NOV / DEC 2017 VOL 45
UKRAINIAN
PEACEKEEPING HELICOPTER
OPERATIONS
CALIFORNIA BURNING HELITACK FIREFIGHTING FINDING YOUR WAY
ON COURSE
CHINESE AVIATION PIONEER
GENERAL LIANG DEHAO
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
COVER STORY:
CHINESE AVIATION PIONEER GENERAL LIANG DEHAO By: Michael Rocks-MacQueen
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UKRAINIAN PEACEKEEPING
CALIFORNIA BURNING HELITACK OPERATIONS
HELICOPTER OPERATIONS
By: Jason Jorgensen
By: Alexander Golz & Ralph Blok
COLUMNS & FEATURES
66
Helipix
6
From the Desk of
20
Helinews
28
Finding Your Way “On Course”
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July 2017 | 3
is a publication of Airborne Productions P.O. Box 3134 Alpharetta, GA 30023 TOLL FREE: 844.435.4932 PHONE: 770.308.6648
EMAIL: info@heliweb.com
NOV / DEC 2017 VOL 45
Meet the team: Ryan Mason
Publisher & Editor
ryan@heliweb.com
Ryan has worked in aviation media for almost a decade, providing photography, story content, and videos for multiple U.S and international aviation publications before purchasing Heliweb Magazine. Also a former police officer, he has written for numerous law enforcement publications, specializing in technology, tactics, police equipment and airborne law enforcement. Ryan’s goal is to provide story content on the issues that truly matter to the industry and to promote and support a safer industry.
Jason Jorgensen
Deputy Editor
jason@heliweb.com
Jason is a well established aviation photographer and journalist, a career that he pursued after completing his service in the United States Navy. Based in the Los Angeles area, Jason is also known in the architectural arena where for over a decade and a half, he worked with custom home builders, marketing teams, luxury interior designers and some of the largest real estate companies in the country. Jason specializes in business avaition, military aviation and investigative journalism, he also serves as the magazine’s Los Angeles Bureau Chief.
Colt Roy
Online Content Editor
colt@heliweb.com
Colt is a writer and photographer in the emergency services field. Colt is also the editorial director of SConFire.com a website dedicated to first responder news around the country and is the primary correspondent for coverage of helicopter aviation relating to helicopter air ambulance services and aerial firefighting.
UKRAINIAN
PEACEKEEPING HELICOPTER OPERATIONS
CALIFORNIA BURNING HELITACK FIREFIGHTING FINDING YOUR WAY
ON COURSE
CHINESE AVIATION PIONEER
GENERAL LIANG DEHAO
ISSUE COVER: General Liang on an expedition at the South Pole Image Provided by: Gen. Liang
Additional Contributors: Dan Foulds
Jacinta Cummins Dan Foulds retired from flying in 2015 after a 30 year career in flying in military & civilian aviation. Dan now runs HelicopterEMS.com and spends his time dedicated to helping improve air medical crew safety and single pilot operations.
Matt Johnson
A freelance journalist residing in rural Queensland, Australia, Jacinta currently specializes stories focused on regional Australia, She has worked for daily newspapers in Australia for over a decade and has served as a media advisor to two government administrations covering agriculture and aboriginal affairs.
For advertising inquiries, please call our advertising sales team at 844-435-4932 extension 802 or email sales@heliweb. com for more information on how we can help you showcase your business.
Ralph Blok Helicopter FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, conducting Private through ATP level exams in numerous types. His experience spans; Air Medical, Law Enforcement, Flight Instruction and ENG Flying. Johnson is a 3 time Master Instructor, FAA Gold Seal Instructor, USHST Rep Human Factors Group and FAASTeam Rep Greater Cincinnati Ohio region.
Ralph started with aviation photography in the early 90’s after he was introduced to military aviation by a family member. Since then he gained a lot of experience and has been to a lot of countries worldwide. DutchAviationPhoto.com
Follow Us! Heliweb Magazine proudly supports following associations
All material published remains the copyright of heliweb. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without the written consent of the publisher. Editorials published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Content within heliweb is believed to be true and accurate and the publisher does not assume responsibility for any errors. Unsolicited editorial manuscripts and photos are welcomed and encouraged. heliweb cannot be responsible for return unless submissions are accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Photos submitted by mail or electronically become property of heliweb unless otherwise specified. Copyrighted photographs must be clearly marked, otherwise they become property of heliweb. Deadline for all advertising is the first day of each month for the following months edition. Information about rates, requirements, etc. is available upon request.
July 2017 | 5
An AStar lands on a beautiful ridge in the snow in Erbil, Iraq. Photographer: Gabriel Fest.
A gorgeous Bell 429 Global Ranger beneath sunset lit clouds departing the 2011 Heli Expo in Orlando, FL. Photographer: Tim Pruitt. 6 | heliweb magazine
#helipix
Flying over the stunning New South Wales coastline in Australia. Photographer: James Williams.
California sunrise over one of PHI Air Medical’s Bell 407s. Photographer: James Hershman. Nov/Dec August 2017 2017| |77
A pair of German Federal Police Helicopters; Airbus Helicopters H155 and H225. Photographer: Sarah Pfannkuch. 8 | heliweb magazine
#helipix
A lovely Hawaiian sunset captured by Mauna Loa Helicopters Photographer: Josh Han. August 2017 Nov/Dec 2017| |99
An Airbus Helicopters H130 T2 seen arriving at Duxford, UK.
Photographer: Kevin J. Donegan.
An MD-600N flying over the english countryside. Photographer Kuki Helicopters. 10 | heliweb magazine
#helipix
The view over Equador from a Robinson R22. Photographer: Rene Arteaga. Nov/Dec August 2017 2017| |1111
A Dutch Navy NH90 out on manuevers. Photographer: Jeroen Van VeenenDaal. 12 | heliweb magazine
#helipix Nov/Dec 2017| |1313 August 2017
Enloe Hospital’s Flight Care H130 on the rooftop pad under a starry sky in Chico, CA Photographer: Michael Piper.
An Air Green Leonardo AW139 out on a rescue flight over Northern Italy. Photographer: Daniel Bertagnolli. heliwebmagazine magazine 1414| |heliweb
#helipix
A colorful National Grid Bell 429 Global Ranger jumps out against the grey sky. Photographer: Ray U.
Who else has a North Face winter coat for their AStar? Photographer: Aaron Rumfallo. Nov/Dec August 2017 | 15
This Eurocopter EC130 B4 was beautifully captured while landing in the winter wonderland Rockies. Photographer: Hal Williams. heliwebmagazine magazine 1616| |heliweb
#helipix Nov/Dec August 2017 | 17
A USCG MH-65C from Air Station Borinquen in Puerto Rico, out on a training mission. Photographer: Matt Udkow.
BHI Squared’s H-60X on a test flight over the water. Photographer: Antonio Gemma Moore. heliwebmagazine magazine 1818| |heliweb
#helipix A USAF Bell-Boeing CV-22B on a low level run through the english countryside. Photographer: Dan Griffiths.
A Swedish Navy NH-90 conducting a training mission. Photographer: Gunnar Ă…kerberg. Nov/Dec August 2017 | 19
COLUMN
PUBLISHER
From the Desk Of... Your Circle of Influence
I was reading a column that Sir Richard Branson writes on his Virgin website recently, and he wrote on the importance of affecting your circle. By “your circle” he described drawing a circle around your home or business and seeing how many homes were in a circle just bigger than your fence line. Once you have drawn that circle, look at the homes within that circle and see how many you interact with regularly and if you help them in any way. Are their elderly residents that may need help getting around or are they lonely and would just like some company once in a while? Are there any single parents that you could assist in that circle to make their lives easier? The same goes for our businesses within the aviation community, there are many businesses out there that rely on their relationships and their circle of influence to continue to generate business. But how often do you take a look at that circle around your business and see who is in it that you may not know yet. When Sir Richard said “draw a circle around it” in business, he means a metaphorical circle of course, but reevaluating and reengaging that circle of influence could mean that you stumble upon a new income stream or new sale, but the point of Sir Richard’s column, was that to truly influence your circle, you must take a look and reevaluate it constantly – not only for your own benefit, but to benefit the newcomer to the industry. I know only too well what it is like to be the new guy swimming upstream as the
20 | heliweb magazine
little fish determined to succeed being passed and laughed at by the bigger fish. But over the last few years, our mission has never wavered. “Do good things for good people” – you can ask anyone on our team what our mission is, and over and above any other goal we have internally, it all comes back to that overarching desire to continue to seek out people in the industry who are the quiet achievers and unsung heroes of our industry to tell the world their story.
photographer that impresses me, not only with their photography, but with their humility and willingness to learn new things.
Through those initial contacts and the industry having so few degrees of separation, one story went to two, which became four, that became six and so on. All because one person in their own circle, decided to go out of their way to help connect us to more PLU’s or “people like us” – those we share common bonds with in wanting to help the industry succeed, but also a deeper need to do more than just put out a magazine to do that.
The person that you help, mentor, or share the benefit of your own experience with, could avoid many of the pitfalls and mistakes that befall the inexperienced in this industry.
The same thing goes for looking within your circle to see if there is anyone you can help, be it a formal introduction to someone within the industry that could help your business or career, or the simple act of rolling up your sleeves to physically help someone with their workload. The help I offer people varies, sometimes I extend an olive branch to up and coming
I gravitate towards the humble and away from those that lack humility, but that’s not to say I don’t enjoy those who are confident in themselves, everyone is different, but when you find someone that can benefit from your help and they exhibit similar qualities to yourself, or what I call “PLU’s,” or People Like Us, I say go for it.
Boy, if I had a dollar for all the mistakes I have made so far, I would already be living a comfortable life on an island somewhere no doubt. But the overall point, one that is most poignant at this time of giving, is that helping others around you, be it personally or professionally will not only make you feel good, but enrich the lives of those around you. You never know, you may give someone the leg up they need to achieve their life’s dream. That, is a gift you just can’t buy. Fly Safe,
Ryan Mason Publisher & Editor
Ryan has worked in the aviation media field for the last nine years. Providing video, photographic and written content for U.S and international aviation publications. Also a former police officer, Ryan has written for numerous law enforcement publications, specializing in technology, tactics, police equipment and airborne law enforcement. Ryan purchased heliweb with a goal of providing real stories on real issues in the industry and giving back to the industry through efforts to promote safety in helicopter operations.
