Blades May 2011

Fresh air for helicopter pilots, owners and operators

✲ MAY 2011 ISSUE 18 £2.75

QUIETER HELICOPTERS

The researchers trying to reduce rotor blade noise

HOW TO BUY EX-MILITARY

A profile on the company selling ex-MOD warbirds

EXCLUSIVE - KOALA TEST

HAPPY TO BE SINGLE

Dennis Kenyon flies the AgustaWestland single-engine AW119 to see how it stacks up against its twin-engine rivals

+ ARMED 407 ON SALE p8 + SURVIVAL SUIT p22 + BLACKY SCHWARZ p41

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FLIGHT TEST Dennis Kenyon flies the lesser-spotted AW119

INSIDE P6

#18 May 2011

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NEWS US Military wants 200kt plus helicopters.

Bell's 407AH. Police ASUs merge

P18

DENNIS Explains the difficulty and length of time it takes for a rotary pilot to become a display pilot

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PRODUCTS Survival suits.

The latest offering from Breitling. The newest ANR headset from Beyerdynamic

Fresh air for helicopter pilots, owners and operators

✲ MAY 2011 ISSUE 18 £2.75

QUIETER HELICOPTERS

The researchers trying to reduce rotor blade noise

HOW TO BUY EX-MILITARY

A profile on the company selling ex-MOD warbirds

EXCLUSIVE - KOALA TEST

HAPPY TO BE SINGLE

Dennis Kenyon flies the AgustaWestland single-engine AW119 to see how it stacks up against its twin-engine rivals

+ ARMED 407 ON SALE p8 + SURVIVAL SUIT p22 + BLACKY SCHWARZ p41

FEATURE German Space Agency and NASA imrpoving the next generation of helicopters

P34 FEATURE BLADES visit Whitham Specialist Vehicles, the people selling 30 ex-military Gazelles

P41

FIRST FLIGHT Flying Bulls Chief Pilot 'Blacky' Schwarz talks about flying Europe's only Civilian Cobra

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Dave Calderwood e: dc@loop.aero ✱ Editor Dave Rawlings e: dave.rawlings@loop.aero ✱ Creative Director Bill Spurdens e: bill@loop.aero ✱ Art Director Dan Payne e: dan@loop.aero ✱ Editor-at-Large Dennis Kenyon ✱ Chief Photographer Dave Spurdens w: www.extremesportsphoto.com ✱ New Media Helen Rowlands-Beers e: helen@loop.aero ✱ ADVERTISEMENT SALES Sales manager Dave Impey e: daveimpey@loop.aero ✱ MANAGEMENT Director Sam Spurdens e: sam@loop.aero Director Dave Foster e: dave@loop.aero ✱ Head Office: +44 (0)1223 497060 Loop Digital Media UK 9-11 The Mill Courtyard, Copley Hill Business Park, Cambridge CB22 3GN www.loop.aero ISSN 1749-7337 May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

06

✲

NEWS All the best stories from the helicopter world

✱ Eurocopter's X3 breaks the 200kt minimum limit the US Army has set for its future aircraft

MILITARY NEWS

US ARMY WANTS TO GO QUICK WITH NEXT GENERATION OF AIRCRAFT Leaders in the USA’s Army Aviation Branch want helicopters with a top speed of more than 200kts by 2030

A

T THE recent Army Aviation Association of America's Annual Professional Forum and Exposition, held in Nashville, Tennessee, Major General Anthony G. Crutchfield announced sweeping changes and plans for the near future.

In a speech, during the expo, he stated that the U.S. Army needs to plan now for a replacement

helicopter, one that has a longer range, is faster, can carry a bigger payload, is more survivable and that has a reduced logistical footprint. "We know that the current fleet – although great aircraft – will at some point be obsolete," he said.

“It sounds like a long way away, but it really isn't. We have to have a method of looking out that far and making sure that we have aircraft that will be relevant

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

in this future security environment. We have to set an aim point."

Crutchfield, who is the Commander at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, also said that: “The army’s nextgeneration of [rotary] aircraft must be at least 30kt faster than the top speed a conventional helicopter can achieve, due to the limitation of retreating blade stall, which

caps forward velocity at roughly 170kt. It must also be optionally-manned, fly 848km (458nm) missions, remain on station for 2h, hover at 6,000ft (1,830m) with temperatures above 35°C (95°F) and carry a nine-person crew plus weapons and sensors.”

The army is now looking for a new airframe as incremental improvements to current aircraft won’t reach the new goals.

“It’s going to have to be something new I don’t want my grandchildren flying the Apache Longbow Block 80. We need technology to take us further into that future,” he added.

Crutchfield’s comments will give a huge shot in the arm to both Sikorsky and Eurocopter who have been working on their X2 and X3 (X-Cube) respectively.

Both aircraft are currently seen as a technology

07 P8

P10

Armed Bell selling well.

Fire Scout breaks endurance record. Laser pointer jailed

P13

Three Police ASUs merge to form one.

Cornwall Air Ambulance get new base

Assembly line for CH53K. Russian Helicopters floated on Stock Exchange

✲ ROUND THE WORLD FAKE LICENCE CRACK DOWN INDIA To stop the huge problem of people forging papers and then being issued pilot licences and jobs, the Indian Government is planning to create an online national register of pilots.

The plan is to put all the documents of every pilot on an online register from the moment he or she applies for a licence, which can be accessed by airlines at the time of hiring pilots.

KOREA GOING FOR APACHE SOUTH KOREA Local newspaper reports claim that the South Korean Army may buy up to 36 Apache helicopters from the United States worth $1.84 billion.

The Chosun Ilbo Daily stated that the South Korean defence acquisition program administration said it wants to buy large attack helicopters to replace the aging 500MD and AH-1 attack choppers, the Chosun Ilbo reported Thursday.

The report said the army had been trying to acquire the Apache model since the 1990s, but couldn't because of budgetary constraints. But new threats from North Korea has helped renew interest.

PRINCE PROMOTED UK Prince Harry has been promoted to Captain within the Army Air Corps in recognition of time served in the Armed Forces. The Prince – now known as Captain Harry Wales – was also awarded his Apache Badge, marking the completion of the eight month Apache Conversion to Type Course.

Prince Harry has progressed to a further eight-month weapons handling course in order to become a fully operational Army Air Corps Pilot.

RESCUERS AWARDED

demonstrator but both have already smashed the 200kts limit set by Crutchfield.

Sikorsky is already working on a ‘follow-on” to the X2 with its S-97 Raider programme. Sikorsky is building two prototype light tactical helicopters.

These prototype vehicles will enable the U.S. armed forces to experience, first hand, the advanced performance capabilities X2 Technology can provide.

Like the X2 the S-97 Raider helicopter will feature twin coaxial counter-rotating main rotors and a pusher propeller. Sikorsky state that in addition to flying at nearly twice the speed of a conventional helicopter, the S-97 prototype aircraft will incorporate other key performance parameters critical to combat operations — increased manoeuvrability, greater

AUSTRALIA At the 2011 SAR awards the helicopter crews of Queensland have been recognised for their work during the worst floods in Australia’s history.

During that time the crews from Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) were called to the small town of Grantham, which was suffering from flash flooding. Flying in low-lying cloud and torrential rain, the EMQ crews navigated their way to the community – maps proving useless as the flood had obliterated local landmarks.

Over two days the crews rescued 43 people, flying them to a makeshift medical facility set up on one of the few remaining patches of dry land.

Because of their skilful flying, ingenuity and bravery, the aircrews were jointly awarded the 2011 award.

HELITECH GOING GREENER ✱ Sikorsky boss, Jeff Pino, unveils the military-bound S-97 endurance, and the ability to operate at high altitudes.

Crutchfield also stated that he is keen to avoid another ‘Comanche’ experience, in which the programme was cancelled in 2004. We can't afford to cancel another program.

We can't afford another Comanche," he said. "The future vertical-lift aircraft is going to have to increase

range, speed, payload, survivability – and it's got to reduce the logistical footprint. We won’t get everything we want in a new airframe, but we have to get everything we need.

And I believe we need this.

If we set the marker and we aggressively drive to it, we will make it happen. I know we can do it. In fact, we have to do it."

UK The Helitech conference agenda has just been announced and the top issues will be, safety, ‘greener’ technology and wind farm issues. Helitech 2011 takes place at Duxford on 27-29 September.

The conference will be chaired by helicopter specialist and journalist, Andrew Drwiega, who is internationally recognised for his independent insight and commentary on the rotary wing scene.

Helitech Exhibition Manager, Brandon Ward, said: “Our initial research into the kinds of topics to include in the conference was greeted with great enthusiasm across the industry. This is the first time we’ve staged our own conference during the event. Our aim is to attract new visitors and offer existing visitors and exhibitors the chance to hear about the latest developments in areas such as security technology and parapublic air support.” www.helitechevents.com May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

08 NEWS Bell's armed 407, unmanned aircraft, lasers ✱ The 407AH on a weapons test flight over the desert, less casualties that way!

ARMED HELICOPTER

BELL RECEIVES ORDERS FOR ARMED 407 Bell’s new 407, with it’s capability to have guns, cannons and be sold as a civilian helicopter, has already had plenty of interest

T

HERE are several inventions and innovations in the world where people stand back and say: "Why did nobody think of that before?" And with Bell Helicopter choosing to offer its popular 407 as an armed version; it could be another one of those times for people to talk again.

When Bell announced its plans to release an armed civilian helicopter in the shape of the 407AH at Heli-Expo, quite a few turned their noses up at it, but it seems as if Bell were onto something as its order book already has a name pencilled in “For the unarmed version of the 407 our typical customers are parapublic (part state owned) agencies that are either domestic or international. For the armed version, a typical customer

would be international police and parapublic or military agencies,” said Larry Roberts, Senior Vice President of Commercial Business at Bell.

“There has been interest from several international agencies and we have received an order already for the AH, but it is from a customer who wishes to remain anonymous,” Roberts added.

For the 407AH, Bell has added some additional airframe structure to handle weapon pylons and gun racks. The initial weapon system includes the Dillon 7.62mm M134T Minigun as well as the M260 2.75” seven shot Rocket Launching System.

Other Options include a Chaff/Flare controller for counter measures, sliding doors in the rear that allows for personnel or cargo

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

transportation, cargo hook for search and rescue capability, crew seat armour, among others.

Roberts also stated: “It will meet the needs of a variety of parapublic agencies at a cost that is far less than that of a similarly equipped military aircraft – and it will benefit from an increased lethality when compared to those other aircraft.”

The 407AH comes equipped with a number of safety features such as AAI Bulged Skylights Kit, AAI Inlet Barrier Filter with access door, AAI Wire Strike Protection System and Meeker Quick Release Pins for Crew Doors.

The first 407AH demonstrator aircraft was revealed at Heli-Expo 2011. A second aircraft is currently completing expanded weapons integration testing. The

407AH will now embark on an international demonstration tour that will last several months.

Destinations include Latin America, Asia, Middle East and Europe, in addition to the United States.

Bell claim that deliveries will begin in Q4 of this year and expect it to be a

popular add-on to the 407 of which more than 1000 already delivered. Bell also state with the 407AH it will never do business where it is illegal to own one of its products. “We will only do business where it is proper and we have the approval to sell,” said Roberts. www.bellhelicopter.com

✱ Bell's promotional video on it's website, promoting the advantages of having chaff flares on its 407!

09 TECHNOLOGY

UNMANNED VEHICLE BREAKS RECORD NORTHROP Grumman’s Fire Scout, the tactical unmanned aerial vehicle, recently marked a new single-day flight record of 18 hours.

U.S. Navy operators achieved the record using a single aircraft in a series of endurance flights from the USS Halyburton – a US Navy frigate.

The Fire Scout is aboard the ship to help to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data, to support anti-piracy missions while deployed on the ship for the Navy's 5th Fleet.

"We've continually worked with the Navy to enhance Fire Scout since its last deployment to meet these types of operational needs," said George Vardoulakis, Vice President for Tactical Unmanned Systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.

“These flights show how the system provides a much-needed extension for gathering crucial information during peacekeeping or wartime missions," added Vardoulakis Fire Scout features a modular architecture that accommodates a variety of electro-optical/infrared and communications

payloads. These payloads provide ground and shipbased commanders with situational awareness and targeting support.

Fire Scout's ability to operate at low ground speeds makes it particularly suited for supporting missions such as drug interdiction, search and rescue, reconnaissance and port security.

In late January, operators from the Halyburton

located a disabled boat using Fire Scout's Brite Star II sensor payload that provides full-motion video capability. This allowed the ship's crew to get to the boat and help make repairs.

Northrop has also just announced that the US Navy’s Fire Scout system is about to begin its first land-based deployment to US Central Command. www.northrop grumman.com

✱ The Fire Scout has proved itself useful during Navy tests

✱ The Fire Scout has completed 200 flying hours in total aboard the Halyburton

MILITARY

LEGISLATION

HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE

JAILED FOR LASER

BRITISH pilots and aircrew from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) recently got to see their helicopters from an enemy perspective when they were allowed to target aircraft with Taliban weaponry.

During this unique two day opportunity, arranged by the CHF's Intelligence Cell, they were instructed in the use of Man-Portable Air Defence Systems, similar to those faced by coalition crews who risk their lives flying over Afghanistan and Iraq.

They were also shown examples of the different types of small arms currently being used by insurgents and given a hands-on practical

WHEN it comes to people pointing lasers at pilots, the US has taken the lead in combating the problem.

In a Philadelphia courtroom Williamsport resident, James Gautieri, has been imprisoned for 33 months for committing ‘interference with an aircraft or aircraft facilities’.Gautieri was convicted because he was found to have shined a laser into the cockpit of a Philadelphia Police Department helicopter that was flying in a routine patrol, striking the pilot in the eyes.

“As a direct result of his reckless and irresponsible behaviour, the defendant will now have several years to think about how he endangered public safety by shining a laser into a helicopter pilot’s eyes,” said United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

targeting stance to see exactly how enemy forces target the aircraft of the Joint Helicopter Force (JHF) - a coalition force comprising of helicopters from all three Services to support ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and Afghan National Security Forces operations in Helmand province.

