DAY 2 February 28, 2018

HAI PUBLICATIONS Convention News

Heli-Expo 2018's opening day saw manufacturers announce sales of upwards of 100 new helicopters worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Meanwhile, HAI said some 860,000 sq ft of exhibit space has been sold at this year's Heli-Expo, rivaling 2017's record- breaking year. It all means the 2018 event is on-pace to be one of the best ever.

Leonardo, Kopter Sales Top $150 million Both firms notch new orders › page 3 KASHEA KLOSS KASHEA Leonardo Bullish on AW169 Wide range of options Airbus snags Metro mega order may help › page 10 by Mark Huber Asia-Pacific Growth Airbus Helicopters and Metro Aviation Children’s Hospital Atlanta, Gundersen 250 pounds of payload, which translate into EMS ops lead the market announced an estimated $125 million fleet Health Systems (Wisconsin), and Vidant another hour of endurance or an additional order for 25 EC145e medium-twins on Health (North Carolina). patient, respectively, a Metro spokesman › page 16 Tuesday at Heli-Expo 2018. Deliveries have It currently operates its EC145es as VFR- told AIN. already begun and are scheduled to con- only, enabling a useful load improvement Metro plans to operate some of the new Kopter CEO’s Plans tinue over the next four years. of 330 pounds over standard IFR avionics, EC145es in its own medevac fleet, but said it The EC145e is a lower-cost variant of the compared to the EC145C2. However, Metro would also remarket others in medevac, util- Andreas Löwenstein’s out-of-production EC145C2, a model simi- is developing an STC for a lightweight IFR ity, and VIP configurations. ROI › page 25 lar to the U.S. Army’s UH-72A Lakota that package that it will install into its EC145es “The versatility and price point made it is still in production. at its Shreveport, Louisiana completions an attractive addition to a large number of It will be built in the same Columbus, facility. Working with Genesys Aerosystems, rotary-wing fleets, and we have put seven Flying Neighborly Mississippi plant where the Lakota is man- Metro has developed and received FAA in service since committing to our first pur- ufactured, helping to enable the continued STCs for a VFR electronic flight instrument chase in 2015,” said Metro Aviation president Hawaii operators operation of that facility, according to system (EFIS) and an autopilot and stability Mike Stanberry. “The EC145e has proven to take action Airbus (Booth N1915). It anticipates main- augmentation system for the EC145e. IFR be a workhorse across various mission pro- taining a production rate of two UH-72As/ certification is expected this year. files, and we are excited about putting these › page 26 EC145es per month in Columbus. Airbus’ standard VFR avionics package new aircraft into service within our family Metro (Booth N2207) was the first cus- for the EC145e features a glass cockpit with of customers.” Bell’s 505 Jet tomer for the lighter-weight, lower-cost the Garmin G500H and GTN 650 GPS and The operator said it has found significant EC145e when it was launched by Airbus communication system. It has an mtow interest for the lower-cost EC145e from Ranger X Helicopters in 2015, and it already flies six weight of 7,903 pounds. The weight savings a diverse group of customers, including The AIN Pilot Report of them in air medical roles in various U.S. from Metro’s VFR-only avionics package air medical, law enforcement, utility, and locations, including West Michigan Air Care, allow an extra 70 gallons of fuel or 200 to other missions. n › page 28 MD Helicopters on a roll with military contracts by Randy Padfield

The five-year, firm fixed-price contract to Helicopters is displaying an MD 530F for provide 150 armed MD 530 helicopters and the Virginia Beach Police Department required production support services to the and an MD 530G attack helicopter, one U.S. Army and Partner Nation Army Aviation of six ordered by the Malaysian Ministry Forces, which MD Helicopters signed in Sep- of Defense. Both are equipped with glass tember last year, made 2017 “our best year cockpits that are expected to receive FAA ever in booking and backlog,” CEO Lynn certification soon and will be offered to all Tilton said yesterday at Heli-Expo 2018. MD 530 operators. Deliveries of the first five of 30 new MD The Virginia Beach Police Department’s

530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters to the MD 530F is scheduled for delivery in June KLOSS KASHEA Afghan Air Force are slated to begin in May, of this year. Designed to have the pilot with the rest expected to be delivered by flying from the right seat (MD 500s are year-end, she said. Subsequent deliveries typically flown from the left seat, which Helisul opts for Bell 505s will go to Kenya and Lebanon, and orders is different from most other helicopters), from additional countries are anticipated. the helicopter’s glass cockpit includes by Alexa Paprosky Separately, MD moved airframe produc- Howell Instruments engine instrument tion from Mexico to Mesa, Arizona. For- displays, Garmin’s G500H TXi MFD/PFD Bell logged an order from Brazilian air- Its Bell 505s will be used for panoramic ty-two aircraft are now on the production and GTN650 GPS navigator, and L-3 ESI- tour operator Helisul Táxi Aéreo for flights over Rio de Janeiro and Foz do line, and Tilton said she expects six units 500 electronic standby indicator. four 505 Jet Ranger X light-single heli- Iguaçu, according to Bell. to be added every 30 days. To support the The ship also has extended landing gear, a copters yesterday at Heli-Expo 2018. Separately, Bell (C5122) also held a production ramp-up, the company hired Fargo 21-gallon auxilary fuel tank, wire-strike Helisul—which will take delivery of all ceremony on the Heli-Expo show floor some 100 people this year; and the OEM protection, high-contrast main rotor blades, four helicopters this year, making it the to recognize Helite’s receipt of the first is now employing more Americans now Flir Star Safire 380HDc EO/IR system, Trak- first operator of the Bell 505 in Brazil— Bell 505 to feature a VVIP interior. The than when Patriarch Partners Investment kaBeam A800 searchlight and NVIS-compat- has also been named a Bell-certified interior will be provided by Mecaer Avia- Fund, of which Tilton was the sole prin- ible-interior to provide enhanced visibility for service center. tion Group and installed in the U.S. n cipal, bought the company in 2005. Total officers on low-light missions. employment is now about 500. Before opening to questions, Tilton While Tilton called 2017 MD’s best year quashed an issue that had marred the MD ever, she expects 2018 revenue to be 65 to Heli-Expo press event last year, saying, “I In apparent victory for GA groups, Shuster 70 percent higher than that. won the SEC case. I fought the government At its Heli-Expo booth (5505), MD in its own private court and I won.” n signals end to ATC privatization battle

In a terse press release issued late He admitted in the statement that the yesterday, U.S. House of Represen- proposed reform of ATC in H.R. 2997 tatives Transportation and Infrastruc- “did not reach the obvious level of sup- MD Helicopters CEO Lynn Tilton ture Committee chairman Bill Shuster port needed to pass Congress,” and he has a reason to smile as her (R-Pennsylvania) appeared to drop will now work with his colleagues on company looks back on 2017 his once-strong push to privatize the a reauthorization bill “to provide long- as its “best year ever” and U.S. air traffic control (ATC) system. term stability for the FAA.” M.T. expects 2018 to see even greater revenue. Much of the company’s success comes from the popularity of its products with Air Methods named U.S. launch customer the U.S. Army and among other BARRY AMBROSE BARRY military operators. for Bell’s new 407GXi helicopter

INDEX Air Methods is the U.S. launch cus- and 412. According to W.M. Gray, the Airbus Helicopters...... 3, 8, 9 Kopter...... 3, 25 tomer for the new Bell 407GXi, plac- Colorado-based company’s senior vice Abingdon Foundation ...... 24 Laselec...... 20 ing an initial order for six of the president of aviation services, the Bell Able Aerospace Services...... 20 Latitude Technologies...... 31 single-­engine helicopters yesterday at 407 is the best-performing helicopter in Asia Sky Group...... 16 Leonardo...... 3, 10, 29 Heli-Expo 2018. Terms of the deal were its fleet. “It’s got the best in-service rate Astronics...... 31 LifePort...... 22 not disclosed. of any aircraft that we operate because ATC Reform...... 2 Lord ...... 22 As the world’s largest aeromedical of Bell’s support,” he told AIN. Bell ...... 2, 14, 28, 29 Luma Technologies...... 12 services provider, Air Methods has Gray added that Air Methods expects Corporate Service Supply & Mfg...... 22 MD Helicopters...... 2 operated Bell products since 1980, and to receive its first medevac-configured Daher...... 6 Metro Aviation...... 9, 23 they currently make up a quarter of the Bell 407GXis next year. He anticipates Mid-Continent...... 22 Dart...... 22 operator’s 476 rotorcraft nationwide. deliveries of two or three a year to com- Donaldson...... 23 PAC International...... 9 This includes the Bell 407, 429, 430, plete the order. C.E. EIT Avionics...... 24 Phoenix Heli-Flight...... 24 FlightSafety International...... 20 Safran Helicopter Engines...... 6 Garmin...... 18 Sikorsky...... 4 Hawaii Helicopter Association...... 26 SMS Canada...... 30 Correction Heli-One...... 18, 24 StandardAero...... 22 Helicopter Foundation Int’l...... 16 Technisonic Industries...... 22 Avinco is displaying a 2015 Airbus H145 at its booth (N4115) during Heli-Expo this week Heliservicio...... 12 Traxxall...... 12 in Las Vegas. The Tuesday edition of HAI Convention News contained the incorrect HeliTrak...... 4 Universal Avionics...... 18 model year. JSfirm...... 31 USAIG...... 23

2 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com Airbus in new deals for 17 Richard Simonsen of Norway’s Helitrans addresses the helicopters crowd at Kopter’s booth Tuesday on by Mark Huber the Heli-Expo 2018 exhibit floor. Helitrans Airbus Helicopters (Booth N1915) signed accounts for more deals for at least an additional 17 heli- than half of the copters late yesterday at Heli-Expo 2018. 23 firm orders for Heliflite China placed an order for seven Kopter’s forthcoming H125 and three H130 singles, Helicopter SH09. Travel Munich (HTM) signed an agree-

BARRY AMBROSE BARRY ment for four H125s, Noevir Aviation booked a single H125, and Japan’s Auto Panther and Nakanihon Air Service opted Kopter wins $119M in firm SH09 orders for an H130 and H135, respectively. Heliflite China, based in Xian, has by Alexa Paprosky also been accredited as an official Airbus Helicopters distributor in the region and Kopter amassed firm orders for 23 of its high performance of the helicopter but also Paradise Helicopters in Hawaii has selected began distribution operations in 2002. all-composite SH09 light single helicop- to benefit from its lower cost of operations to operate our helicopter is an indication The helicopters in its latest order will be ters, and options for 11 more, yesterday at brought by modern technology and the of the trust important operators have in used for utility and emergency medical Heli-Expo 2018. At list prices, the deals with right philosophy,” said Helitrans manager Kopter and of the wide range of application services missions throughout China. launch customers Paradise Helicopters, Richard Simonsen. the helicopter is capable of handling.” “Given the sheer size of the market and Helitrans of Norway, and Elling Halvor- The order from Helitrans “allows us to Elling Halvorson, of the Halvorson its potential in China, we are preparing son, as well as Safomar Aviation, are worth solidly increase our firm order book so as to Company, sealed a deal for five SH09s and for future growth by ensuring we will $119 million, if all options are exercised. A ensure the production gear-up for the first options for a further five. The company’s have the necessary resources available to mockup of the Helitrans SH09 is also on two to three years,” according to Kopter SH09s would initially be used for its Rain- support all of our operations in the coun- display at Kopter’s booth (N4615). CEO Andreas Löewenstein. ier Heli Lift International operation. “About try,” said Marie-Agnes Veve, the head of Helitrans, one of the largest helicop- Meanwhile, Hawaii’s Paradise Helicop- eight years ago, Marenco [now Kopter] Airbus Helicopters in China. ter operators in Norway, signed a firm ters signed for four SH09s. At the order showed up on the Heli-Expo floor, and I told According to Airbus Helicopters, the order for 12 SH09s, with options for six ceremony, Paradise Helicopters CEO Cal- my family that it was an aircraft we needed H125/H130 is the largest turbine helicopter more. “The unobstructed cabin and mod- vin Dorn said the capabilities of the SH09 to take a strong look at,” said Halvorson. fleet in China, making up nearly 50 percent ern ergonomics of the SH09 will profit and its Honeywell HTS900 engine offer “an Late yesterday, Kopter announced that of all light single engines in the country, both our crew and most importantly our exciting and efficient means to expand our South Africa’s Safomar Aviation placed an with more than 125 of the helicopters cur- clients, while enabling us to aim for new unique air tour and charter packages.” Löe- order for two SH09s and is discussing the rently in operation there. The company markets and helicopter activities. We are wenstein expressed a sense of satisfaction possibility of representing Kopter for sales has an overall in-country market share of looking forward to benefitting from the with Paradise’s order, saying, “The fact that and support in the country. n 40 percent, with an annual growth rate of 20 percent over the last five years. Airbus has seven local offices and a regional cus- tomer service center, and is the first West- ern helicopter manufacturer to set up a Leonardo lands $147M in new sales final assembly line (FAL) in the country. The deal with Helicopter Travel by Marisa Bojiuc Munich (HTM) completes that compa- ny’s fleet of 25 Airbus helicopters. “We Leonardo Helicopters (Booth C3225) won The deal is for seven AW119Kx singles, in the China EMS market. Leonardo has selected the H125 for its superior perfor- an order for 26 helicopters worth more 15 AW109 Trekker light twins, and four sold 110 helicopters of various types to mance, especially in mountainous areas than $147 million from Chinese distribu- AW139 intermediate twins. Sino-US, with 50 of those flying in 36 prov- and hot climates” said Hans Ostler, CEO tor Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Through the Sino-US partnership, inces throughout China. of HTM. “We are excited to put this heli- Investment yesterday at Heli-Expo 2018. Leonardo has developed a strong position “We are very honored to be the national copter into operation for a number of distributor with the best performance. missions including passenger transport, Sino-US will keep working with Leon- aerial work, filming and photo shoots, ardo Helicopters closely, and we view a and firefighting.” HTM operates 25 at 6 bright future for the Chinese helicopter locations, flying more than 5,000 hours industry by joining forces,” said Sino-US a year. chairman Shuping He. Noevir Aviation’s H125 light single Meanwhile, Leonardo also announced will join its fleet of earlier-version H125s, that the worldwide fleet of 900 AW139s which have been serving the company’s has exceeded two million flight hours. “We charter needs for the past three decades. expect from now on to double from two mil- Auto Panther inked a deal for the ACH130, lion and soon enough to four million. It’s an which features Airbus’ signature “Sty- important milestone for all of us,” said Gian lence by ACH” VIP interior with a sports- Piero Cutillo, who was appointed Leonar- car-inspired design. do’s managing director four months ago. With Nakanihon Air Service’s new “I don’t think that there are many prod- order, its fleet will grow to 20 helicopters

