COME FLY WITH ME

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HELICOPTERS

A helicopter is a very practical mode of transport – and not only in terms of mobility. It provides you with a fast and efficient way to reach your final destination with the utmost privacy.

Superyacht industry standards are becoming more stringent, and clients increasingly demanding as they seek more experience-led itineraries and activities, combined with comfort and ease of travelling. The growing number of requests for chartering in remote and sometimes extreme destinations requires the use of helicopters. Having a helicopter on-board is indispensable when cruising in Far East Russia or even the Antarctic. They can be used to fly you to the top of a mountain for heli-skiing or carry you to the most unreachable places for unique experiences. The concept of adventure is raised to another level with the bounty of things to do.

Having a helicopter (or two) on-board substantially increases the concerns associated with the operation and management. Imperial’s helicopter management department ensures this dream does not turn into a headache. The department offers turnkey services that include flight planning, regular maintenance, and the selection of pilots and engineers, as well as assistance on all issues during the superyacht construction and helicopter purchase. We have spoken to Imperial’s Helicopter Fleet Manager, who shares the intricacies of the joint operation of helicopters and superyachts. His responsibilities include overseeing the safety of helicopter use and ensuring that it meets the latest regulation standards during private or commercial operations as well as designing the exterior during the new construction phase to increase safety features around helicopter operations on the vessel. “In my experience, the standards and requirements for operating helicopters in the yachting industry are evolving in line with the aviation industry,” says the Helicopter Manger. “Recently, there have been no significant changes in the regulations. The basic rule remains the same: if the task is to use a helicopter on a commercial yacht, its helipad must be certified according to the requirements of the Passenger Yacht Code and ICAO. It must have a dedicated marking, a landing lights system, a fire extinguishing system and all relevant components increasing the safety of the helicopter operations.”

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01 FLYING FOX'S Airbus H175 settles on her bow helipad.

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Nowadays, the biggest superyachts may carry two landing pads, one for the owner’s helicopter and the second to transport guests. "When it comes to the location of the helipad on-board, it all depends on the geometry of the superstructure of a particular vessel, and the wind direction," explains the Helicopter Manger. "In the case of a helipad located at the stern of the yacht, it is recommended to land on deck when the yacht is underway at a constant speed. In the second case where the helipad is located at the bow of the vessel, all the helicopter landings will be done at anchor. To facilitate landing and depending on weather conditions, yachts are increasingly equipped with Glide Path Indicator systems. This is found on AMADEA (106.1 metres, Lürssen) and FLYING FOX (136 metres, Lürssen). The laser system creates a geometric picture in space, using which pilots can judge the accuracy of the trajectory on course, descent along the glide path and distance to the landing pad. "This system comes from the navy–from aircraft and helicopter carriers–and is primarily used during bad weather,” says the Manager. “These are additional investments, but given the level of security they guarantee, they are worth it."

The helicopter model which is the most suitable is decided based on a list of requirements, the most important of which is the region where the owner intends to use it, as well as the operating model. This determines climate, purpose and flight duration. This is followed by the type and size of the carrying yacht, which will set a prerequisite for the interior decoration. The most advanced model currently used on-board is the Airbus H175. A medium-class helicopter (two Pratt & Whitney engines Canada 1776 shp each), capable of carrying twelve passengers plus two pilots in its VIP version. It moves at a cruising speed of 267 km/h and covers a distance of up to 600 miles without refuelling. The flight duration is more than five hours, with a record for the fastest rate of climb. The H175 combines the latest aircraft technology with low noise and vibration levels in its category.

With the size increase of yachts, the availability and technical level of helicopters are also growing in tandem. The two worlds have synchronized. The Helicopter Manger says that automatic take-off and landing systems have already been developed and will soon be certified. With proper care and management of a helicopter on board, it can work for one or two decades. Theoretically, with a helicopter fixed on an open certified pad, you can go across the ocean, but there are nuances associated with the brand of an aircraft. For example, Leonardo and Airbus define "storage" of a helicopter as not using it for a period of time without starting the engine. "Crossing the Atlantic takes an average of 15 days, whereas the engine of, say, an Airbus H155 needs to be started once a week, with the rotor blades necessarily in the operating position, not removed or folded," comments the Manager. "In real life, manufacturers tend to make exceptions for these situations, allowing deviations from requirements as long as all other guidelines are followed." That is why explorer yachts can travel the world with their helicopters on-board, storing them on deck in the stern (not the best option) or in a special hangar that prevents corrosion during a long stay at sea. It doesn't matter what type of hangar it will be: one with a lift and vertical loading or similar to an ordinary garage, as its main task is to create conditions with optimal temperature and humidity for the helicopter. In this case, the rotor blades will still have to be removed or folded, and neither is the formal requirement to start the engines once a week waived by the usage of a hangar. Manufacturers' requirements also differ regarding fuel in helicopter tanks during storage on a yacht: in most models it must be completely drained, but some aircrafts can be kept with a full tank (it should not be half empty). Aviation fuel operations on-board require a certified fuelling station with space-consuming capacities, which imposes additional requirements on the size of a yacht. The technical part in aviation is only half the battle, and without a man, a helicopter remains only an expensive thing. Therefore, one of the most important tasks of the Helicopter Fleet Manager at Imperial Yachts is to work with the pilots, technicians and landing crew of the yacht.

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02 LA DACHA's substantial stern helipad 03 Helicopter transfers ensure game-changing ease and flexibility for clients 03 FLYING FOX has both stern (pictured) and bow helipads 04 AMADEA's bow helipad requires the vessel to be at anchor for touch-downs