Lieutenant Mick Cowie RN, the Force Intelligence Officer, has completed three operational tours in

✱ CHF with Taliban rifles

Afghanistan: "It is essential that our aviation crews fully understand the types of weaponry that they face whilst deployed in Afghanistan.

This hands-on experience ensures they are fully trained and prepared to face the threat."

Based at Camp Bastion, the JHF is responsible for some 150 flights every day. The Force is a truly tri-Service outfit, with an equal mix of Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Royal Marines manning its 24/7 operation. The aircraft are similarly representative, with Royal Air Force Chinooks and Merlins, Army Apaches and Lynx, and two different types of Royal Navy Sea Kings. www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Assistant US attorney Salvatore Astolfi says Gautieri homed in on a police helicopter near Philadelphia Airport and flashed the cockpit many times, hitting Lt. Anthony Ginaldi in the eyes.

“That laser strike to the officer’s eyes caused him to lose control of the helicopter over a residential neighborhood,” says Astolfi.

“The sentencing in this investigation demonstrates the danger these criminal acts pose to aircraft safety,” said Special Agent-inCharge George C. Venizelos of the FBI. “The public needs to be aware that the FBI will aggressively pursue those who aim laser devices at aircraft.”

In addition to the prison term, Gautieri was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $10,000.

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

10 NEWS UK police units first flight POLICE

POLICE AIR SUPPORT UNITS MERGE South-east forces first to try sharing scheme - will lead to National Police Air Service

T

HE first move in a money saving scheme planned by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has come into effect with the merger of Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire Police Air Support Units.

Late last year ACPO announced plans for a National Police Air Service (NAPS) to reduce the number of helicopters used by the police nationally from 33 to 23. This plan is intended to save around £15m per year in capital and running costs.

The South-east forces are the first to try the new sharing scheme. The South East Air Support Unit (SEASU) was launched at Shoreham Airport last

month, even though it has been operational since October. This marked the start of operations under a single Police Air Operator’s Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Under the new agreement there are two helicopters covering the three force areas. The police claim this will ensure that Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire are all able to have access to this highly value resource, but at a saving of around £8m for the three authorities over the next five years.

Regional Inspector for SEASU Steve Cheeseman said: “The launch of the regional air support unit has been seven years in the making and we have come up with a model which

we believe will effectively serve Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire."

Alan Price, Sussex Police Authority’s lead member for air support, said: “Collaboration in which ‘everybody has won and all must have prizes’ is always difficult to achieve.

There must inevitably be compromises. The fact that all three forces and authorities have been able to reach agreement on an effective and efficient collaboration with both capital and revenue implications which meets the requirements of all in the important area of air support is a tribute to all those involved in the discussions and negotiations that have lead up to this day."

Head of the NPAS, Chief Constable Alex Marshall said, “This is not merely a cost saving exercise.

While the current service is capable of doing its day job, artificial boundaries have meant that helicopters are restricted to

operating within their own force area.

"A national, borderless service will ensure effective coverage of urban and rural areas." www.surrey.police.uk www.hampshire.police.uk www.sussex.police.uk

✱ Launch of the south-east police air service

✱ The EC135 operated

by Surrey Police is now part of the three counties joint venture

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

11 AIR AMBULANCE

AIR AMBULANCE ON TRACK TO NEW HOME THE CORNWALL Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT) has broken ground on the site for its new headquarters, based at Newquay Airport.

The trust was awarded close to £1m of European Regional Development Fund Convergence investment to help build the facility; charitable funds and additional fundraising will match the remainder of the costs.

The development includes a 492sqm hangar for the Cornwall Air Ambulance helicopter and 335sqm of office space for both operating crews and the fundraising team.

The building will be on the south side of the main runway at Newquay Cornwall Airport and it is hoped the air ambulance will be operating from the new hangar before the end of 2011.

The building will include hangar and helipad to support future expansion to two helicopters and 24-hour operations, accommodation for operating crews and fundraising team.

It will also be a showcase for visitors and benefactors and

a workspace that isn’t available at the trust’s current offices. When the new base is built, the old offices will be sold to raise even more funds for the new development.

Paula Martin, chief executive of the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust said: “Strategically, this charity is growing quickly, mainly because we need to meet the costs of operating

a busy air ambulance helicopter.

“Part of our planning is to secure an operations facility, a proper ‘home for the helicopter’ and ensure we can manage most of the key costs in future."

It seems that the Air Ambulance isn’t the only plan for growth at Newquay Airport.

Miles Carden, the airport’s infrastructure and

business development programme manager, said: “The airport wants to develop a major aviation related business cluster, offering the opportunity for delivering significant numbers of quality, high value and skilled jobs.

“Attracting organisations like CAAT is vital for the realisation of this ambition and this investment is therefore a critical initial

step for the airport.

"The CAAT are leaders in civilian aviation paramedic work and we hope that their presence will be a catalyst to further growth in this sector.”

The air ambulance, which was the first one in the UK attends around 1000 incidents each year and costs about £30,000 a week to run. www.helimed181.co.uk

✱ New premises under construction for Cornwall air ambulance

NEW HELICOPTER

SIKORSKY MOVES AHEAD WITH S-70i FLIGHT test operations at Sikorsky’s base in Mielec, Poland, run by PZL Mielec are now fully operational and are preparing for delivery of its first S-70i Black Hawk.

In preparation for flight testing capabilities to be done at PZL Mielec, Sikorsky refurbished an existing hangar and paint shop, and added a rescue and fire station staffed by

five fulltime firefighters.

The company has also hired Polish Test Pilot Leszek Pawula. Pawula holds a Helicopter Class 1 Test Pilot Rating (Experimental Test Pilot) and is one of only three designated test pilot instructors and examiners appointed by the Polish Civil Aviation Authority.

“Leszek Pawula brings a great depth of

✱ New surroundings for the Black Hawk – Poland

experience to his role on the S-70i Black Hawk team," said Mike Skaggs, Sikorsky S-70i Helicopter Programme Pilot currently based at PZL Mielec.

"He is one of the most experienced test pilots in Poland, with more than 5,000 flight hours logged, and is rated in a multitude of fixed wing and rotary aircraft. We are extremely proud to say that Leszek

is the first Polish pilot to be rated in the Black Hawk helicopter.”

“The performance of the final assembly and test flight operations at PZL Mielec has exceeded expectations,” said Robert Mastronardi, S-70i senior programme manager.

The S-70i helicopter programme hangar at PZL Mielec will be able to house two Black Hawk

✱ PZL is producing the international version of the S70i

helicopters with blades installed, or three without blades.

Plans call for the hangar space to be increased later this year to meet to the demand for S-70i Black Hawk helicopters.

The S-70i helicopter is the newest Black Hawk variant, being produced for the international market.

It has a fully integrated digital cockpit with a dual digital automatic flight control system and coupled flight director.

It also features an active vibration control system that will smooth the overall ride of the aircraft.

PZL Mielec, which recently marked its fourth anniversary as a Sikorsky company, is the final assembly centre and production test flight hub for the program. www.pzlmielec.pl/en/

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

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news Sikorsky, Russian Helicopters, Protection

13

flight operations

sikorsky opens massive assembly line for ch-53k 'Digital' design and manufacture for Florida-bound load-lifter

S

IKORSKY’S huge transport carrier, the CH-35K, has a new home in the USA with a new Florida Assembly and Flight Operations (FAFO) campus, establishing experimental assembly line operations for the new helicopter.

“The production of the next generation of heavy lift helicopter prototype is underway,” said Dennis Jarvi, vice president, Navy and Marine Programs.

“As we commence assembly line operations we are witnessing the dawn of a new age in rotorcraft development and construction. The CH-53K helicopter is being digitally designed and manufactured.

We have created ‘virtual tools’ that will improve the learning process and identify and solve issues before they become costly delays in manufacturing."

The CH-53K helicopter facility consists of float

FROm RUSSIAn StOCK RUSSIAN Helicopters is planning to list on the London Stock Exchange.

This will make it the first global Russian defence company to list on the stock exchange.

This follows on from an announcement that the Moscow based company plans to raise $500m.

The company says there are about 8,500 machines in operation and accounts for 13% of the global helicopter fleet and with revenues last year of $2.7bn. A successful flotation could give Russian Helicopters a valuation of over $3bn.

q mi-17, one of the fleet

q Sikorsky's transport carrier approximately 60,000 square feet of space. The state-of-the-art facility provides overhead power and air dropdowns, new aircraft work stands, and overhead cranes have been installed to support aircraft final assembly and rotor head/quality control assembly operations.

There will also be wireless data connections to all operator plasma data screens. The new FAFO operation will introduce the use of digital operation sheets to aid in assembly and operate a four-position flight line to produce the new aircraft.

The CH-53K helicopter will maintain virtually the same footprint as its predecessor,

the three-engine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, but Sikorsky claim the new ‘K’ model will nearly triple the payload to 27,000lb over 110 nautical miles under ‘high hot’ ambient conditions.

The CH-53K helicopter’s maximum gross weight (MGW) with internal loads is 74,000lb compared to 69,750lb for the CH-53E aircraft. The CH-53K’s MGW with external loads is 88,000lb as compared to 73,500lb for the current CH53E helicopter.

The new helicopter will benefit from a glass cockpit, fly-by-wire flight controls, fourth generation rotor blades with anhedral tips, a low-maintenance elastomeric (an elasticity polymer) rotor head, upgraded engines and improved reliability, maintainability and supportability. The program is expected to achieve the Initial Operational Capability milestone in 2018. www.sikorsky.com

q A revolution in rotorcraft manufacture is taking place

business

need some protection?

If you feel that your Squirrel helicopter needs a bit more reinforcement from light level III weapons then Helibras – a Eurocopter company based in Brazil – has the answer for you.

The company produces a shielding system aimed at providing protection for crews and vital aircraft parts against weapons with a 7.62 and 5.56mm calibre, which in turn, enhances the helicopter's ability to work in hostile environments.

The shielding has been developed in conjunction with INBRA-Aerospace, a Brazillian company specialising in aeronautical shields for the armed forces and police. It is based on operational experience of Squirrel helicopters used by police forces around the world.

The installation consists of removable plates in certain strategic points of the aircraft. This can be customised depending on the operational need

q Protection from light machine gun fire is offered

and the risk of the mission.

The shielding can range from the cabin floor to a self-sealing fuel tank.

Helibras say the system represents an additional cost equivalent to less than 10% of the aircraft and the customer can choose to install all parts or only some of them, according to the degree of threat.

According to the Manufacturing Director of INBRA-Aerospace, Melis de Bruyn, "The solution developed specifically for

this aircraft is resistant to several shots, combining protection and low weight and low profile design."

Currently, more than 330 Squirrel multi-mission aircraft, representing over 40% of the market, are employed by the police in countries like the US, france and Britain.

In Brazil around 100 AS350 Squirrel are operated by fire departments as well as military and civilian police. www.helibras.com.br

q Brazilian company is behind the new shields

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

LETTERS Your opinions and views

15

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Welcome to BLADES' letters page. Your chance to tell us what you think of anything and everything in the rotary world. Just email us at blades@loop.aero

We have two other fantastic magazines out this month in the guise of LOOP and P1. LOOP is filled with everything GA and P1 is our business jet title. Here's what's in their May issues: P1 THIS month P1 is looking forward EMBRAER LINEAGE 1000 to EBACE, the biggest business aviation show in Europe, with a five page preview of all the movers and shakers attending the show.

The flight test is the impressive Embraer Lineage 1000, plus there is a behind the scenes look with a factory visit to the company's Brazilian headquarters.

May's airport focus features Hong Kong, there's an avionics special in products with insights of Garmin's, Aspen's and Bendix/King's products.

ULTRA looks at the Porsche Panamera Turbo S and the new range of Bentley watches made by Breitling.

P1 MAY 2011 £4.50

NEWS · EVENTS · FLIGHT TESTS · PEOPLE · AIRCRAFT DETAILS · COMMENT

GARMIN GTN RANGE NEXT GENERATION TOUCHSCREEN NAVCOMMS

PANAMERA TURBO S

PORSCHE'S NEW TOP OF THE RANGE SUPERFAST GT

BREITLING BARNATO KEEPING TIME WITH THE BENTLEY BOYS

F R E S H A I R F O R B U S I N E S S AV I AT I O N

WORLD FIRST

'HOME FROM HOME' That's Embraer's concept with its five-zone giant interior E-Jet. P1 flies the first Lineage operating in Europe... and we're impressed

EBACE 2011 THE PREVIEW Look ahead to Europe's show

INSIDE EMBRAER

Visit to San Jose dos Campos

HONG KONG AIRPORT Bigger, busier, growing

LOOP THE LOOP EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS team headed off to Germany last month to report on Europe's biggest GA show – Aero 2011, and they've filled the magazine full of everything that was at the show.

Highlights of the show include 24 brand new aircraft. This includes some impressive European designs and range from an 11-seater mini airliner to a replica Hurricane!

The magazine is also filled with the new products from Aero, including Garmin's new GTN series and the brand new G2000 glass cockpit. So if you weren't at the show, don't panic because everything is LOOP. There's even video highlights on www.

LOOPTV.aero.

To subscribe visit: http:// subscriptions.loop.aero INSIDE ROBINSON R66 TESTED... THE FIRM'S FIRST TURBINE

+ DEBUT Rolls' RR300 engine + SIMPLE Great innovations + VALUE 'A game changer' +

ME

PE TA L S CIAL •

24

NEW AIRCRAFT INSIDE

SPE

F R E S H A I R FO R F LY I N G

C I A L • N EW

MARCH 2011 ISSUE 65 £3.40

• N EW META

L

WELL DONE BBC Watching the staggeringly good BBC series ‘The Wonders of the Universe’ with Professor Brian Cox, I realise a perk of the job of being a BBC font of knowledge is the chance to fly in some amazing aircraft – the highlights being zero G flying, and breaking the sound barrier in a Hawker Hunter. Lets not forget the cameramen that were lucky enough to be able to get those fantastic shots out the side of a helicopter. Envious as I am, they are all great promos for flying. Keep it up chaps!

