ADAC Luftrettung, ADAC HEMS Academy and Airbus

ADAC HEMS Academy and Airbus Helicopters announced that they were establishing a joint venture for flight simulator training, called HMotion, and plan to begin operations in early 2024. As part of its plans to ensure the highest quality of training in aviation and medicine, the ADAC HEMS Academy will consolidate training services in the short term and then will later be setting up a new, state-of-the-art location in Oberpfaffenhofen as the future headquarters of HMotion. Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said: “With the establishment of HMotion, we will further improve the training options for our customers on our H135 and H145 helicopters. We can combine the best of both worlds: the data and knowledge of Airbus as a helicopter manufacturer with the experience of ADAC Luftrettung, one of the largest air rescue organizations in Europe.”

Air Maestro and Spidertracks

Air Maestro, a provider of critical safety management systems, flight operations and training solutions, has merged with Spidertracks, a real-time fleet management and tracking organization. Together, the companies will provide a stronger service provision linking safety, operations and fleet management in a complete end-to-end solution. The combination of the Australian and New Zealand companies strengthens their position in the sector and provides a service for better and safer operations the world over.

Airbus

Airbus had a range of rotorcraft on display including from the Spanish Civil Guard, the National Police and Asturias Fire Department. The Lithuanian State Border Guard Service announced a contract for three five-bladed H145 multi-mission helicopters, expanding the service’s fleet of Airbus rotorcraft to 11. The helicopters will be operated for a wide range of missions including search and rescue (SAR), disaster relief and medevac, border patrol, firefighting, transport of donor organs, and operational deployment of the Lithuanian Special Forces. The new version of the H145 includes the five-bladed rotor, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 150kg and the new bearingless main rotor design also eases maintenance operations, improving the serviceability and reliability, as well as ride comfort.

AUTOFLUG

German equipment company, AUTOFLUG displayed its FLYWEIGHT seat family – a lightweight, crash-safe, multi-functional seating range. As part of its range, the FLYWEIGHT FLEX was present. The latest design to be added, the FLEX provides flexibility through a rotating and sliding platform and a foldable seat pan. Whilst strapped in, aircrew can attend to patients during a flight while remaining securely fastened, making this option ideal for use during emergency medical services missions and for hoisting operations. The folding seat pan and the maneuverability of the seat itself also means that it takes up little space when not in use and allows for greater accessibility to the cabin for other passengers.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU)

Coming off the back of multiple award wins this year – the E3 Lightweight Aviation Night Vision Goggles (NVG) won the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance ‘Coolest Thing Made in Idaho’ and Mike Atwood claimed the Airborne Public Safety Association ‘Public Safety Award’ – ASU represented with a booth displaying its award winning E3 Lightweight Aviation NVG. Announced at the event, ASU is to supply Norwegian Air Ambulance with 14 new E3 NVG and five cockpit modifications, and 10 new E3 NVG to Heli Austria, further supporting the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and SAR sectors to save lives across Europe. ASU has also obtained a supplemental type certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Bell 429.

Avincis

Avincis, an aviation critical services business, displayed an Airbus AS332 L2 rotorcraft and an uncrewed aerial vehicle. The company operates around the world from bases in Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Portugal and Finland, and has operations in Chile and Mozambique. Avincis is Europe’s largest aerial emergency services operator, providing EMS, SAR and firefighting services. Formerly part of the Babcock group, Avincis reverted to their original name after a separation in March 2023. It has grown further after a recent sale and leaseback agreement allowing them to operate another six Airbus H145 D2 and D3 helicopters for long-term HEMS contracts in Italy.

Bell

Bell has delivered over 500 of its Bell 505s to its global customers. A light single engine helicopter, the Bell 505 was on static display at its booth; it has an open cabin with broad visibility and is available with the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and Genesys HeliSAS autopilot system. Also on display was the Bell 429 in HEMS configuration. This was the third Bell 429 acquired by Swiss-based helicopter rescue company, Air Zermatt, allowing it to extend its SAR support for the Swiss Valais region, which was delivered to the rescue organization at the event.

Bluedrop Training and Simulation and Air Rescue Training & Simulation (ARTS)

ARTS has opened a new training facility in the UK. Central to this facility is the Bluedrop Hoist Mission Training Simulator (HMTS). On display at the Bluedrop booth was the HMTS, which is the first simulator of its kind that can provide haptic feedback to accurately represent drag, wind and rotor wash during hoist operations simulation. The simulator is also able to be used in conjunction with a wider network of other flight training devices and flight simulation training devices to allow for ‘whole crew’ training, replicating the experience of a real mission more closely. Bluedrop has also been awarded a contract to supply the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) with two of its HMTSs.

Entrol

Entrol announced its new line of FFS Level B certified products. Its helicopter full-flight simulator (FFS) has six degrees of freedom and is built in collaboration with VRX Sim. The simulators have also been upgraded with visual improvements from Envision using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine and a 200 x 70 degree spherical LED display and flexible modules. On display and available for demos was a H145 FTD Level 3 and Bell 429 FTD Level 2 simulators with mission features.

Flysight and CENTUM

Announced at the event, Flysight and CENTUM have collaborated to integrate their OPENSIGHT and Lifeseeker onto DJI drones to maximize efficiency and the capabilities of the drones on SAR missions. Lifeseeker compatibility significantly enhances geolocation performance during SAR operations, even in challenging low or no visibility conditions. The information collected by Lifeseeker is relayed to the OPENSIGHT engine in real-time, creating an optimal situational awareness for the operator. The information is transmitted in the OPENSIGHT-mc augmented reality environment and displayed directly on the operatorʼs tablet screen, providing a user-friendly interface with the overlaying multiple synthetic information layers directly onto the live video feed. The OPENSIGHT-mc operating system is easily integrated into various platforms via its customizable Open Code.