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COLUMN
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HELINEWS
150th H145 delivered to Helicopter Travel Munich South Korea’s National 119 Rescue Headquarters Acquires Two New H225 Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract from South Korea’s National 119 Rescue Headquarters for the purchase of two additional H225 helicopters. The National 119 Rescue Headquarters currently operates an all-Airbus helicopter fleet comprising two AS365 N2 and two H225. This new purchase will bring the fleet of the country’s primary provider of firefighting and rescue services to six helicopters by end 2019. The agency will be using these two multirole H225 helicopters for search and rescue missions, with the flexibility to reconfigure them to accommodate firefighting and emergency medical services equipment onboard the aircraft. “The National 119 Rescue Headquarters has been operating Airbus helicopters for over 20 years and we are happy to see how our helicopters have continued to play a vital role in the agency’s mandate to protect and save lives”, said Marie-Agnes Veve, Head of North Asia of Airbus Helicopters. “The addition of the two H225 to the agency’s fleet illustrates our customer’s confidence in our products and their performance. Given its versatility and endurance in allweather condition, we know the H225 will continue to be a capable workhorse for the agency’s missions.” The H225, the latest member of Airbus Helicopters’ Super Puma family, is an 11ton category twin-turbine multirole utility rotorcraft which accommodates up to 24 passengers. Equipped with state-of-theart electronic instruments and autopilot system, the H225 offers high endurance and fast cruise speed, and may be fitted with various equipment to suit any role. 28 | heliweb magazine
Helicopter Travel Munich (HTM) recently took delivery of the 150th H145 built in Donauwörth. The German operator, whose fleet of aircraft also includes H125s and H135s, will use the H145 from January for offshore deployments over the North Sea. Prior to its entry into service at its base in Emden, the customer will fit the helicopter with a rescue winch and a floatation equipment. The first H145 customer was the DRF, the German air rescue organisation, in
July 2014. The largest H145 operator is the Babcock Group, which has a fleet of 27 H145 helicopters. The H145 is mainly used to fly air rescue missions and as a police helicopter. With over 30 aircraft in operation, Germany is the H145’s largest national market. Since 2014, H145s have flown a total of more than 80,000 flight hours. The entire H145-Family (H145, EC145 and BK117) has collected over 4,8 million flight hours with more than 1.400 helicopters delivered to this date.
Airbus Names Helibras President as Brazilian Director of Lyon (INSA) with masters in Engineering he obtained in 1981. Marelli also has a specialization in Technical Development he received in 1991 and International Cooperation he achieved in 1992. He has been active in the Airbus Helicopters group since 1981 and has actively participated in the engineering prototype of the Dauphin and Super Puma helicopter programs in France. Marelli was also responsible for the Systems Integration Department and the Industrial Electrical Center as well as the director of the NH90 assembly lines. Airbus Helicopters has announced that they have named Richard Marelli as the Director of Brasilian Airbus Company. Marelli, who currently serves as the president of Helibras, the Brazilian subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters, will be adding this new title in addition to his role at the helm of Helibras. With this new promotion, Marelli will be Airbus Group’s main representative in Brazil who will be responsible for conducting all Government affairs, contributing to the strategy and support of the company’s commercial campaigns. The executive will report to Alberto Robles, Chief of the Latin America Region of Airbus. Richard Antoine Celestin Marelli is a graduate of the National Institute of Applied Sciences
“Brazil is an extremely strategic market for Airbus,” says Alberto Robles. “Having someone with Marelli’s expertise along with their knowledge of the country to represent Airbus vis-à-vis key local stakeholders is undoubtedly a great asset to our company.” Marelli, who assumed the position of president of Helibras at the end of 2015 has been in Brazil since 2010. He has also served as director of Helibras’ largest technology transfer program, the H-XBR project which oversees the manufacture of the H225 and the H225M helicopters nationwide. In Itajubá (MG), company headquarters, he led the areas of Supply Chain, Assembly Lines, Maintenance (MRO) and Engineering and Programs Center.
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Nov/Dec 2017 | 29
HELINEWS
Airbus Helicopters Completes First Firing Campaign with HForce-equipped H145M outcome of a very good and professional cooperation between all parties involved, especially with the Hungarian Ministry of Defence.” Next steps prior to the qualification of HForce on the H145M are the development testing of laser-guided rockets in Sweden before the end of the year as well as additional live-firing trials in summer 2018.
Airbus Helicopters has recently completed a ballistic development test of an HForce weapon system on a H145M on Pápa Airbase in Hungary. The tested system included guns (FN Herstal HMP400), unguided rockets (Thales FZ231) and cannons (Nexter NC621) as well as an electro-optical targeting system by Wescam (MX15) and a helmet mounted sight display by Thales
(Scorpion). All planned and required tests were performed in a tight and demanding time schedule. “This is an important milestone towards the qualification of HForce on the H145M, which is planned for end 2018”, said Axel Humpert, Head of H145 Programme. “The positive results of this first ballistic development test are the
HForce is an innovative, incremental and integrated high performance weapon system that can easily be fitted (“plug and play”) into Airbus Helicopter’s military platforms such as H125M, H145M and H225M for ambitious and smart military operations where flexibility of mission equipment is a vital criterion. It is designed to meet the requirements of defence agencies seeking light attack mission capabilities or a complement to their existing fleet of specialized attack helicopters. Meanwhile, qualification of the core HForce system is on track for end 2017, following an extensive flight-test campaign carried out on a H225M testbed. The H145M is a proven military helicopter, derived from the H145, a rugged workhorse and best in its class for rough EMS and police missions. First delivery of the H145 took place in 2014. The entire H145 fleet has now clocked up more than 80,000 flight hours. With a maximum take-off weight of 3.7 tonnes the H145M is an agile light attack helicopter. It perfectly matches the needs of Special Forces, can be used for a wide range of tasks, including armed reconnaissance, ground fire support, anti-tank warfare, escort, tactical transport, MEDEVAC and CASEVAC. Customers for the H145M include Germany – which in June received their 15th and final H145M LUH SOF helicopter on time and on budget – as well as the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Thailand.
30 | heliweb magazine
Falcon Aviation Expands its Commitment to the H160
F a l c o n Av i a t i o n a n d A i r b u s Helicopters have signed a new MoU at the Dubai airshow expanding their commitment to the H160 adding three additional helicopters to the o r i g i n a l Le t t e r O f I n t e n t ( LO I ) signed in May 2016. “ We t o o k t h e d e c i s i o n t o increase our request following a flight demonstration where we got the opportunity to test t h e H 1 6 0 ’s e xc e l l e n t p a s s e n g e r flight experience first-hand” s a i d C a p t . Ra m a n O b e r o i , C O O o f F a l c o n Av i a t i o n . “ T h e H 1 6 0 definitely meets our demanding standards for VIP travelling in terms of comfort” he added. “ We a r e p r o u d t h a t F a l c o n Av i a t i o n h a s c h o s e n t o c o n f i r m its trust placed into our latest product” said Timothee Cargill, Senior Vice President and Head of Middle East and Africa a t A i r b u s H e l i c o p t e r s . “ We a r e s u r e t h a t t h e H 1 6 0 ’s h i g h level of innovation providing unrivalled comfort with low s o u n d l e v e l s a n d e xc e l l e n t s t a b i l i t y a l o n g s i d e i t s e xc l u s i v e interior design will be an a s s e t t o F a l c o n Av i a t i o n ’s o p e r a t i o n s ,” h e a d d e d .
The H160, with three prototypes now in flight testing, is currently preparing certification and entry int o service in 2019. The helicopter’s final assembly line in Marignane, France is also in the final stages of preparation and will be ready to start serial production shortly. Customer support activities are being developed in parallel thanks to the extensive involvement of maintenance teams, through the operator zero campaign, using the prototypes and test means to check and improve the maintenance plan, digital work cards and technical documentation, and tooling etc. ahead of actual operations.
The first version to enter service in 2019 will be the passenger transport, commercial air transport or Oil and Gas, followed by the emergency medical services (EMS) version, with the VIP version
Nov/Dec 2017 | 31
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program, AACUS will now transition to the Marine Corps for experimentation and potential acquisition.
V-22 Osprey Fleet Tops 400,000 Flight Hours
Canadian Customer Selects Bell 407GXP for Technology Capabilities Bell Helicopter announced the signed purchase agreement for a Bell 407GXP to a private customer in Nova Scotia, Canada. “At Bell Helicopter, we are committed to providing our customers with the most reliable, capable and innovative aircraft to support their mission,” said Anthony Moreland, vice president, North America. “This customer required integrated avionics, technology capabilities and proven performance that only the Bell 407GXP can offer.”
Bell Helicopter and Boeing announced that the Bell Boeing V-22 fleet of tiltrotor aircraft, including both CV-22 and MV-22 variants, has surpassed the 400,000-flight hour milestone. The V-22 Osprey has been continuously deployed since entering service in 2007 with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) in 2009. The aircraft has seen extensive action in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as part of a U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) supporting a long-range rapid reaction/ crisis response force. The MV-22B Osprey are operating all around the globe today, transforming the way the Marine Corps conducts assault support, humanitarian relief operations and the broad spectrum of MAGTF missions. “As the number of flight hours indicate, the V-22 Osprey is a mature platform that projects a versatile mission capability for military operations as well as humanitarian relief efforts” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 Joint Program Manager. The Bell Boeing V-22 is continuing to achieve outstanding mission success, performing missions only capable with tiltrotor technology. Since entering service, the V-22 has been deployed in numerous missions around the world, including casualty evacuation, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, resupply, VIP transport and theater security cooperation.
“This 400,000-flight hour milestone is an incredible testament to the V-22’s leap-ahead capability and is a tribute to the men and women of Bell Helicopter and Boeing who build and support tiltrotor aircraft,” said Vince Tobin, executive vice president of Military Programs at Bell Helicopter. “The Osprey brings unprecedented range, speed and survivability to the warfighter and will continue to excel in combat and in executing some of the most difficult humanitarian operations.” “The versatile V-22 Osprey is in demand and indispensable among commanders worldwide,” said Kristin Houston, vice president, Boeing Tiltrotor Programs and deputy director, Bell Boeing V-22 Program. “In order to improve readiness for our servicemen and women, we are significantly investing for the long-term through modifications and upgrades to our V-22 factory in Philadelphia. Together with Bell Helicopter, we are proud of achieving this flight hour milestone. Our strategic alliance enables the continued success of this program.” The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is a joint service, multirole combat aircraft that uses tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixedwing aircraft. With its nacelles and rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, its nacelles can be rotated to transition the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, highaltitude flight.
The Bell 407GXP integrates reliability, speed, performance and maneuverability with a cabin configurable for an array of missions and payloads. Its Rolls-Royce 250-C47B/8 turbine FADEC engine delivers exceptional hot and high performance with the ability to cruise at 133 kts/246 km/h. Its cabin has five club-passenger seats with an additional passenger seat in the cockpit in single pilot operations. The Bell 407GXP also provides a quiet and smooth ride in virtually all weather.
