January 2012 Serving the Worldwide Industry rotorandwing.com

ROTORCRAFT OUTLOOK PANEL ANNUAL REPORTS Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christina D. Ponte Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force

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         2  ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JUNE 2011 EDITORIAL Andrew Parker Senior Editor, [email protected] Conference & Exhibition Chris Sheppard Associate Editor, [email protected] 21-22 March 2012 Ernie Stephens Editor-at-Large, [email protected] M.O.C. Event Centre Andrew Drwiega Military Editor, [email protected] Munich, Germany Claudio Agostini Latin America Bureau Chief www.avionics-event.com Joe West Correspondent Contributing Writers: Chris Baur; Lee Benson; Shannon Bower; Igor Bozinovski; Tony Capozzi; Keith Cianfrani; Steve Colby; Frank Colucci; Dan Deutermann; Pat Gray; Frank Lombardi; Vicki McConnell; Robert Moorman; Douglas Nelms; Mark Robins; Dale Smith; Terry Terrell; Todd Vorenkamp; Richard Whittle.

ADVERTISING/BUSINESS Joe Rosone VP & Group Publisher, [email protected] Randy Jones Publisher, 1-972-713-9612, [email protected]

Eastern & Canada DRIVING SES & NEXT-GEN Carol Mata , 1-512-607-6361, [email protected] INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE International Sales, Europe/Pac Rim/Asia COMMON SKY: OPERATING IN ONE AIR SPACE. James McAuley +34 952 118 018, [email protected] Commercial and military and , as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have vastly different missions, yet share many of the same operating requirements especially DESIGN/PRODUCTION when operating sidebyside in common air space. Joy Park Graphic Designer The Avionics Europe 2012 conference and exhibition will highlight and explore the Tony Campana Production Manager, technological, policy, and design issues faced by designers and operators of commercial 1-301-354-1689 [email protected] and civil aircraft, military aircraft, helicopters and UAVs as global aviation moves into the new Tesha Blett Web Production Manager

Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christina D. Ponte Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force frontier of air trafc management exemplied by SESAR and NextGen.

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From vehicle health management, air data, ground proximity warning and terrain-referenced navigation systems, to mission data recorder, rescue hoist and ice protection systems, Goodrich equips warfi ghters with the best technology to safely and eff ectively execute missions. Goodrich products combine effi ciency and fi eld-proven reliability to meet the challenging demands of today’s combat environment. For photocopy or reuse requests: 1-800-772-3350 or [email protected] For over ten years, Aviation Today has been your Internet-hub for For more information about these capabilities, contact us at [email protected]. market intelligence and business resources, offering up-to-the-minute news and expert analysis in all aspects of the world of aviation.

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Appetite Suppressant [email protected]

By Andrew Parker

onflict is an inevitable part of cations from the financial impasse. things going on—the recent impe- today’s world. Soldiers need Col. Richard Koucheravy, Chief of tus to control the deficit and the Cthe right tools—including the the Aviation Division for the Office idea that as combat operations are unique air support that heli- of the Deputy Chief of Staff, pro- reduced, more “normal” levels of copters provide—to fight and defend vided an update on the Army’s efforts defense spending will return. the country and its allies. Providing to modernize and sustain its aerial “I think we’ve all gotten quite a bit the right tools requires a defense fleet, which includes around 4,000 complacent—many of us that work budget that is approved with enough helicopters, “in a time of declining in the Department of the Army, the foresight and guidance to prepare for resources.” He presented the update Department of the Navy, and OSD— future equipment and support needs. during IDGA’s Helicon Summit East look at recent spending and think If you believe these three state- on December 14 in Baltimore. that’s normal, and that’s not normal,” ments are true, the current budget “I don’t think anybody at the Koucheravy explained. “I think we’re and national debt crisis playing out in Defense Department right now, going to see a return to normalcy, so Washington is not only concerning including the Secretary, really knows we’re going to have to start taking because of all the direct economic what’s going on with the defense bud- some appetite suppressants in what impacts from passing ‘band-aid’ con- get, so we’re all trying to figure that we intend to accomplish in terms of tinuing resolutions, but also for the out and read the tea leaves,” he said. modernizing equipment and buying many areas that it affects, including the Koucheravy, who remarked that new stuff.” He reminded attendees air support units of the U.S. military. he “reads enough to be glad that I’m that “somewhere out there, whether As this issue went to press, a $1-bil- not a politician,” said that “you’d have in Afghanistan or Iraq or the Horn lion budget bill made its way through to be hiding under a rock” to have of Africa, soldiers are fighting, and so Congress headed for the President. missed that “the prevailing subject everything we do every day with these But will this bill simply extend the in domestic American politics right platforms and equipment is about problem out until another group of now is our deficit and our debt—and getting into the hands of the user—a incapable politicians passes the buck that is the driving force behind what is soldier out in the battlefield, either fly- so that another generation has to fig- happening with our military and how ing or riding in an aircraft. We have to ure out the long-term solution? What we’re going to shape what goes on in challenge ourselves to remember that will the impact of a large-scale bud- Army Aviation.” at all times and make sure that’s our get compromise—whether it comes The Budget Control Act of 2011 primary goal.” weeks, months or years from now— and the failure of the bipartisan “Super If only the politicians would adopt have on the defense budget, including Committee” to reach an agreement “are that philosophy. With the worldwide efforts to modernize the thousands of hanging over our heads, and we don’t financial climate likely to cause addi- helicopters that provide air support to know what they mean,” Koucheravy tional belt-tightening for the U.S. troops stationed in conflict-stricken explained. Army Aviation officials military, the short-term results may areas like Afghanistan and Iraq, as “have recently seen some thoughts not involve more than an adjustment well as throughout the world? from the appropriations committees, here or there, but the long-term pic- Many people would like to know and they’re telling us what they intend ture remains cloudy. Joint helicopter more details—not just the interested to do with the FY2012 budget,” he said, designs that are used across all servic- observers, but the professional sol- adding this caveat: “We’re already well es may be the answer (see “Joint is the diers, sailors, pilots and support crew into fiscal year 2012 and operating off Only Way Forward,” page 66), but in that depend on the military to sup- a continuing resolution because of all the mean time, put the pressure where port their livelihood. that uncertainty.” it should properly reside—on the poli- At this point (admittedly, things With the reduction of forces in ticians in Washington, whose inability might change by the time this is print- Iraq, “common sense would tell you to reach a compromise threatens to ed), it’s just a waiting game, as there are that level of Defense Department push the financial health of the mili- not many people even inside the mili- spending is going to be reduced,” he tary—not to mention the country and tary who have a handle on the ramifi- continued, noting that there are two world as a whole—to the brink.

4 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM By Andrew Parker

[email protected]

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 5 THIS MONTH FROM

Personal|Corporate Commercial Military Public DEPARTMENTS 14 12 Rotorcraft Report 20 People 20 Coming Events 22 Hot Products 63 Classified Ads 65 Ad Index

COLUMNS (Above) One of the Black Hawks of the UAE HQ Presidential Guard Aviation Group/18 on display during the Dubai Airshow. (Bottom) First production Malaysian Air Force Eurocopter EC725. (Right) AAR 4 Editor’s Notebook Airlift’s Sikorsky S-61 currently serving in Afghanistan. 8 Feedback 10 Meet the Contributors FEATURES 64 Public Service

66 Military Insider

23 ■ 2012 Annual Reports

COVER STORY 24 ■ Rotorcraft Outlook Panel Top industry leaders answer the questions: “What are the most interesting projects that your company is working on for next year; What are the new and emerging opportunities for rotorcraft operations in 2012; and What issue or issues concern you most 12 about the immediate future of the rotorcraft industry?” Compiled by Rotor & Wing staff

33 ■ Annual Reports Up-to-date information about some of the most dynamic helicopter companies in the industry.

On the Cover: This year’s Rotorcraft Outlook Panel features 14 industry leaders that responded to our questions regarding the future of the rotorcraft industry. Cover layout by Joy Park, graphic designer

6 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Vol. 46 | No. 1 January 2012

Public Service Training Products Services 16 ONLINE www.rotorandwing.com

SIGN UP FOR THE ROTOR & WING COLLECTIVE • Subscribe today for our latest channel for helicopter news—The Rotor & Wing Collective. This free weekly e-letter features an in-depth Story of the Week, Top News Picks, Helicopter Jobs and links to Rotor & Wing’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Sign up now and we’ll keep you up-to-date about all the happenings in the helicopter world. www.aviationtoday.com/rw/collective_form.html VIDEO: WINDOW RESTORATION SYSTEM • View a demo of 3M’s Aviation Window Restoration System developed by Clearfix Aerospace. The demo illustrates how the system repairs acrylic helicopter windows damaged from debris, dirt and sand and is available at rotorandwing.com WHAT DO THE EXPERTS THINK? • Ask questions to three experts on the topics of helicopter aerodynamics, AS9100 quality management systems audits and night vision goggle (NVG) certification at rotorandwing.com. Che Masters, certification engineer for NSF-ISR, discusses aerospace quality registration. Frank Lombardi, test and evaluation pilot, provides insights about the science behind helicopter flight. NVG certification expert Jessie Kearby fields questions about NVGs for both military and commercial uses.

DIRECT TO YOUR DESKTOP: CHECK YOUR EMAIL JANUARY 1 • Digital edition of Rotor & Wing January 2012. Electronic version with enhanced web links makes navigating through the pages of Rotor & Wing easier than ever. WEEK OF JANUARY 23 • HOT PRODUCTS for Helicopter Operators—Latest in equipment upgrades, performance modifications, training devices and other tools for the rotorcraft industry. WEEK OF JANUARY 23 • Rotor & Wing’s Military Insider. Get the latest updates from helicopter defense Get connected: companies around the world, from Military Editor Andrew Drwiega. Become a fan of Rotor & Wing on TO SUBSCRIBE TO ANY OF OUR EXCLUSIVE EMAIL PRODUCTS, GO TO: Follow us on @rotorandwing WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM

The editors welcome new product information and other industry news. All editorial inquiries should be directed to Rotor & Wing magazine, 4 Choke Cherry Rd., 2nd Floor, Rockville, Md. 20850, USA; 1-301-354-1839; fax 1-301-762-8965. Email: rotorandwing@ accessintel.com. Rotor & Wing (ISSN-1066-8098) is published monthly by Access Intelligence, 4 Choke Cherry Rd., 2nd Floor, Rockville, Md. 20850, USA. Periodical postage paid at Rockville, Md. and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: Free to qualified individuals directly involved in the helicopter industry. All other subscriptions, U.S.: one year $99; two years $188. Canada: one year $129; two years $$228; Foreign: one year $149; two years $278. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rotor & Wing, P.O. Box 3089, Northbrook, Ill. 60065-3089, USA. Change of address two to eight weeks notice requested. Send both new and old address, including mailing label to Attn: Rotor & Wing magazine, Customer Services, P.O. Box 3089, Northbrook, Ill. 60065-3089, USA or call 1-847-559-7314. Email: [email protected]. Canada Post 40612608. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: PitneyBowes, P.O. BOX 25542, ON N6C 6B2 ©2011 by Access Intelligence, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Publication Mail Sales Agreement No. 40558009

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 7 eedback Booth 5222 Hall C F Stop by and visit us at Personal|Corporate Commercial Military Public Service Training Products Services

Operational Lessons R&W’s Question of the Month Learned from Lost Chinook The helicopter, for all its unique capabilities, still remains a large soft Looking ahead, what are your and noisy target, especially in the case expectations for the helicopter of the Boeing CH-47. In these very pages in November industry in 2012? What issues 2008 we collectively discussed the major shortfalls of the CH-47 as a concern you most about the im- replacement platform in the CSAR role (noise and size). Tragically, all of mediate and long-term future these major shortfalls came to pass in August 2011 with the downing of for the rotorcraft industry? Extortion 17 (www.armyaircrews. Let us know, and look for your and others’ responses in a com) and its valuable load of SEALs and special operatives. All one has future issue. You’ll fi nd contact information below. to do is look at that website to see the number of CH-47 that have been craft assets, or they will suffer the same tary are all the same, on each model downed by RPGs in this conflict. A tragic loss of life again, something we you know where everything is. On large, slow and noisy weapon system can ill afford in this conflict. a civilian aircraft you find electrical will always be a juicy target for even diagrams are similar but not always the most challenged gunner. Col. Clyde Romero (USAF Ret) the same. That the aircraft was more When the U.S. Army shoot down UH-1/OH-6/RF-4 “hand made” than production line. assessment team issues its final report, Marietta, Ga. it will find that not only did an RPG hit Darrell Condry the aircraft, but it had numerous small Aircraft Maintenance Quality Control Inspector arms hits as well, which no doubt con- Maryland State Command tributed to the downing of this heli- Upgrading Legacy Designs copter. Helicopters will always be a Thanks for the interesting piece on to soft target, but taking a large, soft and Chinook’s 50th anniversary (Chi- the aerospace elite, Kaman continues to expand its legacy of innovation and leadership. The manned and un- noisy target into a known hot area nook Upgrades Take Hold, November From Facebook manned K-MAX is the clear choice for commercial and military heavy-lift missions…the Blade Center of Excel- where RPGs are prevalent is asking for 2011) at Boeing’s Ridley Park complex The following comments appeared on lence and HeliworX™ are providing cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing support…and the SH-2G(I) is disaster and unfortunately, that’s what (formerly the Baldwin Locomotive Rotor & Wing’s Facebook page: www. an advanced, mission-ready solution for international naval customers. happened. Works). Judging from the sad state facebook.com/rotorandwing Very few if any soft targets can of Army ground-vehicle moderniza- withstand a hit from an RPG and tion efforts, it makes more sense to (Responding to the question, “Based on continue, without suffering a major upgrade proven combat systems than visual appeal alone, in your opinion malfunction causing mission degra- to start over with new designs. Chi- what’s the best looking helicopter or dation. nook, Apache, Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters?”) It is obvious even to the most all seem to be thriving. casual observer that the TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures) and les- Loren Thompson Well, difficult to say! For me, MD500E, sons learned from Takur Ghar shoot Lexington Institute Aerospatiale Gazelle, E-Sky Lama, down of a CH-47 in March of 2007 Arlington, VA Bell 214B1 and the AgustaWestland were ignored, and we paid a price for AW109 Grand. that. Seb Diernaz Those of us who have flown heli- copters in combat know that you can- Telling the Difference not fully eliminate the threat entirely, Having been a military helicopter The Eurocopter EC365 Dolphin hands but you can mitigate it with lessons inspector and now a law enforcement down is the sexiest, especially in Coast learned! Senior commanders need to helicopter inspector you can tell the Guard skins. re-think the use of large slow rotor- difference pretty quick. The mili- Justin Swanson

Do you have comments on the rotorcraft industry or recent articles and viewpoints we’ve published? Send them to: Editor, Rotor & Wing, 4 Choke Cherry Road, Second Floor, Rockville, MD 20850, fax us at 301-354-1809 or email us at rotorandwing@accessintel. com. Please include a city and state or province with your name and ratings. We reserve the right to edit all submitted material.

8 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Booth 5222 Hall C Stop by and visit us at Heli-Expo 2012

THE INNOVAATORS From developing new flight solutions to delivering design, integration and manufacturing services to the aerospace elite, Kaman continues to expand its legacy of innovation and leadership. The manned and un- manned K-MAX is the clear choice for commercial and military heavy-lift missions…the Blade Center of Excel- lence and HeliworX™ are providing cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing support…and the SH-2G(I) is an advanced, mission-ready solution for international naval customers. Innovation for the future. Kaman.

HELICOPTERS DIVISION | CONNECTICUT USA | 1-860-242-4461 | [email protected] Meet the Contributors

LEE BENSON is the retired senior pilot for engineering, working on various airplane and helicopter the County Fire Department. programs as a flight test engineer for Grumman Aerospace Before he was named senior pilot, Lee ran Corp. Frank became a police officer for a major East Coast the aviation section’s safety and training police department in 1995, and has been flying helicopters programs, including organizing the section’s in the department’s aviation section since 2000. He remains yearly safety meeting with other public agencies and the press. active in test and evaluation, and holds a master’s degree in aviation systems-flight testing from the University of Tennes- see Space Institute. STEVE “ELROY” COLBY has been in the helicopter field since 1979. His U.S. Air DOUGLAS NELMS Force career spanned 27 years starting as a has more than 30 years helicopter flight mechanic, culminating as of experience as an aviation journalist and a squadron commander weapons instruc- currently works as a freelance writer. He tor pilot at the USAF Weapons School. Elroy now works has served as managing editor of Rotor & in defense contracting as a test pilot and senior business Wing. A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot, development analyst. He has been a Rotor & Wing con- Nelms specializes in writing about helicopters. tributor since 2004. Elroy holds CFI, commercial, private and A&P certificates and is dual rated. CHRIS SHEPPARD is the Associate Editor of Rotor & Wing. Coming from a strong ANDREW DRWIEGA, Military Editor, is a background in journalism and public rela- senior defense journalist with a particular tions, she was an editor for a leading online focus on military rotorcraft. He was the newswire for several years. She has covered editor of Defence Helicopter for seven years. a wide range of topics, both online and in print since 2002. Andrew has reported on attachment from Chris is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Journal- Iraq three times (the latest of which was with a U.S. Marine ism at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She can Corps MV-22 squadron), and three times with British forces be reached at [email protected]. in Afghanistan (Kandahar and Camp Bastion), as well as from numerous NATO and British exercises. He has reported DALE SMITH has been an aviation jour- on rotary forces across the world, and in doing so has flown nalist for 24 years specializing in business in a wide variety of rotorcraft on training missions, exercises aviation. He is currently a contributing and operations, including the Osprey, Apache, Rooivalk and writer for Rotor & Wing and other leading many others. He has an extensive military library of around aviation magazines. He has been a licensed 400 books. pilot since 1974 and has flown 35 different types of general ̋" 46"Ucngu"Rtqhguukqpcnu aviation, business and WWII vintage aircraft. ̋" Nkxg"46191587"Yqtnfykfg"CQI"Uwrrqtv THIERRY DUBOIS is a long-time contribu- tor to Access Intelligence publications. He ̋" Ucngu."Tgrcktu."Gzejcpigu."("OTQ"Ugtxkegu ERNIE STEPHENS, Editor-at-Large, began has been an aerospace journalist for 12 years, flying in the 1980s, earning his commer- ̋" Ukz"Uvtcvgike"Nqecvkqpu"Pgct<"CVN"1"[XT"1"NCZ specializing in helicopters since 2006. He cial pilot’s license and starting an aerial writes on technical subjects, both for profes- ̋" OTQ"Ecrcdnknkvgu"qp"Hkzgf"("Tqvct{/ykpi"Cktetchv photography company as a sideline. In his sional media and a popular science magazine in . regular job as a county police officer, he was ̋" Oqtg"vjcp"32.222"Qxgtjcwn"("Tgrckt"Ecrcdknkvkgu"Kp/jqwug transferred to the department’s newly established aviation ̋" 72.222"Nkpg"Kvgo"Kpxgpvqt{"qh"Ceeguuqtkgu."Cxkqpkeu."("Kpuvtwogpvu FRANK LOMBARDI, an ATP with both unit, where he served as the sergeant in charge and chief fixed-wing and rotary-wing ratings, began pilot until his retirement in 2006. Ernie (aka “Werewolf”) ヰ his flying career in 1991 after graduating has also written for Rotor & Wing sister publication, Avionics with a bachelor’s of science in aerospace Magazine. ヰ

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■ MILITARY | ATTACK ■ COMMERCIAL | AIRFRAMES Boeing Offers AAS Competitor to AW Takes 609 Military Forces in the Middle East Controls Bell Helicopter has finalized the sale Boeing is promoting its AH-6i of the BA609 tiltrotor (now AW609) to meet reconnaissance/attack to AgustaWestland. The transaction helicopter requirements for marks the end of a months-long military forces in the Middle East. regulatory approvals process, with The AH-6i is the aircraft Boeing AgustaWestland announcing its intent is entering in the U.S. Army’s to take over the program in March Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) 2011. Civil certification of the AW609 competition. Mike Burke, director is projected in late 2015, with deliveries of attack helicopters business scheduled to begin in early 2016. development for Boeing, said that AgustaWestland will incorporate two the AH-6i currently meets all the additional prototypes into the program requirements that are expected for icing certification and avionics

