Aviation Week ShowNews Briefing - HAI 2011

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HELI-EXPO MARCH 6, 5, 2011

Impervious to Recession?

Not quite, but helos have fared well, says HAI. –Page 3

Confident of Full Recovery Eurocopter has EMS success, continues to invest. –Page 6

Turbomeca Sees the Future Engine updates planned for –Page 8 2020 – even 2030.

Enstrom Likes Asia Trainers in Japan help create biggest backlog ever. –Page 10

Enstrom 480B in Japan.

Charles Kaman, 1919-2011 Helicopter pioneer passes away at age of 91. –Page 14

Better Than New MD500D Phoenix Heliparts breathes new life into a classic.–Page 16

Honeywell Raises Forecast More optimism in Honeywell’s new five-year outlook. –Page 19

Swiss Clean Sheet Single Marenco Swisshelicopter offers SKYe SH09. –Page 20

ShowNews Day1, Day 2 See both issues online at: www.aviationweek.com/shownews

www.AviationWeek.com

AgustaWestland’s AW169 medium/light twin was announced at last year’s Farnborough Airshow.

Now it is being launched commercially, and a mock-up in parapublic guise is on show here at Heli-Expo.

Majors All Have New Helicopters In addition to the new AS350B3e, the first of a new “e” series of “evolution” enhancements to its current product line, Eurocopter will this morning reveal a brand new helicopter. Believed to be the successor to the Dauphin, it will be unveiled at 11:30am by Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling. Booth 4637.

Not to be outdone, AgustaWestland will unveil the mockup of its new eight-to-ten passenger AW169, which will go head-to-head with Eurocopter’s Dauphin. Booth 3811.

And at 11:30am, Bell Helicopter CEO John Garrison will announce two “significant” model developments at Booth 237.

N E W S M A K E R S

A New Era at Robinson Helicopter A new era began at Southern California’s Robinson Helicopter as founder Frank Robinson (81) retired, his place at the stick being taken by son Kurt Robinson (53) – and a Robinson turbine helicopter was FAA-certified. The elder Robinson, who founded the firm in 1973, retired as chairman and president Aug. 10, staying on until his first turbine aircraft, the Rolls-Royce 300powered R66, won FAA approval (type and production certificates for the $798,000 R66 were formally awarded Oct. 25).

“He’s not always going to be known as a piston guy,” new president Kurt Robinson said R66 turbine now certified. of his father, who, with a tally of some 10,000 aircraft deliveries since shipments began in 1979, has sold more helicopters than anyone else, anywhere, ever. –Page 22

Kurt and Frank Robinson.

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Not Quite Recession-Proof, But Rotorcraft Still Strong The industry may not be recessionproof, but some segments nearly are, and Helicopter Association International comes into Orlando expecting the strongest Heli-Expo yet.

So says Matt Zuccaro, HAI president, who notes that in addition to the biggest trade show ever (more than 600 exhibitors,

Matt Zuccaro, HAI president.

AVIATION WEEK President Greg Hamilton

ShowNews Briefing Publisher Mark Flinn Editor-In-Chief John Morris Morrisoff@aol.com 860-365-0445 Senior Editor Rich Piellisch Senior Art Director & IT Manager Kirk Fetzer Art Director Maureen Spuhler Director of Sales Iain Blackhall iain_blackhall@aviationweek.com Operations Manager Erving Dockery, Jr. Show News Briefing is published at Heli-Expo 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121 AVIATION WEEK also publishes Show News, Aviation Week & Space Technology, Aviation Daily, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, Business and Commercial Aviation, Overhaul & Maintenance, The Weekly of Business Aviation, Defense Technology International, and the World Aerospace Database including World Aviation Directory.

Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. © Copyright 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Library of Congress ISSN 1092-6151

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an HAI record), the association has taken pains to include more members of the general aviation community, and to help everyone understand the implications of new rules on rotorcraft from the FAA. HAI is disappointed that the agency chose not to require night vision goggles (NVG) for EMS operators, and instead proposed new regulations elsewhere. But broadly speaking, “We welcome it and we look forward to working with the FAA on the final rule,” Zuccaro says. Sessions here will help formulate strategy.

Key to it all is the economy, and the industry’s ability to weather the downturns.

“We do weather it, and we weather it probably better than anybody else in aviation,” Zuccaro says. “We do over 50 different missions with helicopters, so if a particular segment or mission specific contract is not performing well, you can take your assets and your personnel, and still generate work.

“From an industry association standpoint, HAI itself—we performed extremely well throughout this whole period and went right past the recession. We’ve had better financial performance each year on an ongoing basis.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Zuccaro says.

“We’re absolutely sensitive to those operators that had to deal with cutbacks. But in general, the helicopter community, domestically and internationally, survived [the recession] quite well and we’re at, I’d say, the cusp of a stable environment.”

Life Flight EC145 for Gabby Giffords Severely injured Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords made the last leg of her January trip from Tucson to rehab in Houston, in a Eurocopter EC 145 operated by Memorial Hermann Life Flight (below) The journey began via ground ambulance to Gabrielle Davis-Monthan AFB in Giffords.

Tucson, followed by a fixed-wing flight to Houston Hobby, and then helicopter to the ICU at Texas Medical Center, where Giffords was evaluated before moving to the center’s rehabilitation hospital, TIRR Memorial Hermann, the Association of Air Medical Services reported.

“The interstate transfer of Congresswoman Giffords to rehabilitative care is a perfect example of emergency medical services working in concert,” said AAMS president Dr. Daniel Hankins. “The emergency medical transport industry transfers hundreds of thousands of patients annually. Rarely does the public have the opportunity to see firsthand the intricacies commonly involved in the transport of one critically ill or injured patient.”

Life Flight EC 145 N456TK

Heli-Happenings at Heli-Expo HAI is planning new Heli-Expo events, including an aviation association CEO “town hall” gathering, immediately following the general meeting this morning in S310, where industry leaders including Ed Bolen of NBAA, Craig Fuller of AOPA, and Pete Bunce of GAMA will discuss broad issues of interest. Also for the first time, the “Salute to Excellence” awards banquet will

feature a guest speaker: Vicki Cox of the FAA, discussing NextGen air traffic control, 8pm tomorrow at the Rosen Centre .

HAI’s annual Job Fair takes place today from 1:30pm to 5pm in Room N220.

More Heli-Expo Happenings Costs, heliport design, and operational issues.

–Page 22

March 6, 2011

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NEW HELICOPTERS Bell Claims Lead in Speed; Will Unveil Two ‘Significant’ Model Enhancements Today “They’re racing for second place,” says Bell Helicopter CEO John Garrison, of Eurocopter’s and Sikorsky’s radical highspeed demonstrator aircraft.

Sikorsky’s coaxial-rotored, pusher prop X2 seems set to become the world’s fastest helicopter after flying at 250 kt, while Eurocopter’s compound X3 has reached 180 kt.

And first place? That’s held by the BA609 civil tiltrotor being developed

by Bell Helicopter and AgustaWestland.

“We’re at 275 kt,” says John Garrison. Garrison. “When it comes to speed, tiltrotor technology is the gamechanger.”

And he put to rest any doubts about Bell’s commitment to the long-running program. “We continue to work on it with AgustaWestland, and our intent is to continue to work on it. But it’s premature to talk about when we will bring it to market.” Plans call for the nine-passenger BA609 to be certified in 2014.