Bell Delivers Four 412EPs to Argentina
Bell Helicopter announced the delivery of four Bell 412EP helicopters to Argentina. The Government of Argentina will use these aircraft for search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping support, scientific operations in the Antarctic, and other missions. “This is an important milestone for Bell Helicopter and we are proud to deliver four Bell 412EPs to improve the safety and security of Argentinean citizens,” said Jay Ortiz, vice president, Latin America. “The Bell 412 is known for its reliable performance under the most extreme circumstances and is the choice aircraft to support the missions of the Government of Argentina.” The proposal for the four Bell 412EPs was submitted by the Government of Argentina and approved by the State Department in 2015. Nov/Dec 2017 | 33
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The Bell V-280 Valor Completes its Maiden Flight
Bell Helicopter announced that its V-280 Valor has achieved first flight. The V-280 Valor is a next-generation tiltrotor that is designed to provide unmatched agility, speed, range and payload capabilities at an affordable cost. This milestone represents exceptional progress on the V-280
development program and brings Bell Helicopter one step closer to creating the next generation of vertical lift aircraft for the U.S. military. “This is an exciting time for Bell Helicopter, and I could not be more proud of the progress we have made
with first flight of the Bell V-280,” says Mitch Snyder, President & CEO for Bell Helicopter. “First flight demonstrates our commitment to supporting Department of Defense leadership’s modernization priorities and acquisition reform initiatives. The Valor is designed to revolutionize vertical lift for the U.S. Army and represents a transformational aircraft for all the challenging missions our armed forces are asked to undertake.” “We are thrilled to share in this success of the V-280 first flight with Team Valor,” added Snyder. “The V-280 intends to completely transform what is possible for the military when it comes to battle planning and forward operations.”
Mercy Flight Adds Three Bell 429s for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services “Mercy Flight’s decision to upgrade their existing fleet to all Bell 429’s reflects both the tremendous capabilities of the aircraft and the unrivaled support Bell Helicopter is known for,” said Ron Orndoff, regional sales manager, North America. “Its fleet of four aircraft will bring the total to 21 Bell 429s operating in the Northeast U.S., representing every mission segment.”
Bell Helicopter announced the signed purchase agreement for three additional Bell 429s to Mercy Flight Inc.
providers of air and ground medical transport services and we are proud to continue to support their mission.”
“Mercy Flight and Bell Helicopter have shared a rich history since they started their business more than 35 years ago using a Bell 206 Jet Ranger,” said Anthony Moreland, vice president, North America. “Today, Mercy Flight remains one of the few non-profit
Established in 1981, Mercy Flight has safely completed more than 27,000 patient missions over the last 36 years. Providing around the clock care servicing all of Western New York, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and beyond.
34 | heliweb magazine
The Bell 429 is the only light twinengine helicopter on the market with true two-litter capability, featuring enough cabin space for two medical attendants and two crew members. The Bell 429 also offers exceptional flight performance with a fully integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system and best-in-class SBAS navigation and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability. It is the first helicopter certified through the MSG-3 process, resulting in reduced maintenance costs for operators. The Bell 429 also features a spacious cabin and extra-large 60 inch side doors, as well as IFR capability certified for single or dual pilot operations.
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Grants Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Certification executive vice president, Commercial Sales and Marketing. “Our mission with the Bell 505 was to reclaim the short single light market while honoring the Jet Ranger legacy and the phenomenal customer response is evidence we are on track.” The Bell 505 has received certification from the civil certification authorities in the United States, Australia, Chile, Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea, Argentina and most recently, Japan.
Bell Helicopter, announced the
“This is a significant milestone for the
certification of the Bell 505
Bell 505 Jet Ranger X and I know our
Jet Ranger X by the European
customers in Europe are thrilled to hear
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
the news as well,” said Patrick Moulay
“This is an important milestone for the Bell 505 and the timing of the news is very exciting,” said Glenn Isbell, executive vice president, Customer Support and Services “We are hosting our first Bell 505 European operators this month at our Bell Training Academy in Fort Worth and the first aircraft in the region is scheduled to be delivered at the beginning of 2018.”
Flightcell DZMx to Add Engine Cycle Counting to its Résumé
Successful integration between the Flightcell DZMx and the AKV ETM1000 Engine Trend Monitoring system has taken place at AKV’s facilities in Camarillo, California. This marriage of communications equipment and engine monitoring equipment is sure to get the attention of legacy helicopter operators who want to maximize engine lifecycles. It is particularly attractive to operators who already have the DZMx installed. In addition to satellite and cellular voice, data and tracking services, this solution provides engine and exceedance monitoring, cycle count information, trend information, and the option to send accurate cycle count data off the aircraft. Audible and visual exceedance warnings are available in
the cockpit and pilots are prompted to manually record required cycle count information from the display, at the completion of a day’s flying and prior to the data being sent.
engine starts and flight time. The data was sent to TracPlus, who developed full support in their mapping solution for Engine Cycle Counting in parallel with Flightcell and AKV.
“We are providing legacy aircraft operators with a highly effective and affordable means of monitoring engine parameters, exceedances, cycle counts and trends” says Hamish Neill, VP, Flightcell International. “you have the option to use the DZMx as an onboard cycle counter as well as remotely send the data to a tracking service provider.”
Certification of the combined DZMx and ETM1000 solution is anticipated for early in the New Year.
8
01-04 RENO, NEVADA
Throughout the integration and testing; drive train and cycle count data was accurately displayed on the front panel of the DZMx. This information included Ng and Np total cycles as well as revenue/run time, Nov/Dec 2017 | 35
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CHC Announces New Contract with Centrica to Support Norwegian Sea Drilling Program CHC Group announced it has been awarded the contract from Centrica to provide helicopter services in support of their forthcoming drilling program at the Fogelberg field in the Norwegian Sea. “ We a r e e xc i t e d t o work with Centrica as their aviation partner in this p r o j e c t ,” s a i d M a r k A b b e y, C H C Regional Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). “This project allows us continue to build on our decades of experience supporting oil and gas customers on the Norwegian Continental Shelf as we continue to evolve our services and technology to b e s t m e e t t h e i r n e e d s .” The operation is scheduled to begin in February
or March 2018, flying to Fogelberg from CHC’s base in Kristiansund. Centrica’s drilling program is expected to last for an initial period of a p p r ox i m a t e l y 1 0 0 - 1 5 0 d a y s . The support will be provided by a Sikorsky S-92, which has a proven safety and availability record, reaching more than one million fleet hours of service in 2016.
“CHC is proud to continue a safe and reliable transportation offering to customers in and around the North Sea,” said Karl Fessenden, President and CEO of CHC Helicopter. “We look forward to building on our relationship with Centrica in the North Sea and look forward to flying on their behalf upon project commencement next year.”
CHC Group Appoints New Chief Financial Officer for the Company’s global finance organization.
CHC Group announced the appointment of Scott Thanisch, as senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Thanisch has served as CHC’s interim CFO since October with responsibility 36 | heliweb magazine
“We are delighted to have Scott take on the CFO role at such an important point in CHC’s transformation,” said Karl Fessenden, President and CEO of CHC Helicopter. “I am confident his breadth of expertise in finance, treasury and strategy will serve us well as we continue our focus on delivering profitable growth. I want to congratulate Scott on behalf of the CHC Board of Managers and our management team.” “I am honored to have this opportunity,” said Thanisch. “I look forward to continuing working
closely with the talented team at CHC and contributing to our future success.” Thanisch joined CHC in April 2016 as Vice President and Treasurer, leading CHC’s financial planning and analysis and treasury functions throughout the Company’s financial restructuring. Thanisch has more than 20 years of progressive leadership positions in finance, treasury and corporate development with companies including PLH Group, Dell and Sabre. He holds an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University and a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Texas.
Abu Dhabi Aviation Expands Leonardo AW139 Offshore Helicopter Fleet Leonardo announced that Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) has signed a contract for two additional AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters. The announcement was made during an official ceremony at the Dubai Air Show. The aircraft will be used to perform offshore transport mission with deliveries expected in 2017, further expanding ADA’s AW139 fleet which currently accounts of 15 units in service primarily supporting the Oil & Gas industry. This latest order is part of an agreement for 15 helicopters including the AW139/AW169/ AW189 types with deliveries through to 2019 announced at the end of 2015. “Owning a fleet of ultra-fast aircraft and a state-of-the-art safety system has helped Abu Dhabi Aviation to drive its operations to the highest level of customer service,” said H.E. Nader Ahmed Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation. “The services provided by Abu Dhabi Aviation are driven by customer’s needs. These helicopters are widely used in the UAE, the GCC and the Middle East. ADA’s AW139s benefit from the support solutions provided locally by AgustaWestland Aviation Services LLC, an Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) and Leonardo joint venture delivering thorough support and maintenance services in the region.” “The company has recently expanded its fleet to cover its contractual obligations inside and outside the U.A.E. and to further its investment in the aviation industry.” “Abu Dhabi Aviation Services are among the top services provided across the Middle East and the world, especially in the field of operation, maintenance and training.” He added.
With over 140 AW139s ordered in the Middle East, more than 60 of which by customers in UAE, this model has demonstrated extremely successful for a wide range of commercial and government roles across the region and has set new standards for offshore transport duties. Abu Dhabi Aviation has established, in cooperation with Leonardo, a maintenance center under the name of AgustaWestland Aviation Serices L.L.C. to expand its scope of services and meet the growing needs of the helicopter fleet in the Middle East. Having almost completed the provision of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhauling as well as all relevant logistic services. The joint venture is poised to provide maintenance, repair and overhauling for a wide range of these helicopters’ components. The Company also plans to provide specialized services to support the full range of the new generation
AgustaWestland aircrafts in the region. Since its inception, late 2011 and reaching its full operational capacity in 2013, the company has taken huge steps towards providing an expanding range of fullfledged services and activities with plans to sell helicopter spare parts and accessories and carry out helicopter/ component repairs, overhauling, customization, modification and upgrading. Leonardo and Abu Dhabi Aviation have been able to unify their efforts thanks to the combination of their engineering and maintenance expertise and the local partner’s willingness to invest in the latest technologies. The Company has already acquired the capabilities to provide support to the latest AgustaWestland aircrafts: AW169 and AW189 to operators in the region. Therefore AgustaWestland Aviation Services is expected to become one of the major support centers of the latest generation of AgustaWestland aircraft.
Eight More Aw139s to Strengthen Rescue and Border Patrol in Italy
Leonardo announced today further orders for its AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopter for public service and security operations in Italy, with contracts for eight aircraft valued at approximately 112 million euro.