Photo by Douglas Nelms to be announced for the U.S. implementation. The manufacturer Army’s AAS program, including plans to introduce updated avionics the ability to hover out of ground and a new satellite-based navigation Boeing AH-6i “Little Bird” soaks up some sun in between demonstrations at the Dubai Airshow. effect at 6,000 ft. at 95 degrees F, system to increase the AW609’s or “6K/95.” operational capabilities. Boeing demonstrated the AH-6i at the Dubai Airshow in late November. The manufacturer has conducted demonstrations, including live firing, for the UAE, ■ MILITARY | COMPLETIONS Jordan “and a couple of others,” Burke said. The first international order for the AH-6i is expected soon, with Jordan and as the possible customer. Malaysian EC725 Boeing had been expecting an order from Iraq, but that went to Bell’s IA407. Burke said that there are roughly 2,000 helicopters in the attack/reconnaissance class that Debuts at LIMA need to be replaced in the Middle East, and the AH-6i would fit that requirement Representatives from the Royal easily. The AH-6i is the export version of the A/MH-6 Mission Enhanced Little Malaysian Air Force received a first- Bird, using the Rolls Royce 250-C30R/3 engine rated at 650 shp, plus a six-bladed hand look at its initial Eurocopter rotor system to allow the drive train to handle the extra power. EC725 during the LIMA Exhibition A major element of the AH-6i’s success is its glass cockpit and mission com- in December. Eurocopter provided puter capabilities, Burke said. The aircraft shares 83 percent of the software cur- a live video feed to the Langkawi, rently used on the AH-64 Apache Block III, including the capability to go to Level -based show from its IV for UAV control. “We haven’t demonstrated Level IV yet on the AH-6i,” Burke manufacturing plant in Marignane, said. “But since [the AH-6i] shares 83 percent of the Block III’s software, it’s just a France. The helicopter, part of a 2010 matter of putting it on and demonstrating it, then taking it through the certification agreement that involves a dozen process.” However, he noted that at this time, Boeing would not be allowed to sell EC725s, is intended for SAR and Level IV capabilities to foreign customers. utility operations. Eurocopter plans to He also noted that all the avionics are located in the nose of the aircraft, making start deliveries in 2012 and continue them easy to access for maintenance and leaving the cabin free for other options. through early 2014. All the avionics are military qualified, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and ITAR (international trade and armament regulations) For daily and breaking news involving helicopters, go to: compliant, “So we don’t have to have a special waiver from the U.S. www.aviationtoday/rw government to sell this.” –By Douglas Nelms Become a fan of Rotor & Wing on Follow us on @rotorandwing

12 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Rotorcraft Report

■ PRODUCTS | AVIONICS ■ TRAINING | SIMULATORS S-76D to Feature ADA, Horizon Establish Training Venture Thales TopDeck Horizon Flight Academy, a subsidiary of Mubadala Aerospace, has entered into a joint venture with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA), the largest operator of commercial helicopters in the Middle East, to establish a training center in Abu Dhabi. The new training center is part of a plan by Mubadala to create a “local and international aerospace industry in the UAE and surrounding region built on mutually beneficial partnerships,” said Mubadala Aerospace Executive Director Homaid Al Shemmari. The joint venture was announced at the Dubai Air Show in November. Thales Horizon has also ordered a CAE 3000 Series full flight simulator (FFS) based on the AgustaWestland AW139. ADA currently operates 16 AW139s as part of its fleet of 54 helicopters. (The remaining 38 consist of Bell 412s, 212s and 206s.) The joint venture will own and operate the new CAE simulator, which will be contracted through Hori- zon. It is scheduled for delivery in late 2013. The simulator will feature the CAE True six degree-of-freedom electric motion Sikorsky has announced plans to system, as well as a high-performance vibration platform. It will use CAE Tropos-6000 incorporate the Thales TopDeck visual system and a direct projection 210-degree by 80-degree field of view dome display. avionics system and glass cockpit AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini explained that the Horizon/ADA venture has into the S-76D. TopDeck allows received AgustaWestland authorized training center status “to support type conversion, pilots to ‘click to fly’ by using an recurrent and operational role training for our AW139 customers from the Middle East.” intuitive cursor control device ADA reported earlier this year that net profits had increased by 150.4 percent over (iCCD) with cockpit displays. The the corresponding six-month period compared to last year, reporting a net profit of system eases pilot workload and Dh181.61 million (approximately $49.45 million) from January to June 2011, compared improves reaction time during to Dh72.54 million ($19.75 million) from January to June 2010. The majority of ADA’s flight, according to Thales. helicopter operations are in support of the Abu Dhabi offshore oil and gas industry, along with engineering and construction. —By Douglas Nelms ■ PUBLIC SERVICE | SAR ■ COMMERCIAL | AIRFRAMES UK Seeks Civil SAR Force Russian Helicopters Creates Ka-226T UK Secretary of State for Trans- Variant for Winter Olympics port, Justine Greening, said in late November that the government In preparation for the 2014 intends to procure a new search Winter Olympics in Sochi, and rescue (SAR) helicopter Russian Helicopters recently service using civilian crews. assisted EMERCOM Following the cancellation of the with training in response SAR-H private finance initiative to natural disasters and in February 2011, the Department terrorist attacks. The Kamov of Transport decided to re-bid Ka-226T experimental the 10-year contract with civilian p r o t o t y p e — a n e w crews. She praised Royal Navy firefighting, medevac and and Air Force crews for delivering rescue variant created with the SAR service for many years, the Olympics in mind— stating that, “a fully civilian service performed limited area will be able to maintain the same landings and full touchdown standards in the future.” The effort evacuations. EMERCOM’s will keep intact the Ministry of new This Ka-226T was created for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Defence’s plans to retire its fleet (SAR) Ka-32A11BC also Sochi, Russia. The helicopter assisted with EMERCOM training of Sea Kings by March 2016. took part in the training, in preparation for the event. Contract award is expected in performing evacuations in hover mode. The Ka-226T’s 2G1 engines early 2013. received EASA approval earlier this year.

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■ MILITARY | PRODUCTS Bell Aims Armed 407 Variant at Foreign Militaries

Bell Helicopter Textron displayed its militarized 407AH at the Dubai Airshow, promoting it and the IA407 being developed for the Iraqi Armed Forces. Both aircraft use the civilian-certified Bell 407 modified to carry an array of aerial weapons. However, the major difference between them is that the IA407 is strictly an Army program, with Bell selling the civil 407 to the U.S. Army, which will militarize it for sale to Iraqi forces through the Department of Defense’s foreign military sales (FMS) program.

Bell has commitments for 27 IA407s for the U.S. Army Photo by Douglas Nelms The Bell 407AH on display during the for resell to the Iraqi forces. Of these, three are to be strictly Dubai Airshow in November. trainers without weapons, which the Army has now deliv- ered to the Iraqis. The rest will be weaponized. The U.S. Army is still in the process of qualifying these aircraft. weight or speed by putting weapons on the aircraft. “The “The 407AH starts with a certified 407, just as with the beauty of the universal weapons pylons is that they have IA407,” said Steve Schultz, director of Middle East/Africa been fully tested and qualified on the OH-58. The max gross for Bell. “But in this case, we’ve done the design, the devel- weight of the aircraft is 5,250 lbs. That hasn’t changed, and it opment, the platform we certified. We believe that we’ve doesn’t matter if it is a person sitting in the cabin or a mini- developed an aircraft that is much more flexible, much more gun hanging from a pylon. The only difference would be the capable because of the broad range of missions that can be loss of streamlining, and that is negligible.” done with it. We call it a multi-mission aircraft.” The FLIR electro-optical/infrared sensor and target Schultz noted that some of the technology for the mili- designation system is currently certified for the aircraft, tarized 407 comes from the OH-58 program. “For example, although Bell is evaluating a number of other systems, such using the universal weapons pylon—the arms that hold the as L-3 Wescam. “The system is not integrated, which means weapons—we are able to install and attach a multitude of that if the customer wants a different target acquisition sen- weapons and systems without disturbing the cabin, so that sor, we can easily install it.” you retain your seating. For a law enforcement role, it’s abso- The 407AH uses the Garmin G500H with synthetic lutely perfect—border patrol, light insertions or extractions, vision with a Garmin com/nav suite in its cockpit. Bell is that sort of thing.” also offering the 407GX, which uses the Garmin G1000H. Bell also went with weapons “that are light, that are Schultz noted that customers can also opt for the use of BAE modular, that are simple,” he continued. These include the Systems advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS), Dillon Aero M134D 7.62mm mini-gun, the three-barreled which allows the DASALS semi-active laser seeker to be GAU-19 50BMG mini-gun, and the 2.75-inch rocket. It also installed in the 2.75-inch rockets, converting them from has the capability to manually dispense chaff and flares. The unguided rockets to guided rockets, capable of locking on to weapons management system uses a very simple target- a lasered target and taking it out. –By Douglas Nelms ing sight system, with the idea being “to keep it affordable,” ■ COMMERCIAL | HEAVY LIFT Schultz said. “We did that with law enforcement customers in mind. We’ve seen a lot of interest from foreign militaries Certifies Ka-32A that don’t have the big budgets.” The helicopter is aimed at Russian Helicopters has international military and paramilitary forces, he said. obtained a type certificate Bell feels that it can sell a significant number of the for its Ka-32A11BC from 407AHs, with “a number of interested parties looking for the National Civil Aviation the light reconnaissance helicopter,” Schultz said. The feel- Agency of Brazil (ANAC). ing is that the 407AHs would be sold in large programs, Helipark Taxi Aero has rather than just in twos or threes. “The number that would already ordered the multi- Helipark Taxi Aero has ordered a be needed for an operational squadron,” Schultz pointed role helicopter for cargo sling multi-role Ka-32A11BC for cargo out. Flight specifications for the aircraft are currently being transport, with delivery slated sling transport and delivery.

developed, although Bell has not found any degradation in Russian Helicopters for 2012.

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■ MILITARY | AIRFRAMES Bell Boeing’s V-22 flies past the helipad-equipped Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai while en route to making its first V-22 Tests Middle East Waters appearance at the Dubai Airshow in November. Bell Boeing showcased the V-22 at the Dubai Airshow for the first time in November, promoting the advantages of the tiltrotor concept to governments in the Middle East. With orders from the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force winding down, the joint venture partners are looking to foreign sales to keep the production line going. Bell Boeing and NAVAIR are in the process of nego-

tiating a new five-year contract for 122 aircraft. If signed, Bell Boeing that contract would begin in FY 2013. However, Defense Department budget cuts could reduce the number of aircraft ordered. The contract may depend on Bell Boeing meeting requirements for a reduction in costs of the aircraft. That reduction could be jeopardized if the number of aircraft ordered is significantly reduced. However, foreign sales could increase the number of aircraft coming down the production line enough to allow company is seriously involved in trying to find a place for the the price of the aircraft to drop. Any V-22s ordered would be aircraft in the Middle East. Through November, Bell Boeing available for delivery in 2015. Production rate is currently set has delivered more than 150 Ospreys to 10 squadrons within at three per month. the U.S. Marine Corps and two within U.S. Air Force Special Bell Boeing has noted interest among Middle East Operations Command. USMC has ordered a total of 360 countries, with Saudi Arabia hinted as a possible buyer. The MV-22s, while the USAF has ordered 50 CV-22s. Another 48 presence of the V-22 at the Dubai Airshow indicates that the are planned for the U.S. Navy. —By Douglas Nelms                             

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■ PUBLIC SERVICE | SAR ■ SERVICES | COMPLETIONS AW101 Wins 2011 Cormorant Trophy Air2 Gets Wysong- Restored MD500D

Blountville, Tenn.-based Wysong Enterprises has handed over the third of four refurbished MD500Ds to Air2, a utility operator based in Timonium, Md. The helicopter underwent a rewiring process and received new avionics, windows, panels and exterior paint. Air2 uses the MD500Ds for power line services. The fourth helicopter is slated for delivery The winner of the 2011 Cormorant Trophy is the in 2012. Canadian Forces’ AW101. AgustaWestland ■ MILITARY | HEAVY LIFT Canadian Forces’ 442 Squadron is the recipient of the 2011 Cormorant Trophy for Helicopter Rescue. The trophy, presented annually by AgustaWestland, is DoD Renews AAR awarded to a “Canadian civilian, government or military crew that has performed the most demanding helicopter rescue of the year” as determined by a panel of Airlift Contract judges from the Canadian Forces and journalists. This year’s Cormorant recognizes the December 2010 night rescue of a hiker stranded more than 5,000 feet up on a mountainside during 52 mph winds with a winter storm approaching. Aircraft commander Capt. Jean Leroux told Canadian Forces at that the rescue, which employed an AW101, “was one of the most challenging missions of my career.”

■ COMMERCIAL | UTILITY RTE Establishes Airborne Power Support

Operations with Eurocopter EC225 AAR Corp. French public utility, RTE (Electricity Trans- mission Network), has launched a subsidiary, Airtelis. The company will specialize in AAR will use Sikorsky S-92s for airlift airborne operations support in Afghanistan. The helicopters will for France and Europe. transport mail and cargo. Airtelis received its first helicopter—a Wood Dale, Ill.-based AAR Corp. has Eurocopter EC225— obtained two renewal options from Eurocopter which will assist with the U.S. Transportation Command the construction, (USTRANSCOM) for airlift support Airtelis EC225 features a Class C sling system designed for work on high-voltage maintenance and in Afghanistan assisting U.S. and overhead power lines. surveillance of high- NATO operations. The $150-million voltage overhead contracts run through October 2012. power lines. For AAR Airlift will use two Sikorsky S-92s, Airtelis, Eurocopter designed an integrated sling system for the EC225 cabin, which three S-61s and seven Bell 214STs for deploys electrical cables during flight. EASA certification of the sling is pending and transporting cargo, mail and personnel Eurocopter expects operations to start in 2012. in Afghanistan.

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■ TRAINING | SIMULATORS ■ COMMERCIAL | OFFSHORE FSI Provides RLC SFS Aviation, Sampoerna Purchase Pilot Training AW139, GrandNew Broussard, La.-based RLC has -based SFS Aviation has contracted contracted FlightSafety International with AgustaWestland for an AW139. The to train more than 100 of its pilots. helicopter will conduct offshore transport The FAA-licensed pilots will travel missions out of the SFS Songkhia base in the to FlightSafety’s learning center in Gulf of Thailand. Pilot training and suppport

Lafayette, La., taking courses that services are provided via AgustaWestland AgustaWestland employ advanced flight training Malaysia’s support center in Kuala Lumpur. devices (FTDs). RLC pilots receive ’s Sampoerna has also pur- SFS Aviation added an AW139 for annual recurrent training, along with chased a GrandNew for VIP transport offshore transport missions. continual in-house training under an throughout the region. Delivered late last FAA-approved program. year, the helicopter becomes the second to enter service with an Indonesian opera- tor during 2011. ■ COMMERCIAL | CERTIFICATION ■ MILITARY | COMPLETIONS EASA Grants Bell 407GX Approval Receives Fourth Black Hawk Bell Helicopter has received The U.S. Army has taken delivery of its fourth The fourth of eight Black Hawks certification from the European Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk for transfer to destined for the Swedish Defence Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Swedish Defence Material Administration Material Administration. the 407GX. The helicopter has already (FMV). The FMV has procured 15 Black earned FAA and Transport Canada Hawks through the U.S. Government’s foreign approvals, following its official launch military sales (FMS) program. The first seven during the Heli-Expo in March 2011. are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2011, The first of 60 helicopters on order was with the remaining eight helicopters arriving Sikorsky slated for delivery in late 2011. through fall 2012.

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■ PRODUCTS | MISSION EQUIPMENT Breeze Eastern Revitalizes to Re-engage Operators

The improving financial position of A U.S. Coast Guard team carefully deploys U.S. rescue hoist and winch specialist a rescue swimmer using a Breeze Breeze Eastern was one of the reasons Eastern hoist. that the company decided to hold its first user conference in five years during the fall. Hailed by President and CEO Mike Harlan as an indication that the company is moving ahead positively in both product development and customer service, the Breeze Eastern User Conference took place September 14-15 in Newark, N.J. This belief was seemingly borne out a month later when Breeze Eastern’s second quarter 2011 and first half 2012 sales were announced at the end of October 2011—the company’s debt had been reduced by $4.9 million over the year to stand at $10.7 million. The inherited debt, said Harlan, had once stood at more than $60 million. Backed by the board, Harlan, who joined the Breeze Eastern Breeze company in 2009, has led Breeze East- ern forward in its bid to strengthen its financial position with an improving balance sheet. Sales for the first six months of 2012 were $36.1 million (a record figure for the period), up 14 percent on the previous first half in 2011. This also followed a record sales figure of $17.9 to customers, and the new facility gives to developing a new DC rescue hoist, million for the second quarter of 2011, the company that opportunity, he says. which will be the first in a new line of a rise of 18 percent over $15.1 million “We want to improve process—to get digital hoists. Harlan called it “a new for the period. According to Harlan, faster. Past performance has not been ‘smart hoist’ family for better availabil- Breeze Eastern invested $5.5 million to consistent.” ity and cost.” move the company into its new facili- There are numerous areas that the Future business includes the devel- ties at Whippany, N.J. from its old base company needs to address, includ- opment of a cargo winch for Sikorsky’s in Union. This had been completed in ing ensuring that operators have the CH-53K, and away from rotorcraft August 2010. opportunity to engage in quality hoist Breeze has completed development of “There is a new mindset at our training and that technical questions a cargo winch for the C-27J JCA with company now,” said Harlan. “We are that are generated by customers oper- in-house production. Harlan also men- taking a fresh look at all aspects of our ating ‘in the field’ are responded to tioned a prototype weapons handling business with more focus on customer quickly. Other issues being addressed system for the Predator-C program. centricity.” He said that the company’s include more localized spares around Existing programs include hoists for 50 years in the industry had resulted in the world, the need to support service the USMC and Air Force Bell Boeing reliable products that were used in over centers and especially the need to keep V-22 Ospreys. 50 nations, including Russia and . customers current in terms of technol- Harlan also understands that the ogy and service provision. User Group Conference company needs to improve its turn- Money is also being invested in new Senior vice president of customer around time in getting products back development. Breeze Eastern is close connection, Gary Olsen, helped to

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bring together a collection of hoist and conference was to give Breeze manage- expecting.” He said communication winch operators for both closed-door ment the opportunity to get their col- was being improved internally and discussions and the two-day open user lective ‘we’ve changed’ message out. externally to identify: a) when is a unit conference. In detailing more on Breeze East- coming in, b) what condition is it in, The main conference was intro- ern programs, Andy Midkiff, vice and c), what materials will it need. He duced by keynote speaker John president of production engineering added that the company had invested Piasecki of Piasecki Aircraft Corp., and program management said that in more inventory ($357,000 now on who discussed the drive that his com- the new CH-53K cargo winch would hand) as well as new cell layouts for pany had inherited from his father, take a 4,000-lb load, and would feature each type of unit. Frank Piasecki, one of the pioneers 90 feet of cable. The flight test of the There was also a drive to increase of the global helicopter industry and hardware was scheduled for the third test capacity for hoists by up to 50 designer of the H-21 tandem rotor quarter of CY2012 with production percent and introduce a barcode scan- helicopter (flying banana), the forerun- hopefully beginning in the fourth ning system. The main ambition was to ner of the CH-47. quart of 2015. The Alenia C27J cargo generate faster turn-around times. The The operator community was rep- winch system would be capable of a current target is 60 days although the resented by members from numerous 2,200-lb load and would have 98 feet eventual aim is to reduce that figure to hoist/winch including: the U.S. Coast of cable. 45 days for every customer by April 1, Guard, the 160th Regiment (SOAR), Roger Hahneman, senior vice pres- 2012—a significant reduction on the Erickson Air-Crane, the Israeli Air ident of operations, stated that the 100 days or longer that customers had Force and the New York State Police, company had previously gotten into experienced. although numerous other interna- a ‘backlog hole’ and that it got caught Delegates received a tour of the tional operators were present who did out and left wanting when there was Whippany facility on the last day of the not make presentations. a surge of product being returned conference to see how the company While operator perspectives for maintenance issues: “[We have] is putting its plans into action. —By proved interesting, the main line of the 15-20 units coming in that we aren’t Andrew Drwiega, Military Editor

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PEOPLE

Finme cc anic a’s Broussard, La.- the company in 2000 and was most Board of Directors based Rotorcraft recently the relationship marketing has named former Leasing Company manager for Universal Avionics’ mar- AgustaWestland (RLC) has selected keting department. CEO Giuseppe Joan McCarthy William Jolly Orsi (left) as (right) as its new is the new presi- chairman and CEO. He replaces Pier chief financial officer. Prior to join- dent and CEO of Francesco Guarguaglini, who ing RLC, McCarthy oversaw finan- Huntsville, Ala.- has served as chairman and CEO cial operations for based WestWind for the company since 2002. COO Moreno Group and Technologies. Jolly Alessandro Pansa was also elected Offshore Logistics. has more than 25 years of experience as a board member for Finmeccanica. RLC also added and has worked with Tyonek Manu- The National Defense Industrial Travis Latiolais facturing Group subsidiaries, ITT Association (NDIA) has appointed (left) as vice presi- Systems and Pratt & Whitney. EADS North America CEO Sean dent of business development. Latio- FlightSafety International has pro- O’Keefe as its chairman. The asso- lais spent 11 years with Bristow Group moted Danny Robayo to assistant ciation currently has more than 90,000 before joining RLC. manager of its learning center in members within the defense and Universal Avionics has promot- Teterboro, N.J. Robayo has been with national security sectors. O’Keefe has ed Michelle James to director of FlightSafety since 1991 and was most been chief executive of EADS North marketing and communications, a recently the director of training for the America since 2009. newly created position. James joined center.