Bell, says Garrison, has been a pioneer in the helicopter industry for the last 75 years “and we have every intention of retaining that leadership over time.”

In the meantime, Bell will continue to refine and develop its current models, the latest enhancement being more power and a glass cockpit for the Bell 412 medium twin.

Two more developments, termed

by Garrison as “significant,” will be unveiled here today at 11.30 a.m. at Bell’s exhibit (Booth 237).

—John Morris

BA609 tiltrotor.

4

Certification in 2014?

www.aviationweek.com/shownews

AgustaWestland Launches AW169 AgustaWestland is launching the 8-10 passenger AW169 twin, to compete directly with Eurocopter’s AS365/EC155 Dauphin in the 4.5-metric ton class. The joint Italian/UK development (AgustaWestland sees the UK as a home market) could rack up sales of 1,000 helicopters worldwide, the company believes, demanding at least two production lines. The AW169 fits in the AgustaWestland range between the GrandNew and the 6.8-metric ton AW139. It will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 turboshafts. Entry into service is planned for 2015. Booth 3811.

Bell Quiet About New Magellan Bell Helicopter launched the Magellan new product development program in January – in an internal newsletter. Studies have begun and timing is not decided, but Bell believes it will not be considered a viable commercial manufacturer if it does not have a product in the medium range. Bell’s remaining fully mum about Magellan, but has previously talked of following its all-new 429 light turbine twin with a medium twin, to supersede the 412, and potentially compete with the AgustaWestland AW139 and Eurocopter EC175.

Ironically, Bell was once a partner in the hot-selling AW139. Booth 237.

Eurocopter EC175 on Track for Late 2012...

With a second prototype joining the flight test program in December, Eurocopter’s 16-passenger, EC175 twin has logged more than 100 hrs and is on track for certification at year-end, and deliveries in 2012. The EC175 sits between the EC155 and the larger EC225, and is being developed initially for the offshore market, which accounts for all current orders, including launch customer Bristow. The second prototype has the offshore mission package, and Eurocopter has started work on other configurations, including SAR. China’s Harbin Aviation Industry Group, a partner on the program, delivered the first production airframe to Eurocopter in December. Booth 4637.

...Eyes ‘Compound’ Craft Eurocopter is nearing a development decision on a highspeed ‘compound’ helicopter that could replace the EC225.

The X3 demonstrator, based on an EC155 airframe, with dual RTM322 turboshafts driving both the main rotor and propellers mounted at the tips of short wings, first flew in September 2010. The aircraft has reached 180 kt in flight tests and is aiming to exceed 220 kt this year. Any X3-based commercial model from Eurocopter would probably be developed in parallel with a conventional design, and take about six years to bring to market. A development decision is expected by mid-2012, but “will not necessarily wait until then,” says CEO Lutz Bertling. Booth 4637.

Sikorsky S-76D Progress Sikorsky’s long-delayed S-76D is moving out of its protracted development and into certification flights and low-rate production. Initial certification is expected by year-end, with deliveries in the first quarter of 2012. The D is a major upgrade to the S-76, more than 800 of which have been delivered since first flight in 1977. With PW210S engines, improved rotor, and integrated avionics, the S-76D combines the single-engine performance of the corporatepreferred S-76B, with the cruise fuel-efficiency of the offshore-favored S-76C. Booth 2737.

March 6, 2011

We Just Sharpened the Cutting-Edge.

See our newest innovation at a special unveiling event.

March 6th, 11:30 a.m.

Eurocopter Exhibit #4637

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American Eurocopter Rides the Strong Segments, Is Confident of Full Recovery “This is an asset that is needed,” American Eurocopter president and CEO Marc Paganini says of the helicopter – which is why his firm continues to invest in new technology.

“We are developing new products because we are confident that this market will come back,” he says. And, Paganini told ShowNews, the Marc Paganini. recession would have been worse for his firm had it not been for the success of the EC135 and 145 models, and to a lesser degree the EC130, in the “very-resistant-to-thecrisis” EMS field, a segment that’s being further bolstered by the need to replace an aging fleet.

Tourism and corporate travel markets have begun to show signs of recovery too, Paganini says – to the point that American Eurocopter is unveiling a brand new large-cabin helicopter (with corporate paint scheme but furnished for EMS) at Booth 4637 this morning.

Among the technologies being explored are diesel engines for light helicopters and the X3 “compound helicopter,” combining vertical lift and forward propulsion, offering “the speed of a turboprop-powered aircraft and the full hover capabilities of a helicopter.” The concept is being tested on a Dauphin.

Eurocopter said last month that it will establish a new plant in Querétaro, Mexico, basing its choice on “Querétaro’s economic, geographic, educational and strategic position.” The firm also noted that the U.S. Army ordered 32 UH-72A Lakota helicopters in fiscal 2011, “which will continue the sustained production [in Columbus, Miss.] for this highly successful program through 2012.” The latest contract brings Lakota orders to 219 – that’s 214 for the Army and five for the U.S. Navy.

—Rich Piellisch 6

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Brantly Gets a New President Brantly International has a new president, as Kyle Hardman, a veteran of Bell Helicopter and Vought, was named to the post late last year, by China’s Qindao Brantly Investment Group. “His depth of experience as a program leader and helicopter engineer will be invaluable in guiding our efforts to bring the Brantly B-2B light helicopter back into production,” Qindao Brantly said.

Brantly previously advised that it had closed its plant in Vernon, Texas, as it gears up for manufacturing in Dallas, with files and stock held by Superior Air Parts in Coppell, Texas.

Separately, the Brantly B-2B is being used as the basis for the V750, an unmanned aerial vehicle in development by the Weifan Freesky Aviation Industry Company, in China.

Eurocopter Delivers 600th to Canada Eurocopter Canada delivered the 600th helicopter for the Canadian market to Quebec-based Héli-Inter.

The 847-shp Turbomeca Arriel 2B1-powered AS350 B3 single, first of the type for the customer, will be flown primarily in northern Quebec, in support of mineral exploration and development, Eurocopter Canada said. With the October delivery, the Héli-Inter fleet grew to 44 aircraft, including 23 AStar and Ecureuil singles, and two AS355 TwinStar/Ecureuil twins.

Airwolf First With Bell 206 PMA Straps There’s now a second source of torsion-tension straps that hold the rotor blades to the rotor hub on Bell 206 JetRanger and 206L helicopters – and they’re significantly less expensive than those from Bell, says Airwolf Aerospace. After seven years of R&D, it is launching the new strap program here today, offering its new-manufacture straps – which it says are also technically superior – under an FAA Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA).

The straps, which must be replaced every two years or 1,200 hrs, have until now been available only from Bell. Airwolf is at Booth 3561.

Av-Base Updates WinAir Software London, Ont.-based Av-Base Systems, a global provider of aviation maintenance, inventory and reliability software, is promoting the latest release of its core product, WinAir, at Booth 2548. “This version delivers a wide variety of innovative enhancements, including assembly and component management, as well as expanded functionality and usability across the entire product,” Av-Base says. The product is backed by “cutting edge software innovations, first-class technical support, and the strength of an international customer base.”

Mercy Picks Becker for New Bell Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 digital audio system was selected by Buffalo, N.Y.-based Mercy Flight, for a newly purchased Bell 429 light twin and an existing BK117, Becker reports.