– M. Morrison, Bishops Stortford.

CRACKING GOOD READS

TA W M E L SPEC

GOOD PLACES TO VISIT I read John Rodriguez letter last month [Hellish Hotels], about places charging an absolute fortune to land at the premises. I was then looking on the PPRuNe Rotorheads forum and noticed a thread about good places to visit.

There are a few places now on my 'to visit list', but one I spotted was the Helicopter Museum in Weston Super Mare. There is no landing fee, just the entrance fee to the museum.

They cook a decent breakfast, have some rare aircraft on display and worth taking the family to. Oh and it's definitely helicopter friendly!

– Timothy Spencer, via email.

AIRWOLF NOT REAL? I chuckled reading your memories of Airwolf [BLADES March], the TV show from way back then.

I was never a big fan as I had already nailed my colours to the earlier Blue Thunder mast – a much meaner looking beast as far as I was concerned. It had a touch more realism, and the film was made – if I recall correctly – with some basic concessions to helicopter aerodynamics too, which I appreciated. Except for the wonderfully clever idea of ‘whisper mode’ that is, which to this day is beyond the best of rotary design schools! One day...

– Cal ‘JAFO’ Torrent, via email.

ED: Ah, Cal you mock the whisper mode, but NASA and the German Aerospace Centre (page 18) are together carrying out research to try and reduce the noise of helicopters. So maybe one day the whisper mode might be possible!

IAL

FRANK FAN I have been a follower of the Robinson stable for some time now (like the majority of people I learnt in an R22).

I was curious to see what the R66 was going to be like to fly and possibly own. But until I read Jamie Chalkley's report [BLADES April] I could only find blubs and reviews written by the people planning to sell them – which would give them a slight bias!

I feel Jamie's review was fair and he was open-minded from the start. He even declared himself 'a non-Robbo pilot' right from the start.

It really got me excited about Robinson's foray into the Turbine world and it looks like Frank might have turned the helicopter market on its head once again. All I need to do now is take one for a flight test to see if I agree.

– Geoff Hastings, Tumbridge Wells.

NE

HELP NEEDED I was wondering if you might be able to help. I’m short-sighted and wear glasses to correct this. I’m thinking of having laser surgery on my eyes. Is that allowed? Has anyone else had it done?

– Rob Hostler, via email.

ED: We asked the CAA about this one: “The decision to have this type of treatment must be between you and your eye specialist. In fact, the certification limits of eye correction with glasses and the limits before refractive surgery are the same (+5 to -8 dioptres), so it is not possible to gain a Class 2 medical certificate by having refractive surgery that you would not have obtained by wearing glasses.

However, if you have had refractive surgery, Class 2 certification will be considered at least three months after a LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) procedure, provided an assessment including refraction has been carried out at two months post-operatively.

Certification can be considered six months after LASEK/PRK for myopia, provided an assessment is carried out at three months post-operatively. Certification is usually possible one year after other types of operation. Please note the preoperative refraction must not have exceeded +5 to -8. An assessment by an eye specialist will be required. Stability of refraction must be achieved. To show this, you will need to obtain a report showing your refraction about a month before your medical exam. You must have no problems with glare.

+ AERO 2011 SHOW SPECIAL +

Flight Design and Tecnam lead the charge of new European designs revealed at the biggest show for pilots on the Continent... including this brilliant new four-seater

✲ STAR LETTER THE NEW GUARD I have recently been fascinated to read about the new manufacturers coming up on the sidelines from China, India and elsewhere, pressuring the ‘old guard’ manufacturers. One thing I think your report touched on is the support offered by the

+

governments in China and India to aviation and aircraft manufacturing, which will probably be even more influential than money in the growth of flying there.

The willingness and ability to make changes in airspace regulation and planning, to promote flying and stimulate manufacture, is beyond ✱ The Indian-

built Dhruv helicopter

anything any nation in the EU, or even the US, can dream of.

Could you imagine the reaction from various lobbies if our Government set about actively promoting flying? It’s too absurd to imagine it actually happening. Britain’s general aviation manufacturing industry might be just a fragment of what it once was, but we do have vast expertise in design, training and piloting. For those seeking a new beginning in aviation, it seems the answer is look east, young men (and women).

– David Roberts, London ED: We couldn’t agree more David. It seems as if everything is happing abroad these days. This seems to go for everything from microlights all the way to jetliners.

Only time will tell if the European markets will be able to keep up with the rest of the world.

We think a BLADES office in Brazil will be a splendid idea!

GARMIN'S NEW WAVE Touchscreen GTN and G2000 set new standards for rivals to aim at BEYERDYNAMIC HS800 Headset war hots up as 'double digital' become the new buzzwords CUSTOM JOBS Two amazing takes on existing designs as 'chopping' meets flying

PLUS: OTHER NEW AIRCRAFT TO START WISHING FOR

+ AUTOGYRO 'Luxury' Cavalon + HURRICANE Replica + CESSNA New Corvalis 400 TTX +

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

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COLUMNIST Dennis Kenyon

17

Dennis Kenyon former freestyle helicopter aerobatics world champion, display pilot and flying instructor writes for BLADES

AEROS IN HELICOPTERS

I

RECEIVED an enquiry from a reader asking how one would go about learning to fly aerobatic-type manoeuvres in a helicopter, and perhaps becoming a display pilot.

It is always good to hear from a new pilot, especially showing an interest in display flying, but I must say immediately a newly qualified PPL(H) is unlikely to have sufficient experience to display at air shows for a year or two.

The first thing to say is, there can be no such thing as ‘helicopter aerobatics’.

Every Pilot's Flight Manual (PFM) I have ever read, specifically prohibits aerobatic manoeuvres.

So how come the Red Bull team, and myself, are carrying out what appear to be aerobatic manoeuvres at air shows?

I only refer to such flying as ‘Display Manoeuvres’ or ‘Freestyle Flying.’

The generally agreed definition of an aerobatic manoeuvre is: “Any manoeuvre exceeding 90 degrees angle of bank ✱ Red Bull's

Chuck Aaron performs a 'display manoeuvre'

and/or 70 degrees in pitch” but you won’t find that officially set down in writing anywhere.

Other than myself, I know of no schools or flight instructors in the UK who teach rotary display flying, a major consideration being the subsequent responsibility and liability such training might entail.

I would offer instruction to suitably experienced and well-qualified pilots, once knowing the following four requirements are in order: • The manoeuvres which are to be taught all remain firmly within the conditions of the PFM approval for the helicopter • The helicopter to be flown is suitable for the planned manoeuvres • The helicopter to be used has adequate and appropriate insurance cover for such training • The pilot has a satisfactory level of fixedwing aerobatic experience, and more importantly has the right attitude, commitment and bag fulls of motivation.

In the UK, the Display Authority (DA) system is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority, which issues DA approval following a recommendation from a CAA-approved Display Authority Evaluator (DAE) following a satisfactory interview and demonstration flight.

Prospective display pilots should first obtain a copy of the display pilot’s bible, CAP 403, and ensure they are thoroughly conversant with the basic information it contains.

While at present, there are no specific minimum experience requirements to hold a DA, CAP 403 suggests “around 200 flying hours minimum, of which at least 100 hours should be as Pilot In Command”. I take the view that a little over twice those numbers would be more suitable.

There should also be “adequate Type experience”. I’m afraid the system can be something of a moveable feast but here we are talking about

‘’

Every helicopter Pilot's Flight Manual I've ever read, specifically prohibits aerobatics

a flying discipline that requires the very utmost in self-discipline to stay safe!

Next, an approved and stamped Form 2199 should be obtained from the CAA when contact can be made with an approved DAE. When I am approached, I initially spend an hour or so checking the flying logbook to determine total experience, medical, licence validity and type experience. I then conduct an oral examination (really

a mutual discussion) to determine a sound knowledge of CAP 403 and in particular the items listed under Section 3.4.1.

I’m especially interested in motivation and the applicant’s attitude to display flying. DAEs never want to see ‘swashbucklers’ or budding display heroes!

Your selected DAE will ask you to discuss the manoeuvres contained in your planned display programme with particular reference to display ‘gates,’ display heights and display speeds. Also the significance of the display axis, the crowd line and the general display line, plus you should have a working knowledge of the relevant sections of the Air Navigation Order.

Weather always plays a big part in flying so the DAE will want to know how you plan to cope with changing weather conditions, or any on-site changes to the display area on the day. It happens all the time!

When all has gone well, you move on to the airfield for your display demonstration. No lastminute heroics now. The DAE is simply looking for a steady, carefully thought out, nicely disciplined and professionally flown display as discussed and in a well disciplined manner.

Once the DAE is satisfied with your demonstration and in particular your adherence to the previously discussed sequence, he will complete and sign Form 1318, which you send to the CAA who issue the DA. In display flying there are just three requirements: Safety, safety, safety. And in case you think nothing can go wrong, let me tell you that even after having completed no fewer than 1,223 displays over a 25-year period, I got one wrong at Salt Lake City Air Show just two years ago.

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

38 FEATURE 18 Oxo x ox oRotor xoxooxo research xo xo xxox q Computer simulation of vortices – new tests are showing these are far more complex than previously thought

BLADES fresh air for helicopters March 2011 May 2011

19

silence is golden Rotor noise is one of the biggest complaints from people outside aviation. A team from NASA and the German Aerospace Centre is working to see how rotor noise can be reduced.

BLADES spoke to the professors behind the research

T

HE German Aerospace Centre is Germany’s national research centre for aeronautics and space. The headquarters is based in Göttingen, about 70 miles south of Hannover; it is also home to the German Space Agency and currently there

is a team investigating the exact origin of rotor noise with the aim to make the helicopters of the future quieter.

The team is headed up by Professor Markuss Raffel, head of the helicopter department at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für

Luft- und Raumfahrt – DLR) along with his colleague Dr Karen Mulleners as well as James Heineck and Edward Schairer, both from NASA. Their aim is to discover how a vortex behaves during rotor spin and how to reduce them and thus noise.

The flow around the tip of a rotor blade is strongly

influenced by the threedimensional roll-up of the flow into a tip vortex, caused by the pressure difference between the top and bottom sides of the rotor blade. The tip vortices are the most noticeable parts of the rotor wake, and dominate the interaction between the wake and the

structure of the helicopter.

The tip vortices have a large influence on the aerodynamics, acoustics and structural dynamics. All of which makes them of great interest in the development of new helicopters.

The group are using a rotor test bed from the University of Aachen. They are ➽

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

20 FEATURE Rotor research using seven high-speed cameras, lasers and highpowered LEDs to make the vortex visible.

"The special thing here is the simultaneous use of three different optical measurement techniques," explains Professor Raffel.

"The density and the velocity fields in the vortices and the deformation of the rotor blades are recorded.

"As in medicine, multiple investigative methods help reach the correct diagnosis.

Thanks to the latest highspeed cameras we are able to film at speeds of up to 4000 frames per second.

This enables the turbulent, constantly changing vortex to be observed continuously for the first time.”

Dr Mulleners explained the problems of not having this equipment in the past: “Before this test bed, we could only take a snap shot every second, or every third revolution to see how the vortices worked. With this equipment we now have

high repetition rates for the laser and high exposition rates for the camera. So we can look at the development of both the velocity and density fields as well as the blade deformation within one cycle. We can even concentrate on the first 30 degrees of rotation of the blade.”

The group has just completed two weeks of testing and is now analysing the data they have produced, but already they have discovered new information about the behaviour of vortices.

“In the past we have often thought that these vortices were symmetrical, but it appears that they are not all symmetrical, especially in the beginning of the cycle,” said Dr. Mulleners.

“To determine their properties we used to look at such parameters as radius and velocity. Now it seems we might have to adopt our models to include more parameters, especially for

q Clockwise from main: Lasers and high-speed cameras track down rotor noise. You can see the vortices on this tiltrotor.

The 'Blue Edge' blade. Whiteouts might be a thing of the past

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

‘’

The special thing here is the use of three optical measurements the young vortices, to take into account that they are not all symmetric.”

The test has helped with the infancy of the project and the team are now working with the research independently.

“We are currently at the point of trying to understand what happens in the vortices. When we reach that point and we work out how the process develops we can try to look at control mechanisms and we will have a very precise goal once we understand the psychics,” Dr. Mulleners said.

“Another important thing about understanding these

rotor tip vortices is reducing brown-outs and white-outs.

These happen when the vortices hit the ground and lift up the sand [or snow] which causes problems so we could also reduce the possibility of this – making it safer for pilots in hostile environments."

DLR and NASA are working together on this project under a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU). The team meets bi-annually to discus topics relating to helicopter aerodynamics.

Professor Raffel and James Heineck have worked on other blade vortices projects in the past.

"Our speciality at DLR Göttingen is optical measurement technology for fluid flows with laser and camera based and precision measurements," said Professor Raffel.

NASA scientist James Heineck confirmed: "The team at Göttingen is among the best in the world."

NASA researchers are contributing the most up-to-date measurement technology and their experience with experiments in the largest wind tunnel built for rotary aircraft.

The next tests have yet to be scheduled but for now the team will be kept busy.

“We have to evaluate the data we have collected – the test is always more fun but now we have to look into the data,” said Dr Mulleners.

“We also have to try and get more funding. The rotor test rig we are using is on loan from the University of Aachen, so we would like to buy our own rig where we can make modifications and just improve it to have different parameter studies and also be able to swap the blades to see different designs and see how different blade tips test. " we will add different parameters including angle of attack and build up a larger range to see how the blade behaves."

21

‘’

Even when you have a good idea, it's a long process in aviation

Professor Raffel has worked on similar projects in the past and has been part of many innovations.

“Eurocopter is using a DLR developed design from 10-15 years ago – the Blue Edge blade that has a ‘corner’ on the end,” he said.

The team will use this blade in the next test because aerodynamics is a field that is still not fully understood so the team will revisit them. They also plan to test a new blade in the next experiments. “There will be a new test structure which will be a composite blade made from carbon fibre and ceramic tipped,”

said Professor Raffel.

“We will be able to control the blade electronically and change the angle of the blade at the higher harmonics so we’ll be able to measure acoustics on it.

