW119 MKII.

“The RADS-NG will differentiate Henley Air as a leader in cutting-edge vibration analysis for the region,” said André Coetzee, executive chairman of Henley Air. z

Recoil awaits firefighting system STC

Recoil Aerospace is anticipating final FAA approval on its STC for the T1000-E Wildfire Suppression System. The certification will come after months of testing and evaluation for the system, which the company said represents a “leap forward in aerial firefighting capabilities.”

Among its features is a 1,000-gallon capacity tank with a fill time of under a minute and a drop time of five seconds, allowing for precise firefighting maneuvers. Powered by the aircraft’s AC voltage, the system also includes a 30-gallon foam tank for enhanced firefighting effectiveness and a retraction system redundancy for fail-safe use during operations.

said Recoil president and managing director Joseph Rice, adding that the system’s features “will empower firefighters to combat wildfires with unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness while prioritizing safety.”

This week at Heli-Expo 2024, the company announced its three launch customers for the system: David Rath, CEO of Precision, which will install the system on an Airbus AS332 Super Puma; Roy Knaus, CEO and owner of Heli-Austria Group, which will also use an AS332; and Rod Allison, president and CEO of XP Services, which has initiated the STC process for installation of the T1000-E on the Sikorsky UH-60 (expected in the third quarter).

“We are confident that the imminent arrival of the T1000-E STC will mark a significant advancement in aerial firefighting technology,”

“Their trust in our technology underscores the industry’s recognition of the T1000-E as a game changer in aerial firefighting,” said Rice. C.E.

MARIANO ROSALES

Orders support growing Saudi mobility needs

By Charles Alcock and Matt Thurber

The Helicopter and Jet Company (THC), which is backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, is Saudi Arabia’s only commercial helicopter operator and has been expanding rapidly since it was founded in 2019. It has 47 rotorcraft in its fleet and on Tuesday at HeliExpo signed a contract with Airbus for up to 130 helicopters and another agreement with Leonardo covering 20 AW139s and a framework agreement for another 130.

“The Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] needs aircraft,” said THC CEO Arnaud Martinez. The firm order will help THC meet upcoming growth and the long-term framework, if those orders are all fulfilled, they will meet longer-term needs that are harder to forecast. None of these aircraft are being ordered for THC to sell to other operators, however. “They are for our market needs,” he emphasized.

THC’s most immediate challenge is hiring the pilots, mechanics, and other personnel needed to support the incoming helicopters. While employees hail from 45 nationalities, Martinez said, “Part of our duty is to develop Saudi talent.” THC isn’t a flight or maintenance training academy, he explained, but the company does seek to hire people who will be dedicated not only to THC’s growth but also to Saudi Arabia’s vision for the future and not just a good salary.

Young Saudis are interested in aviation careers, he said, and there are no gender restrictions for those interested in working for THC. Female employees make the same salary as their male counterparts, according to Martinez.

Plans for AAM in Saudi Arabia

THC, which purchased 100 percent of preowned helicopter specialist Rotortrade in 2023, is blending that company’s brand and style with THC’s support. A new o ff ering that resulted from the Rotortrade purchase is micro-leases, filling a niche that isn’t typically

available, such as a 36-month helicopter lease term.

In other news, Bristow Group and THC are planning to launch advanced air mobility (AAM) services in Saudi Arabia. Under a memorandum of understanding announced Tuesday at Heli-Expo, the companies are exploring opportunities for deploying eVTOL aircraft in the country, as well as focusing on “other collaborative vertical lift endeavors.”

“We are delighted to have signed this MOU with Bristow, which will enable THC to continue to advance innovation and sustainability initiatives within the vertical aviation sector, meeting the evolving needs of our growing customer base,” said Martinez. “This agreement will also allow us to help transform Saudi Arabia’s general aviation industry through our forward-thinking work, cementing our

role as a regional leader and an increasingly global player.”

In recent years, Bristow has been implementing a plan to diversify its business model and fleet beyond helicopter operations. This has seen the U.S.-based group place provisional orders for multiple eVTOL models, including those being developed by Beta Technologies, Lilium, Volocopter, Overair, Eve, Vertical Aerospace, and Elroy Air. It is considering various options for passenger, logistics, and emergency medical applications, and has also agreed to include Electra’s hybrid-electric STOL aircraft in its future plans.

Bristow will pursue the partnership with THC through its Bristow Arabia Aircraft & Maintenance Services subsidiary.

“We are excited about this new agreement, and our partnership with THC underscores Bristow’s intent to grow our business in the Middle East,” said Bristow president and CEO Chris Bradshaw.

“This country is unique,” said Martinez. There are so many projects that will require helicopters, from tourism to EMS, filming, construction, and more. “All require air mobility support,” he said. “The sky is the limit.” z

Aerial grapple saw no match for trees

First-time Heli-Expo exhibitor Clark Industries Aviation Implements is showing this aerial grapple saw. It is used for removing hazardous trees and is compatible with any helicopter that has a lifting capability of at least 2,000 pounds. Oregon-based Clark Industries ofers training in multiple areas—including safety, tree removal, and saw maintenance—and is also developing other devices.

MARIANO ROSALES

MagniX’s next project will involve replacing one of the two power turbines in a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T Twin-Pac engine with an electric generator to hybridize a model such as the Bell 412.

MagniX eyes medium Bells for electrification

By Mark Huber

Riona Armesmith, MagniX CTO, told AIN this week at Heli-Expo 2024 that the company is looking at an unspecified Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T Twin-Pac-engined helicopter as its next rotorcraft electrification project. Armesmith said the project would replace one of the Twin-Pac’s two power turbines with an electric generator, thereby hybridizing the aircraft on which it is installed, providing both fuel efficiency and an added layer of safety redundancy.