The Italian Coast Guard has signed a contract for two AW139s to perform search and rescue missions, with deliveries to be completed by the end of 2018, while the Italian Customs and Border Protection Service (Guardia di Finanza) has ordered six to perform patrol operations, with deliveries to be completed by 2020. With these aircraft deliveries both operators will have a fleet of 14 AW139s
each, allowing a further enhancement in mission capability and simplified logistics as they replace ageing AB412 aircraft. The Italian Coast Guard recently passed the 10,000 flight hours milestone with its AW139 fleet, having saved many lives in operation and providing evidence of the outstanding effectiveness, reliability of the aircraft and successful partnership with Leonardo. Italian Customs and Border Protection Service has been using its AW139s for a range of roles across the nation including mountain and maritime patrol and reconnaissance, law enforcement, SAR and homeland security. Nov/Dec 2017 | 37
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US Customs & Border Protection Hires Student Pilots from University of North Dakota as Pilot Shortage Solution
The University of North Dakota is offering new pathways for student pilots to enter into the world of Airborne Law Enforcement through US Customs and Border Protection. The students who will be given opportunities to enter both fixed and rotor wing fields will find themselves gaining employment with flexible hours to continue their college aspirations. The Air and Marine Operations (AMO) section of US Customs and Border Protection launched this program to recruit students exclusively from the University of North Dakota (UND). Under this new, one of a kind program, sophomore and junior students will learn the foundation of Federal Law Enforcement while they continue their studies at the UND. As part of AMO’s mission to detect, sort, track, intercept and apprehend criminals using sophisticated aviation techniques, these students will find themselves learning much more than the civil or commercial field they were once focusing on. “We constantly search for ways to assist our students in their careers and professional development, while providing solutions for real-world challenges such as the current pilot shortage,” said UND 38 | heliweb magazine
Aerospace Assistant Dean Ken Polovitz. “At UND Aerospace, we go beyond training and educating pilots to prepare individuals for leadership in government, business, and industry.” As the groundwork for this new program is being laid out, the AMO Pathways Program will provide up to fifteen students the opportunity to work as aviation enforcement trainees. These students will be hired as federal employees under USCBP and will be afforded flexible full or part-time schedules. Their responsibilities under this program will include assisting with developing operational plans for interdiction missions, interfacing with state and local law enforcement officials, and performing security liaison duties. After graduating and successfully completing a polygraph, the trainees will then be offered the option to convert to aviation enforcement agents (AEA) in Grand Forks or other AMO locations. Upon the accrual of one thousand flight hours, AEAs will then be eligible to apply to become an air interdiction agent (AIA). AMO operates at some seventyfour locations across the US with over eighteen hundred employees which include seven hundred pilots in their
fleet of over two hundred aircraft. These aircraft include fixed-wing aircraft such as the P-3 Orion, the C-12/B200 and MQ-9 Predator B along with rotor-wing aircraft such as the UH-60, AS350, EC120 and MEA helicopters. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for aviation students to earn a parttime salary while being trained for a challenging and rewarding career to serve and protect the American people,” said Christopher Wiyda, deputy director for AMO’s northern region. “These young aviators are our nation’s future experts in airborne and maritime law enforcement, and can earn over $100,000 annually after two years of full-time service.” To be eligible for the Pathways Program, an applicant must be a current UND Aerospace student, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and pass a background investigation and drug test. Approximately 80 students applied for the program in October 2017 and, after structured interviews, 15 candidates were selected. The names of the first group of student trainees are expected to be announced in December 2017.
Afghan Air Force Trains First Six Pilots For New Black Hawk Program The Afghan Air Force now has six new Black Hawk pilots. The new Black Hawk pilots just completed a six-week training course at Kandahar Airport. Prior to flying Black Hawks the group was accustomed to flying Russian Mi-17 helicopters before upgrading to the US-sponsored Black Hawks. In a ceremony held at Kandahar Airport, officials with the Afghan Air Force announced that they are now able to use the helicopters for their mission. “The Black Hawks can positively impact our missions because they are technologically advanced and can be used in defensive situations. Meanwhile, our missions will cost less with the Black Hawk helicopters,” said Jawad Saqib, an Afghan Air Force pilot who completed the training course.
“The cost (of flying) Black Hawks is much less than that of Mi-17 helicopters. For every 800 liters of fuel for the MI17s we will consume only 400 liters of fuel for Black Hawk helicopters,” said Captain Jamshed, another pilot. During the ceremony, Afghan General Raziq Shirzai, Commander of Kandahar Air Regiment stated that the US helicopters will now be used for Afghan missions. “Today, we celebrate the completion of the first round of Afghan pilots’ training program to fly Black Hawk helicopters. The pilots will receive their certificates today and will fly Black Hawk helicopters after this,” he stated. Additionally, Shirzai went on to say that the Air Force in the southern area will be additionally strengthened in the next four years. This comes after just months ago
Sikorsky S-92 Obtains DGAC Approval for Mexico Operations
the United States announced that they will be providing the Afghan Air Force with one hundred fifty Black Hawks among other aircraft over the next four years. Officials with the Defense Ministry stated that the helicopters the United States promised would help them overcome challenges that they are facing in the fight on terrorism. In July officials with Afghanistan and the United States stated that efforts were underway to replace the Russian Mi-35 helicopters with American Black Hawks within the next three months as part of the government’s plan to increase the size of the Afghan Air Force from a fleet of one hundred twenty aircraft to a size of two hundred sixty aircraft within the next seven years. Currently, the Afghan Air Force has four Mi-35 helicopters and twenty-six Mi-17 helicopters, with two of the Mi-35s needing repairs.
Sikorsky and Patient Airlift Services
will ensure they remain on schedule and on budget. With this new certification of the S-92 aircraft, operators and oil and gas companies can select a true heavy helicopter that has the proven reliability and safety to support their success.”
Sikorsky announced that Mexico’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) approved the Offshore and Utility Type Certificate for the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter. The certificate enables the operation of S-92 helicopters in Mexico, in all production configurations including offshore oil and gas transportation, search and rescue, as well as regional airline passenger service and VIP transportation.
“This moves us another step forward in our overall Latin America strategy,” said Sikorsky Vice President, Latin America, Adam Schierholz. “The region has long had faith in Sikorsky products, specifically the Black Hawk. It’s a natural progression, as oil markets expand in Mexico and Colombia, that the S-92 would start to play a prominent role in that sector.” The S-92 has also obtained certification to operate in other South American countries, receiving certification to operate in Colombia in November 2016.
In the photo above from left: Dana Fiatarone, Sikorsky Vice President, Commercial Systems & Services, Eileen Minogue, PALS Executive Director, and Marine Staff Sgt. David Crouse, a Connecticut Wounded Warrior who lost his left hand and left eye when a bomb he was trying to dismantle detonated on him during a humanitarian mission in Cambodia. Photo Courtesy Lockheed Martin, Stu Walls
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, presented a check for more than $28,000 to Patient AirLift Services on Wednesday, Dec. 13, for the organization’s PALS for Patriots program. Sikorsky is proud to partner with Patient
DGAC signed the certificate November 6th, 2017 capping an intensive three-year effort to introduce the S-92 helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky, into Mexico. “Sikorsky has been excited to watch the evolution of the offshore oil and gas industry in Mexico,” said Sikorsky Vice President, Oil & Gas, David Martin. “As the industry expands into new territory, safe and reliable offshore transportation
Sikorsky has delivered nearly 300 S-92 helicopters since 2004, proving to be a very popular choice for operators for its size class to complete offshore oil worker transportation missions. The S-92 is also a popular choice as a search and rescue aircraft, operating in multiple countries around the world and also serves as the base platform for the new presidential helicopter in development
AirLift Services, a nonprofit organization that donates flights to medical patients and military families. The PALS for Patriots program serves military servicemen and women who suffered serious, service connected injury, by transporting them to specialized military medical centers and to morale boosting events. Nov/Dec 2017 | 39
HELINEWS
REBTECH Announces Kuerzi Avionics Partnership REBTECH, a company specializing in avionics night vision lighting, announces a partnership with Kuerzi Avionics of Lommis, Switzerland. Kuerzi will perform night vision filter implementation and aircraft installations for REBTECH in Europe. According to REBTECH President Richard Borkowski, “This agreement allows us to provide our customers with the same high quality NVIS modifications in Europe that we provide in the U.S. and Canada without having to ship components and equipment across the Atlantic. It will also allow
us to decrease lead times and eliminate shipping issues of delicate instruments.” Borkowski added, “We had to find a company who most importantly possesses the same quality technical skills as our personnel in Bedford, and who also has the same commitment and focus on customer service and support as we have. After evaluating several companies in Europe as potential partners to perform this type of work for us, Kuerzi Avionics was a clear choice given that the company encompasses all of the skills, tools and
interest we sought in a partner.” “Based on expertise from our own NVG STC’s, we have the engineering and certification capabilities to offer night vision solutions in Europe,” explains CEO Ralf Kuerzi from Kuerzi Avionics. “Our partnership with REBTECH allows us to provide innovative and costeffective solutions ranging from basic NVG filters to sophisticated light control solutions.” REBTECH will serve as sales agent in North America for Kuerzi Avionics products, including the company’s state of the art EMS solutions.
Helicopter Engine Company Executive Receives HAI’s Salute to Excellence Bell Lifetime Achievement Award
Helicopter Association International (HAI) has announced that James Russell Spray, retired president and CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines USA, is the 2018 winner of HAI’s Salute to Excellence Bell Lifetime Achievement Award. Spray, from Flower Mound, Texas, is honored for his lifetime of service dedicated to the helicopter industry. The award will be presented at HAI’s Salute to Excellence Awards Dinner at HAI HELI-EXPO 2018 in Las Vegas. Spray’s career in aviation operations and management 40 | heliweb magazine
spans 53 years, including 42 years in executive administration. His career includes working as a helicopter pilot for Pacific Airmotive Corporation, and as a helicopter flight instructor for Bell Helicopter Textron and Southern Airways, where he was responsible for the accidentfree training of more than 500 pilots. He held the position of vice president of medical operations for Rocky Mountain Holdings, growing the air medical services division from seven helicopters and $3 million in revenue to more than $100 million in revenue per year with 90 aircraft. Spray later took over as chairman and CEO of Rocky Mountain. More recently, Spray held the position of president and CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines USA, formerly Turbomeca USA, from 2003 until his retirement in late 2016. While he was with Safran, he concurrently held the positions of president and CEO of Microturbo, Inc., Turbomeca Canada, Ltd. and Sagem Avionics. During his tenure with Safran Helicopter Engines USA, the company doubled its number of employees, saw multiple facility expansions,
was awarded two major military contracts, and developed or strengthened relationships with Airbus and Bell Helicopter. He has also served as chairman of the Emergency Medical Services Committee for HAI (now Air Medical Services), was the cosponsor of the American Society of Hospital Based Emergency Air Medicals Systems (now called the Association of Air Medical Services), and has been an officer and member of numerous other boards and associations. Throughout his career, Spray’s work has resulted in numerous accolades. He was a previous recipient of HAI’s Golden Hour award for his contributions to air ambulance safety. Just prior to his retirement, Spray received the Medal of Honor of the Order of St. Michael for his contributions to U.S. Army Aviation. The award will be presented at the annual Salute to Excellence Awards dinner during HAI HELIEXPO 2018.