It will only change by +/two degrees but it will be enough for the first test and enable us to move forward with reducing vibrations and noise emissions.

"We will do the same measurements we have used already on these blades and will also complete acoustic measurement to see how the pitch itself has changed due to the control and see if it creates noise reduction.”

The tests will continue but the team is well aware that things don’t always move quickly in the world of aviation.

“Even when you have a good idea, it’s a long process. For example when you change a blade for flight it takes a long time to get certified; it takes a lot longer than we would like.”

who is DLR? DLR is Germany’s national research centre for aeronautics and space. It produces extensive research and development in fields such as aeronautics, space, transportation and energy. DLR staff work alongside other international agencies to help promote and advance its field of expertise.

It was first founded in 1907 and was the first state-run research centre for aviation.

Many principles of aviation were first thought of in Göttingen, including the swept wing and a forerunner of the first jet engine. DLR says key industries, including materials technology, medicine and software engineering, all profit from innovations made by them in the fields of aeronautics and space.

As Germany’s Space Agency, the German federal government has given DLR responsibility for the forward planning and implementation of the German space programme as well as international representation of Germany’s interests.

DLR’s projects include; exploration of the Earth and the solar system, research aimed at protecting the environment, development of environmentally-friendly technologies to promote mobility, communication and security.

DLR employs approximately 6900; the centre has 33 institutes and facilities at 13 locations in Germany as well as offices in Brussels, Paris and Washington DC. The DLR budget for in-house research and development work and other internal operations amounts to approximately 770 million euro, of which approximately half comes from revenues earned by DLR. DLR also administers the space budget of the German government, which totals some 1047 million euro. www.dlr.de/en q Just one of DLR's many locations

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

22 Where to find all the latest and best heli gear available

✲

products ditching suit

the secret of survival

Survival-One, a leading company in the design of survival suits, has just released the 1000 Series aimed at North Sea passengers

S

AFETY first, is a mantra when it comes to working in the North Sea on oil and gas rigs. Part of getting there means that every helicopter passenger has to be wearing a survival suit. Aberdeen Airport alone caters for more than 500,000 helicopter passengers a year, so ditching suits are a part of everyday life.

Survival-One has launched its latest civilian survival suit, which uses Outlast materials.

The outer shell of the suit is waterproof, breathable and inherently flame retardant. The thermal lining uses the Outlast PCM (Phase-Change Materials) technology for much better heat management. Outlast technology was originally developed for NASA to protect astronauts from temperature fluctuations in space. In the Series 1000 suits it controls the microclimate inside the suit to absorb excess body heat from the wearer when it is

hot. The company claim its lining has the ability to store the heat, then release it when the wearer gets cold. Moreover there is also a bonded antimicrobial layer of 99,9% silver to make sure the material remains fresher for longer. And a 3mm thick layer which traps warm air and provides more insulation.

The new suit goes beyond EASA’s minimum requirements for use in the North Sea sector. “The people wearing it as they fly back and forth to their installations need to know that it is as technological perfect as it can be.” Said Andrew Wilson, Design and Development Manager at Survival-One. “They want to have the best protection. But we also know what it is like to sit on a helicopter on a long flight with a survival suit: You have heat, noise, stress and all the rest of it. So we designed this suit knowing that those who wear it can feel confident that they are given the best possible protection whether

it has been worn once or worn a hundred times.”

Andrew added.

The PCM technology in the Outlast material helps to absorb excess body heat, manage moisture, while also reducing overheating, chilling and perspiration and it continuously adapts to thermal changes. Andy said: “Everybody’s sensitivity to temperature changes is different, which means everyone sweats or becomes chilled at different rates. But the temperature corridor in which we feel comfortable is relatively narrow: when the body core temperature of 37°C fluctuates only 2°C upwards or downwards we are subject to fever or hypothermia. Here Outlast products help. They reduce temperature swings and influence the comfort zone efficiently. One sweats less and is less chilled. You feel not too hot, not too cold, but just right.”

Where to find it www.survival-one.com

the outcast® principle eXplained Creating a well balanced climate for optimum comfort Too hot

challenge: Varying environmental temperatures and conditions can upset comfort levels.

Personal Outlast® climate

solution: Outlast® materials absorb, store and release excess body heat to maintain temperature belance. result: A permanent cycle of comfort through regulated temperature.

Too hot

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

23

LATEST PRODUCT

KEEPING TRACK OF TIME BREITLING has just announced its latest watch for the traveller – the Chronomat GMT. This new time piece has the ability to adjust instantly to local time while maintaining a 24-hour ‘home time’ display without losing any of the watches precision. To change between the time settings all the wearer has to do is pull out the crown and turn it forwards or backwards to move between time zones.

To ensure user friendliness, the firm’s watchmakers and engineers have developed a differential system serving to disconnect the local hour hand from the gear train when changing time zone. Breitling claim this operation has no effect on the precision of the watch, or on the performances of the chronograph.

The new Chronomat GMT is based on the design of Breitling’s leading model, featuring ultra-sturdy construction and waterresistant to 500 meters (1,650 ft), as well as its unidirectional rotating bezel engraved with exclusive numerals. Its dial is available in six colours with toneon-tone or contrasting totalizers. The triangular red-tipped hand points to home time on a 24-hour graduated scale partially covered by the inner bezel.

The home-time hands and hour-markers are boast a luminescent coating guaranteeing readability by day and night.

To adjust the 12-hour hand to local time, the user simply pulls the crown out to position ‘two’ and turns it in either direction by the number of notches

corresponding to the number of hours composing the time difference. The date display is indexed to this 12-hour hand and changes automatically if required, both backwards or forwards. The redtipped hand keeps track of home time on a 24-hour basis, thus enabling one to distinguish between day and night. If you travel frequently to several different time zones, the same operation can be repeated on each occasion and then, upon returning home, reset the two hands to the same time. Simple as that!

For the bracelet model the RRP is £7440 and for the leather strap will set you back £6480 WHERE TO FIND IT www.breitling.com

ANR HEADSET

DEVELOPMENT

NEW BEYERDYNAMIC IT SEEMS the world of ANR headsets is growing all the time and german company Beyerdynamic has just launched its latest: the HS800 Digital.

Beyerdynamic claim the 800 is a new-class of aviation headset, using a newly developed DANR (Digital Adaptive Noise Reduction) which combines the feedback and feedforward ANR for the first time.

ANR headsets currently on the market, use conventional analogue feedback filter that suppress wideband interference signals with

high reaction speed. There are disadvantages with this system, such as the background noise and the limited capacity for complexity. Feedforward digital control is able to adapt to high-precision frequency peaks. The HS800 combines feedback and feedforward ANR bringing together the best of both worlds, which Beyerdynamic state will be the new benchmark in active noise-cancelling!

Comfort has improved with the new headset. All cushions are leather. The ear padding is viscoelastic, which distributes the

pressure evenly. The head cushion protects the fontanel with its shape. At this particularly sensitive location, where the two skull halves meet, where pressure can lead to shortterm pain. The housing shells are carbon and anodized aluminium which save on weight.

The HS 800 Digital is now available in three versions including a rotor version with a spiral cable and U-174 / U jack plug.

The HS 800 Digital is available for 789 Euros.

WHERE TO FIND IT www.beyerdynamic.com

AGUSTA GET IPAD TRAINING APP AGUSTA WESTLAND is working to produce a range of mobile applications to improve its training courses.

The company is working alongside DiSTI, a provider of graphical user interface technology, together they are developing mobile applications for aviation training.

Beginning with the iPad, AgustaWestland is developing applications to improve the flexibility and effectiveness of training media within its courses.

The content on the iPad will be for a number of key customers and will consist of both controllable courseware as well as more complex emulations of aircraft systems. AW started the project with an initial proof of concept

development for the Apache Tactical Situation Display (TSD), which provides a visually compelling, tactile and interactive emulation of the main mission computer for the aircraft.

DiSTI’s GL Studio iDevice toolkit was used to develop these applications. Interactive 3D models and graphical emulations created can be deployed on devices such as the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The code generation ability of GL Studio, coupled with its HD display gives developers the ability to rapidly create content.

WHERE TO FIND IT www.agusta westland.com

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

24 flight test Agusta 119 Koala

PHOTOGRAPHy David Spurdens

Agusta's big single

Is two better than one? dennis Kenyon finds out as he flies AgustaWestland’s impressive single-engine AW119 Koala

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

25

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

26 flight test Agusta 119 Koala

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

27

T

HIS month, I’m privileged to add yet another type to my log book having been tasked to produce a flight test report on a fairly rare Italian ‘Big SingleEngine’ helicopter.

When it comes to discussing the larger helicopters, there’s invariably a fight between the single-engine and multi-engine brigade.

In the UK, the ‘Utility’ men won’t even consider operating what are considered ‘unsafe’ singles.

Indeed the CAA approval requirements rule out single-engine operations for certain AOC work, and especially Police and Air Ambulance ops.

I have to say that is not the situation in some other countries, notably our American cousins.

For operations over London and big city areas, I invariably join the ‘multi’ guys, although in my dim and distant past, I made more than a few flights in a single piston carrying a burly Metropolitan copper on aerial observation duties over London’s ‘congested’ areas.

On one occasion, I was asked to land alongside the traffic lights where

the A3 trunk road passes through Farnham.

My query regarding the legality of my passenger’s request, merely resulted in him flashing a ‘Home Office’ card that apparently waived all the rules if he so required!

Indeed for a short time, the ‘Met Boys’ were routinely flying over London in an Enstrom 28A single-engine piston helicopter.

MORE CRITICAL In the United States, things are seen rather differently and many police forces and utilities fly singles.

When I’m making the point, I invariably side with the ‘two-engines-arebetter-than one’ fraternity but I’ve yet to fly any helicopter that possesses two tail-rotor drive shafts, or two main rotor or tailrotor transmissions.

I could go on. What about the swash plate?

The M/R drive shaft? ... even the M/R blade bolts. All non-duplicated components where failure would prove more critical than an engine problem!

On the same tack … the argument runs that having more than one engine simply doubles the chance of an engine failure! And so it goes on.

But we are not here to discuss the pros and cons of engine layouts.

Today I’ll be flying one of the heaviest single-engine helicopters on the market.

The bulk of my flying experience, (14,300 hours and counting) has been on single-engine machines, and I have to report that in those hours and during a calendar time of just under 40 years, I’m still waiting for engine failure number one … so I’m quite happy to be flying another single.

But, as an object in happiness, nothing beats the thrill of powering up a number two engine, and not having to give too much thought to the possibility of a low-level engine failure.

Overall though and forgetting the cost issue, twin-engine helicopters have to be the way to go.

There are quite a few big machines that employ a single power unit.

The mighty Bell ‘Huey’ is one, of course, and several thousand former Vietnam conflict pilots will rave about that wonderful old warhorse that became the centrepiece of Robert Mason’s inspirational book, ‘Chickenhawk’ .

The other big Bell 205 was also a hefty ‘slogger’

‘’

Today I'll be flying one of the heaviest single engine helicopters

q LEFT: Dennis Kenyon, left, settles himself into the PIC seat in the Agusta 119

lifting tree trunks the size of Salisbury Cathedral.

Anyway … now that I’ve aired that particular dragon, I’ll say no more on the subject.

So, it was with such random thoughts for company, I found myself driving the Jaguar up the M1 to meet a very long time customer and friend, the enigmatic and successful businessman, Steve Giddings.

Steve and I were to fly from his private pad to complete a routine session of engine-off handling and continuation training to bring him back to par after a flying lay-off.

CAMERASHIP The following day, I was scheduled to get myself up to Binham in darkest Norfolk to write up a flight report for BLADES on yet another exciting helicopter.

This time I’m flying the Italian AW119 Koala.

Steve Giddings is a pilot who likes to know where he is going, so he’s fitted no less than three GPS systems to his neat MD500 - one has a TCAS. Garmin’s 430 version being the junior partner!

Steve kindly suggested I could use the 500 to make my trip to Jeremy Taylor’s helipad where his FAA registered AW119 Koala awaited. We also planned to use the MD500 as a cameraship for Dave Spurden’s air- to-air shots.

The winds were on the choppy side, but the TAFs were good so we were GO. Just 46 minutes later, we’d covered the 100 or so track miles to Binham where even two miles out, the bulky, all-white shape of the Koala was visible and highlighted in the morning sunshine. And in case we weren't sure if we were in the the right place, the word KOALA was emblazoned emphatically and diagonally across the substantial airframe!

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

28 flight test Agusta 119 Koala THE HISTORY The AW (Agusta Westland) 119 Koala is basically a single-engine version of the successful Agusta 109 series, but being a single, it only appeals to a limited section of the market.

The Italian manufacturer’s sales blurb promoted the type as a capacious, 7/8 seat, singleengine helicopter intended for operators for whom the lower running costs of one engine outweigh the redundancy advantage of a twin.

Competitive machines would be the MD 600, the Bell 407 and perhaps Eurocopter's EC350.

The 119 designation was originally applied in 1970 to a proposed 11-seat, stretched version of the A109, although the model was never built. The wide-body version that eventually appeared was

first flown and exhibited at the 1995 Paris Air Show.

I well remember getting on board the bright yellow I-KOAL and being impressed by nothing more than the space.

The Italian factory was in financial difficulty about that time and after missing several certification deadlines and making a major change from the Turbomeca engine to the ubiquitous and more powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6, Italian certification was eventually achieved in 1999, soon followed

by FAA approval a few months later.

The strong demand for the A109 ‘Power’ held back Koala production and sales began slowly, but by 2010 a couple of dozen models were flying in America, four in Finland and many more in Mexico.

Total production was initially planned for 25

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

‘’

The type is a capacious, 7/8 seat, single with lower running costs

units a year. Some 100 Koalas are in worldwide service now. A second production facility was established at Denei in South Africa.

The type isn’t yet approved in the UK, so today I’ll be flying on the ‘N’ register.

q Huge four-blade rotor gives plenty of lift. This is one big ship, as Dennis found when flying it

THE WALKAROUND Jeremy Taylor’s crew and BLADES Editor, Dave Rawlings, were on hand to greet us along with a camera-loaded Dave Spurdens. It’s always good to work with the guys you know … the coffee was ready and waiting.