KASHEA KLOSS KASHEA ucts that can easily achieve such kind of that serve on missions spanning helicop- Leonardo Helicopters executives and representatives from Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter results,” he said. “The AW139 has become ter emergency medical services and elec- Investment pause Tuesday at Heli-Expo 2018 to toast their agreement for 26 new helicopters. our benchmark,” he added. n tronic newsgathering. n

ainonline.com \ February 28, 2018 \ HAI Convention News 3 Sikorsky chief outlines company’s progress, plans by Alexa Paprosky

Sikorsky president Dan Schultz and most reliable helicopters ever built in Dana Fiatarone, commercial systems the world today. It is the core of what and services vice president, outlined develops a solid machine and it keeps progress on the company’s aircraft pro- reinventing itself.” grams Tuesday at Heli-Expo 2018 and Schultz made particular note of Fire- also provided insight into the Lockheed hawk versions of the Black Hawk. Fire- Martin subsidiary’s future plans in the hawks have been sold to Los Angeles helicopter market. County and Cal Fire. “I feel very proud Schultz discussed the development of that we are making a difference in the civil

the CH-53K and noted, “We are in full market and doing something that changes AMBROSE BARRY production of this fly-by-wire helicop- a really dangerous situation on the West A Sikorsky UH-60 approaches the landing zone at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Sikorsky’s ter now.” He continued to discuss the Coast,” he said. A Firehawk is on display Schultz labeled the type “one of the safest and most reliable helicopters ever built.” lasting importance of the Black Hawk’s this week at Sikorsky’s booth (N5315). role, saying, “It is one of the safest and Continuing the discussion about Black are very excited about it, I think it will is the core for Sikorsky,” he said. Hawks, Schultz mentioned optionally change the way you think about helicop- Fiatarone also discussed about piloted Black Hawks and armed Black ters,” said Schultz. Sikorsky’s next-generation platform. “The Hawks that can currently be reconfigured After handing the discussion over to way I like to think about a next-gen com- and set up in less than two hours, which Fiatarone, the future of Sikorsky was mercial helicopter is bringing something he said “is an exciting evolution for us.” explored with insight into certification differentiated to the marketplace. I think Meanwhile, Schultz was equally efforts and future aircraft development. what you’ll see from us in the near-term enthusiastic about the S-97 Raider. “The After selling its light helicopter product is continued investment in our S-76 and Sikorsky Raider has been flying since the end of line to Schweizer RSG, Fiatarone echoed S-92 programs. There is a lot of excitement president March [2017], and we’re going to take the contentment with that decision. “It inside Sikorsky and certainly a lot of excite- Dan Schultz it up to 222 knots. That aircraft has allows us to focus more on the medium ment inside Lockheed Martin on what is

KASHEA KLOSS KASHEA been fantastic in its flight envelope. We and heavy segment of helicopters, which next for us.” n

performed a few different autorotations to provide me with an understanding of HeliTrak’s CPD is all about how the CPD functions and feels. Follow- ing along with him on the dual controls, the force of the collective in my hand reacting to engine failures when the CPD fired was certainly notice- able, but manageable. The force of the by Alexa Paprosky CPD in this particular aircraft was set to nine pounds. The time a helicopter pilot spends recog- response,” said HeliTrak president After handing over the controls, Debs nizing and reacting to an engine failure Chris Nehls. guided me through autorotation entries contributes directly to the survivability I was able to experience the Collective and the pull of the CPD, while still appar- of the emergency. HeliTrak’s Collective Pull Down system on a demo flight of a ent, became less of a sensory factor with Pull Down (CPD) device was designed to Robinson R44 equipped with HeliTrak at each entry. With the CPD armed, the unit help eliminate the potential of a pilot’s North Las Vegas Airport Monday after- will fire when it detects the rotor RPM at delayed, and subsequently catastrophic, noon. Before takeoff, HeliTrak demo 97 percent, but the pilot can override the reaction. After detecting the low-rotor pilot and vice president of engineering system without physical strain. RPM warning signal, the device cues the Ray Debs pointed out the features that Debs demonstrated this by entering an pilot by automatically lowering the collec- had been added to the cockpit to support autorotation and then extending our glide tive in less than half a second. HeliTrak’s the CPD system. by pulling the collective up to 90 percent. I motive behind the design is to improve An indicator light labeled “CPD” was could feel the initial resistance of the CPD, the probability of a successful outcome if located just below the vertical speed indi- but it gradually released and allowed for the aircraft experiences a sudden loss of cator, while a toggle to switch the CPD on successful completion of the maneuver. rotor RPM. and off was to the right of the base of the After our return to the airport, I spent HeliTrak (Booth N6210) received STC cyclic. The other clear sign of the CPD time on the ramp with Nehls and Debs approval for its CPD products in 2016 and addition was the cable extending from the discussing the flight and presence of the began initial installations in the Robinson midpoint of the underhand portion of the CPD in the market. “We want more peo- R22, followed by the R44. Not including collective into the panel below. ple to start understanding what the CPD installation, the R22 unit costs $9,950, Debs demonstrated how to recycle the is and how it can help them,” said Nehls. while the R44 unit is $14,950. The device is toggle switch and explained that upon He continued, “We’ve done a consid- lightweight—less than two pounds—and detection of low-rotor RPM, the CPD only erable number of demos and most of intended for quick installation. Pull-down fires for three seconds and then stops. As those people have responded positively force on the collective ranges from five it stops, the release on downward pres- to the CPD. They might have come into to 10 pounds, with the setting selection sure is gradual. After the CPD has fired, it the demo with one perception, but leave at the discretion of the operator. must be reset in order to be reactivated. with quite a different and positive per- “Even though operators can make dif- After departing North Las Vegas Air- ception. It’s a safety tool that gets the ferent force selections during installa- port, we headed out to begin the demon- pilot moving in the right direction every tion, it is still going to provide the same stration over an area of open fields. Debs time, in time.” n

4 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com

behind us,” and he sees a small increase in flight hours from some operators of Safran-powered rotorcraft. Flight activity increases are mainly driven by Arrius- and Arriel-powered helicopters. The manufacturer continues to invest in its modernization program. In 2015, Safran Helicopter Engines started the construc- tion of a new services and support facility in Tarnos (in the south of France). It has invested €50 million ($61.25 million) and the opening is anticipated in late 2018 or in the beginning of 2019. The facility initially will span 33,000 sq m (355,000 sq ft). But a second stage of construction is planned for 2020 that will expand the total space 77,000 sq m (829,000 sq ft). “The new facility will enable us to cut repair times in half,” Bellanger said. Safran Helicopter Engines invests a significant share of its revenue— approximately 15 percent—in research and development. One major goal is to reduce the cost of ownership by improv- ing fuel consumption. To achieve this, Safran’s new Aneto family of turboshaft engines is earmarked for super-medium and heavy rotorcraft and will range in power up to 3,000 shp. Safran is looking to improve its archi- tecture, focusing particularly on a new compressor offering very high compres- sion rates. Safran on pace for multiple certifications The company is also making innova- tions in the materials used in gas turbines, by Guillaume Lecompte-Boinet which will result in lighter, more robust engines that are easy to manufacture. Safran Helicopter Engines, upbeat about Italy’s Leonardo Helicopters has Engines produced 732 new engines, roughly This includes expansion of additive man- prospects for the near-term market, is on selected the first 2,500-shp model, the same as in 2016. Production remained ufacturing (3D printing), which is already track to certify three new engines this the Aneto-1K, to power its twin-en- steady thanks to the resilience of the light used in serial-producing components for year that will push its helicopter portfolio gine AW189K. While the engine was and medium helicopter market (Arrius and the Arrano (fuel injector nozzles) and up to the 3,000-shp class. revealed in October, first flight of the Arriel). The company delivered a record 110 Ardiden 3 (combustors swirlers). The The French engine maker is showcasing Aneto-1K-powered AW189K took place Arrius 2B2/2B2Plus (the H135 engine). The company estimates that, within five to those engines, along with its in-service in March 2017. EASA certification of the Bell 505 also entered service with the Arriel 10 years, 30 percent of a complete engine products, at its booth (C4743) at Heli- engine is planned for the end of 2018. 2R in March 2017. could be manufactured using 3D-printing Expo. These include the new 1,100- to According to Safran, Aneto brings signif- Its MRO activity also remained steady technology. Safran also is exploring the 1,300-shp Arrano; Ardiden 3 covering the icant benefits such as 25 percent greater in 2017. According to Bellanger, the lowest hybridization of thermal and electrical 1,700-t0-2,000-shp range; and a mockup power than existing engines of the same point in the oil-and-gas market “is now power sources. n of the Aneto, which addresses the heavy volume. Safran says the Aneto will deliver helicopter market reaching up to 3,000 up to 15 percent better fuel economy than shp. The new engines will join Safran’s today’s similar engine models. venerable Arriel 2, which has power range Last year was key for the Ardiden 3 with from 830 to 990 shp. EASA certification of the 3G (intended for Daher expands helicopter business Unveiled during Heli-Expo 2013, the the Russian Helicopters Ka-62) in June. Arrano is selected to power the new Air- The Ardiden 3C (for Avicopter’s AC352) The helicopter market has become an in Marignane and Dugny (France), Donau- bus Helicopters H160. “We are currently should be EASA certified in upcoming important segment for French group wörth (Germany), and Albacete (Spain). maturing the engine, in both ground and months. Under the WZ16 designation, Daher. Today it accounts for 20 percent Daher began providing Airbus Helicopters flight tests, towards certification at the end the Ardiden 3C will be certified by Chi- of the business of the group’s Aerospace logistics in Donauwörth in September 2014. of 2018,” said Bruno Bellanger, executive na’s CAAC in 2019. Both models have business unit, the company said. Daher is Reinforcing this effort, in August 2017 Daher v-p programs of Safran Helicopter Engines. accumulated more than 10,000 hours of Airbus Helicopters’s leading supplier of inaugurated a new industrial and logistics The engine has accumulated more than ground tests. “In parallel, we fully sup- airframes and, at the same time, its main site in Querétaro, Mexico. It supplies the 5,000 test hours, including more than port flight tests conducted by Avicopter logistics partner. nearby Airbus Helicopters production facility. 1,000 in flight. A third test H160 (PT3), and Russian Helicopters,” Bellanger said, Daher mainly manufactures rear fuse- The services provided by Daher in equipped with a pre-production engine, adding, “Ardiden 3 engines deliver at least lages of Airbus rotorcraft, as well as var- Querétaro underscore the breadth of its flew in October. In 2017 the manufacturer 10 percent better fuel consumption over ious parts such as avionics bays. Most of work, ranging from product and process delivered three pre-production engines, current engines in the same power range.” these fabrications are made at its plant in engineering to industrial services and including those for PT3. “Everything is set Tarbes (southern France). “We are present machining, to transportation and logistics for end-of-year engine type certification Positive Outlook on all mass-produced Airbus Helicopters in the supply chain. Daher also manages and delivery of the first production units,” Safran Helicopter Engines remains con- [models] and also on R&D programs,” the spare parts logistics of Airbus Heli- added Bellanger. fident for the near future: “After the tur- noted Nicolas Orance, head of the Aero- copters, an important activity since Airbus Meanwhile, Safran’s Aneto, a higher bulence, we see a slow recovery of our space business unit. In addition, as a Helicopters generates 48 percent of its power engine family unveiled this past markets in 2018 that will continue to manufacturer of the TBM aircraft, Daher turnover in aftermarket services. October, has accumulated more than 450 2020,” Bellanger said. “In 2017, the com- participates in Airbus Helicopters’s strate- Today, Airbus Helicopters (Booth N1915) test hours, including more than 50 in pany remained resilient to the crisis affect- gic planning for the future. is its sole customer, but Daher is looking flight. Designed for new super-medium ing the helicopter sector, and committed In the area of logistics, Daher in 2015 at possible expansion of its work in the and heavy helicopters, a family of Aneto to its strategy of preparing for the future.” became the “lead logistics provider” at the market. “We have some contact with other engines is planned, ranging from 2,500 to Last year, the helicopter market remained four European Airbus Helicopters plants: manufacturers,” Orance said. G.L.B. more than 3,000 shp output. soft but stable. In 2017 Safran Helicopter

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FLIGHTSAFETY ADVANTAGE AD - AIN CONVENTION NEWS - HELI-EXPO 2018 - Trim: 10.8125” w x 13.875” d Bleed: 11.0625” w 14.125” d Airbus Helicopters to boost seating capacity of H175 by Guillaume Lecompte-Boinet