USHST Releases Six Ways That Helicopter Instructors Can Save Lives
The United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) researched dozens of helicopter accidents that resulted in fatalities for pilots and passengers and from this research released six focus areas that the team believes can improve safety in the Helicopter Industry. In their research, they have discovered that case studies reveal that failures in these key areas have resulted in lives being lost. By focusing on these important points, the USHST hopes to raise awareness within the industry to reduce the number of fatalities among the Civil Helicopter Community. Teaching the importance of the pre-flight risk assessment. With this point, the USHST believes that both flight instructors and new pilots alike would benefit from guidance on the accepted best practices for conducting a full and comprehensive risk assessment prior to a training flight. With a pre flight risk assessment, inherent risks would be identified and this assessment would allow these risks to be mitigated and subsequently greatly reduced. The USHST believes that there should be a standard series of guidelines for pre-flight risk assessments on training flights and these standards should be readily available for flight instructors and students. Provide competency-based training and assessments. The USHST determined in their research
that as many as 17% of all fatal accidents involved pilot decision errors that stemmed from a basic lack of competency to operate the aircraft safely, effectively, and efficiently. Some of the factors that were brought up in the study included poor knowledge of aircraft performance and limitations, inflight power and energy management, basic maneuvers essential to aircraft control, aircraft systems, and familiarity with the Pilot Operating Handbook. Teaching Threat and Error Management. Currently, many instructors are using a traditional decision-making form of risk assessment which places the focus largely on reactive and proactive means of flight crew situational management. The USHST is recommending the introduction of a Threat and Error Management practice that will utilize a predictive process to eliminate threats and errors before, during, and after each flight. The team believes this should be incorporated into initial and recurrent helicopter training courses. Train Pilots to Recognize Spatial Disorientation. Don’t let this suggestion’s place on the list fool you, this is a serious topic. In the USHST’s analysis, one out of ten fatal accidents were linked to spatial disorientation being a cause or contributing factor to a pilot’s incapacitation. The USHST’s recommendation to reduce this problem would come from the use of available simulator technology and training
scenarios on recognition and recovery from spatial disorientation to be used more widely. Incorporate Progressive Approaches to Training Autorotations. The USHST believes that with experience with progressive approaches in the training of autorotation maneuvers will help pilots avoid fatal consequences when mitigating an unexpected inflight problem. With future flight instruction placing more emphasis on the recommendations outlined in FAS Advisory Circular 61-140A, which contains topics including higher entry point and lower entry point autorotations, 300ft AGL decision checks, and turning autorotation techniques, lives could be saved. Improve Simulator Training for Outsidethe-Envelope Conditions. Currently, the models for simulator training lack accuracy at edge-of-the-envelope and outside-the-envelope flight scenarios and this may, in fact, lead to unrealistic training for maneuvers such as loss of tail rotor effectiveness, vortex ring state/settling with power, and autorotation procedures. This will subsequently render this training ineffective when these situations are encountered during an actual flight. It is the USHST’s belief that there should be improvements made to simulator models that will help address these limitations in current simulator training. Nov/Dec 2017 | 41
CHINESE AVIATION PIONEER
GENERAL LIANG DEHAO
Story by
Michael Rocks-MacQueen Images Provided by
General Liang 42 | heliweb magazine
Although the commercial helicopter industry a relatively new market in China that continues to blossom, there is still a lot for the west to learn about Chinese aviation. One thing is coming to light, is, like the United States and Europe, China has aviation legends of its own. Aviation has been a large part of Chinese Military Forces since the Flying Tigers of WWII, yet mostly unknown, shrouded behind the Great Wall for many decades. General Liang Dehao, is one of those living legends of aviation in China. General Liang began his aviation career at the tender age of 17 as an Air Force Jet pilot
and progressed into flying the Mig 15, Chinese Jet 5 and Jet 6 respectively. As Liang advanced in rank, he also became a flight instructor, a position that he would excel in over many years. General Liang was eventually known as one of the most capable fighter pilot instructors throughout the Chinese Air Force, leading to Liang being asked to help guide the Fighter Squadron of the newly formed Army Air Wing in 1982. It was in the Army when helicopters were introduced when Liang was able to transition into what he describes as the right move for his career. “Helicopters are more fun to
fly than fixed-wing and fighter jets,” said Liang about his transition into helicopters in 1988.
USA WORK After decades of military service, the next phase of General Liang’s path as a pilot would come as a surprise to most in China, being that, technically it was illegal in China. However, Liang was granted permission from the highest levels of government to work in the USA. To this day, it is still technically illegal for Military pilots to cross over to the commercial market in China. However, Liang was granted permission by the
Nov/Dec 2017 | 43
highest levels of his government to follow that path. His powerful advocate was described as a man that did not care much for rules as it related to distinguished members of the Chinese Military. In 1999, General Liang traveled to the United States, where he worked
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extensively with Bell helicopter and is mainly responsible for the first commercial importation of a Bell Helicopter product, and the first western helicopter into China. During his five years in the United States, Liang also worked with Brantley to assist in the importation of Brantley B2s from Warner,
CHINESE AVIATION PIONEER | GENERAL LIANG DEHAO
Texas that were sourced to assist with commercial agriculture work which is now prevalent in China. General Liang returned to China and began what is now a rapidly expanding commercial helicopter market of today, that continues to
grow at a rate twice to three times the speed of the rest of the world. Although. Liang explained that the industry still has a lot of growing to do to mature as an industry, explaining “Bosses have too much money, but no good, they do not simply understand Aviation.”
JOURNEY TO THE POLES Upon his return to China, General Liang was again called upon for a one-of-a -kind mission. A mission to repres ent, and lead China on several exploratory missions. The first to the South Pole, then, a friendly competition between American and Russian forces. General Liang would ultimately also lead several expeditions to the North Pole, that he described as a test of military conditioning in harsh conditions. The testing conducted during the North Pole missions – a series of testing to rate the ability of militarygrade equipment to survive and continue to operate in some of the harshest conditions on earth. General Liang described these expeditions as the single most beautiful and majestic views he has had the privilege to witness and explore during his 21,000 hours of logged flight over his thirty-seven years of aviation experience. Nov/Dec 2017 | 45
One of his most vivid memories, that of witnessing the Aurora Borealis during visits to both poles. The overall experience was the most rewarding thing to him during his long-lived career, to see such natural beauty. In such an area, the air is the cleanest in the world, enabling pilots sometimes to see up to 400 miles in the distant view.
CHINESE DEVELOPMENT Since the Chinese licensing of the EC155/ AS365 and production beginning in China, 46 | heliweb magazine
the General was once again called upon as an instructor for the Chinese Military. Liang transitioned from the Airbus airframe into the Chinese Z9 Military helicopter once it was operational, which he then continued to instruct domestically and through twelve other countries that now fly the Chinese native helicopter. General Liang explained that this part of his career was “a great pleasure.” When asked the most important thing he learned throughout his career as an instructor, General Liang noted
“Science has no borders. There are many things that books and lessons cannot teach the pilot; there is a deep knowledge that only experience can bring, and there is no substitute for real-life experience or a hands-on approach.”
INSTRUCTING THE FUTURE Being passionate about flight instruction, General Liang noted there were some critical differences between Military aviation and the
CHINESE AVIATION PIONEER | GENERAL LIANG DEHAO
challenges that the rapidly growing Chinese commercial industry now face. In Military aviation, training is very intensive and maneuver specific. He also noted that during a pilot’s flight training in China, pilots are expected to become familiar with over four hundred flight maneuvers during helicopter training and path to becoming a pilot in command is not an easy or short path, taking a new pilot between six and eight years of very
specific experience and more than eight hundred flight hours to advance into operations such as search and rescue operations and other complex missions within the Chinese Military. While the high level of training and discipline required to be a Chinese Military pilot ensures the safety and competency of pilots in the Military spectrum within China - there has been issues within commercial helicopter operations General Liang stated. “There is a general lack of real
experience and knowledge amongst the almost weekly new operations starting in China.” He also said that their industry had been hurt by a history of copying western designs rather than building the Chinese aviation industry on original designs, real experience, and knowledge.
OPENING THE AIRSPACE As has been noted globally, China’s aviation market had, over the last five years, multiple issues stifling Nov/Dec 2017 | 47
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CHINESE AVIATION PIONEER | GENERAL LIANG DEHAO
progress. Chinese rules governing airspace and slow governmental strides in legislating commercial aviation were well documented. General Liang stated, “We as a country need to do this as a unified whole, but it is very new, we are huge, and we have to be careful.” The military still controls Chinese airspace, and transition into open airspace for commercial helicopter traffic has been slow, but is gradually continuing to improve as commercial helicopter industrialization continues. Before opening the industry to commercial aviation, safety was impeccable, thanks in large part to the only rotorcraft being military rotorcraft in use in China.
The issues with the commercialization of the industry and use of airspace do not stem from Military regulation but from lack of infrastructure and general knowledge of processes and procedures as used in the western world. This is the reason 70% of the country still has strict military control over airspace - for safety General Liang explained. This is the very same reason, when he first worked outside of the military in China it was incredibly frustrating. He was a very experienced pilot, knew aviation, his employer had a lot of money, yet money did not help the issues. In China, the general lack of knowledge, and lack of real aeronautical experience of private and commercial aviators is what will ultimately affect safety. “We truly care about our
people, and their safety in aviation” General Liang stated.
THE STORY TELLER Like any great aviation pioneer, General Liang has many stories, one of his favorite stories involves General Liang becoming the first foreigner ever to fly the world’s largest aircraft, the six engine Ukrainian built Antonov AN-225. General Liang, sitting in the cockpit of an airliner many years after flying the giant Antonov, was asked by the pilot “Have you ever flown a big airplane?” General Liang simply stated, “hold my Cigarette…. watch this!” – stay tuned, the rest of this story will be published in a future issue of Heliweb Magazine. Nov/Dec 2017 | 49
Story by
Matt Johnson
FINDING Y
BECOMING “ESTABLIS | heliweb magazine magazine 50 |50heliweb
CBP Photo by Donna Burton
YOUR WAY
SHED ON-COURSE” Nov/Dec October 2017 2017 || 51 51
If one thing is for sure in aviation, beyond the obvious slap in the face of over inflated prices on many aspects of the industry, it is the difference of opinions that promulgates amongst pilots and instructors. As the worn out cliché goes; “the only thing two flight instructors can agree on is what the third one is doing wrong.” One such friendly debate that is common among aviators is that of how we define (determine) when we are “established on course” as it relates to flying an instrument approach. Before we begin, let’s be clear that we’re talking about the “established oncourse” phrase as it relates to an ILS or Localizer approach—the “established on-course” criteria for these types of approaches is in fact defined differently than those for RNAV/RNP operations which will be covered in a future article. Your interpretation or definition of “established on course” may be determined by your past experience, which includes your initial instrument 52 | heliweb magazine
training, when you received your training, type of navigation equipment used, company procedures, etc. You have probably heard a plethora of phrases used to describe when you are established on course: needle is alive, case break, off peg, half-scale, and others.
