Aviators magazine October-December 2016 by Aviators India Private Limited

Aviators INDIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S # 1 AVIATION & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Air Ambulance

Now Affordable and Accessible for Every One

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2016

Air Ambulance Special Feature

Special Report : Aviators Air Rescue October - December 2016 | Aviators | 1

DITOR’S

NOTE

October - December 2016 Issue

A New Era Dawns Years of relentless effort to bring world class air ambulances to India have borne fruit and I am happy to announce that in the month of August, we took delivery of the first of three Airbus Helicopters H130 helicopters directly at the factory in Grand Prairie U.S.A. Our helicopter which look resplendent in the colours of Aviators Air Rescue are now being prepared for operations as our highly experienced flight crew familiarise themselves with the type. The brand new H130s are state-of-the-art and have been fitted with the most modern medical equipment that will provide the highest quality of care to our subscribers, corporate clients and hospital partners. Importantly, we have made unceasing efforts to provide this air ambulance service at the most affordable cost possible. A successful enterprise can only be built with the right partners and Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), which is a Texas based air medical support and HEMS provider will enable us to operate to the highest standards from Day one and Airbus Helicopters has assured its support in ensuring that the availability of our helicopters remains high, enabling us to make as many lifesaving flights as possible. India’s large population and challenging road-infrastructure also means that the potential for growth in the air ambulance sector is very strong. This is to say nothing about the difference our helicopters can make in times of distress and calamity. We have taken the step to acquire brand new helicopters which feature the latest avionics, that will also enable to operate in poor weather conditions, when older helicopter models will be unable to undertake missions safely. Presently State Governments are forced to press into service expensive military helicopters for relief operations during times of national distress and calamity. These military utility helicopters are only equipped to transport civilians but do not have medical equipment on-board. Air ambulance services with an established operational set-up and trained aircrew and paramedics could literally be the difference between ‘Life and Death’ in such situations. As we rev-up for start of operations, there is a whirlwind of tasks that need to be completed and clearances to be obtained. However, we will take a much-needed break for the festival of Diwali. My best wishes for the festive season, to all our readers, their families, subscribers and partners of Aviators Air Rescue services. Happy Diwali!

Arun Sharma Editor

CONTENTS

October - December 2016 Issue

Cover Story

Air Ambulance Services are a vital necessity for India

Flight Trax

The latest news from the World of Aviation.

Special Report

Aviators Air Rescue take delivery of Airbus H130 helicopter at Grand Prairie in the U.S.

Flight Trax Indian Aviation l

Safran and HAL Setup Engine MRO in Goa l Civil Aviation Ministry Launches Regional Connectivity Scheme “UDAN”

Rotary Wing

Two Decades of Success for H135 l Bell 407GT Helicopter Takes Back the Night from Poachers in South Africa

Business Aviation

Aviators Lifestyle

l l

New Mercedes-AMG GT R Cathay Pacific Introduces New Selection of Organic Wines for Business Class Passengers Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Opens First Studio in Asia Mercedes-Benz Future Bus City Pilot

The Search for MH370

Cessna Citation Longitude Makes Maiden Flight l Dassault Delivers First Falcon 8X l Hawker 400XPR Achieves FAA Certification l Gulfstream Ends G150 Production

Editor, Publisher, Proprietor & Printer Arun B Sharma Published at

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Publisher assumes no reponsibility for safety of artwork, photographs or manuscripts.

Regd. No. 66745/96

The search for MH 370 will be completed by February 2017.

AIRBUS

Celebrates Landmark Delivery of 10,000th Jetliner

“Since our earliest day’s innovation has been at the heart of everything we do at Airbus,” said Tom Enders, Airbus Group CEO. “This has seen us develop what is today the world’s most modern and comprehensive aircraft family. And with a strong emphasis on R&T, continuous innovation and product improvement, we will ensure that we remain ahead of the curve, delivering airlines the best our industry has to offer.”

irbus celebrated the delivery of its 10,000th aircraft - an A350-900 for Singapore Airlines, on October 14th in a landmark event in the history of aviation. The European airframer in a few decades has emerged as a major aircraft manufacturer. Airbus delivered its first aircraft, an A300B2, to Air France on 10 May 1974. Initially working exclusively in the widebody sector with the A300 and A310, the manufacturer moved into the single aisle market in the mid-1980s with the launch of the best-selling A320. Setting new standards in aircraft design, technologies introduced on the A320 were subsequently incorporated on the A330 and A340 in the early 1990s, marking the first time that single aisle and widebody aircraft benefitted from similar operational characteristics. India was also an early supporter of Airbus, purchasing A300s and A310’s for Air India and Indian Airlines in the eighties and later placing orders for the Airbus A320 for Indian Airlines in the mid-eighties.

The 10,000 aircraft that was delivered was also the sixth A350-900 for Singapore Airlines, which has a total of 67 on order. The jetliner featured a special “10,000th Airbus” logo, the aircraft will be used to launch the airline’s new non-stop services between Singapore and San Francisco later this month. Airbus is currently maintaining its highest ever production rate and is on track to deliver at least 650 aircraft this year from its extensive product line. The Airbus product line has been regularly enhanced over the years with each subsequent development bringing significant benefits in terms of fuel efficiency, operational reliability and passenger comfort. In recent years this has recently seen the company invest in the A320neo Family, which entered commercial service this year, and the A330neo Family, currently in development and with first delivery planned for the end of 2017. Also under advanced stage of development is the second version of the all-new A350 XWB, the A3501000, which is set for first flight before year end and first delivery in the second half of 2017.The current Airbus product line comprises a total of 16 models spread across four aircraft Families – the A320, A330, A350 XWB and A380. Airbus has recorded over 16,700 orders for its various models and its aircraft are flying today with more than 400 airlines worldwide. The company’s backlog of 6,700 aircraft on order for future delivery is the highest ever recorded by any aircraft manufacturer and represents some 10 years of full production at current rates.

Flight Trax

Flight Test Campaign Underway For New H175 Variant

he flight test campaign for a new configuration of the Airbus Helicopters H175 has commenced. Initial flight-tests of the public services variant of the H175 medium twin-engine helicopter, were successfully completed earlier this month. It also included a demonstration for the Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service (GFS), which was the launch customer for this new variant in September 2015, with an order for seven units. Two additional aircraft will join the flight-test activities in December to support the certification process ahead of a planned entry into service in late 2017. ‘The aircraft offers excellent hovering capabilities and high power margin that make it the ideal helicopter to carry out SAR missions over land or sea. I am particularly impressed by the Human Machine Interface, which significantly enhances flight safety and reduces pilot workload’, said Captain Michael Chan, Controller Head of GFS. A built-in electro-optical system for observation and tracking, along with an enhanced digital map display, will be available on Hong Kong GFS H175s and these will be operated from a console inside the cabin. Airbus Helicopters has also certified Automatic Pilot SAR modes for the H175. n

Atlas Air Orders Nine

767 Passenger To Freighter Conversions From Boeing

oeing has received orders for the conversion of nine 767 passenger airplanes into Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) from Atlas Air Worldwide. The New York based provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services has an all-Boeing fleet. “Boeing has been a longtime and trusted partner as we’ve built our fleet and business,” said President and Chief Executive Officer William J. Flynn, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. Boeing has forecasted a global demand for 400 widebody conversions over the next two decades, with

strong demand for 767 freighter conversions due to a rise in e-commerce. Atlas Air Worldwide is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc. (Atlas), Southern Air Holdings, Inc. (Southern Air) and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc. (Titan), and a majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (Polar). The companies operate all-Boeing fleets, including the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighters. n

China Southern Airlines Orders 12 787-9 Dreamliners

China Southern Airlines has finalised an order of 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at US$3.2 billion (at current list prices). The airline is already China’s largest carrier by fleet size to operate both variants of Dreamliner family and was the Chinese launch customer for the 787. The new 787-9s will be used by China Southern to further increase its capacity on long-haul routes. The airline currently has 10 787-8s in operation, which have allowed China Southern to launch six new non-stop global routes, connecting Guangzhou to London and Rome in Europe, Vancouver in North America, as well as Perth, Auckland and Christchurch in the Oceania area. The 787-9 has a fuselage stretched by 6 meters (20 feet) over the 787-8 and will use 20 percent less fuel and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized airplanes. The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passenger-pleasing features such as large windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride. n 8 | Aviators | October - December 2016

Flight Trax

Electronic Job Sheet & Ground Log in use with Lufthansa Technik

rom now on Lufthansa Technik will document the resolution of defects on aircraft from Lufthansa Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo in electronic form. The electronic job sheet (eJobcard) has already been introduced at all German line maintenance stations, and the Ground Log Book (GLB), a paper-based document, has been replaced with the electronic Ground Log (eGL). The basis is provided by the “Maintenance Log”, an application developed by Lufthansa Technik as part of the “paperless maintenance” program. The application assists aircraft technicians in recording and outputting data, and it can be used on various mobile devices. “Electronic documentation, when used in combination

with mobile devices, requires one-off data entry by the maintenance personnel directly at the site when the information is acquired,” explains Gerald Frielinghaus, head of the “paperless maintenance” program at Lufthansa Technik. With “paperless maintenance”, Lufthansa Technik is not only saving paper, environmental resources, time and money; it is alson accelerating the provision and transmission of information. It also makes some work processes fully obsolete and others, thanks to electronic documentation, more streamlined, clearer, and less prone to error. Superflous data entry is no longer necessary. n

New Airbus Role for

Patrick de Castelbajac

Airbus Group Leadership University Opens in Toulouse

irbus Group has inaugurated the flagship campus for its Leadership University in Toulouse-Blagnac. The campus will take on the role of being the Airbus Group’s creative hub, working on innovative ideas for the future. Totalling 13,000 square meters, the campus is located next to the A380 Final Assembly Line and includes an event centre, an amphitheatre, 12 large learning rooms, an administrative building and a restaurant. n

irbus has announced the appointment of Patrick de Castelbajac as its Company Secretary and Chief of Staff at Airbus from November 1st. He will report to President and CEO of Airbus Fabrice Brégier in his new role and also becomes member of the Airbus Executive Committee. “As former Head of ATR, Patrick is rejoining Airbus bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience. His appointment will provide valuable expertise to Airbus in the current transformation of our company,” said Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO of Airbus. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of ATR, a joint venture between Airbus Group and Italy’s LeonardoFinmeccanica. Christian Scherer (54), has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of ATR and the transition will become effective on November 1, 2016. n October - December 2016 | Aviators | 9

Flight Trax

Combined Vision System Certified on Falcon 2000S / LXS

uropean Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) certification has been accorded to Dassault Aviation’s Combined Vision System –dubbed FalconEye- for use on the Falcon 2000S and LXS twinjet aircraft. Dassault’s new Falcon 8X ultra-long range trijet will also soon be able to offer the FalconEye. FalconEye has been selected on more than 90 percent of Falcon 8X customers and will also be available as an option on both the 8X and the 2000S/LXS. Philippe Rebourg, the Dassault Aviation test pilot, who led the certification flight campaign, says “FalconEye’s SVS function will provide a level of vision quality comparable to that of the most sophisticated fighter HUDs, leading to a substantial improvement in situational awareness and flight safety.” FalconEye completed an exhaustive two-year development, flight test and simulator campaign in April of this year to demonstrate combined SVS/EVS capability in all types of operating service, including fog, mist, snow and other severe weather conditions. FalconEye will eventually be qualified not only for use on a single Head Up Display but also in dual HUD configuration, on the 8X. Falcon 8X Dual HUD approval is anticipated in 2018. n