2012: April 3–6: 55th Annual AEA International Convention Jan. 18–20: AHS Specialists’ Conference on Future Vertical & Trade Show, Washington, D.C. Contact AEA, phone Lift Aircraft Design, San Francisco, Calif. Contact AHS Intl., 1-816-347-8400 or visit www.aea.net/convention phone 1-703-684-6777 or visit www.vtol.org April 22–27: Medical Transport Leadership Institute, Jan. 24–26: International Military Helicopter 2012, London, Wheeling, W.V. AAMS, 1-703-836-8732 or visit www.aams.org . Contact Defence IQ, phone +44 (0) 20 7368 9737 or visit May 1–3: AHS Intl. 68th Annual Forum and Technology www.militaryhelicopterevent.com Display, Fort Worth, Texas. Contact AHS Intl., phone Jan. 25–26: Aerial Firefighting, Sacramento, Calif. Contact 1-703-684-6777 or visit www.vtol.org Tangent Link, phone +44 (0) 1628 660400 or visit http://www. May 17–19: 5th International Helicopter Industry Exhibition tangentlink.com/events , Moscow, Russia. Contact HeliRussia, phone +7 (0) 495 958 9490 Feb. 11–14: Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo or visit helirussia.ru/en 2012, Dallas, Texas. Contact HAI, 1-703-683-4646 or visit www. coming events May 23–24: Heli & UV Pacific 2012 rotor.com , Queensland, . Contact Shephard Group, phone +44 (0) 1753 727015 or visit Feb. 12–15: 1st Asian/Australian Rotorcraft Forum and www.shephard.co.uk/events Exhibition (ARF & Exhibition 2012), Busan, . Sept. 4–7: European Rotorcraft Forum 2012 Contact Asian Rotorcraft Forum, phone +82-42-350-5756 or visit , Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Contact National Aerospace Laboratory NLR, http://www.arf2012.org/ phone +31 88 511 3165 or visit http://erf2012.nlr.nl/index.html Feb. 22–24: Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Sept. 26–27: The Helicopter Show, Luffield Abbey, England. Winter Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Contact AUSA, Contact The Helicopter Show, phone +44 (0) 20 8330 4424 or 1-703-841-4300, toll free 1-800-336-4570 or visit www.ausa.org visit www.thehelicoptershow.com March 16–18: Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC) Oct. 30–Nov.1: Helicopter Military Operations Technology 16th Annual Convention and Trade Show, Ottowa, Canada. Specialists’ Meeting (HELMOT XV), Williamsburg, Va. Contact HAC, phone 1-613-231-1110 or visit www.h-a-c.ca Contact AHS Intl., phone 1-703-684-6777 or visit www.vtol.org

March 15–16: SAR Europe 2012, Dublin, Ireland. Contact Nov. 6–8: Dubai Helishow 2012, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Shephard Group, phone +44 (0) 1753 727015 or visit www. Contact Mediac Communications and Exhibitions, phone +44 shephard.co.uk/events (0)1293 823 779 or visit www.dubaihelishow.com

20 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Rotorcraft Report

■ SERVICES | REPAIRS ■ COMMERCIAL | OFFSHORE HEATCON Wins Weststar Aviation Orders 10 Army Contract AgustaWestland Helicopters Seattle, Wash.-based HEATCON AgustaWestland has received Composite Systems has received a contract from Malaysia’s a U.S. Army contract to supply Weststar Aviation Services materials for repairing composite to provide a package of 10 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. helicopters. The order consists The equipment will allow flight of five offshore transport- crews to follow a “cure cycle” configured AW139s, one VIP- on composite aircraft while in ready AW139, two AW169s remote locations with difficult and two AW189s. environments. Deliveries on the The purchase follows a $2.6-million order for portable hot Weststar order from 2010 for bonders, silicone heat blankets, tap 10 AW139s in the offshore oil hammers and vacuum-bagging configuration. It will also repre- Weststar Aviation will use the AW139s for consumable materials are slated for sent the initial operation of the offshore and VIP transport in Malaysia. AgustaWestland completion in Spring 2012. AW169 and AW189 in Malay- sia. The manufacturer plans to ■ PRODUCTS | AVIONICS open a training academy at Kuala Lumpur’s Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. The center, scheduled to open in January 2012, will offer pilot and technician training, with the MSP Aero Adds expected arrival of an AW139 full flight simulator (FFS) in 2013. WireWatch ■ MILITARY | AIRFRAMES Sandel Avionics has provided Minneapolis, Minn.-based MSP Boeing Expands AH-64 Apache Block III Aero with its WireWatch system for Market for Overseas Militaries a fleet of AgustaWestland AW109s. Boeing is close to signing a deal with another international defense force as a new North Memorial Medical Center customer for the AH-64D Block III, although it is premature to say which one, when (NMMC) of Robbinsdale, Minn. or how many, according to Mike Burke, director of business development for attack operates the helicopters, which helicopter programs. During presentations at the Dubai Airshow in November, Burke are already equipped with Sandel said the company is also in discussions with another Middle Eastern armed forces to HeliTAWS. The shipment of the upgrade its Block II Apaches to the Block III level. UAE currently operates 30 Apaches wire-strike avoidance system marks that were recently upgraded to Block II. the first delivery for Sandel. Burke also noted that the AH-64D Block III is the “last man standing” in an Indian Defense Ministry competition for a new . The Defense Ministry has reportedly eliminated all other competitors, with the latest being the Russian Mi-28N. ■ SERVICES | DISTRIBUTORS However, no contract for the Indian attack helicopter Block III aircraft had been signed as of mid-November. India is seeking a fleet of 22 new attack helicopters, according to Mi-34C1 Signs reports. , Boeing’s first export customer for the Block III Apache, has ordered 30 of the UAE Distributor attack helicopters, with the first one—a trainer—scheduled for handover in mid-2012. Russian Helicopters has designated Deliveries of the remaining 29 aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2013. Burke noted that Emirates Corporation Trading the U.S. Army has received the first two AH-64D Block III Apaches a month ahead of Agencies as a regional distributor schedule under the low rate initial production (LRIP) program. The LRIP calls for 51 of the single-engine Mi-34C1. The Block III Apaches to be delivered, with a total acquisition plan for 690 aircraft. agreement, signed during the Dubai A major change to the Block III over previous versions is an upgraded transmission Airshow, includes flight training, that is 20 percent stronger, featuring a split-torque face gear transmission, which allows technical support, marketing and an increase in thrust of the twin T700-701D engine from 2,800 to 3,400 shp. Boeing has sales for the helicopter. The Dubai also integrated an enhanced digital electronic control unit into the engine. The increase Airshow also marked the Mi-34C1’s in thrust, combined with a new, stronger composite blade, also allows a 25-knot increase debut in the region. in speed and more than 560-lb increase in payload at 6K/95F. —By Douglas Nelms

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 21 for Helicopter Operators

Heliport Lighting Equipment FEC Heliports designs and manufactures high quality heliport lighting that is manufactured to meet heliport guideline rec- ommendations worldwide. With the very finest quality, fully warranted and best-priced options on the market, FEC can be reached at [email protected] to discuss your needs, however large or small, and provide you with a free, no obligation quote for your heliport lighting system. Heliportsequipment.com also offers a range of portable helipads right through to helipad lighting, landing dollies, fire and rescue equipment, helipad crash rescue equipment lockers and much more. The company endeavors to supply you with a full range of products and are constantly researching others that would bring value to their customers worldwide. For more infor- mation, call +44 (0) 1494 775226, fax +44 (0) 1494 775227 or visit www.heliportsequipment.com

Rockwell Collins Launches Panorama Glass Front Projection Rockwell Collins has introduced its Panorama Glass Front Projection (GFP) display, which complements the avionics manu- facturer’s EP-8000 Image Generator, providing students with a high-fidelity training experience. The GFP features enriched scene content for realistic terrain views and high-resolution images. The Panorama GFP display can also be used for night vision goggle (NVG) crew training when combined with a Rockwell Collins 2015HC projector. For additional information, call 1-319-295-1000 or visit www.rockwellcollins.com

Navy Tests HeliTAWS on SH-60 Sandel Avionics has wrapped up U.S. Navy ground testing of its ST3400H HeliTAWS using a Sikorsky SH-60 test bed. The wire and terrain avoidance system was integrated with the helicopter’s existing avionics and electrical systems. The system incorporates WireWatch with TrueAlert, allowing pilots to take off, cruise, hover and land at off-airport locations without encountering nuisance alerts, while still being able to receive Class-A terrain and obstacle warnings dur- ing the flight. Now that ground tests are complete, Sandel plans to install a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) HeliTAWS unit on an SH- 60F for flight testing. Contact Sandel Avionics at 1-760-727-4900 or visit www.sandel.com

Honeywell Reaches Middle East Distribution Agreements Under new distribution agreements with civil and military suppliers, Honeywell is expanding in the Middle East. Transworld Aviation, a support services supplier in the Middle East and Africa, will now be able to provide parts and maintenance to civil, commercial and military helicopter operators. Honeywell also signed with Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) to service operators in the United Arab Emirates. GAL clients include the Presidential Guards for UAE and other military operators in the country. For more details contact Honeywell at 1-877- 841-2840 or visit www.honeywell.com

22 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM 's Annual Reports

What's New for 2012: Rotorcraft Outlook Panel Welcome to the 2012 Annual Reports issue and the inaugural launch of the Rotorcraft Outlook Panel. This issue is very different than every other issue we produce during the year. This is the one issue each year where we open up our pages and provide a forum for the vendors who regularly provide you the products and services that are essential to your operations, and allow them to address you directly and let you know how their company is doing, and what new or interesting things you might expect from them in 2012. I’m not going to lie to you—this sort of format is a bit disturbing to our editorial staff. As professional journalists, they are trained to take the information they receive from vendors, edit it for accuracy and clarity, and then provide you the filtered version with their own additional insight. But then again, it is always equally disturbing to most editors when they discover that advertising in business publications such as our own ALWAYS ranks higher than editorial content whenever readers are asked to rate their most valued sources of new product and service information. So, if you get the opportunity and feel so inclined, please let these vendors know that you appreciate their efforts to provide you even more information about their plans for the year within these pages. We also decided to do something a bit different this year. We decided that, as long as we already had their attention as part of the Annual Reports issue, we would try to dig a bit deeper into the minds and plans of the top executives across the helicopter industry. So instead of asking everyone to answer a single, very broad question about what they see on the horizon for the coming year, we instead approached this in much the same manner that we might approach any CEO interview during the year—with just a bit of a twist. We sent three different questions to our participants and asked them each to answer at least two. But the “twist” is that we instructed our participants to keep their answers in As we embark on another new year filled with promise and total to under 500 words. We then handed uncertainty, we decided to ask three questions: those answers over to our editorial staff and asked them to review the answers, provide “What are the most interesting projects that additional context or insight if necessary, and present them mixed together in an interview your company is working on for next year?” format, rather than in the format we have used in this issue in recent years, which we referred to as the Executive Outlook section. “What are the new and emerging opportuni- And thus, the 2012 Rotorcraft Outlook Panel ties for rotorcraft operations in 2012?” is born. By expanding the format to include additional questions and topics this year, I “What issue or issues concern you most believe we are able to provide a great deal about the immediate and long-term future of more insight into what we might all expect to see in the coming months. And of course the rotorcraft industry?” the comparison and contrast of the answers provided by CEOs and managing directors of very large multi-national corporations, juxtaposed with the answers from the top management and owners of somewhat smaller companies, all taken within the context of the wide range of organizations represented, provides very interesting forecast fodder, when taken as a whole. We will continue to tweak and evolve this format in coming years based on the feedback you provide us, and I’m very excited and pleased to provide this new forum, and to see where it goes from here!

Randy Jones Publisher Rotor & Wing Rotorcraft Outlook Panel: 2012

Predicting the future is kind of like throwing of accidents and incidents,” he adds. hopefully we will see improved economic a game of darts. Every once in a while you Curtis Reusser, president of Goodrich’s conditions thereafter that will allow for hit the bull’s eye (for the majority of the non- Electronic Systems segment, notes that stronger demand of goods and services. In professionals among us), but most of the time “mission readiness, improving performance any case, it will be a slow recovery to pre- it’s just blind luck whether you're accurate, and reducing operational costs” are among recession levels.” get somewhere near the intended target, the chief concerns for the company heading Aero Dynamix General Manager Dennis or miss altogether. Successful strikes go up into 2012. “Current budgetary limitations Trout sees airworthiness certification, dramatically with professionals, as with have surfaced at a time when we see an specifically FAA N8900.152, as a major issue almost any field of work. With that in mind, unprecedented combination of an increasing heading into 2012. “Many of these provisions think of the 14 executives that participated need for helicopter operations and services, were in effect previously, but enforcement has in our 2012 Rotorcraft Outlook Panel global cost-saving initiatives, and ongoing been sporadic and uneven across the country. (starting on page 25) as the experts—with political instability.” The robust inspection and enforcement of a significantly higher chance of predicting Precision Aviation Group “continues to these new standards will severely challenge what the future of the industry holds. believe that energy exploration and support many of the NVIS product suppliers and “Right now the global economy as a whole will remain a growth area for helicopter integrators.” is unstable and, like every other industry, operations,” notes President & CEO David Mike Scimone, president of Donaldson St. lack of direction in the stabilization is our Mast. “The Australasia market has continued Louis, notes that “recent history has shown concern,” observes Jim Sensale, president of to be an area of expansion for our companies the rotorcraft industry has been secure. The Aviation Instrument Services. in the rotary wing market. Our support of unique ability of rotorcraft to meet many “Many segments of the rotorcraft industry government programs presents an increasing needs, especially with the military, has will feel significant financial pressures in opportunity for growth,” he adds. allowed us to weather some rough times. 2012, which will impact the purchase of George Ferito, director of Rotorcraft But the reality of reduced spending on both new helicopters as well as fleet retrofits,” says Business Development for FlightSafety the commercial and military side will have David Ashton, vice president of Cobham International, points out that a “succession its effects.” Commercial Systems. “Global military of industry and government-sponsored Aspen Avionics President & CEO John spending is likely to remain flat or decline." task forces have, in recent years, offered a Uczekaj points to standardizing the approvals Mark Tattershall of Kaman Helicopters number of proposals to improve helicopter process as an obstacle ahead. “The rotorcraft notes that beyond unmanned opportunities, operational safety. While these have been industry needs to address how to gain federal “we see demand growing for small ship wide-ranging and, in some cases, far- acceptance of standardized processes in maritime helicopters that provide nations reaching, they share a common denominator: certification and implementation of new with a cost-effective capability. This is driven they all recommend increased training as a technologies in a timely fashion,” he says. primarily by territorial disputes, anti- fundamental and essential step.” “Without it, game-changing ideas will not be operations, submarine concerns and drug Aviall CEO Dan Komnenovich explains available to this market.” and other smuggling operations.” that the company is preparing for “emerging Cost containment “is a major challenge Presagis is seeing “a significant increase opportunities this year in the BRIC countries as we look to the future of the rotorcraft in demand from the defense side and from (Brazil, Russia, India, China), the Gulf of industry,” notes Dave Marone, a vice president commercial applications related to offshore , and operations around the globe.” with BLR Aerospace. and remote area operations,” according to He adds that other issues facing rotorcraft “Despite the efforts of industry groups President Guillaume Hervé. operators include aging fleets and the growth and government regulators, significant “On the defense side, the drive is for highly of the practice of “just-in-time” inventory improvement in safety seems elusive, and accurate and effective training and mission deployment. the result is an ever-increasing cost to insure rehearsal solutions in single and multi- “The economy and the existing instability rotorcraft assets and operations. … All factors domain environments. On the commercial in the U.S. and across Europe remains a major combined, if left unchecked, will result in side, the demand is for easily deployable concern for all of us,” notes Markus Schmitz, a greater number of helicopter missions and accessible solutions that will help the CEO of Becker Avionics. “We believe that that are no longer economically viable.” industry reduce the current excessive levels 2012 will stay flat for most of the year but —Compiled by Rotor & Wing staff

25 Rotorcraft Outlook Panel TABLE OF CONTENTS Annual Reports 33 ...... Eurocopter 50 ...... CAE 34 ...... AgustaWestland 52 ...... Donaldson Aerospace and Defense 37 ...... Presagis 54 ...... Aviation Instrument Services 38 ...... Aeronautical Associates 55 ...... Cobham 40 ...... Goodrich Corporation 56 ...... Aviall 42 ...... FlightSafety International 58 ...... Becker Avionics 44 ...... Precision Heliparts 59 ...... BLR Aerospace 46 ...... Aspen Avionics 60 ...... Kaman Helicopters 48 ...... Aero Dynamix

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Question 1: Aero Dynamix PresagisPresagis What are the In March 2011 Presagis con- most interest- the U.S. Army tinues to focus awarded Aero on delivering ing projects that D y n a m i x a cutting-edge $12.5-million, simulations to your company is five-year IDIQ the rotorcraft contr act to m a r k e t b y working on dur- provide NVG delivering ing 2012? c o m p a t i b l e i n n o v a t i v e , IFR upgrade kits for up to 650 AH-64 off-the-shelf solutions. Recently Apache helicopters. The NVG- announced, SEGen Server will Becker Avionics compatible IFR kits supplied to the U.S. become available in February 2012. Army will include avionics upgrades Becker Avonics SEGen Server addresses the need required for IFR certification, which has exciting for realistic, low-cost training and includes Night Vision Imaging System product news mission rehearsal environments for (NVIS) upgrades that ensure optimum and milestones pilots. night vision performance. 75 aircraft c o m i n g u p SEGen Server is a cost-effective have been completed and another 108 and we believe server-based software solution for aircraft are scheduled for completion that 2012 will the low-cost generation of high- in 2012. Aero Dynamix is the preferred b e a n o t h e r fidelity, highly-realistic synthetic supplier of NVIS upgrades for Customs great year. We environments for training. It enables and Border Protection (CBP) aircraft. are continuing to strive to provide the user to save valuable time, money, These aircraft include 20 EC120, 25 innovative solutions for new fit, as well and resources by eliminating the need AS350B2 and 45 AS350B3 helicopters. as retrofit, modification and upgrade to invest in costly imagery, database ADI will continue to support CBP in programs. Some of our new products development, and storage. 2012 with ongoing aircraft avionics will be specifically tailored to the Ideal for use in high flight, low upgrades on approximately 25 aircraft. demanding environments of the rotary flight, and ground simulations, SEGen Los Angeles County Sheriff’s wing industry and will be introduced Server quickly generates highly Department (LACSD) awarded in “Dzus” fastener format for ease realistic ground environments of any Hangar One a contract to complete of integration in a variety of aircraft location in the world, making it ideal and modify new AS350 helicopters platforms. Over the past three years we for helicopter training. for use in law enforcement operations. have consistently gained market share At higher altitudes, SEGen Server Aero Dynamix was selected by against the competition, particularly in generates terrain with appropriate LACSD to provide complete cockpit the audio and intercom segment. lower amounts of detail, based on modifications for the fleet including Today we are recognized as the requests it receives from our own new NVG Edge Lit Panels, instrument the market leader when it comes to high-fidelity flight model, HeliSIM, panel overlays, and spec-compliant airborne digital audio and intercom or any other flight model, allowing for NVIS avionics modifications. This systems to meet the requirements for a a wide variety of simulations to take project is in its final stage of completion multitude of rotary wing applications, place. with 14 aircraft delivered. including helicopter emergency LACSD has now purchased three medical services (HEMS), airborne Guillaume Herve AS332 Super Pumas and awarded law enforcement (ALE), forestry and Presagis President Heli-One a contract to perform wildlife management, search and modifications and integration. Aero Rescue (SAR), and corporate missions. Dynamix will provide complete cockpit As digital audio technology is still FlightSafety International modifications including external not that well known to the rotary wing lighting for these Super Pumas in 2012. industry, we will continue to devote a We r e c e n t l y Aero Dynamix will continue to grow significant amount of time to inform r e a c h e d a n its fixed-wing capabilities in 2012 after and train customers and operators, agreement with being awarded two complete CASA- crew members and decision makers AgustaWestland 235s NVG upgrades and a Cessna 182 on the benefits of airborne digital to offer factory- NVG cockpit upgrade. audio technology, in order to help a u t h o r i z e d the industry to transition from legacy training for the Dennis Trout analog to digital audio technology. i n c r e a s i n g l y Aero Dynamix General Manager popular AW139. Markus Schmitz During 2012, we will be engineering Becker Avionics CEO and manufacturing a Level D full flight simulator while simultaneously