The new aircraft will be delivered by Bell Helicopter Tennessee (Edwards and Associates) this first quarter of 2011. The BK117 will be modified by Helicopter Specialties in Janesville, Wisc., “specifically tailored to the needs of Mercy Flight,” Becker says.

Marc Boies, Mercy Flight operations director, praised the DVCS6100’s “excellent manmachine-interface, outstanding field reliability, the possibility to transmit on up to eight channels simultaneously, and its crystal-clear audio quality.” Becker is at Booth 1652.

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Turbomeca Updating Engines for New Portfolio by 2020, Compound-Power by 2030 Turbomeca will have completely renewed its portfolio of helicopter engines in the decade running up to 2020. And now it’s setting out to deliver quantum improvements, including compound-electrical power, by 2030.

“That’s just 10 years to renew the whole range of engines,” says CEO Pierre Fabre. “And 10 years to renew it again. We’ve been improving fuel efficiency by around 1 to 1.5% a year, but we need to move to 2%.”

Turbomeca CEO Pierre Fabre.

Turbomeca is today unveiling its latest, the Arriel 2D, with 12% more power and a 10% reduction in maintenance costs.

The development roadmap calls for the Arriel to yield a 35% improvement in specific fuel consumption by 2030.

Turbomeca’s main activities now revolve around the Ardiden 3 engine and its WZ60 version, being co-developed with China’s AVIC for the Z-15 – the Chinese version of the Eurocopter EC175.

Fabre says the Ardiden 3/WZ60 will be certified by 2013. The 1,800 shp-class engine is expected to have 15% better fuel burn than the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67E engines that now power the seven-ton EC175.

The company has also been making strides in aftermarket services, offering to tailor pay-by-the-hour maintenance programs to the missions of operators.

“Are we cost effective enough to keep our customers flying?” Fabre asks.

“We need to be creative to help keep their costs down.”

—John Morris 8

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Heliworks Taps Component Control...

Pensacola-based Heliworks, a Part 145 Repair Station exhibiting at Heli-Expo for the first time (Booth 3613), is talking up recent rebuilds of two TH-67 (Bell 206B3) helicopters for the U.S. Army. And according to Heliworks president, Stephen Simpson, implementation of Quantum Control brand enterprise resource planning software from Component Control (of San Diego; Booth 3417) streamlined purchasing and other tasks. “Before Quantum, we were losing track of man hours because there was no check and balance system,” Simpson said of the ERP product. “Quantum forces the mechanics to barcode in and out at the beginning and end of each step, and we know exactly how long it takes to complete each work order. We purposely waited for the Quantum Control installation to buy the bulk of the 400 line items needed for the second TH-67,” Simpson said. “What would have previously taken up to a week to procure took literally just a few keystrokes.”

...as Quantum ERP Boosts Others, Too In addition to Heliworks and its TH-67, San Diego’s Component Control (Booth 3417) reports that its Quantum Control brand enterprise resource planning software has improved efficiencies at Rotorcraft Leasing and at Canada’s Discovery Air. Rotorcraft Leasing, a provider of helicopter services in the Gulf of Mexico, used Quantum’s barcode scanning and physical inventory features to help complete a physical count of more than 635 million parts in seven weeks. Discovery Air, says Component Control, is using the ERP product as its business software platform for a new technical services MRO facility in Quebec City. Discovery Air was introduced to Quantum through its Great Slave Helicopters unit, which has been using the ERP software since 2004. Discovery acquired Great Slave in 2006.

Air Comm Digital Aircon for Bell 429 Colorado’s Air Comm Corp. is showing data at Booth 1649, indicating that helicopter climate control systems not only improve passenger comfort during flight, but also boost air crew efficiency, improving mission safety. The firm is offering technical advice and support systems to help operators tune up their rotorcraft air conditioning systems for the coming summer months. Air Comm will soon offer a certified digital climate control system for the Bell 429, said to be the first-ever digital offering for helicopters.

The Biggest Book Yet from Dart California’s Dart Helicopter Services has released its largest catalog ever for 2011 – more than 500 pages. It is available for free at Booth 4628.

TrueView EVS Approved in Canada New York’s TrueView Enhanced Vision Systems has added Transport Canada to its FAA approval of its infrared enhanced vision system. Canadian STC SH10-53 compliments the existing FAA STC number SR02601NY-D for TrueView’s Model 2061-200-320/640 system for the Bell 206 and 206L Series helicopters. TrueView manufactures the EVS systems in complete kit form, and promises demo rides in its Bell 206 here this week.

Booth 1350 (Hillsboro Aviation).

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Enstrom Likes Asia as Demand in Japan Supports Best Year Yet Enstrom Helicopter (Booth 3321) moved into 2011 with the largest backlog in the Michigan company’s 51-year history, reports Jerry Mullins, president and CEO, citing major work for customers in Japan and Thailand.

“These new programs bring smiles to the faces of Enstrom employees,” Mullins says.

The first fully configured (Rolls-Royce 250-powered) Enstrom 480B trainer, for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, was delivered in November.

The initial JGSDF requirement is for 30 training helicopters, with potential for follow-on orders.

Enstrom also geared up in late 2010 to build 16 trainers for the Royal Thailand Army. The first three are to be delivered during this first quarter of 2011, and follow-ons are expected. Mullins says his engineering team was able to design and certify such features as cockpit voice recorder, night vision-compatibility, military radar altimeter, wire detection and agricultural spray systems, new LED landing lights, TACAN integration, new electronic flight instrument system integration, two-plus-two cockpit seating for training, and integration of two different UHF/VHF military radios.

“These programs and design efforts will expand the 480B market base and will be important for future Asian market growth as the market continues to be a bright spot for Enstrom,” Mullins said.

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New Turbomeca Arriel 2D for AS350B3e Turbomeca is unveiling its latest engine here, the Arriel 2D, which will bring 12% more power and 10% lower engine maintenance costs to Eurocopter’s new AS350B3e light single helicopter. “This is a new variant, not just cosmetics,” says Turbomeca CEO Pierre Fabre. The engine features significant changes to the highpressure compressor, a high-pressure turbine with new blade material for higher temperatures, and an improved power turbine.

It is governed by a new FADEC, and includes condition monitoring. It will be certified by midsummer. Booth 1637.

Honeywell’s Zing Portable Diagnostics Honeywell is today unveiling Zing Test Elite, a portable diagnostics system that simplifies the tracking and smoothing of rotor blades, with a reduced number of test flights. The unit, based on Honeywell’s HUMS 1134 technology (HUMS stands for Health and Usage Monitoring System), is the size of a briefcase and comes in a rollalong carrying case containing all the cables and sensors. Nine models are covered: the AS350, Bell 206B, 206L, 212, 407 and 412, and the military MH-6M, UH-60 and MH-60L, with more to come later. The price is around $30,000, and there is a unit on display at Booth 3021.

StandardAero Celebrates Its Centenary Arizona-based StandardAero, a unit of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise since 2007, is kicking off its 100th birthday celebration here today, and its 44th year in MRO for helicopter engines. Originally founded as Standard Machine Works in Winnipeg in 1911, StandardAero has grown into one of the world’s largest independent repair and overhaul companies supporting the aerospace industry. Its helicopter activities began in 1967, when it gained authorization from the Allison Engine Company to perform repair and overhaul of the Model 250 engine. Since then, over 15,000 Model 250 engine equivalents have been processed through StandardAero repair and overhaul facilities. Booth 1928.