Russian Type Certification for Embraer E170 and E175

mbraer’s E170 and the E175 jets have been accorded their Russian Type Certificates from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), also known by its Russian acronym MAK. The grant of Type Certificates now paves

the way for the acquisition and operations of the E170 and E175 by Russian Airlines. Embraer had already obtained Russian certification for its E190 and the E195s, which are presently flying with Saratov Airlines (E195). According to John Slattery, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation, “This certification opens new opportunities for the two aircraft types, which have attained significant success in other regions of the world.” Russian is a strong market for airline OEM’s with more than 400 aircraft in the 30 to 130 seat category having an average age exceeding 20 years. The E-Jets are already operations with several nations in Russia’s vicinity – Poland, Finland, Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova – and in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries where Embraer has E-Jets customers in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Ukraine. n

Bombardier Business Aircraft Reorganizes Leadership Team

ombardier Business Aircraft has named Jean-Christophe Gallagher, formerly Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Innovation, as its new Vice President and General Manager, Customer Experience as part of strategic changes being made to its leadership team and organisational structure. Andy Nureddin has been appointed Vice President, Customer Support and Training, while Peter Likoray, formerly Senior Vice President, Sales, is the new Senior Vice President of the newly combined Sales and Marketing organizations.n

10 | Aviators | October - December 2016

Flight Trax

Bell Helicopter

Grows South African Presence

ell helicopter has announced the delivery of the fourth corporate Bell 407GXP helicopter into South Africa, further enhancing its presence in the country. The latest delivery highlights the increasing popularity of the Bell 407GXP in South Africa, where corporate helicopter transport is primarily a single engine aircraft market. “The Bell 407GXP is becoming the aircraft of choice with four deliveries just for South Africa alone since 2015. We have also already received 15 letters of intent for the Bell 505 since its launch,” said Gary Phillips, Executive Director, Helicopter Division, National Airways Corporation which is the authorised Independent Representative for Bell Helicopters in South Africa. “We are seeing success and opportunities for the Bell 407GXP platform across Africa,” said Steve Suttles, Bell Helicopter vice president of sales, Middle East and Africa. “This helicopter is truly versatile and is becoming popular in the corporate transport sector, and we also see increased opportunities for it equipped as a light attack helicopter across the continent.” The versatile Bell 407GXP combines the attributes of reliability, speed, performance and manoeuvrability with an easy to configure cabin that caters for a wide range of missions and payloads. Five club-passenger seats can be accommodated in the spacious cabin with an additional passenger seat being available in the cockpit during single pilot operations. The helicopter can cruise at 133 kts/246 km/h and is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C47B/8 turbine FADEC engine that provides exceptional hot and high performance. n

Rockwell Collins Certifies HGS and EVS for Legacy 450/500

Binter Orders 6 ATR 72-600s

ockwell Collins has announced that its HGS-3500, which is the industry’s first Head-up Guidance System (HGS) developed for mid-size and light business aircraft, has been certified for use on Embraer Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets. R o c k w e l l Collins’ multispectral EVS-3000 enhanced vision system has also been certified for use on the Legacy 450 and 500. This marks the first the certification for the two revolutionary technologies. “The Legacy 450 and 500 flight deck defines innovation and delivers the right balance of pilot and machine interaction,” says Craig Olson, vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. “The certification of the HGS and EVS used on these aircraft is a big step toward the widespread use of head-up vision systems as a primary means of operation.” Aircraft equipped with Rockwell Collins’ HGS and EVS will be able to fly specially approved approaches at airports around the world, allowing for further descent before the final decision to land is made. Rockwell Collins has delivered more than 8,000 HGS displays till date. n

ong-standing European ATR operator, Spanish carrier Binter, will add six additional ATR 72-600s to its fleet, taking its total aircraft orders for the type to eighteen. The new regional transports are being procured as part of a fleet renewal process started by the airline in 2014, when it ordered its first batch of ATR 72600s. The airline has already received four ATR 72-600s, and the aircraft still to be delivered will replace Binter’s remaining 14 ATR 72-500s. Today, ATR is the regional market leader in Europe and Binter’s latest order highlights the important role turboprops will play in supporting Europe’s future regional air connectivity over the next 20 years. “The ATR 72-600, which features navigation systems as those of the most modern Airbus large aircraft, is the most versatile and fuel-efficient aircraft in its category today. It is clearly the best aircraft to continue modernising our fleet, optimising our network, and ensuring future growth opportunities,” said Pedro Agustin del Castillo, President of Binter. According to ATR’s market forecast 2016-2035, the average annual fleet growth within Europe will drive a need for 600 turboprop aircraft to address the Europe’s rising regional and domestic air travel requirements. n October - December 2016 | Aviators | 11

Flight Trax

First U.S-built

70 Years for French Aero Lab ONERA

Arrius 2R Engine Delivered

rench aeronautics and space research laboratory ONERA (Office National d’Etudes et Recherches Aérospatiales) is celebrating its 70th anniversary this month. ONERA is showcasing some of its greatest aeronautics and space achievements in celebration of its 70th year, at various locations in France.

“It is by demonstrating our desire and ability to play a major role in the aerospace future of France and Europe that we obtain, and will obtain, the support that we need,” said Bruno Sainjon, ONERA’s CEO. “To build our future we must turn our gaze towards the future, while remaining proud of what ONERA has achieved during these 70 years,” he added. Approximately 2000 people are employed by ONERA, which is managed under the auspices of the French Ministry of Defence. In excess of 50 percent of the ONERA’s 230-million-euro budget comes from commercial contracts. ONERA has been part of every major civil and military aerospace programs in France, such as: Ariane, Airbus, Falcon, Rafale, missiles, helicopters, engines, radars, etc. ONERA was originally created by the French government in 1946. n

Top Customer Service Rating for Pilatus

Swiss airframer Pilatus has been ranked as the best customer service provider for business turboprop aircraft, for the 15th year in a row. The rating was based on the annual survey by Professional Pilot and Aviation International News magazines, which is sent out to nearly 9,000 operators of turbine aircraft around the world. The survey is considered to be a benchmark for how well Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) support their customers. “We are very pleased to see that our continuous efforts to improve the level of service and support for operators of Pilatus aircraft is being recognized and valued”, says Piotr “Pete” Wolak, Vice President of Customer Support for Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. “With the PC24 entering service next year, we have an even higher goal to aspire to, and together with our global network of Authorized Pilatus Service Centre partners we will take our customer support to the next level.” Pilatus also retained its top ranking in the annual Aviation International News Magazine Product Support Survey, Newer Turboprops category. There are 1420 Pilatus PC-12s flying worldwide today, which have accumulated more than 5,700,000 flight hours. n

12 | Aviators | October - December 2016

The first Arrius 2R engine made in the U.S.A. has been delivered by Safran Helicopter Engines on schedule to Bell Helicopter, marking a major milestone in the 2R programme. Prior to this, Arrius 2R engines were assembled at Safran Helicopter Engines headquarters located at Bordes, in the southwest of France “Safran Helicopter Engines can claim a long and successful partnership with customers in United States, and we are proud to have a member of the Arrius family in production at Grand Prairie. Having this engine produced in the United States will simplify the delivery process to Bell with greatest reactiveness,” says Jean-François Sauer, Arriel & Arrius Programs Vice President.

The Arrius 2R was officially launched at the 2013 Paris Air Show alongside the Bell 505. Engine development has made quick progress and the rigorous evaluation campaign started in April 2014, with its first ground run. The Arrius 2R made its first flight on the Bell 505 in November 2014 and the engine was certified in December 2015. The Arrius 2R will have a 3,000hour Time-Between-Overhaul offered at service entry and more than 3,150 Arrius engines have been sold by Safran, to 430 customers in 60 countries. n

Column

Collaboration Stem Unruly Passenger Incidents Unruly Passengers have become a significant issue 2007–2015

2015

49,084 10,854 reported cases of unruly incidents

reported cases of unruly incidents

1 incident every 1,613 flights

1 incident every 1,205 flights

11%

of reports indicated physical aggression

It is one of the top

safety issues that concern cabin crew

that more effective deterrents are needed. Airlines and airports are guided by core principles developed in 2014 to help prevent and manage such incidents. Be we cannot do it alone. That’s why we are encouraging more governments to ratify the Montreal Protocol 2014,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

The Tokyo Convention was modernized with the Montreal Protocol 2014, closing gaps in the international legal framework dealing with unruly passengers. To date, six states have ratified the Protocol. “More are needed in order to have a consistent global approach to this issue,” said de Juniac.

Also in 2014 the airline industry set out core principles for a balanced, multi-stakeholder strategy for tackling unruly behavior, based around enhancing the of IATA members surveyed considered that unruly international deterrent and more effective prevention passengers have increased in frequency in past 5 years and management of incidents. of airlines had diverted a flight in past 12 months In some countries there has been a focus on the role due to an unruly passenger. of alcohol as a trigger for disruptive behavior. Airlines already have strong guidelines and crew training on the responsible provision of alcohol. IATA is supporting he International Air Transport Association (IATA) initiatives, such as the code of practice pioneered in the released figures showing that reports of unruly UK, which includes a focus on prevention of intoxication passenger incidents onboard aircraft increased in 2015. and excessive drinking prior to boarding. Some 10,854 unruly passenger incidents were reported to Staff in airport bars and duty-free shops must be trained IATA by airlines worldwide last year. This equates to one to serve alcohol responsibly and there is a need to avoid incident for every 1,205 flights, an increase from the 9,316 offers that encourage so-called ‘binge drinking’. Evidence incidents reported in 2014 (or one incident for every 1,282 from an initiative by Monarch Airlines at London’s Gatwick flights). Airport has shown instances of disruptive behavior can be The majority of incidents involved verbal abuse, failure cut 50% with this pro-active approach before passengers’ to follow lawful crew instructions and other forms of anti- board. The industry believes that adopting this cooperative social behavior. A significant proportion (11%) of reports voluntary approach is preferable to heavy-handed indicated physical aggression towards passengers or crew regulation and licensing. or damage to the aircraft. Alcohol or drug intoxication “There is no easy answer to stem the rise in reported was identified as a factor in 23% of cases, though in the unruly behavior. We need a balanced solution in which all vast majority of instances these were consumed prior to stakeholders can collaborate. The industry’s core principles boarding or from personal supply without knowledge of can help to manage the small percentage of passengers the crew. who abuse alcohol. And it must be balanced with efforts “Unruly and disruptive behavior is simply not acceptable. by governments taking advantage of all their deterrence The anti-social behavior of a tiny minority of customers can mechanisms, including those provided through the have unpleasant consequences for the safety and comfort Montreal Protocol 14,” said de Juniac. of all on board. The increase in reported incidents tells us

53% 40%

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 13

Safran and HAL Se

ndian Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar inaugurated Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt. Limited (HE-MRO), a Joint Venture (JV) of Safran and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), in Goa, southwest India on 24 October 2016. The new centre will provide maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters. It will start its activities in 2017 with a capacity of 50 repaired engines a year and a full-capacity goal of 150 in the coming years. By then, the initial staff of 30 will also grow to 100. The JV will support helicopter engines operated by national and international operators from a 1,000 sqm office and a 3,800 sqm shop facility. 14 | Aviators | October - December 2016

tup

T. Suvarna Raju, HAL Chairman and Managing Director said: “HE-MRO reflects the close relationship established over many years between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines. This new MRO centre will improve customer satisfaction through improved serviceability and reduced cycle time” he added. Bruno Even, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, commented “HE-MRO marks a new step in the long-lasting and fruitful partnership between Safran and HAL. We are extremely proud of the continued confidence placed in us by HAL. Together we are committed to delivering world-class support to our customers, both in India and throughout the region”.