Airbus Helicopters (Booth N1915) is plan- the Leonardo AW139 and AW189 models. ning to bring an 18-passenger version of The order book of the H175 has topped its H175 helicopter to market by the end of 100 helicopters, according to Allongue. 2018. The new cabin, which provides two The oil-and-gas version represents the additional passenger seats over the cur- majority of orders. Airbus Helicopters has rent base version, will be similar to that already delivered 20 H175s since the heli- of the H225 Super Puma. “The objective copter entered service in December 2014, is to strengthen the passenger transport including 17 to oil-and-gas customers market for the oil industry or services, such as the Dutch NHV, Canadian CHC even if these opportunities are currently Helicopter, and British Babcock. A new version of the H175 will have room for 18 passengers, two more than the current model. difficult,” said Marc Allongue, head of the “From 2015, we had a helicopter avail- H175 program at Airbus Helicopters. ability rate delivered to NHV of 85 per- year by 2020,” said Allongue. According The manufacturer has sent about 20 Positioned in the super medium mar- cent,” he said. This level of availability to the contract signed in 2006 with the employees to China’s Harbin Aircraft ket segment with an mtow of 7.8 tonnes is also found among other customers, Chinese, 1,000 helicopters are to be pro- Industry Group (HAIG), a subsidiary of (17,500 pounds), the H175 was launched in according to Allongue. The fleet in service duced, including 600 H175s and 400 Z15s. Avic, to help the Chinese ramp-up pro- 2006 in a 50-50 partnership with Chinese totals approximately 20,000 flight hours. To ensure the ramp-up of production, duction. HAIG manufactures the main manufacturer AVIC to target offshore, In addition, three VIP helicopters were the final assembly line of the H175 in fuselage, main rotor, fuel system, flight VIP, and utilities markets. delivered to private customers. The SAR Marignane, France, was reorganized into controls, and landing gear. The Airbus Helicopters version is version will start deliveries this year with a flow-line in 2016. This more lean organi- Airbus Helicopters is responsible for equipped with two Pratt & Whitney three helicopters for the Government zation makes it possible to produce heli- the main gearbox, tail rotor, Helionix PT6C-67E engines, while the Chinese Flying Service department in Hong Kong. copters more quickly and at lower cost, avionics, and electrical and hydrau- version (Z15) is equipped with a deriva- Shipments will rise slightly this year with according to Allongue. lic systems. The structure of the H175 tive of the Ardiden turbine from Safran 14 to 15 helicopters (against 11 deliveries The manufacturer has set a goal to remained metal because HAIG is not set Helicopter Engines. The main competi- in 2017), and the same number in 2019. halve the time it takes to assemble an up to manufacture a fuselage made of tors of the Franco-Chinese helicopter are “We plan to produce about 30 H175s per H175, to nine weeks, by 2020. composite materials. n

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8 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com operators. Those aircraft are coming up for replacement this year and next year, but will all be driven by available financing. Law enforcement will be stable as in the past. I do not see any demand increase or fleet replacement needs for tourism. There is a potential for growth in the utility mar- ket, but that is a volatile space.” Emerson said he does not see any canni- balization of company’s law enforcement market by the growing use of unmanned With one of the aircraft systems (UAS). “The agencies world’s largest we deal with tend to require more pay- aircraft fleets load and agility in the way they perform dedicated to their mission and fly the H125—be it guns municipal law on board, electronic equipment, forward enforcement, the looking infrared (FLIR), being able to pick Los Angeles Police up an arrest, being able to go beyond the Department‘s Air pure patrol mission that very light single Support Division helicopters fly. Those are the helicopters operates 19 most unlikely to be replaced by UAS. The helicopters, most latest wave of law enforcement orders are of which are Airbus going to our AS350B3e because they need H125s née AS350. that extra power and performance for the missions they are doing,” he said. Law enforcement is providing more work for Airbus’s Columbus, Mississippi, facility. “Half of the new customers we added Last year, the company moved H125 com- Airbus Helicopters maintains in 2017 were new to helicopters. We went pletions to Mississippi from Grand Prairie, after the fixed-wing marketplace and Texas, where it recently completed a Los high-net-worth individuals who owned Angeles Police Department H125. North American dominance business jets but didn’t own helicopters Emerson believes completions of civil and converted them into the helicopter H145s at Columbus would be the next by Mark Huber market,” Emerson pointed out. logical step given that it is also the pro- Looking forward, with the exception of duction site of a military variant, the Airbus Helicopters Inc., the North Amer- According to Emerson, an uptick in private customers, “2018 looks very much U.S. Army’s UH-72A Lakota. Similarly, ican arm of Airbus Helicopters, delivered orders from private customers for execu- like 2017, zero growth and light replace- if market demand justifies it, the H130 55 civil rotorcraft into the U.S. and Canada tive and VIP ships insulated Airbus from ment needs,” he said. “I see replacement could also eventually be completed and/ last year. “One-third of the helicopters we sales erosion in what remains a wobbly waves coming with air medical, where or assembled in Columbus. delivered were air medical, another third market. “If you look at any of the years some of these air medical aircraft are get- “For us to cut in the H130 into the H125 line were law enforcement, and the final third prior to 2016, our share of private aviation ting to the point where it makes financial is very easy. The tooling is there. What I need were actually private aviation and VIP,” was traditionally around 10 percent. It is sense to replace them. to see happen is a revitalization of demand said company president Chris Emerson, thanks to that market that we have been “I’m talking about aircraft in markets for the H130. I believe that will come with who added Airbus continued its domi- able to hold a steady line in new orders where newer aircraft offer the level of the air medical side. We are starting to see nance of the parapublic sector, winning 70 and deliveries, because of the new cus- performance that open up new markets the benefits of that wider single engine cabin percent of available orders in the market. tomers we have been adding,” he said. or generate additional revenues for the in the air medical sphere,” he said. n

Seminole County Sheriff’s Office H125 PAC International displays can take the heat with new ceramic paint H145 refurbished for EMS Metro Aviation has completed an Airbus a TrakkaBeam A800 searchlight is H125 for the Seminole County (Florida) mounted on the fuselage. by Alexa Paprosky Sheriff’s Office with multi-mission-spe- Notably, the Seminole County Sher- cific gear, rescue systems, and ceramic iff H125 is Metro’s first application of PAC International (Booth N2207) is dis- part of the Metro family since 2009. “Metro paint. The H125 is on display this week at ceramic paint. The thermal-barrier playing a recently refurbished Cleveland Life Flight is an operations customer of Metro’s Heli-Expo booth (N2207). ceramic paint enables the tail boom Metro Life Flight Airbus H145 this week at Metro Aviation, so it is always a special The helicopter completions company to handle exhaust temperatures up to Heli-Expo 2018. The helicopter features a privilege to service an aircraft that will stay installed a cargo hook, Bambi Bucket 2,000 deg F, including thermal shock reconditioned interior, upgraded Techi- within the Metro family,” said Blough. for fire suppression, a hoist for rescue protection. sonic TDFM9100 FM communication sys- PAC International is a Bell customer operations, and a video system that “I am excited that Seminole County tem and dual Garmin GTX330ES ADS-B service facility and FAA Part 145 Repair allows several feeds to be simultane- Sheriff’s Office is one of the first air- Out transponders. It also features the Out- Station for Bell, Leonardo, Airbus Heli- ously monitored in the cockpit. Accord- borne law enforcement agencies to erlink Iris flight tracking, communication, copters, Sikorsky, and McDonnell Douglas ing to Metro Aviation, the video system try a high-temperature, matte-finish and monitoring system. aircraft. The company provides helicopter can display imagery from a thermal ceramic paint on the tail boom. We “With safety and FAA certification as our painting, custom interior fabrication, and imaging system, an HD color camera, are hoping for low maintenance and primary guide, we strive to provide the avionics installations for helicopters with a wide-angle rescue hoist camera, a long-lasting finish with this solution,” desired equipment and configuration that various mission profiles, including law and cameras for the cargo hook, tail said Steve Farris, the chief pilot of the our customers require in their commit- enforcement, emergency medical services, view, and cockpit. To help prevent Seminole County Sheriff’s Office avia- ment to saving lives,” said Marty Blough, electronic newsgathering, search and res- lost targets during night operations, tion section. M.B. PAC completions and projects manager. cue, offshore transport, firefighting, and Cleveland Metro Life Flight has been executive transport. n

ainonline.com \ February 28, 2018 \ HAI Convention News 9 DAY 2 HAI 2018 AIN Convention News 1/2 Page (non bleed) Powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A Fadec-equipped turboshafts, the AW169 4.875” W x 12.5” H seats up to 10 passengers in a utility configuration. EASA certified the type in 2015; the FAA in 2016. Leonardo bullish on sales of AW169 medium twin by Mark Huber FACEPLATES Leonardo Helicopters senior executives two reclining seats and four fixed, with expect the new 4.8 metric ton maximum options up to seven seats; and Silver with ADAPTER PLATES gross weight AW169 medium twin to eight passenger fixed seats. and sell, as well as its AW139 sibling. “I per- The interior options catalog runs more MOUNTING OPTIONS sonally expect it to be as prolific as the than 80 pages and choices include sliding AW139,” said Robert Brant, vice presi- or hinged doors cabin separation walls, dent, Americas commercial business for selection of luxury finishes/veneers/lin- Leonardo Helicopters. ers, armrest cabinets, central cabinets, That’s a high bar, considering that the reading lights, and USB ports. A cabin larger AW139 has sold more than 900 cop- Wi-Fi system is under development, as is ies, but Brant said Leonardo is “very opti- a full icing protection system (FIPS) and Happy pilots. mistic” for the aircraft this year now that an external 300-gallon Simplex fire-sup- it has gleaned FAA certification. Brant pression tank as part of a three-ship EMS/ Happy passengers. points to the AW169’s competitive price multi-mission order from Travis County point, relatively smaller exterior foot- (Texas) STAR Flight. print and larger amount of cabin space The AW169 features a pair of 1,000-shp There’s an ongoing power struggle on most aircraft today — not compared to other aircraft in its class as Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A engines enough power for all the electronic devices pilots and passengers reasons he thinks the helicopter will sell and Rockwell Collins glass-panel touch- bring on board. The solution is True Blue Power® USB Charging well. An AW169 outfitted with executive screen avionics with four-axis digital Ports. These next-generation in-seat, cabin and cockpit power interior is on display this week at Heli- automatic flight control system and dual sources enable nonstop entertainment and business productivity Expo; after the show it will embark on a flight management systems. on the fly. They’re all the power you need in a small, economical, demonstration tour. AW169s are also equipped with a vari- easy-to-install package. Through the beginning of this year, able-speed main rotor, which improves Leonardo (Booth C3225) had orders for efficiency and reduces external noise. The more than 160 AW169s and had deliv- helicopter is the first in its category enter- ered 50. The first VIP models are slated ing the market with electrically actuated to reach U.S. customers later this spring. retractable landing gear. The worldwide fleet has accumulated Top cruising speed is 155 knots and more than 10,000 flight hours to date. maximum range is 505 nm. The 222- HIGH Approximately 40 percent of all AW169s cu-ft cabin can accommodate seven to POWER ordered have been sold with VIP interiors. 10 passengers. Brant estimated that an AW169 typically The aircraft received initial FAA cer- equipped with such an interior would tification approval in February 2017 and retail in the $10 million range; however, recently was approved for a gross weight TA102 Series TA202 Series Dual USB Charging Port High Power USB Charging Port he said that Leonardo has yet to release increase to 4.8 metric tons, giving it a mis- 2018 pricing. sion payload increase of 440 pounds or a Simultaneously provides Simultaneously provides range increase of 80 nm. n 2.1 amps per port 3.0 amps per port Options Catalog Leonardo offers customers a variety of VIP interior stylings: Diamond, which features five passenger reclining seats, truebluepowerusa.com Booth C4239 with options for up to seven seats; Pearl, YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS with four reclining seats and two fixed, www.ainonline.com with options up to seven seats; Gold, with

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FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM HELIEXPO THE H160. WHAT THE PEOPLE YOU RELY ON, RELY ON.

FLY WE MAKE IT The new generation H160 boasts a range of unparalleled safety features. Maximized pilot visibility, intuitive information display, unrivaled pilot assistance with Helionix®, and unmatched flight envelope protection. What’s more, it carries up to 12 passengers with a radius of action of 120 NM, while burning 15% less fuel. With so many impressive features, the H160 is a huge step forward not just for its category, but for the environment too.

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Come see the impressive H160 at Booth #N1915

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Airbus RUSH Show Daily Helicopter Ad 022418.indd 1 2/23/18 6:44 PM Heliservicio selects Traxxall by Curt Epstein

Mexico-based offshore oil-and-gas indus- than 40 years of experience, Heliservicio try transport provider Heliservicio has operates a fleet of 22 Bell 412 EP and 429 chosen Traxxall Technologies (Booth medium-twin helicopters, and the com- N4917) for its maintenance tracking and pany last year began an assessment of all inventory management system. With more available maintenance tracking systems. Heliservicio’s Bells are enrolled in Traxxall Technology’s maintenance tracking and inventory management program.

“We started using Traxxall last spring and have been very pleased with its performance to date,” noted Zerlyk Uziel Mejia Nambo, Heliser- vicio’s engineering manager, adding the system helps minimize unsched- uled downtime and contain down- time necessary for maintenance milestones. “It helps us maintain our fleet at a very high level, which is essential given the challenging nature of most of our missions.” Traxxall president Mark Stein- beck noted Heliservicio’s culture of continuous training and operational excellence. “Their impeccable safety record is testament to the impor- tance that they attribute to aircraft maintenance and we are very proud to be contributing to Heliservicio’s continued success,” he said. n

Luma’s LEDs for Bell caution warning panels Luma Technologies (Booth N4637) is offering its Lumatech 4000 Series, an FAA-certified LED caution warning panel, for the Bell 206, 206L, and 412 helicopters. The drop-in pan- els are designed to replace the incandescent OEM versions that have been standard on For missions these Bell models since they first entered service in the 1960s and 1970s. accomplished “This marks our first major offerings to the rotary market since our early days on FX AS350/355 performance kits. Whatever the missions, Now 206 and 412 operators whatever the times, wherever the places, can get immediate relief from ongoing lamp-outs, broken and we’ll get you where you’re going. intermittent cap assemblies, Say hello to Kopter. costly repairs, and a dwindling reserve of affordable spare parts,” company president Bruce Maxwell said. “The whole koptergroup.com process takes less than two hours and is easily combined with other routine maintenance,” he added. R.R.P.

12 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com FAST™ SOLUTION FULL-FLIGHT INTELLIGENCE + AUTOMATED POWER ASSURANCE CHECK KNOW YOUR ENGINE FROM THE INSIDE OUT P&WC’s FAST TM solution captures, analyzes and sends full-flight data intelligence electronically to customers within moments of the pilot shutting down the engine. By providing actionable preventative alerts and prognostics directly to the people who need it, we empower operators to make informed decisions, reduce costs and troubleshoot issues before they happen. With the FAST TM solution we take the words rapid response to a new level. FAST™ Solution: Unparalleled dispatch availability and reduced operating costs.