When and Why So, when does this “established oncourse” business come into play? On your basic ILS instrument approach, you are probably most familiar with hearing, “Helicopter N12345 you are three miles from final approach fix. Turn left heading zero one zero. Maintain two thousand until established on the localizer. Cleared I−L−S runway three six approach.” This example is straight out of the ATC Bible (ORDER: JO 7110.65W). It explains when you will hear this phrase. The reason why you hear it concerns itself with keeping the aircraft protected at an altitude that complies with obstacle
clearance requirements. While there are many interesting things inside the ATC Manual, let’s focus on two important points. First, the ATC Manual includes a note in section 4−8−1, (approach clearance) that states, “An aircraft is not established on an approach until at or above an altitude published on that segment of the approach.” Second, as part of the ATC Manual, the “Pilot/Controller Glossary” is included at the back of the manual. While a definition for “on-course” isn’t specifically listed (more from another resource later) we do find a definition for “on-course.” It reads, “An indication on an instrument, which provides the pilot a visual means of determining that the aircraft is located on the centerline of a given navigational track, or an indication on a radar scope that an aircraft is on a given track.” I think the key take-away here is the word “centerline.” After all, that is where we want to be for the maximum amount of obstacle/terrain clearance.
But Wait, There’s More If the information above didn’t give you the warm and fuzzy feeling you were looking for on this subject, you are not alone. There is an area of ambiguity here (yes, pun intended). Using the above definitions and cited sources, one can surmise how so many different interpretations and phrases for knowing when one is actually “established on-course.” This is likely because the terms “established” and “on-course” are essentially defined independent of one another. Thankfully, most of us don’t lug around the official ATC Manual and we stick-wigglers have an easy go-to resource that will hopefully settle the “established on-course” definition debate. This pilot-friendly definition is found in the FAA’s Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B). It
specifically states, “The FAA definition of established on course requires the aircraft to be established on the route centerline.” The text goes on to tell us that, “Generally, the controller assigns an altitude compatible with glideslope/ glidepath intercept prior to being cleared for the approach.” (Note: so that you know you’re receiving the most current information, the latest version of this manual was just published on 9/14/2017.)
It Wasn’t Always This Way If you go back into your FAA publication archives for a manual published in 2007, specifically, FAAH-8261-1A you will find that this is the predecessor to the previously mentioned Instrument Procedures Handbook published in September of 2017. In this manual you will find a totally different definition for “established on-
course” that reads, “The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) definition of established on course requires the aircraft to be within half scale deflection for the ILS and VOR, or within ±5° of the required bearing for the NDB.” Why the change from a specific metric (half scale, ±5°) to “aircraft to be established on the route centerline?” Those with more FAA publications in their archives may know the answer to that. My guess (which is purely conjecture) is that the new definition takes into account the vast reduction of NDB’s and VOR’s over the past 10 years and more importantly, to simplify things. Regardless, now that you have a better understanding and definition of “established on course” for that ILS approach, you and your fellow pilot or instructor can enjoy a cold beer while talking about what the third one is doing wrong.
Nov/Dec October 2017 2017 || 53 53
Ukrain
Army Aviation Brig 54 | heliweb magazine
ne
gades
Story & Photos by:
Alexander Golz & Ralph Blok
BALANCING: ANTI-TERRORISM OPERATIONS AT HOME AND U.N. SUPPORT MISSIONS ABROAD Nov/Dec 2017 | 55
Today’s Ukrainian Army Aviators find themselves and their units strained between two distinct missions. For years they have been coping with the challenging duties of UN deployments in Africa, and since the beginning of ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operations) in 2014, they are also needed permanently in the east along Ukraine’s border to Crimea. Hardly recognized in Western Europe, the Ukrainian helicopters painted, in all white with UN markings, have achieved tremendous success in Africa where they have fulfilled their duties for more than a decade.
Call to Duty One particular unit is the 16th Independent Helicopter Brigade,
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the “Fighting Bees” of Brody from near Ukraine’s western border. The 16th was originally established in 1981 during the Soviet times as the 119th Independent Helicopter Regiment. After the foundation of Ukraine and the accompanying reorganization of the armed forces, the unit became known as the 3rd Brigade, then later as the 3rd Regiment until December 2012 when they changed to their current name. Even under their former names, the 16th Independent Helicopter Brigade has been performing UN missions since 1995. Their long list of deployments include; UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR) 1995-1996, UN Confidence Restoration Operation (UNCRO) in Croatia 1995-1998, KFOR in Kosovo 1999-2001, the UN mission
in Sierra-Leone (UNAMSIL) 2001-2005 and since 2003 when joining UNOCI in Côte d'Ivoire they have had to cope with two peacekeeping missions at the same time.
Peace Keeping in Liberia At the moment, all missions are taking place in Africa with the UN missions MONUSCO and UNMIL. Their deployment in Liberia (UNMIL) is practically a permanent tasking as it has been taking place for more than a decade at this point. The reason for this UN mission was the occurring civil war as well as the resignation of Liberia’s former president Charles Taylor in 2003. Initially, a peacekeeping force of the West African Economic Community
BALANCING MISSIONS | UKRAINE ARMY AVIATION
Above Photo by: 16. OBr AA Inset Photo by: Ralph Blok
ECOWAS together with a small contingent of United States Marines Corps took over the responsibility to establish and secure peace. In September of 2003 the UN Security Council provided the legal basis to conduct a multinational mission. The mission’s primary task today is to allow refugees to securely return and to disarm the different groups of rebels. When Ukraine joined the 2004 deployment to Liberia it began with a vanguard of 18 men who formed together with the troops of the 56th Independent Helicopter Detachment. The transfer of overhauled Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters as well as necessary spare engines was accomplished with An-124 cargo
aircraft via the international airport close to the capital Monrovia. Additional cargo and troops found their way to Africa in Tu-154s or via ship. By the end of January 2004 the total contingent of 300 Ukrainian troops including equipment were in position and conducting missions. From the beginning, the deployment has proven to be challenging for soldiers and material. Temperatures of +40 to +45 °C with a humidity of 90% to 98% have to be coped with. This is compounded by heavy rain for half of the year and the long distances that must be traversed. Greenville, a strategically important location, is 230 km away and has to regularly be serviced by Mi-8 helicopters for logistical needs. The
unit’s Mi-24 helicopters are utilized for reconnaissance and patrol flights. Even if the situation eases after the elections and foreign troops can be withdrawn, the Ukrainian helicopters probably will stay in smaller numbers until the end of the withdrawal.
Service in the Congo The second UN-mission with Ukrainian helicopters is in the Democratic Republic of Congo. MONUSCO, as the mission is called, is one of the largest peace creating missions of the United Nations. It began in November 1999 under the name of MONUC because of the second Congo War, where troops of the government in Kabila faced several movements of rebels. In spite Nov/Dec October 2017 2017 || 57 57
of the UN mission, which included a robust mandate with active use of weapons and several years of relative peace, rebels took the provincial capital of Goma with one million citizens in 2012.
Photo by: Niels Roman
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Since then, the Ukrainian 18th Independent Helicopter Detachment has been in the Congo. Utilizing their four Mi-8 and four Mi-24s that are “in country,� the primary tasks of the Ukrainian troops are air recce, transport of cargo, transporting UN troops and VIPs as well as show of force. The high amounts of flight hours seen here are tough on both soldiers and equipment. All maintenance checks in 6, 12 and 24 month cycles have to be done in Congo. Extra flight hours occur frequently in order to manage all existing tasks. Since 2004,
BALANCING MISSIONS | UKRAINE ARMY AVIATION
deployments in Africa have been the main task for Ukrainian Army Aviators, where they’ve flown more than 50,000 flight hours and more than 200,000 passengers, across all of their African deployments.
Terror Along the Crimean Border In 2014 the situation quickly changed with the beginning of the AntiTerror Operation (ATO) in the east of Ukraine. According to Colonel Igor Jaremenko, the former officer in charge of the Fighting Bees at Brody,
whom has recently been appointed as the Commander of Army Aviation in Ukraine, the 16th Brigade’s soldiers and helicopters that are deployed to Africa are missed immensely and sorely needed to help conduct the ATO at home. Despite the need, a withdrawal of the troops deployed in Africa is not possible. The long-term contracts with the United Nations allow a withdrawal only in cases of catastrophe or war in Ukraine/home country. In commonly used linguistic terms, the deployment in East Ukraine is
still a mission against terrorists, which is according to the UN contract is no reason to return troops. Fortunately, volunteers have helped to ease the situation. Since March 2015 the Ukrainian Army Aviators have not lost any helicopters during hot missions. Luckily, the initiated peace process of Minsk continues. The 16th Brigade itself has lost six helicopters (3x Mi-8 and 3x Mi-24) and eight crewmembers during the scope of the ATO according to Colonel Jaremenko.
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Photo by: Niels Roman
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UKRANIANARMY ARMYAVIATION AVIATION BALANCING MISSIONS | UKRAINE
Fast Facts: Mil Mi-24 First flown in 1969, the Mi-24 was designed from the ground up to be a flying Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Because of that design decision, this helicopter has no direct NATO counterpart. With over 2600 built, and currently being used by more than 50 countries, the "Hind" has been utilized in nearly 30 conflicts over the last 40 years.
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Lessons Learned Though the Ukrainian pilots have accumulated vast experience through their deployments in Africa, they’ve still lost more than ten helicopters. The air defense system in Donbas is well constructed and strong, for helicopters as well as for Sukhoi fighter jets, this means flying low provides security. Mayor General Valentin Pistryuga, former head of the Ukrainian Army Aviators, underlined this fact during the beginning of the ATO and even took it one step further. During an interview he postulated that the tasks of Army Aviation have changed immensely with the introduction of man-portable air defense systems (manpads) in Russia between 2012 and 2013, they were also quickly integrated into the ATO zone. For Ukrainian pilots remained only one solution: --low-flying. At the
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moment, five meters above ground is the standard operating altitude. Due to their deployments in Africa the pilots thankfully have on average more than 1,000 flight hours. During the beginning of ATO the helicopters flew their support missions based on their standard tactical doctrine. Quickly, this approach changed and timing became the most important factor of tactic. A helicopter circling over a convoy would easily reveal its presence; while waiting at a secure distance and attacking only when the time was right has proved to be a better approach. According to Mayor General Valentin Pistryuga, in addition to air support, transportation of ammunition, troops and weapons the helicopters have also helped to evacuate wounded out of the warzone.
Over 8,000 missions were flown from the beginning of ATO until the Minsk-2 treaty’s signing. Especially at the beginning of ATO, the crews had to work almost around the clock. From four o’clock in the morning until midnight the helicopters were in charge, six missions a day per crew was not unusual. A heightened degree of attention was necessary always. Small groups of enemies, equipped with Manpads, were able to move their locations quickly and even operate behind the frontline. This meant that even above the areas controlled by Ukraine’s own forces the pilots had to fly with the same precaution as in the active warzone. Of course there were casualties, the Major General Pistryuga, however is proud that all of them occurred through missile attacks. There was not a single accident caused by the pilot error in spite of the high amount of low flying.