Jeremy Taylor proudly shows me his big baby as I walk to the landing Dolly and look up to the mast.

This is one big helicopter alright … a really big white one. The M/R hub sits 13 feet up and while parked on the Dolly is even higher.

Overall length is four

inches less than 43 feet!

I look inside the rear cabin to find a spacious ‘club seating’ layout with two facing rows positioned three-abreast. The knees don’t touch either! This is truly a wide-body fuselage and is significantly larger than any similar role machine I know.

In a ‘Medevac’ role the Koala will carry two patient litters plus two medical attendants and would be ideal for medical retrieval operators. Rear cabin entry is via two massive sliding doors. The huge luggage locker is seven feet long with a 33ft cubic capacity.

It is accessible from the main cabin.

There are no landing wheels since as a single, the Koala is fitted with skids which are ideal for difficult landing sites.

Jeremy Taylor’s machine has the standard ‘pop-out’ floats fitted.

29

‘’

The Koala will lift a mighty 3,000lb and a 450lb load on the hoist

q BELOW: Koala comes with skids rather than wheels and has pop-out floats fitted

Engine is Pratt & Whitney’s standard PT6B turbo-shaft rated at a mouse whisker over 1,000shp (747kw). Max Continuous Power(MCP) is a still whopping 872shp.

FERRY RANGE Checking topside, I find Agusta’s composite, fully articulated, four-blade design which features a maintenance-free, Titanium M/R hub and uses elastomeric bearings and composite blade grips.

Blade diameter is a convenient 36 feet. Fuel capacity with the big tank option is nothing less than 230 US gallons which provides a ferry range of over 500 nautical miles.

The primary airframe structure is aluminium/ alloy and fibre composite is used for the secondary structure and panels. At the rear end, the Koala uses a steel hub and a

composite, two-blade tail rotor system.

Blade length is more than me, being 6ft 4ins. I note the vertical fin has a cut-out to improve thrust authority a la Bell 429.

Max All Up Weight (MAUW) is 6,000lb (2,720kg) or 6,900lb with an external load. Typical WPS (Weight Prepared for Service) is 3,152lb. The resultant 1,850lb payload allows some impressive carrying capacity and long range.

Most dynamic components are ‘oncondition’ items. When fitted with a cargo hook, the Koala will lift a mighty 3,000lb and a 450lb load on the hoist.

Reading the book, I learn the Koala has a VNE of 152 knots with a cruise of 145.

Service ceiling is the usual 20,000ft and at MAUW she should hover OGE (Out of Ground Effect) at

TWO GREAT COMPANIES jOIN AgustAWestlAnd was created by the merging of two helicopter companies with long and rich histories dating back to the formative days of aviation manufacturing in the early 20th century.

Agusta’s and Westland’s pedigree as helicopter manufacturers dates back to the 1940s when both companies took strategic decisions to move into rotary wing aircraft production.

In 1946 Westland decided to stop building fixed-wing aircraft to concentrate on helicopters. It entered the world of rotary by negotiating a longterm agreement to build sikorsky designs under licence.

Agusta took its first step into the helicopter market in 1952 by building Bell helicopters under licence. It later worked building sikorsky, Boeing and Mcdonnell douglas products as well. the company also had ambitions to design and build its own helicopters. the Agusta A.101 and the Agusta A.106 were two successful early attempts.

Westland didn’t simply build off-the-shelf designs under licence. In all cases the Westland versions were subject to re-design and incorporated many improvements.

In 1960 the British aircraft industry underwent a major re-organisation. At the time more than 20 aircraft manufacturers were competing for a few orders. the government of the time made it clear that it could no longer support this situation.

Westland was well placed to take the lead for rotary winged aircraft, and there followed a period when Westland acquired Bristol Helicopters, Fairey Aviation and saunders-Roe to become Westland Helicopters, Britain’s sole helicopter company with full order books for Wessex, scout and Wasp helicopters.

Agusta and Westland first collaborated in the 1960s, when Westland started licence production of the Agusta AB47g, better known as the “sioux”. starting in 1964, Westland built 250 of these small helicopters at Yeovil. the relationship between Agusta and Westland evolved for more than 20 years through collaboration on the development and production of the 16-ton multi-role eH101. this association provided the platform which enabled the two companies to conclude a rapid and effective integration when Finmeccanica spA of Italy and gKn plc of the uK signed the agreement for the formation of a 50:50 joint venture company named AgustaWestland in 2001. In december 2004 Finmeccanica acquired gKn’s 50 per cent stake in AgustaWestland now AgustaWestland is the second largest helicopter company in the world, with a turnover of more than us$2 billion and a workforce of some 10,000 people.

q AgustaWestland's EH101 – now AW101 May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

30 flight test Agusta 119 Koala 10,700ft. I want to check the speeds in flight but won’t be checking the 20,000ft figure!

ON BOARD I walk forward to the business end. Two largish glass panels for the instrument readings and an overhead array of switches take me several minutes to assimilate. I note the long handle of the rotor brake and a Stability Augmentation System (SAS). The Koala has duplicated hydraulic systems.

With Jeremy’s FI rating and our FAA licences, I can slide into the captains’s position for this flight test.

I found some restriction on knee room but I am getting mature!

The cabin layout is comfortable though and has more than adequate visibility.

The controls I recognise come nicely to hand and under Jeremy’s guidance, I run through the preflight cockpit procedure.

It’s a long list of systems checks … fuel pumps, instrument readings, SAS and hydraulics, plus all the

standard checks.

With the ‘closed throttle’ position confirmed, I’m ready to fire up the beefy PT6. With a final look round, I press the starter once and monitor the glass dials looking for ‘light-off’ N1 while we monitor the Ts & Ps as the Koala self starts – almost a full FADEC ignition sequence.

Then it's back to a momentous list of poststart checks, but being unfamiliar with the type, I know I’m making a meal of it even under Jeremy Taylor’s expert guidance.

AIRBORNE With the checklist set aside, Jeremy talks me through the first lift. With the SAS engaged and noting the nose is a bare few feet from the Dolly’s tractor, and the wind sock is waggling quite quickly, I’m especially slow with my first collective lift.

But I’m either good or lucky as the Koala lifts serenely to hold a stable hover at four feet skid height. Two tons of Koala strapped to my bum didn’t seem to mind the stiff breeze at all.

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

Jeremy was encouraging and having completed the post take-off checks, I moved off the pad to the adjacent grass training area to try out a few more lifts and touchdowns. Yes, I’m feeling pretty good!

It’s time to air-taxi out to the grass runway for our departure. Jeremy is still insisting I do the handling.

I’m finding it a tad difficult to keep the right scan going as I transition and pull collective for the climb, but as 60 knots whizzes by, she is already indicating 2,000 feet per minute. This is a rocketship for sure.

With no affecting airspace to consider, we level at an initial 2,000 feet and Jeremy explains the use of the ‘force trim’ on the stability system.

On the Koala, the technique is to adjust cyclic and collective for the desired attitude and accept the changing cyclic load. Then a small squeeze on the SAS cyclic mounted button and the system picks up the attitude achieved.

Further trim changes can be made using the cyclic mounted SAS trim switch

‘’

Two tons of Koala under me didn't mind the stiff breeze at all

q CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Tail rotor of the Koala is substantial. Doors slide rearwards for the main cabin. Vertical stabliser and strake under the tail boom

and in a couple of minutes I’ve got the hang of it and flying hands off.

Now my lovely lady is sitting exactly where I want her to be! I try a few standard turns at progressively increasing angles of bank, and she remains rock steady. I’m fast becoming a fan, but probably not if I knew the price of this level of flying.

But I doubt if Koala owners care. Yes this is obviously a big capacity helicopter that is in its element when used for single-engine work and for a certain type of private pilot … a big ditto.

So a speed check is next on my list. Jeremy advises a max continuous power setting at the top of the green arc and the airframe trembles as we accelerate.

I’m hitting 135 knots and Jeremy tells me the popout floats take 5 knots off its best speed.

Now I want to feel the handling at VNE as we increase torque to the five-minute limit. The dial is steady and indicating 145-150 knots. Airframe vibration is up, but not significant. Tracking with

31 q Handling of the Koala is straightforward but you never forget you're flying a big, heavy aircraft

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

32 flight test Agusta 119 Koala the following wind, the ground is really whistling by. The GPS is reporting 165 knots ground speed.

INCIPIENT VORTEX I have this fascination for seeing the incipient Vortex Ring condition with all helicopters, so with a short nod, Jeremy indicates I can fill my boots!

Airspeed back to zero, some power applied to check the descent and the airframe is burbling nicely as the disturbed air batters the airframe.

I won’t investigate the development so a small forward nudge of cyclic and the vibration vanishes.

I ask Jeremy to set up an entry into the autorotative state and once again this big ship has no surprises and handles much like the Bell JetRanger. With

the limited time available I wasn’t able to fly any full stop EOLs, but I imagine even three metric tonnes of Koala could be easily controlled by those massive rotor blades.

So overall, the Agusta Koala is a joy to handle although I have to say I never lost my awareness that I was handling a big, heavy helicopter.

The controls are especially well harmonised and when cruising on track at 140 knots, the wonderful SAS makes the pilot its passenger.

Back at base, Jeremy allows me to set up the approach and I settled for 65 knots lining up into the strong breeze.

Lifting off was one thing … getting this big ship down on a small Dolly would be another!

q CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Six person cabin is spacious.

Cyclic has plenty of functions.

Plenty of instrumentation inside the Koala's cockpit.

Note the MD 500 cameraship departing in the distance.

Maintenancefree main rotor head.

But with the confidence of Jeremy Taylor following me on the controls, I flared off the speed with firm aft cyclic, held a four-foot skid hover for a moment, and gently lowered the skids for a smooth touch-down on the Dolly centreline.

With the rotors winding down, I touched on the rotor brake to stop them at 12 o’ clock and shut off the aircraft systems. Another super flying experience courtesy of the BLADES team and as ever, I’m a happy bunny.

LATEST VERSION Latest version of the 119 is the AW119 Ke (Koala enhanced).

AgustaWestland says it is a spacious top of the range single turbine helicopter developed to enhanced safety levels and

‘’

The ground is really whistling by... the GPS reports 165kt

providing high productivity and performance at a competitive price.

The large unobstructed cabin permits rapid reconfiguration for a variety of missions such as passenger transport, emergency medical service, and law enforcement applications, says AW. A high passenger load combined with range capability has led the helicopter to be successfully introduced into Offshore applications.

The emergency medical service variant accommodates up to two stretchers and two medical attendants, in a fully medicalised cabin. Where a single engine helicopter is allowed and desired because of lower costs, the 119 steps in.

AGUSTA 119 KOALA PERFORMANCE VNE 152kt Max speed 139kt Rate of climb 1850ft/min Hovering IGE 11,000ft Hovering OGE 7,300ft Service ceiling 15,000ft Max range 515nm Max endurance 5hr 20min WEIGHTS Max take off 2850kg Max take off (external load) 3150kg Basic empty weight 1455kg Engine Pratt & Whitney PT6B-37A, producing 1002shp (takeoff), 872shp Max Continuous) FuEL CAPACITy 3-cell system 605 litres 4-cell system 711 litres 5-cell system 870 litres DIMENSIONS Pilots/Passengers 1/7 Max length 12.92m Max width 7.75m Max height 3.59m Main rotor diameter 10.83m Tail rotor diameter 1.94m M/R tip blade ground clearance 2.83m T/R tip blade ground clearance 1.15m Fuselage ground clearance 0.63m MANuFACTuRER AgustaWestland Via Giovanni Agusta, 520, 21017 Cascina Italy W: www.agustawestland. com

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

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38 Oxo 34 FEATURE x ox oMiltary xoxooxo sales xo xo xxox

BLADES fresh air for helicopters March 2011 May 2011

35

the arms dealers Deep in the UK's Lincolnshire, there's a place where anyone can buy almost any vehicle once owned by the British military – including helicopters and aircraft. Dave Rawlings was invited in PHOtOgraPHY Rory Game

âž˝ May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

36 FEATURE Military sales

D

riving into the grounds of Witham Specialist vehicles, it’s instantly obvious what is for sale as we pass rows of Land rover Discovery 4x4s painted in both desert and forest camouflage as well as police riot vans, ambulances and plenty more.

This is where UK military and government vehicles are sold to the general pubic and other governments abroad. The reason I’m here for BLADES is that currently on the books at Witman are 30 Gazelle helicopters and I wanted to have a look.

When I arrive I’m looking for Paul Sotherington, the Managing Director of Witham and the man who invited me along to look at the ships.

“He’s over there driving the tank!” his receptionist tells me, not a phrase you hear everyday. Sure enough, Paul is sitting in a tank moving it into position where it’ll wait to be sold.

Witham Specialist Vehicles is a sales and marketing company for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The job of Whitham is to get the best price and to finds the best exit route for a variety of MOD assets.

“We don’t have a choice of what comes here, it’s whatever the MOD send us," said Paul.

"We have everything from Land Rovers, trucks, cars, tanks and refuelling

lorries. We get cars from government departments, including police and ambulance service. We also have armoured Jaguars and motorbikes from the Driving Standards Agency. They’ve got plenty of miles on them but the bikes are in great condition.

"We do Land Rovers and all the trucks from 4x4s to eight-tonne trucks. We also get road sweepers, cranes, recovery trucks and mini busses all sorts. We do the whole range – there is nothing you don’t want. We even have the Ark Royal on our website,” he added.

"It’s very rare that we would put a group of helicopters to tender – it would have to be a very specialised piece of equipment and we’d look to do it over a long period of time, possibly six months."

Witham airfield The company is based on Witham Airfield, a wartime runway built for D-Day. This was once a base for Pathfinders and the company has been here for 12 years.

“My father was working in government surplus more than 30 years ago," said Paul. "Then we moved away into the general motor trade.

We were main dealers for Volkswagen, Audi, Citroën and others. We were even the top-selling Subaru dealership during that time.

“When the recession of the early 90s hit we moved away from cars and back

q Origin of the gazelles for sale is given away here

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

into government surplus.

