RotorTech Helicopter and Uncrewed Flight Exposition

Australian charity aeromedical provider CareFlight has named its Sydney helicopter in honour of founding pilot John Hoad, who retired earlier this year after more than 37 years. CareFlight has now named its Mounties Care CareFlight Airbus Helicopters H145 helicopter, “Captain John Hoad”, honouring his contribution as both a founding member of CareFlight and the ensuing decades of service as a pilot, in which he flew thousands of missions in six helicopter types. With a pre-aviation career in healthcare, John is renowned for his dedication to integrating aviation and medicine into a single operation, a belief that CareFlight holds strong today. The advanced new Airbus H145, Mounties Care CareFlight Helicopter, introduced in 2021, is in John’s words “definitely the most exciting addition to CareFlight’s fleet".

Australian Army is rapidly bringing its fleet of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in to service, with the aircraft and crew flying more than 1,400 hours in support of introduction into service activities since the aircraft’s arrival in 2023. Army soldiers and aviators have undertaken essential platform training, special operations training activities and first of class flight trials, supporting the continuous investment in a highly capable and ready Army. Training on the Black Hawk will continue in November, with test and evaluation of the aircraft’s capability, and counter-terrorism training to be conducted across the greater Sydney region. Commander Army Aviation Command, Major General Stephen Jobson, said undergoing this training is an important milestone for the aviation capability. “The Black Hawk provides Army with the modern, credible and sustainable aviation capability it needs to meet the contemporary challenges of warfare,” Major General Jobson said. “This specialised, complex training will ensure our soldiers and aviators are able to rapidly respond to domestic emergencies and potential security threats. “We thank the New South Wales community for the ongoing support, and appreciate your patience while we conduct essential training that is critical to maintaining our world-class counter-terrorism response.” 10 UH-60M Black Hawks have been delivered to Australia since August 2023, with a further two aircraft scheduled for delivery in November 2024. All 40 aircraft are due to be delivered by 2030. The fleet is on track to achieve an initial operational capability in the coming months. (Image: Defence)

Adelaide's Aerotech Group has acquired two more Black Hawk helicopters as part of a government multi-hazard capability to be deployed this summer. The two aircraft, which can relocate to any state and territory at short notice depending on fire risk and incident location, can drop 4000 litres of water per load, and bring the Aerotech Black Hawk fleet to a total of seven. “These Black Hawks will be configured for firefighting operations, but they will also be available to assist with other emergencies such as floods and cyclones," said Aerotech CEO Chris Boyd. "Each helicopter will be set up, staffed and equipped to operate independently including pilots, engineer, fuel truck and sufficient parts to sustain it in the field. “The majority of our fleet are based in South Australia over summer including Parafield Airport, Adelaide Hills, the Mid North, Mt Gambier and Port Lincoln, but we are seeing more and more our aircraft supporting firefighting operations across Australia and overseas. “Three of our Black Hawk helicopters have just returned from supporting firefighting operations in Indonesia and six fire-bombing Air Tractors based in France, in addition to several aircraft in our fleet currently operating in Queensland and Northern Territory for their fire season.” Founded in 1968, Aerotech employs 140 people and has a fleet of 40 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft operating the full range of GA missions from firefighting and oil spill management, to construction, aerial ag and executive charter.

The AAUS - Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems and the Australian Certified UAV Operators (ACUO) have announced that they will unite under the AAUS banner to form a single peak body. Effective immediately, AAUS will serve as the peak body for the uncrewed systems industry, while ACUO, after years of valuable contributions, will formally cease operations. Founded in 2009, ACUO has been instrumental in the development of Australia’s UAV operations, setting standards and advocating for the safe and responsible use of UAVs across various sectors. ACUO’s legacy is one of pioneering professionalism and shaping the early stages of the industry’s regulation and acceptance within Australia. This unification signifies a strengthened and single voice for the Australian uncrewed systems industry, bringing together the collective expertise, advocacy, and resources of both organisations. AAUS, as the recognised leader in the sector, will continue to drive policy, innovation, and industry development, while preserving the legacy and contributions of ACUO. “We are proud to announce this new phase for Australia’s uncrewed systems industry,” said Reece Clothier, President of AAUS. “By uniting with ACUO, we are creating a stronger, more cohesive body that will be better positioned to champion the interests of our members and drive forward the growth of this dynamic industry.” Brad Mason, one of the seven founding members of ACUO, said, “We are all quietly proud of the foundations we laid. I want to personally thank all the ACUO management committee members over the years who volunteered their time for us and the development of our industry.” “The Australian RPAS industry is incredibly innovative and the pace of development such that our consolidation is a logical next step to industry growth. I’m pleased to see the two organisations finally unite and I’m keen to see now what we can achieve together.”