BALANCING MISSIONS | UKRAINE ARMY AVIATION
Embracing the Future The headquarters in Kiev is constantly trying to improve all elements of the unit, thus along with the changes in tactics, modernization of existing equipment is also a key focus. The main attack helicopter of the Ukrainian Army Aviation is the Mi-24P. It has one GSh-30-2 30mm two-barrel canon fixed to the starboard side and was delivered within the years 1981 to 1989. Besides the Mi-24Ps there are still a few Mi24VPs and some Mi-24RXPs in Ukraine. Progress is already being made in modernizing them to the newest Mi24PU1 version. The new PU1 model distinguishes through the usage of the modified engines TV3-117VMA-SMB1V-02 and the installation of the ADROS KT-01AV self-
protection system against approaching infrared missiles as well as the FPM01KV laser searcher. Additionally, there is a Garmin navigation system GPS MAP-695 and the improved radio KY196V in the cockpit. Through usage of the new helmets THL-5NV with integrated night vision devices PNL-3, the Mi-24 is furthermore able to fly at night. The first Mi-24PU1, developed in Konotop at the Aviakon factory, was delivered to the armed forces of the Ukraine in 2012. When hostilities began in 2014 the Ukranian Army had three of the new model airframes available. Army aviators already received several Mi-8MSB-V (the newer version of the Mi-8) from the factory Motor-Sich in Zaporizhzhia. It is also equipped with improved and modified TV3-11VMA-
SBM-1V-4E engines. The new engines contribute enormously to the fact that the modernized Mi-8 performs excellent in altitudes above 2.000 meters or during extremely high or low outside temperatures. Motor-Sich even set a new world record for a flight altitude of 9,150 meters with a Mi8MSB-V in August 2014. The test pilots only took 29 minutes and 30 seconds to attain this altitude. Like most of the current Army helicopters, this modernized version of the Mi-8 from Zaporizhzhia contains the "Adros" KUB 26-50 doublecaliber flare dispenser system. This new system is a more effective flare dispenser with larger rounds with 50 mm flares in addition to the standard 26 mm flares. It can be used on different aircrafts and helicopters. Used Nov/Dec 2017 | 63
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BALANCING MISSIONS | UKRAINE ARMY AVIATION
Photo by: Alexander Golz
in conjunction with the Adros KT-01 AVE Infra-red counter-measure system, it helps protect the helicopters against infrared (IR) guided missiles with homing heads. The passive system is jams 360° instantaneously and simultaneously with amplitude-phase, frequency-phase and time-pulse modulation.
seven combat helicopter regiments stationed within Ukraine’s territory, an additional regiment was gained in 1991 as Soviet forces withdrew from Western Europe. This means that there are plenty of helicopters across Ukraine’s forces that have been and still need to be modernized.
The introduction of the Mi-8MSB-V into the forces has occurred more quickly than the Mi-24PU1s. As early as the end of 2014 many the regular armed forces as well as the National Guard had received upgraded equipment. Since the Soviet era, there were originally
The 11th Independent Helicopter Brigade in Kherson operates Mi-8, Mi-24P and Mi-24PU1 helicopters. The city Kherson is located not far away from the Crimea and is considered the last Ukraine city on the way to the Crimea. Because of this the 11th Independent Helicopter
Brigade is not only active at the ATO but operates also in the border region to the Crimea. With so many helicopter regiments, a new helicopter Task Force was formally establish in February 2015. The 18th Independent Helicopter Brigade in Poltava, the only unit using also Mi-2 for pilot training and liaison/transport missions, (also near the region of conflict) received its first Mi-8MSB-V helicopter in October 2015. They now stand alongside all of the other brigades always at the ready in case the conflict in Eastern Ukraine intensifies again. Nov/Dec 2017 | 65
Californi
Helicopters Play Key Roles Fighting Dea
“I got sworn in. As I walked out of City Hall, all the lights of the city went out. And that was the first indication that we had a real crisis happening.� - Neal Andrews, Mayor of Ventura, CA A Sikorsky S-61 operated by Croman Corp is seen here returning to the dip site after performing a water drop on the Thomas Fire
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a Burning
adly Late Season Fires in the Golden State
Story & Images by: Jason Jorgensen Nov/Dec 2017 | 67
Trial by Fire On the evening of Monday, December 4, 2017 at approximately 6:26pm a small brushfire was reported just north of Santa Paula, CA. An abundance of dry fuels, low humidity and Strong Santa Ana winds that evening gave birth to the now infamous Thomas Fire. These prime fire conditions allowed the fire to grow explosively at a rate of over 50 acres per minute, racing through the mountainous 68 | heliweb magazine
terrain, devouring everything in its path. Approximately 15 miles away during a regular Monday night city council meeting, Neal Andrews had just been elected as the new mayor of Ventura. “I got sworn in. As I walked out of City Hall, all the lights of the city went out. And that was the first indication that we had a real crisis happening.� Stated mayor Andrews in a radio interview. A few hours later, the Thomas Fire slammed headlong
into some of the mountain neighborhoods of Ventura, CA, where many families had been forced to flee their homes with little to no warning as late night evacuation orders were issued in the path of the approaching conflagration.
Fire in the Sky As the sun rose on Tuesday morning (Dec 5th), more than 1000 firefighters were already battling the blaze doing everything they could to save as
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Looking at the Thomas Fire at night as it was growing to the northwest of Lake Casitas (seen in the foreground).
many lives and as much property as was humanly possible. At 7am the weather conditions had finally eased enough to get one helicopter up for structure protection duties while other fixed wing tankers had to wait for conditions to improve even further from the steady 3545mph winds with gusts up to 70mph. Dozens of trucks, dozers, hand crews and a handful of aircraft fought relentlessly to defend the city as the fire traversed
the urban interface area in the foothills along the northern portion of Ventura making its way westward toward the ocean, while simultaneously growing further north towards Casitas Springs, Casitas Lake and Ojai. Thick acrid smoke filled the sky while ashes fell like snow and by the time the sun had set on the first day, the fire had already engulfed 63,046 acres, thousands of people had been evacuated, over 100 structures were estimated to be destroyed
and one firefighter had been injured.
Streets of Fire Concurrent to the firefighting efforts during the first day of the Thomas fire, two additional dangerous wildfires also struck the region; the Creek Fire, near the city of Sylmar and the Rye Fire, in the city of Santa Clarita. Just before 4am on morning of Dec 5th, with the Santa Ana winds howling through the mountains, the Creek Fire Nov/Dec 2017 | 69
Overlooking the expansion into urban areas during the first night of the Creek Fire.
began in Kagel canyon and quickly spread down and into the neighborhood of Shadow Hills nearly 15 miles away. Homeowners and ranchers hastily evacuated themselves and as much of their livestock as they possibly could before the fires reached their properties in these semi-rural neighborhoods just a few miles north of Los Angeles. Battling this blaze were dozens of trucks, dozers, hand crews, a few fixed wing taker assets and several helicopters from Los Angeles County Fire, Los Angeles City Fire and CalFire. After burning more than 2500ac in the first 3 hours, over the course of the first day, the Creek Fire had managed to jump a freeway, destroy 15 structures,
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damage 15 others, injure two firefighters and kill 30 horses that became trapped. Just a few more miles to the northwest, in the city of Santa Clarita, also located within Los Angeles County, the Rye Fire began just after 9:30am within sight of the well-known Six Flags amusement park. Enjoying the same extreme fire conditions as the Thomas and Creek fires, this fire also grew with dangerous speed and threatened nearly 5000 structures. Approximately 400 firefighters responded with; trucks, dozers and as hand crews. Coordinating with fixed wing tankers and several helicopters they helped direct this fire into a path that lead
the fire out and away from the densely populated areas of town and into the sparsely populated hilly terrain to the west. By the end of the day the fire had destroyed 6 structures, damaged 3 others, injured one person and scorched nearly 5000ac. That night, with three, large, dangerous fires burning out of control, Southern California residents went to bed hearing weather reports warning of potentially catastrophic winds through at least Thursday night, and officials stating that with the low humidity and abundant potential fuel sources, the fire danger over the next few days could be at an unprecedented high.
A Sikorsky S-70 Fire Hawk operated by Los Angeles Couty Fire is seen here on ready alert status during the Rye Fire, at a helibase in Santa Clarita.
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A Croman Corp. Sikorsky S-61, seen flying out to perform a water drop on the Thomas Fire using a Monsoon Bucket or Bambi Bucket.
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Burning Down the House As the sun rose on Wednesday, Dec 6th social media was already alight with apocalyptic looking video of the newest fire that had ignited during just before 5am, the Skirball Fire. Threatening some of the most expensive homes in Los Angeles, the Skirball Fire, was started by an illegal cooking fire along the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass. The fire quickly ran up the hill and into the world famous Bel Air neighborhood, threatening hundreds of homes, including one of the homes of Billionaire Rupert Murdoch, and forcing the evacuation of a 3.5 mile area in the neighborhood of multimillion dollar luxury homes. Luckily, the catastrophic winds that had been forecasted did not quite come to fruition, while it
Photos taken during the Thomas Fire Top Left: Columbia Helicopters’ CH-47D Chinook drops a Phoschek (fire retardant) line near an advancing fire front Top Right: A USFS Official describes the adjacent evacuation area boundaries on the incident map. Bottom Left: A small portion of one of the many temporary shelter zones for some of the thousands of evacuees. Bottom Right: The fire burns rapidly within the city limits forcing increased evacuations through the night in Summerland, CA a neighborhood near Montecito.
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was no easy task, the hundreds of firefighters and several aircraft including LAFD helis, that responded to this fire managed to limit the spread to just over 420ac. This fire resulted in the loss of 6 homes and damage to a dozen others, though some of those homes considered damaged do have pool houses that are literally larger than many residential homes, the overall size and impact of the Skirball Fire might seem small when compared to the three other destructive fires that had already been raging across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties for the past day. Throughout the day Wednesday, several other comparatively minor fires popped up throughout the region but the thinly stretched resources available were able to efficiently
knock them down. This was partly facilitated by the weather, as cooler temps had set in and the feared wind conditions did not manage to manifest over much of the affected areas. By the end of Wednesday, the Thomas Fire had grown by an additional 33,032ac and still threatened thousands. The Creek Fire had grown to a total of 12,605ac in size and still threatened thousands, and the Rye Fire’s growth was halted to a total size of 6049ac. Thursday brought further destruction from the Thomas and Creek fires, and also saw the birth of two other large fires in Riverside and San Diego Counties, the Liberty and Lilac fires, respectively. The Liberty fire near Murrieta burned 300ac and destroyed 6 structures and thankfully with the weather’s
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During the Thomas Fire, a Croman Corp. Sikorsky S-61 with internal tank and snorkel system (foreground) departs from a dip site making room for a Sikorsky S-70 Utility Hawk operated by PJ Helicopters to drop in and fill its Bambi Bucket.
help, fire crews had it at 90% containment by the end of Friday. The Lilac fire however was much more explosive like its big cousins to the north. The winds in northern San Diego County were gusting to over 65mph on Thursday Dec 7th, combined with hilly terrain and extremely dry and fuel rich conditions, the fire which started just after 11am had grown to 4100ac by that evening. Those first several hours also saw the destruction of 105 structures, forced the evacuation of over 10,000 people, injured 3 individuals and killed 46 horses at the renowned San Luis Rey Training Center.
