EUROPEAN ROTORS debuts in Cologne, Germany, from 16-18 November 2021, and will focus on blending the in-person event with a unique digital show platform. AirMed&Rescue spoke to the organisers about the details of the event

Can you share any more details about how the digital and inperson events will run in such a way that they complement each other?

Dr. Frank Liemandt: Over the last year, we have learned a lot about staying connected via digital platforms. While we all can’t wait to meet physically again, we will expand our activities in the digital environment and thus ensure that we reach the maximum of our potential attendees. The digital event platform will host online exhibitors with their latest news, inform attendees about the educational program during the show, including webinars, and will broadcast sessions live directly from the event. Furthermore, the EUROPEAN ROTORS 365 platform will go live during the show and will include a digital marketplace after the physical event throughout the entire year to keep the industry updated on product news and for knowledge exchange. 

Many people are very keen to once again conduct face-to-face business meetings; are you seeing a lot of interest from people in the VTOL industry about attending the event in person?

Tobias Bretzel: Yes we can absolutely confirm this! The feedback we receive from our talks with industry representatives are not very positive towards the physical event. We feel such a strong wish to meet face to face after a long absence of in person contacts businesswise, and also to socialize. More than ever, the industry needs this annual European platform for the exchange of knowledge and strengthening business relationships. From the HEMS sector, we already have a strong contribution with confirmed exhibitors like ADAC HEMS Academy, Bucher Leichtbau, Spectrum Aeromed and many more.

Although you have some of the ‘big names’ in the aviation industry confirming their attendance, you also have a dedicated space for new and emerging companies to showcase their offerings. Why have you taken the decision to oer this aspect of the event?

Tobias Bretzel: One of the overall strategic aspects/ intentions of the event is that EUROPEAN ROTORS is a platform for the entire VTOL branch, from big OEMs to small suppliers, startups, research institutions and universities. The VTOL industry is quite compact but very segmented and highly innovative at the same time. There are so many new concepts and innovations which need to be seen at an early stage and getting into contact with EASA for certification, which we can provide via our platform.

How does the educational programme look and will there be a dedicated HEMS part?

Dr. Frank Liemandt: One important pillar of the show concept is the unique educational program.That means, we are offering conferences – here the flagship is of course the well known EASA Rotorcraft and VTOL Symposium which is now integrated in our event – workshops and trainings. As HEMS is one of the most important mission sectors within the rotorcraft operations, it will be one of the main content blocks within our educational programme and on the show oor. Topics like lessons learned from Covid-19, HEMS operations of the future as well as seminars on hoisting and PBN procedures are in preparation.

How important is the partnership between European Helicopter Association and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to the success of the event?

Peter Moeller: EASA and EHA share the same goals in supporting the European helicopter industry to improve the operational safety and ensure a sustainable development of the industry, both the economic aspects as well as the environmental field by enabling the development of new technologies and operational procedures and regulations. Consequently, we joined our forces to create a common forum to share new technologies, experiences and expectations concerning the future of the VTOL industry. 

What does the EASA Rotorcraft and VTOL Symposium bring to the event that would otherwise be missed?

David Solar: The Rotorcraft and VTOL Symposium has been a central forum for the agency to share information on the latest safety developments with the wider rotorcraft community. For the latest editions before the pandemic, the main factor limiting the number of participants was the size of the room. The Symposium was expanded in 2019 to include electric and hybrid VTOL – a subject of which the Agency has been very active recently. This year’s Symposium will oer a balanced mix with online and physical parts and integrate smoothly into the overall concept for EUROPEAN ROTORS 2021. It is a yearly unique opportunity for the industry and us to share across the board potential safety issues and challenges ahead and collaborate together on the best way to handle them. This two way communication channel is essential to achieve a common course of action and vision.