Visit us at HAI HELI-EXPO Booth C4432

WWW.PWC.CA BARRY AMBROSE BARRY Bell temporarily suspended flight testing of its 525 Relentless medium twin following the fatal June 2016 crash of FTV1. Now, FTV2 and FTV3 will soon be joined by FTV4 as testing continues. Bell making progress on its 525 flight-test program by Mark Huber

Since the Bell 525 returned to the air in “severe vibration of the helicopter that July, Bell (Booth C5122) has flown both of led to the crew’s inability to maintain its remaining super-medium twins nearly sufficient rotor rotation speed (Nr), an additional 200 flight-test hours. But leading to excessive main rotor blade its two flight-test vehicles—FTV2 and flapping, subsequent main rotor blade FTV3—have now accumulated approxi- contact with the tailboom, and the resul- mately 290 total flight test hours between tant in-flight breakup.” them. FTV4 is scheduled to make its In addition, the NTSB noted, “Con- maiden flight in the fourth quarter. tributing to the severity and sustain- The program continues to progress on ment of the vibration, which was not multiple fronts. Bell completed a four-day, predicted during development, were (1) 12-flight-hour cross-country ferry flight the collective biomechanical feedback to deploy the aircraft for cold-weather and (2) the attitude and heading ref- testing. This included a cold soak test to erence system response, both of which -35 degrees C. Other trials have involved occurred due to the lack of protections a super drive system loss-of-lubrication in the flight control laws against the sus- test and initial coupled-flight-guidance tainment and growth of adverse feed- testing. Bell further had completed return back loops when the 6-Hertz airframe to flight with software addressing more vibration initiated. Contributing to the than 300 problem reports, installed and crew’s inability to maintain sufficient tested production version of GE engine Nr in the severe-vibration environ- software, and executed and passed the ment were (1) the lack of an automated boosted controls and cockpit controls safeguard in the modified one-engine-­ proofload test for FAA credit. inoperative software used during flight Other reported progress includes ini- testing to exit at a critical Nr threshold tial navcom avionics system development and (2) the lack of distinct and unam- testing, finalizing upper cowling configu- biguous cues for low Nr.” ration, and gathering preliminary noise Following the accident, Bell imple- survey data and passing those certifica- mented several design changes to the 525, tion requirements. including filtering of the biomechanical Bell has yet to set a formal price for and sensor feedback by the control sys- the 525, nor will it confirm a certification tem to prevent amplification of vibrations timeline goal. When asked about the lat- in specific flight conditions. n ter, a company spokeswoman told AIN, “We are working actively to quantify the schedule impact resulting from the pause in our flight operations and will update as we assess the impact.” The 525 program had stood down for a year following the fatal crash of FTV1 in July 2016. GET ON Likewise, Bell declined to comment on BOARD! the 525 order book but said it might do HELO & BIZJET NEWS so in the future now that the NTSB acci- FOR THOSE ON THE GO dent report on FTV1 has been released. SENT RIGHT TO The report was released in January and YOUR INBOX found that the accident was caused by www.bjtonline.com/subscribe

14 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com See us at Booth #C4622

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PFD MFD EICAS WxRadar PFD VIDEO FLIR Electrical Fuel Engine www.rogersonkratos.com Rogerson Kratos certified the first Rogerson Kratos offers legacy aircraft Primary Flight Displays, Integrated the opportunity to have all the features, CONTACT: Instrument Display Systems, EICAS, meet all the certification requirements North America Multi-Function Displays, Integrated and addresses obsolescence challenges [email protected] Avionics Systems for Helicopters. on most aircraft fleets. South America [email protected] Having flown hundreds of thousands Improves Safety, Mission Effectiveness, Europe of hours in all climates and conditions, and Situational Awareness, while improv- [email protected] the Rogerson Kratos Advanced Avionics ing life cycle costs for commercial, Middle East/Africa Systems fulfill challenging missions government, and special mission [email protected] every day on every continent. operations. Asia [email protected] fastest-growing segments. Asian Sky Asia-Pac helo fleet up; EMS Group added a new section to this year’s Next generation of report that focuses on the fast-growing EMS segment, which showcases the professionals get has most growth potential Asia-Pacific’s fleet by country, model and operator. HFI scholarships by Randy Padfield Helicopters produced by the “big four” Helicopter Foundation International manufacturers—Airbus, Bell, Leonardo (HFI) announced 18 scholarship recip- The civil turbine helicopter fleet in the operates in just four countries: Australia, and Sikorsky—comprise more than 85 ients as part of its mission to advance Asia-Pacific region increased 3.9 percent Japan, Mainland China and New Zealand. percent of the Asia-Pacific fleet. Airbus the next generation of helicopter to 4,086 rotorcraft in 2017, according to Mainland China added 86 helicopters last Helicopters holds the largest market professionals. The scholarships are Asian Sky Group’s fifth annual fleet report year, up 17.4 percent from 2016, and is the share in the region, with more than 40 worth approximately $30,000 and for the Asia-Pacific region. leading regional growth driver for the past percent of the installed fleet. range across various industry careers. The newly released Asia Pacific Civil three years. Also featured in ASG’s latest fleet report Six scholarships are directed Helicopter Fleet Report YE 2017 provides Just more than half of the Asia-Pa- are a number of profiles on key compa- toward helicopter maintenance tech- information about turbine-powered civil cific fleet operates in multi-mission nies working in the rotary industry in the nician programs, four are for pilots helicopters byLARGEST fleet size,MAR replacementKET cost, roles, while the rest of the fleet is region. Independent helicopter lessor earning their commercial helicopter mission segments,832 size categories and evenly dispersed among the corporate, Waypoint Leasing describes the company’s certificates, one is for safety pro- manufacturer.AUS TItRAL isIA sponsored by Way- offshore, law enforcement, search-and- expansion into the Asia-Pacific region and fessionals, and seven are for estab- point Leasing. rescue and emergency-medical-ser- its new office in Hong Kong, along with its lished maintenance professionals The year-end 2017 report includes a vice (EMS) markets, the report notes. forecast for the coming years. training on specific helicopters section on offshore activity, discussing When evaluated by replacement cost, Spectrum Aeromed, designer and or components. LARGEST FLEET NET ADDITION the continued impact of the oil-and-gas multi-mission role helicopters drop to developer of air ambulance medical inte- Manufacturers participating in downturn on+8 the6 civil helicopter mar- less than 40 percent and the offshore riors for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, the program include Airbus Heli- ket, as wellM asAIN anLAN in-depthD CHINA section on segment becomes significantly larger, explains the process of providing EMS copters, Honeywell, Leonardo, Pratt the Asia-Pacific’s fastest-growing civil at 21 percent of the total fleet value. solutions to operators. & Whitney Canada, Safran Helicop- helicopter market, Mainland China. The Asia-Pacific offshore segment is Shanghai-based Kingwing Avia- ter Engines, MD Helicopters, and Also includedLARGEST is a sectionFLEET NE onT DED theUC heliTION- anticipated to begin a recovery as the tion also discusses its plan for oper- Rolls-Royce. copter leasing market, providing a oil-and-gas sector improves. ating 80 EMS helicopters by the end “We are aware of the financial com- breakdown- 6of leased helicopters by EMS, although currently the small- of this year, and Beijing Red Cross mitment undertaken by students in lessor and country.TAIWAN est segment of the market—6 percent Emergency Rescue Center outlines our profession,” said HFI vice pres- According to the report, 62 percent of the by units and 8 percent by replacement the need for helicopters in the city’s ident Allison McKay. “Through our region’s total civil turbine helicopter fleet cost—is expected to become one of the rescue services. n scholarship program, we help to off- set this burden and allow the students Fleet Growth for the Major Markets to focus on continuing their education. Fleet Growth for the Major Markets We offer our congratulations to this Net Fleet Growth Growth Rate year’s participants.” COUNTRY (REGION) 2016 2017 2016 2017 The four recipients of the $5,000 Mainland China 90 86 22% 17% scholarships are students earning Australia 14 24 2% 3% their commercial helicopter certif- New Zealand 23 16 5% 3% icates: Carl Bloecher of Arlington, Philippines 3 6 2% 4% Virginia; Bastian Ebersbach of Hills- Indonesia 2 5 1% 2% boro, Oregon; Troy Goldberg of Kai- India 2 5 1% 2% lua-Kona, Hawaii; and Rebecca Voltin South Korea 13 5 6% 2% of Lyons, Oregon. Thailand 1 5 1% 5% “We encourage students around Myanmar 1 3 8% 21% the world to pursue their dreams of Malaysia -2 3 -1% 2% flying and maintaining helicopters. Japan 12 1 2% - The application process for the 2019 Hong Kong - - - - scholarships begins in September, Vietnam 1 - 3% - and interested students can find more Macau - - - - information our website,” said McKay. Papua New Guinea -7 -3 -6% -3% HFI also awarded up to six Taiwan -3 -6 -10% -22% The Airbus H125 is the most-delivered helicopter in Asia-Pacific. $2,500 scholarships to maintenance technician program students. The recipients included Isiah Crawford Asia Pacific Civil Helicopter Fleet Growth of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; HistoricalHistorical && FForecastorecast Derek Galla of Holland, Ohio; Kristie McLean of Las Vegas; Austin Rowles of Fort Worth, Texas; Michael Stick- 4,288 land of Carmanville, Newfoundland +4.9% (Canada); and Matthew Vig of Opal, 4,086 South Dakota. +3.9% 3,932 The recipient of the Michelle +4.3% 3,771 North Scholarship for Safety is +5.2% awarded to Michelle Payne. She will 3,584 receive full tuition to the HFI Safety +7.0% Management program at Heli-Expo. 3,348 Additionally, the Bill Sanderson Avia- tion Maintenance Scholarships offer stipends of up to $1,600 to attend airframe or equipment-specific train- ing courses. M.B. 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

16 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com

Univeral Avionics releases Garmin’s new G500H TXi flight deck includes upgraded FMS software touchscreen functionality, as by Curt Epstein well as terrain, the company’s Universal Avionics has received an FAA WireAware TSO authorization for its new flight man- avoidance agement system (FMS)/multi-missions technology, management system (MMMS) software, and visual version SCN 1002.0/1102.0. According approaches, to the Tucson, Arizona-based company among other (Booth N4421), the new software will features. enable operators to take advantage of new localizer performance level of service (LOS) approach capabilities and a transi- Garmin’s G500H TXi adds tion to hover search pattern. “We are continuing to evolve our FMS to better support the rotorcraft commu- touchscreens, much more nity,” said Robert Clare, the avionics mak- er’s director of sales. “With the release by Matt Thurber of software version SCN 1002, we have implemented two significant functions The G500H TXi displays for rotorcraft tested this during the flight, and Telli- that will provide additional flight capa- VVIP operator, includes an upgraded replace Garmin’s original G500H system, gence allowed me to keep my hands on bilities to our customer base.” modern glass cockpit featuring three of with three different options: GDU 1060 the cyclic and collective while pulling up For the localizer performance (LP) Universal’s EFI-890H advanced flight dis- 10.6-inch landscape, GDU 700P seven- the ATIS frequency for McNary Field in approach, the fourth LOS supported by plays with Vision-1 synthetic vision sys- inch portrait, or GDU 700L seven-inch Salem, Oregon. Universal’s satellite-based augmentation tem and a UNS-1Fw SBAS-FMS. The test landscape displays. The key difference Another useful feature is Garmin’s system (SBAS)-FMS, the FMS automati- project is being conducted by Heli-One with TXi is that they are touchscreen dis- visual approach, which I dialed up for the cally selects the best approach LOS based in Vancouver, Canada, Universal’s autho- plays, although these models also retain landing at the airport in Salem. The visual on lowest minimum decision height, or rized dealer, and flight testing is expected concentric knob controls. approach is built into the GTN navigators, the pilot may manually select an available to commence soon. Both the 10.6- and seven-inch displays and creates a three-degree vertical path approach LOS before the final approach The upgrade allows users to see pro- offer Garmin’s HSI map, which can dis- to the runway, displayed on the TXi, with fix is sequenced. This allows operation of jected flight paths coupled with the dis- play Garmin’s WireAware wire-strike pilot-selectable minimums. LP approaches for the 655 charted proce- play of aircraft traffic, enabling them to avoidance technology, as well as terrain, The NVG-compatible G500H TXi dures currently serving 495 U.S. airports, judge diverging or converging tracks in weather, and other overlay information. A displays retail for $27,495 for the 10.6- and the FAA is adding more. advance. Enhanced Ground Proximity mode controller is optional, adding more inch display and $23,495 for the seven- For the transition-to-hover feature, Warning System (EGPWS) information non-touch controls for pilots who prefer inch portrait and landscape versions. the pilot can mark a target, and the FMS will also be displayed, providing terrain button and knob interfaces. Garmin plans to obtain an AML STC will provide an automatic downwind leg mapping when operating at low level at A new feature for the TXi that wasn’t for installation of the TXi displays in with a course reversal. It will position the or off airport. available in the original G500H is data the fourth quarter, starting with the helicopter to a point where it transitions “The S-76 advanced flight deck Heli- logging, and this data can be downloaded Bell 206 and 407 and Airbus AS350B2/ down and decelerates to a stable hover One has created a stunning outcome,” wirelessly or via SD card. Another new B3 and EC130B4/T2. n downwind of the target point. The feature said Norm Matheis, Universal’s regional TXi feature is crew profiles. Installation will allow the crew hands-free operation sales manager for Canada, adding the new is easier with new configuration tools while they attend to other mission-criti- upgrade will enhance operational safety that allow export of configurations to cal tasks, Universal added. and reliability. “S-76 operators are already entire fleets. The company also announced that familiar with Universal equipment and