German HEMS

The PT6T powers Bell models including the 212, UH-1N Twin Huey, and the 412. It consists of two PT6A power turbines that drive a common output reduction gearbox.

MagniX has been powering all-electric aircraft since 2019, developing and building battery, hybrid, and hydrogen-fueled electric propulsion units (EPUs) for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and it provides these propulsion solutions for conversion of certified and in-development aircraft.

The company’s electric motors have been flown on fixed-wing aircraft, including the

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and DHC-2 Beaver. In addition, it has been selected to power larger aircraft under development such as a hydrogen-fueled 40-seat Dash 8, Faradair’s 18-passenger Beha, and the nine-seat Eviation Alice.

On June 4, 2022, Tier 1 Engineering conducted the first flight of an all-electric Robinson R44 using a MagniX electric propulsion unit. Four months later, that aircraft became the first all-electric helicopter to fly from one airport to another, making the 21-nm flight from Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, California, to Palm Springs International Airport.

In 2021, MagniX was awarded a $74.3 million NASA contract as part of the agency’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD). This program was established to support the introduction of fully electric and hybrid-electric aircraft into commercial fleets by the end of the decade.

Earlier this month, MagniX successfully completed the EPFD preliminary design review and established the baseline design for the retrofit of an Air Tindi de Havilland Dash 7 with a MagniX electric powertrain. That aircraft is slated to make first flight i n 2025.

Earlier this week, MagniX successfully demonstrated the ability of its EPUs to run at 27,500 feet at NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) facility in Sandusky, Ohio. On February 21, MagniX was named as a finalist for the 2023 U.S. National Aeronautic Association’s Robert J. Collier Trophy. The trophy is awarded annually for distinguished achievement in aeronautics or astronautics. z

provider PALs with HeliMods on H145 stretcher loader

Germany-based HEMS operator DRF Luftrettung will install the HeliMods Powered Aero Loader (PAL) on its fleet of H145 medevac helicopters. Last year, with cooperation from HeliMods, DRF acquired the EASA STC for the PAL.

The electro-hydraulic system allows the rapid loading and unloading of ambulance stretchers into the aircraft with just the push of a button. It is currently being tested at DRF’s

bases in Stuttgart and Regensburg.

“After successful completion of the test, we will be the first provider in European air rescue to use the stretcher ourselves,” said DRF CEO Krystian Pracz. “It not only benefits the patients but also enables the crews to work even more ergonomically.”

The two companies will pursue a partnership to distribute the PAL in the European

market, signing a letter of intent to that goal this week at Heli-Expo 2024.

“The patient and crew are always at the forefront of our products and the system has been very successful in use in Australia and Canada for several years,” said HeliMods managing director Will Shrapnel. “We will now work out the next steps together with DRF Luftrettung so that the PAL can be available for operators across Europe.” C.E.

MARIANO ROSALES

Columbia targets 2025 for 234SP service entry

By Hanneke Weitering

Columbia Helicopters plans to introduce another model of the Boeing Vertol CH-47D Chinook tandem-rotor, heavy-lift helicopter. The Aurora, Oregon-based helicopter manufacturer, operator, and MRO provider announced this week that it will convert existing CH-47D military rotorcraft to produce the commercial 234 Special Purpose (234SP) helicopter, which it expects to enter service in 2025.

According to Columbia, the 234SP will retain the performance of the CH-47D while leveraging the design characteristics of the Model 234 Chinook, a commercial version of the iconic military helicopter.

Columbia purchased the type certificate for the Model 234 from Boeing in 2006 and produces the aircraft for civilian applications such as passenger and cargo transport, medevac, firefighting, logging, construction, and oil extraction operations. It is one of the largest standard-transport-category, multi-mission,

super-heavy-lift helicopters in the world, capable of lifting 25,000 pounds of payload and seating up to 44 passengers.

“Our introduction of the 234SP into the market marks a new chapter in Chinook commercial operations,” said Columbia Helicopters president and CEO Mike Tremlett. “We are thrilled to lead the way in unlocking unprecedented opportunities for operators with this groundbreaking aircraft, enabling them to optimize their fleets and achieve unparalleled performance and efficiency.”

Columbia has already secured at least two customers for the 234SP, including launch customer Rotak Helicopter Services, a CH-47D operator based in Alaska. “We are excited to bring this new opportunity to the industry and offer a new option for clients in the domestic heavy lift market,” said Rotak president Ely Woods. “Our partnership with Columbia and continued support has allowed a unique opportunity to change the industry. We are proud to be the launch customer for this new endeavor.”

While Columbia works to obtain FAA type certification for the 234SP in the next year, the company is also closing in on a supplemental type certificate (STC) that will allow it to install GPMS International’s Foresight MX health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) on the CH-47D. Columbia and GPMS expect the STC, which will cover both new-build helicopters and retrofits for in-service models, to gain approval this year.

“With the divesture of these aircraft from militaries around the world, commercial operators are acquiring them for a fraction of the original price. But replacement parts are expensive, and inventory of key components can be very scarce. That’s where Foresight MX comes in,” said Ronnie Ries, v-p of marketing at GPMS. “With its predictive capabilities, CH-47 operators can turn unscheduled events into scheduled maintenance. Additionally, the integrated rotor track and balance capability will significantly reduce the headaches operators experience.”

Columbia is also working to redesign the Model 234 cockpit in collaboration with Genesys Aerosystems, the company announced yesterday at Heli-Expo 2024. The digital flight deck upgrade will come with advanced avionics systems, more intuitive interfaces, and “cutting-edge” navigation equipment.

Following certification, which is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2025, the revamped digital cockpit will come standard on all newbuild Model 234 Chinooks. It will also be available as a retrofit for existing aircraft. z

NEWS • NOTE

Oregon-based Hillsboro Heli Academy has gained examining authority from the FAA, allowing the flight training provider to evaluate and certify its students’ proficiency. This eliminates the need to schedule students with an independent designated pilot examiner and makes the training process more e f icient.