Engine MR O G oa

The centre’s capabilities may be enlarged to include other engines as mutually agreed. With a fleet of over 1,000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, India’s armed forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines. Shakti is the Indian designation for the Safran Ardiden 1H1, co-developed with HAL and produced under license. Shakti is fitted to HAL’s ALH/Dhruv and will also power the HAL-designed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The Ardiden 1U variant powers the new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a three-ton single-engine aircraft that made its maiden flight in September 2016.

Safran has maintained a presence in India for over 60 years in its three core markets – aerospace, defense and security. With a workforce of 2,500 domestic employees, its activities range from R&D to design, production and maintenance. Safran now powers and/or equips 65% of Indian airplanes and helicopters, and is the chief supplier of key systems and equipment for the Rafale.

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 15

The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati addressing at the launch of the Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN of MoCA, in New Delhi on October 21, 2016. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha, the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, R.N. Choubey and the Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, A.P. Frank Noronha are also seen.

Civil Aviation Ministry

Launches Regional Connectivity Scheme “UDAN”

he Ministry of Civil Aviation launched its much awaited Regional Connectivity Scheme “UDAN” in New Delhi on 21 October. Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju launched UDAN, which is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market. It is a market-based mechanism in which airlines will be able to bid for seat subsidies. A first-of-its-kind scheme globally, it is expected to lead to growth in affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to more Indian citizens. Speaking on the occasion Raju expressed hope that the first flight under the scheme would be able to take off by January 2017. He said the scheme had been prepared after a lot of stakeholder consultation and called for support from all players to make it a success.t The Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri Jayant Sinha said that the objective of the scheme was “Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik” He said this scheme ensure affordability, connectivity, growth and development. The Centre hopes to be able to expand regional air connectivity and market, with this initiative. The state governments would reap the benefit of development of remote areas, enhance trade and commerce and more 16 | Aviators | October - December 2016

tourism expansion. For incumbent airlines the new initiative offers the promise of new routes and more passengers, while for and start-up airlines there is the opportunity of new, scalable business. Airport operators will also see their business expanding as would global aircraft OEMs, who could hope for greater aircraft sales in India. UDAN will seek to provide connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports and the scheme will be in operation for a period of 10 years. A Regional Connectivity Fund will be created to meet the viability gap funding requirements under the scheme and the RCF levy per departure will be applied to certain domestic flights. The revival of dysfunctional airports and starting operations on un-served airports has been a long standing demand of most States and this will be addressed through UDAN to a large extent. Through introduction of helicopters and small aircraft, it is also likely to significantly reduce travel timings in remote and hilly regions, as well as islands and other areas of the country. As a unique market-based model that seeks to grown regional air connectivity in India, UDAN will allow interested airline and helicopter operators to start

Civil Aviation operations on hitherto un-connected routes by submitting proposals to the Implementing Agency. The operators will also be able to seek a Viability Gap Funding (VGF), apart from getting various concessions. All such route proposals would then be offered for competitive bidding through a reverse bidding mechanism and the route would be awarded to the participant quoting the lowest VGF per Seat. The operator submitting the original proposal would also have the ‘Right of First Refusal’ on matching the lowest bid in case his original bid is within 10% of the lowest bid. The successful bidder would then have exclusive rights to operate the route for a period of three years. Such support would be withdrawn after a three-year period, as by that time, the Ministry expects that the route would become self-sustainable. The selected airline operator would have to provide a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 40 UDAN Seats

(subsidized rates) on the UDAN Flights for operations through fixed wing aircraft and a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 13 Seats on the Flights for operations through helicopters. On each such route, the minimum frequency would be three and maximum of seven departures per week. Route networks would also be encouraged under the scheme to achieve economies of scale and optimal usage of aircraft. The fare for a one-hour journey of approximately 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30-minute journey on a helicopter has been capped at Rs. 2,500 (approx 70 USD) by the Ministry, with proportionate pricing for routes of different stage lengths / flight duration. A financial stimulus in the form of concessions from Central and State governments and airport operators along with VGF provided to the interested airlines to kickoff operations from such airports is expected to maintain affordable passenger fares.

Other Initiatives Being Taken as Part of UDAN • Central Government would provide concessions in the form of reduced excise duty, service tax, permission to trade ASKMs for Non-RCS (UDAN) Seats and flexibility of code sharing at the RCS (UDAN) airports. • State governments will have to lower the VAT on ATF to 1% or less, besides providing security and fire services free of cost and electricity, water and other utilities at substantially concessional rates. • Airport operators shall not impose Landing and Parking charge and Terminal Navigation Landing Charges in addition to discounts on Route Navigation Facility Charges. The partner State Governments (other than North Eastern States and Union Territories where contribution

will be 10 %) would contribute a 20% share to this fund. For balanced regional growth, the allocations under the scheme would be equitably spread across the five geographical regions of the country viz. North, West, South, East and North-east.

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 17

Ushering a New Era in

Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)

“Affordable and Accessible for Everyone”

18 | Aviators | October - December 2016

Aviators Air Rescue took delivery of the first of its three Airbus H130 helicopter at Grand Prairie in the U.S. on August 29, which is a landmark day in the history of Air Ambulance Services in India. It has taken more than a decade of hard work and unceasing toil along with a single minded vision of bringing authentic and tangible HEMS services to India by Aviators.

“Aviators will provide the people of India with emergent, high-quality air medical services that will be affordable and accessible for everyone,” said Arun Sharma, Managing Director of Aviators Air Rescue. “We will provide the high level of service that AMGH is known for in the U.S.” October - December 2016 | Aviators | 19

A SPECIAL DAY : Capt. Arun Sharma (MD Aviators Air Rescue) and Fred Buttrell (CEO AMGH) during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the handover of the first H130 Helicopter for Aviators Air Rescue, Mike Platt (CEO LCI) looks on.

hile engaging in learning experiences through interaction with HEMS market leaders in US and Europe on the one hand, Aviators has been at the forefront of efforts in India to bring about and raise awareness regarding the peculiarities of the regulatory framework that is necessary to support HEMS operations. Aviators selected the best partner to suit its needs, settling on Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), a Texas based air medical support and HEMS provider in U.S., once the necessary regulations were in place. AMGH will provide the technical expertise and oversee operational standards and, with its experience in HEMS, is expected to ensure that HEMS operations move up the learning curve in India at a rapid pace and with the highest levels of safety. “AMGH and Aviators are delighted that the Airbus Helicopters team responded to the challenge of quickly producing these specially-equipped H130 helicopters for service in India,” said AMGH CEO Fred Buttrell. “Our company has an outstanding track record of providing 20 | Aviators | October - December 2016

safe, high-quality air medical transport services and we will join with Aviators to bring life-saving service to the people of India.” Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, AMGH is a leading provider of air ambulance programs throughout the U.S., transporting more than 80,000 patients annually through its subsidiaries, which include three helicopter EMS providers: Med-Trans Corp; Air Evac Life Team, and Reach Air Medical Services. “We congratulate AMGH and Aviators on pioneering HEMS services in India. Airbus Helicopters will provide end-to-end support to Aviators with its India-based support and services team. Our focus will be to ensure the mission-readiness of the aircraft at all times since we understand the importance of aircraft availability for the success of this critical mission.” said Xavier Hay, President of Airbus Helicopters in India. Aviators Air Rescue will launch its services in the Southern region of India, which comprises of 250 million people. The first three H 130s are to be located in Bengaluru, Hyderabad

Special Report and Kochi. However, future plans envisage larger twin-engine helicopters as the platform of choice for expansion of Aviatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ambitious plan to provide life-saving air ambulance services across the entire geographical extent of India. India, with a population of more than 1.2 billion residents at the moment has few, if any, dedicated Emergency Medical Support (EMS) helicopters in the country. However, in a landmark move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, recently adopted rules permitting the operation of air ambulance services with the more efficient and affordable single-engine helicopter EMS operations. Comparatively, the U.S. has a population of 321 million people already served by more than 1,500 EMS helicopters. The coverage is planned to be provided under several options through state governments, rescue groups, hospitals, clinics, individual (and family) subscriptions and public and private companies. These disparate possibilities have only one objective, and that is to provide easy and affordable access to HEMS for everybody in India. While previous models of air ambulance and HEMS were sporadic and uncommitted, Aviators aims to provide an assured, high quality and reliable service to anyone who subscribes to it through any of the attractive options made available. The service is expected to commence in the last quarter of 2016 and holds the promise of revolutionising the way India looks at health care in general and air ambulance in particular. HISTORIC MOMENT : Capt. Arun Sharma (MD Aviators Air Rescue), Fred Buttrell (CEO AMGH) and Mike Platt (CEO LCI) with first set of Aviators Air Rescue pilots. Standing from Left Capt. B. K. Bhaskaran and Capt. Nikhil Saolapurkar Below : Capt. Premjith Parameswaran, Capt. A Nanda Kumar, Capt. M N Vikas, Capt. Amitabh Dey (Chief Pilot)

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 21

Special Report To add considerable value to its air ambulance product, Aviators has also signed operational and medical support agreements all the leading super speciality hospital chains like, Apollo, Fortis, Narayana Hrudalaya, M&M Hospitals, Care Hospital Sakra and many others to take patients to

Airbus Helicopter H130 for Air Ambulance Services in India The H130s that have been produced for India and will be operated by Aviators Air Rescue are fitted with dual-pilot flight controls as required by Indian law. Aviators Air Rescue has also chosen to equip its H130s with state-of-the-art specialized emergency medical care equipment. The helicopters were sold and will be equipped by Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Grand Prairie, USA. Considered the global reference for single-engine helicopter air ambulance missions, the Airbus Helicopters H130 is, offers a twin-engine size cabin with single-engine economics. Easy and unobstructed full-body access to care for patients is possible and the wide, unobstructed cabin has large hinged and sliding doors for rapid patient loading and unloading. The flat floor of the H130 provide a flexible cabin environment capable of accommodating up to three medical crew and specialty team equipment required to care for complex patients. The low interior sound levels of the H130 are also important considerations for air ambulance services.