Garmin (Booth N4503) has flight tested YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS ground testing has been completed for we expect they will see value with the the TXi displays in its AS350B2. The Heli-One’s Sikorsky S-76B upgrade pro- advanced capabilities Heli-One’s package www.ainonline.com instrument panel is fitted with a 10.6-inch gram. The aircraft, operated by an Asian will provide.” n GDU 1060 TXi display in front of the pilot, along with GTN 650 and 750 GPS navi- gators, GMA 35 remote audio panel, GTX 345 ADS-B Out/In, GTS traffic display, GRA ENEWSLETTER FOR BUSINESS AVIATION 5500 radar altimeter, GFC 600H flight con- Heli-Onewww.ainonline.com/ groundalerts tests new EFIS upgrade and Norway. These include an equipment trol system, and GMC 605 mode controller. wall that is adaptable to various missions, Flying with the large TXi display and British Columbia-based Heli-One (Booth Control Concepts entertainment system, including SAR and EMS, and a recently cer- the Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technol- N505) completed successful ground testing multi-spectral LED lighting, cabin commu- tified stretcher for the AW169 that allows ogy is a significant improvement over ofAERO an DEFENSEelectronic INDUSTRY flight informationENEWSLETTER system nications system, and new interior. ergonomic handling when flexibility and the original G500H display. During a (EFIS)www.ainonline.com/ on a Sikorsky S-76B.subscribe Three digital The flight display modernization of the urgency are priorities. recent test flight in the AS350, I found Universal Avionics EFI-890H advanced flight S-76B was preceded by similar installa- Other showcased products include the depiction of power lines on the displays take the place of an EFIS or electro- tions completed by Heli-One and Universal Lexavia LFX 2010 infrared/daylight cameras WireAware display on the HSI map and mechanical instruments. The testing included Avionics in the Airbus AS322 and Sikorsky that can be oriented forward or downward audible alerts especially helpful as we Universal Avionics UNS-1Fw Vision-1 Syn- S-61. The companies claim the installa- and provide three fields of view; a USB char- AIR TRANSPORT INDUSTRY ENEWSLETTER approached a grassy field over large thetic Vision System, the new flight manage- tions improve operational capability and ger port approved for the Airbus AS332 and power lines. mentwww.ainonline.com/ system, and externalsubscribe camera inputs. situational awareness, and eliminates the AS365, Sikorsky S-92 and Leonardo AW139; Garmin’s Telligence technology in the The medium-twin helicopter is desig- cost of maintaining older analog displays. and A pulse lighting, located in the chin GTN 650/750 allows the pilot to push nated for a VVIP customer in Asia. When This week at Heli-Expo, Heli-One is also window of a helicopter, that provides bet- a button on the cyclic and speak voice completed, it will be fitted with touch- highlighting a number of other offerings ter situational awareness for landing and commands to change frequencies and screen controls for the passenger Custom created by its design teams in Canada additional visibility to ground crew. R.R.P. more than 300 other GTN functions. I FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM HELIEXPO

18 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com

Able Aerospace boosts Bell 505, 429 capabilities by Samantha Cartaino

Arizona-based Able Aerospace Services Aerospace general manager Gabriel Massey (Booth C5839) has recently launched com- told AIN. “That means being able to sup- ponent MRO support for the Bell 505, in port [Bell’s] newest products, not just its addition to its full capabilities for the Bell legacy products. We always want to watch 429. The Textron company began provid- products that are coming out and make ing services for these aircraft in a limited sure we start offering those capabilities.” Beginning operations in 1982 to process turbine engine components for OEMs, Able Aerospace capacity last year but now offers hangar According to Massey, the company expanded in the 1990s to include FAA-approved parts, plus repairs, overhauls and exchanges. maintenance, component support and cites several market trends, such as steady exchanges, and upgrades, among others. demand for the 505 and Bell customers’ Aerospace holds certifications from the all over the world can gain quick access For the Bell 429 and 505, Able Aero- growing desire for a full maintenance plan, FAA, EASA, China’s CAAC, Japan’s Civil to our different products.” space offers the same kits as Bell Heli- for the rollout of its new capabilities. To Aviation Bureau, India’s Directorate Gen- Regarding current market trends, Massey copter, which includes warranty work. prepare for these expanded services, mem- eral of Civil Aviation, and others. Over said he has seen flight hours rise across mul- The services also encompass exchanges of bers of the Able Aerospace maintenance the past few years, the company has been tiple helicopter sectors in 2018. He notes dynamic components such as rotor hubs, team went to one of Bell’s facilities for partnering with Bell and Textron facilities that he has seen more operators moving masts, transmissions, and gearboxes for training, and a Bell representative visited around the world to position itself as an away from conducting their own aircraft the 505. The companny further produces Able to conduct a broad training class. The available maintenance provider. maintenance and are instead looking toward several replacement parts. Members of company also invested roughly $1 million “We’ve been strategically partnering third-party MROs to complete heavy main- Bell’s Customer Advantage Plan (CAP), in tooling machines for the 429 and 505, with both Textron facilities and third par- tenance and component overhauls. which offers fixed cost-per-flight-hour which include hand and support tools. ties in different areas in the world, such Able Aerospace continues to offer main- services, receive rapid repair services and “These investments will support other as Europe or Australia, where we estab- tenance services and component exchange have priority access to Able’s inventory products as well,” Massey said. “We’re a lish a strong relationship with someone for fixed-wing aircraft from Airbus, Boeing, for component services. multi-OEM, so we’re thinking broadly.” there and they represent our interests, and McDonnell Douglas, as well as heli- “We like to make sure that we are stay- Massey said the company is also invest- products, and services in those regions,” copters from Airbus Helicopters, Sikorsky, ing current with our customer base,” Able ing time in its international growth. Able Massey told AIN. “This way, customers Bell, and other manufacturers. n

FlightSafety International broadens helo courses by Alexa Paprosky

FlightSafety International has introduced is resulting in more operators training new level-D-qualified helicopter simula- using advanced simulators, as opposed tors, along with more courses approved for to training in an actual aircraft,” said education benefits by the U.S. Department FlightSafety executive vice president of Veterans Affairs. The simulators include David Davenport. training programs for the Airbus Helicop- The EC130T2 simulator includes ters EC130T2 and Sikorsky S-70A and S-76B. FlightSafety’s Vital 1100 visual sys-

BARRY AMBROSE BARRY “We are pleased with the response tem and CrewView collimated glass to our level-D-qualified simulators mirror display, allowing an expanded A long way from Lousiana for single-engine helicopters…[and] field of view. And, as the factory-au- A Bell 212 operated by Lousiana-based Era Helicopters touches down at the Las Vegas Con- the increased focus and emphasis on thorized training provider for Sikorsky, vention Center. Bell’s 212 is a twin-engine, two-blade helicopter seating up to 14 passengers. safety across the helicopter industry FlightSafety is now offering a new series of S-70A courses and a S-76B simulator at its learning center in Lafayette, Louisiana. Available courses include two-week-long VFR-only initial training and a one-week Laselec intros new portable wire stripper by helicopter and commercial aircraft prior-experience course. demand, along with an uptick in business After working with the U.S. Depart- Laselec, designer and manufacturer of Aerospace electrical harness manufac- jet avionics installations, Laselec said. ment of Veterans Affairs, FlightSafety laser wire markers and laser wire strip- turing has been flourishing, driven in part The aerospace sector is extremely labor was able to “qualify more than 100 of our pers, is introducing its Sylade 7H wire intensive and the demand for automated courses to help our veterans prepare for stripper this week in Las Vegas at Heli- processes is being met by products such a career in the business and commercial Expo 2018. A portable version of Lase- as the Sylade 7H, the company added. aviation industry or to enhance their cur- lec’s Skylade benchtop unit, the 7H can The Komax Group acquired Laselec rent skills,” Davenport said. be used for electrical installation inside last year, allowing the former company Approved courses are available to the cabin and wire stripping completed to continue to strengthen market seg- veterans interested in pursuing a career at the harness assembly board. The por- ments outside of the automotive industry. as a professional pilot or for initial or table model features a 10-foot cord and Laselec’s exhibit (Booth N6224) at Heli- recurrent training for experienced pilots. echoes the company’s focus on miniatur- Expo 2018 will feature equipment from Active-duty military, National Guard ization and ease of use. both companies. A.P. members, and reservists might also qual- ify for assistance. n

20 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com LIFT AND THRUST MAKE THEM FLY. YOUR SMART DECISIONS LET THEM LAND.

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18-MCJT10072 Helicopter Solutions Ad-10.8125x13.875-AIN_ShowDaily-HAI.indd 1 2/22/18 1:40 PM LifePort News Clips Technisonic Expands TDFM-9000 Options Electronics manufacturer Technisonic Industries (Booth 389) upgrades of Mississauga, Ontario, which provides a range of airborne radios and audio panels, is offering a new multi-purpose communication port (MCP) for its TDFM-9000 multi-band radios. patient Now implemented in the TDFM-9100 multi-band radio, the MCP supports two more external communications devices beyond the two internal multi-band FM modules. stretchers The new MCP is being added as a standard feature on all TDFM-9100s. It integrates mic/audio/press-to- by Marisa Bojiuc talk and also enables control and feature integration on The new utility basket developed by Dart Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters select products. Technisonic Industries specializes in for the H145 features a quick-release design and a 200-lb pound capacity. LifePort (Booth N4315) is intro- P25 airborne radios, digital and analog airborne audio, ducing a newly certified, machined AM base stations and analog airborne FM radios. sled for patient transfer this week Dart, Airbus want you at Heli-Expo 2018. The company, a Lord Rebrands Electromechanical Products division of Sikorsky, is also deliver- Lord Corp. (Booth C4439) is uniting its portfolio of ing cabin and cockpit floor armor electromechanical products, including its Fly-by-Wire (FBW) in their new basket for the Columbia Helicopters 234, France unit, under a new brand: Lord Electromechanical the civil version of the Boeing Solutions. The new brand will encompass an array of by Alexa Paprosky CH-47 Chinook. products, including cockpit control systems and components, The machined sled offers electromechanical actuation, active vibration control, sensing Dart Aerospace (Booth C5551) appreciates the collaboration of improved features and durability. systems and components, and torque monitoring systems. and Airbus Helicopters have Airbus Helicopters and SDG&E It has a wider backrest and is cer- The company acquired FBW in 2016 as part of a strategy received FAA STC approval for to optimize the design of this tified in the Leonardo AW139, Bell to move into new markets and establish an engineering and a quick-release heli-utility-bas- quick-release basket,” said Dart 212 and 412, Sikorsky S-76, and manufacturing presence in Europe. Lord Electromechanical ket for the Airbus Helicopters Aerospace president and CEO Airbus H130. Additional improved Solutions is based in Saint-Vallier, France and designs and H145 that was co-developed and Alain Madore. features include a 16-percent (nine- manufactures cockpit controls and actuators, sensors, co-designed by the companies. “Airbus foresees a strong need pound) weight reduction over the dampers, and electromechanical products, primarily for The first unit has been provided for the H145 basket to service previous composite AeroSled and commercial fixed-wing but also rotary-wing aircraft. to San Diego Gas & Electric. the demands of the growing new machined-aluminum structure, The basket can transport utility market for this aircraft. which lowers maintenance costs CSSM Names Scott Ashton as New President up to 200 pounds of cargo We are pleased Dart was able to and adds to durability. Aviation veteran Scott Ashton is the newly appointed president and features a self-locking lid successfully execute this project The Columbia Helicopters 234 and CEO of Corporate Service Supply & Manufacturing mechanism to secure cargo under the tight time constraints,” cockpit floor armor design initia- (CSSM). He brings 25 years of experience to the FAA- and in flight. A single person can said Airbus Helicopters program tive will help protect crewmembers EASA-certified Part 145 accessory repair station. attach or remove the bucket manager Kath Six. EASA valida- operating in hazardous environ- “CSSM is among the industry leaders in supporting airplane from its brackets in less than tion for the basket is expected by ments. Encapsulated with LifePort’s and helicopter operators with reliable airframe and engine one minute. “The Dart team the second quarter. n LifeGard protective coating, the accessory overhaul and repair services,” said Ashton. “I am armored panels feature enhanced excited to be joining CSSM in this leadership role, and I am durability to support cargo transport. looking forward to working with our team to execute our growth “Columbia Helicopters has an strategy, to expand our service offerings, and to help CSSM established business relationship in delivering world-class MRO services to our customers.” with LifePort,” said Christopher Ashton served as president of Associated Aircraft Hankland, Columbia Helicopters’ Group (AAG) and held commercial roles at Gama Aviation, director of global supply chain. GE Capital, and Goodrich Engine Control Systems. “As flight operations expand, we He also currently serves as board chairman of the New will continue to collaborate on England Air Museum, and is an NBAA Certified Aviation additional systems for aircraft Manager and holds an airline transport pilot certificate. and spares.” n StandardAero Has New M250 PowerCheck App StandardAero of Scottsdale, Arizona, has a new PowerCheck app that makes it easier to calculate engine performance NEWS note based on Rolls-Royce power assurance charts for the M250 Mid-Continent Instruments and turboshaft engine. With the app, a pilot simply selects the Avionics (Booth C4239) will dis- airframe and powerplant from a dropdown menu and inputs tribute Aviation Battery Systems’s basic parameter information. The app then calculates the StartStick and StartStick Fleet engine’s performance margin, eliminating the need to manually ground power units and accessories. plot parameters on paper graphs in airframe manuals. The in-flight rechargeable ground Results can then be stored and tracked within the app, making power units offer 10- and 14-amp- it available to maintenance personnel. And the operator can hour power solutions featuring a share the saved data with StandardAero, where technicians cable-less design plus a chemical-, will review it and provide proactive recommendations to the water-, and impact-resistant case. operator based on the indicated performance metrics. “This partnership will bring to- StandardAero launched a computer-based platform to better gether Aviation Battery System’s facilitate power assurance checks in the 1990s. It began internal innovative StartStick product line development of the mobile application in early 2017. Launch Unwrapping the package with Mid-Continent’s world-class customers were selected to test the design and provide feedback. knowledge, distribution and sup- The StandardAero PowerCheck mobile app is available HAI vice-chairman James Wisecup (left), chairman Daniel Schwarzbach port,” said Todd Petersen, CEO of at the Apple App Store and Google Play. A desktop version (center), and president and CEO Matthew Zuccaro celebrate the opening Aviation Battery Systems. is also available at StandarAero’s website. The company of Heli-Expo 2018 with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony. is exhibiting at Heli-Expo 2018 at Booth C6043.