Hillsboro Heli Academy, a division of Hillsboro Aero Academy, is an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school and o f ers training from private pilot through flight instructor. The school operates a fleet of Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters at its base in Troutdale, Oregon. z

Columbia Helicopters is planning to convert CH-47D military rotorcraft to produce the commercial 234 Special Purpose (234SP) helicopter, which will incorporate the Model 234 Chinook’s design.

HEMS innovations shine at Heli-Expo ’24

By Curt Epstein

Helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) is an important subset of the rotorcraft industry, with hundreds of dedicated aircraft in service worldwide. Of that total, Leonardo claims approximately 20 percent of the market, noted Michael Bucari, the OEM’s head of marketing for the Americas.

The company has a full lineup of HEMS-capable helicopters, ranging from the single-engine AW119 to the twin-engine AW169 to the larger AW139. This week at Heli-Expo 2024, the airframer is displaying at its booth an AW169 operated by aeromedical provider HeliService.

Which platform is selected by an operator depends on a variety of factors, according to Bucari. “One thing I want to stress is that HEMS is not homogenous from country to country,” he told AIN. “The [medical insurance] reimbursement model is very different compared to countries in Europe, Japan, or Australia where it is government-subsidized.”

“In the United States, reimbursement is a challenge, especially after the No Surprises Act in 2021,” added Sam Schaab, a HEMS specialist with Leonardo.

“Basically what that means is the reimbursement is the same whether you are flying a $5 million helicopter or a $15 million helicopter, so to provide care with limited resources, there is a tendency toward using single-engine helicopters because they are cheaper to buy and also to operate.”

Also, in the U.S. there is no restriction for the operation of single-engine helicopters over populated areas, unlike in most other countries, which will certainly influence the decision over which class of rotorcraft operators will invest in, as will the amount of government operational subsidies.

While single-engine helicopters tend to lack cabin space compared to their larger twin-engine siblings, the Italy-based OEM is expecting its AW09 (the former Kopter

SH09)—a mockup of which is on the show floor—to make a splash in the HEMS market when it enters service in the next 12 to 18 months following EASA certification.

“Inside the United States market, because costs and profits are something that operators take a strong look into, anything that

has a much lower operational economic cost to it, like a single-engine helicopter, is probably going to be the preferred aircraft,” stated Bucari, noting that the OEM is beginning its transition to the AW09. “I personally think it’s going to be a game changer for the simple reason you have a cabin that is more typical of a twin-engine helicopter, so a much bigger platform but it’s a single engine so you have the single-engine economics behind it, and I think that’s really what is driving the demand for these operators.”

Options for HEMS

The helicopter’s cabin will allow more space for equipment and additional care providers, while offering stretcher egress through the rear clamshell doors or a side door.

Outside the U.S. and particularly in Canada, the company’s AW139 and AW169 have proven popular, with seven of the latter due to enter service in British Columbia, a factor of Leonardo’s HEMS market share in that country.

“Other provinces have some of our

competitors’ products as well, but [it] is probably about 50 percent market share in Canada,” said Bucari.

Those primary competitors include Airbus, which lays claim as the world’s leading supplier of helicopters for emergency medical services. Its H135 family is the most widely used platform, accounting for one out of four helicopters used for aeromedical transport. Earlier this year, the manufacturer delivered the 1,500th of the H135 series to German HEMS provider ADAC Luftrettung.

The H145 follows with more than 400 in HEMS service. Airbus offers HEMS fixed provisions, a HEMS and multifunctional floor, and antibacterial paint.

Bell—with more than 85 years of experience as an OEM—noted that in “specialty segments like HEMS, no two operators are identical,” which is why it provides an array of options. In October, Life Flight Network (the largest nonprofit air medical operator in the U.S.) added two 407GXis and followed that in December with the acceptance of a 429.

The Textron subsidiary continued to expand its presence in the European aeromedical market in November when it delivered a third 429 to Swiss-based helicopter rescue Air Zermatt. Even for operators not in the market for new aircraft, Bell provides constant support for their existing fleets to reduce downtime.

Outfitting a HEMS helicopter can take anywhere from several weeks to months depending on whether or not there is an existing STC, according to Leonardo’s Schaab. The company provides the basic helicopter plus any kits such as searchlights or radio packages that the customer may specify.

Then it’s off to the third-party completions provider, to which the OEM provides technical and engineering support during the process. “There are some smaller ones that have done one-offs for a very specific locale, but there are around 12 that we regularly work with around the world,” Schaab explained.

“We’re agnostic and it’s important for us that the customer gets the right interior, the right helicopter. When you sell a helicopter, you develop a relationship with that customer for a long time and want to make sure that it’s successful,” he concluded. z

Outfitting a HEMS helicopter can take weeks or months depending on if there is an existing STC.

Bristow signs for 20

Leonardo AW189s

Leonardo and Bristow Group have signed a framework agreement for AW189 super-medium helicopters that includes 10 firm orders and options for another 10. Deliveries will run from 2025 to 2028.

Bristow currently operates 21 AW189s and has another five due to arrive on property this year. The company uses the AW189 in its ofshore energy business to support government contracts for search-and-rescue operations in the UK, the Netherlands, and—beginning in 2025—Ireland.

Its fleet includes the AW119, AW109, AW139, and AW189. The fresh AW189 order will bring its Leonardo fleet to 110 helicopters. In 2022, the two companies signed a 10-year global service agreement covering Bristow’s AW139 and AW189 fleets. The agreement is designed to deliver more efcient logistics and savings to the operator.