P&WC Maintenance Sessions Today Pratt & Whitney Canada will hold special Maintenance & Overhaul (M&O) sessions at the Convention Center today, on its PW200, PT6B, PT6C and PT6C-67C turboshaft engines. “We will offer one-hour sessions dedicated to those engines, provide updates on the latest news on P&WC support initiatives, offer insights into P&WC maintenance recommendations, and answer customer questions,” said Raffaele Virgili, VP for customer service. The schedule is: PW 200 from 1-2pm, PT6B and PT6C 2-3pm, and PT6C-67C, 3-4pm. P&WC is exhibiting at Booth 421.

FLIR for Airborne Surveillance

Enstrom president & CEO Jerry Mullins, 10

www.aviationweek.com/shownews

Infrared and electro-optical sensor specialist FLIR Systems is demonstrating its airborne surveillance capabilities, and an integrated solutions package, at Booth 2221. The firm’s EO/IR sensors have been used by local and national law enforcement agencies around the world, for more than 25 years. Since the beginning of the year, FLIR says, it’s received orders for more than 130 of its Cobalt, Star Safire and Talon brand cameras and sensors, from customers in the Americas, the Asia Pacific region, the Middle East and throughout Europe.

March 6, 2011

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Despite Complications, Civil Helicopter Market Seems Poised to Trend Up “Helicopters have a lot of moving parts, as do all the different and intertwining markets driving sales in this industry,” says Brian Foley of Brifo – Sparta, N.J.based Brian Foley Associates.

“When one market segment is performing poorly, it’s always good to have another one, whose cycles may be different, to take up the slack. The good news we’re finally seeing, is that helicopters look poised to climb up Brian Foley. from their current slump.

“There’s an interesting dichotomy between helicopter civil and military markets,” Foley says. “Civil deliveries represent about two-thirds of unit deliveries, but less than one-third of the total dollars. So the industry would have to sell a lot of tiny R44s to civilian customers to equal the value of just one Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey. But now we’re entering a period of reversal, characterized by military budget cuts on the one hand, and rising corporate profits on the other.

“This should spur recovery in the offshore-oil and executive-transportation segments, which are part of the civil industry’s bread and butter.”

Noting that helicopters were one of the last segments of general aviation to enter the downturn, and should therefore expect to be among the last out, Foley believes that 2011 will be remembered as a “trough year” in which deliveries bottomed. The airport-poor China and India markets are promising too.

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K-Max for Australia Tower Work Kaman (Booth 2521) is talking up the use of a K-Max “Aerial Truck” helicopter by Skywork Helicopters, to help erect electrical towers in flooded Queensland, Australia: “The K-Max handled the tower assembly after soggy ground, saturated from heavy rainfall in the construction area, prevented planned use of a heavy crane to lift the pre-assembled structure into place,” the company says. Tower sections weighed as much as 4,850 lb and had to be flown some 580 miles from Skywork’s facility in Wollongong, New South Wales. “Skywork pilot Euan Stratford relied on the unique K-Max intermeshing rotor system’s exceptional stability, hovering up to 30 minutes for each lift to place the tower sections over the structure, so riggers could fasten the sections with bolts quickly and safely,” Kaman says.

Helo Operators Cry Foul in France French helicopter operator association GFH (Groupement Français de l’Hélicoptère) has asked France’s highest administrative court to overturn a government decree that would severely restrict operations in densely populated areas. The filing says the decree, issued Oct. 20, is based on outdated data and does not take into account progress in noise abatement – or the helicopter industry’s impact on the French economy.

Russian Comes in Winning Russian Helicopters comes to Heli-Expo (Booth 628) after its Mi-171A1 beat out Eurocopter and Sikorsky offerings to support Petrobras, as it steps up oil production in the Amazon. Brazilian operator Atlas Taxo Aero won the tender. Two transport-configured Mi-171A1s, manufactured at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, are scheduled for delivery to Brazil this year. “Further deliveries and the creation of an MRO center based on a Brazilian company, can be reviewed in the future,” the manufacturer said. The Mi-171A1 heavy twin-turbine helicopter was certificated in Brazil in 2005, and can carry up to 26 passengers or 4 tons of cargo, inside the cabin or on an external sling.

Night Flight Concepts Plans Webinars Florida’s Night Flight Concepts, which offers night vision goggles and the training to make the best and safest use of them, is planning a series of webinars as it continues to work to “demystify” NVG technology.

“With night vision solutions, being informed translates directly into better solutions, higher performance and greater safety,” says CEO Adam Aldous. Separately, NFC been tapped by Alaska’s North Slope Borough SAR team, for computer-based training in NVGs. NFC (Booth 3428) offers an FAA-approved, internet-based CBT course via NVIO Systems, a joint initiative with Canada’s Gladstone Aerospace announced at Heli-Expo in Houston, last year.

Military: more dollars for each delivery.

L. J. Walch for Economical Repairs L. J. Walch is promoting helicopter repairs at Booth 2810, emphasizing cold spray capabilities it says can reduce both costs and turn times – and in some cases help customers avoid replacement of component housings. Walch specializes in Class I, II and III accessories. The firm, founded in 1953, boasts a 38,000-sq-ft facility in Livermore, Calif., housing an inventory of more than 50,000 line items.

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March 6, 2011

BCA’s March Issue Presents

Rotorcraft:

An Ops & Safety Feature An integrated print-digital experience The first special Ops & Safety Report of 2011 delivers multichannel “how-to”content for helicopter owners, operators and influencers.

SEPTEMBER 2010

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BCA editors examine circumstances surrounding the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

AviationWeek.com The business aviation channel details how pilots can counter or avoid dangerous situations that include uncontrolled ground impact.

Multimedia Online-Only Features:

Heavy Lift:

Large Helicopters in Corporate Service Also in This Issue:

Statistics Point the Way to Safety Harder Than It Looks Matter of Perspective Emergency Evacuation From Foreign Countries

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• Photo and video galleries • Interactive Q&A with experts • Links to deeper information and data resources • Blogs and forums

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Heli2011 d1p14 OK JM:-

3/2/11

11:31 AM

Charles Kaman Dead at 91, Colleague of Igor Sikorsky Founded Kaman Corp. in ’45 Charles Kaman passed away at the age of 91 on January 31, after running the company he founded for 55 years.

Kaman began his aviation career in 1940, working with Igor Sikorsky. In 1945 he formed what is now known as Kaman Corp., with $2,000.

The first Kaman helicopter, the K-125, equipped with Kaman’s patented servo-flap controlled rotor, flew in January, 1947. In 1951, K-Max. the company introduced the first helicopter powered by a gas turbine, the K-225. The company also developed the K-Max aerial truck, the only helicopter designed specifically for highly repetitive heavy-lift applications. Kaman Aerospace (Booth 2521), now a half-billiondollar business, produces a variety of helicopters and proprietary parts, and operates more than 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers.

“Charlie Kaman, as he was affectionately known by so many, was a bona fide aviation pioneer, and helicopters were his first love,” said Neal Keating, Kaman chairman, president and CEO. “He led a remarkable life as an inventor, entrepreneur, musician, humanitarian and visionary. His career was, in many ways, the epitome of the American dream.”