22 | Aviators | October - December 2016

these locations for immediate care. Hospital and private road ambulances will provide for first and last mile services in South India where Aviators HEMS service is being launched in the first phase.

Aviators Air Rescue has Partnered with Leading US Air Ambulance Services provider Air Medical Group Holdings The strategic partner for the Aviators Air Rescue Service is Dallas-based AMGH, a leading provider of air ambulance programs throughout the United States. It transports more than 80,000 patients annually through its subsidiaries, which include three helicopter EMS providers: Med-Trans Corp; Air Evac Life Team, and Reach Air Medical Services. AMGH offers an array of customized air and ground medical program designs. The company’s large fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft rapidly deliver teams of highly trained professionals to patients, striving to provide the patient with the best possible outcome. AMGH is a holding of KKR, a leading global investment firm with significant holdings in the aviation and helicopter industries Aviation Industry Veteran, Fred Buttrell who is the Chief Executive Officer of AMGH, has been at the helm of this leading air ambulance provider for quite a few years now. He graduated from the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy in 1985 and Buttrell has been involved in aviation for more than 30 years in several different leadership capacities. He left the US Air Force as a Captain in 1994 and amongst the roles that he undertook while in the USAF; include a role as a mission commander during Desert Storm/Operation Southern Watch with 100% success rate and no losses. He was also chosen to brief the President of the United States on the F-15E combat systems and awarded Top Gun of his fighter squadron. Prior to joining Med-Trans’ Fred had spent 10 years in the commercial airline industry, becoming President and CEO of Comair Airlines, Inc and

CEO of Delta Connection. Med-Trans Corp, an AMGH subsidiary is the largest independent provider of emergency air medical services in the United States based on transport volumes and has 219 base locations spread across 32 states in the USA. MedTrans with its strong patient first, mission driven culture has today grown to approximately 4,500 non-union professionals, including 850 plus pilots, 830 registered nurses, 1,000 paramedics, 350 emergency medical technicians and 400 mechanics focused on transporting and caring for critically ill patients Med-Trans operates a fleet of 273 aircraft, comprising 239 helicopters and 34 airplanes. It is also the seventh largest commercial helicopter operator globally and the largest commercial operator of Bell helicopters in the world. The entire aircraft fleet at Med-Trans is 100 percent night vision goggle (NVG) operational. Med-Trans operates 204 single engine helicopters and 35 twin engine helicopters. MedTrans owns almost 65 percent of the fleet, which makes it the largest owned fleet in the U.S. air medical industry. The company is valued as an integrated, one-call provider for all forms of emergent and non-emergent patient and organ transports. It also has the Industry’s largest membership program with over 1.4 million members and has partnered with over 3,500 diverse referring agencies in the USA. These include rural and community hospitals, 911 services, ground ambulance emergency medical service (“EMS”) and first responder organizations such as fire and police departments. October - December 2016 | Aviators | 23

Air Ambulance

Affordable and Accessible for Everyone Air Ambulance Services are a vital necessity for India Around the world Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) companies, some with fleets of close to 500 helicopters are saving lives every minute. In India, HEMS is at the inception stage and, although there has been some dabbling by helicopter operators in the past, Aviators Air Rescue is the first real Indian HEMS service provider and it looks at the future of HEMS in India with pride from its first mover position, anxious enthusiasm to serve a noble social cause, and cheerful optimism about the future of HEMS in India. 24 | Aviators | October - December 2016

laring sirens and flashing lights on roads are so much a part of life that we take them for granted, sparing hardly a thought unless affected personally. Road ambulance vehicles go about their life-saving chores, noisily and conspicuously, all the time. Perhaps even more momentously (but not so evidently manifest) are rotary wing machines busy up in the skies above us, reaching congested sections of roads and highways or remote and inaccessible terrains and swiftly accessing accident sites to rescue casualties in critical conditions, patients needing better medical facilities than extant near them, and persons unfortunate enough to be afflicted by life threatening medical conditions, to transport them through the medium of the air to the promise of saving life and limb. Air ambulance is thus a term that represents hope and cheer for those caught in medical emergencies at locales away from suitable and required remedial care. Occasionally, air ambulance is employed to bring succour (in the form of replacement organs, qualified doctors, or life-saving or life-sustaining equipment) to the person needing it. October - December 2016 | Aviators | 25

Air Ambulance Feature In this role, helicopters, as anyone can guess, have a distinct design advantage over fixed wing airplanes in as much as their ability to take off and land vertically permits them access to areas with no runways or airstrips (which are a must for fixed wing airplanes to land). All that they need is an open space to land with little or no preparation thus giving them access to virtually any place in any kind of terrain. Moreover, their ability to hover is another huge bonus as it permits them to virtually remain stationary above a site they cannot land on for some reason so that a patient or an accident victim can be winched up to the safety of the hovering machine. Once on board, the rescued person is minutes away from life-saving medical care. It is also important to note that an air ambulance or medical helicopters are not a substitute for the role performed by ground ambulance services and is an “an incremental improvement, expanded capability and enhanced accessibility, not a replacement service,” according to a survey by the UK government. However,

safe and efficient conduction of the HEMS role involved close co-ordination with a number of agencies for the safe conclusion of a patient pick-up and transfer. This includes government bodies, the police and civic authorities and of course the various regulatory authorities involved. India enjoys a unique blend of mountains, deserts, coastline and a huge forest cover; it faces an equally unique challenge of providing search and rescue and HEMS in such a vast and varied landscape, especially in far flung corners of the country. There are instances where helicopters are not available in the vicinity and have to be flown in from distant locations. Even when these helicopters reach the patient, they are only equipped to administer First Aid as they are not configured to offer specialized medical treatment. Therefore, it is critical for a country like India to make concerted efforts to develop HEMS and it is heartening to note that there is now genuine progress being made by the Government and all concerned stake holders towards the growth of Air Ambulance Services in India.

A heart attack, possibly the most commonplace age-related organ failure, can lead to certain death unless attended to by a trained medical person using the right life sustaining equipment. Usually the grace period accorded by nature to a heart attack victim is around an hour, referred to as the ‘Golden Hour’ during which proper ministrations by a doctor could mean the difference between life and death. Depending on how far from appropriate medical care and attention a heart attack (or any other life endangering event or accident) occurs, in a large number of cases, an airlift by a helicopter to suitable facility is the only solution. When dealing with victims of a stroke, heart attack or multiple traumatic injuries, their lives hang in the balance and there is not a second to loose. Compared to a ground ambulance, a helicopter can travel approximately two miles (3.2 km) a minute, so is able to reach the accident site quicker, as the speed of a helicopter is approximately 180 to 200 kmph. As a comparison the speed of traffic in the most congested Indian cities is approximately 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 km) per hour. 26 | Aviators | October - December 2016

Air Ambulance Feature

or f o i r a cen S n a i Ind

ir mbulance Services

In most emergencies time is of essence, for instance in the case of a heart attack, getting the victim to medical care within the ‘golden hour’, could literally be a life and death situation. This CAR was later superseded. Meanwhile, Aviators, guided by Captain Arun Sharma’s vision of a meaningful, comprehensive and socially useful HEMS service, worked untiringly to bring about a change in the mind set about helicopter operations in general and HEMS operations in particular.

n August this year Congress President Sonia Gandhi had to be brought from Varanasi to Delhi by a charter flight as no air ambulance could be hired at short notice. This incident serves as an illustration of the acute shortfall of air ambulance services in India. In some cases, even when an aircraft is available to airlift a patient, its flight may not be possible as the patient needs to be airlifted out of a small airport which has limited duration of operation confined to a few hours during daytime. While metros and some other airports work around the clock, it is not metros from where an air ambulance needs to go out (as a metro would have the best of medical aid available). On the other hand, air ambulance services from small

airports remain largely day time efforts as hardly any small airport operates at night. A fatal accident of a Pilatus PC12 belonging to Air Charter Services in May 2011 which was transporting a patient from Patna to Delhi raised some issues about air ambulance services in India. Indeed, the Committee of Inquiry brought out that, “Absence of specific regulation addressing issues such as mentioned above raises question about the safety of these flights, particularly given the challenging missions they fly and the destinations they serve. Considering the rapid growth in this sector, there was an urgent need for the specific regulation”. October - December 2016 | Aviators | 27

International Scenario for

Air Ambulance Services

ecessity has often spawned innovative ideas; civilian air ambulances originated in Australia, Canada and the Scandinavian countries where some remote areas remain inaccessible by road for several months every year. Graduating from the ad hoc â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bush flyingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; variety of small aircraft, air ambulance services started getting organised in the early 1920s, with Sweden establishing a standing air ambulance system and Australia establishing the first formal, full-time air ambulance service called the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1928. Since then air ambulance services, driven by the necessity of saving lives and supported by emerging technologies, have grown phenomenally. In the US, Schaefer Air Service was the first air ambulance founded in 1947; becoming the first air ambulance service to be certified as such by US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). With the emergence of paramedicine (the domain of practice that represents the intersection of health care, public health, and public safety), air ambulance services have moved away from just transportation of the critically ill or injured to providing high-quality medical care (or vice versa) to emergency medical care service providers, dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care, transport to definitive care, and medical transport to patients with illnesses and injuries which prevent the patient from transporting themselves. In the US today an organisation called the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) is engaged in improving the quality of patient care and safety of the transport environment for services providing 28 | Aviators | October - December 2016

rotary wing, fixed wing and ground transport systems. CAMTS has set standards to be accomplished by emergency medical service providers for them to be accredited to the Commission: these include a number of factors when deciding whether to accredit a company, including patient care, medical personnel education, medical equipment, pilots, maintenance staff, communication centres and management. Emergency medical services (EMS), thus, are in the nature of a mature service industry that has grown impressively in qualitative terms while it continues to grow quantitatively. Its scope has grown to include moving patients to and from healthcare facilities, and transporting urgently needed organs, drugs and equipment while airborne facilities have included Intensive Care and Intensive Cardiac Care Units. The major companies that have made a mark in this domain are Air Medical Group Holdings, Air Methods, AMR, PHI, Rega, DRF, ADAC Service GmbH, REVA Air Ambulance, FAI, Capital Air Ambulance, Native American Air Ambulance, Lifeguard Ambulance, MED FLIGHT, Scandinavian Air Ambulance, Airmed International, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, JAIC and Deer Jet. Use of both, fixed wing and rotary wing craft, is made by these service providers depending on the individual requirement of each emergency, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location, time sensitivity, the accessibility of the intended evacuee and so on. While fixed wing services represent faster transportation from one airstrip or runway to another, they are incapable of landing where an airstrip or runway does not exist.