The AW189 features a 50-minute run-dry main gearbox, built-in auxiliary power unit, optional automatic data transmission via satellite, 4G cell/ Wi-Fi, and more than 200 available kits. Leonardo has delivered more than 90 AW189s and has an order backlog for more than 140 of the type. M.H.

The latest news, data, and analysis on the future of civil aviation.

SKYOS

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be made available for retrofit or eventually licensed to OEMs as a factory installation, or which airframes to select for system installation after the R66. He said the company has had a means of compliance in place with the FAA since 2018, as well as excellent coordination with the agency and Robinson.

Customers who already hold a helicopter license will receive a flight training voucher good for six hours of training and will be cycled through the company’s training facility in coordination with their delivery date. Fixed-wing pilots can apply the six hours to the 20 in-aircraft hours required for their helicopter add-on rating. Skyryse has already built a simulator for the platform

and plans to have it available for attendees to try in July at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

According to Wert, SkyOS is expected to draw more people to helicopters by providing greater comfort and confidence. The compact flight controls will not only free up more space in the cockpit but also reduce pilot fatigue. “You’re not going to be nearly as tired, for one thing,” he noted.

But Wert said the system’s real advantage is the sense of safety it conveys. “The kind of automation we provide [and] the safe flight envelope that we are able to create around the pilot are going to be transformative in terms of giving people back a sense of freedom in the skies and even more significant in terms of giving people a level of comfort they haven’t had in helicopters.” z

NEWS • NOTE

Priority 1 Air Rescue (P1AR) was awarded a five-year training contract with the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command. P1AR’s Search and Rescue/Tactical Training Academy in Mesa, Arizona, saw the first class of MH-139A special missions aviators (SMAs) graduate from the four-week training program in December. The contract involves providing training for basic aircraft systems, hoist search and rescue, helicopter external sling load operations, fast-rope/rappelling, night-vision goggles, and M240 aerial gunnery training. P1AR of ers classroom instruction, training study guides and workbooks, interactive courseware iPads, and computer-based training. z

The Skyryse SkyOS system features simplified single-stick control and two touchscreens.

Loft signs HMotion for two H145 simulators

By Matt Thurber

Swiss helicopter simulator manufacturer Loft Dynamics is developing a virtual reality (VR) Airbus Helicopters H145 simulator and has signed a deal to install two at a new facility that the Airbus-ADAC HEMS Academy

HMotion joint venture is building in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.

Earlier this month, Loft opened its North American headquarters and VR flight simulator training hub at Santa Monica Airport in Southern California. That location hosts a full-motion Loft Airbus H125 VR simulator

with real helicopter controls, avionics, and switches with a VR view of the outside world to accurately replicate real-world flying.

Loft’s simulators cost a fraction of the price of a full-flight simulator and fill a niche for training helicopter pilots at a time when slots at traditional training centers are hard to find and much more costly. The Loft device can train pilots in maneuvers that are too dangerous in a real helicopter and realistic scenarios such as a medevac flight to a challenging location surrounded by vehicles and people.

The company also announced that the Los Angeles Police Department is buying a Loft H125 simulator for in-house pilot training. “Loft Dynamics’ sims use cloud-based software, allowing us to add new and applicable training scenarios regularly,” said LAPD Air Support division chief pilot Kevin Gallagher.

“Additionally, the sim’s full-motion technology precisely replicates the motion of a helicopter in-flight, and the visual technology accurately simulates instrument meteorological conditions. These features are critical to providing our 50+ pilots, who fly around the clock, with the type of conditions and maneuvers they often encounter. With the sim onsite, our pilots can regularly and safely train to maintain proficiency in these essential skills.”

“We recognized a significant unmet demand to experience our technology in person in the U.S.,” said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. “Establishing a physical space became the obvious solution, making it more accessible to fly our sims, practice a range of maneuvers, and fully grasp the power of VR technology in this capacity.”

JSfirm reaches 50th partner plateau in 25 years since founding

Aviation employment website operator JSfirm has reached a milestone with 50 job distribution network partners. Since its founding in 1999, the company has worked to cultivate a foundation of partnerships with industry-relevant companies in its network which allows companies to display open aviation positions. As a result, job seekers can browse available jobs across a range of outlets including aviation-related schools and organizations.

Tallying its 50th partner in its 25th year underscores JSfirm’s commitment to helping connect aviation professionals with avail -

able job opportunities, the company said, “and as the workforce continues to evolve, the company’s continued growth and collaboration with diverse partners will enhance its position in the aviation career sector.”

“We would like to extend our gratitude to each of our partners who continue to see the importance of displaying jobs on their website,” said Abbey Hutter, JSfirm’s executive director. “Reaching this milestone has been a true testament to our team’s dedication to ensuring all aviation jobs are in front of the most relevant people.” C.E.

z

The full-motion VR Loft simulator accurately replicates the Airbus Helicopters H125.

MARIANO ROSALES

Airbus sees eVTOL race as marathon, not sprint

By Charles Alcock

Airbus is preparing to unveil the first fullscale prototype of its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft next week. The reveal of the final configuration of its lift-and-cruise design is expected to happen during an event on March 7 marking the opening of its test facility at Donauwörth, Germany, where it is preparing to start flight testing later this year.

Balkiz Sarihan, CEO of the European aerospace group’s urban air mobility business unit, told reporters during a recent media briefing event that her engineering team has powered up the aircraft on the ground and is now developing the flight-test profile. A second prototype of the four-seat aircraft is being assembled.

In October, Airbus tested the so-called Millenium stick flight control system to be used by CityAirbus pilots on its FlightLab helicopter testbed. The company is looking to deploy its Vertex autonomous flight technology—including a new human-machine interface for the flight deck—to reduce single-pilot workload.