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Garmin Gets STC for HTAWS Garmin reports an STC for its helicopter terrain awareness and warning system, available on new avionics packages, or as an upgrade.

When HTAWS is added to Garmin’s HTAWS for GNS 430W/530W navigators, it has forward looking terrain avoidance (FLTA) capability with visual and aural advisories, a five-color terrain scale, and voice callouts when descending below 500 ft. The system employs new helicopter-specific databases: the obstacle database adds nearly 30,000 lowaltitude objects, while the navigation database eases access to 7,000 heliports. Booth 1632.

Scott’s Works to Be a Bell 47 OEM Parts are the priority, as Scott’s Bell 47, Inc., which took over the Bell Model 47 type certificate just over a year ago, works to keep a fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft aloft.

“We are actively exploring new sources for main rotor blades, a clear priority for operators,” says Model 47 program manager Neil Marshall.

“We have re-opened discussions with suppliers of long lead parts, some of which have not been purchased for many years.”

Scott’s may someday offer refurbished, or even new, Model 47s.

A 47G-4A on loan from Bell Helicopter’s Customer Training Academy is on show here. Booth 47 – where else?

Borescopes-R-Us Gets P&WC Approval Tennessee’s Borescopes-R-Us is promoting its Pratt & Whitney Canada-approved PWC34910-109 inspection kit for PT6 engines – “compact, complete, and cost effective.” The -109 comes with 4mm x 1300mm digital videoscope, tungsten sheathing, 3.5-in LCD monitor, lithium ion battery pack for four to six hours of run time, and a removable SD card for snapshot and video recording. It is priced at $9,995.

Borescopes-R-Us is offering its ECO-9 portable videoscope with gooseneck insertion tube, for just $299 at Heli-Expo, down from the regular price of $369. Booth 719.

Metro Aviation Offers Better Litter Shreveport-based Metro Aviation (Booth 5331) is offering an enhancement of the EC145 air medical interior, allowing use of the Ferno Model 28A1 litter assembly for “easy and safe transition between the aircraft mounting system, to ground ambulances that utilize a Stryker or Ferno gurney system.” Separately, Metro reports that Virgina’s Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, home to Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance, has chosen Metro for the air medical completion of a recently purchased EC145. Metro is to finish the aircraft with single-pilot IFR and night vision goggle capabilities.

Tri-Star for Maintenance-Free Marking

Charles Kaman, 1919-2011, with Ovation guitar, and Otto.

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Tri-Star Technologies is promoting its M-100L FG-TT portable wire marking unit at Booth 717, a U.S.-made turnkey system utilizing a UV solid-state laser with integrated scanner, featuring “unlimited font selection (any TrueType font for any language) as well as full graphics capabilities” – the machine can handle pictures, logos, and barcodes, Tri-Star says, on wire ranging from 4 gauge to 24 (6.3mm to .75mm). The M-100L FG-TT supports programmable message spacing, and three separate zones of print.

And, “The beauty of this particular unit is that it doesn’t require any maintenance,” says Tri-Star president Alex Kerner.

March 6, 2011

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3/2/11

11:32 AM

Kaman Opens Mexico Plant, Targeting Commercial Market: Both OEMs and Their Suppliers Kaman Aerospace, seeking to reduce its 70% dependence on military business, has opened a plant in Chihuahua, Mexico, to help reduce the cost of commercial products. Aluminum extrusions for OEM helicopter manufacturers and their suppliers are the first products.

“We’re working very hard in expanding our footprint in the commercial side,” says Greg Steiner. Greg Steiner, president of Kaman Aerospace Group.

“We see a lot of value in having a more balanced portfolio.

“We’re bidding a lot of packages right now for commercial firms everywhere,” he told ShowNews.

Kaman (Booth 2521) already makes rotor blades for Bell, Steiner says.

Other Kaman military products with commercial potential include erosionprotective coatings for blades (the 1,000th was delivered for a U.S. Army Blackhawk last year), more aerostructures (Kaman builds cockpits for Sikorsky) and composite parts.

Why Mexico? “To do business in the commercial area today, you have to have low-cost manufacturing.”

As for the K-Max, Kaman’s distinctive counter-rotating heavy-lifter, 35 of the Honeywell T53-17-powered aircraft were built and 21 are still flying, Steiner says.

Two are being developed with Lockheed Martin as unmanned aerial vehicles for the Marine Corps.

—Rich Piellisch

Kaman may increase employment to 500 at the 60,000-sq-ft maquiladora plant, it opened this past November in Chihuahua.

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Aspen for EFD1000H Pro PFD Albuquerque-based Aspen Avionics (Booth 2259 and Static 32-34) is promoting the Evolution EFD1000H Pro PFD. The Aspen primary flight display is designed for retrofit, using an aircraft’s existing “six-pack” instrument panel holes. “The PFD1000 is a very cost-effective solution that offers the VFR operator more for less,” says John Carinha, operations director at Vancouver’s Aeronav, which is developing an STC for the product for Eurocopter AS350/355 series aircraft.

Apical Cutter for Bell 407 California’s Dart Helicopter Services (Booth 4628) reports that its subsidiary partner Apical Industries (in nearby Booth 5130), has received FAA approval for its new cable cutter kits for the Bell 407. “The kits are designed to reduce the possibility of a cable or wire entering the cockpit,” Dart says.

They are available in either high or low landing gear configurations. An optional GPS antenna kit is also available, allowing the antenna to be placed on the upper cutter deflector for ideal positioning. Transport Canada and EASA approvals are pending.

Revue Thommen’s ‘Revolutionary’ Filter Switzerland’s Revue Thommen (Booth 4108) is promoting an internal infrared filter for its new HSL-1600 helicopter searchlight. As opposed to a filter flap that flips down, the new filter may be deployed “without a reduction in aircraft airspeed,” the company says. “In this industry,” said Thommen vice chair and sales and marketing chief Rudolf Iten, “We have reason to believe that our searchlight design will revolutionize the business.”

Phoenix Resurrects an MD500D It’s not a new helicopter, but it just as well might be. Phoenix Heliparts (Booth 1006) has “restored” a 30-year-old MD500D into a better than new aircraft with an “E” series nose, a more powerful 420-shp RR250 engine, modern avionics, a complete Aerodynamix night vision package, and air conditioning. “This machine is indistinguishable from new,” says owner Wayne McCall, who will officially accept delivery here at the show. The aircraft, with only 698.2 hours TTSN (total time since new), is believed to be the lowesttime MD500D in service today. Phoenix Heliparts specializes in maintenance, repair, overhaul and parts for the MD500 series, and it plans this year to launch an STC/PMA program, as well as Bell UH-1 retrofits.

SkyTrac’s SkyWeb Mobile App Canada’s SkyTrac Systems is promoting SkyWeb Mobile for iPhone, Blackberry and Android smartphones at Booth 4106. The app displays current position and flight data for aircraft with SkyTrac tracking hardware. Auto-refresh allows continual feedback on aircraft movements, with position on the map and log updated as new reports are received. The app allows users to control bandwidth demands on mobile networks, and enables one-touch voice dial and e-mail, direct to the cockpit. “We have developed another tool that enhances safety and increases efficiency,” said SkyTrac business development VP Steve Fuhr. “Flight operations personnel can now have fleet situational awareness in their pocket.”