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working closely with AgustaWestland geographic footprint, and gives City and Long Beach locations. In to develop mission-specific training PAG two “on-airport” locations direct support of ISMRO, we will programs, including full courseware. with expansive hangar facilities. continue investing in inventory that We plan to install the simulator in With these acquisitions, our total supports the aircraft our customers our dedicated helicopter Learning employment has grown to over operate, and we have doubled our Center in Lafayette, La., and will offer 160, and our four facilities now capital expenditure budget over training beginning in early 2013. As encompass more than 150,000 2011. Our capital investments will with all new FlightSafety simulators, square feet. include tooling/equipment, logistics, this one will feature electric motion For 2012, we will be expanding our technology-based customer service and control loading—attributes we capabilities at all of our facilities, but improvements, ERP software pioneered—and our exclusive VITAL our primary focus will be expanding upgrades, and various facility X visual system. our Rotary Wing services at our enhancements. VITAL X is optimized for low- newly acquired companies. ATI and level flight operations training, and GAS will launch helicopter-specific David Mast, Precision Aviation offers increased scene content, programs which will expand the type Group President and CEO greatly improved weather features of services that we can provide to and enhanced levels of detail for our Global customer base. At ATI, optimum cueing. The AW139 is a we will be expanding their MRO staple of the offshore industry but capabilities to include helicopter- Aspen Avionics also sees significant use for executive specific Accessories, Avionics and A s p e n i s transport, HEMS, law enforcement Instruments. In addition to this, we working on and other missions. FlightSafety will be adding customer service and several very customers receive training specific support staff to specifically support i n t e r e s t i n g to their mission, using realistic the West Coast Helicopter market for p ro j e c t s i n scenarios that prepare them for ATI. In January, we will launch the the comi ng the type of routine, abnormal and Rotorcraft Services Division at GAS. year. We will emergency situations they might The Rotorcraft Services Division continue to actually face in the aircraft. We also will provide airframe maintenance, expand our can tailor training for full or partial avionics upgrades/installations, and helicopter STC list, providing more crews, allowing them to develop and aircraft retrofits for the helicopter opportunities for both civilian and hone teamwork and work on crew market. PAG hired two helicopter military helicopter operators around resource management issues. We’re industry veterans to run this division the world to transition from steam extremely pleased to be working with in November, and we have already gauge cockpits to glass cockpits—at AgustaWestland and look forward to seen a dramatic increase in the a sensible price point. Aspen offers the same long association with them number of helicopters serviced at all of the glass panel features that as we enjoy with many other OEMs. GAS. We are excited about the future reduce pilot workload and increase opportunities this division creates situational awareness; features that George Ferito for our commercial and government make flying safer for helicopter Director, Rotorcraft Business customer base. operators today. We are also working Development In our continuing efforts to on a Connected Panel product. It FlightSafety International expand our geographic footprint, provides inter-connectivity between in 2011 we hired a Regional Sales hand held devices (like the iPad, for Manager in Lafayette, La., to better example) and the onboard avionics. serve our customer base in the Gulf We have signed up several partners Precision Aviation Group region. In 2012, we will be opening who are developing applications that a facility in Lafayette that will range from performance monitoring Precision Avia- include MRO services. In addition to flight planning. t i o n G ro u p to this, we will continue to selectively (PAG) contin- pursue acquisitions that enhance John Uczekaj ued to expand the MRO services we provide to our Aspen Avionics President & CEO and grow customers. in 2011. We In addition to the above, we will completed two continue to focus on expanding our acquisitions proven customer focused business Donaldson Aerospace & Defense — G a r d n e r model—Inventory Supported As helicopters expand their Aviation Services (GAS)—located Maintenance Repair and Overhaul operating envelope so must our air in Peachtree City, Ga., and Aero (ISMRO), and we will make filtration technology. In 2012 we Technology, Inc. (ATI), which substantial capital investments will be developing new filtration is located in Long Beach, Calif. in all of our facilities. However, as technologies to overcome two past These acquisitions greatly enhance previously mentioned, the emphasis obstacles, high-engine airflow and our MRO capabilities, expand our in 2012 will be on our Peachtree

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high airspeed. rotor blade to market, re-opening navigation performance at reduced Going faster the K-MAX production line, and weight, complexity, and installation a n d l a r g e r achieving additional SH-2G Super cost. End-to-end, an integrated i n t r o d u c e s Seasprite multi-mission maritime Cobham cockpit offers a reduced a d d i t i o n a l helicopter sales. All of these activities panel box count and lighter weight to challenges, and help drive Kaman’s growth and meet enable increased helicopter payload D o n a l d s o n strategic objectives during these capabilities. will continue challenging times. With avionics from Cobham, t o b e t h e operators of Part 27 and Part 29 industry leader with high-technology Mark Tattershall rotorcraft will realize best-in-class solutions. Flexible architecture Kaman Helicopters capabilities throughout the cockpit, systems will be introduced this an extended useful airframe life, coming year in the form of universal and superior performance versus filtration units that can provide BLR Aerospace standalone or ad hoc avionics a solution for multiple platforms solutions. with limited integration. This M a n y o f technology was recently proven and BLR’s original David Ashton, Vice President, will be available in 2012 for various F a s t F i n ( R ) Cobham Commercial Systems applications. S TC s w e r e certified with Mike Scimone no change to Aviation Instrument Services President, Donaldson St. Louis, performance. Donaldson Aerospace & Defense Over the past AIS is working 18 months BLR o n s e v e r a l has certified significant increases in new projects hover performance for the UH-1H, for 2012. One Kaman , and most recently the is continuing Bell 212. Over the next 18 months, to expand U n m a n n e d additional helicopter models will be o u r l a r g e or optionally added to that list. a n d w h o l l y p i l o t e d owned major technologies Dave Marone component rotables pool, in order for militar y BLR Aerospace to support our many customers a n d c i v i l who operate , 407, 212, 412, missions are Eurocopter AS350, 355, 365, EC155, going to drive Cobham BK117 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. our industry Avionics from Our ever growing inventory includes and Kaman Helicopters’ growth for Cobham are main, combining, intermediate and many years to come. Our Lockheed fully digital tail gearboxes, hydraulic servos, Martin/Kaman team is very excited f o r h i g h e r dampners, main and tail hubs, etc. about the Afghanistan deployment dispatch rates contract for unmanned aerial truck and increased Jim Sensale (UAT) K-MAX helicopters from the m i s s i o n AIS President and Founder U.S. Marine Corps. The challenging c o m p l e t i o n environment in Afghanistan is the and success, ideal opportunity to showcase the and our technologies delver greater tremendous capabilities of our situational awareness for reduced UAT, and give testament to Charlie pilot workload and enhanced flight Kaman’s vision and innovative safety. Cobham’s 3D synthetic development of unmanned systems vision EFIS is the lightest, most Question 2: that goes back to the early 1950s. comprehensive Electronic Flight As you would expect, Kaman has Instrument System in the world due Where are the many new innovative ideas and long- to integrated HTAWS, FMS, HITS, term solutions that will ensure its and hover vector functionalities. new and emerg- unmanned heritage is applied to the Our HeliSAS autopilot and stability next generation of rotorcraft for the ing opportuni- augmentation system is incredibly U.S. military and our allied nations. lightweight, easy to install, and offers Additionally, Kaman will be ties for rotorcraft hands-free flight at the industry’s expanding its manufacturing most affordable price. Audio and operations in operations into Asia, bringing the radio systems from Cobham deliver AH-6 Little Bird composite main 2012? enhanced communication and

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 27 Rotorcraft Outlook Panel

Aviall operators. These operators have Presagis off-the-shelf modeling also been driven in this economic and simulation tools are a cost- A v i a l l ’ s environment to maintain JIT effective way to develop high- commitment inventory systems throughout their fidelity simulation systems quickly- to the rotor- operations, which places additional enabling the pilots to maintain a craft industry strain on the supply chain to maintain degree of readiness between periods f a c t o r s correct levels of inventory in times of downtime. Moreover, Presagis prominently of fluctuating demand. Aviall offers off-the-shelf software enables you in its plans services to operators facing these to build real-time visual systems, for 2012. We issues that will help control costs and helicopter flight motion and will continue improve business efficiency. dynamics, create mission scenarios, to look for products to add to the and develop high fidelity sensor offerings in our product market Dan Komnenovich, Aviall displays. basket, extend and enhance our President and CEO Presagis off-the-shelf tools have reach around the world, and work been used to build or enhance with OEMs to strengthen our supply simulations by the likes of The chain capabilities—all in an effort Presagis Boeing Company, which uses Lyra IG to support the operations of our to enhance features of the Block III customers in this industry. We are seeing a significant increase Apache simulator, Oktal, that works Aviall is preparing for emerging in demand from the defense side with HeliSIM for its Tiger simulator, opportunities this year in the BRIC and from commercial applications ESG’s SeaLynx helicopter simulator countries (Brazil, Russia, India, related to offshore and remote area for the German Navy which used China), the Gulf of Mexico, and operations. STAGE, and AMST’s Airfox DISO operations around the globe. We On the defense side, the drive simulator, rotary-wing disorientation are supporting Aviall customers is for highly accurate and effective trainer, which uses Creator and Vega operating in major oil fields off the training and mission rehearsal Prime. coasts of and Brazil, and solutions in single and multi-domain providing supply chain services for environments. On the commercial Guillaume Hervé rotorcraft used to transport security side, the demand is for easily Presagis President personnel in densely populated cities deployable and accessible solutions with traffic congestion. that will help the industry reduce the There are opportunities for the current excessive levels of accidents Kaman industry in the Gulf of Mexico. and incidents. The U.S. Department of Interior In all cases, the challenge is has reorganized and reformed its to deliver highly realistic, easily Beyond the unmanned opportunities, offshore energy management into the reconfigurable, and scalable solutions we see demand growing for small Bureau of Safety and Environmental at reasonable costs. ship maritime helicopters that Enforcement (BSEE) and Bureau Helicopters are complex to provide nations with a cost-effective of Ocean Energy Management handle, to pilot, and to operate in capability. This is driven primarily (BOEM). Contracts have been often challenging environments; by territorial disputes, anti-piracy awarded that will double the bureau’s including in military and civilian operations, submarine concerns, fleet size to regulate and enforce operations. and drug and other smuggling energy management in the Gulf of Helicopter pilots must continually operations. Mexico. Aviall remains dedicated develop the skills needed to fulfill to serving its customers operating their mission and/or job. Because Mark Tattershall on the U.S. outer continental shelf every situation is different, and in Kaman Helicopters and aiding efforts in this region to many cases too difficult or too improve efficiency and effectiveness, dangerous to replicate in live enhance safety, and support job training, virtual environments are creation and economic development required to effectively train for any Aviation Instrument Services in coastal communities. scenario, including military missions, Other issues faced by rotorcraft evacuation scenarios, as well as As the U.S. and European economies operators and Aviall, as their supply landing on ship decks or oil rigs. work to stabilize, the current markets chain partner in 2012, include aging With cost reduction pressures seem to be more concentrated fleets and the growth of the practice being felt on both the defense in domestic helicopter emergency of “just-in-time” (JIT) inventory and commercial side, there is an medical service (HEMS), Latin deployment. There are emerging increased need for lower-cost American oil exploration and requirements in many countries for simulation options to meet the needs Asia. We are always looking for newer twin-engine aircraft fleets, of helicopter operators and pilots. quality inventory and offer several which will increase costs to already Live-training is costly and not always consignment programs that can be financially-challenged rotorcraft accessible. very lucrative for the consignor.

28 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Rotorcraft Outlook Panel

Our inventory of consignment stock from our many operators Aero Dynamix Becker Avionics such as PHI, , and Aerial firefighting at night is a Becker Avionics has significant Lider Air Taxi will expand as their relatively recent advancement. The opportunities and growth potential fleets are continually changing to Los Angeles County and LA City in the rotary wing market. We are newer models. AIS will continue to Fire Departments have been using working on improving the capability support its international partners, NVIS systems the longest, beginning of existing technologies through and bring our unique services to new operations in 1999 with Aero strategic development, to offer new emerging markets around the globe. Dynamix NVG cockpits. Pilots report capabilities, reduce risk, enhance not only dramatic improvements in safety, and enable rapid technology Jim Sensale their ability to fight fires at night, but introduction. Currently the most AIS President and Founder also point out safety improvements important rotary wing segments for in water refilling operations. The Becker are helicopter emergency Ventura County Fire Department, medical services (HEMS), airborne BLR Aerospace Orange County Fire Authority and law enforcement (ALE), and search BLR will continue to invest San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and rescue (SAR). Further, we see that in technology to improve the have followed suit. All of the above due to increased budget pressures, performance and capabilities of now use Aero Dynamix NVG- military organizations are adopting existing fielded fleet aircraft. Over equipped helicopters as significant current, off-the-shelf technologies in time, the gap has been widening assets in their firefighting inventory. order to save time and money. Becker between the incremental cost and Under pressure from California Avionics is uniquely positioned to the incremental capability of new legislators, the U.S. Forestry Service meet the upgrade and modification production aircraft. For many is now considering ending its requirements of these organizations. business models, the expense of decade-long ban on using firefighting Our new audio technology provides new aircraft is not viable. Innovative aircraft after dark. Generally, winds significant improvements for most modifications that increase safety die down at night and provide aircraft audio systems on military or and capability play an important a much improved opportunity commercial aircraft. role in containing cost and to suppress wild fires than during increasing efficiency. An aggressive daytime operations. Interest in the Markus Schmitz development program to meet this use of night vision technology in Becker Avionics CEO challenge represents a significant aerial firefighting is likely to be huge growth opportunity for the future. in coming years.

Dave Marone Dennis Trout Question 3: BLR Aerospace Aero Dynamix General Manager What issue or Aspen Avionics issues concern Donaldson Aerospace & Defense We see providing affordable you most about synthetic vision and HTAWS New platforms are on drawing the immedi- solutions to all levels of the helicopter boards or in development with most market as a major opportunity for rotorcraft manufacturers; these will ate future of the Aspen. Up until now, the expense offer new opportunities for 2012. rotorcraft indus- of glass cockpits and their advanced Recent history has proven the vitality features have been prohibitive for of increased inlet protection and old try? rotorcraft operators. As Aspen paradigms have been broken, and the approvals expand in the helicopter documented return on investment market, all operators will be able to data provides a compelling argument take advantage of safety-enhancing for customers to implement our Goodrich Corporation technologies that up to now have inlet filtration solutions. With been reserved for new helicopters our core competencies in barrier The key issues facing the rotor- at the very high end of the market. and inertial filtration solutions craft industry that concern Goodrich Aspen will continue to expand into we can provide the most flexible are increasing mission readiness, the helicopter space and will continue design configurations to meet our improving performance and to create more opportunities for customer’s requirements. reducing operational costs for our civilian, military, and public use commercial and military customers. operators to upgrade helicopters Mike Scimone Current budgetary limitations have with the latest technology. President, Donaldson St. Louis, surfaced at a time when we see an Donaldson Aerospace & Defense unprecedented combination of John Uczekaj an increasing need for helicopter Aspen Avionics President & CEO operations and services, global cost

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 29 

Rotorcraft Outlook Panel

saving initiatives and ongoing political Goodrich has developed Cobham instability. complete integrated ice detection For our military customers and protection systems that allow Many segments of the rotorcraft t h r o u g h o u t helicopters to safely fly in known industry will feel significant financial Customize Your t h e w o r l d , ice conditions, executing missions pressures in 2012, which will impact b u d g e t a r y that were not practical before. New the purchase of new helicopters c h a l l e n g e s Goodrich SmartProbe air data as well as fleet retrofits. Global often result in systems, widely used on fixed-wing military spending is likely to remain a reduction of aircraft due to their low weight and flat or decline. Municipal airborne fleet readiness. advanced functionality, are finding law enforcement and air medical M i l i t a r i e s new applications on helicopter transport agencies will face decreased Reprints Today! m a y d e f e r platforms. Advanced engine control budgets as a result of falling tax maintenance due to a limited ability concepts in development feature revenues. Opportunities abound, to fund spare parts purchases or more prognostic capability, to deliver however, for avionics component helicopter repairs. In addition, training better information for improved and system manufacturers capable time for pilots and maintainers is readiness and mission success rates of delivering significant value in the often cut back to save operating costs. while lowering operating costs. On form of lighter, highly-integrated, REPRINTS On the commercial side, operators the horizon, we are ready to help highly-functional avionics. are challenged by an economy customers equip for NextGen ADS-B Cobham is uniquely positioned to that creates large fluctuations in capability with our SmartDisplay deliver such value, as evidenced by both demand and fuel costs, while electronic flight bags, which have the our selection by Carson Helicopters EPRINTS their business model is based upon potential to lower operating costs to provide avionics retrofits for a need to maximize the usage and for the entire fleet while providing Sikorsky S-61, S-76, and UH-60 performance of their helicopters. improved situational awareness of aircraft, and by our selection as EFIS In the face of these issues, we other nearby aircraft. provider to the Los Angeles Police PLAQUES recognize that rotorcraft have robust Helicopters perform certain and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s long-term market performance activities and missions better than Departments. in production and aftermarket any other vehicle. Larger market and POSTERS areas. Goodrich has invested in the economic forces require industry to David Ashton, Vice President, development of innovative products invest in continuous improvements Cobham Commercial Systems that directly address these challenges to performance and lower operating across a wide spectrum of aircraft. We costs. Goodrich is committed to are focused on providing increased providing systems that address these FlightSafety International value that helps lower total system drivers and offer increased value in cost, reduces operating costs, and these challenging times. A succession of industry and improves mission readiness and government-sponsored task forces success. For example, our advanced Curtis Reusser, Segment have, in recent years, offered a Create a powerful statement for your product, service or company through rescue hoists increase mission success President, Electronic Systems, number of proposals to improve p rofessionally designed marketing materials utilizing editorial content because they can operate in adverse Goodrich Corporation helicopter operational safety. While conditions such as high winds; now these have been wide-ranging and, in from Rotor & Wing. we have further improved them with some cases, far-reaching, they share a version that can operate through Precision Aviation Group a common denominator: they all a lightning strike. Newer products recommend increased training as a Contact Wright’s Media to d iscuss how we can customize these materials to like our lightweight ballistic-tolerant We continue to believe that Energy fundamental and essential step. For drive systems provide a simple and exploration and support will example, the International Helicopter enhance your current marketing campaign. complete solution for the helicopter remain a growth area for Helicopter Safety Team has set a goal to reduce OEM. HUMS—health and usage operations. In addition to this, the the helicopter accident rate by 80 U.S. copyright laws protect against unauthorized use of p ublished content. management systems—are saving Australasia market has continued percent by 2016. While it remains millions in maintenance and operating to be an area of expansion for our well short of that goal, IHST remains costs for commercial and military companies in the Rotary Wing optimistic that it can be reached, and users alike. We have lowered the market. Our support of Government concludes that training is key. Large weight and increased the performance programs presents an increasing operators know this and for the Reprints can be used as: Call today of our laser warning systems. As we opportunity for growth. most part adhere to regular training grow through acquisitions, our newest We are well positioned for schedules. At FlightSafety, we’re 877- 652-5295 businesses—Winslow Life Rafts continued growth, and look forward gratified to see a growing number of • Point-of-Purchase Displays and Microtecnica—are providing to a strong 2012. smaller operators embrace the value and allow our reprint helicopter float systems and reversible of simulation-based training, and we life rafts, as well as actuation and David Mast, Precision Aviation hope to see that trend continue. • Direct Mail Campaigns hydraulic systems which provide Group President & CEO On another issue, we’re concerned coordinator to assist reliable performance under extreme that government-sponsored • Trade Show Handouts conditions. operations—chief among them law you with some proven • Media Kits marketing ideas.