22 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com too risky for us, we don’t want to insure Brogan noted that after an initial spike Pioneering aviation insurer it any more,’ or they could go out of busi- in aviation insurance premium costs fol- ness and go away, and the pool still exists,” lowing the 9/11 terror attacks, more insur- explained Brogan. “The company could ers entered the market, leading to as many USAIG turns 90 this year never come or go at the whim of one exec- as four times the number there were utive or one company making a decision before 2001. That influx and competition by Curt Epstein that they liked or disliked aviation.” sparked a steady decline in premiums, USAIG insures a wide swath of the which has caused an imbalance of late as Aviation industry insurance provider very beginning of the company and the industry, from gliders to satellite-launch- premiums have not kept pace with aircraft USAIG is celebrating its 90th anniversary plans of its founders. “Since they could ing rockets. “Starting in 1928, aviation was prices. “The values of the helicopters have this year. The company was founded in not find one insurance company that very young then, so if it’s flown, we’ve gotten much larger than they ever were 1928 by Reed Chambers and David Beebe, wanted to insure an aviation risk, they likely insured it,” said Brogan. “Since before, especially in the offshore sector,” two former World War I aviators who saw went out and found several companies helicopters have been flying in the U.S., he noted. “You look at an S-92 or Super the requirement for an insurance company that would share in the risk,” he told AIN. we’ve been insuring them.” He estimates Puma and we’re talking $30 million ships, that fully understood the needs of aviation. Those companies formed a pool known rotorcraft currently make up 10 percent which was unheard of when I started in That July, they established the United as USAIG, which is managed by USAU, of the company’s business. the helicopter world, and because these States Aircraft Insurance Group, along and the structure remains the same nine Through the company’s Performance Vec- ships are so much bigger, they are carry- with United States Aviation Underwriters decades later, even if the specific insur- tor safety initiative, rotorcraft policyholders ing so many more people, which leads to (USAU), which remain intact nine decades ers have changed. Today, that line up of who participate in the program can receive a lot more liability as well.” later, generating the capacity to cover any insurance companies includes Chubb, training subsidies in the form of USAIG Given the spate of recent disasters— size aviation or aerospace exposure. Liberty Mutual, General Re Insurance and “Safety Bucks” to spend on simulator-based hurricanes last fall to earthquakes in When asked about the company’s dura- National Indemnity. pilot or maintenance technician training at Mexico—Brogan expects that trend of bility, CEO John Brogan, who assumed “The pool set up is really the secret to vetted providers. Since the program’s estab- declining aviation insurance rates to that role last April after the retirement the longevity, because at any one time, lishment in 1997, the company has awarded come to an end, as insurers contend with of David McKay, said it goes back to the any one company can decide ‘aviation is more than $6 million in training subsidies. the losses they have experienced. n

Donaldson receives STC for MD900 IBF

Donaldson Aerospace & Defense (Booth Bobby Gimber. “I have used the Don- C1736) has received Hong Kong Civil aldson IBF system previously and know Aviation Department STC approval for how effective the filtration system can be its MD900 inlet barrier filter (IBF). Heli- once implemented. It was clear to us that services operates three MD902s in Hong the IBF system suited our requirements.” Kong, one of which is already equipped Donaldson has a variety of products with an IBF and two others slated for on display this week at Heli-Expo 2018, future IBF installation. including IBF systems for multiple heli- “The operating environment in Hong copters and a range of liquid filtration Kong can be demanding of airframe and products. “Donaldson is pleased to once engines” and there is “a degree of pollu- again expand the reach of our IBF sys- tion containing particulates and airborne tems and bring superior engine protec- substances that can lead to corrosion tion to the MD900 operators in Hong and erosion of mechanical components,” Kong,” said Lars Hesbjerg, the global said Heliservices engineering manager director of sales at Donaldson. A.P.

Metro’s Milton Geltz’s FOQA makes Metro Aviation is gaining data through fleet progress monitoring services. by Samantha Cartaino director Milton Geltz. “We are able to see Metro Aviation (Booth N2207) has where the trends are on a near real-time updated flight-data monitoring on 65 per- basis, create a plan and address them with cent of its fleet since it received approval our pilots during their annual check rides for its Flight Operational Quality Assur- and simulator training.” ance (FOQA) program last year. Approxi- The FOQA team has examined approx- mately 51 of its 80 equipped aircraft have imately 30,000 events over 14,000 flight Outerlink’s digital flight-data monitoring hours. Gathered data showed changes

and recording Iris system. caused by revisions to Metro Aviation’s AMBROSE BARRY “Having Outerlink’s Iris on our aircraft, general operation manual, including a an active and involved FOQA system, and decrease in high rates of descent and maxi- Thumbs up! an improved outcome training program mum performance events. The rate of total Southern California operator SkyCore brought its BO-105LS-A3 C30P Superlifter, which the is a game changer for the safety of our events has decreased by 20 percent com- company calls ‘Camera Ship One,’ to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The company is a company,” said Metro Aviation managing pared with information from 2016. n full-service aerial cinematography provider, with an FAA-approved movie safety manual.

ainonline.com \ February 28, 2018 \ HAI Convention News 23 Abingdon Foundation names first scholarship recipient by Samantha Cartaino

The Abingdon Foundation has named exposed to helicopters as a viable career Holley Gardel its first “It’s About Time” or hobby—might pursue the field. Why scholarship recipient. The foundation, not give her a chance?” said Abingdon established last year, has provided Gar- Foundation president Abingdon Mullin. del with airfare, accommodations, and Mullin, an active pilot with more than registration to be at Heli-Expo this week 3,000 hours, has spent a majority of her in Las Vegas so she can attend seminars career creating opportunities for women and meet with members of the helicop- in the aviation industry. She took an inter- ter industry. est in aviation at age 14, when some flight “The aviation industry is crying out for instructors spoke at her high school. In more pilots every day. Yet companies 2011, she dedicated a portion of her sales continue to overwhelmingly focus on from her company, The Abingdon Watch recruiting men to fill their jobs. There Co. (Booth C2343), to offer a scholar- are women all over the world who—if ship to bring women to the Women in Aviation Conference. She continued

on to create three annual sponsorships, KLOSS KASHEA prompting the creation of the Abingdon Foundation last year. When I grow up, I want to be just like you... “The mission of the Abingdon Founda- If you can’t find the helicopter you need for your operation this week at Heli-Expo, you’re tion is to expose industries like aviation, not looking hard enough. Here, Alba Leasing Services’s Robinson R22 shares the ramp at helicopters, engineering, even horology to the Las Vegas Convention Center with a Department of Homeland Security Sikorsky HH-60L. high-school-age students and up at their schools, community events, and through sponsorships. Each year, the Abingdon Foundation will be bringing a woman to Heli-Expo to show her how incredible the Phoenix Heli-Flight digitizes helicopter industry is and to help her find out where she fits into this crazy rotor world,” Mullin said. voice, video and flight data As the Abingdon Foundation contin- ues to grow, so does Abingdon Watch. by Samantha Cartaino Mullin told AIN that the company is expanding its range of watches—it cur- Phoenix Heli-Flight (N2207) will upgrade video, and flight-data recording with rently offers aviation, dive, and travel older analog audio, video, and flight-data dual-satcom-network connectivity and watches, but the company is work- recording devices with the Outerlink Iris push-to-talk technology. The system

KASHEA KLOSS KASHEA ing with an undisclosed Nascar driver System. The Canadian company will work allows customers to synchronize this After awarding the Abingdon Foundation’s first to create a racing watch. Mullin also with Outerlink and Maxcraft Avionics to information on one display with the “It’s About Time” scholarship supporting Heli- expressed interest in expanding the develop Transport Canada and FAA STCs ability to add a 3D simulation over Goo- Expo attendance, recipient Holly Gardel, left, company’s tactical watch offerings and for the Airbus Helicopters EC130T2 and gle Earth. and Abingdon Mullin are all smiles. creating a watch for equestrians. n EC120, and for AS350B2s equipped with The Iris system also is FAA and Trans- both analog and vehicle engine multifunc- port Canada certified for the Airbus EC135, tion display instrumentation. EC145, and AS350, as well as the Sikorsky Replacing older technology with the S-92, Leonardo Helicopters AW139, and EIT Avionics progresses to Iris system will provide digital voice, Bell 206 and 407. n flight-testing new products Heli-One launches new online catalog of by Randy Padfield available helicopter modifications EIT Avionics (Booth C1952) of Lees- to data for maintenance, and enhance burg, Virginia, announced this week at flight crew performance and flight train- Heli-One (Booth N4505) launched teams have become more innovative, Heli-Expo 2018 that all three of its prod- ing. FODR-recorded data can also assist an online modifications catalog that developing custom solutions for opera- ucts—its Flight Operations Data Recorder accident investigations. enables users to search for modifica- tors to maximize the use of their aircraft (FODR), Enhanced Situational Awareness ESAID displays non-required, safe- tions by aircraft type, ATA chapter code, and improve their mission performance. Information Display (ESAID), and Height ty-enhancing data for use by the flight or mission purpose. Our engineers have the highest regard Above Terrain Radar (HAT-R)—are now crew, recording pneumatic and engine Each modification has a unique web for safety, quality, and efficiency, and that in flight test. Graphics and touchscreens data at two times per second. Rotor, address that simplifies the sharing pro- has shown in the truly diverse range of have been improved, and detection and engine, airspeed and altitude limita- cess between colleagues. A description, modifications in our portfolio,” said Heli- annunciation of low-G conditions have tions are displayed in a graphic format. picture, approval jurisdiction, weight, One president Eddie Lane. been added. HAT-R is an advanced radar system installation time, and aircraft type is fea- Heli-One is an independent helicopter FODR is planned to permanently that uses a single, light-weight antenna tured with each listed modification. MRO that has developed hundreds of record 2,200 hours of operational data, measures the aircraft’s height above “We are excited to share this resource solutions for modifications and compo- provide owners and operators access the ­surface. n with the rotorcraft industry. Our design nent repairs. A.P.

24 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com CEO outlines plans for Kopter Em Fl by Rick Adams p ' yi An Interview with Kopter CEO Andreas Löwenstein e n e g A year ago, beset by delays in development of its SH09 light-medium K single-engine utility helicopter, startup company Marenco Swisshe- licopter replaced founder Martin Stucki as CEO with Andreas Löwen- stein, a former Eurocopter senior executive. Within a few months, he brought in almost an entirely new team of C-level leaders, largely from Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo. The company (Booth N4615) sought to reaffirm its stability in early February, rebranding as Kopter Group while christening a new head- quarters and production facilities near Zurich. AIN correspondent Rick Adams spoke with Löwenstein about the changes and Kopter’sKeep prospects Em for breaking Flying into a crowded withmarket. AIN: When you joined the company, what Airwolfwhich is not possible PMA/STC on older models. was your initial objective? Due to the use of new materials, we Löwenstein: My big challenge for 2017 parts.can architect the aircraft in a different was to transform in very short term this way. We have a cabin…of a much bigger totally engineering-minded company into aircraft. We have a very potent engine, a helicopter manufacturer. You do not which will give this aircraft outstanding Airwolf PMA/STC parts. certify the aircraft; you certify a system high and hot capabilities. You will find a with product support, pilot training, doc- totally different economic model because umentation, sustainability, [and] trace- you have more passengers onboard. You Is It gettIng harder to fInd parts? ability of components. We had to bring can do EMS, particularly in the U.S., with airwolf makes It sImple. helicopter manufacturing experience into an aircraft that has a single-engine cost TT STrapS for: the company—build a sales team, build a but can perform a twin-engine mission. • Enstrom 480 & F28/280 Piston Helicopter Conversions supply chain, build all the facets you need • Bell Jet Ranger, Long Ranger & OH-58 • Bell 204, 205, 212, UH-1 & AH-1 in order to produce. We now have a really AIN: Switzerland is known as a challeng- Always in Stock, Under developmenT: Strap Fittings, Pins, Latch Bolts, experienced team who have done all their ing environment for helicopters. Has this other Life Limited Components for Bell and Hiller Helicopters Always Saving you Money life helicopter manufacturing. locale enhanced development? To complete the picture, last year we Löwenstein: We are well placed in Swit- recruited 112 people, which is a lot for a zerland to know to do things pragmati- tiny company like ours. If our business cally and with engineering intelligence. case reaches the level we expect, direct We have shaped our mission profile to employment in the company will be close the most demanding missions. People to 1,000 people. in Switzerland know what it means to fly airwolfaerospace.com • 440-632-1687 in extremely adverse conditions—high AIN: What advantages do you think flying in winter time in snow conditions, FROM THE COMPANY THAT BROUGHT YOU Kopter has as a start-up? flying with winds, and flying close to the THE FIRST LONGER LIFE TT STRAPS Löwenstein: We are a small team that is mountainside. We are describing our heli- extremely reactive. We can make a deci- copter as a flying Swiss pocket knife. PMA ELASTOMERICS sion within hours, not months. We can do FOR BELL 407 HELicOptERs our work for between a third and a quar- AIN: The SH09 was conceived in 2002 ter of the cost of big organizations. and has managed to keep going through a COMING SOON severe helicopter market slump. Clearly, AIN: Why does the market need a new your investor believes in this new product. helicopter? Löwenstein: I think we have an outstand- Löwenstein: This is one of the market ing investor [Russian billionaire lawyer segments in which actually not much and banker Alexander Mamut] who has has happened in the last 20, 25 years. If been constantly financing this program you know what the market is basically since 2009. We have today spent more requesting, you then have a real oppor- than $250 million on this program…When tunity to get a grip on a significant part you go into aeronautical adventures you of the market. You cannot go frontally cannot expect, as an investor, to have a

against the incumbents; you have to be payback of five years. By definition, aero- SEE US AT HELI-EXPO! a little bit more agile, betting on what nautics is always a long-term investment, is it gEtting HaRdER tO Find paRts? BOOTH #C2426 exactly the market is missing today. somewhere in the window between 10 AIRWOLf makEs it simpLE. and 15 years. NEW fOR 2018: AIN: So what does the SH09 offer that’s PMA ELASTOMERICS fOR BELL 407 HELICOPTERS. missing in its class? AIN: Your new brand name is Kopter. Shear Bearings, Dampers, Lead Lag Bearings Löwenstein: We are certified to EASA What was the rationale for this choice? 2014 standards, which means a major leap Löwenstein: The name Marenco Swiss- in terms of crashworthiness. We will have helicopter was too complex, too long, and dual hydraulic systems, redundant double- too burdened equally with personal his- channel Fadec, redundant electrical sys- tories…We are no longer a local company. tems. The whole will be digital architecture, We can sustain only if we are globally Visit us at Heli-Expo for more which allows operators to better know visible and globally understood and that details on how we can help you save! where and how the aircraft is aging. You people see immediately that this is a heli- airwolfaerospace.com • 440-632-1687 can basically do prevention on the aircraft, copter manufacturer. n