Airbus has not declared a target date for achieving EASA type certification in Europe but appears to envisage being ready to start deliveries by the end of this decade. Unlike many eVTOL startups, which rely on multiple sources of cash, the program is fully funded by the Airbus group and also is not scrambling to sign up prospective launch customers. Moreover, it has no intention of operating the CityAirbus vehicle itself.

“The industry will have to prove itself before air taxi services are viable,” Sarihan said, indicating that Airbus does not expect on-demand, door-to-door operations to be the first eVTOL use cases, mainly due to a lack of adequate capacity and infrastructure. Instead, the company predicts use on scheduled passenger routes, as well as for

emergency medical services and ecotourism flights that are currently operated by noisier, carbon-emitting helicopters. “The concept of operations for these services is much simpler, with largely prebooked

will deploy an airship and a subscale version of the CityAirbus (with a 3.7-meter wingspan) to conduct test flights between communities including Ingolstadt and Manching.

Partners include railway operator Deutsche Bahn, Munich Airport, and vertiport developer Skyports. Part of the project involves using an artificial intelligence algorithm to manage tasks such as predicting slot allocation needs.

In Italy, Airbus—which has a group-wide customer base of some 3,000 aircraft operators—has its first eVTOL airline partner in ITA

demand making it a reasonable place to start,” she added.

Battery Costs Add to Uncertainty

According to Airbus, it is hard to achieve certainty about the business viability of eVTOL operating models partly because of questions about battery performance, management, and replacement costs. The UAM business unit is tapping the expertise of Airbus colleagues in Toulouse to develop battery packs, based in part on their experience with satellites.

Working with 30 partners through the Bavarian Air Mobility Initiative, Airbus is devising an ecosystem to support early operations in southern Germany. Later this year, it

Airways. In January, Airbus widened its ecosystem development network in Italy to include energy provider Enel, as well as Urban V, which is the vertiport division of Aeroporti di Roma.

Other projects include efforts to define eVTOL EMS missions with theNorwegian Air Ambulance Foundation. Similar work is being conducted with partners in Estonia and Japan.

For now, the company’s main areas of focus for UAM services are in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and some parts of Latin America. Sarihan indicated that helicopter operators are viewed as likely early adopters of eVTOL vehicles, in part because they will face lower levels of investment needed to get operations up and running. z

MARIANO ROSALES

Airbus’ urban air mobility unit doesn’t envision an immediate case for air taxi services due to ground infrastructure issues. It is showing this one-fifth-scale model of its CityAirbus NextGen here in Anaheim..

FAA certifies improved horizontal stab for R44s

By Matt Thurber

Robinson Helicopter is now offering a symmetrical horizontal stabilizer for R44 helicopter models and has made the design standard on all new R44 models. Retrofit kits for earlier R44s are available at a discounted price of $3,600 until Dec. 31, 2024. The normal list price of the KI-285-2 retrofit kit is $7,050.

The symmetrical stabilizer was first certified on the turbine R66 in September and provides “enhanced handling characteristics during high-speed flight,” according to Robinson Helicopter. Included in the kit is a new stabilizer that can be installed

on existing tailcones; new-production R44s will come with an updated tailcone design.

Work is underway to certify the new empennage configuration through validations with regulatory authorities in other countries. Once validated, Robinson Helicopter will deliver new R44s with the symmetrical stabilizer as standard.

“Robinson continues to invest in engineering enhancements that make our aircraft more accessible and easier to fly,” said Robinson Helicopter president Kurt Robinson. “Our aim is to deliver unrivaled safety and reliability so pilots can accomplish their mission with confidence.” z

Irish Coast Guard reveals livery for next-gen fleet

By Curt Epstein

The Irish Coast Guard has unveiled its new livery for its next-generation aircraft fleet. Under a 10-year contract awarded by the Irish Department of Transport (DoT) in August, Bristow Ireland will operate the aircraft, providing 24/7/365 helicopter search-and-rescue (SAR) service usng a fleet of six SAR-equipped Leonardo AW189s based in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo, and Waterford.

The Irish government decided last year that it would not renew the contract of CHC Ireland, citing a list of factors. CHC was the operator involved in the 2022 fatal crash of an Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky S-92A.

“The Irish Coast Guard is an essential state service, and this new contract represents an exciting time for the organization,” stated Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the DoT, adding that the service will gradually be phased

in to provide a smooth transition from the current operator to Bristow. “The release…of this livery for the new specialist aircraft which

will replace the existing fleet marks another important step on the transition to the new service provision.”

For the first time, the Coast Guard will also have a dedicated fixed-wing service, provided by 2EXCEL Ireland, with King Air turboprops based at Shannon Airport. They will enhance the Coast Guard’s capacity to coordinate SAR missions and conduct environmental and ship casualty monitoring. z

Robinson’s symmetrical horizontal stabilizer is now standard on all new R44 models.

Bristow Ireland will take over operation of the Irish Coast Guard’s fleet of six AW189 helicopters.

Preowned helo twin sales slow in 2023

By Curt Epstein

The preowned twin-engine helicopter market showed resilient pricing and steady supply but fewer sales last year, according to rotorcraft sales firm Aero Asset. At the start of Heli-Expo 2024 this week, the Canadian company— which launched in 2019—released its year-end Heli Market Trends Report, focusing on the twin-engine segment.

While the market reached a state of equilibrium in 2022, retail sales in light twins declined by 8 percent last year and the medium twin

market continued to lead the pack in transaction volume last year,” Pereira said on Tuesday at Heli-Expo. “However, North America and Europe saw noticeable drops in retail sales volume year-over-year and accounted for half of the total retail sales in 2023, versus three-quarters in 2022.”

While the supply in those regions—which represent 64 percent of the world’s total helicopter supply—increased by 20 percent YOY, the supply in the rest of the world decreased.