Leonardo

On display were two configurations of the AW169 (maritime and policing). Leonardo is aware of the growing demand in the civil and public service sector, which has led to it providing a 5,100kg kit for the AW169 skid version. The additional 300kg available allows the embarkation of three more passengers or the addition of fuel for approximately one hour of operations. The increased gross weight (IGW) kit is expected to be certified in 2024, and its 11-seater configuration with new modular fuel tank due in 2026. The AW169 is the only rotorcraft in its size category that has advanced SAR modes. Also on display was a mockup of the final configuration of the single engine multirole AW09; 10 preliminary sales contracts for this craft were signed by Léman Aviation, expanding distribution options in Europe.

Loft Dynamics

Loft Dynamics displayed its ‘glass cockpit’ version of the EASA-qualified H125 simulator, and demonstrated its expanded capabilities including helicopter external sling load operations training, and the improved ForeFlight app, which is an integrated virtual tablet that has added checklist and navigation charts functionality. The small, mobile, lightweight and low-cost simulator enables pilots to complete proficiency checks and also to receive credits towards type ratings, all in an authentically ‘real’ virtual space. Loft Dynamics also announced the world’s first H145 virtual reality simulator at the event.

Maestrale

Italian simulator training company Maestrale demonstrated its SIM22, a mixed reality Robinson R22 simulator. Attendees were able to experience a flight over Venice, landing in locations such as the helipad on top of the Ospedale Hospital and at Marco Polo Airport. The immersive simulator replicates the desired location, weather, traffic and other variables to help the student pilot get familiar with the controls and procedures, or a more experienced pilot to refresh or consolidate their skills.

MD Helicopters

MD Helicopters made its EUROPEAN ROTORS debut in Madrid, hosting the Slovak Training Academy’s MD 530F in its booth, which features a full-glass cockpit avionics package. Slovak Training Academy offers mission and tactical pilot training, along with practical hands-on maintenance training for both MD 500E and MD 530F helicopters. MD Helicopters is in the process of receiving Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and EASA certification for the MD 530F with a glass cockpit and crash resistant fuel system; expected in the first half of 2024.

Pratt & Whitney Canada

At the show, Pratt & Whitney Canada announced its PT6T-3/6 Twinpac engine overhaul program designed especially for military customers. The P&WCSMART solution provides a set-cost option to extend the service life of Bell 212 and Bell 412 helicopters. The helicopters are widely used by militaries around the globe for a variety of missions, such as training, troop transport and medevac. The program is designed so that costs to the customer are limited, more easily predicted and scheduled, consequently enhancing maintenance, repair and overhaul processes for workhorse platforms that are used in the most demanding circumstances.

Reiser Simulation and Training (RST)

RST was recently awarded a contract for the provision of the NH90 Rear Cabin Trainer by NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) and the German Federal Armed Forces (BAAINBw). The NH90 is used by several government agencies for a variety of roles including SAR, medevac, and other special operations. RST has also just the launched its helicopter full-flight simulator (FFS) with Swiss Air-Rescue Rega, operated by Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) Switzerland.

Smith Myers

The British technology firm unveiled its ARTEMIS T-U Role-Fit System for SAR, aerial firefighting and disaster relief organizations. Smith Myersʼ modification to its ARTEMIS T-U System sees ruggedized connectors and a transportable package, making the system suited for temporary installations on multi-role aircraft where it isn't needed for every mission. The ARTEMIS T-U System is able to identify, geolocate, and communicate with cell phones at ranges up to 35km with high accuracy processing speeds, and has features including mass-mapping. Being able to easily swap in and out the systems means that valuable size, weight and power considerations are not wasted on missions that don’t need the system, while enhancing the missions that do.

The Helicopter Company (THC)

After a recent SR800 million (US$213 million) loan, THC plans to further invest in advanced aircraft and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. In 2022, THC started its growth of the Saudi Air Ambulance HEMS program with a purchase of a range of helicopters from Airbus and Leonardo. In an interview with AirMed&Rescue at EUROPEAN ROTORS, Captain Arnaud Martinez, Chief Executive Officer for THC, said: “The EMS market in Saudia Arabia was in need. We started a relationship with Saudi Red Crescent Authority Air Ambulance (SRCA), operating under its flag. In order to cover 90 per cent of the kingdom, there is a need for 30 helicopters at all times: 25 in operation and five spares.” Martinez continued that, due to the diverse geography of Saudia Arabia, they operate a mixed fleet using the most appropriate aircraft for the situation, with plans for up to 25 bases and two fixed-wing craft to serve the country, soon to be completed. He added that the resources also go towards bringing on board the best subject matter experts to provide the best service. He concluded by saying that THC does not do all this in isolation, emphasizing the importance of the partnership and involvement of the SRCA.

United Rotorcraft and Dart Aerospace

Aware of the shortage of provision of Type 1 firefighting helicopters to the civil market, United Rotorcraft and Dart Aerospace have partnered to supply a new solution for the needs of the sector. The system will feature an externally mounted 4,000L tank onto the Super Puma, modelled after United Rotorcraftʼs similar existing provision on Firehawks. The concept is to fill the gap in the market for supply to the operators in the US and for international operators who are not cleared for the restrictions of ex-military Black Hawk conversions.