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Heli2011 d1p18 OK JM:-

3/2/11

11:33 AM

Goodrich Sees Its HUMS Boosting the Aftermarket: Eurocopter the Next OEM? The experience of the U.S. Army – and Sikorsky in the commercial sector – will convince other manufacturers that Goodrich HUMS can make their aftermarket businesses more profitable, says Marc Brodeur, director of business development for sensors and integrated systems at Goodrich (Booth 2142).

HUMS stands for Health and Usage Monitoring Systems, designed “to provide actionable data, from flight line maintenance teams all the way to the OEM.” Such data “alert the user to take small corrective actions to prevent future costly maintenance.”

HUMS are in use on U.S. Army helicopters, on Sikorsky’s S-92 (since 1991) and, for the new S-76D, a variant called Vigor, or VHUMS, optimized for mid-size machines. “It monitors the entire helicopter mechanical drive train from the engines to the rotor system, flight manual exceedances, and hundreds of aircraft system signals.” To take the product deeper into the commercial sphere, “We want to work with the OEM, to show them how they can use this data to positively influence the aftermarket revenue,” Brodeur told ShowNews.

HUMS can be coordinated with electronic flight bags, cockpit data records and ADS-B avionics, making it easier to take advantage of those technologies too, Brodeur says.

—Rich Piellisch

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Eurocopter Delivers 3rd Miami Dade B3...

American Eurocopter (Booth 4637) has delivered the third of four AS350 B3s to Florida’s MiamiDade Police Department. The MDPD helos are equipped with thermal imager, searchlight, moving map, video downlink “and tactical platforms for tactical team transport and deployment.” Each helicopter has a night vision goggle-compatible cockpit, and American Eurocopter provides NVG training for all MDPD pilots. The B3 is powered by a single 847-shp Arriel 2B1 by Turbomeca (Booth 1637). MDPD’s fourth AS350 B3 is to be delivered later this year.

...as Seminole Sheriff Flies One Too...

Eurocopter showed the AS350 B3 operated by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Sanford, just north of Orlando, during the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual conference here late in October. Chief pilot Steve Farris praised the aircraft’s “multi-mission flexibility, cabin size and definitely its performance.”

...and EADS Test-Flies the Army 72X EADS North America flew the second company-funded Armed Aerial Scout 72X demonstration aircraft late last year, at its American Eurocopter facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, showing integrated targeting sensor, manned/unmanned teaming (MUM-T) and communications and navigation capabilities.

An EADS North America-led team of Lockheed Martin, Eurocopter and American Eurocopter (Booth 4637) is developing the AAS-72X for the U.S. Army’s Armed Aerial Scout requirement.

The AAS-72X is based on the UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter, in production for the U.S. Army. The Lakota is based on the Eurocopter EC145 commercial helicopter.

Becker for Los Angeles Sheriff Comms The first of a dozen DVCS6100 digital audio systems for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, has been installed by San Diego’s Hangar One Avionics on a Eurocopter AS350B2, reports supplier Becker Avionics. The system was selected “due to its unique ability to effectively manage and control all audio sources in the helicopter,” Becker says: “the DVCS6100 manages all transceivers, receivers and audio warning sources in one central system, and provides simulcast capabilities on eight channels.” The first aircraft was delivered to LACSO on February 11. Brett Gardner is sales director at Becker (Booth 1652).

40 Years of Police MDs

Is Eurocopter next? Goodrich is close to a contract with the U.S. Army to evaluate HUMS on the UH-72 Lakota, which is based on the commercial EC-145.

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Police forces in both Houston and Wichita celebrated 40 years of helicopter flight late last year, MD Helicopters reported, with the Rolls-Royce 250-powered MD 500E single, playing a key modern day role for both organizations. Houston now has ten 500E aircraft (having started with three Hughes 269B helicopters in 1970), and Wichita has one.

MD Helicopters is at Booth 1618.

March 6, 2011

Heli2011 d1p19 OK JM:-

3/2/11

11:33 AM

Honeywell Forecast Says Helicopter Recovery to Gain Momentum in 2012 Underscoring expectations that the commercial helicopter market will show signs of recovery in 2012, Honeywell has raised its forecast for deliveries over the next five years by five percent.

The modest increase translates into 4,200 to 4,400 turbine-powered civilian helicopter deliveries in 2011-2015, compared with Honeywell’s forecast a year ago that 3,750-4,250 helicopters would be needed in 2010-2014.

Improved economic growth prospects in key markets, combined with new models offering increased customer value, are key variables driving improved purchase expectations, Honeywell says.

In the short term, lingering tight credit conditions combined with high inventories of used, current-production models for sale, continue to dampen order intake. But on the brighter side, China could be a strong contributor to demand as the country opens its airspace to civil helicopter operation – although it is rapidly developing its own helicopters.

Honeywell’s forecast is based on a survey of the buying expectations of 1,000-plus chief pilots and flight department managers of companies operating more than 2,150 helicopters worldwide.

Substantially higher purchase plans in Europe drove the increase in expectations, while purchase plans in major U.S. and Asian centers of demand remained steady for the next five years. Although specific purchase plans for 2011 remain subdued, expectations for new aircraft ordering in 2012 and 2013 increased 40% over 2011 levels, suggesting the recovery will gain momentum starting next year, Honeywell says.

Half the demand will be from the Americas, and the other half from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. North America will be the biggest market, followed by Europe, and Latin America. www.aviationweek.com/shownews

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Turbomeca Sees Recovery This Year The recovery is in sight for Turbomeca (Booth 1637), says its CEO, Pierre Fabre. The company plans to deliver 1,050 new turboshafts this year, up 30% from the trough in 2010 of just 800 engines.

But it still has some way to go before reaching the heady heights of 2008, when Turbomeca delivered a record 1,300 helicopter engines. “The crisis seems to be behind us,” Fabre says. Among recent highlights, Turbomeca delivered the 1,000th Arrius 2B engine (it powers the EC135 light twin); the customer was STAT Medevac.

Safe Flight PDS for Thai Enstroms New York’s Safe Flight Instrument ( Booth 329 ) has commenced delivery of its powerline detection system to Enstrom, for installation on three Enstrom 480B model helicopters for Thailand – and says the PDS “was a key component in the contract award.” The helicopters will be used primarily for training. The FAA- and EASA-certified PDS is being offered for all Enstrom 480s as a production or retrofit option, Safe Flight says.

Jetnet for CRM and iQ Services Utica, N.Y.-based Jetnet is promoting new information services at Booth 3621, including Jetnet Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Jetnet iQ. Jetnet CRM is a new aviation-specific, web-based contact management system for Jetnet Evolution customers.

Jetnet iQ is a forecasting and premium advisory service for business aviation professionals. Jetnet will also be showing the latest release of its Helicopter Market Summary, described as “a module within the Jetnet Evolution interface that on a monthly basis depicts statistical developments within the helicopter market… [with] model-bymodel data points, including number of airframes for sale; high, low and average prices; airframe and engine times; average year; average days on market; retail vs. wholesale transaction counts and much more.”