We started back with heavy plant equipment and in 2003 the MOD put out a contract for selling all its vehicles and we won it,” he explained.

There are around 45 members of staff working on the 38-acre site. Some are mechanics, others are paint and body shop specialists, giving Witham the chance to repair most of the things they sell.

The site has a total acreage of 600, including the airfield, which is around two miles of concrete. The runway is used as a test track for any road vehicles they sell.

“If we sell a truck (we have a lot heading out to Zambia soon) part of the deal is that we give it a 10 mile test. After 10 miles you know whether it’s going to break down or not. If it comes back with an oil leak or the gearbox clunks, we’ll fix it, sign it off and then it’s shipped out.

"Part of our contract with the MOD is that we won’t test anything on the road. We don’t want to drive tanks and armoured personnel carriers on the road and that’s one of the requirements of the contract,” said Paul.

The company sells between 5,000 and 6,000 vehicles a year. In the past seven years it has sold 39,000 vehicles – that’s just for the MOD, and doesn't include everything else they get involved with.

“We do quite a lot with Land Rover and sell its

‘’

We do the whole range – we even have the Ark Royal on our website

surplus stock. For instance, if they’ve had an order cancelled we’ll go in and buy the surplus and sell it on – it’s all for export unfortunately, even I can’t get one! When Iceland went through their problems we had some from them and sold them on to other European countries,” said Paul.

With regards to the military assets being sold there are very strict guidelines for obvious reasons, that Paul has to stick to.

“Everything we have can be sold into the UK or worldwide. Being ex-military whoever buys them will need an export licence.

There’s a list the MOD sends out of banned countries and the penalties are quite severe. We work with the government, so there is no way of getting round it.

"Anyone from any country can put in an application but you might as well be staring at a blank computer screen for all the good it’ll do you if you’re on the government's arms embargo list.

"If someone does apply from a country on the list, we tell them to not even bother applying, but if it’s a

one-off sale to a destination that needs a single export licence, we’ll apply but we get all your details, do a full disclosure, fill all the forms in, send them of and wait.

You wait for 6-8 weeks for a licence. If it is destination covered under the Open General Licence and if it falls within those, we can export directly."

Gazelle Walking past some ex-army Land Rover Defenders and flat bed trucks you eventually come to the Gazelles – it is a sight to behold seeing them all lined up with military preciseness.

Even under their protective brown paper covers, they are instantly recognisable.

They are in different states of repair. Some look complete and would just need the rotors attached and could fly. Others lack seats, glass or the engine is in a separate container. Next to every helicopter is a box with its service schedule and manual.

“The Gazelle fleet came to us about a year ago. They came up for disposal and the MOD decided that they would prefer us to market them because of the way we do things. There’s no restricted kit left on them – that’s all been taken off.

The odd one or two has lifting hooks and infrared sights, but they all have the instruments,” said Paul.

Witham had the Gazelles inspected by an independent commercial organisation who estimated that 17 of them could be put back together relatively quickly, and there are probably six or seven that would need full overhauls which leaves six or seven for spare parts.

“We were looking to sell them for around £2m for the 30 helicopters, which we feel is a great offer. We had a buyer from the Philippines but they defaulted on payment so we still have them,” said Paul.

Witham has had other aircraft in the past, including Jet Provosts, Tucanos and Westland Scouts, which they had to pick up from Hong Kong in 1997 after the island was returned to the Chinese.

“We have even sold a Lynx Airframe to a paintball site.

They use it as a Vietnam jungle warfare scenario, where a team has to go in and try and rescue the pilots,” Paul said.

“Although we do sell aircraft when we get them [a Harrier gate guardian

37 q Condition of the gazelles available varies from nearly flyable to 'for spares'

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

38 FEATURE Military sales arrived the morning I was there], it’s unusual for us to get a fleet of aircraft. The Harrier fleet will be sold on a government-to-government basis, we won’t get them,” he added.

Occasionally Witham gets a vintage item to sell.

“The oddest thing we had to sell a Russian T55 Tank from the first Gulf War. It was a captured tank and used as a gate guardian outside a barracks in Preston, Lancashire. The barracks closed down and the ground had been sold, so they couldn’t leave the tank. But to keep the tank safe the base had built a huge wall around it. We had to get a 150-tonne crane, lift the tank over the wall and get it on a low loader. We sold it to a gentleman in Northern Ireland and he’s had it restored it back to new." fUtUre Witham is one of the few companies to do well in a recession. “It seems when there is a downturn, people look for good value bargains and a secondhand ex-military Defender is great value. Last winter, which was quite harsh, our Land Rover sales went through the roof.

People couldn’t justify going out and spending around

£25,000 on a new vehicle when they can go and buy a good ex-military one for a fifth of the price.

"People can use it through the winter, have a bit of fun, and then sell it without losing any money. The production rate for new vehicles also slows down, so even if you wanted a new one, they’re very hard to find,” said Paul.

When there is an upturn in the economy it seems that the MOD and other government departments have very little to pass onto Witham Specialist Vehicles.

“During an up-turn the government doesn’t get rid of any of its equipment, and if they do it’s scrap and can't be sold,” said Paul.

“There is always plenty of equipment but it won’t become surplus because there is always someone within the department that will need some ‘newer’

‘’

It'll stop once the military has become as lean and mean as possible

not jUst HELICOPTERS Want to start your own army? Well, the government probably won't let you but almost everything you'd need is available. the obvious stuff are 4x4s and army trucks, but there are also watches, antennas, diesel tugs, motorcycles including a batch of Harley-Davidson on/ off roaders, water bowsers... practically the lot apart from the soldiers. there are three methods of purchase: direct sales, by internet auction (just like ebay) and by tender – the latest one of which is the former HMS ark royal.

equipment,” he added.

With the MOD selling off its assets Paul thinks that the industry he works in will slow down.

“I can’t see this lasting a long time. Once the military has become as lean and mean as possible things will stop coming to me because they will eventually run out.

"They’re not buying anything. They’ve got no money to support anything or procurement.

"The main problem is the cost of supporting any of the military programmes.

The key thing for the military forces now is supportability.

If they can't afford to support it with spares, ground crew, maintenance etc, then it’s cheaper to get

q Clockwise from main: robust main rotor head of the gazelle. Some airframes have been stripped.

Engines lined up for inspection

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

q tanks and personnel carriers at Whitham

rid of it,” said Paul.

“The Gazelles probably came up because there wasn’t the training requirement for them anymore. A lot of the training is done in civilian helicopters. It’s also one of the reasons they got rid of the Nimrod. It wasn’t the fact it cost £1.4b to buy, it was the fact it was going to cost £720m per year just to support them.

"It’s the same with the Ark Royal. It wasn’t the building cost, it was the fact to keep the Ark Royal costs £1m per week just to have it floating in the dock. Someone had to say, ‘why are we paying this much to have it?’ If the Ark Royal was needed to go somewhere, the price went

up to £15m per week. It’s just not sustainable in the current climate.”

Everything for sale at Witham can be found on the website, however visiting the site is strictly by appointment only. www.mod-sales.com

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first flights Blacky Schwarz and the AH-1F Cobra

41

q The Cobra

with its original gun barrel still on the aircraft

The man who flies a venom-less cobra Siegfried ‘Blacky’ Schwarz, the Chief Pilot for the Flying Bulls, gets to fly the only de-militarised AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter – so, how did he get his hands on it and what’s it like to fly?

I

began my flying career in the Austrian military at just 18. I flew rescue helicopters in the Alps and when I left the military I became a commercial pilot in the US. When I came back to Austria I became the first person in Austria to gain a PPL(H). There were no schools here before then.

I started my own school, and taught air racing too, I’m also the only Austrian to have a helicopter aerobatic licence. So my background has helped me to get to fly the Cobra and work with the Redbull Flying Bulls Team.

This is the only Cobra outside the US that is on the civilian register. When we bought it Chuck Aaron [another Flying Bulls pilot and legend] rebuilt it and now it only has around 400 hours on it.

The biggest difference between this and a standard military is the weight. Where it has been de-militarised and all the weaponry and classified equipment has been removed there is a saving of about 500kg. So it is unbelievably fast, over 195 knots, and it climbs like a fighter jet. It is very powerful with a turbine

q Blacky at the controls of the Cobra he loves to fly

engine that produces more than 1800shp.

When we fly the Cobra in displays we only normally fly it for six to seven minutes, you can’t do aerobatics, it’s not built for it, but it is so fast that the display in the Cobra is all about speed and noise, which is great for the crowd – and for me (although it is quieter than the military version because it has the new blades so it doesn’t ‘slap’ like the older aircraft used to).

A benefit of the Cobra not being able to perform aerobatics is that we can plan shows and displays

‘’

It's so fast, over 195 knots and climbs like a fighter jet

more easily and do them a little nearer the crowds. It is really impressive, the front still has the original gun barrel, but all the mechanics have been removed.

Although the Cobra will not invert, it can still do very fast 90-degree and

q The Pentagon watches the Red Bull team closely

vertical turns. My favourite manoeuvre for this aircraft is to fly at top speed in a slight decent. It’s a real joy!

It’s very easy to fly and didn’t take long to learn.

I had to do the usual 10 hours flight training and emergency procedures.

When I completed that my first flight in the Cobra was from Los Angeles to the east coast for it to be shipped to Europe. The aircraft only has a two hour endurance so the trip took 25 hours. But to fly it is lovely, it’s very much like the UH-1 and it shares many parts with the Huey.

It has simple instruments, and is easily flown by a single pilot. It is fun too.

The second seat where the gunner/navigator would be is still installed, so we can take guests up in it to give them a special ride.

To be allowed to keep the Cobra flying the Pentagon keeps a very close eye on us. They have to give us approval for any replacement parts we order – we are being watched very carefully.

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

SUBSCRIPTIONS

P1 is our business aviation magazine, published bimonthly. It brings alive the glamorous, exciting world of business jets, turboprops and high performance piston aircraft, with flight tests, news, focus features on business operators and useful facts and figures.

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28/02/2011 20:42

43

KNOW-IT-ALL T-ALL T-ALL Sponsored by Hayward Aviation

BLADES KNOW-IT-ALL SECTION Essential data and spec on all new civilian helicopters

SIKORSKY S-76D

Sikorsky’s next generation in the S-76 range, the D model, is now in production.

Upgrades include a composite four-blade main rotor system with optional ice protection, a new ‘quiet’ tail rotor, a ‘glass cockpit’ and autopilot, active vibration control and new engines.

NOTES Price: base price in US$ Performance: manufacturers’ figures Range: on standard fuel load HIGE: Hover In Ground Effect HOGE: Hover Out of Ground Effect Fuel: standard capacity

Ma in bla rotor des /0m

Eng ine

)

Sea ts

COMMENT

Ma xp ow er

SPECS

Len gth (m

litr es)

t)

Gro ss w eig ht (kg ) Em pty we igh t (k Fue g) l(

t)

Cei ling (f

t)

DIMENSIONS

HO GE (f

VN E (k

t)

PERFORMANCE

Ma xc rui se (kt ) Ma x ra ng e (n m) HIG E (f

BASICS

IFR /VF R Pri ce (ba se)

AIRCRAFT

AGUSTA WESTLAND 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate-Va Italy www.agustawestland.com AGUSTA WESTLAND GRAND Top-of-the-range intermediate helicopter providing high levels of cabin space and payload.

Flexible layout and large cabin sliding doors.

Grand 109 Power 119 Koala Mk11 101 139

IFR IFR VFR VFR IFR

POA POA POA POA POA

168 168 152 167 167

155 154 139 150 165

295 378 301 610 437

AW109 POWER FADEC-controlled twin turbine engines and redundancy in all critical areas, the AW109 Power meets JAR Ops 3 requirements for CAT A ops.

15600 16600 11000 10800 15360

10000 11800 7300 4800 8130

16200 19600 15000 10000 20000

3175 2850 3150 15600 6400

1660 1585 1455 9200 3685

1520 1265 1695 6000 2715

11.70 11.46 12.92 22.80 13.52

8 8 8 33 17

119 KOALA MK11 AW119 Ke is an eight-seat single turbine helicopter designed to provide high productivity and performance at a competitive price.

2 x PWC PW207C 2 x PWC PW206C PWC PT6B-37A 3 x GE CT-7 2 x PWC PT6C-67C

2 x 735 2 x 640 1002 3 x 2527 2 x 1679

4/10.83 4/11.00 4/10.83 4/18.60 4/13.80

Fast, elegant, smooth.

See that blue flashing light...

What does ‘Koala’ mean? Cuddly?

Heavy-lifter favoured by military.

Newest multi-role helicopter from AW.

BELL Fort Worth, Texas, 76101. USA www.bellhelicopter.textron.com BELL 206B3 Latest version of the JetRanger is a tried and tested light single, with low operating costs and impressive safety record. A legend!

206B3 206L4 412EP 407 427 429 430

VFR VFR IFR VFR VFR VFR IFR

POA POA POA POA POA POA POA

BELL 412 Medium twin that’s a workhorse for the industry, capable of coping with extreme climates.

Wide-opening doors will accommodate a two-ton forklift.

BELL 429 Advanced light twin that’s just completed Type Certification in both North America and Europe.

Seats eight, open cabin and flat floor, single pilot IFR possible.

122 130 140 140 140 tba 150

115 112 122 133 138 142 139

tbc tbc tbc tbc tbc 350 tbc

13200 10000 10200 12200 9000 12000 10100

5300 6500 5200 10400 6000 11000 6200

13500 10000 16300 17600 10000 tbc 8300

1519 2018 5398 2268 2880 3175 4218

777 1056 3131 1216 1760 1950 2420

674 962 2267 1052 1120 1225 1798

12.00 12.90 17.10 12.60 13.00 tbc 15.30

5 7 15 7 8 8 9

Rolls-Royce 250-C20J Rolls-Royce 250-C30P PWC PT6T-3D Rolls-Royce 250-C47B PWC PW207D

420 726 1800 813 1420

2/10.20 2/11.30 4/14.00 4/10.70 ?/11.30

Rolls-Royce 250-C40B

1616

?/12.80

Latest (and last?) JetRanger.