Each year, the company ranks preowned rotorcraft by model market absorption rates

class decreased by 28 percent. The heavy twin segment, however, saw sales climb by 36 percent year-over-year (YOY), equating to an overall 12 percent decrease in helicopter sales volume, while average transaction price increased by 10 percent year YOY.

“Sales declined in 2023 after an upward trend from 2019 through 2022,” noted Valerie Pereira, the company’s v-p of market research. “The absorption rate increased by two months to 14 months of supply at current trade levels—the first increase in three years.”

Aero Asset also saw a geographic shift in sales. “By no surprise, the North American

and retail sales to establish a list of the most active models. Last year, the most liquid model was the Bell 429, followed by the Leonardo AW109 Power. The Sikorsky S-92 and Leonardo AW109S/SP tied for third place, with absorption rates under six months of supply at the current transaction volume.

Pereira explained that several factors could affect the sales activity this year, including continuing supply chain issues, the continuing situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the upcoming presidential elections in the U.S. “The next three quarters will be very interesting for us all,” she concluded. z

Comau rotor blade inspection system conducts tapping tests autonomously.

Leonardo testing robot for rotor blade inspections

Robotics developer Comau and helicopter manufacturer Leonardo are testing a rotor blade inspection system that can autonomously test blades up to seven meters (23 feet) long. The system is self-adaptive, according to Comau, meaning that it optimizes the outcome “by enabling the robot to perceive and see its surroundings, automate its decision making, and intuitively optimize the inspection process.”

The robot conducts tapping tests on the composite blades and does multispectral surface inspections—all autonomously—“to measure and verify the structural integrity with a granularity exceeding thousands of points.”

An advantage of the autonomous inspection process is that it “ensures 100 percent accuracy within the self-adaptive process” while also improving safety for human operators and eliminating repetitive processes such as tapping tests. This also benefits Leonardo because it will rely less on the typical nonstandard way that technicians pass along experience to each other.

Both Comau and Leonardo are sharing competencies to optimize the inspection process. This includes developing “intelligent algorithms and advanced path planning that allow the robot to see and respond to its surroundings, as well as a comprehensive data acquisition and processing infrastructure that facilitates optimized sound and image recognition.” M.T.

North America had the biggest sales transaction volume for twin-engine helicopters last year.

The

MD adds Kenya’s Helint to service network

By Gregory Polek

MD Helicopters has added Helint of Nairobi, Kenya, to its network of authorized service centers (ASC), making it the first MD Helicopters ASC in the East African region.

Helint boasts what it calls a proven record of expertise and capabilities. Its clientele includes organizations such as the Kenya Defence Force and the anti-poaching MDH aircraft operation in Tanzania.

“This collaboration between Helint and MD Helicopters underscores a shared commitment to delivering superior service and support to MDH operators in the East African region,” said MD Helicopters president and CEO Brad Pedersen.

Helint will offer after-sales support, aircraft maintenance, and OEM spare parts and accessories. Its team includes personnel with prior experience servicing MDH aircraft while serving in the Kenya Defence Force.

“Africa is an emerging and fast-growing market,” noted Helint managing director

Mandeep Osahan. “With this synergy between Helint and MD Helicopters, our customers will be able to receive an improved customer experience through locally available MRO services and after-sales support at our dedicated and state-of-the-art facility located at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.” z

NEWS • NOTE

Bell has received several additional approvals for its Model 505 light single, including EASA validation for Garmin GFC 600H autopilot installation in the turbine single helicopter. The GFC 600H install previously was approved by the FAA and Transport Canada.

The GFC 600H features a console-mounted mode controller with push-button controls, altitude hold and speed stability, helicopter electronic stability and protection, return-tolevel mode, and overspeed and low-speed protection. Options include yaw axis control with hover assist mode. z

Anodyne and Texas Aerospace expand partnership

By Curt Epstein

Canadian avionics manufacturer Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing (AEM) has inked a deal with Texas Aerospace Technologies that will expand the partnership between the two companies.

Texas Aerospace—which represents AEM in Latin America—will add AEM’s newlyintroduced MTP136D panel mount P25 VHF

FM Forest service radio to the suite of special purpose communications equipment it o ff ers to customers in that region. The MTP136D—available on pre-order—provides a modern radio set to assist in tactical aerial firefighting communications and help operators complete harsh missions.

“We are proud to grow our strategic partnership with AEM,” said Texas Aerospace v-p Brad Sutphin. “We already see our Latin American customers benefitting from AEM’s special mission communications solutions—loudspeaker systems, digital audio systems, AD350 consoles, and master caution panels—and now we’re excited to add this sophisticated radio technology to our market offerings.” z

Helint has become the first of MD Helicopters’ authorized service centers in the East African region.

AEM’s new P25 service radio will be added to Texas Aerospace’s offerings in Latin America.

Ryan, PFC show off Helimod sim

By Matt Thurber

Underscoring the importance of teaching pilots how to improve decision-making in challenging conditions, Ryan Aerospace and Precision Flight Controls are demonstrating Ryan’s Helimod Mark III and III+ virtual reality simulators at the VAI Rotor Safety Zone this week at Heli-Expo 2024.

The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) has created detailed scenarios as part of its “Recommended Practice—Simulation Training for Aviation Decision Making” efforts. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Fort Worth, Texas-based Helicopter Institute are adapting these scenarios to the Helimod VR simulators so pilots can practice scenarios this

summer involving aeronautical decision-making related to loss of control-inflight, unintended flight in instrument meteorological conditions, and low-altitude operations.

A key element of the training is informed by the USHST’s award-winning “56 Seconds To Live” video. “The USHST is placing a strong emphasis on the fatal topic of unintentional instrument meteorological conditions

Enstrom offers more options for helicopters

Enstrom is announcing additional options for its turbine and piston helicopters. They include a Genesys Aerosystems autopilot and, in partnership with Airwolf Aerospace, the True Blue Power TB17 lithium-ion battery, for the 480B. Another option is electric air

conditioning for the 280FX and F28F.