30 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Rotorcraft Outlook Panel

enforcement—are being significantly argument even more compelling. Aviation Instrument Services affected by severe budget constraints. Donaldson Aerospace and Defense Increasingly, these cutbacks affect offers the most extensive rotorcraft Right now the global economy as a budgets for both training and travel platform inlet protection solutions whole is unstable and like every other for training. This could become a based on core competency in industry lack of direction in the serious issue as funding cuts grow both inertial and barrier filtration stabilization is our concern. deeper and more widespread. solutions. Jim Sensale George Ferito, Director, Mike Scimone AIS President and Founder Rotorcraft Business Development President, Donaldson St. Louis, FlightSafety International Donaldson Aerospace & Defense Aspen Avionics Standardizing the approval process. Aero Dynamix Kaman The rotorcraft industry needs Airworthiness Certification—on Beyond the obvious budget and to address how to gain Federal April 9, 2011 the FAA issued economic concerns, overcapacity acceptance of standardized processes N8900.152, to be used as guidance for and additional competition from in certification and implementation FAA personnel to use for inspection emerging nations such as China are of new technologies in a timely of NVIS installations, with special the most pressing challenges. fashion. Without it, game-changing emphasis on lighting. Many of these Investment in technology ideas will not be available to this provisions were in effect previously, development is a must for the U.S. to market. but enforcement has been sporadic remain one of the industry leaders. and uneven across the country. The The main concern, as always, is how John Uczekaj robust inspection and enforcement can we collectively improve safety, Aspen Avionics President & CEO of these new standards will severely and I think unmanned technologies challenge many of the NVIS product can significantly contribute to that suppliers and integrators. Aero important goal. Dynamix has completed over 500 Becker Avionics cockpit modifications on 32 aircraft Mark Tattershall The economy and the existing platforms without certification Kaman Helicopters instability in the U.S. and across issues. Each civil aircraft modified Europe remains a major concern by ADI is fully certified and STC’d by for all of us. Yes, we have seen the FAA, and is optimized for NVG, positive trends in 2011 and the new non NVG night operations and fully BLR Aerospace rotary wing market has somewhat usable in daylight—a major step Cost containment is a major stabilized, but things remain fragile. ahead of our competitors. challenge as we look to the future We believe that 2012 will stay flat for of the rotorcraft industry. Despite most of the year but hopefully we will Dennis Trout the efforts of industry groups and see improved economic conditions Aero Dynamix General Manager government regulators, significant thereafter that will allow for stronger improvement in safety seems elusive, demand of goods and services. In and the result is an ever-increasing any case it will be a slow recovery Donaldson Aerospace & Defense cost to insure rotorcraft assets and to pre-recession levels. It is clear operations. that national and international fiscal Recent history has shown the In the certification cycle, and deficit reduction policies will rotorcraft industry has been secure, burdensome regulation hinders impact budgets and demand in the the unique ability of rotorcraft innovation and drives up delivered public and governmental rotary wing to meet many customers’ needs costs of aviation products. Energy sectors. These impending cuts will especially the military’s needs has costs, over the past decade, add have a direct impact on the rotary allowed us to weather some rough another $400-$500 per flight wing industry and can re-intensify times. But the reality of reduced hour. All factors combined, if left the market pressure. Overall, we spending on both the commercial unchecked, will result in a greater remain cautiously optimistic about and military side will have its effects. number of helicopter missions that the growth potential over the next Return on investment only counts if are no longer economically viable. 1-2 years in the rotorcraft industry. rotorcraft are working, not if they are accumulating low yearly operating Dave Marone Markus Schmitz hours. At Donaldson St. Louis we BLR Aerospace Becker Avionics CEO try very hard to provide operating performance benefits with our filtration solutions that make that “improved inlet filtration solution”

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 31 Rotorcraft Outlook Panel

Eurocopter opened the door to a major evolution opportunities, even if we will face for single-engine helicopters with strong pressure on governmental 2012 will be the first flight of the AS350 hybrid budgets in Europe. In both markets, a special and helicopter demonstrator. This constant work to increase cost- joyful year for electric engine backup system effectiveness, improve safety and E u r o c o p t e r will deliver assistance in case of a performance levels will ensure a s w e a r e main engine failure to ease the that we will continue to meet the c e l e b r a t i n g autorotation maneuver. Decision most demanding customers’ needs. o u r 2 0 t h about implementation should be The impact of the global economic anniversar y. taken in 2012. Last but not least, crisis is a major issue for the future of S i n c e t h e the X³ will resume flights again and the helicopter industry. The impact creation in 1992—as before in the achieve its top speed potential in was global, even if the situation was founding companies—innovation 2011. contrasted depending on geography has been and will remain a key pillar We will equally focus on the and mission segments, and affected of our strategy. other pillars that have made the mainly the civil market. We have engaged a very dynamic success of our business model in Our business model has innovation policy to continue to particular by further developing our limited the impact of the crisis and set the standard in today’s highly services offer and expanding our Eurocopter Group not only managed challenging operational and international network. In parallel, to continue growing despite the economic environment. Our product we have launched major industrial global economic downturn, but also range will be expanded to the EC175 projects to continue to rationalize continued investing in innovation with the first delivery end 2012. and strengthen our industrial and product policy. And just now we have announced capacities in our founding countries With this, we are today well improved performances for the and expand on emerging markets. positioned for a recovery in the EC175, that will allow operators to In regards to new and emerging market in 2012 and beyond. However reach 90 percent of the global Oil opportunities for rotorcraft we closely monitor the latest financial & Gas rigs with full payload/16 operations in 2012, the market crisis (, Ireland, Portugal, etc.) pax. The EC145T2 will go toward recovery starts to be there and is very in order to mitigate possible effects certification and has already today strong in some segments already. on its activities. Should we have to an overwhelming market success. We still expect a full recovery in face a new economic downturn, Both helicopters will offer to 2012. The positive net order trend our order backlog, our significantly our customers and unmatched has been led in particular by renewed increased services business as well productivity, and both will have our strength of the oil and gas market. In as the important improvement new HELIONICS avionics on board. the U.S. light and medium helicopter measures implemented in the last And for tour and EMS operators markets, both the emergency medical few years will keep the company in preferring single-engine helicopters, airlift and law enforcement segments good shape. we will have good news at the Heli- are pacing the business. The competitive landscape will Expo in February. We have achieved remarkable remain very dynamic and be marked The X4 will go on to develop the commercial successes on the civil by the growing importance of new successor of the Dauphin family. market in particular with the EC225, competitors in civil and military This extremely ambitious program which has become the reference in markets. For us, in this fierce will incorporate breakthrough the most demanding conditions, as competitive environment, continued technologies developed by for oil and gas and SAR operations. investment in innovation, services Eurocopter and our partners, The dynamic market development and international deployment will in terms of performance levels, in regions like Asia or Latin America be key to achieve our Vision 2020 operating costs, environmental is confirmed and we will continue objectives. impact and the overall way of how to to strengthen our activities in fly and control a helicopter. these fast growing markets. The Lutz Bertling Focus will equally remain on continued increase of the military President & CEO safety and as you may know we have market will equally create new Eurocopter Group

32 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Eurocopter EADS Division Spreads Its Wings Worldwide

stablished in 1992, the Eurocop- Arriel 2D engine, along formable interior tailored for high-end Eter Group is a division of EADS, with a new-generation digital FADEC corporate, executive and private oper- a world leader in aerospace, and an engine data recorder for condi- ations. Conceived in a styling project defense and related services. Employ- tion monitoring. Eurocopter’s EC135 led by the Mercedes-Benz Advanced ing approximately 17,500 people, T2e and P2e are evolved versions of Design Studio in Como, , the Eurocopter Group designs, develops, its popular EC135 twin-engine heli- interior of the EC145 Mercedes-Benz produces and markets the most com- copter, with an increased maximum Style is inspired by the automaker’s prehensive range of civil and military takeoff weight of up to 2,950 kg, which range of high-end vehicles. It features helicopters in the world. offers a 40-kg gain in payload and deluxe materials, elegant woods and One of the standout highlights of allows an extra passenger to be carried ambient cabin lighting, along with 2011 occurred on May 12, when Euro- with a load margin extension from its multi-function boxes. copter’s X3 (X-cube) hybrid helicopter previous weight rating. Another major development at demonstrator reached speeds of 232 Enhancements for the AS365 N3e/ Eurocopter during 2011 was its acqui- knots (430 km/h) true airspeed in AS565 MBe of Eurocopter’s medium- sition of Vector Aerospace. The pur- level, stabilized flight. This occurred weight Dauphin family respond to chase of the Canadian MRO will help during only the third mission after a market requests for improved hot- increase the growth of Support & scheduled upgrade that integrated the and-high performance, along with Services activities for Eurocopter and X3’s definitive gearboxes. new technologies and systems. Pri- EADS in both the civil and govern- “Future helicopters incorporating mary changes are the introduction of mental markets. Vector Aerospace the X3 configuration will offer our cus- Arriel 2N engines with dual-channel will also strengthen EADS’ presence in tomers about 50 percent more cruise FADEC, use of the main gearbox North America and the UK, in align- speed and range at very affordable from Eurocopter’s EC155 helicopter, ment with the company’s strategic costs, therefore defining the future of the incorporation of a new Starflex goals as outlined in EADS’ Vision 2020 high productivity rotary-wing air- rotor head, and the application of a plan. EADS North America surpassed craft,” noted CEO Lutz Bertling. reinforced main rotor mast.Improve- the halfway mark for deliveries of the Another new member of Euro- ments for the AS332L1e Super Puma U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota in August. copter’s helicopter family—the EC145 are focused on the integration of Euro- The Army has received more than 50 T2—was formally launched during copter’s advanced cockpit and auto- percent of the planned 345 Lakotas Heli-Expo in March. An evolved matic flight control systems employed involved in the light version of the popular twin-engine on its EC225/EC725. This will offer (LUH) program. EC145 that incorporates new Tur- enhanced flight envelope protection The latter stages of 2011 brought bomeca Arriel 2E engines, along with and increased safety levels, along with two advancements within Eurocopter the company’s shrouded full compatibility for such new-gen- Group divisions, with the November , upgraded main and tail rotor eration mission equipment as FLIR approval of the NH90 in the final tacti- gear boxes, the T2 has an innova- sensors, H-TAWS, digital map units, cal transport helicopter (TTH) con- tive new digital avionics suite and a and TCAS. figuration and Australian Aerospace’s four-axis autopilot. With deliveries In October, Eurocopter unveiled delivery of the final production Tiger scheduled to start in 2013, the EC145 another new concept with the first ARH to the Australian Defence Force T2 will offer significantly improved flight of a hybrid helicopter that com- (ADF) in December. performance, increased flight safety, bines a turboshaft internal combus- The NH90 approval marks the enhanced human-machine interface, tion engine with an electric motor. completion of the TTH develop- improved maintainability and lower The manufacturer is using the supple- ment, and allows delivery of the initial operating costs. It benefits from the mental electric system to increase NH90 TTH in the final operational heritage of Eurocopter’s EC145 and maneuverability of a single-engine configuration to the French Army. its BK117 predecessor, which together helicopter during an autorotation It will be followed by the startup of have logged over 2.8 million flight landing—which is performed by heli- deliveries in 2012 to Italy, hours in service around the world. copters in the event of a main engine and Germany. Australian Aerospace Also announced during Heli- failure. The demonstrator helicopter handed over Tiger ARH022, the last Expo 2011 is the enhancement of is a production version of Eurocopter’s of 22 helicopters, to ADF at its Final four variants—the AS350, EC135, light single-engine AS350, which has Assembly plant on Brisbane Airport. AS365/AS565 and AS332. The first been equipped with a supplementary Acquired under Project Air 87, the of Eurocopter’s enhanced helicopters electric motor. Tiger replaces ADF’s existing rotary- is the single-engine AS350 B3e. This During EBACE in May, Eurocopter wing force comprising Bell 206B-1 updated version of the best-selling debuted the EC145 Mercedes-Benz (Kiowa) reconnaissance and UH1-H Ecureuil family has a more powerful Style, which features an easily trans- (Iroquois) gunship helicopters.

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 33 AgustaWestland Powerful Force in the Helicopter Industry

gustaWestland, a powerful force in the helicopter industry, Ais capable of satisfying the wid- est range of customer requirements with a modern range of high perfor- mance civil and military rotorcraft encompassing all the main weight categories. Products range from the innovative light single 1.8-ton SW-4 to the 16-ton three-engine AW101 helicopter. Other products include the AW119Ke single engine, AW109 Power, AW109 LUH and GrandNew light-twin; the T129 combat helicop- ter; the multi-role Super Lynx 300 and AW159; the best-selling AW139 medium twin; the AW609 tiltrotor and the NH90 11-ton. New products recently launched include the AW149 military twin engine helicopter, the AW169 light intermediate 4.5-ton class and the AW189 twin engine 8-ton class heli- copters, further expanding the prod- of ownership while improving opera- training solutions that support the uct range. Through a wide range tional capabilities. Integrated Opera- complete pipeline, from basic training of joint ventures and collaborative tional Support (IOS) solutions are to beyond utilizing classrooms, simu- programs with major aerospace and delivering increased aircraft opera- lators and aircraft. Emphasis is placed defense companies, AgustaWestland tional effectiveness to the military on producing a range of cost-effective is increasing its helicopter offerings while driving down through-life costs. options aimed at supporting the user and opening up new business oppor- The company also offers its commer- as close to the front line as possible, tunities. A large variety of initiatives cial customers a wide range of service while providing central high-value and industrial co-operations have in plans and industry leading warranty services delivering training courses fact been set up in several countries programs. That’s not all. AgustaWest- and simulation for all customers. also including the U.S., Turkey, China, land is expanding its network of sup- Rotorsim, a joint venture with Russia, , India, and ply and service centers around the CAE, delivers simulator training for a Canada. world to be close to its customers. range of AgustaWestland helicopters, The supply and service centers stock including the AW109 Power, AW109 Working for Customers spares and are authorized to carry LUH and AW139; and has Level D AgustaWestland is focused on help- out repair and overhaul services for certified simulators located in both ing its customers reduce their costs AgustaWestland helicopters. Italy and the U.S. In the UK, Aviation Training International Ltd., a joint Training and Future Plans venture with Boeing, provides a com- AgustaWestland is an established prehensive training service for the provider of professional training ser- Apache AH Mk.1 fleet. vices and solutions to a wide range Finally, AgustaWestland is invest- of civil, military and industrial cus- ing in advanced technologies right tomers around the world. Building now that will make future rotorcraft on core competencies in high qual- more efficient, quieter and greener. In ity rotary wing and systems training, addition to new helicopter designs, the AgustaWestland is committed to company is also studying revolution- developing and expanding its train- ary tiltrotor and tilt wing rotorcraft, ing portfolio to meet the current and combining turboprop performance future training needs of all customers. and rotorcraft flexibility in a single The company provides integrated vehicle.

34 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Versatility for your missions Value for your budget

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JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 35 TAKE YOUR TRAINING TO NEW HEIGHTS

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Your training programs maintain pilot and operator readiness; our integrated off-the-shelf software allows you to build applications that address your unique needs. Working with Presagis enables you to develop high-fidelity, cost-effective rotary-wing training and simulation systems on time and on budget. With proven software solutions and expert technical services, Presagis can help take your training programs to new heights.

SEE FOR YOURSELF ONLINE AT WWW.PRESAGIS.COM/HELI

© Presagis Canada Inc. and/or Presagis USA Inc. 2011. All rights reserved. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

36 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Presagis Develop Low-Cost, High-Fidelity Simulation Systems resagis is a leading global to operate large dedicated training provider of off-the-shelf facilities. Pmodeling & simulation software for the helicopter training market. Real-time Visual Systems Leading organizations implement Presagis visualization tools, such as Presagis software in development Vega Prime, empowers developers of low-cost, tailored training and to create immersive and high- simulation applications to help ensure performance simulations that are pilot readiness. Flexible, out-of-the- critical to effectively train helicopter box solutions from Presagis allow you pilots. Primary scene content, such to build your application from scratch as visual target detection, orientation, or upgrade your existing training recognition, and identification application with ease. (DORI), as well as secondary visual scene cues can be accurately Save Time & Cost represented when developing the When Developing Your simulation. Users can enhance their imagery from Electro-optical (EO), Helicopter Training simulations with other Presagis Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), Application and 3rd-party software to develop and Search and Rescue (SAR) sensors. Saving time and cost and having an additional functionality, such as high- Sensor Products delivers the realism easily deployable solution is critical fidelity physics-based flight dynamics, and fidelity required to accurately when developing your training accurate Night Vision Goggles (NVG) simulate real-world visual sensor program. and Infrared (IR) views, maritime displays, including EO, NVG and IR. Providing pilots with training capabilities, and 2D graphical overlays and experience within difficult and instrumentation. Mission Scenarios conditions which would otherwise In order to provide easily accessible, be too difficult or dangerous to Helicopter Flight Motion dynamic and interactive simulation replicate in live training exercises is and Dynamics environments in which pilots also paramount. Presagis HeliSIM can add high- can train, helicopter tactics and Presagis off-the-shelf software fidelity flight dynamics to any operational scenarios are available tools enable the development, simulation in order to accurately within Presagis STAGE. STAGE can be modification, and re-use of represent helicopter motion and configured and enhanced in order to simulation systems that can help to performance. Using HeliSIM, meet your application requirements. maintain pilot and operator readiness developers can leverage an extendible STAGE Mission Editor and built-in during downtime, when it may not and flexible software environment to artificial intelligence capabilities allow be possible to train on a helicopter. create and deploy a complete 6 degree users to develop immersive training With built-in flexibility to “mix and of freedom (6DoF) aerodynamic environments by creating rich match” features and levels of fidelity model for any rotorcraft platform. scenarios with intelligent vehicle and required from different simulations, It can also simulate blade element human entities, including complex Presagis helps developers rise to the models for helicopters with either crowd and vehicle behaviors. STAGE challenge of building truly immersive rigid or flexible blade models that are supports weapon and sensor profiles and effective pilot training systems. driven by either turboshaft, advanced that can be simulated as an entity turboshaft, or by a user customized within the synthetic environment or Developing Deployable performance engine. The tool enables simulated statistically. Users can also Helicopter Simulators users to test both aircraft design specify environmental conditions by With requirements to operate and performance under controlled, modeling weather profiles that affect on a global scale, the demand for simulated conditions. the motion and dynamics of entities lightweight, deployable simulation within scenarios. has gained significant interest in High-Fidelity Sensor the helicopter market. With the Displays Presagis integration of Presagis software Presagis Sensor Products allows 4700 de la Savane, Suite 300 and helicopter hardware, including customers to develop high-fidelity Montreal, QC H4P 1T7 cockpit and flight controls, sensor applications for pilots and Canada customers can design affordable weapons operators to familiarize Phone: +1 514 341 3874 and conveniently transportable themselves with friendly and enemy Fax: +1 514 341 8018 simulation systems, without the need target signatures by simulating Web: www.presagis.com/heli

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 37 Aeronautical Accessories Known Around the World for Superior Rotorcraft Accessories and Parts

The Aeronautical Accessories brand o ers advanced helicopter parts and accessories that are designed, manufactured, warehoused and distributed at two stateoftheart facilities spanning 150,000 square feet.

Incredible variety, global distribution With a product line consisting of more than 360 unique STCs, Aeronautical Accessories develops and distributes over 4,000 products and replacement parts. By maintaining inventory levels to meet demand, we are able to minimize customer downtime for repairs, refurbishments, and completions.

Stringent quality control, exceptional service Every Aeronautical Accessories The trusted leader since 1979 component must meet FAA As the most trusted leader requirements as well as exacting in helicopter accessories and internal standards. Backed by replacement parts, Aeronautical an exceptional warranty and a Accessories has been designing reputation for excellent service and producing quality rotorcraft with unparalleled reliability, items since 1979. Other brands Aeronautical Accessories continues can promise quality and reliability, to be known around the world but only Aeronautical Accessories for superior rotorcraft parts and has decades of experience and innovative accessories. dedicated specialists delivering on that promise. Achieving ISO 9001 with AS9100 Revision C certification reinforces what customers have always known Advancing mission capabilities about Aeronautical Accessories — through innovation a brand that provides superior At Aeronautical Accessories, we believe providing you with reliable, quality rotorcraft products is products to people who depend on Designed to enhance operation, quality and performance every day. more than a profession, it’s a personal commitment! Our team is dedicated to helping customers safety and versatility, Aeronautical Accessories’ exciting innovations complete some of the toughest jobs in the world by advancing mission capabilities through help expand the helicopter’s innovative products and accessories. Experience the personalized support that sets us apart from capabilities — allowing customers For more information contact: to accomplish a wide variety of other brands and see how we can help you complete your unique missions more successfully. missions. With our advanced www.aero-access.com, engineering team listening to [email protected] customer feedback, the group is or 1-800-251-7094 able to predict emerging needs and applications, and respond swiftly with custom solutions. www.aero-access.com | [email protected] | 1-800-251-7094

©2011 Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. All rights reserved. 38 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM With a product line consisting of more than 360 unique STCs, Aeronautical Accessories develops and distributes over 4,000 products and replacement parts. By maintaining inventory levels to meet demand, we are able to minimize customer downtime for repairs, refurbishments, and completions.