Stretched version of the JetRanger.

Tough guy, says Bell.

High performer.

Uses adapted military technology.

Bell’s new big one.

Style and substance.

87

78

174nm

3525

na

6500

757

467

281

8.53

1

Lycoming IVO-360-A1A

180

2/7.25

For enthusiasts only.

BRANTLY www.brantly.com B-2B

VFR

POA

ENSTROM Twin County Airport, Menominee, Minnesota. 49858. USA www.enstromhelicopter.com ENSTROM 480B Single-engine turbine finding favour with police worldwide.

New version with latest Rolls-Royce RR500 engine being developed.

280FX Shark 480B F-28F

VFR VFR VFR

404,900 939,500 404,900

102 125 97

100 115 100

ENSTROM F-28F FALCON Wide cabin seats three. Also a favourite of law enforcement agencies. Has a turbocharged piston engine. More than 600 delivered.

229 375 229

13200 15600 13200

8700 14000 8700

12000 13000 12000

1180 1360 1179

744 816 744

422 544 435

ENSTROM 280FX SHARK 280FX is the latest in the series of Shark piston helicopters.

The Shark’s striking and aerodynamic body-styling have won it several design awards.

8.90 9.10 8.90

3 5 3

Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD Turbo 225 RR 250-C20W 420 Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD Turbo 225

3/9.75 3/9.75 3/9.75

Good-looking and fast.

Turbine powered five-seater.

Favourite of the law.

26.60

na

2 x JFTD12A-4A

5/22.00

Specialist heavy-lifter and fire-fighter.

ERICKSON AIR CRANE 3100 Willow Springs Road, Central Point, Oregon, 97502, USA www.ericksonaircrane.com S-64E

VFR

50m

115

115

530

14000

14000

14000

18900

9000

9000

2 x 4500

MORE STATS OVER THE PAGE EUROCOPTER – SIKORSKY May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

44 KNOW-IT-ALL Sponsored by Hayward Aviation

Ma in bla rotor des /0m

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PERFORMANCE

Ma xc rui se (kt ) Ma x ra ng e (n m) HIG E (f

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AIRCRAFT

EUROCOPTER Aeroport International de Marseille, Marignane Cedex, 13725, France. www.eurocopter.com EC120B Smallest in the Eurocopter range, the EC120B, also known as the Colibri (Hummingbird).

It’s a 1.6-ton, single-engine multi-mission aircraft.

EC 120B AS 350B2 AS 350 B3 EC 130B4 AS 355NP EC 135P2+ EC 135T2+ EC 145 AS 365N3 EC 155B1 AS 332L1 EC 225

VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR IFR VFR IFR IFR

POA POA POA POA POA POA POA POA POA POA POA POA

150 155 155 155 150 140 140 145 155 175 150 175

120 133 140 130 120 137 137 133 145 143 141 141

383 360 359 329 395 342 334 370 427 427 454 448

AS 350 B3 The ‘Single Squirrel’ is used on a wide range of missions, including aerial work, training, observation, fire fighting and law enforcement.

9250 9850 13285 10165 8450 10000 10000 9600 8596 7050 10663 6350

7600 7550 11200 8325 7080 6600 6600 2530 3773 sea level 7546 2607

17310 15100 16630 15655 13380 10000 10000 17200 15223 15000 9500 13180

1715 2250 2250 2427 2600 2910 2910 3585 4300 4920 8600 11000

990 1224 1241 1376 1490 1455 1455 1792 2409 2618 4510 5281

EC135 The EC135 is a powerful, lightweight, twin-engine multi-mission helicopter that showcases top-notch technology including an enclosed tail rotor.

406 540 540 590 730 700 700 867 1135 1257 2020 2553

11.52 12.94 12.94 12.64 12.94 12.16 12.16 13.03 13.73 14.30 18.70 19.50

5 7 7 8 7 7 7 10 12 14 20 26

Turbomecca Arrius 2F Turbomecca Arrius 1D1 Arriel 2B Arriel 2B 2 x Turbomecca Arrius 1A 2 x PWC PW206B2 2 x Turbomecca Arrius 2B2 2 x Arriel IE2 2 x Arriel 2C 2 x Arriel 2C2 2 x Maila 1A1 2 x Makila 2A

504 732 847 847 2 x 456 2 x 621 2 x 633 2 x 738 2 x 851 2 x 935 2 x 1819 2 x 2097

3/10.00 4/10.69 4/10.69 4/10.69 3/10.69 4/10.20 4/10.20 4/11.00 4/11.90 4/12.60 4/15.60 4/16.20

Joint venture with Chinese Latest ‘Single Squirrel’ Landed on top of Mount Everest!

Improved version of the AS350 Latest ‘Twin Squirrel’ Best-selling light twin As above, with alternative power Based on Bolkow 117 Distinctive Dauphin styling FADEC engines optimised for hot & high Medium twin in the Super Puma range Immensely capable people carrier

170

6.31

2

Lycoming o360-J2A

145

3/7.20

Certified two years ago. R22 beater!

GUIMBAL 1070 Rue de Lieutenant Parayre, Aerodrome d’Aix-en-Provence. Les Milles, 13290. France. www.guimbal.com Cabri G2

VFR

370,000

130

100

500

na

na

13000

700

430

MD 4555 East McDowells Road, Mesa Arizona 85205 USA www.mdhelicopters.com MD 500E High performer, great shape, latest model has more rear pax room and is being certified with a SAGEM glass cockpit.

500E 520N 530F 600N Explorer 902

VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR

POA POA POA POA POA

152 152 152 152 140

135 123 135 148 134

239 210 232 423 2020

MD 520N NOTAR (No TAil Rotor) system offers more safety especially in difficult landing/take-off situations.

8500 9300 16000 11100 12200

6000 5600 14400 6000 10400

13000 13200 18700 13200 18600

1613 1519 1406 1860 2834

672 719 722 953 1519

242 242 242 435 606

9.40 9.80 9.80 10.90 9.80

4 4 4 7 7

MD 600N The MD 600N® is an eight-place, light, single-turbine engine helicopter that provides high performance and increased capacity.

Rolls-Royce 250-C20B Rolls-Royce 250-C20R Rolls-Royce 250-C30 Rolls-Royce 250-C47 2 x PWC PW207E

450 450 650 808 2 x 550

5/8.10 5/8.30 5/8.30 5/8.40 5/10.30

‘Ferrari of helicopters’ Multi role ops Can be converted to cargo ops 8-seat light single Police love it!

ROBINSON 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance California 90505 USA www.robinsonheli.com R22 The two-seat helicopter that started Robinson off as a major manufacturer. Used for training, personal flight and even cattle round ups!

R22 Beta II R44 Raven I R44 Raven II R66 Turbine

VFR VFR VFR VFR

243,000 333,000 404,000 798,000

102 120 117 130

96 115 117 120

180 365 348 325

R44 RAVEN 1 The first Raven version of the R44 four-seater, seen here as the ‘Clipper’, with floats.

9400 6400 8950 10,000

5200 5100 7500 10,000

14000 14000 14000 14000

621 1089 1134 2700

388 654 683 1280

73 116 116 279

8.80 11.70 11.70 11.70

2 4 4 5

R44 RAVEN 11 Upgraded version of the Raven 1 with fuel-injected engine and a 100lb increased payload.

Lycoming O-360-J2A Lycoming O-540-F1B5 Lycoming IO-540-AE 1A5 Rolls-Royce RR300

131 225 245 270

2/7.70 2/10.10 2/10.10 2/10.10

Two-seat personal helicopter Good value four-seater Improved R44 Robinson's first step in the turbine world

RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS Building 2, 2A Sokolnichesky Val, Moscow 107113, Russia www.rus-helicopters.ru MI-34C1/C2 The light Mi-34C is meant for corporate or private operations, training, medevac and surveillance missions. C1 piston engine, C2 turbine Mi-34C2 Ansat Ka-226T Ka-62 Ka-32A11BC Mi-38 Mi-26T

VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR IFR

POA POA POA POA POA POA POA

140 148 135 166 140 173 146

119 119 119 157 124 159 138

432 270 281 405 362 497 432

KA-32A11BC Multi-purpose helicopter with co-axial dual rotors. Received EASA type certification in 2009 and in use for firefighting, construction and SAR missions. na na na na na na na

na na na na na na na

na na na na na na na

1450 3600 3600 6500 11000 16200 56000

850 2600 2400 4400 7300 11200 36000

na na na na na na na

8.85 11.18 8.23 13.50 11.30 20.15 33.747

5 6 9 16 15 32 4-5

KA-226T A load-lifter and specialist role helicopter, with fire-fighting and military credentials.

Turbomeca Arrius-2F 2 x PW-207K 2 x Turbomeca Arrius-2G1 2 x Ardiden-3G 2 x TV3-117MA 2 x TB7-117B or PW127T/S 2 x D-136

504 2 x 630 2 x 550 2 x 1680 2 x 2200 2 x 2500 2 x 11400

4/10.00 4/11.50 6/13.00 4/13.80 6/15.00 6/21.10 8/32.00

French turbine engine transforms it Spacious cabin for corporate or EMS Turbomeca engines replace RR 250s New medium twin, multi-role Co-axial rotors, multi role New cargo and passenger shuttle Absolutely massive!

SIKORSKY 6900 Main Street, Stratford, Connecticut. 06615-9129 USA www.sikorsky.com SIKORSKY S-300C Used to be the Schweizer 300C, now brought into Sikorsky brand. Popular for training and a favourite of BLADES writer Dennis Kenyon.

S-300C S-300CBi S-333 S-76C++ S-92

VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR

POA POA POA POA PIOA

95 94 120 155 165

83 80 105 155 151

201 225 310 411 539

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

SIKORSKY S-333 Light turbine single used for surveillance, inspections and training.

5800 7000 12300 7050 9000

2750 4800 9200 3300 6500

12000 10000 13000 13750 14000

930 794 1157 5306 12018

499 500 567 3177 7597

147 121 137 1064 2858

1.99 1.99 1.91 3.05 5.26

3 3 4 14 21

SIKORSKY S-76C++ All-round tough operator, capable of many roles. Now in C++ version, with D on the way with many big upgrades.

Lycoming HIO-360-D1A Lycoming HIO-360-G1A Rolls-Royce 250-C20W 2 x Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 2 x GE CT7-8A

190 180 280 2 x 922 2 x 2520

3/8.18 3/8.18 3/8.39 4/13.41 4/17.17

Better trainer than R22?

Fuel-injected version Light turbine single The Guv’nor!

Rival to Eurocopter’s EC225

Are

A

ified Cert

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May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

SUBSCRIPTIONS

BLADES is the most passionate advocate of helicopter flight in publishing. With news, show reports, flight tests of machinery as varied as Bell's 47 to Eurocopter's EC135, and field reports from operators,military excersises, and record-setting expeditions, BLADES covers every aspect of rotary.

Benefits include: ✱ Delivered straight to your door ✱ Get your issue before it’s out in the shops ✱ Save on the cover price ✱ Just £29.95 for 12 issues (within the UK) FOR AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO BLADES, CONTACT THE SUBSCRIPTION DESK ON +44(0)1223 499799 OR EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS@LOOP.AERO

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28/02/2011 21:08

HELICOPTER

FLIGHTTRAINING ABERDEENSHIRE HJS Helicopters Cutler Helipad PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 01224 739111 www.hjshelicopters.co.uk

DURHAM Northumbria Helicopters

Newcastle International Airport PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 0191 2866 999 www.northumbriahelicopters.co.uk

LEICESTERSHIRE East Midlands Helicopters

Costock Heliport PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, Robinson Safety Course, LPC’s 01509 856464 www.helicopter-services.co.uk

SURREY London Helicopters – A Patriot Aerospace Company Redhill Aerodrome PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 01737 823514 www.londonhelicopters.co.uk

BEDFORDSHIRE Cranfield Helicopters Cranfield Airport PPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Ratings, LPC’s 01234 758101 www.cranfieldhelicopters.com

ESSEX Iris Aviation Southend Airport PPL(H), Night Training, LPC’s 01702 456 330 www.irisaviation.co.uk

LINCOLNSHIRE Heliyorks

Humberside Airport PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Instrument, Night Training, LPC’s 01652 688831 or 07703 260593 www.heliyorks.co.uk

TYNE & WEAR Northumbria Helicopters

Regional PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 0191 2866 999 www.northumbriahelicopters.co.uk

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Heli Air

Wycombe Air Park & Denham PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), IR(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 01494 769976/01895 835899 www.heliair.com

GLOUCESTERSHIRE Heliflight UK – A Patriot Aerospace Company

Gloucestershire Airport PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), Night Rating, LPC’s 01452 714555 www.heliflightuk.com

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

CAMBRIDGESHIRE MFH Helicopters

Conington Airfield PPL(H).CPL(H),FI(H),Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s.

020 7499 2233 or 07779 086911 www.mfhhelicopters.co.uk

HEREFORDSHIRE Tiger Helicopters

Shobdon Airfield PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), IR(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 01568 708028 www.tigerhelicopters.co.uk

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Heli Air

Central Helicopters

Silverstone PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), IR(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 01327 857752 www.heliairsilverstone.com

Nottingham Airport PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 0115 981 4401 www.centralhelicopters.com

WARWICKSHIRE

WEST SUSSEX

Heli Air

Wellesbourne PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), IR(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 01789 470476 www.heliair.com

Elite Helicopters

Goodwood Aerodrome PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 0800 804 8812 or 01243 530165 www.elitehelicopters.co.uk

CUMBRIA Northumbria Helicopters

Northumbria Helicopters Regional PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 0191 2866 999 www.northumbriahelicopters.co.uk

KENT Polar Helicopters

Manston Airport PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s 01843 823 067 or 07789 407 389 www.polarhelicopters.com

SOUTH IRELAND Executive Helicopters Galway Airport PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, LPC’s, International Students taken +353 91 783300 www.executive-helicopters.com

DORSET Bournemouth Helicopters Bournemouth International Airport PPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, Mountain Course, LPC’s 01202 590800 www.bournemouthhelicopters.co.uk

LANCASHIRE Heliblackpool Blackpool Airport PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), Night Rating, FAA Approval, LPC’s 01253 400 423 or 07876 637 572 www.heliblackpool.co.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE Staffordshire Helicopters

Tatenhill Airfield PPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Rating, FAA Approval, LPC’s 01283 575164 www.staffordshirehelicopters.com

WEST YORKSHIRE Multiflight

Leeds Bradford International Airport PPL(H), CPL(H), Type Ratings, Night Ratings, LPC’s 0113 238 7130 www.multiflight.co.uk

Advertise in Blades 01223 497060

May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

R44Title Raven 1

May 2008, 235 Hours, C of A Due 31.05.11. Jet Black Pearl with Extra Leather Interior.