The Genesys three-axis VFR autopilot for the 480B is scheduled to be available for factory installation and retrofit by year-end from either Enstrom or select Genesys dealers. It features auto-recovery and provides the ability to fly fully coupled approaches.

The True Blue battery for the 480B weighs up to 63 percent less than traditional batteries, yielding higher voltage for easier starting. It has an average life of eight years and a two-year maintenance cycle.

Enstrom is partnering with Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems to provide air conditioning for its piston 280FX and F28F helicopters. The all-electric system will be STC’d by Kelly and available for installation in factory-new aircraft in 2025, as well as for field installation later in 2024.

involving helicopter operations,” according to Ryan Aerospace.

The Helimod devices are used by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as many helicopter operators and training providers. The VR capability includes the ability to “see” sling loads for sling training, and the Helimod Mark III+ adds full electronic control load for cyclic, collective, and anti-torque pedals. z

NEWS • NOTE

Genesys Aerosystems and Enstrom Helicopter are developing a three-axis VFR autopilot for the Enstrom 480B, with certification and availability are expected by year-end. The Genesys autopilot has already been installed in a 480B for testing and to advance the certification program.

The lightweight, attitude-based autopilot includes heading, navigation, approach, vertical speed, indicated airspeed, and altitude hold modes. It is also a stability augmentation system, capable of returning the helicopter to a neutral attitude when easing forces applied to the cyclic control or “simply letting go of the cyclic should the pilot become incapacitated, spatially disoriented, or lose visual references,” according to Genesys.

The autopilot also provides overspeed and underspeed envelope protection and automatic recovery to near-level flight at all airspeeds. Yaw control is an option. z

Ryan Aerospace’s Helimod virtual reality simulators enable sling training for pilots.

M.H.

Enstrom announced options including autopilot, A/C, and lithium-ion batteries.

MARIANO ROSALES

MARIANO ROSALES

PAC International logs busy 2023

By Mark Huber

Metro Aviation unit PAC International completed helicopter services in 2023 that included 53 component repairs and overhauls, 31 custom completions, and 30 maintenance inspections. A licensed FAA repair station located in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, PAC has more than 45 years of experience with

helicopter completions and maintenance, sheet metal, composites, avionics, paint, component repair, and overhaul.

PAC has performed more than 1,589 helicopter completions and customizations supporting diverse missions such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, electronic newsgathering, search-and-rescue, offshore transport, firefighting, and executive

Hensoldt makes cellphone detection connection

By Matt Thurber

Hensoldt has integrated Smith Myers Communications’ Artemis mobile phone detection, location, and communication system into its EuroNav 7 mission system. The integration allows helicopters equipped with EuroNav 7 to geolocate cellphones.

The combination of EuroNav 7 and Artemis works over an extended range of more than 30 km (19 miles) and it can also detect a cellphone’s country of origin, which can aid in border intrusion detection. “Artemis interacts with and geolocates the cell phone quickly and precisely using the cellular protocol itself,” said Andrew Munro, managing director of Smith Myers. “EuroNav 7 displays

this information and enables the automatic steering of other sensors onto the cellphone’s location. The location of thousands of handsets can be established very quickly and displayed on EuroNav 7.”

Another EuroNav 7 feature is integrating AIS so that maritime and cellular data can be overlayed in real time. Cospas-Sarsat emergency and personal locator beacon information is also available.

“This partnership of proven systems is targeting expansion worldwide across a growing customer base deploying essential systems for search-and-rescue missions, where every move is executed with precision,” said Hensoldt Avionics managing director Michael Gröninger. z

transport. The company has experience in the design, installation, and integration of avionics packages and represents a broad spectrum of avionics manufacturers with equipment including radios, navigation, flight control, optics, entertainment, and special mission equipment. It also provides custom-designed instrument panels and night-vision-gogglecompatible cockpits.

The company is an authorized Bell service center and also offers completions and services for Airbus, Leonardo, MDH, and Sikorsky helicopters. z

Shadin Avionics intros new radar altimeter converter

Aircraft electronics manufacturer Shadin Avionics introduced the latest version in its DARALT series of radar altimeter converters. According to the manufacturer, its “future-proof” converters allow for the installation of new radar altimeters in any aircraft, enabling the use of 5G-resistant altimeters in those with non-digital interfaces.

The DARALT series—which is fully compliant with ARINC 552A standard and certified to DO-178C design assurance level B— enables the interface to communicate with any legacy analog indicators and equipment that might remain after a radar altimeter upgrade. It uses digital-to-analog technology that not only retains the original analog signal accuracy but provides better resolution resulting from new radio altimeters.

Further, the system has the ability to adjust altitude trip points, as well as match magnetic field lag (hysteresis) previously provided by legacy altimeters. In addition to providing enhanced situational awareness to flight crews, this helps avoid the need for costly operating manual updates and associated retraining. C.E.

PAC International is a licensed FAA repair station and an authorized Bell service center.

Becker Avionics adds 3D audio to digital intercom

By Matt Thurber

Several features were recently added to Becker Avionics’ AMU 6500 digital intercom, including 3D audio, Bluetooth compatibility, and split-screen functionality. The AMU 6500 was introduced in 2019 and is installed in a variety of civil, government, and military helicopters and airplanes.

The 3D audio feature, also known as spatial or positional audio, enables audio inputs that are perceived as coming from various locations. This is helpful for a crewmember monitoring more than one radio, according

to Becker. “To orientate radio channels to different positions allows the receiving person to isolate these frequencies without changing volumes or muting the channel not currently being used. This is very beneficial in command-and-control aircraft either in firefighting or law enforcement.”