Two Airbus H175 Helicopters have officially entered service with PHI Aviation in Australia, supporting their offshore energy transportation, search and rescue and medical evacuation operations. PHI, which has pioneered many firsts over its 75-year history, operates bases in Broome, Darwin and Exmouth, Australia. The new H175 helicopters will be based out of Broome, with additional H175s expected to join the fleet in the coming months. “These state-of-the-art aircraft are a significant addition to our growing fleet in Australia. They elevate our operational capabilities while reinforcing our commitment to sustainable innovation and delivering world-class service to our clients,” said Cory Latiolais, PHI Aviation Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific. “We are pleased to support our long-term customer PHI Aviation with delivery of the H175 helicopters for their current Australian fleet. The high performance of the H175 aircraft in the challenging Western Australian environment is an excellent addition for the PHI Aviation fleet, especially with their focus on search and rescue operations, and marine transfers,” said Christian Venzal, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Australia and New Zealand. PHI is a global leader in providing safe and reliable helicopter transportation, with a strong focus on supporting energy providers, hospitals and air medical organisations, and governments worldwide. The H175 helicopter offers superior performance, payload capacity, and range, making it ideal for long-range transport across Western Australia’s vast distances. Combined with the lowest vibration and sound signature in its class, and advanced Helionix safety systems, the H175 delivers exceptional comfort and safety for both passengers and the communities it serves. These helicopters complement PHI’s existing multi-type fleet and can be reconfigured with hoists for search and rescue missions, or fitted with a medical interior for emergency evacuations from offshore oil rigs

South Australia Police (SAPOL) has partnered with Babcock Australia & New Zealand and the Department of Premier and Cabinet to introduce a new cutting-edge resource to its fleet. The new Airbus Helicopters H145, poised to take to the skies in the coming weeks, promises to revolutionise police operations across the state. One of the standout features of the Airbus H145 is its significantly reduced noise profile. This improvement addresses concerns raised by the community in the past. While we understand the impact of aircraft noise, it’s essential to recognise that many critical tasks performed by PolAir occur during nighttime hours. The helicopter’s infra-red technology assists in locating missing persons, tracking offenders who break into premises, and monitoring high-speed vehicles endangering other road users.` The Airbus H145 will initially undergo rigorous training, with pilots and aircrew honing their skills to ensure seamless integration into SAPOL’s existing capabilities. Upon completion of training, the new aircraft will replace the current one, which will continue to operate alongside it during the training period. This strategic transition ensures uninterrupted service while embracing modern technology. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said, “This modern addition enhances our operational capabilities and ensures a safer South Australia for all residents”. PolAir plays a pivotal role in supporting ground officers, enhancing community safety, and swiftly responding to incidents. Approximately 50% of demand for the police helicopter arises during darkness, emphasising its critical role in apprehending serious offenders. The new Airbus, although not introducing novel capabilities, boasts updated technologies, ensuring SAPOL remains agile and responsive to community needs. The Airbus H145 will be exclusively dedicated to law enforcement, allowing us to deploy it whenever operational demands arise. SAPOL remains committed to minimising unnecessary flight time, ensuring the helicopter is airborne only when required. When you hear the helicopter overhead, rest assured it’s likely responding to a police incident. https://lnkd.in/gvGBheeW

Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) welcomes new directors.   The AHIA has announced changes to its board of directors and senior leadership from its Annual General Meeting held at the conclusion of RotorTech 2024. Ray Cronin OAM and Myles Tomkins stood down as President and Vice President respectively and have departed the Board after many years of tremendous service. Jim Norrie has been elected as President and McDermott Aviation's Ian Sheffield has been elected Vice-President and Treasurer.   Former SkyTec CEO Alanna McKenna, Whitsunday Helicopter Director, Steve Davis and Heliflite Sales Director, Robert Bentley-Johnston were all accepted as new Board members.   President Jim Norrie warmly welcomed the new directors and paid tribute to Ray and Myles for their outstanding contribution to the AHIA over the last 10 years and the significant achievements their efforts brought to the industry. 📷 Jim Norrie, Ray Cronin and Myles Tomkins at the RotorTech 2024 Industry Dinner.

We're reminiscing on the week of #RotorTech2024 and the camaraderie and genuine feel of community we experienced while walking around the exposition. 📸 Did we snap your smiling face? 📸

The Bell 407GXi fleet under Nautilus Aviation, one of Australia’s premier helicopter operators with more than 25 years of flying experience, has now clocked 3,000 successful flight hours. In March 2022, Nautilus Aviation placed an order for five new Bell 407GXis to support tourism charter and utility flights in Northern Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef region. Delivery was completed in the first quarter of 2023. The aircraft were quickly deployed to assist with disaster relief efforts during the historic flooding of Northwestern Queensland in March 2023. For nearly a month, the Nautilus team operated their Bell 407GXis tirelessly and effectively to conduct resupply missions, evacuations, long-line and cargo operations, and transport key government, emergency, and infrastructure personnel. The aircraft were equipped with cargo hooks, emergency flotation systems, and tail-mounted cameras to aid these relief operations. Additionally, this fleet has been called upon to perform search and rescue work in the Northern Territory as well. These challenging environments thoroughly test helicopter operators. However, the Bell 407GXi’s advanced features and kits increase situational awareness and help mitigate risks. For instance, the Garmin G1000H™ NXi integrated flight deck enhances mapping capabilities, improving landmark identification accuracy. This allows flight teams to navigate with ease, expedite emergency responses, and ensures a swift reaction to critical situations. The increased cabin volume of the Bell 407GXi, facilitated by an innovative window design, also allows for more efficient use of space and capacity. Globally, the Bell 407 fleet exceeds 1,600 aircraft and over 6 million total flight hours. In Oceania, Australia accounts for 20 Bell 407s while Papua New Guinea is home to approximately 25. Bell Flight

RotorTech 2024 by the Numbers 🚁 RotorTech 2024 has successfully concluded at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, marking new milestones and record attendance for this growing event. With 2,356 attendees over three days, RotorTech 2024 experienced a 19% increase from 2022. The event also experienced growth across all major metrics including significant industry support within the exhibition and from valued sponsors. Expressions of interest are already open to participate in the next RotorTech to be held in 2026: https://lnkd.in/gwtgVgDP 🌟 Save the Date: RotorTech 2026, RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, 6 - 8 May 2026 🌟