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In the static park, 10 of an expected 19 helicopters were displayed, including Australia’s first Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. Paul Sadler Photo

Rotortech wraps up Down Under

By Paul Sadler | May 28, 2018

Estimated reading time 5 minutes, 14 seconds.

The largest helicopter conference and exposition in the Australian and New Zealand region, Rotortech 2018, wrapped up on Saturday after attracting more than 800 delegates and visitors to the three-day helicopter showcase on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, about an hour north of Brisbane.

The Robinson R44 Cadet made its Rotortech debut, with the two-seat training and utility helicopter proving to be a popular attendee. Paul Sadler Photo
The Robinson R44 Cadet made its Rotortech debut, with the two-seat training and utility helicopter proving to be a popular attendee. Paul Sadler Photo

Held from May 24 to 26, Rotortech 2018 was the Australian Helicopter Industry Association’s (AHIA) third and largest ever biennial helicopter event. As a result of a high level of exhibitor and sponsorship support, organizers provided delegate access to all conferences sessions and the expo at no charge, reimbursing those who had paid early. In collaboration with the AHIA, Rotortech 2018 was presented by Industry Defence and Security Australia Limited, an Australian not-for-profit foundation dedicated to providing events to stimulate Australian industry development.

Outside in the static park, 10 of an expected 19 helicopters were displayed, including Australia’s first Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. Fitted with an emergency flotation system, and a recently Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved cargo hook, the all-over red 505, VH-VSB, was one of six to be delivered so far to customers in Australia and New Zealand.

Delivered to Nautilus Aviation in December 2017, the 505’s attendance gave many their first view of the successor to the Bell 206. Australasia’s authorized Bell Helicopter distributor, Hawker Pacific, announced seven more 505s are expected to be delivered in the region by the end of this year.

In the static park, 10 of an expected 19 helicopters were displayed, including Australia's first Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. Paul Sadler Photo
In the static park, 10 of an expected 19 helicopters were displayed, including Australia’s first Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. Paul Sadler Photo

Nearby was another Australian first. The Robinson R44 Cadet made its Rotortech debut, with the two-seat training and utility helicopter proving to be a popular attendee. Notably absent, though, was Leonardo, with none of its products making it to Rotortech 2018.

Inside the trade hall, around 80 local and international exhibitors displayed their wares.

Off Planet Simulation’s bespoke virtual reality aircrew trainer all but stole the show. Setup in an emergency medical services/search-and-rescue Leonardo AW139 cabin configuration — one of the many configurations possible — the interactive and immersive simulator demonstrated how it can be used to safely train aircrew in a range of scenarios and situations in high fidelity without leaving the ground.

Linked to a generic pilot station, for real-time pilot/aircrew interaction, the recently developed simulator was given a thumbs up approval by visiting Robinson Helicopter Company Chief Instructor, Tim Tucker, who was at Rotortech 2018 to give two technical workshop presentations on the manufacturer’s helicopter range.

Another visiting international VIP guest was Charles “Chuck” Aaron, there to deliver the opening keynote address, kicking off three days of presentations and discussion panel sessions involving government and heads of the helicopter industry.

Off Planet Simulation's bespoke virtual reality aircrew trainer demonstrated how it can be used to safely train aircrew in a range of scenarios and situations in high fidelity without leaving the ground. Paul Sadler Photo
Off Planet Simulation’s bespoke virtual reality aircrew trainer demonstrated how it can be used to safely train aircrew in a range of scenarios and situations in high fidelity without leaving the ground. Paul Sadler Photo

Safety was a focus of Rotortech 2018, and in support of that theme, “Don’t push it, land it” — new safety messaging jointly developed and supported by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the AHIA — was officially launched in an effort to reduce the rate of avoidable helicopter accidents in Australia.

Echoing similar messaging of the Helicopter Association International’s “Land and Live” campaign, “Don’t push it, land it” encourages all helicopter pilots, no matter their experience or the type of helicopter they fly, to make a precautionary landing if they encounter an abnormal situation in flight.

Pleased with the interest shown by the local and international helicopter industries, the AHIA says Rotortech could be held at a more convenient capital city location for future events. Details for Rotortech 2020 will likely be announced early next year.

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