Air Ambulance Services B

Have proven their Life Saving Utility World Over

arring a few pinpointed studies, statistics suggest that critical patients/casualties transported to a hospital using an air ambulance service have higher survival rate than those moved by road transport. Moreover, all super specialty facilities are located in the largest of cities where road traffic is already quite overflowing and disorderly, making a road trip by an ambulance a speculative issue. If the transportee is a highway accident casualty, the chances are that he is far from a city anyway and would need to be taken to a hospital in the shortest possible time which may be possible only by a helicopter landing on the highway (with traffic police clearing a landing place) or by the side of the highway if the terrain permits. Avoiding wastage of time traversing difficult road traffic, a helicopter can quickly deliver the patient or casualty to the intended medical facility. In the same vein, patients or casualties from remote, rural locations would take a long time to reach a good hospital in emergencies; helicopters can serve as the life-saving panacea. In case of a heart attack or traumatic accident, there is an urgent need to take the victim to a hospital within the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Golden Hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;--- described by emergency care specialists as the time after an occurrence during which half of all deaths occur. That is where HEMS comes in; while a helicopter is not a medical or therapeutic device, and is not the same as a hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), it represents the means for rapid delivery of advanced medical treatment to critically ill and injured patients (or vice versa), thus decreasing the time between the accident (or onset of a critical medical condition) and arrival at a hospital. A HEMS helicopter, depending on its configuration, has first aid facilities as well as a variety of life support equipment to provide intermediate care during transit to a hospital. Patients requiring oxygen support, cardiac support or intravenous infusion equipment can be carried under efficient and complete supervision of specialist, medical or paramedical staff. Some HEMS helicopters also offer ICU support with complete medical administration in case of extreme urgencies to stretcher patients with ergonomically designed seating for the medical team permitting full access to the patient. In terms of responsiveness, the helicopter can travel at a high speed of up to 240 kmph in a straight line between two points separated by geographical barriers, long road distances, hilly terrain, narrow and crowded bridges, traffic jams, tunnels, twisting roads and other impediments. Thus, when being transported by a HEMS helicopter, all these potential delay factors do not affect the transportation of the casualty to his medical destination. According to a study, HEMS helicopter evacuation was associated with a threefold reduction in mortality as compared to transportation by road. Mortality was significantly lower in the HEMS group (12 %) than in the two road transport groups (38 % and 32 %). This contrast is not only due to the speed of transportation but also attributable to the better quality of care in transit possible due to smoother and more stable platform as compared to a road ambulance. The HEMS advantage is evident and unarguable.

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 29

Air Ambulance Feature Since that accident, regulation has indeed made some progress but organised, dedicated and adequate air ambulance services have remained a distant dream. Where air ambulance does exist, the numbers are far short of the figures that would be reasonable for the local population. While the government has not stepped into this sector in a noticeable way (Indian state sponsored welfare is still a long distance from such indulgences), some hospitals have made attempts to have medical evacuation by air available to its client base. According to one estimate, the requirement of medical evacuations into Delhi from smaller towns around, based on the availability of super speciality hospitals in Delhi, is around 6-8 per day. However, less than half that number is actually brought to consummation, the others being

afflicted by non-availability of aircraft, inadequate medical equipment facilities inside the aircraft, lack of qualified medical crew, operating night conditions and delayed reaction to requests. Cost can also become an inhibiting factor in some cases where decision on the liability leads to life-consuming procrastination. In some cases, considerable delays are incurred due to the fact that the requisitioned air ambulance has to come from the nearest metro; the delay could be even longer if the aircraft used is in passenger configuration and has to be first re-configured for medical evacuation. As is evident from the foregoing, there are not many dedicated air ambulance configured aircraft in India. This is applicable to rotary wing air ambulance craft as well and there existed a distinct vacuum there which needed to be filled. Aviators Air Rescue is all set to do that.

Regulatory Framework for Air Ambulances in India India’s Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) has had a Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) since 2005, which stipulated the operational and other requirements mandatory for these services. However, this CAR did not specifically address the peculiar requirements of HEMS operations such as the need to take off immediately in response to a distress call. The CAR specifically did not take “The Golden Hour” into account, which is the most important factor during an emergency.

Parallels from US and Europe were paraded before DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), before slowly and gradually changes became possible in regulatory frameworks relating to HEMS. In March 2015, a new CAR was promulgated on the subject of Air Ambulance services and in February 2016, a new CAR on Operation of Aeromedical Transportation and a new Operations Circular on HEMS. Needless to say, substantial inputs were provided by Aviators for the staffing and drafting of these two regulations.

Some changes still need to be brought about to make HEMS work potently and Aviators is striving hard to get those too into place. The Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations, for example, need some tweaking to be customised for HEMS operations which envisage crew on standby duties for fairly long periods with either a short HEMS flight (or none) in a full duty period. As there are no statistics to be used for what quantum of flights may be expected in proportion to duty periods, formulation of FDTL regulations needs to be specifically addressed. Similarly, the freedom of a HEMS helicopter to be able to take off as soon as a distress call is received is another area that is of essence to HEMS operations but it has now been addressed in the new civil aviation policy. Night operations are another area where there is a lot of resistance to HEMS helicopters being permitted to land in unfamiliar terrain on unprepared surfaces. 30 | Aviators | October - December 2016

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October - December 2016 | Aviators | 31

Current Air Ambulance

Offerings and Operators in India The quality and quantity of air ambulance services in a country are an indicator of the importance given to human life and social welfare.

y this rationale, government sponsored or backed air ambulance should be the first such service to be launched if the establishment wants to proffer such services and if it can afford it. Unfortunately, State involvement has not yet reached either of these two pre-conditions although some state governments have shown interest in doing so. In March this year, the Kerala government launched an air ambulance service and promised to bear its expenses. However, even before the service was launched, controversy clouded it due to questions on the selection process, the agency chosen and the aircraft type selected for the purpose. It was later discovered that the aircraft intended for the use was neither equipped, nor even suitable to conduct any medical operations! Another model which animates air ambulance in the U.S. and Europe is health insurance which supports medical evacuation in a big way. Many insurance companies provide a less than adequate cover for the service which is approximately 10% of the sum insured. Hence to cover the cost of the charter air ambulance one would have to have a minimum of Rs. 50 Lac coverage to get a Rs. 5 Lac Air Ambulance cover. Insurance has not been fully supportive of air evacuation so far, also possibly because of the lack of qualified HEMS operators who would follow systems and processes in providing proper care for the patient during transportation. There are air charter companies which carry out passenger charters as well as medical evacuations; changing their configuration on demand from passenger seating to stretcher version and vice versa as required. Delhi 32 | Aviators | October - December 2016

has half a dozen each of air charter companies that can undertake air ambulance tasks if required and, reportedly, each operator gets 10-15 requests for medical evacuation every day. Aeromed International Rescue Services carries out one medical flight per day on an average. Mumbai, on the other hand, has far fewer aircraft and far less medical flights as compared to Delhi. As of now there is no dedicated air ambulance configured aircraft (with life support equipment permanently installed and certified). Given Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast expanse and large population, the demand for medical flights is substantial but a large number of bids do not materialise into actual evacuation due to non-availability of suitable aircraft, airport operational hours and cost. Helicopter Medical Emergency Services (HEMS) could arguably be said to have started in a shaky manner in 2012 when Ajit Singh, the then Minister of Civil Aviation, inaugurated an Agusta Westland A 109 helicopter with an apt tail marking (VT-ICU) for OSS, a Delhi based company The helicopter was positioned in Vydehi Hospital in Bangalore but somehow the plans for expansion of the OSS HEMS model did not make desired and targeted progress. Despite support from Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI), HEMS services have remained stunted so far and there was a vacuum waiting to be filled which is now being plugged by Aviators Air Rescue. There is no doubt that, given Aviatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; long standing and experience in the aviation industry, backed by its comprehensive and professional approach to HEMS, a large section of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s populace stands to benefit in this respect in the future.

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 33

Air Ambulance Services Will Aid in

Organ Transportation In India, the demand for organ transplantation far exceeds the supply of suitable organs and around 5,00,000 people are estimated to be awaiting organs. This situation is projected to get worse as life expectancy increases and the number of old age persons needing transplants increases. More often than not, the person needing a replacement organ is not at the same place as the location of the donated organ. That is where transportation of organs poses a 34 | Aviators | October - December 2016

challenge surmounting which could save a life and, if not managed well, could cost a precious life. Fortis Organ Retrieval and Transplant (FORT) recently hosted (in Gurgaon) Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first national summit on best practices in organ and tissue donation and addresses, et al, the problems and challenges that beset organ transportation, whether by air or by road.

Air Ambulance Feature The problem of organ transportation is rendered significant by the fact that, due to various reasons like lack of awareness, superstition, religious inhibitions and so on, very few Indians donate their organs. Hence, the probability of finding a required organ close by is low; transportation by air offers the solution to the problem. HEMS helicopters, equipped with suitable storage space and manned by medical or paramedical personnel, are an ideal way out. Locating the required organ can be another challenge but gradually awareness is coming about in the establishment of this problem and solutions are certain to follow in the near future. Recently, Maharashtra stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s department of medical education has tied up with Tata Trust to launch an online registry for organ donations. Such steps will lead to simplifying the system for donating and receiving organs by reducing the formalities, time and money required to affect a transplant. This year August 13 was celebrated as Organ Donation Day with a new drive to create awareness and educate the general public about deceased organ donation. A single brain dead person can, depending on his state of health, donate up to 37 organs (including two kidneys, heart, lung, skin, bone and tissues) and possibly save ten to twelve organ donees needing a transplant. According to one estimate, only 2 to 3 percent of the demand for kidneys and livers is met every year and the requirement continues to rise. However, the time factor is critical to organ transportation; as an illustration, a heart can survive for around four hours and so, once removed from the donor must reach not just the hospital where the done is, but the doneeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body within that critical time period. While some big cities have precedents of having established temporary green corridors for ambulance vehicles transporting urgently needed organs by road from one facility to another within the city, at times these corridors also become essential for timesensitive organ consignments to be transferred from a hospital to the nearest airport or helipad. Of course, those hospitals which have had the foresight to keep space for ground level or roof top helipads are the ones which would not be hampered in their organ transportation plans whenever one becomes n e c e s s a r y. M o d e r n hospitals keep this in mind for their design and that is where HEMS promises to make a literally healthy c ont r i but i on to organ transportation w i t h i n meaningful time periods.

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 35

The Role of Military in

Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Indian defence services have, as one of their peacetime roles, humanitarian aid to civil authorities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; state and central. While fixed wing aircraft may be involved in transporting bulk supplies of food and relief material from one city to another smaller one near which a calamity has occurred, the real tactical work is assigned more to helicopters which have the capability of landing in unprepared or partially prepared sites close to the locales needing succour. In 2015 excessive rainfall over a short period in parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh resulted in frantic request for Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters by both state governments. Mi-17 helicopters were deployed by the IAF in prompt response and innumerable lives saved as a result over a period of five days of operations. Thirteen helicopters operated under difficult conditions, in rain and in marginal weather. Flying 195 sorties, they airlifted 450 stranded people, including women, infants and senior citizens; they also dropped 37 tons of relief material such as food and water. 36 | Aviators | October - December 2016

Details of military missions in aid of civil authorities when disaster strikes are available in plenty; some of the recent ones being Tsunami relief, flood relief every year in some part of the country or the other, and the two instances related above. In principle, the joint arrangement between civilian and military organisations is that military assistance is asked for and provided only when all civilian resources have been exhausted. Thereafter it is just a question of optimally utilising military and civilian resources to achieve the best results. Aviators Air Rescue has a pilot recruitment policy that favours pilots with operational military service as the nature of operations that Aviators foresees for its helicopters is likely to be tough, risky and dangerous. The military background of Aviators crew will ensure that missions are executed with cool professionalism, task orientation and survival of the helicopter and its crew as top most priorities.