ainonline.com \ February 28, 2018 \ HAI Convention News 25 Business Does Not Fly Just by New Hawaii helo group has ‘Fly Neighborly’ agenda HELICOPTER by Mark Huber The newly formed Hawaii Helicopter during daylight and the volume of air-tour Association (HHA) will make its debut at operations differs radically from island to this year’s Heli-Expo. Officially formed island, with higher concentrations of tour in June 2017, HHA is an offshoot of an flying on the “big island” of Hawaii, Maui, operators’ group working to update the and Kauai. On her home island of Oahu, Hawaii air tour common procedures man- helicopter overflights are more likely to ual, according to Nicole Vandelaar-Battjes, be military or parapublic. Hawaii’s civil HHA chairman and president. fleet tends to be less homogenous than Founding HHA members include that in places like Las Vegas, due to Novictor Helicopters, Paradise Heli- greater demand for multi-mission capa- copters, Safari Helicopters, Sunshine bilities including tour, charter, and util- Helicopter, Air Maui, Blue Hawaiian Heli- ity, Vandelaar-Battjes added. “We have copters, Hawaii Helicopters, Jack Harter a variety of aircraft being operated in Helicopters, Hawaii Pacific Aviation, and Hawaii and different operators are using Island Helicopters. Vandelaar-Battjes helicopters for different purposes,” she owns Novictor, a Robinson R44 operator said. “We wanted to get the operators based on Oahu. together to do a number of things to Rotorcraft or xed wing, if the aircraft’s in your eet you’ll nd the part for it in our inventory. HHA meets at least monthly and is promote responsible helicopter flying in With more than 90,000 replacement parts constantly in stock, GlobalParts.aero ships anywhere finishing the revision of the procedures Hawaii and advance new initiatives.” That in the world, 24/7. See how we can keep your eet ying. manual that covers a variety of best prac- could include revisiting the installation of Globalparts.aero is proud to partner with: tices, including training and weather, she a statewide aviation weather cam system, said. The manual had not been revised she said. since 2008. Other HHA agenda items include fostering better inter-island Value for Money operator communications and building According to HHA, air-tour operators gen- a noise complaint database. The associ- erate an estimated $149-plus million to To learn more visit us at HAI Heli-Expo 2018 at Booth C3645 WWW.GLOBALPARTS.AERO • 1.316.733.9240 ation has contracted with PlaneNoise for Hawaii’s economy annually and approxi- this purpose. Interested parties can file mately 95 percent of the income generated complaints via a toll-free hotline or via a from the air-tour industry is reinvested in form on the association’s website: www. the economy in the form of wages, main- hawaiihelicopterassociation.org. tenance expenses, commissions, taxes, Vandelaar-Battjes said HHA should and ancillary support industries. Hawaii have sufficient noise complaint data in helicopter operators have invested more about six months to differentiate and than $100 million in sound-reducing tech- evaluate trends and determine what nologies over the past three decades and action, if any, to take to modify opera- air-tour operators incorporate their own tions. “We’re trying to get real data” as “Fly Neighborly” programs with additional opposed to anecdotal complaints, she voluntary measures to reduce noise. Since said, adding that HHA is committed to 2008 Hawaii has had the most regulated working with local communities and air-tour environment in the country with addressing their concerns. the addition of Appendix A to Part 136 that However, she noted that virtually all mandates a 1,500-foot minimum altitude of the air-tour operations are conducted requirement. n

FAA honors Pete Gillies as master pilot

The FAA has made it official: He developed a repu- Pete Gillies is a master pilot. tation for his strong flight Last year, the agency recog- training skills and was nized Gillies with its Wright recognized by Helicopter Brothers Master Pilot award, Association International which honors those who as flight instructor of the have exhibited professional- year. He also is revered ism, skill, and aviation exper- as a safety expert, pre- tise for at least 50 years. senting at safety semi-

The former Western Air- THURBER MATT nars on topics such as craft chief pilot had amassed autorotations. He retired more than 18,000 hours in helicopters in early 2016, but Gillies remains involved during a career that traced its beginnings in the helicopter community, sought after back to the late 1960s. Gillies joined West- as a guest speaker at events for airborne ern Aircraft in 1972, and the company said law enforcers, professional helicopter pilots, he was key to the team since. and the industry in general. K.L.

26 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com REGISTER FOR THE PREMIER BUSINESS AVIATION EVENT IN EUROPE Join European business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and all those involved in business aviation for the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2018). Visit the EBACE website to learn more and register today.

REGISTER TODAY: www.ebace.aero/2018 PILOT REPORT

entered our combined weights into the a max performance takeoff with plenty of Bell 505 Jet Ranger X flight deck’s MFD weight-and-balance power to spare. display. Aircraft systems are completely As we flew away from the ramp, Otteson by Alexa Paprosky integrated with the G1000H system, and encouraged me to experiment with banks Otteson explained, “With the integrated and turns. I worked on maintaining coordi- In mid-January, 20-degree temperatures in battery technology,” he said. “It can sense Garmin, you are going to literally have hun- nated flight and scanning the G1000H, when Texas coupled with substantial wind gusts if it’s cold and will run its own battery heat- dreds of different advisories, cautions, and Otteson reminded me to keep the aircraft in and the threat of snow almost placed me ing cycle and generate a message through warnings that will populate on the screen, trim. The primary flight display indicated our directly in the right seat of a Bell 505 sim- the Garmin avionics indicating the battery letting you know exactly what’s going on attitude, airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed, ulator instead of the real helicopter. But is heating. It lets us know if it has any prob- with the transmission [and helicopter].” plus showed an HSI display, while Bell’s Power with conditions improving upon my arrival lems and will generate a fault or failure code I examined the collective to find the Situation Indicator depicted our power lim- at Bell’s Fort Worth, Texas factory, it was in the cockpit.” throttle switches to transition between its and indications. As we continued in flight, announced, with great relief to me, that the The baggage compartment, also accessi- IDLE and FLY modes. “The dual-channel the intuitive layout of the G1000H became flight in Bell’s 505 Jet Ranger X would take ble from the pilot side, can hold multiple Fadec is all about safety, safety, safety,” said increasingly easier to scan and understand. place as planned. golf bags, passenger seats from the main Otteson. “You can maneuver and transition Otteson took the controls and demon- Championed by Bell as the most advanced cabin, or up to four standard suitcases, and between IDLE and FLY and demand a lot strated maneuvers he often shows to law light single in the market, the 505 Jet Ranger it boasts a usable volume of 18 cu ft. The out of the engine without having to worry enforcement pilots. He maintained a tight X offers features including a dual-channel flat floor of the 505’s cabin is adaptable for about drooping the rotor, because that orbit over a fixed location on the ground Fadec and fully integrated Garmin G1000H changing mission demands, with an overall Fadec is going to take care of it for you.” and then gave the controls back to me to try flight deck. Designed to echo the storied cabin volume of 99 cu ft. The Fadec also incorporates an auxiliary an out-of-ground-effect hover. Holding the career of the B206-series JetRanger while At 5 feet, 2 inches, I have found myself hav- control unit, which acts as a back-up for the OGE hover felt extremely stable and steady. advancing its class’s legacy into the future, ing to employ creative gymnastics to climb hydro-mechanical unit if it fails. Surge and the 505 is suitable for utility, corporate, A Smooth Turf Touchdown parapublic, and training mission profiles. With the hydraulics turned off, I felt that During the pre-flight briefing session, I the 505 was much easier to fly than the engaged with Tim Otteson, the demo pilot 206 under the same conditions. With the for the day, and Chase Hawkins, Bell’s main- hydraulics back on, we proceeded to a des- tenance coordinator for the demo fleet. ignated training field. The sight picture The exceptional knowledge of Otteson and offered by the 505 presents a different, but Hawkins became immediately evident as we more expansive view than the 206 because began discussing the 505. I was particularly of the enlarged windscreen. After shooting interested in how it fared in comparison to a normal approach to the training field, I set the 206 series. the 505 down in the grass. Initially nervous, “The flight characteristics of the 505 are I was surprised when the maneuver actually very similar to [those of] the 206,” said went very smoothly and without hesitation. Otteson. “It has the same teetering-style Picking back up into the hover, I tried underslung rotor system that you’ll find on sideward hovering and pedal turns. I a 206L4. The tail rotor drive shaft is a little carefully began engaging in my requested bit longer on the 505 and the tail rotor has maneuvers and as soon as I reminded a lot more authority. The transmission is myself to relax, the sideward hovering and mounted to the fuselage in a different man- pedal turns felt much more manageable. ner than [on] the 206 with liquid inertia I requested to follow along on a power vibration-eliminating mounts. You’ll find recovery autorotation. With the throttle the 505 to have a much smoother ride than Bell’s 505 Jet Ranger X switch set to IDLE on both collectives, we a typical 206.” (above) features make for entered the maneuver. It felt very similar to With a higher gross weight, full-fuel pay- an easy transition for pilots the high-inertia autos typical in the 206, and load, and useful load compared to the 206, the familiar with the legacy 206 after recovering, we transitioned back into 505 also features 504 takeoff shp compared to series. The command seat a climb to normal flight. the 420 shp of the 206. The 505 is powered of the 505 (left) is mounted Back at straight-and-level flight, Otteson by the Safran Helicopter Engines Arrius 2R. on in-line tracks and showed me Garmin’s highway-in-the-sky “It is a much more powerful, responsive, and incorporates a double-strap function. Otteson explained, “You can set modern engine,” Otteson said. shoulder harness. the helicopter up if, heaven forbid, you With the briefing completed, we walked end up in inadvertent IMC, [by loading] an over to the ramp where N505FW, dressed instrument approach with the highway-in- in a red, black, and white paint scheme, the-sky [function] from where you are to a was ready for preflight. Otteson walked me into cockpits. Getting into the 505, however, flame-out protection and other safety features runway threshold.” around the aircraft while detailing its com- came without the need for any contortionist make operating the engine much simpler. I soon made the disappointing realiza- ponents and notable characteristics. skills. The crew seats are mounted on in-line Bell’s goal is reducing workload with upgraded tion that we were headed back to the ramp I was curious about the lack of circuit tracks and are equipped with a double strap avionics and simplified engine management. and my demo flight was coming to a close. I breakers in the cockpit. Otteson directed shoulder harness and inertia reel. Clamshell With the throttle switch set to IDLE, wanted to stay buckled into that seat all day. me to the pilot (right) side of the aircraft cabin doors on the copilot side open up to the START/RUN button was pushed and Otteson guided me through the set-down. to open an avionics hatch where the circuit 55 inches, allowing passengers to more easily the Fadec took over while we monitored We flipped the throttle switch to IDLE and breaker panel is located above the power enter and exit. The passenger seats are for- start limitations. For run-up, we switched shut the 505 down. Just like the start-up unit. The decision to eliminate breakers in ward-facing, bulkhead-mounted and these to FLY mode, and with both NR and NP procedure, the shutdown was simple and the cockpit stemmed from Bell’s intention can easily be disconnected. needles indicating 104 percent, we were uneventful. Realizing that I would have to to eliminate the tendency of pilots incor- Once I was situated, the impressive wind- ready to pick up into a hover. This was an eventually actually exit the 505, I unbuckled rectly resetting breakers and not using them screen and substantial cabin size made the exceptionally simple start-up process, and the harness and stepped out onto the ramp, for their intended purpose. 505 feel noticeably roomier than the 206. I understood how it could be immensely feeling a rush of jealousy when I saw the Below the circuit breaker panel, I saw Even more apparent than the increase in attractive to pilots who may be intimidated next group waiting for their demo flight. n the True Blue Lithium-ion smart battery, headroom, and certainly different from the by transitioning to a turbine. much lighter and more powerful than tra- typical 206 instrument panel, was the clean The pickup into a hover felt extremely Alexa Paprosky is a freelance writer, marketing ditional lead-acid or nickel-cadmium bat- presence of the G1000H avionics. light and gave me the first indication of consultant, and commercial helicopter pilot with teries. “This is Bell’s first foray into smart After switching the battery on, Otteson the 505’s power. We pulled straight up into experience in the Robinson R44 and Bell 206.

28 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com Leonardo Helicopters sees growth in down market by Mark Huber

Leonardo Helicopters’ new manag- two was destroyed in an accident in 2015. ing director, Gian Piero Cutillo, shed Under questioning, Cutillo declined fresh light on several of the company’s to provide a price for the AW609 or ongoing programs and his outlook for state numbers of orders in hand for the the company on Monday night at Heli- aircraft. However, on Tuesday the com- Expo 2018. pany said it had identified requirements Of prime interest was the AW609 civil for 50 aircraft from various customers. tiltrotor, now entering its third decade According to Cutillo, Leonardo is antic- of development. Offshore operator Era ipating FAA certification in 2019 and Group is slated to take the first two off customer deliveries beginning in 2020. the production line, an event now antic- Senior company executives believe that ipated for 2020. about 500 more test-flight hours are Leonardo Helicopters has delivered 50 copies of the super-medium AW189. Two GE CT7-2E1 Cutillo said test aircraft one, which needed to complete the program. turboshaft engines of 2,000 shp each provide power, with Safran’s Aneto-1K as a new option. first flew in 2003, remains in Italy Meanwhile, Cutillo said Leonar- undergoing load-level testing. Aircraft do’s decision to offer a second engine applications such as firefighting. would continue to expand in the current three, which first flew in February 2017, choice, the Safran Aneto-1K, on the Flight testing with the Aneto contin- offshore energy environment hungry to has accumulated 50 flight test hours to AW189 super medium twin was driven ues and Cutillo said he expected AW189ks maximize efficiency. date. Test aircraft four, designated to be by market opportunity. While the origi- to be available with the optional engines “Sixteen is the new nineteen,” he said, fitted with production avionics, remains nal GE CT7-2E1 engine is well suited for next year. Fifty AW189s have been deliv- referring to the AW189s standard pas- under construction in Philadelphia and most applications, the Safran engine ered to date, and Cutillo expressed con- senger capacity, compared to those of is expected to fly later this year. Aircraft provides additional power for high/hot fidence that the market for the aircraft heavy helicopters such as the Airbus H225 or Sikorsky S-92, two heavy-class helicopters that have fallen out of favor with offshore operators in recent years. “We have gained market share in a down market,” he noted, pointing to the success of Leonardo’s family of interme- diate-medium twins: the AW169, AW139, and AW189. While profitable, Leonardo Helicop- ters is only marginally so, and Cutillo said a priority is restoring double-digit profitability by 2020, insisting that this was an attainable goal because the com- pany now has 30 percent of the civil helicopter market share and is “well positioned for future growth.” He said the company would continue to pursue U.S. military opportunities, including supplying potential replacements for U.S. Navy helicopter trainers and the Air Force’s aging UH-1N fleet. Despite being focused on profitabil- ity and future technologies, including a next-generation tiltrotor, Cutillo said the company would be dispas- sionate about capital allocation. While the AW009 light single, an aircraft based on the PZL SW-4, has not been officially dropped, its business case is being reviewed as far as pursuing FAA certification. Leonardo had announced its inten- tion to import and assemble the AW009 in the U.S. in 2016 in partnership with AAL. However, company executives pointed to the current market and noted that making money required sell- ing a high volume of helicopters in the