Every Aeronautical Accessories component must meet FAA As the most trusted leader requirements as well as exacting in helicopter accessories and internal standards. Backed by replacement parts, Aeronautical an exceptional warranty and a Accessories has been designing reputation for excellent service and producing quality rotorcraft with unparalleled reliability, items since 1979. Other brands Aeronautical Accessories continues can promise quality and reliability, to be known around the world but only Aeronautical Accessories for superior rotorcraft parts and has decades of experience and innovative accessories. dedicated specialists delivering on that promise. Achieving ISO 9001 with AS9100 Revision C Innovation. Reliability. Performance. certification reinforces what customers have always known about Aeronautical Accessories — a brand that provides superior At Aeronautical Accessories, we believe providing you with reliable, quality rotorcraft products is products to people who depend on Designed to enhance operation, quality and performance every day. more than a profession, it’s a personal commitment! Our team is dedicated to helping customers safety and versatility, Aeronautical Accessories’ exciting innovations complete some of the toughest jobs in the world by advancing mission capabilities through help expand the helicopter’s innovative products and accessories. Experience the personalized support that sets us apart from capabilities — allowing customers to accomplish a wide variety of other brands and see how we can help you complete your unique missions more successfully. missions. With our advanced www.aero-access.com, engineering team listening to [email protected] customer feedback, the group is or 1-800-251-7094 able to predict emerging needs and applications, and respond swiftly with custom solutions. www.aero-access.com | [email protected] | 1-800-251-7094

©2011 Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. All rights reserved. JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 39 Goodrich Corporation Customer-Focused Systems for the Helicopter Industry

ith a respected leadership helicopter equipment and aftermarket • Flight control actuators position in the helicopter solutions. • Rescue hoists Windustry, Goodrich Corpora- • Terrain warning and avoidance tion serves commercial and military systems operators with advanced system tech- Broad Portfolio of Proven • Mission data recorders nology and tailored service offerings. Helicopter Capabilities • Electric power generation and dis- Its history of improving safety, Goodrich Corporation’s broad port- tribution operational cost, reliability and func- folio of field-proven products for the • Engine controls tionality for helicopter operators and helicopter industry includes, but is not • Laser detection systems manufacturers around the world, limited to, the following systems: • Ice detection and protection systems combined with its reputation as a flex- • Light-weight flexible drive systems ible business partner, have made the • Health and usage management sys- • SmartProbe® air data systems company a trusted source for original tems (HUMS) • Life rafts and floats

The U.S. Army’s Sikorsky Black Hawk fleet is equipped with Goodrich HUMS.

40 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Goodrich Corporation

With Goodrich as a systems pro- vider, customers enjoy many advan- tages. OEMs manage fewer suppliers, lowers costs and experiences the ben- efits of greater accountability backed by a long-standing industry leader. Operators benefit from increased capability and system simplicity with bundled multi-function solutions, plus integrated customer support.

Field-Proven Success Goodrich products and systems are on nearly every helicopter that flies today, as well as those currently in development. Service-proven HUMS, electronic engine controls, actuation systems, laser warning systems, rescue hoists, drive systems and ice protec- tion systems are among the products on key frontline military helicop- ters such as the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey, Boeing AH-64, Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota, NH Industries NH90, and Sikorsky UH-60 models. Active commercial applications include the AgustaWestland AW139 and Sikor- sky S-76 and S-92 models. Goodrich products are present on a number of diverse platforms in development today, such as the AgustaWestland AW609 and Sikorsky CH-53K.

From Advancing Technologies to Providing Comprehensive Lifecycle Solutions Innovation is the hallmark of Goo- drich. Its advanced SmartProbe® air data system, drive system components and electronic engine control helped Goodrich is a preferred hoist provider for the Bell 412. the Sikorsky X2 make its record- breaking flight to win the prestigious Collier Trophy. Advanced lightweight, ing product lines have positioned cycle support of its products. low-cost one-piece flexible couplings the company as a frontrunner in Goodrich Corporation’s headquar- transmit power so the V-22 can safely the development of mission-critical ters is located at 2730 West Tyvola fly with one engine out. The com- helicopter technology. Further, the Road, Charlotte, NC 28217. Contact pany’s extensive experience, innova- company is dedicated to providing Goodrich at 704-423-7000 or visit tive advances and continually evolv- comprehensive, custom-tailored life- www.goodrich.com.

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 41 FlightSafety

The World Leader in Simulation-Based Helicopter Training •••

lightSafety International, the These advanced FTDs incorporate in helicopter training. EMS pilots train world’s foremost aviation training the latest visual realism and other to convincing scenarios drawn from F company, stays Ahead of the Curve components from full flight simulation real-life challenges. Offshore crews with groundbreaking simulation-based while allowing the economy of fixed- face training scenarios that replicate � helicopter training. The company base training. Level 7, the highest their particular situation. The company pioneered both Level D simulation qualification level for an FTD, offers also offers mission-specific training for � and Level 7 flight training devices for maximum training and checking credits. law enforcement and newsgathering.

helicopters and continually responds Programs can be customized to � to changing industry demands. Multiple Centers for emphasize scenarios specific to any

Training Excellence operation. A full complement of specialty � FlightSafety offers training at six training courses meet helicopter Learning Centers for helicopter models pilots’ specific training requirements, � from most major manufacturers. including – beginning in early 2012 – • Dallas/Fort Worth Learning Air Medical Resource Management. Center: Level D pilot training • Inadvertent IMC procedures for Eurocopter EC135 • Night and NVG operations • Fort Worth Bell Learning Center: • Instrument procedures Full flight simulator pilot training • EMS flight operations for Bell 212, 412 and 430 • Law enforcement flight operations • Lafayette Learning Center: Level 7 • Crew resource management A Training Trendsetter FTD pilot training for Bell 206/TH-67 • Approach and landing FlightSafety also was the first to offer and Bell 407; Level D pilot training accident reduction electric motion and control loading for for Sikorsky S-76C and S-92 • Aviation decision-making the most precise and realistic simulator • London Farnborough Training experience possible. The company’s Center: Level D pilot training Training Leadership VITAL visual systems deliver the for Sikorsky S-92 FlightSafety offers factory-authorized most precise and realistic training • Tucson Learning Center: Level 7 FTD training for Bell, Sikorsky and, in 2013, experience available, with unmatched pilot training for Eurocopter AS350 AgustaWestland. It is the world’s premier fidelity, extensive visual database • West Palm Beach Learning Center: professional aviation training company and a broad range of environmental Full flight simulator pilot and and supplier of flight simulators, visual conditions including brownout and maintenance training for Sikorsky systems and displays to commercial, whiteout. Currently the company is S-70, S-76B-C and S-92 government and military organizations. building a Level D simulator to initiate In addition, the company offers factory- The company provides more than a training in Lafayette, La., in early 2013 authorized maintenance training on million hours of training each year to for AgustaWestland AW139 operators. the full range of Pratt & Whitney pilots, technicians and other aviation Canada engines at Learning Centers professionals from 154 countries. A New Training Vision and training locations worldwide. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest FlightSafety’s Tucson, Ariz.-based fleet of advanced full flight simulators at Level 7 Eurocopter AS350 FTD – the Mission-Specific Training Learning Centers and training locations first simulator of any type qualified FlightSafety’s mission-oriented in the United States, Canada, Europe, for night vision goggle training – approach provides a major advantage South Africa and Asia. ■ offers in-depth NVG scenarios far superior in scope and realism to anything that could be attempted in a helicopter. The company continues to expand its NVG capability, with the goal of making this important instruction available for the majority of its helicopter training programs. The Level 7 Advantage FlightSafety fielded the world’s first Level 7 helicopter FTD and now operates several of these type-specific devices for Bell and Eurocopter models.

••

•

42 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM

HNKIJVUCHGV["JGNKEQRVGT"CFXCPVCIG"CF"/"TQVQT"("YKPI"/"Dnggf<":/31:Ñy"z"33Ñj""Vtko<"9/91:Ñ"z"32/516Ñ"j""""RFH1Z/3c"XKC"GOCKN First to Deploy Level 7 Helicopter FTDs

Programs Tailored to Your Individual Needs Enhancing Safety by Delivering Superior Helicopter Training in the Areas That Matter Most

• • • Quality Value Service Technology Inadvertent IMC Training

Mission-Specific Training

� Emergency Medical

� Corporate/Executive Transport

� Law Enforcement

� Newsgathering

� Offshore

• • New Helicopter- • Dedicated Lafayette • • Learning Center • • • • Exceptional Overall Value •

• eLearning Convenience •

When you choose to train with FlightSafety International, Mission-specific training uses realistic scenarios to Training to Proficiency • you receive much more than just basic instruction. prepare pilots and crew for the conditions and situations You leverage the unmatched resources of the world’s they encounter in the field. Whether your mission is • First to Develop Level D leading aviation training company. More courses, more corporate/executive transportation, emergency medical Helicopter Simulators instructors, more top-level fully qualified simulators, transport, offshore support, law enforcement or more training locations. We’re the authorized trainer newsgathering, our industry-leading training focuses on for the majority of aircraft manufacturers, including your particular challenges, helping ensure that you’re 1,400 Highly Qualified Instructors Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky Aircraft. prepared when the routine turns into the unforeseen.

Simulation-based training from FlightSafety is the single most We offer training for Bell helicopters at Fort Worth, Texas, Dedicated to Enhancing effective way to enhance safety in helicopter flight operations. and Lafayette, Louisiana, and for Sikorsky helicopters at Safety Since 1951 We were the first to bring Level D performance to full flight West Palm Beach, Florida; London Farnborough, England; helicopter simulation and the first to introduce the quiet and Lafayette. Our Lafayette Learning Center dedicates ■ Integrated Customer precision of simulator electric motion and control loading. its efforts wholly to helicopter safety training, offering Training System We continue our decades-long helicopter safety leadership Customer-specific training supporting multiple aircraft with the world’s first Level 7 helicopter flight training devices manufacturer product lines. The center’s training programs for effective and economical training, and the world’s only serve all sectors of the industry, including the large and Worldwide Network of 40 Learning Centers Level D Eurocopter EC135 simulator. And we are the only diverse fleet operating in the Gulf of Mexico. source for simulation-based night vision goggle training,

which delivers comprehensive instruction night or day, Our Eurocopter training includes cost-effective AStar Online Training allowing wide-ranging scenarios not possible in the aircraft training on a Level 7 FTD in Tucson, Arizona, and Level D Program Management while leaving your helicopter free for its intended mission. full flight simulator EC135 training at DFW Airport, Texas.

Flexible and Convenient Scheduling

For information, contact Scott Fera, Vice President

Marketing • 718.565.4774 • sales@flightsafety.com

flightsafety.com • A Berkshire Hathaway company Outstanding Customer Service

JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 43

HNKIJVUCHGV["JGNKEQRVGT"CFXCPVCIG"CF"/"TQVQT"("YKPI"/"Dnggf<":/31:Ñy"z"33Ñj""Vtko<"9/91:Ñ"z"32/516Ñ"j""""RFH1Z/3c"XKC"GOCKN Precision Aviation Group Subsidiaries

Precision Accessories & Instruments (PAI) & Precision Heliparts (PHP) - Atlanta, GA ゼ"HCC"Tgrckt"Uvcvkqp"%Ôu"R[:T767Z"("¥X6T936O"1"GCUC"36707273 ゼ"Ucngu."Tgrcktu."Gzejcpigu."("OTQ"Ugtxkegu ゼ"97.222"Uswctg"Hqqv"Hceknkv{ ゼ"37"Ucngu"Rtqhguukqpcnu ゼ"Wpnkokvgf"HCC1GCUC"Tcvkpiu"qp"Ceeguuqtkgu."Cxkqpkeu."(" """"Kpuvtwogpvu ゼ":.722"Tgrckt"Ecrcdknkvkgu ゼ"72.222"Nkpg"Kvgo"Tqvcdng"Kpxgpvqt{ ゼ"Nkxg"/"46191587"Yqtnfykfg"CQI"Uwrrqtv"*Cflcegpv"vq"CVN+

Precision Accessories & Instruments Canada (PAI-C) & Precision Heliparts Canada (PHP-C) - Vancouver, BC

ゼ"Vtcpurqtv"Ecpcfc1GCUC"Tgrckt"Uvcvkqp"367093:7"1"COQ"%;8/26"1"FQV"%;4/24 ゼ"Ucngu."Tgrcktu."Gzejcpigu."("OTQ"Ugtxkegu ゼ"47.222"Uswctg"Hqqv"Hceknkv{ ゼ"8"Ucngu"Rtqhguukqpcnu ゼ"Wpnkokvgf"Tcvkpiu"qp"Ceeguuqtkgu."Cxkqpkeu."("Kpuvtwogpvu ゼ"57.222"Nkpg"Kvgo"Tqvcdng"Kpxgpvqt{ """"Nkxg"/"46191587"Yqtnfykfg"CQI"Uwrrqtv"*Cflcegpv"vq"[XT+

Gardner Aviation Services (GAS) - Peachtree City, GA ゼ"HCC"Tgrckt"Uvcvkqp"%I5UT444L ゼ"Cxkqpkeu"Kpuvcnnu."ÑIncuu"RcpgnÒ"Writcfgu."Cktetchv" """"Ockpvgpcpeg."("OTQ"Ugtxkegu ゼ"57.222"Uswctg"Hqqv"Hceknkv{"qp"Hcneqp"Hkgnf"*MHHE+ ゼ"37"Vgejpkekcpu"ykvj"Qxgt"497"[gctu"qh"Gzrgtkgpeg ゼ"Hkzgf"("Tqvct{"Ykpi"Cktetchv"Uwrrqtvgf ゼ"46191587"Oqdkng"Tgurqpug"Vgco

Aero Technology, Inc. (ATI) - Long Beach, CA ゼ"HCC"Tgrckt"Uvcvkqp"%FS5T67:N"1"GCUC"36706274 ゼ"OTQ"Ugtxkeg"Rtqxkfgt"qh"Ceeguuqtkgu."Cxkqpkeu."(" """"Kpuvtwogpvu ゼ"47.222"Uswctg"Hqqv"Hceknkv{"qp"Nqpi"Dgcej"KpvÔn"Cktrqtv"*NID+ ゼ"Eqoogtekcn"Vtcpurqtv."Oknkvct{."("Tgikqpcn"Cktnkpgu"Uwrrqtvgf ゼ"Tgekrkgpv"qh"Dqgkpiu"Eqxgvgf"Iqnf"Uwrrnkgt"Cyctf"422;."4232" """("NwhvjcpucÔu"4232"OTQ"Gzegnngpv"Uwrrnkgt"Cyctf

44 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Unlimited Accessories ヰ Unlimited Avionics ヰ Unlimited Instruments www.precisionaviationgroup.com Precision

ゼ"HCC"Tgrckt"Uvcvkqp"%Ôu"R[:T767Z"("¥X6T936O"1"GCUC"36707273 ゼ"Ucngu."Tgrcktu."Gzejcpigu."("OTQ"Ugtxkegu Aviation Group ゼ"97.222"Uswctg"Hqqv"Hceknkv{ ゼ"37"Ucngu"Rtqhguukqpcnu "Others Sell Parts, We Sell Support" ゼ"Wpnkokvgf"HCC1GCUC"Tcvkpiu"qp"Ceeguuqtkgu."Cxkqpkeu."(" """"Kpuvtwogpvu Precision Heliparts (PHP) ゼ":.722"Tgrckt"Ecrcdknkvkgu ゼ"72.222"Nkpg"Kvgo"Tqvcdng"Kpxgpvqt{ Precision Heliparts-Canada (PHP-C) ゼ"Nkxg"/"46191587"Yqtnfykfg"CQI"Uwrrqtv"*Cflcegpv"vq"CVN+ Precision Accessories & Instruments (PAI) Precision Accessories & Instruments-Canada (PAI-C) Gardner Aviation Services (GAS) Aero Technology, Inc. (ATI) ゼ"Vtcpurqtv"Ecpcfc1GCUC"Tgrckt"Uvcvkqp"367093:7"1"COQ"%;8/26"1"FQV"%;4/24 ゼ"Ucngu."Tgrcktu."Gzejcpigu."("OTQ"Ugtxkegu ゼ"47.222"Uswctg"Hqqv"Hceknkv{ 2012 Executive Outlook from David Mast, specific Accessories, Avionics and our proven customer focused busi- ゼ"8"Ucngu"Rtqhguukqpcnu Instruments. In addition to this, we ness model—Inventory Supported ゼ"Wpnkokvgf"Tcvkpiu"qp"Ceeguuqtkgu."Cxkqpkeu."("Kpuvtwogpvu President and CEO of will be adding customer service and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Precision Aviation Group: support staff to specifically support (ISMRO), and we will make substan- ゼ"57.222"Nkpg"Kvgo"Tqvcdng"Kpxgpvqt{ the West Coast Helicopter market for tial capital investments in all of our """"Nkxg"/"46191587"Yqtnfykfg"CQI"Uwrrqtv"*Cflcegpv"vq"[XT+ ATI. In January, we will launch the facilities. recision Aviation Group (PAG) Rotorcraft Services Division at GAS. However, as previously men- continued to expand and grow The Rotorcraft Services Division tioned, the emphasis in 2012 will Pin 2011. We completed two will provide Airframe maintenance, be on our Peachtree City and Long acquisitions—Gardner Aviation Ser- Avionics upgrades/installations, and Beach locations. In direct support of vices (GAS)—located in Peachtree Aircraft retrofits for the Helicopter ISMRO, we will continue investing in City, Ga. and Aero Technology, Inc. market. PAG hired two Helicopter inventory that supports the aircraft (ATI)—located in Long Beach, Calif. Industry veterans to run this division our customers operate, and we have ゼ"HCC"Tgrckt"Uvcvkqp"%I5UT444L These acquisitions greatly enhance in November, and we have already doubled our capital expenditure ゼ"Cxkqpkeu"Kpuvcnnu."ÑIncuu"RcpgnÒ"Writcfgu."Cktetchv" our MRO capabilities, expands our seen a dramatic increase in the num- budget over 2011. Our capital invest- """"Ockpvgpcpeg."("OTQ"Ugtxkegu geographic footprint, and gives PAG ber of Helicopters serviced at GAS. ments will include tooling/equip- two “on-Airport” locations with We are excited about the future ment, logistics, technology based ゼ"57.222"Uswctg"Hqqv"Hceknkv{"qp"Hcneqp"Hkgnf"*MHHE+ expansive hangar facilities. With opportunities this division creates for customer service improvements, ゼ"37"Vgejpkekcpu"ykvj"Qxgt"497"[gctu"qh"Gzrgtkgpeg these acquisitions, our total employ- our Commercial and Government ERP software upgrades, and various ゼ"Hkzgf"("Tqvct{"Ykpi"Cktetchv"Uwrrqtvgf ment has grown to over 160, and our customer base. facility enhancements. four facilities now encompass more In our continuing efforts to We continue to believe that ゼ"46191587"Oqdkng"Tgurqpug"Vgco than 150,000 square feet. expand our Geographic footprint, in Energy exploration and support will For 2012, we will be expanding 2011 we hired a Regional Sales Man- remain a growth area for Helicopter our capabilities at all of our facili- ager in Lafayette, La. to better serve operations. In addition to this, the ties, but our primary focus will be our customer base in the Gulf region. Australasia market has continued expanding our Rotary Wing services In 2012, we will be opening a facility to be an area of expansion for our ゼ"HCC"Tgrckt"Uvcvkqp"%FS5T67:N"1"GCUC"36706274 at our newly acquired companies. in Lafayette that will include MRO companies in the Rotary Wing mar- ゼ"OTQ"Ugtxkeg"Rtqxkfgt"qh"Ceeguuqtkgu."Cxkqpkeu."(" ATI and GAS will launch Helicopter- services. In addition to this, we will ket. Our support of Government """"Kpuvtwogpvu specific programs that will expand continue to selectively pursue acqui- programs presents an increasing the type of services we can provide sitions that enhance the MRO ser- opportunity for growth. ゼ"47.222"Uswctg"Hqqv"Hceknkv{"qp"Nqpi"Dgcej"KpvÔn"Cktrqtv"*NID+ to our Global customer base. At ATI, vices we provide to our customers. We are well positioned for con- ゼ"Eqoogtekcn"Vtcpurqtv."Oknkvct{."("Tgikqpcn"Cktnkpgu"Uwrrqtvgf we will be expanding their MRO In addition to the above, we will tinued growth, and look forward to a ゼ"Tgekrkgpv"qh"Dqgkpiu"Eqxgvgf"Iqnf"Uwrrnkgt"Cyctf"422;."4232" capabilities to include Helicopter- continue to focus on expanding strong 2012. """("NwhvjcpucÔu"4232"OTQ"Gzegnngpv"Uwrrnkgt"Cyctf