Air Ambulance Feature Even more spectacular military missions were flown in 2013 as a part of Operation Rahat for relief operations in Uttarakhand. Responding to the state government request for aid, IAF responded to the challenge with characteristic speed and resolve, deploying 45 helicopters of eight different types, operating from eight different locations. Even the Sarang helicopter aerobatic team was inducted to provide aid. Makeshift helipads were constructed in record time, and on occasion, personnel were even winched down to create air operations facilities. These forward locations were operationalised by positioning fuel and Air Traffic Control facilities. A Mi-26 was pressed into service to ferry entire fuel bowsers to forward locations while a C-130 aircraft was employed to innovatively induct fuel, essential for sustenance of relief operations. Mobile Air Traffic Control vans were inducted at Dharasu and Gauchar. By the time the Operation ended, IAF had undertaken 3536 missions, airlifted 23892 civilians and carried nearly 800 tons of valuable relief material over a period of 65 days.

Disaster Management In June this year Prime Minister Modi unveiled Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) designed to tackle national disasters and reduce loss of life and damage to property during national calamities. The NDMP outlines 15 types of disasters and provides a framework for dealing with prevention, mitigation, response and recovery from them. India has witnessed in the past how helicopters have become indispensable to the processes dealing with management of disasters. In a majority of the cases, there is a complete collapse of road and rail transportation leading to huge difficulty in movement of men and material for relief. Communications could also break down leading to further chaos and confusion and the establishment can ill afford to first form a clear picture of the nature and extent of the disaster before launching helicopter support. Inevitably, helicopters get called out at the very onset of a major national disaster and indeed, their presence at the disaster site provides a clearer picture of the disaster. HEMS helicopters can be deployed to great advantage in national disasters; indeed, the more widespread the extent of the disaster, the higher is the life-saving value of HEMS helicopters. However, in the conditions described above, there is always the danger of suitable helipads October - December 2016 | Aviators | 37

Air Ambulance Feature becoming affected by the natural calamity (floods, cloudbursts, landslides etc.), thus making helicopter operations difficult and dangerous. While air ambulance and HEMS are dealt with in specific regulations issued by DGCA, its Operations Circular 7/2013 deals with ‘Utilisation of Helicopters In Disaster Management’ --- a recognition of the fact that helicopters, especially those equipped and designed for HEMS are invaluable to providing relief in a disaster situation in more ways than one. Helicopters could be utilised for casualty evacuation, rescuing stranded people, search and rescue, resupply of stranded people, transporting medical aid to those who cannot be rescued straightaway, and in some sorrowful incidences, extracting human remains from disaster sites. Of course, the Circular reminds all that during Uttarakhand flood management, four helicopters (three civilian and one Indian Air Force) were lost in addition to 20 lives resulting from helicopter accidents.

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This Circular was issued before the air ambulance one but the spirit of its exhortation to strike the correct balance between air safety and mission accomplishment serves to remind all helicopter operators and especially those employed on HEMS duties, to not get carried away by the sentiment of ‘mercy mission’. DGCA, being a regulatory authority, is not a part of the National or any State Disaster Management Authority; these authorities can requisition helicopters when disaster strikes and possibly the first helicopters requisitioned would be HEMS ones as they are eminently suitable for tasks related to disaster management. When that happens, HEMS can make significant contribution by saving lives in substantial numbers. In this context, HEMS takes on another attribute and, from a service to cater to individual casualties or patients in normal every day life, becomes an instrument of mass relief catering to the large scale requirements predicated to a national disaster.

FOR ROUTINE MISSIONS THAT ARE

ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE. AT LOCKHEED MARTIN, WE’RE ENGINEERING A BETTER TOMORROW. From resupply and combat delivery to aerial refueling, search and rescue, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and nearly anything else the job calls for, no aircraft in history comes close to matching the versatility, flexibility and reliability of the C-130J. The Super Hercules routinely carries all the cargo and troops you need to places other aircraft can’t go. And with more than 1.2 million proven flight hours, there’s a reason operators around the world still say, “The question isn’t what can a Herc do; it’s what can’t a Herc do.” Learn more at lockheedmartin.com/c130j

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 39

40 | Aviators | October - December 2016

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 41

Two Decades of Success for H135

Airbus Helicopter celebrates 20 years of H135 light twin operations Airbus Helicopters is celebrating two decades of operations with the H135 light twin, multi-mission helicopter in 2016. Twenty years after its entry into service and thanks to continuous evolution, the H135 has significantly extended its performance and mission capabilities. “Over two decades and four million flight hours, the H135 has established itself as the utility helicopter of choice worldwide thanks to its proven track record in safety, availability and flexible configuration,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “Today, the evolved and upgraded H135 plays a key role supporting our customers’ success fulfilling the mission requirements for public service, military, corporate and offshore roles,” he added. Recent orders show that the H135 is still going strong. In May 2016, Airbus Helicopters was selected as Aircraft Service Provider to deliver 28,000 flight hours per year from a fleet of 29 H135s and 3 H145s for the UK Military Flying Training System’s rotary wing solution. A month later on June 13, a consortium of Chinese companies purchased 100 H135 units, underlining the growing demand for this helicopter model in Asia. This purchase 42 | Aviators | October - December 2016

will lead to the establishment of a H135 final assembly line in Qingdao in Shandong province. During a press event at Helitech, Steffen Lutz, CEO of German rescue organization DRF Luftrettung said: “As launch customer of the H135 in 1996, we can now look back on twenty years of rescue operations with this helicopter. The H135 has proven a safe and reliable workhorse and enabled us to save thousands of lives. We have had first-hand experience of the benefits brought by the performance and mission improvements introduced by Airbus Helicopters over the past two decades, and they have proved critical when we put them to use daily in our most demanding HEMS missions. As a long-term operator of the H135 family, we are particularly looking forward to receiving the new Helionix-equipped version in 2017.” The latest version of the H135, which entered into service in December 2014 under the name EC135 T3/P3, offers more than 200 kilograms of additional payload with a greater maximum range in “hot and high” conditions – a clear advantage over other rotorcraft in the same category.

Rotary Wing Previous versions of the helicopter can also be brought to the aircraft’s latest standards through retrofits. As the most recent development, the avionics suite Helionix® by Airbus Helicopters with a 4-axis autopilot will be available from the autumn of 2016, reducing the pilots’ workload to further increase flight safety. While the H135 continuously gained in performance and payload, the costs for the aircraft remained stable. Today, the H135 has the lowest Direct Maintenance Costs (DMC) of its class. Today, more than 300 customers in 75 countries operate the H135 for a wide range of missions including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), law enforcement, corporate transport, offshore wind and military flight training. The integration of Airbus Helicopter’s Helionix avionics suite underlines the constant development of the H135. The

cockpit system with 4-axis-autopilot – which already equips the H175 and H145 family - will further reduce pilots’ workload and provides an unrivalled level of safety. The H135 with Helionix will receive certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in the coming weeks. Ascent Flight Training will be the first recipient of a fleet of 29 Helionix-equipped H135s, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, as part of the UK’s Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS). The H135 will continue to set standards worldwide in the frame of the company’s global strategy. Following the partnership agreement with a consortium of Chinese companies who purchased 100 H135 in June 2016, the light-twin helicopter is now set to burst into the Chinese market with its outstanding EMS Multi-Mission capabilities.

The light twin-engine H135 has completed some 4 million flight hours since its entry into the market in 1996, with almost 1,200 units delivered to more than 300 operators in 60 countries. During two decades it has proven that there is no mission beyond its capacity: emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, corporate transport, wind park maintenance, military training. And it is adding more. Safran which provides its Arrius 2B Engine Family for the Airbus Helicopters H135 is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the entry-into-service of the H135 light twin. The first EC135, powered by Safran engines, was delivered in 1996. “It is a great aircraft that over the years has demonstrated excellent performance coupled with low operating costs. We are proud to be onboard its latest variant with our Arrius 2B2Plus,” said Bruno Even, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO. The EC135 made its maiden flight on 15 February 1994, powered by two Arrius 2B engines. Certified on 28 May 1996, the 2B was the first engine to enter service on the rotorcraft and the latest evolution of the engine the Arrius 2B2Plus entered service in 2014. Delivering increased power at take-off and during hot and high missions compared to the earlier 2B2 version, the Arrius 2B2Plus also delivers lower direct operating costs and has one of the highest TBO in its class (4000 hours). In 2015, Norwegian Air Ambulance changed to this engine for its new H135 fleet. DRF Luftrettung also selected the 2B2Plus to power its three new H135. Last July, Safran also won the confidence of the UK MoD, by being selected to power a new H135 military training fleet under the MFTS program. More than 500 H135 are powered by Safran Arrius 2B1, 2B2 and 2B2Plus engines are in operation today.

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 43

Bell 407GT Helicopter Takes Back the Night from Poachers in South Africa “As a South African, I wanted make a difference and help save the Rhino species from extinction,” said Fred Hees, President of BBM Inc.

perated by Rhino 911, an antipoaching initiative launched by BBM Inc and Heli Africa Wildlife, the Bell 407GT equipped with advanced night vision and thermal imaging is a game changer against poaching African Aerospace and Defence, South Africa – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, is proud to announce that Rhino 911, a non-profit organization established by Fred Hees, President of BBM Inc. USA, in cooperation with Heli Africa Wildlife, the operator, will use the Bell 407GT to combat Rhino poaching to curb the rising number of Rhino kills in South Africa and surging demand for illegal Rhino horn. Rhino911’s goal is to stop the poachers long before they reach their targets. Unlike any other active anti-

poaching effort, Rhino911 benefits from tactical air assets and support groups flying the specially equipped Bell 407 helicopter. Operators will find and intercept poachers of Rhinos

and other endangered species from extended ranges with advanced night vision (NV) and FLIR/WESCAM thermal imaging and other advanced sensors. The sensors on the Bell

Rotary Wing variety of missions from parabublic, HEMS, SAR and corporate transport, the aircraft has proven its versatility and can easily be retrofitted with kits to accomplish a variety of missions. The M250 Rolls-Royce engine boosts power and fuel efficiency delivering best in class hot and high performance, perfect for the hot African climates. Rhino911 has been in contact with the relevant government authorities in RSA and will soon be contacting and collaborating detailed operational plans with existing Rhino and anti-poaching groups, private Rhino reserves, the

“Rhino911 is a fantastic initiative and we are proud that the Bell 407GT will take part in this adventure with BBM Inc.,” said Patrick Moulay, EVP Global Sales, Bell Helicopter. 407GT are capable of discerning and tracking personnel from extreme distance as well as analyzing and pinpointing possible hides and entrance, exit routes poachers use, allowing timely and effective action by law enforcement authorities. “Currently, a major challenge facing counter-poaching helicopter pilots is that they are not equipped with night vision and sensing systems, so they cannot operate at night and track poachers before or during the act. Our Bell 407GT and other Bell helicopters will change this equation entirely; we are able to fly day or night, isolate, track and pinpoint intruders to support anti-poaching efforts.” “The advanced Bell 407 helicopters can operate far beyond the visual range of the poachers, are camouflaged, fitted with low visibility, low-noise blades and equipped with reinforced under-carriages, designed to protect the crew from hostile action.”

