RotorTech Helicopter and Uncrewed Flight Exposition’s Post

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 🌟

🚨📢 Following a successful sold out RotorTech 2024 at RACV Royal Pines Resort, we are happy to announce we will be RETURNING in May 2026!  To avoid missing out for 2026, secure your exhibition space now. Start the chat with Matt & Tracey on the AMDA Stand at RotorTech today or email us at [email protected].

AUSTRALIAN HELICOPTER INDUSTRY FUTURE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED! The Australian Helicopter Industry Future Fund (AHIFF) has announced the six young recipients from around Australia who have won scholarships to further their engineering study. Australian Helicopter Industry Association's President and AHIFF Board Member Ray Cronin announced the winners as part of RotorTech 2024 Industry Dinner, yesterday evening. The six winners are first year engineering apprentices who will receive a $3,000 scholarship to help the continuation of their studies. The winners of the AHIFF Scholarship for 2024 are: - Shadae Boylan - Heli-Muster NT (NT) - Mark Fetherston - HeliFlite (WA) - Simon McLaine - Helicopter Resources (TAS) - Max Peisley - Helico Australia (QLD) - Heath Harris - Sydney Helicopters (NSW) - Fergus Grubb - Yungar Aviation Services (VIC) The AHIFF was created three years ago when prominent helicopter industry leader John Cameron approached the AHIA to donate $500,000 to help further the industry. "It was a magnificent contribution to the industry so we took those funds and started the not-for-profit Australian Helicopter Industry Future Fund," said Ray. "The purpose of the foundation is to encourage the entrants we need into the industry, engineers, pilots, safety officers, whatever the needs of the industry demands. "...These scholarships will tackle sustainability in the industry and ensure trainees complete their apprenticeships." Congratulations to this year's AHIFF Scholarship winners! ✨ #RotorTech2024

It is the third and final day of RotorTech 2024 with some highlights for your day: Careers Day | 0930-1400 Secondary students from Year 9 -12 will tour exhibits, outdoor static displays and participate in panel discussions to learn about study and career pathways. AMSL Aero Vertiia | External Display EX3 Visit the Australian aerospace company developing its long-range, low-cost, hydrogen powered and zero-emission Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. AHIA Conference | 0930 - 1030 Meeting the Industry’s Engineering Challenges Panel featuring Hylke Kijlstra from Helico Australia and Bill Haffner from Pacific Crown Helicopter. Altalena Drysuits & Protective Equipment | Stand 21A See the family team from Altalena, exclusive distributor of leading-edge European professional protective equipment for government and military. #RotorTech2024