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 45 ヰ ヰ Aspen Avionics Solid State. Solid Reliability.

spen Avionics specializes tem (AHRS) in making reliable, solid- • Emergency GPS and backup battery Astate avionic technologies with 30 minutes of backup time for helicopter applications. Our • Electronic HSI with moving map products increase situational that displays GPS flight plan legs, awareness and reduce pilot waypoints, navaids and airports workload, making it easier and (PFD) safer to fly every mission. • Electronic Attitude Director Indi- Our philosophy is that invest- cator (ADI) with easy to read air- ing in the latest avionics tech- speed and altitude tapes (PFD) nology shouldn’t always mean • Altitude alerter (PFD) spending a lot of money—on • High resolution digital moving map equipment or on installation. with relative terrain and obstacle aware- Aspen’s flagship Evolu- ness (MFD) tion Flight Displays are light- • Traffic and weather interface (MFD) weight and compact—under 4 pounds—eliminating the need About Aspen Avionics for heavy remote mount boxes and wiring. Aspen Avionics is based in Albuquer- que, New Mexico and was founded by pilots and aviation Flexible and Compatible enthusiasts in 2004. Our customers tell us our service and The Evolution system is built with an open architecture support are top-notch and we work hard to maintain that offering broad compatibility with legacy systems already level of trust. installed in your cockpit. The Aspen system is customizable to your needs and budget. Flexible installation options of one, two, or three displays allow you to choose the configuration that best works for you. Additionally, bezel-loading micro SD cards make software upgrades and optional features easy to install. This all adds up to future-proofing your investment in glass panel technology. Affordable The Evolution Flight Display is the most affordable certified EFIS display technology available in the helicopter market today with options starting around $15K. With upcoming FAA mandates for NVG, Heli TAWS, and NextGen, Aspen is committed to delivering upgrades that will make these transitions easier and more cost-effec- tive for your operation. Approvals Aspen has over 4,000 installations and more than 900 air- Perfect fit for every mission craft approved for installation. Law enforcement, search and rescue, military, medevac or The Bell 206 STC is available today. Additional STCs IFR training—every mission requires reliable, easy to use are in process, including the Robinson R22/R44, Bell 407, tools to get the job done and these are what Aspen delivers. AS350, MD500 and the Enstrom 480B. Aspens’ Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) are an approved For the most current information regarding availability, replacement for your mechanical flight instruments. The installation, and certification, please contact Aspen Avion- Multi-function Flight Displays (MFDs) allow you to expand ics Inc. at 5001 Indian School Road NE, Albuquerque, NM your glass panel and enhance your flight mission with fea- 87110, by phone at 1-505-856-5034 or visit www.aspenavi- tures such as high resolution digital moving map, terrain onics.com/helicopter and obstacle awareness, datalink weather, traffic, and more. System features include: • Brilliant, direct sunlight-readable, 6-inch 760x400 TFT active matrix LCD display • Reliable solid-state Attitude and Heading Reference Sys-

46 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Solid State. Solid Reliability.

Aspen’s reliable, solid-state AHRS technology meets the challenges of your most demanding missions and ensures your critical flight data is there when you need it. The Evolution Flight Display’s flexible intuitive interface enhances mission safety: Aspen’s unique PFD/MFD window layout flexibility allows you to prioritize critical flight data. Multiple views at your command significantly enhance situational awareness. Lightweight, robust, and equipped with built-in 30-minute battery backup, the Evolution Flight Display system is the most affordable, reliable EFIS system on the helicopter market today.

EFD500H MFD EFD1000H Pro PFD

Evolution 1500H: Unrivaled Reliability Made Affordable.

www.aspenavionics.com/helicopter

Copyright 2012 Aspen Avionics Inc. ”Aspen Avionics,” “Evolution Flight Display System,” “Connected Panel,” and the Aspen Avionics aircraft logo are trademarks of Aspen Avionics Inc. All rights reserved. JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 47 Aero Dynamix Balanced Cockpit Solutions for Night Vision

ounded in 1994, Aero Dyna- completed over 500 cockpit modifica- full-time night vision professionals Fmix, Inc. (ADI) is the industry tions without certification issues. Each who all work at one location in a new leader and principle innovator civil aircraft modified by ADI is fully 23,200-square-foot facility located in of “INTEGRATED” Night Vision certified and STC’d by the FAA, thus Euless, Texas that incorporates the Instrument Systems (NVIS) solutions meeting or exceeding all regulatory very latest in high-tech manufactur- for both commercial and military air- standards. ing technology and equipment. At craft. Focused on quality, service and Product offerings include Edge Lit its new facility, ADI has complete customer satisfaction, ADI special- Panels (ELPs), NVIS panel overlays, manufacturing and instrument modi- izes in complete cockpit modifications NVIS instrument modifications and fication/repair capabilities that are all designed to achieve a “BALANCED repairs for a wide range of avionics accomplished to strict adherence to SOLUTION” that is optimized for manufacturers. ADI is also a stock- the guidelines established by the FAA both NVIS and daylight readability ing distributor for L-3 Night Vision and its Quality Assurance Depart- performance. To date, Aero Dynamix, Goggles (NVGs) and certification ment. ADI recently achieved internal has earned 25 multi-ship Supplemen- repair station for L-3 and ITT NVGs, certification under MIL-DTL-7788G tal Type Certificates (STCs) on 36 dif- offering 48-hour turnaround time for Edge Lit Panel manufacturing and ferent aircraft model types in addition on NVG re-certification. ADI cur- is pursuing QPL-7788 certification for to three EASA validations. ADI has rently employs approximately 100 its ELP products.

Balanced Cockpit Design for Bell 429.

48 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Aero Dynamix Certified FAA/EASA Avionics Repair Station.

Aero Dynamix, Inc. is a certified FAA/EASA avionics repair station (C73R723N & EASA.145.6260) with Part Manufacturing Approval (PMA) for thousands of NVIS products. Since avionics equipment oftentimes require internal light source modifica- tions in order to achieve NVIS com- patibility and performance without sacrificing daylight readability, ADI works closely with avionics and equip- ment OEMs such as Garmin, Honey- well and Aspen Avionics, just to name a few, to achieve maximum lighting performance in such a manner to ensure the OEM warranty service is Aero Dynamix Manufactured NVIS ELPs and Overlays. maintained. All assembly, modifica- tion and repairs are performed in- house and are subject to a thorough Designated Engineering Representa- parts inspections (first article inspec- and comprehensive FAA/QA process tive (DER), Designated Airworthiness tions) on manufactured products. to ensure both physical appearance Representative (DAR) and a full-time Dennis Trout, General Manager of and technical performance of each NVG qualified DER pilot. Aero Dynamix, states: “As the indus- and every product going out the door. ELPs and NVIS Overlays are man- try leader, we will continue to grow ADI has full-time Engineering and ufactured in-house with capabilities and support our customers in a way Research & Development depart- that include water cutting, Computer that no other company can.” Trout ments with a complete in-house NVG Numerical Control (CNC) machining, also stresses that crew safety, mission test lab, which includes a Radio Spec- silk screen, laser marking, a robotics performance and total life-cycle sup- trometer for measuring light trans- aided paint facility, and a Coordinate port to the customer is crucial to and missions. ADI also has an in-house Measuring Machine (CMM), which entrenched within the Aero Dynamix FAA certification team that includes a allows ADI to perform automated brand and company culture.

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 49 CAE Global Leadership in Helicopter Training, Simulation and Mission Rehearsal

AE has an unparalleled breadth training center currently offers train- which will be installed at CAE’s train- of experience in helicopter sim- ing on three helicopter types—the ing center in Sao Paulo in Spring 2012. Culation, training and mission Bell 412, the civil/conventional HAL CAE and JV partner China South- rehearsal. In fact, no other company Dhruv, and the Eurocopter AS365 N3 ern Airlines will also install an S-76C++ has designed training systems for a Dauphin. An additional cockpit for FFS in 2012 in Zhuhai, the first CAE greater variety of rotary-wing plat- the Indian Army/Air Force variant of 3000 Series civil helicopter flight and forms. CAE has simulated helicopters the HAL-built Dhruv will be added mission simulator in Asia. from virtually all the major manufac- in 2012. In December 2011, CAE opened a turers, including AgustaWestland, Bell CAE and AgustaWestland have a new training center near Helicopter Textron, Boeing, Euro- joint venture company called Rotorsim in Toluca, including a Bell 412 FFS. copter, Hindustan Aeronautics Lim- that offers comprehensive AW109 and The Airports Authority of India ited (HAL), Kaman, MD Helicopters, AW139 at several locations globally. and CAE are also establishing an NHIndustries, and Sikorsky. CAE is CAE is also developing, in partnership ab initio helicopter pilot training also the industry pioneer in design- with AgustaWestland, AW139 full- program at CAE Global Academy ing and developing a comprehensive flight simulators for Professional Way Gondia. The program will lead to a turnkey training service for helicopter in Malaysia as well as a joint venture commercial helicopter pilot license training, as evidenced at CAE’s Medi- of Abu Dhabi Aviation and Mubadala (CHPL). CAE Global Academy Gon- um Support Helicopter Aircrew Train- Aerospace in the Middle East. dia is the newest and most modern ing Facility (MSHATF) in the UK. flight school in India. Civil Highlights The CAE 3000 Series helicopter Military Highlights CAE is significantly expanding its flight and mission simulators provide CAE is responsible for the design and global presence in civil helicopter an immersive training experience for development of some of the most training. By the end of 2012, CAE and civil helicopter pilots. This new CAE sophisticated and capable helicopter its partners will offer training on 17 simulation capability offers unprece- training systems in the world. For helicopter simulation in 11 locations, dented realism for helicopter-specific the U.S. Navy MH-60S “Sierra” and including Bengaluru, India (HAT- mission training, including offshore, MH-60R “Romeo,” CAE is providing SOFF); Dubai (Emirates-CAE Flight emergency medical services, law operational flight trainers (OFTs), Training); Sesto Calende, Italy (Rotor- enforcement, high-altitude, corporate, which are full-mission simulators used sim); Stavanger, Norway; Aberdeen, and other operations. to train pilots and co-pilots. CAE is Scotland, UK; Morristown, New Jer- The U.S. FAA has qualified the first also providing weapons tactics train- sey and Phoenix, Arizona USA; Van- CAE 3000 Series helicopter simulator, ers (WTTs) to replicate the back-end couver, Canada; Toluca, Mexico; Sao a Eurocopter AS350 located in Phoe- of the helicopter for training sen- Paulo, Brazil; and Zhuhai, China. nix, for Level 7 flight training device sor operators. When integrated, the These locations include simulators credits. FAA has also approved CAE front- and back-end trainers become for the AgustaWestland AW109 and to deliver the pilot training ground a tactical operational flight trainer AW139, Bell 212/412. Eurocopter school for the AS350 helicopter (TOFT) to provide a comprehensive AS332L/L1 Super Puma, AS332L2 through a CAE Simfinity e-Learning solution to train flight and tactical Super Puma, AS350B2 Astar, AS365 program, enabling pilots to reduce skills together. CAE has delivered or is Dauphin, HAL Dhruv, and Sikorsky their time at the training center for under contract to develop seven MH- S61, S-76B, S-76C+ and S-76C++. both initial and recurrent training. 60S OFTs, five MH-60S WTTs, eight In 2011, CAE acquired the helicop- MH-60R TOFTs and two MH-60R ter flight training operations of CHC CAE: Uniquely Qualified avionics maintenance trainers. Helicopter, a global leader in helicop- CAE is uniquely qualified to handle CAE and HAL established a joint ter services, and agreed to become all helicopter simulation, training and venture company in Bangalore, India CHC’s long-term training provider, mission rehearsal needs. From entry called the Helicopter Academy to responsible for training more than level training devices to the networking Train by Simulation of Flying (HAT- 2,000 helicopter pilots and mainte- of advanced multi-mission helicopter SOFF). The HATSOFF training center nance engineers. simulators operating in an interactive includes a CAE-built full-mission heli- CAE also formed a joint venture threat environment, we’ve earned our copter simulator that features CAE’s with Lider Aviacao, the largest helicop- reputation as the leader in helicopter revolutionary roll-on/rolloff cockpit ter operator in Brazil. The new JV is simulation. CAE's experience, technol- design, which enables cockpits repre- purchasing the first full-motion Level ogy leadership, and focus help ensure senting various helicopter types to be D CAE 3000 Series full-flight simula- aircrews always stay one step ahead to used in the simulator. The HATSOFF tor (FFS), replicating the S-76C++, achieve mission readiness.

50 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM CAE Global Helicopter Training Solutions for Safety and Efficiency

We can help you achieve your goals – safer flights and reduced operational costs. High-fidelity simulation training enhances pilot and technician skills without risk and at lower cost than training on the helicopter. Largest civil simulation training fleet worldwide – 17 helicopter trainers in 11 locations by 2012 Immersive training scenarios for oil and gas, emergency medical, law enforcement and other missions, customized to your operating procedures The most extensive flight simulator experience – more than 100 military and civil helicopter simulators developed across 10 OEMs

Have a conversation with CAE about your helicopter pilot and maintenance technician training needs

Aberdeen Stavanger

Zhuhai Bengaluru Vancouver Sesto Calende New York Dubai

Phoenix

Civil Helicopter Training Programs AgustaWestland AW109 – Sesto Calende AgustaWestland AW139 – New York, Sesto Calende Mexico City Bell 212 / 412 – Bengaluru, Dubai, Mexico City (Now Open) Eurocopter AS332L/L1 Super Puma – Stavanger São Paulo Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma – Aberdeen Eurocopter AS350B2 Astar – Phoenix Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin – Bengaluru (Now Open) HAL Dhruv – Bengaluru Sikorsky S-61 – Stavanger Sikorsky S-76B, S76C+ – New York Sikorsky S-76C++ – São Paulo (2012), Vancouver, Zhuhai (2012)

51 cae.com JANUARY [email protected] 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE Donaldson Aerospace and Defense New Barrier Filter Products, Growth and Leadership

erospace companies and mili- tary forces around the world Ahave relied for decades on Donaldson Aerospace and Defense, a division of the Donaldson Company (NYSE: DCI), for high-performance filtration systems for commercial and military propulsion systems. In 2011, Donaldson reinforced its industry leadership by adding new customers, introducing new products, conducting extensive research, partici- pating more broadly in industry events, expanding its facilities and contribut- ing to the communities it serves. Milestone IBF Deliveries Filtration system deliveries reached several important milestones in 2011, most notably the 5,000th Inlet Bar- rier Filtration (IBF) System delivery, installed on a Bell 429 helicopter and celebrated at Heli-Expo 2011 in Orlando, Fla. The company also com- pleted many other critical deliveries and installations:

• Donaldson IBFs help ensure opti- • During the 2011 Super Bowl mal service to Florida residents in Dallas, Texas, Dallas Police and visitors who need emergency Department Helicopter Unit Bell aero-medical transport from the 206Bs equipped with Donaldson Lee County MEDSTAR IBFs provided continuous security. twin-engine helicopter. • The Los Angeles City Fire Depart- • Delivered the first Barrier Filter ment added IBF systems to its System available for the Eurocopter AgustaWestland 139 twin-engine AS350B3e to various international medium helicopter fleet, ensur- • Delivered AW139 and AW109E/S/ operators as well as Papillon Grand ing safe flight while conducting SP Barrier Filter Systems to Saudi Canyon Helicopters. rescues, fire-fighting support and Aramco to assist in critical engine other vital missions in hazardous, protection needs. • Donaldson helped the Sonoma debris-filled environments. County, Calif., Sheriff’s Office • Delivered the first ever Barrier Fil- improve aerial rescue, patrol and • Completed delivery of first AW109E ter System for the AgustaWestland support operations by installing an IBF to Chilean National Police. AW109SP to U.S. launch customer inlet barrier filter on “Henry-1,” the Intermountain Healthcare’s IHC Sheriff’s Office Bell 407 helicopter. LifeFlight.

52 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM • The Los Angeles County Sher- Certificates (STCs) for IBF installa- ed personal support for local and iff Department’s Aero Bureau’s tion in helicopters including the: national charitable organizations. 12 new American Eurocopter For example, the Donaldson Foun- AS350B2 AStar helicopters are • AgustaWestland AW139 dation donated $15,000 to the Army equipped with Donaldson IBFs to Aviation Association of America prevent ingestion of airborne con- • AgustaWestland AW109 Power, (AAAA) Scholarship Foundation for taminants during flight operations Grand, and Grand New (E/S/SP) an endowed college scholarship of without affecting the rotorcraft’s at least $1,000 annually at AAAA’s engine power and life capabilities. • AgustaWestland A119/AW119 Ke Lindbergh chapter in St. Louis. Donaldson provides certified IBF • Donaldson systems also serve • Eurocopter AS350B3e with the solutions for the AgustaWestland many international customers. 2D engine AW109E/S/SP, AW119, AW119Ke The company is providing IBF and AW139; Bell 205A1, 206B, 407, systems and avionics bay filtra- • Bell 230 206L-3/4, 206L-1(C30), 429 and 430; tion for 26 new Bell 407 Trainers Eurocopter EC130, AS350 B/BA/ and Armed Scout Helicopters Continued Growth B1/B2/B3, AS350s with Soloy or deployed with Iraq’s Security Thanks to strong business, Donald- Heli-Lynx Honeywell engine con- Forces. son relocated its St. Louis, Mo., office versions and MD Helicopters MD and manufacturing plant to a much 369H Series, MD 500D/E/F and MD Impressive Cost Savings larger facility. The new location 900/902. Donaldson’s participation at Heli- enables Donaldson to handle more Donaldson’s 12,500 employees Expo 2011 also showcased its new extensive operations, including a support customers at more than 100 IBF system for the AgustaWestland broader product line, and prepare for sales, manufacturing, and distribu- AW109 Power, Grand, and Grand future growth. tion locations around the world. New (E/S/SP) helicopters. Donald- Finally, Donaldson and its team son also sponsored its first Heli-Expo of employees made numerous finan- presentation on Inlet Barrier Filters cial contributions to, and provid- for rotary-wing operators. In addi- tion, Donaldson published findings of major research that shows instal- lation of advanced-technology IBFs provide impressive cost savings, enabling helicopter operators to recoup installation investments in a year or less and to save on engine maintenance costs by reducing engine overhauls, saving millions of dollars over several years. Also in 2011, Donaldson Aero- space and Defense lengthened its list of Federal Aviation Adminis- tration (FAA), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or Transport Additional information is available at Canada (TC) Supplemental Type www.donaldsonaerospace-defense.com

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 53 Aviation Instrument Services Putting Customers First

n 1977, Aviation Instrument Ser- porate aviation and helicopter markets need. “To aid many of our customers Ivices, Inc. (AIS) was founded with through both outright and exchange with their surplus inventory problems, one goal in mind: to build a reputa- sales, as well as providing an efficient, we have established a very attractive tion of excellence in service. Just ask single source management of compo- consignment program that allows AIS’ customers and they’ll tell you that nent repairs and overhauls through companies to offload their surplus to this company meets this goal—time our approved repair shop network.” our facility for us to manage and sell,” and time again. When AIS’s experience By sourcing repairs through AIS, he adds, allowing customers to "free up is joined with our buying power, our managers can avoid warranty head- large sections in their warehouses of customers receives a level of value that aches! This is because “when a war- maturing inventory and fill them with is unbeatable. ranty problem arises with a unit and more desirable inventory.” From parts Specifically, AIS delivers excellent the shop you used does not carry any acquisition and sales to managed com- service in a variety of areas, such as exchanges or loaners, you must send ponent repair and replacement, AIS quality helicopter instrumentation the unit back and wait for repair,” does it all. In fact, it is fair to say that and repair, and serving as a convenient Sensale says. “With repairs handled AIS looks out for its customers’ inter- consignment ‘clearing house’ for its by AIS, you are sent an exchange at ests every step of the way. Proof can be customers’ excess inventory. “In the no charge, provided that we have it in found through customer testimonials pursuit of our goal, we have grown into our inventory, or in the inventory of at www.aviation-instrument.com. a multi-dimensional company that any of the shops with which we deal.” “Parts and service you can trust, provides a variety of services to meet As a result of AIS’ long-term relation- every step of the way!” At AIS, this isn’t our customers’ needs,” explains AIS ships with a network of more than 30 just a slogan, it’s a commitment backed President and Founder Jim Sensale. highly qualified repair facilities, the by 35 years of experience—and more “These services include offering qual- company is highly successful in finding important than ever during tough eco- ity instrumentation to the general/cor- the exchange parts that its customers nomic times.