The Bell 407 platform benefits from class leading performance, payload capability and operating economics, ideal for accomplishing multiple missions including anti-poaching. With over 1300 Bell 407 helicopters operating around the world in a

Rhino Owners Association and key role-players in the Game Industry in order to ensure that all parties tackle the poachers in a holistic and controlled manner.

Game Changing

Cessna Citation Longitude Makes Maiden Flight

essna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, undertook the maiden flight of its all new Citation Longitude super-midsize jet on October 8. The flight took place less than a year after the company unveiled new details for the revolutionary aircraft. The design and development of the Citation Longitude also highlights the company’s continued investment in its family of larger business jets. “Today’s successful first flight of the Citation Longitude was performed exactly as we anticipated,” said Scott Ernest, President and CEO, Textron Aviation. “Our product development process is second to none and allowed us to move smoothly from unveiling the Longitude last November, to the first flight of the prototype in just 11 months. This milestone not only showcases our continued commitment to investing in new products to meet market demand, but also our focus on investing in our development and production processes to bring the aircraft to market quickly without compromise.” The Longitude took off from the company’s east campus Beech Field Airport, piloted by experimental test pilots Ed Wenninger and Stuart Rogerson. The team tested the aircraft’s flaps, landing gear, pressurization systems, stability and control during the two hour and two-minute flight. “I was extremely pleased with the performance of the Longitude during the first flight,” said Rogerson, senior flight test pilot. “The level of maturity in flight characteristics is already very high. I was particularly impressed with how intuitive the flight systems are, validating the extensive integration work done by our development teams. We accomplished everything we wanted to do during this maiden flight, setting the pace for the flight test program.” 46 | Aviators | October - December 2016

Business Aviation The prototype aircraft will continue flight testing to expand the performance envelope, focusing on testing flight controls and aerodynamics, while the first production model, set to fly in the coming weeks, will be primarily used for systems testing. “With industry-leading design and production expertise, our world-class team is able to execute quickly and precisely, enabling the company to bring new concepts to market faster so both pilots and passengers enjoy an unrivalled level of capability and comfort,” said Michael Thacker, senior vice president, Engineering, Textron Aviation. Cessna Aircraft Company had announced the completion of initial ground engine tests on the Citation Longitude’s Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines earlier this year, paving the way for first flight of the prototype aircraft. The tests had verified the functionality of the engine start, fuel system and auto-throttle as well as interfaces with the avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems. In preparation for the maiden flight Cessna also completed a series of functional and structural tests on the airframe in preparation for first flight. Cessna successfully mated the wing and fuselage of the first Longitude in May, just six months after unveiling details of the super-midsize jet, and powered the electrical distribution system for the first time June.

Revolutionizing the Super-Midsize Market

The Citation Longitude is designed specifically for maximum passenger comfort and offers the lowest cabin altitude in its class at 5,950 feet. State-of-the-art cabin technology allows passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile device, while standard high-speed internet maximizes in-flight productivity. With seating for up to 12 passengers, the Longitude features a stand-up, flat-floor cabin with a standard double club configuration and a class leading walk-in baggage compartment fully accessible in flight. The clean-sheet design of the Longitude integrates the latest technology throughout the aircraft, bringing customers the lowest ownership costs in this category. It features the next evolution of the Garmin G5000 flight deck and is powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines with fully integrated auto throttles. The aircraft offers a full fuel payload of 1,500 pounds, a maximum cruise speed of 476 knots and a high-speed range of 3,400 nautical miles. With optional head up display and enhanced vision capability, the Longitude facilitates eyes-up flying. The spacious cockpit incorporates easier access and an ergonomic design that fully focuses on crew comfort and efficiency. October - December 2016 | Aviators | 47

Dassault

Delivers First Falcon 8X “I am extremely pleased to welcome the new Falcon 8X into our fleet,” said Amjet President, Abakar Manany, who was at the controls for the delivery flight. “As a pilot, I can personally vouch for the remarkable handling and piloting qualities of the big new trijet. Its superb performance and cabin comfort will allow us to fill an ever wider range of needs and missions for our exceptionally demanding clientele.”

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Dassault Aviation delivered its first Falcon 8X on October 5, marking the entry into service of the company’s new ultra-long range flagship. Greek company Amjet Executive took delivery of the aircraft at Dassault Aviation’s Bordeaux-Merignac facility and is now the first company to operate the Falcon 8X. The 6,450 nm/11,945 km 8X long range tri-jet received its EASA and FAA certification in June and is entering service precisely on schedule, two years after it was first announced. Certification followed a month-long round-the-globe test campaign intended to ensure aircraft systems would be fully mature and operational from day one. “To see our new flagship Falcon handed over right on time in perfect operating order gives us immense pride,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman & CEO of Dassault Aviation. “We are very pleased to deliver the first example of this great new aircraft to Amjet, a long time Falcon operator.” Based in Athens, Greece, Amjet offers fleet management, charter, sales and maintenance/repair services and operates a full line of Falcon jets, including the super midsized Falcon 50, the long range Falcon 900EX EASy and the very long range Falcon 7X. Further deliveries are anticipated over the coming weeks to customers in a dozen countries, from Brazil, the U.S. and Europe, to the UAE and India. Another 11 aircraft are in final assembly in Mérignac and 16 are being outfitted and painted at Dassault’s completion facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Little Rock facility recently underwent a $60 million expansion to enable it to handle the planned influx of Falcon 8X tri-jets. Derived from the popular Falcon 7X, the ultra-long range Falcon 8X was unveiled in May 2014 at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition and first flew on February 6, 2015. The 8X will offer the greatest range and the longest cabin of any Falcon, allowing it to fly passengers comfortably from Beijing to New York, Hong Kong to London or Moscow to Los Angeles nonstop. It will also share the 7X’s exceptional operating economy and short-field performance. In addition to the quietest cabin and the most advanced digital flight control system in business aviation, the new trijet will feature the largest selection of standard cabin configurations of any large business jet. Dassault’s revolutionary FalconEye Combined Vision System (CVS) will also soon be available on the 8X and to gain approval for its use in Dual Head Up Display configuration. Dassault’s FalconEye is the first HUD in the industry to blend synthetic and enhanced vision capabilities, offering unprecedented situational awareness. Its utilization in Dual HUD mode will be another first in business aviation. The two approvals are anticipated in the fourth quarter 2016 and late 2017 respectively.

A Product Support Program Geared to Ensuring Smooth Entry into Service Falcon 8X operators benefit from a full package of services put together by Dassault’s global product support organization to assist them in taking delivery of their new Falcon. The service package is customized to individual operator needs and starts well before the aircraft arrives in customer hands. Prior to delivery, pilot and maintenance crews are given a full entry-into-service briefing on the new Falcon, tailored to the aircraft type and the operator’s previous Falcon experience. Flight crews’ training is provided by Dassault partner, FlightSafety International, on a new generation full flight simulator inaugurated in mid-September at the Falcon Training Center in Paris/Le Bourget. Cabin crews and passengers can follow one-day familiarization sessions – tailored to individual aircraft operating requirements – offered in cooperation with Aircare FACTS Training International. Following delivery, the customer can make use of Dassault’s pilot operator support services to smooth entry into service. These services include dispatching Dassault test pilots, operational pilots or support engineers to the operator’s premises to provide support during initial flights or assist crews with special mission requirements. Throughout the life of the aircraft, customers can rely on Dassault’s worldwide network of maintenance, repair and overhaul centers, spare parts centers and GoTeams. The network includes factory-owned MRO facilities in Le Bourget, Little Rock, Reno, Nevada, Wilmington, Delaware and Sorocaba Brazil; 45 regional authorized service centers; 15 spares facilities and FalconResponse, the company’s comprehensive portfolio of Aircraft On Ground services that includes the industry’s first alternative lift offering. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcons. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,400 Falcon jets have been delivered. Dassault offers a range of six business jets from the twin-engine 3,350 nm large-cabin Falcon 2000S to its new flagship, the tri-engine 6,450 nm ultra-long range Falcon 8X. The company employs a workforce of over 11,000 and has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities around the globe. October - December 2016 | Aviators | 49

Business Aviation

Hawker 400XPR

Achieves FAA Certification

“We offer the best – and the only factory-approved – upgrade solution for Beechjet 400A/ Hawker 400XP owners, significantly improving their aircraft’s performance, operating cost and resale value,” said Brad Thress, Senior Vice President, Customer Service.

eechcraft Corporation, announced in September, that it had received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification on all 400XPR program elements. All components of the exclusive factory-approved, engineered and supported upgrade package are now available for installation on Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP aircraft at Textron Aviation service centers worldwide. The first full Hawker 400XPR factory-completed aircraft is scheduled for delivery to a customer later this year and is currently in production. “Our customers have been extremely impressed with the aircraft’s outstanding performance and we are eager to provide our 400A/400XP owners and operators with the confidence that comes only from an upgrade engineered and supported by the original manufacturer.” The 400XPR program is fully customizable, can be performed in stages or in unison and can be completed in as little as 12 weeks. The full Hawker 400XPR package includes Genuine Hawker Winglets and new Williams 50 | Aviators | October - December 2016

International FJ44-4A-32 engines. The aerodynamic improvements coupled with the new engines, deliver a 33 percent increase in range along with improvements in runway and hot/high performance. The Hawker 400XPR has a range of 1,970 nautical miles with four passengers departing a 5,000-foot elevation airport at 30°C. Hawker 400XPR can climb directly to FL450 in only 19 minutes at max takeoff weight, due to its Williams International FJ444A-32 engines. In addition to winglets and new engines, the 400XPR offers customers the option of retaining their aircraft’s existing Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics or upgrading with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. Customers can also choose between multiple exterior repaint and interior refurbishment options, along with a customized, factory certified re-conditioning that includes Textron Aviation’s industry leading ProParts coverage and a five year Williams International engine warranty.