China Finance Firm Plans Helos Play China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. (MSFL), already the major Chinese buyer of business jets for its home market with 32 aircraft delivered or ordered to date, plans to do the same with helicopters. It will vigorously expand into helicopters, with 20 orders planned for this year, vice president Zhang Bo told an international finance conference in London, last month. Its target is to become the top general aviation leasing company in China, and eventually Asia, he said. The Eurocopter-AvicopterEC175/Z-15 is shown here. Eurocopter is at Booth 4637.

China Helicopter Expo in September The inaugural China Helicopter Exposition 2011, will be held September 15-18 in Tianjin, where Avicopter, a unit of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, has invested more than $800 million in a research center and helicopter production facility, with initial capacity of some 240 aircraft per year. “This is a revolutionary development for a country of 1.4 billion people, that currently has only 200 civil rotor aircraft at its disposal,” organizers note, pointing too, to “numerous opportunities” for foreign companies. The China show organizers are exhibiting at Booth 503.

March 6, 2011

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Heli2011 d1p20 OK JM:-

3/2/11

6:38 PM

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Marenco Swisshelicopter Offers a Sleek New Single for a Variety of Missions Pfäffikon (think Zurich)-based Marenco Swisshelicopter is unveiling its concept for a new multi-purpose single, the composite SKYe SH09, at Booth 5120. The Honeywell HTS-900 turbine has been baselined for the new aircraft, which is to make its maiden flight in 2012.

“Our interest and motivation towards the U.S.,” says commercial director Mathias Sénès, “is not only an issue related to numbers... U.S. counties and smaller cities have understood very quickly the benefits of single-engine operations,” he says. “Hospitals and security services easily operate in urban areas with singles.

“Most European cities have reduced, if not banned, single-engine operations, thus reducing the level of EMS services or drastically increasing its cost by employing twin-engine helicopters.”

A high ceiling throughout the SKYe SH09 cabin “will enhance comfort and accessibility for stretchers,” he says.

Rear-access doors are designed for easy loading of medical equipment.

Beyond EMS, “Our SKYe SH09 will serve all missions, from corporate flights, crew changes in the Gulf of Mexico, to touristic flights,” Sénès adds. “We have developed a clear cabin with unsurpassed field of view, accommodating up to eight individual crashworthy seats, a feature that you would typically find in our competitor’s twin.”

Further expected roles include observation, surveillance, law enforcement, electronic news gathering and broadcasting, and flight instruction and training.

Marenco’s SKYe SH09.

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Phoenix Heliparts Settles FAA Dispute Mesa, Arizona-based Phoenix Heliparts has reached a settlement with the FAA over last August’s revocation of its repair station certificate. The deal involves no admission of wrongdoing, and the company will drop its appeal of the revocation to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The action stemmed from events in 2008 under previous management, since when Phoenix moved to new facilities and reapplied for its repair station certificate; meanwhile the FAA proceeded with its prior emergency enforcement action. Phoenix Heliparts (Booth 1006) has operated in the meantime under the individual certificates of its employees. It specializes in MD500s.

EC225 Sim at North Sea Service Center Eurocopter (Booth 4637) has officially inaugurated its new North Sea Service Center in Aberdeen, Scotland, “providing a highly capable training, technical support and logistics facility, in close proximity to helicopter operators who support the region’s vital oil and gas industry – as well as the emerging wind farm sector.” The Center features a new EC225 helicopter full-flight simulator, built in league with INDRA/Spain. CHC Helicopter has signed for at least 800 hours of annual utilization for training pilots from its worldwide operations.

Avinco Sells Two Dozen, Offers Parts The Monaco-based trader Avinco (Booth 5054) reported sales of 24 helicopters in 2010, “once again proving its ability to perform in spite of a challenging market.”

The firm claims sales “ranging from EC120s, all the way to Pumas,” with a grand total of 150 successful transactions in just five years. The company has begun marketing helicopter parts, and offers sourcing, leasing, and consultancy services worldwide.

Third AW139 for Estonia Border Police...

The Estonian Police and Border Guard has taken delivery of its third AW139 medium twin helicopter for SAR, border patrol, medical missions and utility duties, reports AgustaWestland (Booth 3811). It is the first SAR-configured AW139 featuring FIPS (full icing protection system). The handover took place during a ceremony at Tallinn Airport on February 14. All three Estonia AW139s are based in Tallinn, although one will be deployed to a new base at Kuressaare Airport (Saaremaa Island) enabling faster response times in Estonia’s west.

...and a Simulator for Rega AgustaWestland (Booth 3811) reports a contract with Rega, the Swiss SAR and EMS provider, for an advanced simulator for training Da Vinci and GrandNew light twin pilots.

The Level 3 Flight Training Device/Level B Full Flight Simulator will help familiarize pilots with such GrandNew cockpit features as Flight-Logic Synthetic Vision, EFIS with FMS, HTAWS (Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System), HITS (Highway In The Sky) and embedded flight recording functions. The unit is being designed and manufactured by AgustaWestland in Sesto Calende in Italy. It is to become operational in 2012 adjacent to the Zurich Airport. The Da Vinci is described as “a highly customized variant of the GrandNew… specifically developed to meet Rega’s requirements.”

It succeeds Rega’s A109K2 aircraft.

March 6, 2011

Heli2011 d1p21 OK JM:-

3/2/11

11:34 AM

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S I M U L AT I O N & T R A I N I N G FlightSafety Takes Over the Maintenance Training for P&WC Helicopter Engines Helicopter operators of Pratt & Whitney Canada turboshaft engines now need look no further than FlightSafety International for training their technicians.

FlightSafety (Booth 5106) was selected as P&WC’s training provider for helicopter engines at the beginning of the year, and the first students have already graduated.

“Classes are running full,” says Mike Lee, director of maintenance training business development.

Training covers six different engine series for a total of 28 models, powering 26 different helicopters from 12 manufacturers. Primary training locations are Montreal, Dallas-Ft. Worth, West Palm Beach, and Paris, France.

“We can support training for any of the engines anywhere, not just at the primary training locations but at 10 others worldwide including Australia, China, Singapore, South Africa and Brazil,” Lee says.

FlightSafety has procured numerous training assets from P&WC, too.

Training sessions include advanced classware, desktop simulators and graphical flight simulators that help students learn how an engine interfaces with a particular model of helicopter.

There are also six web-based courses, a number that will rise in the future.

All students are required to take a Level 1 web-based course before attending a training center class. “This makes sure that all students have the same baseline, as they vary widely in age and experience,” Lee notes.

FFS for AS350 Certified, with NVG American Eurocopter has secured U.S. FAA Level B and night vision goggle training certification for its Indra Systems full flight simulator for the AS350 series at Grand Prairie, Texas, effectively broadening the customer base to include EMS, corporate, offshore and utility operators. The device is said to be the only AS350 Level B FFS with NVG in the world. “We have already had customers from Canada and Botswana complete training,” said Marc Paganini, American Eurocopter president and CEO. “We have had discussions with Eurocopter customers from as far away as South Korea and Russia.” The Grand Prairie sim has also been used by U.S. law enforcement pilots.

CAE Buying CHC Training to Train CHC Canada’s CAE (Booth 1253) and CHC Helicopter have made a deal for CAE to acquire CHC’s training operations and provide training to CHC’s more than 2,000 pilots and maintenance engineers. The pact includes four full-flight simulators in Canada, Norway, and the UK. “CAE will become CHC’s long-term partner,” states a release.