PLEASE VISIT US AT THE 2012 HELI-EXPO • BOOTH #1951 PARTS AND SERVICES YOU CAN TRUST... EVERY STEP OF THE WAY! EXCHANGES • SALES • REPAIR • OVERHAULS Flight, Navigation and Engine Instruments • Transmitters • NAV/COM • Inverters • Control Heads • Actuators • Fuel Controls • Governors • Grimes Lighting Extensive Inventory of Rotor/Fixed Wing Spares

TEL: 305-251-7200 • FAX: 305-251-2300 12181 S.W. 129TH CT., MIA, FL 33186 email: [email protected] www.aviation-instrument.com IN HOUSE CONSIGNMENTS FROM:

54 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Cobham The Most Important Thing We Build is Trust

o manufacturer offers a more • Integrated master caution/voice Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Ncomplete suite of integrated, warning system (MRO) Service Centers offer complete end-to-end component and • Engine indication/crew alerting customer support: integrated system solutions for rotor- system • FAA FAR-145 repair stations craft applications than Cobham. • Engine data concentrators • Depot-level repair station to compo- The requirements of a variety of • HeliSAS® autopilot & stability aug- nent level airborne applications are met through mentation system • AOG spares platform-specific implementation of • Data acquisition units Cobham specializes in meeting the the following helicopter technologies: • Airborne data management systems insatiable demand for data, connectiv- • Emergency locator transmitters ity and bandwidth in defense, secu- • HD & SD video downlinks • Portable, global GPS tracking rity and commercial environments. • Airborne FM/AM radio communi- • GPS, ADAHRS sensors Offering a technically diverse and cations systems • SwiftBroadband, high-frequency, innovative range of technologies and • Digital audio systems communication, and direction-finding services, the Group protects lives and • Audio/radio management systems antennas livelihoods, responding to customer • Tactical radios • Passenger oxygen systems, emer- needs with agility that differentiates it. • PA & loudhailers gency oxygen systems The most important thing we build is • 3D Synthetic Vision EFIS • Emergency flotation valves and cyl- trust. Employing 10,000 people on five • Hover vector, HITS, FMS, & inders continents, the Group has customers HTAWS software • Mobile Aircrew Restraint Systems and partners in over 100 countries.

Bright ideas for helicopters

DIGITAL AUDIO HELISAS® Installed by more rotorcraft Lightest, most affordable manufacturers as standard fit on helicopter autopilot / stability civil aircraft than any other digital augmentation system in the world audio system SERVERS RADIO Deployed on the United States #1 tactical communication Executive Fleet solution for total interoperability, covering every public service, SYNTHETIC VISION EFIS aeronautical, and military voice Chosen by Carson Helicopters communication frequency for Sikorsky S-61, S-76, and UH-60 retrofits

The most important thing we build is trust

www.cobham.com

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 55 Aviall LIFT Helps Helicopter Customers Hover Higher

viall’s LIFT program offers a Avariety of services tailor-made for each helicopter operator. All services are designed to add value and reduce costs for customers. The benefits include access to more than 240 product lines, local stocking of high-demand parts, inventory man- agement, electronic ordering via the aviall.com website or EDI (electronic data interface), and the support of local Aviall sales personnel. To provide the highest quality ser- vice, Aviall looks at the unique needs of each customer and develops a plan specifically for them. By managing and combining supply chain and admin- istrative and inventory functions for a customer, Aviall performs a valuable service that would normally cost cus- tomers time and money. The LIFT program was created exclusively to serve the helicopter market. Aviall recently expanded its port the program. In addition, Aviall companies can’t. It is a one-stop shop general helicopter inventory to sup- offers exchange programs for Rolls- for customers. Aviall prides itself on Royce M250® engine parts and starter combining old-fashioned customer generators, as well as Lord Corpora- service with technical innovation, tion’s isolator exchange program for advanced distribution capabilities, the Bell 206 and 407 applications. and an unmatched number of parts Aviall’s exchange program is designed and services that includes battery, to improve reliability and perfor- hose, wheel and brakes, kitting and mance while lowering operating costs paint mixing needs. for customers. Aviall’s central distribution facility Because Aviall is the world’s largest in Dallas is ISO 9001, AS9100, AS9120 diversified provider of new aviation and AC 00-56A-registered. It is the parts—with more than 2,000,000 hub for multiple Aviall Customer Ser- unique aircraft and engine parts—it is vice Centers and stocking locations able to leverage its sizable supply chain in Canada, the United Kingdom, the efficiencies to provide solutions other Netherlands, Dubai, India, , , Australia, and the United States. These loca- tions also provide the industry’s most experienced and responsive field representatives, backed by an inside support team dedicated to customer satisfaction. Aviall—with roots dating back to 1932—operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing. For more information about Aviall or Aviall LIFT, please call 1-800-AVIALL1 for North American Sales or 1-800-AVIALL3 for Interna- tional Sales.

56 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM 300

300 is the number of customer service professionals deployed around the world who can help helicopter operators and maintenance providers save money with Aviall’s LIFT program. Aviall works hard to provide you with exactly what you need, precisely when you need it. Aviall Delivers.

JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 57 Becker Avionics Innovator and Pioneer in Audio and Avionics Technology

ecker Avionics is a privately today’s legacy aircraft avionics into the this technology segment for decades Bheld multinational enterprise platforms of tomorrow. to come. that develops, manufactures With an excellent reputation for Becker Avionics extensive cus- and distributes the latest communi- unsurpassed quality and reliability, it tomer base includes, but is not limited cations, navigation, surveillance and is not surprising that Becker Avionics to: AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, search and rescue equipment for received a “Best Product Brand of the , Boeing, ATR, the Austrian airborne and ground applications. Year 2009” from Aerokurier Magazine. Army and Police, British Aerospace, For over 50 years, Becker Avionics The award confirms the success of CASA, the Dutch Police, EADS, the has provided avionics equipment to Becker Avionics’ efforts to develop Egyptian Navy, Eurocopter; the Ger- general and corporate aviation, ATC, and deliver products with the features, man Air Force, Navy and Army; the law enforcement and military organi- performance and quality that custom- German Border Patrol, the German zations around the world. ers expect and demand. Police, the Indonesian Navy, Pilatus, Becker Avionics is dedicated to Becker Avionics has a long history the , the Portuguese Air meeting individual customer require- as an audio and avionics innovator Force, RUAG, the Swiss Air Force, the ments, backed by the company’s gen- and pioneer. As the manufacturer of U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy uine commitment to quality and the first ever TSO and ETSO certified and U.S. Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol; and customer satisfaction. Its avionics digital audio system (DVCS 6100), Xi’an Aircraft Corporation. solutions are renowned for their stur- Becker proudly plans to continue this For more information please see: diness, compact size and state of the tradition and looks forward to main- www.beckerusa.com or www.becker- art technology: they are transforming taining its position of leadership in avionics.com.

58 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM BLR Aerospace Game-Changing FastFin Technology Takes the Industry by Storm

rom a leading rotorcraft OEM that increase gross weight and land- handling qualities. BLR Aerospace is a to premier owners and opera- ing weight, reduce critical V-speeds, NASA Technology Transfer Licensee. Ftors worldwide, the industry increase cruise speeds, reduce fuel Dave Marone has taken notice of BLR Aerospace burn, increase hover loads and improve www.BLRaerospace.com and its game-changing FastFin® Sys- tem. Despite a challenging economy, BLR logged record sales in 2011, with FastFin leading the way.

HOW GOOD IS THE The OEM Choice Available for a range of Bell medium helicopters, FastFin is a simple modi- ® fication that delivers big performance advantages. As a result, Bell Heli- FastFin copter is now installing FastFin on SYSTEM? factory-new Bell 412s, as are high- profile operators such as the New York Police Department and a range of other notable commercial and mili- tary operators. Measurable Improvements FastFin is certified for Bell 204, 205, 212, 412, Huey II, and most UH-1 derivatives as an aftermarket upgrade that delivers measurable gains in pay- load and stability. Depending on con- ditions, some Bell 412 operators could realize useful load increases up to 1250 pounds (more than 90 percent). Larry Roberts, Senior VP, Commercial Business, Bell Helicopter Additionally, FastFin installation can reduce operating costs by up to 45 percent or more. “How good…? We’ve made it standard on the Bell 412, and I think that speaks volumes.” How it Works The FastFin system modifies the tail Providing complete mission solutions is a top priority boom with two parallel stall strips, for Bell Helicopter. Adding the FastFin tail rotor known as Dual Tail Boom Strakes, enhancement and stability system at the factory or and a reshaped vertical fin, optimizing aftermarket delivers an FAA-certified 1,250-pound airflow around the tail boom for dra- matic improvements in tail rotor effi- increase in useful load. ciency and wind azimuth tolerance. How good is FastFin? Just ask Bell Helicopter. With these simple changes, operators can do—and earn—more than ever Visit us at Heli-Expo, Exhibit 8846. before.

About BLR Aerospace BLR is focused on developing the high- est performance aerodynamic solutions in the industry. BLR, now in its 21st year, holds patented technologies for both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and has certified over 70 Supplemen- [email protected] |

tal Type Certificates. BLR remains BLRaerospace.com/4845 425.405.4845 information. more for focused on the development of products Scan with your smartphone

WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 59 Kaman Helicopters It’s TIME to Take a Bow. “Marines are sending unmanned helicopters to Afghanistan to test a safer way to supply troops deep inside hostile territory. The 3-ton, twin-rotor K-MAX, built by Lockheed and Kaman, will be capable of ferrying up to 3 tons of supplies. Human controllers will guide it from its main base to isolated forward-operating bases. The goal: replacing risky truck convoys that are exposed to ambushes and roadside bombs.”

ith these four short sentenc- UAV? It’s a K-MAX UAT has the payload capacity, power, and es, TIME Magazine named The K-MAX Unmanned Aerial Truck strength to take on multiple missions Wthe Unmanned Kaman (UAT) developed by Team K-MAX – for the U.S. Military. The U.S. Army K-MAX® as one of its “50 Best Inven- Lockheed/Kaman, is now deployed has contracted with Kaman’s partner tions” of 2011. It was an important to Operation Enduring Freedom. Lockheed Martin to develop those moment for the Helicopters Division Two aircraft and three ground con- technologies using the Unmanned and its hard-working team of employ- trol stations are in Afghanistan pro- K-MAX to further the autonomy of ees who have always known, as one viding unmanned resupply for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems allowing senior executive said, that “Kaman is U.S. Marine Corps, helping to offload them to do more, at lower cost and something special. From the day Mr. trucks that are so frequently targeted most importantly with less threat to Kaman opened the doors, the com- with Improvised Explosive Devices. human life. pany has represented the best of what The trucking operation is moving people can do when they work toward from the ground to the air with this Rotor Blades: a common goal.” latest UAV technology capable of car- Focused Expertise With a focus on customer and rying 6,000 pounds of payload, and Innovation in helicopter composite product differentiation through low- rugged enough for extreme environ- rotor blade technology is a rapidly cost and technology-based innova- ments. The K-MAX UAT is expected growing business at the Helicopters tive solutions, Kaman Helicopters is to operate around-the-clock, easily Division Blade Center of Excellence well positioned to meet its growth lifting one million pounds a day. (BCE) and Subcontracting (Heli- plans and visionary objectives. Here’s New technologies are rapidly worX™) Center. The BCE is a full- a recap of 2011 highlights. developing, and the K-MAX UAT service aerospace innovation and manufacturing support center and a growth engine for the future. In addition to establishing a low-cost manufacturing facility and expanding its BCE, the company is producing the initial production standard composite rotor blades for the AH-6 “Little Bird,” with the MD 500 and MD 600 Series blades to fol- low. Kaman is also building helicopter blade assemblies for Bell helicopters and the MD 900 rotor system. With its partner Hontek, the com- pany has successfully introduced a three-layer, color-specific (for visual inspection) sprayable erosion coat- ing that has significantly extended the lifespan and reduced the life cycle costs of U.S. Army BLACK HAWK helicopter main rotor blades. Approximately 100 BLACK HAWK helicopter blades are being coated at Kaman each month, with over 2,300 blades coated to date. U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and international customers are evaluating the coating to protect blades on Apache, CH-53E, and UH-72 Lakota helicopters. Kaman is the only certified facility authorized to apply the Hontek coating and is

60 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM Seasprite: Affordable Multi-Mission Maritime Capability Kaman continues to actively market the highly capable and mission-ready Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopters to international naval customers. These aircraft offer an affordable small ship capability for conventional naval missions of anti-surface and anti- submarine warfare, and can effec- tively engage asymmetric threats characteristic of today’s maritime operations. The is entering its 13th year of successful robust per- formance of its SH-2G(E) helicopter fleet. Other international militaries using the Super Seasprite include the currently installing a robotic spray ASW variant, the Unmanned Royal New Zealand Air Force and the facility at its Bloomfield, Conn. site. K-MAX USMC deployment, and Polish Navy. Backed by Kaman’s infrastruc- the migration of Kaman’s tremen- ture and expertise, HeliworX is the dous expertise to other platforms is only subcontractor with the OEM driving the strategic growth of this For more information: advantage capable of offering design/ important business segment. [email protected] analysis, manufacturing, upgrade, modifications and test and flight solutions. Other capabilities include integration, composite and metallic bonding, final assembly, rotor blade whirl towers, and sand erosion test facility and flight test. Aftermarket: Leveraging Unrivaled Expertise With the increased SH-2 Seasprite and K-MAX fleet sizes, Kaman con- tinues to expand its Aftermarket business by supporting existing and- new customers worldwide. Upgrades to the Egyptian SH-2s, a new SH-2

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WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 63 REGULATIONS | GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Public Service

By Lee Benson Orphan Treatment

ne of the companies that I sometimes not well-expressed. should be able to operate as a for-profit consult with afforded me the Board member Mark Rosekind entity. They are both wrong. Oopportunity to attend the asked several operators to express what So, if Zuccaro’s suggestion is fol- recent National Transporta- was needed in the public aircraft com- lowed and a study group is formed, tion Safety Board (NTSB) Public Air- munity. Although the presenters pro- what issues should be addressed? The craft Forum held in Washington D.C., vided a snapshot about what they do, I way NTSB assigns accidents as public on November 30th and December 1st. felt that no one really went on the offen- or civil needs to be addressed. I’ve writ- The conference was well attended, with sive and said this is how we affect the ten about this before, safety is defined representatives of all the three letter lives of our constituents in a positive by culture. Those operations that are organizations such as FAA, HAI, GSA, manner and here are some examples of government owned, maintained and etc., as well as representation from why changes in the Public Operations operated should be assigned into one commercial operators who contract to rules will adversely affect our ability to category. Those operations that are government, and government opera- perform for the “public good.” owned, maintained and operated by a tors who own, operate and maintain John Allen, FAA’s Director of Flight contractor, for a government entity are their own fleets. Standards, gave an insightful, realistic a different culture and should be listed The conference was interesting description of the issues at hand from a separately. All pilots who are compen- and, yet, frustrating to me personally. positive perspective. It’s a rare day when sated for flying an aircraft with pas- The frustration comes from the board’s I completely agree with anyone from sengers on board should be required to Chairperson, Deborah Hersman, who the FAA. I was glad the meeting was hold a commercial pilots certificate. has referenced public aircraft opera- indoors so that I didn’t feel the need for The argument that while you are tors as “orphans,” and in past published a lightning rod above my head. flying an aircraft that your primary statements, associated them with chil- I was also frustrated by the elephant duty is your mission—whether it’s dren. This implies in my mind that in the room that nobody wanted to firefighting or police work, etc.—and regulatory agencies then become the directly address—public aircraft opera- that flying is secondary, is ludicrous. adults in the relationship between the tions as defined by public law are not Today if you operate a non-certificated regulators and the regulated. under the preview of the FAA, and that aircraft there is no requirement for an I reject this notion completely and will not change without Congressional approved maintenance program. without hesitation. In the area of safety, action. Somehow there should be a struc- my experience—and I believe most Furthermore, the scope of the con- ture in place that requires submittal of aviation professionals would agree— flicting interests and unintended con- a program to the FAA or perhaps an that a coequal partnership between the sequences of trying to change this independent entity that approves the operator and FAA leads to the proper law without a great deal of attention program. In most instances this would safety relationship. Both sides must to details by Congress is frightening. be the manufacturer’s suggested main- earn the respect of the other and pro- HAI President Matt Zuccaro put forth tenance program. For those aircraft ceed from that standpoint forward. I’ve the idea of a working group to study where such guidance is not available, seen the FAA and its inspectors on a this issue. I applaud his suggestion but standard industry best practices would few occasions try to become the “adult” remain very cautious of the amount prevail. I could see the independent in the conversation. Usually this breaks of influence that commercial opera- authority being the equivalent of a Des- down into a “because I said so” position tors exert over HAI’s thinking when ignated Engineering Representative by the regulator. We all have history in it comes to the operator’s position (DER) with a background in mainte- our personal and professional lives on regarding making money. nance instead of engineering. both sides of that conversation, and There are commercial operators It’s a complicated subject, but tell me again how well did that work? who feel that all public aircraft should thoughtful consideration could I truly believe that Hersman is sincere be eliminated with the exception of enhance public operations to the bet- in her intellectual desire to do the right combat aircraft in the military. There terment of the crews involved and the thing, but words have meanings— are public operators who feel they public they serve.

64 ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2012 WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM International Marketplace

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WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM JANUARY 2012 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 65 MILITARY | PROCUREMENT Military Insider

By Andrew Drwiega Joint is the Only Way Forward

he transformation that no needs to be a fundamental step-change analysis into the program, it must surely military wants, yet financial in corporate thinking which, inciden- now be in the interest of industry to Trestraint is pushing every- tally, is also going to have to be mirrored cooperate more closely as the cost is one inexorably toward, is now throughout each arm of the military— certainly going to be high, almost cer- upon us. Multi-role must now be the Army, Navy and Air Force. tainly beyond the financial risk-taking way forward. Not because it is better, Like it or not, individuality of asset of any one industrial heavyweight. but because it is rapidly becoming the is going to have to make way for multi- Industry should take a moment to only financially acceptable choice. role and generalization. The trend has stand back and look towards the ‘end Collaboration is a vital part of com- already been going for two decades if game’ of this process and familiarize petition in terms of winning defense not longer. Military forces around the itself with ‘the bigger picture’ that would contracts. This is already part of the world have been reducing the number likely result from such a development. fabric around the procurement game— of types owned to save money. If a family of rotorcraft (light, medi- if you don’t win with one partner, Now that is going to come down um, heavy and ultra-heavy) can be con- ‘switch horses’ and ride with the more to the unified procurement across ceived, sold at a fair price, and put into likely winner in the next race, or the national forces, and eventually across production for procurement across same race if it is re-run (CSAR-X, alliances. the U.S. military at some point in the SAR-H, Armed Aerial Scout, Presiden- The challenge for each section of future, the prospects of a widespread tial helicopter, etc). the military is to break with tradition. and previously unmatched buy-in from There are no friendships and cozy The sooner the realization hits that its international military customers look- alliances in the current climate—just assets, in our case helicopters, are going ing to standardize on platforms to keep the need to keep winning business. to have to be joint—the sooner real in step with the U.S. military is likely to But the lack of development money progress can be made in research and be unprecedented. is making it increasingly likely that the development. But to do this the rotorcraft industry larger OEMs are going to have to find Better to be in the game early and is going to have to think of itself more as ways of collaborating together. There shape the future rather than be a late a semi-cohesive unit, sharing some of adopter and get what you are given the challenges, so that everybody who (does that apply to the British posi- participates will win a slice of the pie. tion towards a financially integrated This is going to result in uncomfort- Europe? I digress). able unions at first, but the restrained It is difficult to see how resistance financial conditions of the global econ- to the concept of a Joint Multi-Role omy seem to offer little choice over the (JMR) helicopter from all branches of coming years. Make no mistake, the the United States military will be able ‘good old days’ have gone. to continue in the face of financial The challenge ahead is for the rotor- austerity in defense. With initial con- craft industry and the military cus- AVX Aircraft Company Aircraft AVX tracts already being awarded to Bell/ tomer to think beyond the usual lim- Boeing, Boeing, Sikorsky and AVX to ited horizons of tradition and alter the AVX Joint Multi-Role transport. pursue the U.S. Army’s quest for further dynamic to forge future potential.

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WWW.ROTORANDWING.COM OCTOBER 2011 | ROTOR & WING MAGAZINE 67 IIMC RECOVERY

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