Business Aviation

Gulfstream Ends G150 Production

“Our long-range plan calls for us to focus on the super mid-size and large-cabin markets,” Burns said. “We have an excellent mid-cabin offering in the G280. Since it entered service in late 2012, we have delivered nearly 100 of those aircraft, demonstrating the appeal of incorporating large-cabin-type capabilities into a super mid-size aircraft.”

ulfstream announced towards the end of September, that it had sold its last Gulfstream G150, marking the end of the mid-size aircraft’s more than 10-year production run. The final G150 will be delivered to a customer in mid-2017. The G150 entered service in August 2006 as a replacement for the G100. The new aircraft’s performance immediately put it at the top of the mid-size class of business jets. The versatile aircraft has the longest range at the fastest speed in its class. “The G150 has had a distinguished history, spanning more than a decade,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream, “and it remains an important part of our business. Our product support organization will continue to provide industry-leading support to our G150 owners and ensure there are enough parts, tooling, sustaining engineering and personnel available to support the worldwide G150 fleet. Our Field and Airborne Support

Teams (FAST) will still use two G150 aircraft to transport parts and technicians to our operators in the Americas and the Caribbean.” Gulfstream’s fleet of nearly 120 G150s comprises operators in the U.S., Canada, Central America, South America, Europe and Asia. The G150 has a dispatch reliability rate of 99.83 percent and is certified in more than 45 countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Canada, China, England, Germany, Israel and Switzerland. Gulfstream has produced more than 2,500 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the Gulfstream G280TM, the Gulfstream G450M, the Gulfstream G550M, the Gulfstream G500, the Gulfstream G600, the Gulfstream G650 and the Gulfstream G650ER.

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 51

New Mercedes-AMG GT R

Aerodynamics Engineers and Designers worked together intensively during Development of the New AMG GT R. Form and function complement each other perfectly.

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Embodiment of Sensual Purity

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he AMG design idiom forms the basis for the far more expressive overall appearance and the very distinct look of the Mercedes-AMG GT R. Form follows function, and function supports form: All elements have an inherent technical benefit and contribute to the enhanced driving dynamics, while the aerodynamics experts have made the designers’ wishes a reality. The design of the AMG GT R embodies sensual purity – hot & cool. Apart from the powerfully sculpted body and the motorsport components, the New AMG Panamericana grille is a real eye-catcher. This unique feature also comes from the world of motorsport and is celebrating its standard production première in the AMG GT R: its 15 chrome-plated vertical fins cite the look of the new AMG GT3 racing car.

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The basic form of the new radiator grille goes back to the Mercedes‑Benz 300 SL racing car that won the legendary Panamericana road race in Mexico in 1952.

Unbridled forwards thrust

The low-slung front section and the forwards-inclined radiator grille create a distinctive “shark nose” impression and make the car appear to sit lower on the road. At the same time, this shape lowers the vehicle’s back-pressure point, enhancing the flow of cooling air and the car’s aerodynamic performance.

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The more V-shaped arrow-like appearance of the front end also enhances the dynamic looks, thus embodying the uninhibited forwards thrust of the AMG GT R even before it moves. A front fascia featuring a completely new-

Reminiscent of Jet Engines

look jet-wing design (based on the A-wing) emphasises the sense of width and lends the car a more road-hugging appearance.

In terms of their shape, the large outer air intakes in the front fascia are reminiscent of jet engines. They ensure that the increased cooling-air requirements of the AMG GT R drive system are met. For this reason, they sport two aerodynamically shaped horizontal fins in place of meshes and as a result route the airflow to the radiators without loss. The wide front splitter reduces lift at the front axle. Additional Air Curtains on the outside of the front fascia calm the airflow, improving the Cd value of the AMG GT R. Thanks to their narrow, vertical openings, the Air Curtains also guide the air specifically towards the wheel arches, optimising the flow properties in this area. To ensure ideal airflow through the double wheel arch radiators, the AMG GT R additionally features new and unique wheel arch liners with special cooling-air slits. Power Pack The front wings made of super-light carbon add a total of 46 millimetres to the width of the AMG GT R at the front and make room for the wider track and large wheel/tyre combinations. The powerfully sculpted wings emphasise the longitudinal dynamics in addition. A further distinguishing feature is the special wing signet featuring a fin and a large air outlet through which the waste heat from the engine bay flows. This fin is perforated and incorporates the AMG diamond logo with five slats.

Cathay Pacific

Introduces New Selection of

ORGANIC WINES

for Business Class Passengers

Cathay Pacific Airways has introduced its latest special wine promotion, which features a selection of four Premium Organic Wines. The wines are available to Business Class passengers on most long-haul flights.

athay Pacific always strives to impress its passengers with the best-possible inflight services and products. Serving a range of award-winning wines has long been one of the keys to satisfying the palates of the airline’s passengers, thereby enhancing their travel experience. To that end, Cathay Pacific’s professional wine-tasting panel is delighted to present four organic wines produced by a collection of the most famous vineyards in Australia, Chile, France and New Zealand. Being organic, the viticulture of these wines is founded on the cornerstone that healthy soil produces high-quality fruit. One of the key principals Château Maucoil Côtes du Rhône Villages 2014 France of organic wine includes treating the soil as a living p Explorer Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 New Zealand entity. Proud organic grape growers endeavour to p Viña Las Niñas Colchagua Valley 2014 Chile maintain the richness of the earth, which is teeming p Gemtree Bloodstone Shiraz McLaren Vale 2014 Australia with worms, grubs and other species that help aerate, nourish and activate the soil. Organic wine signifies that a winery is passionate enough about their terroir to nurture, protect and gently handle their soils and vines so as to produce the finest wine possible from their vineyards. Commenting on the newly introduced wines, Cathay Pacific Head of Catering Aaron Claxton said: “Over the years, our wine and beverage team has been on the lookout for widely-acclaimed wines from different corners around the world, including organic wines. In fact, organic wines are embraced by many not just because of their organic nature, but also for their environmentally-friendly production. We are delighted to offer a great selection of organic wines on our flights, which truly meet the high standards of our discerning passengers. We hope that they will appreciate this promising collection, both for their flavour profiles and the care that has gone into making them.”

These prestigious organic wines will be served between August and October on a Rotational basis:

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Explaining the premise behind organic wine, Master of Wine Debra Meiburg, one of Cathay Pacific’s Wine Consultants who participated in the Airline’s Organic Wine Tasting, said: “The grapes must be organically grown and the production of the wine itself must be organically managed. In an organic vineyard, grapes are grown without chemical fertilisers, weed killers, insecticides and other synthetic chemicals. In the cellar, organic wines are produced from organic grapes and without synthetic additives or processing agents.”

Organic wines generally contain low levels of sulphur dioxide, which is commonly used as a wine preservative, making them a popular and appealing choice for those considering their health and wellness. This year, Cathay Pacific offers more than 40 wines from countries including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Africa, the United States, Chile, Australia and New Zealand on board its flights. Around 1.8 million bottles of wine were consumed in 2015.

About the New Selection of Organic Wines

It is elegant with a concentrated berry red plum flavour that follows through on the finish. Viña Las Niñas Colchagua Valley 2014 Chile This vineyard is nestled in a horseshoe-shaped valley 600 metres deep on the west side of the Andes Mountains. Gentle breezes coming in from the South Pacific Ocean create ideal conditions for high-quality fruit production. Several individual plots of Mourvédre, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are brought together to make a complex wine that has a whiff of new oak and dark red fruit in the aroma. The mouth feel is textured tannins and intense blackberry flavour.

Château Maucoil Côtes du Rhône Villages 2014 France The family has made wine in this region for generations. It is hard to imagine a more stressed soil made up of sand and river pebbles than that found in the southern part of the Rhone valley. Yet this historic estate produces gentle and smooth red wines by blending the region’s dominant varieties of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvédre. The old vines produce a deep colour with an exciting spicyfruit aroma. The ripe tannins support a rounded palate with dark berry flavours. The overall impression leans to a more rustic era. It is a wine that demands beef, lamb or even spicy food. Explorer Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 New Zealand It is said that grapes only grow in beautiful places and the site of this vineyard certainly fits that description. The owners also have a property in Gevrey Chambertain in Burgundy, France and as such have a double commitment to Pinot Noir. The gravel and silty clay of this terraced vineyard in the lower slopes of the Central Otago Valley produce excellent fruit. The Pinot Noir clones planted are Pommard and Dijon. The aroma of the wine combines hints of oak and sweet berries.

e c y o R s l l s o r R tor Cain Asia o o i d u M s First St Open

The new Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Studio, which opens on 1 November, is the first of its kind in Asia and the only Rolls-Royce facility in the world to offer closed-course test drives. As a unique brand experience centre, it will offer guests an insight into the world of the iconic marque in a relaxed atmosphere in the most effortless of manners.

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New Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Studio to open in Incheon, South Korea on 1 November 2016 The only Rolls-Royce facility in the world to offer closed-course test drives by trained Rolls-Royce instructors Third facility for Rolls-Royce in South Korea following the Seoul and recently announced Busan showrooms Studio to complement existing dealer network for a seamless customer experience

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The Search for

MH370

n what is one of the greatest aviation mysteries of the century, more than 110,000 square kilometres of the seafloor searched so far by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) led underwater search for MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean has yet to give up a clue on the illfated aircraft. Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 disappeared from air traffic control radar after taking off from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 8 March 2014, on a scheduled passenger service to Beijing, China with 227 passengers and 12 crew on board. After analysis of satellite data, it was discovered that MH370 continued to fly for over six hours after contact was lost. There have been some developments recently and in September the ATSB confirmed that a large item of aircraft debris, found on the island of Pemba, off the coast of Tanzania in June belonged to MH370. “It was confirmed

that Part No. 5 was the inboard section of a Boeing 777 right, outboard flap, originated from the Malaysian Airlines aircraft registered 9M-MRO,” the ATSB has announced after investigations were completed in Canberra. This is the fifth piece of debris to be identified as belonging to MH370. At a meeting of Ministers from Malaysia, Australia and the People’s Republic of China held on 22 July 2016, it was agreed that should the aircraft not be located in the current search area, and in the absence of credible new evidence leading to the identification of a specific location of the aircraft, the search would be suspended upon completion of the 120,000 square kilometre search area. Due to poor weather conditions over the Southern hemisphere winter, it is expected searching the entire 120,000 square kilometre search area will be completed by around January/February 2017.

THE THREATS NEVER STOP EVOLVING.

NEITHER DOES THE F-16.

AT LOCKHEED MARTIN, WE’RE ENGINEERING A BETTER TOMORROW. With 14 million flight hours, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has proven to outperform whatever it’s up against, from enemies in the air to shrinking budgets on the ground. And with a stream of new upgrades and technologies from Lockheed Martin that continue to extend its capabilities, the greatest fighter of the past several decades continues strong into the future. Learn more at lockheedmartin.com/f16

October - December 2016 | Aviators | 63

TWO WAYS TO CONQUER THE WORLD*.

Now you have two choices for superior, ultra-long-range capability. The 5,950 nm Falcon 7Xâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the fastest selling Falcon ever (and with good reason). Or the new, 6,450 nm Falcon 8X, destined to become a favorite of world travelers. Both have the awe-inspiring ability to fly long distances from short and challenging runways such as Aspen and London City. The 8X is more than three feet longer, with over 30 cabin layouts. Fly far. Fly in comfort. Achieve more.

WWW.DASSAULTFALCON.COM I FRANCE: +33 1 47 11 88 68 I USA: +1 201 541 4600

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