With Bluetooth capability, crewmembers in the back of the aircraft can communicate without having to plug cords into the intercom system. Meanwhile, the split-screen capability permits two users to share one audio management unit (AMU), including access to 10 programmable buttons, an independent

Mid-Continent Flex unit picked for StableLight A/P

The new StableLight four-axis autopilot developed by StandardAero and Thales will use a Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics Flex MD23 2-inch instrument for the autopilot’s mode annunciator. Thales’ StableLight autopilot received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval last November for the Airbus Helicopters H125/AS350. StandardAero partnered with Thales to develop the StableLight STC, which will be updated to add the MD23 instrument.

The Flex MD23 is a Custom Function Display that is FAA TSO certified, RTCA DO-160G qualified, and RTCA DO-178C qualified to Design Assurance Level A. Systems engineers can use the Flex instrument to design almost

any kind of instrumentation display and control output since it is “a custom display, controller, and data converter, all-in-one,” according to Mid-Continent. The company’s engineers work with customers to complete the design of what needs to be displayed on and controlled by the Flex instrument. The big advantage of Flex is that it enables much faster development of a new instrument or controller without the need to design hardware and software from scratch.

The MD23 fits in a standard 2.25-inch instrument panel hole and features daylight-readable, high-definition graphics with a single push-and-turn control knob for the user interface. M.T

One of the AMU 6500 digital intercom’s new features is Bluetooth compatibility.

intercom, main volume adjustments, individual vox adjustments, and a transmitter selector, according to Becker.

Customers can opt to add the ARU 6510 digital audio management unit to the AMU 6500, and this expands the AMU 6500 from three intercom positions to 12 transceivers using nine stereo headsets or 15 positions when using a mix of stereo and mono. z

Cadorath Winnipeg receives R-R engine overhaul approval

Rolls-Royce has designated Cadorath’s Engine Services Center in Winnipeg, Canada, as a branch of the Rolls authorized MRO center (AMROC) in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The move enhances Cadorath’s ability to deliver MRO services including engine and module overhauls in addition to the company’s existing single parts repair support for Rolls-Royce M250 and RR300. Cadorath itself received AMROC approval in September.

At its Winnipeg facility, Cadorath has an engine test cell and also stocks rental or exchange engines and modules. The facility recently delivered its first engine and modules.

“This enhancement is aimed at expanding our skilled team to meet and exceed the high service and support standards our clients have come to expect,” said president and CEO Gerry Cadorath. M.T.

The Flex instrument fits into a standard 2.25-inch panel cutout.

Engine backup system could buy time for pilots

By Charles Alcock

Airbus Helicopters is engaged in an EASA working group on plans to certify the engine backup system (EBS) it plans to offer for single-engine helicopters. At the same time, it is looking to ensure that the technology, which would provide power for a limited time in an engine-out emergency, can be made available to operators at an affordable cost.

According to Tomasz Krysinski, the

company’s head of innovation, Airbus has already demonstrated the system with its DisruptiveLab testbed aircraft delivering 250 kilowatts of power for two minutes. The manufacturer has also demonstrated a 100-kilowatt version of the EBS that provides 30 seconds of power to help the pilot maintain a safer rotation rate, albeit insufficient to maintain level flight. “We have had some good results, but we can’t yet give any date for when the system could be available,” he told reporters.

Support investment paying off, says Airbus

There are few situations in which supply chain constraints are more frustrating than when it comes to providing the parts and support to keep aircraft flying. Airbus Helicopters is not alone in finding this challenging, but Romain Trapp, the company’s executive v-p of customer

support and services, believes 2024 will be a year in which it reaps the rewards of improvements introduced over the last couple of years.

Trapp, who was formerly CEO of Airbus Helicopters Inc. in the U.S., is in charge of helping 3,211 operators worldwide get the best from

The DisruptiveLab is also being used in Airbus’ efforts to achieve a 50 percent reduction in fuel burn through increased electrification with a hybrid powertrain, combined with aerodynamic improvements. With around 50 flight hours logged over the past 12 months, it has so far confirmed a 15 percent fuel burn reduction through measures such as a new horizontal stabilizer that eliminates vibrations and completely isolates the gearbox from the body of the aircraft.

In April, the FlightLab testbed will resume work on the development of new health and usage monitoring capabilities for light helicopters. It will also be deployed to evaluate new algorithms for sense-and-avoid technology to mitigate the risk of helicopters colliding with power cables. z

the 12,393 rotorcraft now in service. “Our main priority now is to fix the supply chain issues and get parts and repairs where they are needed, so we’re trying to make sure all our actions pay off for our customers,” he told reporters in a briefing ahead of the Heli-Expo show.

One of these actions has been to increase the amount of spare parts stock held in the manufacturer’s depots and service centers by $430 million. Acknowledging that it has taken too long to deliver some parts from warehouses, Trapp has placed 20 of his employees at the facilities of some of its suppliers to keep things moving.

Each year, 10 percent more Airbus customers sign up for its FlyScan predictive and corrective maintenance platform linked to a health and usage monitoring system suite that provides expert analysis of issues. Trapp said this typically results in two or three fewer AOG situations annually.

More than 20 percent of the Airbus fleet is now covered by the company’s HCare support and service program. One benefit is that parts availability is guaranteed to an average rate of 95 percent, and if this commitment isn’t met, the company pays penalties to operators.

Over the past year, the HMotion training program has added a new simulator center for H135 and H145 pilots. In 2025, a new H160 simulator will be installed at Airbus’ facility in Grand Prairie, Texas. C.A.

Airbus Helicopters has increased the value of spare parts held to around $430 million.

Rogerson Kratos Digital Cockpit Solutions

Addresses