“A long-term partnership with CAE will enable us to focus on our core business,” said William Amelio, president and CEO of CHC – which operates some 250 aircraft.

FlyIt Sim to Hospital Wing Today FlyIt will present title to a new AS 350 B3 professional helicopter simulator to Memphis-based Hospital Wing, at Static 9 at 2pm today. The device was built using an actual Hospital Wing instrument panel including Eurocopter VEMD (vehicle engine monitoring display), dual Garmin G430W, and autopilot. It will help maintain VFR, IFR, and emergency procedure skills “through scenario-based training.”

FlightSafety Has New Qualifications FlightSafety International (Booth 5106) comes to Heli-Expo 2011 with new qualifications, having given notice late last year, that its Bell 407 advanced flight training device in Lafayette, La., with advanced Vital X visual system, has been qualified to FAA Level 7.

FSI had earlier reported that its Eurocopter AS 350 B2 FTD in Tucson, also a Level 7 device, had been certified for night vision goggle training.

Fly. Work. Guaranteed.

“We are the only flight school in the world that can guarantee a job, as we have a photo contract that does more sorties than the training,” says Tommy McDermott of the Fort Lauderdale–based Helicopter Academy (Booth 3714), which offers training in nearly 40 locations with introductory lessons starting at $300. Helicopter Academy is affiliated with boatpix.com, which specializes in marine aerial pictures. The firm has just bought its 30th helicopter, McDermott told ShowNews, noting that he’s gone as far as Morocco to find float-equipped R22s.

Frasca Gets Bell 429 Qualification Classes include computer-based learning.

www.aviationweek.com/shownews

Urbana, Ill.-based Frasca International ( Booth 5233 ) reported last month that Bell Helicopter has received FAA Level 6 Qualification for its Frasca-built 429 flight training device. The 429 FTD “is one of many Frasca devices in use by Bell,” Frasca said.

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H E L I -E X P O H A P P E N I N G S Robinson Weighs In with R66, Its New Rolls-Powered Turbine, as Recession Inventories Clear Things are looking up for California’s Robinson Helicopter (Booth 2928), as the firm’s new R66 turbine won its FAA certificate, a major expansion of manufacturing space (to 617,000 sq ft) was completed, and inventory from the recession was cleared.

“We’ve definitely seen an upturn in the economy worldwide,” says new president Kurt Robinson, who replaced his father and company founder Kurt Robinson. Frank Robinson in August.

After selling off inventory for the first half of 2010, Robinson enjoyed “a surge in new sales.” It boosted production as business increased in the third and fourth quarters, and by the end of the year had accumulated a backlog of 169 new orders. Production came to 40 R22 and 112 R44 piston and 10 R66 turbine helicopters, for a total of 162 in 2010.

“We have over 125” orders for the $798,000 R66, Robinson says, telling ShowNews that “the big focus right now is certification.” While FAA type and production certificates are in hand, R66 cold weather tests continue and air conditioning remains to be certified, as do floats and a cargo hook. Transport Canada and EASA approvals will also be secured. The first production ship, S/N 0004, was delivered in November to Helistream, a longtime dealer in California. Initial deliveries will center on the western U.S., Robinson says, allowing it to monitor performance.

Robinson Helicopter Company’s R66 turbine and R44 and R22 piston helicopters.

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www.aviationweek.com/shownews

Twirly Birds Meet Tonight The California-based, founded-in-1949 Twirly Birds organization has a simple question: Have you soloed in a helicopter at least twenty years ago? If so, says the group, you should consider joining, as Twirly Birds holds its annual meeting at 5pm this evening in Signature Room 1 at the Rosen Center. “We invite anyone that meets our humble qualifications to join us at our annual meeting,” says Twirly Birds VP and membership chairman Jim Kettles. “Our intent, as always, is to see old friends and to meet new ones that share a common link to helicopters.” Past members include Charles Lindbergh, Igor Sikorsky, Stanley Hiller, Alan Bristow and Wes Lematta. Veteran U.S. Coast Guard Commander Stewart Ross Graham, a founding member of Twirly Birds, will be the honored guest this evening.

Donaldson to Show that Filtration Pays Bloomington, Minn.-based Donaldson Aerospace & Defense (Booth 4428) promises to “give helicopter operators the whole scoop on preventing contaminant damage to valuable engines,” at its first Heli-Expo filtration presentation at a seminar this morning, at 10am in Room S.230-E. Donaldson will reveal data validating the claim that advanced engine protection delivers measurable returns on investment. The seminar “will cover every aspect of system filtration.”

Able to Save Money? Come See How Arizona’s Able Aerospace Services ( Booth 1614 ) says it “saved customers approximately $85 million last year alone, and has put into effect plans to increase that number substantially in 2011.” The firm has performed 7,000 approved repairs without one in-service failure.

Able has a new MRO product called Able Preferred, for Eurocopter AS350 and Bell 206 and 407 operators, which it will detail at a seminar here Monday, in Room S.230-F at 1pm.

Able also reports plans to upgrade to a 191,000-sq-ft facility, with hangar, in Phoenix.

ADS-B in the Gulf – Tuesday Afternoon If you need to be told that it stands for automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, then you should probably attend HAI’s Gulf of Mexico ADS-B Avionics Forum on Tuesday afternoon, 1-3pm, in Room S230. The forum will include operators, avionics and airframe manufacturers, and the FAA, focused on ADS-B implementation activities in the Gulf of Mexico, including current ADS-B services, the ADS-B Final Rule and avionics compliance, and ADS-B upgrades to helicopters with ADS-B “out” capability.

Conklin & de Decker Seminars Here Conklin & de Decker will be holding its Advanced Helicopter Operator course, “an intensive, three-day course designed to help experienced managers of civil helicopter operations improve their management skills,” from March 9-11. “This workshop focuses on understanding and applying information and techniques that are essential to success in today’s ever more demanding and complex operating environment,” the firm says. Along those lines, Conklin & de Decker is bringing management and maintenance skills together in Dallas, as its Helicopter Maintenance Management – Essential Tools for Your New Role seminar is offered there March 28-29. Conklin & de Decker is at Booth 920.

March 6, 2011

Mark your calendar for these Aviation Week events!

To attend or sponsor, visit: www.aviationweek.com/events or call 1 (800) 240-7645 or +1 (212) 904-4483

MRO Americas Conference & Exhibition April 12-14, 2011 Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, FL

MRO Military Conference & Exhibition April 12-13, 2011 Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, FL

MRO Latin America Conference & Exhibition April 12-13, 2011 Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, FL

NEXTGEN Ahead Air Transportation Modernization Conference May 10-12, 2011 Washington Marriott at Metro Center • Washington, DC

Affordability Requirements Forum May 17-18, 2011 National Press Club • Washington, DC

A&D Cybersecurity Forum May 24-25, 2011 Washington Marriott • Washington, DC

Inventory & Engine Asset Management Forum May 26-27, 2011 Mövenpick Hotel Zurich-Airport • Zurich, Switzerland

MRO Europe Conference & Exhibition September 27-29, 2011 IFEMA • Madrid, Spain

MRO Asia Conference & Exhibition November 8-10, 2011 CNCC • Beijing, China

The top-of-the-range light twin helicopter with advanced avionics Low noise, low vibration and spacious cabin for the highest level of comfort High safety standards and low operating costs