Ring of FIre
A Heliqwest Bell 205 with external tank and snorkel fills up in a shallow neighborhood lake while the smoke and smoldering ash from the Canyon Fire can be seen in the background.
Year to date, California has had one heck of a fire season, with the late fall fires being exceptionally terrible, so much that any more it could be Nov/Dec 2017 | 73
Photos taken during the Thomas Fire Top Left : Firefighters stage themselves at a local school in Carpinteria, CA before heading out to their assigned locations to start the evening.
Upper: Columbia Helicopters’ CH-47D Chinook lifts off after filling its internal tank with Phoschek (fire retardant)
Left: A CALFIRE Firefighter keeping an eye on a hillside that is on fire, making sure the spread is somewhat as to be expected.
argued that fire season is now year round. So far, California has had 8,773 fires, scorching a presently growing total of over 1.3 million acres, costing an also ever growing total of over $13 billion USD. In October alone, 250 wildfires burned across Northern California, charring over 245,000ac, destroying 8,900 structures causing more than $9.4 billion in insured property losses, killing 44 people and injuring 192 others.
for FY 2017-18 and is presently on track to spend the most in the agency’s history.
Firebirds
Typically on large and /or dangerous wildfires a “Unified Command” is set up to coordinate firefighting assets from various agencies, Cal Fire is typically being at the helm. All of these assets, especially the air tankers and helitacks are moved around the fire as needed and tasked to and released from fires as Fast forward to the fires needed. For instance, a Cal Fire that sparked off in Southern helitack unit (a rotorcraft air tanker California in December where combined with a hand crew) from the totals are still increasing one helibase may be tasked to hourly but have already destroyed over 1000 structures one fire, but if another fire starts and forced over 212,000 people up at the same time they may be called away to fight that one, to evacuate. The fire season then return to the original or go of 2017 has given us, now, 5 to a completely different fire all of the 20 most destructive together. It hasn’t always been this wildfires in the state’s history, and those five have all occurred way though. in October and December. The Beginnings of Helitack Since July of 2017, Cal Fire has spent over $500 million on Since as early as 1947, firefighting this year, well more than the $426.9 million budgeted helicopters have been used 74 | heliweb magazine
tactically to move fire crews around to different strike locations while battling wildfires. In 1957, Los Angeles County Fire Department explored the use of deploying hose lines using a special tray attached to a Bell 47. It was in the mid 1950’s though where the iconic use of the aerial application of water began to see its roots, with the first advent of the “Monsoon Bucket,” a specially converted 45gal drum, an idea which would later evolve into the flexible bucket system known commonly today, as a “Bambi Bucket” even though that is the brand name of only one of the bucket system manufacturers creating such devices. The California Department of Forestry (CDF) known today as Cal Fire, began experimenting with tank dispersal systems on Bell 47s for water and fire retardant in the early 1960s. It was also during those years, using an Alouette III helicopter and a 3 person crew, that CDF/ Cal Fire began to craft the formal doctrine surrounding the use of
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Above : The proximity of the Thomas fire to homes and businesses is all too apparent at night.
Left: Columbia Helicopters’ CH-47D Chinook (Type-I, heavy helicopter) descends to dip it’s snorkle in a lake to fill its internal tank with water while fighting the Canyon Fire. Bottom Left: CAL FIRE UH-1H using its snorkle to fill its external tank to fight the Canyon 2 fire. Bottom Right Orange County Fire Authority Bell 205 is flying back to a dip site through smokey skies from the Canyon 2 fire. Right: Onlookers watch as a S-64 Skycrane flies away for a water drop on the Canyon 2 Fire. Upper RIght: CHP Officers block a road into a mandatory evacuation area while the Thomas fire rages on a hillside not far away.
helitack operations in fighting wildfires. Many of the lessons learned then, and in the decades following, have crafted the wellhoned employment of helitack firefighting tactics that we see executed in CA, across the United States, and in many other areas of the world today.
Modern Helitack Response In the United States, helicopters are divided into three types
for helitack operations; heavy, medium and light (Type I, II & III) which divided based upon weight/ cargo capacity of the aircraft. Each type is best suited for certain roles and is requested depending on the size, location and movement of the fire. Throughout the life of the fire, any and all types may be needed at times to most effectively battle portions of the blaze. The varied roles that modern helicopters
play in firefighting operations include; crew deployment along the fire lines, personnel rescue and medevac, surveillance of fire behavior and observation of firefighting effectiveness, tactical unit coordination, advanced incident scene mapping and imaging, retardant dispersal, water drops, direct hand crew support, structure protection, supply and equipment delivery and logistical mobility. Even night time operations are possible within Nov/Dec 2017 | 75
SeveraType-I and Type-II helicopters are seen at once while using the same dip site as a small fraction of the Thomas fire rages for miles behind them.
some modern helitack units.
Duty Calls While Cal Fire currently has only 12 of its own helicopters (type II, UH-1H Super Hueys) stationed throughout the state, there is a larger pool consisting of dozens of helicopters and fixed wing assets that may be called into duty to assist in fire operations where Cal Fire’s own aircraft aren’t able to properly control the immediate threat. Available assets range from City and County owned helicopters all the 76 | heliweb magazine
way up to Military Aircraft and a large “as needed” collection of contract assets that are available through the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Exclusive Use (EU) or Call When Needed (CWN) contract aircraft. These aircraft from all around the country, are owned and operated by private companies that have assets ready to deploy that adhere to the exacting USFS standards governing all aspects of contract aviation fire attack services. These standards include crew and equipment availability,
maintenance, schedules services and is designed to augment the standard firefighting elements all around the county on an as required basis. This program helps ensure that even if locally there are only a few if any fire aviation assets available, in the event of a fire a wide degree of assets from across the nation may be brought to bear on the firestorm to control and extinguish it in the quickest time possible, especially when life and property are threatened. The recall and scalability of this type of flexible, ever ready, response has been clearly apparent in the
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fighting of the Thomas Fire. Even after the traditional peak fire season drew to a close and many contract air tanker and heli tanker services began to head back to their home bases for the off-season, the recent fires caused dozens of assets to be mobilized and activated with little notice. Fire crews and air attack assets from all over the western United States converged on Ventura County to battle the inferno that is still burning uncontained as of the writing of this article, and on track to be the largest fire in California history. A good sign though, is that
the firestorm has been contested to a point where operations can now begin to scale down slightly and there is hope that in the next day or two, that the currently assigned military assets will be able to be released from service on the fire lines. Due to this massive fire alone, a civilian and a firefighter have tragically lost their lives and there are several others that have been injured. However, the loss of life and property during this, and all of the other fires this year, has been but a fraction of what it might
RECORD SETTING FIRES IN THE GOLDEN STATE
Current Thomas Fire stats: • Acreage: 272,000 (425mi2) • Containment: 50% • Personnel: 8,094 • Engines: 968 • Water Tenders: 79 • Helicopters: 35 • Hand Crews: 167 • Dozers: 75 • Other: 5 • Expected Containment: 1/7/2017
have been, if it were not for the highly experienced incident management and cohesive teamwork of skilled, dedicated emergency responders and their equipment. Even though the fire season has been record setting in both the amount of land burned and homes/ businesses destroyed, the people of California should rest a little easier knowing that every government agency and contracted helicopter operator that answers the call, stands ready to protect lives and property when needed. Nov/Dec 2017 | 77
HELICOPTERS FIGHTING THE BLAZES IN CALIFORNIA:
Type-I (Heavy) Helicopters:
Helicopters which can carry payloads of over 5,000lbs which means these helicopters can carry 700 – 2,500 gallons water or fire retardant using a sling loaded bucket, or dispersed from an internal or external tank. Some Type-I helicopters also have the ability to carry 15 or more personnel. (not all operators are indicated)
Boeing CH-47D Chinook
Sikorsky S-64 Sky Crane
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Operated by: Columbia Helicopters, Billings Flying Service, CHI Aviation
Operated by: Siller Helicopters, Helicopter Transport Services, Erickson Air-Crane
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Sikorsky S-70 Fire Hawk/ Utility Hawk
Sikorsky S-61
HELICOPTERS FIGHTING THE CALIFORNIA FIRES
Operated by: PJ Helicopters, Firehawk Helicopters, LA County Fire Dept
Operated by: Croman Corporation
Kaman K-Max
Operated by: Rainier Heli-Lift, Heliqwest Aviation
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HELICOPTERS FIGHTING THE BLAZES IN CALIFORNIA:
Type-II (Medium) Helicopters:
Helicopters which can carry payloads of 2,500 – 4,999lbs which means these helicopters can carry 300 - 699 gallons water or fire retardant using a sling loaded bucket, or dispersed from an internal or external tank. Most Type-II helicopters can also carry between 9 and 14 personnel. (not all operators are indicated)
Bell UH-1H Super Huey
Bell 412
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Operated by: CAL FIRE, Ventura County Sheriff
Operated by: Los Angeles County Fire Dept, Orange County Fire Authority
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Bell 205A ++
Bell 212 Operated by: Ventura County Sheriff, Aspen Helicopters
HELICOPTERS FIGHTING THE CALIFORNIA FIRES
Operated by: Heliqwest International, Ventura County Sheriff
Leonardo AW139
Operated by: Los Angeles City Fire Dept.
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HELICOPTERS FIGHTING THE BLAZES IN CALIFORNIA:
Type-III (Light) Helicopters:
Helicopters which can carry payloads of 1,200 – 2,499lbs which means these helicopters can carry 100 - 299 gallons water or fire retardant using a sling loaded bucket, or dispersed from an internal or external tank. Many Type-III helicopters also have seating for 4 to 8 personnel. (not all operators are indicated)
Bell 206B Jet Ranger
Airbus Helicopters AS350B / H125 AStar
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Operated by: Los Angeles City Fire Dept, LAPD
Operated by: LAPD, CHP, Helicopter Express, San Bernardino County Sheriff
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Bell 407
MD-902 Explorer
Operated by: Papillon Helicopters
HELICOPTERS FIGHTING THE CALIFORNIA FIRES
Operated by: Helicopters Express, San Diego County Sheriff
Bell AH-1H Firewatch “Cobra” Operated by: US Forest Service Air Tactical Aircraft
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Photo credit: Dan Megna, Mesa Police Aviation Unit. Mesa, AZ
DEDICATED TO THE MISSION The MD 530F is engineered to meet your requirements for hot-day, high-altitude operation. Equipped with the 650 shp Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine, the MD 503F operates more effectively in hot, high environments than other helicopters in its class. It offers the performance you need at a lower cost of ownership.