MATT THURBER MATT light-single category. “In the near term, this will not be pro- Smooth, quiet flight in Bell’s 429 ductive for us in terms of investment,” During a demo flight in a Bell 429 Tuesday at Heli-Expo 2018, company demo pilot Will Williamson took a group of journalists for a jaunt over Cutillo said. Leonardo continues to sup- the Red Rocks Canyon, west of Las Vegas. The air was smooth and the 429, equipped with Mecaer’s MAGnificent executive/VIP interior, was port the SW-4 in service with the Polish so quiet inside that it was easy to converse without headphones. Williamson, who has logged more than 1,000 hours in the 429, said it is military and is using the platform for its his favorite Bell model because of the rugged twin-engine rotorcraft’s high-speed capability and simplicity of operation. Solo UAV technology demonstrator. n

ainonline.com \ February 28, 2018 \ HAI Convention News 29 HAI workshop helps vets transition to civilian roles by Marisa Bojiuc

The Military-to-Civilian Transition you can drastically increase the amount of Workshop held on Monday at Heli- information you have,” said Smith. Expo 2018 welcomed dozens of military “Largely it is the great unknown, for peo- pilot and technician veterans and active ple like us that have been in the military duty personnel. for a majority of our lives,” he continued. The workshop’s mission was to ease “Learning what it is like, what the resume veterans navigation between a struc- is, and what employers are looking for. We tured military environment and the only have one opportunity for our original civilian job market. transition. We are trying to get as much Among the participants were 50 volun- information as we can to prepare.” teer mentors, rotor transition program Finding a purpose beyond military recruiters, and personnel from the U.S. life and working to adapt to a less mis- Customs and Border Protection (CBP), sion-driven platform is new groundwork which has 65 air-interdiction agent open- for most veterans. ings. Prospective pilots can apply to the Customer service skills and a differ- CBP (Booth C3242) with 750 hours of mil- ent style of a more civilian personable itary flight time, and then at 1,000 hours approach is also a sought-after atttribute attend a structured interview. that veterans develop during the transi- “You’re still serving your country and tion process. keeping our border secure,” said Sean “It is not about your skills and qualifica- Driscoll, a CBP interdiction agent and tions—that’s a given,” said Stacy Sheard, military veteran. “A lot of people tran- who is a member of the HAI board of sitioning find they can still be out there directors, as well as an Executive Jet Man- making a difference.” agement corporate helicopter captain and GoJet Airlines, a regional carrier for a military career mentor. n Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, offers helicopter pilots $26,000 to help them meet the minimum flight-hour require- ments. This provides the opportunity for military helicopter pilots to train for a career in commercial aviation. After 26 years of service, David Smith, a GET UP TO workshop attendee and Air Force helicop- SPEED! ter pilot, was researching how to transition ON THE LATEST to the civilian world. His goal is to apply HELO & BIZJET NEWS for an emergency medical services job. SENT RIGHT TO “There’s one thing to do research online YOUR INBOX www.ainonline.com/subscribe and have one or two contacts, but here KLOSS KASHEA PHOTOS:

with expansion plans for representation and 300-Watt LSA300 are optimized to SMS Canada buys previous in other parts of the world,” noted Lewis. work with the compact TS series speak- “Discussions with DAC International con- ers. According to AEM sales manager tinue to assess other areas of the world Tony Weller, “These two new amplifiers partner Anodyne Electronics where opportunities that would benefit and related speakers give our customers both companies might exist.” an affordable and technically superior by Curt Epstein Before Heli-Expo, Airbus Helicopters option to the legacy PA110 (110 Watt) and received an STC to install AEM’s 600- PA220 (220 Watt) systems.” Culminating more than four years of said Ray Lewis, AEM’s vice president of Watt loudspeaker system on the H125/ Additionally, the company expects to collaboration, SMS Canada—a whol- business development. “SMS is fully sup- AS350B3 series of light, single-engine receive certification this summer on its ly-owned subsidiary of Australia’s portive of AEM’s current projects and helicopters. The STC represents the cul- next-generation AWG08 audio-warning Structural Monitoring Systems—has business activity, encouraging growth mination of more than 10 months of work generator. The unit is field programma- purchased fellow Canadian aviation through new business opportunities, new between the two companies to install, ble and capable of providing eight sepa- equipment maker Anodyne Electronics product development, and acquisition integrate and certify the system. rate tones and/or voice warning outputs. Manufacturing (AEM, Booth N4100). where it makes sense to do so.” “The AS350 is the helicopter of choice “We received key customer feedback in The two companies had partnered in the Anodyne has also signed a distribu- for the airborne law enforcement market October that led to the addition of new development, production, and certifica- tion agreement with DAC International, and AEM’s loudspeaker is the new stan- features, which we believe the AWG08 tion of SMS’ structural health monitor- a worldwide dealer in avionics, test dard for this type of role equipment,” needed,” said Weller. “This product will ing technology, which recently received equipment, data converters and avia- said audio specialist and sales and busi- also be the first project completed under FAA approval. tion supplies. An assessment by AEM ness development representative Steve the authority of AEM’s Design Approval AEM founder and former company showed a need for visibility and pres- Broderick. “It made sense to bring the Organization. The close coordination president Dave Veitch has committed to ence in South America, which the British two together.” with the Transport Canada engineering remaining with the company for one year Columbia-based company believes will be AEM has also released two new loud- and certification team means the com- in a transitional role. “It will be business enhanced through this deal. speaker amplifiers to its lineup. Derived pletion and certification of the AWG08 as usual for our customers worldwide,” “DAC International will support us from the LSA400, the 150-Watt LSA150 are slightly delayed.” n

30 HAI Convention News \ February 28, 2018 \ ainonline.com HAI fully contained, individually addressable Convention News Astronics circuit breakers unit; customer-controlled configuration JAMES HOLAHAN (1921-2015), FOUNDING EDITOR parameters; fewer wires and compo- WILSON S. LEACH, MANAGING DIRECTOR nents; system monitoring and control EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Matt Thurber go scalable, all-electronic via existing avionics displays; and flight- PRESS ROOM EDITOR – Kerry Lynch proven reliability, with more than 10 mil- PRESS ROOM MANAGING EDITOR – Chad Trautvetter by Randy Padfield lion failure-free hours. THE EDITORIAL TEAM Astronics customers for its electronic Rick Adams Mark Huber Marisa Bojiuc David Jack Kenny Kirkland, Washington-based Astronics benefit of our electronic circuit breaker circuit breaker unit are the helicopter and Sean Broderick Guillaume Lecompte-Boinet Advanced Electronic Systems, a subsidiary unit, compared to say the last four gener- airplane manufacturers. A version of the Jeb Burnside Randy Padfield Samantha Cartaino Alexa Paprosky of Astronics Corp. (Booth C4639), rolled ations of products, is that it’s more versa- unit will be certified on the Cessna Denali Curt Epstein Garrett Reim out its new 28-volt DC electronic circuit tile. We allow the customer to reconfigure turboprop single. Annmarie Yannaco Rob Finfrock breaker unit this week at Heli-Expo 2018 the power system aircraft-by-aircraft, and “In the future,” Justus said, “this family GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER – Tom Hurley PRODUCTION EDITOR – Martha Jercinovich in Las Vegas. The lightweight, compact we give them the tools to program it.” of products will enable customers to eas- GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – Mona L. Brown, John A. Manfredo, CorePower 1448, which is part of Astronics’ The basic value proposition for a solid- ily expand their system with components, Grzegorz Rzekos CorePower electrical power distribution state system is lighter weight. “Cockpit such as alternating current electronic cir- PHOTOGRAPHERS – Barry Ambrose, Kashea Kloss system, functions as both a breaker and a automation integrates with avionics, so cuit breaker or I/O card, to craft a custom LEAD DEVELOPER – Michael Giaimo switch for controlling loads and replaces you can eliminate thermal circuit break- architecture for varied platforms.” n DEVELOPERS – Nathan Douglas, Ryan Koch conventional thermal mechanical circuit ers and lots of wiring, and reduce the pilot VIDEO PRODUCER – Ian Whelan breakers. It contains 24 unidirectional workload,” Justus explained. “What has GROUP PUBLISHER – Dave Leach 28-volt DC electronic circuit breakers. changed is that the new product is smaller ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Nancy O’Brien NEWS note ADVERTISING SALES “What we’re announcing at Heli-Expo and more cost-effective than the previous Georges France – Western Europe is smaller and lighter than our previous design, and with unprecedented versatility. Latitude Technologies (Booth C2030) Tel: +33 6 80 21 17 93 products,” Astronics ACS vice president “We use the same size unit for any air- is displaying its new S200-012P Iridium Melissa Murphy – Midwestern U.S. Tel: +1 (830) 608-9888 of airborne power and control Kellsey craft, and you can scale up, if needed. You Satellite push-to-talk (PTT) device for air Nancy O’Brien – Western U.S./Western Canada/Asia Pacific Justus told AIN. “I think the biggest can have one, two, or three circuit boards medical and first responder organiza- Tel: +1 (530) 241-3534 stacked up. And you can have up to 30 tions this week at Heli-Expo 2018. The Anthony T. Romano – Northeastern U.S./Eastern Canada/ Mexico/Brazil Tel: +1 (203) 470-4957 boards on a single network. There’s no S200-012P allows for interoperation Joe Rosone – Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic U.S./Middle East limit to the number of units you could without delay or the need to dial a tele- Tel: +1 (301) 693-4687 have in an aircraft; and each of the circuit phone number. Diana Scogna – Italy/Northern Europe/Middle East Tel: +33 6 62 52 25 47 boards would be physically identical.” “Previous airborne use of PTT was Victoria Tod – Great Lakes U.S./United Kingdom Key benefits of the product are limited to direct line-of-sight and re- Tel: +1 (203) 733-4184 Yury Laskin – Russia reduced weight and costs; the elimina- lay between radios and was open to Tel: +7 05 912 1346 tion of electromechanical devices, relays, eavesdropping scanning technologies. AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – Jeff Hartford contactors and switches; and a significant Our application of Iridium PTT provides MANAGER OF ONSITE LOGISTICS – Philip Scarano III reduction in wiring and the labor asso- private group conversations without ONSITE PRODUCTION – Zach O’Brien SALES COORDINATOR – Nadine Timpanaro ciated with installation. Other features geographic limitations,” said Latitude SALES ADMINISTRATOR – Cindy Nesline include a compact design for installa- president Mark Insley. tion flexibility; the fact that each card is a DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES – Michele Hubert ACCOUNTING MANAGER – Marylou Moravec ACCOUNTS PAYABLE – Mary Avella ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE – Bobbie Bing of respondents said they qualified professionals was U.S. HEADQUARTERS: Now hiring: industry intend to hire more staff, with indicated by far as the biggest 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432 +1 (201) 444-5075 17 companies adding that they challenge companies face in Advertising Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 plan to hire more than 200 filling those positions. [email protected] workers each. More than half Among the respondents, Circulation Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 needs more workers [email protected] of the companies told JSfirm 86 percent reported that they WASHINGTON, D.C. EDITORIAL OFFICE: by Curt Epstein (Booth C2450) that they expect did not eliminate any jobs last Kerry Lynch (business aviation) [email protected] to make those staff additions year. On the other side of the +1 (703) 969-9195 JSfirm’s latest Hiring Trends 71 percent are projecting in the first half of this year. coin, 10 companies indicated EUROPEAN EDITORIAL OFFICE: Ian Sheppard; [email protected] Survey, released this week moderate to significant When asked which category that they did cut between 21 Hangar 9, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey RH1 5JY, UK at Heli-Expo 2018, shows growth in 2018, the industry of employees they intended and 100 positions each, while Tel: +44 1737 821409 Mobile: +44 7759 455770 growing demand for aviation staffing website reported. to add, maintenance tech- one company noted that it HAI Convention News is a publication of The Convention News workers. Of the nearly 400 As a result of that wide- nicians and pilots garnered downsized by more than Co., Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel: +1 (201) 444-5075. Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved.­ Reproduction in aviation companies surveyed, spread optimism, 80 percent the most votes. A shortage of 200 workers. n whole or in part ­without permission of The Convention News Co., Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Convention News Co., Inc. publishes Aviation International News, AINalerts, AIN Air Transport Per- spective, AIN Defense Perspective, AINtv, ­Business Jet Trav- eler, BJTwaypoints, ABACE Convention­ News, Dubai Airshow In 2018, my company is projecting: What is the biggest challenge you have finding qualified aviation talent? News, EBACE ­Convention News, Farnborough Airshow News, LABACE Convention News, MEBAA ­Convention News, NBAA Convention News, Paris Airshow News, Singapore Airshow No problem News, Mobile Apps: Aviation International News; ­AINonline. 5.19% PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40649046 RETURN­ Shortage of qualifed ­UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: PITNEY BOWES professionals 37.57% ­INTERNATIONAL MAIL, STATION A, P.O. BOX 54, WINDSOR, ON, Significant Finding effective resources N9A 6J5, returns [email protected]. growth 5.87% 13.7% Lack of experience 19.4% THE CONVENTION NEWS COMPANY, INC. Significant AIN PUBLICATIONS EXECUTIVE TEAM decline 0.52% Candidate pay expecta- Wilson Leach Jennifer Leach English Moderate tions are too high 13.25% Matt Thurber Dave Leach Moderate growth Our company pay is below decline 3.1% 8.33% Michele Hubert Nancy O’Brien 57.36% standard Lack of feedback from hiring managers 1.5% Printed in Las Vegas by ColorDynamics No growth Computer services: ABComrents.com 21.9% No time to actually recruit 5.05%

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