2 Bose Headsets. Mode S, Skymap3. Always Hangared.

Price £198,000 ono VAT Paid Telephone 01977 612258 Email: don.ykc@talktalk.net

1974 BELL 206 B3

9200hrs TT High Skids Sky map Hisl 2 x Radios Dual control Reg - G-JAES ¤290.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

1996 ENSTROM 480

Aircraft S/N: 5016 Reg - SE-JDA TSN: 2000 hrs TT No damage history Price - £290k Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

1990 EUROCOPTER

Aircraft S/N: 1174 Reg-F-GJAB TSN: 2430 hours TT High Skids LH Sliding Door Completely rebuilt in 1990. ¤660.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

2002 EUROCOPTER EC135T2

1987 Eurocopter AS350 B1

Aircraft S/N: 0214 Registration: SE-JFN TSN: 4642 hours TT Aerolite fabricated EMS equipment. Integral floor.

Oxygen system. 2 ea medical seats facing aft. 1 ea passenger seat facing fwd. 24/ 12 volt el power in cabin. ¤2.550.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

Aircraft S/N: 1983. Reg-SEJFK. TSN: 7557 hrs TT. Cargo hook. Monit’air UMS system.

LH Sliding door. The engine has 408,2 hours less than the aircraft. ¤675.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

1988 EUROCOPTER AS365N1 Offered by PC Aviation

S/N - 6307, G-DPHN, TT Engine & Airframe - 2,350, location - UK, Single & dual pilot IFR, Available immediately or after G inspection.

Price - Make Offer Contact: Huxley Cowen +44 (0)1865 768888 huxley@pcaviation.com www.pcaviation.com

BELL 206 L4 LONGRANGER

VIP Leather Pack Dec 2007 with only 130 hrs TT Contact Ian on 07768 530043 or ih@hgrs.co.uk

1993 EUROCOPTER BK 117B2

2008 EUROCOPTER AS 350B3

2008 AGUSTA 109 POWER ELITE

Total Time 2373Hrs. 1970/ Overhauled 2008. Complete Avionics refit including Garmin 695 Exterior presented in Black Metallic with complementing Full Black Leather Interior.

Price £275K + vat Please see our website for more detail and current stock. www.kuki.co.uk Tel 01777 839 216.

Aircraft S/N: 7247 TSN: 4726 hours TSN Lycoming engines, model LTS101-750B-1. Transmission assy, Kawasaki KB03 Two independent oil cooling and lubricant systems ¤2.800.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

Aircraft S/N: 4441 Registration: SE-HJG TSN:1375 hours TT. Large Cabin Floor Window (right side). Cargo Swing (1400 kg) complete installation. Emergency Flotation Gear, Fixed Parts RH side Electric and De-Iced External Mirror. LH Landing Light Swivelling in Elevation and Azimut ¤1.380.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

Emergency floats provisions, 5/6 pax conversion kit Weather radar RDR 2000 Bendix/King No damage history 442 TT. Reg - TC-HKB ¤3.900.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

2006 EUROCOPTER EC135 T2

1996 EUROCOPTER LAMA SA 315B

1982 EUROCOPTER AS 355F1

1973 SA341 GAZELLE

Aircraft S/N: 473 Registration: F-HCDF TSN: 440 hrs TT. Dual or single/dual pilot 1FR package - Avionics Solution 7 consisting of: Avionic solution 7 interconnection wiring. Flight Control Display system MEGHAS 2xSMD45 45H (PFD,ND) 2xIPC/RCU. Flight Control Display system 2nd system MEGHAS 1 x SDM68 (PFD,ND) ¤3.600.000 EUR Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

Aircraft S/N: 1241/48 Registration: OE-XCM TSN: 5 732 TT Cargo Hook Bubble Window – New Onboard Weighing system ELT Kannad 406 ¤650.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

Aircraft S/N: 5104 Registration: G-ICSG TSN: 6544 hours TT Engine Fire Detection & Extinguishing System Engine Auto Relight Kit Grey leather trim & carpets £675.000 Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

1999 EUROCOPTER EC120B

1989 EUROCOPTER AS 365N2

1993 EUROCOPTER AS355N

2005 SCHWEIZER 300CBI

Aircraft S/N: 1027 Registration: G-IGPW TSN: 908 Hours TT Dual Controls. Cabin Heating/Demisting. Emergency Floating Equipment. Swivelling Landing Light ¤710.000 EUR Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

Aircraft S/N: 6315 Registration: EI-DUF TSN: 2 596 TT VIP Leather Interior Air Conditioning 2001 Exterior Paint 3 Axis Autopilot Open to offers Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

Aircraft S/N: 5550 Registration: EC-FTX TSN: 4800 hrs TT L+R/H Sliding Doors High Landing Gear New paint 2005 Utility interior or VIP Configuration ¤950.000 Euro Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

Aircraft S/N: 0205 Registration: EI-DMC TSN: 783 hours TT Hobbs Meter-Landing Gear Contact Switch 3 Position landing lights Skymap $270.000 USD Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

MD500C Title (H369HE)

2008 EUROCOPTER EC135T2+ Offered

by PC Aviation S/N – 0635, MANUFACTURED – 2007, FIRST DELIVERED – 2008, G-RWLA, TT Engine & Airframe – 350, Location – UK, Single & dual pilot IFR, Available immediately.

Price - Make Offer Contact: Huxley Cowen +44 (0)1865 768888 huxley@pcaviation.com www.pcaviation.com

2007 EUROCOPTER EC155 B1 Offered

by PC Aviation

S/N – 6764, G-EURT, TTAF – 412, LOCATION - Northern Ireland, Price - Make Offer, Available Immediately .

Price - Make Offer Contact: Huxley Cowen +44 (0)1865 768888 huxley@pcaviation.com www.pcaviation.com

ENSTROM 480 1998 FOR SALE

ROTORWAY kits or ready built – 162F

Same owner for 5 years, TT 1350 Hrs. New tail rotor gear box. Just had new C of A in August. Good Avionics fit including GPS & Slaved Compass. Offers over £180,000No VAT Contact: 01823 461 777

Runs on Mogas, UK approved, Insurance approx £1k, servicing and spares always available, Brand new, Radio fitted, other options avail. £39,000 + VAT. Southern Helicopters LTD Tel 01279870211, Jon@rotorway.co.uk www.rotorway.co.uk

To advertise here please call Chris on 01223 497060 BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

Aircraft S/N: 1099 Registration: F-GEHB TSN: 6013, 79 hrs TT King KI-525 HSI Kit Garmin GNS-430 NAV / COMM / GPS King KR-87 ADF Bendix/King KT-73 Transponder. Boses Headset ¤330000 EUR Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

2000 BELL 206 – B3

Airframe: 2503 TT 250-C20J Engine: 2503 TT. Two Owners Since New, NDH, All AD’s & Bulletins Current, Original and Complete Records. High Skids with FliteSteps. Particle Separator. Wedge Windows (4) Pop-Out Type $950.000 USD Contact info@savback.com +46 (0) 706 365 135

1983 EUROCOPTER AS 355 F1

One 1998 EUROCOPTER EC135 T1

S/N 5300, Reg: G-LNTY, Location UK, TT ñ 5,000.1. AP SFIM 85 ñ W/ COUPLER, FD & MONITOR. NAV/COMM KX165, ADF KR87, GARMIN GPS 155, RADALT $875,000.00 USD Contact: Bristow US LLC Tel: +1 337 335 2219 or +1 337 335 2445 helisales@bristowgroup.com

Police role equipped with FLIR camera and thermal imaging capability, Starshout, Starburst, Lojack tracker, Microwave downlink and Vinten video recording. Equipped with HEMS floor & Femo Washington stretchers. Fully maintained by Eurocopter UK For further information please contact: Mark Wooller, IBA Group Ltd Tel: + 44 (0) 1372 22 44 88 mark.wooller@ibagroup.com

ENSTROM F28 G-BONG TT 2975, good component times, engine 530 hrs, Fresh annual NOV 2010. Met silver with red leather. Bargain at only $59,000 Tel 01978 780197 or 07780700418

1993 Schweizer 300c (269c) OY-HJW. S/N S1651.

TTAF: 5641 New: muffler, M/R Blades, T/R Strap pack, M/R Shaft & hub spline type.

Low time M/R Blade dampers elatomeric, oil cooler, light weight starter. Sktforce 111 GPS. USD $159.000,00 European Aircraft Sales – Denmark +45 40165401

1996 SIKORSKY S76C+ Offered by PC Aviation

S/N - 760464, G-BYOM, TTAF - 3,700, LOCATION - Blackbushe Airport-UK, Single & dual pilot IFR, Available immediately.

Price - Make Offer Contact: Huxley Cowen +44 (0)1865 768888 huxley@pcaviation.com www.pcaviation.com To advertise here please call Chris on 01223 497060

bjarne@europeanaircraftsales.com

2000 Eurocopter EC120B Colibri OY-HJN. S/N 1072. TTAF: 3000 Bendix /King KT 76C Trans, PS Engineering PAC24 Audio Panel. Skyforce 111c GPS. 5 Seats, new carpet and seats.

ASI, VSI, ALT NR/NF Indicator, AH, Standby compass Perfect condition, Fresh 3,000 Insp, FRESH 12 YEARS Inspection EURO ¤555,000 European Aircraft Sales – Denmark +45 40165401 bjarne@europeanaircraftsales.com

Gazelle SA341G

G-UZEL (civilian) 1800 hours £165,000 o.n.o.

For details please email bob.fairall@fairalls.co.uk 07973 408329

To advertise here please call Chris on 01223 497060 May 2011 BLADES fresh air for helicopters

50 WHAT'S ON Events for you and your clients ✱ See Eurocopter's Mercedes-Benz concept helicopter at EBACE

GENEV A BECKONS The annual EBACE convention promises a larger than ever helicopter area

H

IF you’re in business aviation then EBACE is a must on the calendar. The European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) is Europe’s biggest event for the European business aviation community.

The exhibition brings

together business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, corporate aviation department personnel and all manner of people involved in nearly all aspects of business aviation.

There will be stands at the show full of business aircraft firms, avionics firms, handling organisations,

fractional providers, charter/lease companies and service providers.

This year’s show, held on 17-19 May, will have stands from AgustaWestland and Eurocopter – who launched its EC145 Mercedes special edition last year – as well as a helicopter specific static display as well.

The exhibition takes

shape as a three-day event in Geneva. Although EBACE is the only major European event focused solely on business aviation, attendees come from as far as Africa, Asia, the Middle East and North America.

The exhibition takes place at the sprawling and state-of-the-art Geneva PALEXPO, located within

10 minutes of the city centre and adjacent to Geneva Airport.

For this year there will be nearly 300 exhibiting companies from around the world as well as more than 60 aircraft, including nearly every major business aircraft design in current production. www.ebace.aero

WHAT'S ON AND WHERE TO FIND IT... ✱ MAY 2011 11-13 Military Helicopter 2011, Olympia Conference Centre, London, UK www. militaryhelicopterevent. com 11-22 Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, France. Europe’s top film event. www. festival-cannes.com 14 The FA Cup Final, Wembley www.thefa.com 17-19 EBACE, Geneva, Switzerland. Europe’s top business aviation

show. www.ebace.aero 19-21 HeliRussia, Crocus Expo IEC, Moscow. Fourth time for this important show. www.helirussia.ru 22-5 French Open (tennis), Paris. http:// tinyurl.com/2df83mg 24-28 AirMed 2011, Brighton, UK. This international congress will be held in the UK, for the first time ever.

It will be presenting the latest facts on air rescue in the fields of emergency

BLADES fresh air for helicopters May 2011

medicine, flight safety, management and maintenance. "We look forward to welcoming professionals and friends in this field from all over the world, to England."

The Brighton Centre, Brighton. www.airmed2011.com 27-30 AviationExpo Europe, Bitburg, Germany New Location for the GA event www.expo.aero 28 Champions League Final (football),

Wembley, UK. www.uefa.com 30-10 TT Races, Isle of Man, UK. Motorcycle races round the famous Mountain Circuit. www.iomtt.com ✱ JUNE 2011 3-4 The Derby, Horse Racing, Epsom, Surrey. www.epsomderby. co.uk 6-9 Helicentre Robinson Safety Course, designed for a range of pilot abilities, from those who have not held

their PPL (H) for very long to experienced pilots. The aim is to assist you in reaching a greater level of aircraft knowledge and safety awareness. Helicentre, Leicestershire. www.flyheli.co.uk 14-18 Royal Ascot Race Meeting. Ascot, Berkshire. The most famous horse racing event, with the amazing Ladies Day and Gold Cup. www.ascot.co.uk 11-12 Le Mans 24 hour race, Le Mans, France.

www.lemans.org/en 20-3 Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Champs Wimbledon, London. The greatest Lawn Tennis event in the world. www.wimbledon.com 10-12 Moto GP, Silverstone, Northamptonshire.

Motorcycle racing at its best. www.silverstone.co.uk 29-3 Henley Royal Regatta, London. A great excuse to mix sport and socialising. www.hrr.co.uk

The Real Deal

For all your aviation insurance needs...

H a y w a r d Av i a t i o n L i m i t e d I n s u r a n c e

B r o k e r s

Hayward Aviation Limited Harling House 47/51 Great Suffolk St London SE1 0BS Email: info@haywards.net Web: www.haywards.net Tel: +44 (0)20 7902 7800 Fax: +44 (0)20 7928 8040 Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority February 2010 BLADES fresh air for helicopters